Remembering..... The Ducklings

We had been trying forever and ever, waiting for weeks and weeks, but still nothing happened.

This part is going to sound *crazy* crazy.... it even sounds crazy to me!   I had been wanting to hatch some baby ducklings for over a month, and it took over my mind *soo* much that I had a dream one night about finding 3 new ducklings in the coop.  The morning after my dream I sprinted outside and found........ 1.......2.......no wait, 3 little guys!!  Needless to say, I was pretty darn astonished and excited! :)

The ducklings found an amazing new home when I moved back to TX, but I still miss their adorably funny attitudes.  Trust me, if you want a good laugh, all you have to do is watch some ducks for about a half hour - something hilarious is bound to happen!  Here are a couple of their "baby photos" that I found this morning....



 



 

This was the very first video I took with my new camera, and the quality isn't the best (who knew you had to manually adjust the focus?? obviously not moi. ;-)), but I couldn't resist sharing the cuteness.

 



Happy Monday!

~~le

An Evening With Jasmine Star || The Fix

I sat down this morning with a homemade cappuccino and started to write about my trip to Seattle, WA.  I gathered up some photos, and was about to share about my awesome adventure when I realized that the story didn't actually start in Seattle.  It started at The Fix in Nashville, TN on March 6, 2012.  Yes, it's almost been 2 years, and I never posted about that night.

This might sound cliché, but I really do remember The Fix like it happened last week.  I remember signing up for it and not knowing why, or even what I would do there.  I remember laying out my clothes the night before and making sure my camera batteries were charged.  I remember stalking the Fix's Facebook group just to keep up to date with what was going on.  I remember getting to the venue super early and asking Zach and Jody where I could kill some time in downtown Nashville.  I remember walking through different shops with my dad and hearing Eric Church's "Drink in my Hand" three times within an hour (seriously, we thought someone was playing a joke on us.)  But most of all, I remember a feeling that I got that night.

 



 



 

As I walked into the building, I saw tons of *professional* photographers and felt completely overwhelmed.  Even though I had been shooting since 2008, I had only started up my business two days before The Fix.  That's right, only *2* days.

Everyone seemed to know everyone else, so I decided to just sit down and wait for Jasmine to start talking.

I honestly can't remember much of what Jasmine said.  Maybe I was star-stuck (pun totally intended).  Maybe I was too busy being inspired.  Maybe I was laughing too hard at her jokes. No matter what, I came away that night realizing that the only thing I wanted to do at that moment was pick up my camera and start shooting like crazy.  She inspired me to go for what I wanted, and to not let the fear of mistakes get in my way.  I don't think there is a word in the dictionary to describe the feeling she gave me - it was just really amazing.  I was on fire.

 

 



 

At the end of the night I went over to get my copy of Exposed signed.   I am *such* an introvert and was really nervous about having to actually talk to someone that night, but Jasmine has the amazing ability to make anyone feel instantly comfortable around her.  I can't remember what we talked about, but I remember that we were both laughing a lot.

After I had my photo taken with Jasmine, my dad asked if she would take a photo of him and me together.  It was completely embarrassing at first, but she and I started laughing and it sure happened folks!  We had a group of people watching and laughing with us, and Jasmine was coaching my dad and I through a few shots.  It was fabulous.

 

 

 

 

I got home über late that night (Nashville was about an hour and a half away from our farm), unloaded my photos, and then curled up and read about half of Exposed.  Anyone who knows me knows that I don't like reading - so this was practically a miracle.  If you don't already have a copy of her magazine you *really* need to buy it.  I was absolutely glued to it until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.  (and these aren't affiliate links - I don't get anything from recommending it to you.  It's just too good not to share!)

 

Come back next week to see how on earth a night in downtown Nashville was the start to my Seattle journey. :)

 

Happy Friday!

~~le

Hola Texas! + A Sneak Peek

Seattle.  Nashville.  San Antonio.  Nashville.  San Antonio.  All in one month.  <---- officially the most traveling I have ever done in my life.  I feel like a repeating record when I say "things are so crazy around here" and "my life has gotten soooo busy" (believe me, they ARE. and it HAS.), but no matter how many times I say those words my life gets even *busier* - and I'm kinda loving it.  :)

I am *almost* settled after my move from Tennessee to Texas and realized that I haven't blogged since I got back from creativeLIVE!  I still have some boxes to unpack, wedding photos to edit, and about 1000000+ blog posts to catch up on (including my seattle trip, an engagement shoot and 2 weddings), but I just had to stop in and say "hey", "I'm still alive", and "HOLA Texas.... you sure are HOT!!".

 

Here's a sneak peek of an engagement I shot last week in Nashville, TN.... aren't they ADORABLE!!??  Can't wait to share the rest of their engagement photos!

 

 



 

Happy Wednesday!
~~le

CMA Fest 3 || The Day I Decided To Text

Just a warning to all you "non country music fans"  - this is going to be a loooong post full of country music photos, contests, and 100% goodness.  You have been warned. :)

I don't text.  I don't have a texting plan, and I don't plan on getting one any time soon.  Anyone I need to keep in constant contact with has an iPhone with "iMessage" (apples' free texting service).  So anytime I *do* send a text to someone it costs me.... not much, but it can add up.  Needless to say I only text when it's uber important.

Satruday night at CMA Fest was UBER important to me!  I received a text from CMA asking if I wanted a chance to win a Photo Fast Pass to that nights show.  Did I want a chance at being able to cut in front of everyone who had waited over an hour for each artist?  Did I want to get AHHHMAZING photos 5 feet away from these singers???  YES.  YES.  YES.  So I replied back and decided to go ahead and text just this once.  I received the following....

I couldn't believe it!!  I had to re-read the text over and over and then ask my cousin to read it himself.  The night was soooooo amazing!

Now I'm going to sound like one of those infomercials - "But wait!  There's more!".  Wait, because there IS MORE  -  I won the photo passes Sunday night also!!!!  2 Nights in a row.  Cutting in front of the lines.  Running around and around LP Field.  Getting blisters.  Back aches from hauling camera gear.  Sweating like crazy.  Missing most of the concert due to said running back and forth.  But getting photos of a lifetime.  Truly.  Here are some highlights from both Saturday and Sunday...

 

 

 

I feel horrible about this... This guy is the first person I was able to get photos of, but I have NO CLUE who he is.  I listen to Country and Contemporary Christian music.  This dude didn't fit either genre.  Let me know if you know who it is... I got a photo anyway :)





 

Brad Paisley and Keith Urban are the best guitarists I've ever seen/heard.  I was able to be up front during one of Brad's solo sections.  As Mariah Carey says "#POW"



 

 

A thunderstorm shut down CMA Fest early on Sunday night and the artists were only able to sing a couple songs each.  The Band Perry opened their 2-song set with "DONE." and brought a ton of energy to the bummed out crowd!



 

Since the night was ending really fast, security moved everyone through the lines UBER fast.  Their main order was "get 1 photo then move on".  I was too close to the stage to get a full shot before I had to move, so I had to shoot back behind me to grab one of all 3 siblings together.  I'll take it. :)



 

 

I feel really bad for Jake Owen.  He only got 1 song.  Just 1.  He was barefoot and everything for his song "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" and didn't even get to sing it.  Poor guy :/



 

Carrie Underwood closed out the music festival on Sunday night.  Once again I was rushed through the line, but I was still able to hear her "See You Again" up close by the stage.  It was THE way to end CMA Fest for me.  <3

 



 

Kelly Clarkson was on Saturday night right before my all time favorite.  I was so worried about not being ready in the front of the line for my favorite, and I was only able to grab a few photos of Kelly.  But man, she sounded AWESOME that night!  I missed her duet with Jason Aldean, but it was worth it in the end....



 

 

 

...... because Keith Urban was THE ONE person that I REALLY wanted to see.  He came up to my row in 2011 and sang "Somebody like you" (I have his sweat on my left hand to prove it...oh... and photos and video if that counts ;-) ), and this year it was my turn to do all the walking and see him.  I think I took about 150 photos during his set.



 

 

**DIES**..... his guitar playing!!! .... NUFF SAID.

 

Keith was the last artist on Saturday night and ended his set by running through the crowd, straight into the parking garage, jumping into a truck, and driving off while fireworks were going - and the whole time being followed by the camera crew.  Ultimate Exit!



 

3 Hours worth of highlights from CMA Fest will be airing tonight on ABC - will you be watching?  If you look close enough you might even see me and my cousin in the front row.  ;-)

 

Happy Monday!

~~le

Finally || CMA Fest 2013

These photos are about 2 months old, but I personally didn't even get to see them until this week.  Everyone kept asking me if I would show them my CMA photos and my answer was always the same - "Sure!  Once *I* get to see them."  A couple months ago my computer decided that it was out of space and wouldn't let me unload my 90GB of photos.  Yay.  Just what I needed after 3 of the best concerts evah!

Thanks to a fantastic 2am post in a facebook group my problem was solved and I now have PLENTY of free space!  I'll share the awesome tip later on.  (Hint, it only applies to LR users.) :)

I'm so excited to FINALLY share these photos!  I'm dividing my CMA experience into 3 posts, and trust me, you will NOT want to miss part 3!

 

My cousin Brett and I drove into Nashville *early* on Thursday morning to get in the huge line for Fan Fair and it was totally worth it!  We were able to hear Lady Antebellum's "Close Up" performance and interview.  It was sooooo good!

 



We got in line for a "no namer" autograph signing, and realized when we got home later that night that Mark Wills wasn't a "no namer" after all and that we had heard his songs before... oops ;-)



 

Ronnie Dunn also had a "Close Up" interview and spoke about his photography!

 



 

I'm only including this because it was soooo funny to watch!  I have no clue what flying dogs have to do with country music... at all.  just sayin'.  :)

 



 

Trace Adkin's tour bus was on display in the Fan Fair and we were able to take a mini tour through it.  It. Was. Huge. And. Uber. Fancy.

 



 



Even though we were melting from the heat, Brett and I wondered through downtown Nashville and stopped off at different outdoor concerts.  Love and Theft was my favorite :)

 



 

Come back tomorrow for part 2 - the LP Field concerts - in my mind the BEST part of CMA Fest!

Happy Friday

~~le

 

Reiley + Ryan || Engaged

The third time really is the charm - at least it was with Reiley and Ryan's engagement session.  After being rained out twice our third try ended up being an absolutely perfect day.  Thanks for an amazingly fun evening Reiley and Ryan!!

I had a hard time narrowing down their photos because they are just so photogenic, but here are a *few* of my favorites...

 

Click here to view more from Reiley and Ryan's Natchez Trace engagement session...

Happy Friday

~~laura

Catching My Breath ~ May Goals

This is going to be the busiest month EVER for me.  I'll be back and forth between TX and TN all month, so instead of posting goals (which I *know* I won't have time to complete), I'll just post the highlights of my month .... :)

What I'm Looking Forward To:

• Travel - In addition to two 14 hour car rides, I'll be flying twice this month.


• Photo-shoots with Friends - I'm making a point of actually documenting our time together :)


• Show Hope's 10th Anniversary Picnic - I'll be manning the kiddos bouncy machine if you want to come and see me!


• Prepping for a visit with Brett - CMA is *almost* here!!


• Crocheting toy mushrooms for a friend who will take them to an orphanage!  (more on this later :D )


• Work....yes, I LOVE my job and I LOVE working :)

 

And because I love adding photos in every post, here's a glimpse of Reiley and Ryan's engagement session!  I'm so glad that even though we were rained out twice, we finally ended up with an amazing day to shoot!



 

~~laura elizabeth