My First Wedding

I've gotten some sad news this week. My friend's husband Mike passed away. It was completely unexpected. Theirs was the first wedding I've ever photographed. I've known Kim since we were 16 years old and she gave me the opportunity to be a part of one of the most important day of their lives. I was blessed. They were both wonderful and gave me the confidence I needed. Even though these film scans aren't the best, I have to share a few images with you.

This is one of my favorite moments- everyone was teary eyed when they gave their daughter, Jordan a ring too.




I will never forget taking this photograph below. Mike was starting to get a little stressed and so I suggested doing some fun shots of the boys. Afterwards he walked up to me, gave me a hug, shook my hand and simply said "Thanks." I could see the tension literally melt away. It's still on my website today partly because of the way it makes me feel when I see it. I always smile.


Kim and Jordan, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. You will be missed, Mike.

Pinetop with the Fam!

So nice to get away once in a while, so we went up north to Pinetop! The weather is so great up there. We spent a lot of out time just playing around in a field.

The kids were gathering flowers...


And playing mini-golf!!!


My son took this one and I helped him post process it. He even told her how to stand and where to put the flowers- it was too cute!


I am such a lucky mom! :0)

Blessing of the Animals

Update!! :0)
If anyone would like to download or print the images you can check them via this link:
http://laurasiivolaphotographer.smugmug.com/gallery/3695495

I'll be updating the gallery with more Ascension images throughout the year!

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What a fun time all the kids had at the blessing of the animals! I love Ascension Lutheran- such a wonderful community. I am so lucky to have found this preschool for my children. The teachers are so supportive and loving! And of course I brought my camera to photograph all the happenings! Unfortunately our dog Paige got most of my attention, so here are a few that I did manage to snap (mostly one handed!)


Some of the kids looking at a turtle- yep we had all sorts of animals! A few years ago someone brought a horse! :0)

And if you couldn't bring your pet- no worries, your stuffed animal was blessed!



Another cool thing is how the kids stay a part of the school. This is Mrs. Barks' son who went there when he was little! Brad is holding his puppy, Fate who was chosen as the school mascot, voted in by the children :0) How could they not pick such a cutie!! (and the obligatory awww....!)


And here Is Mrs. Colwell, one of the teachers & Annie- not just a student but her granddaughter as well!

The animals might have been blessed but I am everyday for finding such wonderful people!!!

Lucky Moi...

Why am I so lucky? Because the fabulous Becky Waurio of Toute Ma Vie Photography flew me in to Virginia to shoot with her!!! How cool is that? I had such a fun time- she is awesome to shoot with. The bride, Anne was gorgeous- just look at her!



One of the great things about second shooting is that I really have time to spend on the images. Photographers (depending on their style of course...) usually pick 20 or 30 images they love and turn them into pieces of art. Well, second shooters are able to pick the best and forget about the others!!! Which leaves me more time to work on awesome images like this below- a bridesmaid was in the bottom right corner of the frame and the stained glass window was illuminated with much more color than the original. :0)



Another cool thing about second shooting is the way it makes me think about images in a different perspective. Becky totally set up this image and was shooting straight on. I had to come up with a different angle. Now their album will have different views of the same moment!


And this was my first experience with sparklers at a reception! (As Becky can surely attest to... When are we doing the sparklers Becky? What time is it Becky?...) hehe :0)


And I couldn't resist this image of their dog, the cutest ever- Serendipity!

Thanks again Becky- I had so much fun!!!