2007 Year in Review - The Slideshow!

What a wonderful year! Words cannot express how thankful I am for being able to do something I love and for all the incredible clients who choose to have us capture important moments and memories in their lives! My sincere wish is that you have a happy and healthy 2008!

Click on the title of this post to see some of my favorite images of the year!

p.s. I tried to only include clients that have given me permission to post their images so if I forgot anyone, I am sorry....a 2 year-old wrecks havoc on my memory. Also, I only pulled files that were still easily accessible and formatted already on my computer so some clients have a few more pictures in the show that others...but I *love* you all equally!

A Contest! - Free stuff!

Oh how I would love to keep my yearly New Year's resolution to lose weight. But since the results of that resolution are about as likely to change this year as a Canon 85mm f/1.2 lens magically appearing on my doorstep, I have been trying to think of something different for this year.

I find myself becoming more and more pessimistic about the world around me and it finally hit me (I'm a little slow sometimes, okay) that my bad attitude is only contributing to what I see as a world becoming more filled with negatives than positives. So instead of becoming more angry, my resolution this year is to find ways (small and large) to become more positive and hopefully have an impact on those around me.

Less road rage, less growling when I try to get off an elevator before people plow me down trying to get on, more smiling, a more positive role model for my son both in actions and words, using the gifts I have been given to help others not so fortunate, allowing my beliefs and faith to guide my decisions. You get the picture. Actually, it might be a harder resolution than losing weight when I really think about the changes I would like to make.

So why am I posting this here? Well, partially because I want to be "accountable" and putting it out where someone else can see it kind of does that for me. Second, my photography is one of thing things in my life that has brought me and my family and hopefully my clients a lot of joy and happy memories.

With that in mind, I want to use one of the gifts in my life to bring something positive to someone else this new year.

So I am going to have a little contest of sorts. My first, so hopefully I don't blow it with missing details or rules.

The Prize:

A one hour, on-location, photography session with me.
Custom edited images from session
Five 5x7 prints
A CD with the edited images with personal reproduction rights

The Rules:

Nominate yourself or someone you know who has overcome some sort of obstacle, someone who going through a difficult time, or someone who is doing something positive to help others. (Individuals or groups up to 5 only please as nominees) by posting in the comments section with YOUR New Year's resolution for this year (it does not have to be related to your nomination).

Email me jenniferdotderyatgmaildotcom with your nomination. Include the person(s) name you are nominating, a short description of why you are nominating them and contact information for the nominated person/people (including an email address). Also indicate which comment on my blog belongs to you (your resolution).

The winner must be willing to share their story on the blog as well as a few pictures from the session (the privacy of the winner will be respected and the story I will post may be reviewed/modified by the winner before it is published).

Session must be local (Lansing, MI) and must take place before December 31, 2008. Scheduling is subject to availability. (Sorry, I have a "day job" and a son and husband that limit my photography schedule for sessions.)

Nominations must be received by email by January 10th at midnight EST. A blog comment with your resolution must be made by this deadline as well or your nomination will not be considered.

The "unbiased" selection process of a winner will be determined depending on the number of nominations. More details to follow. The only thing I know is that I won't personally select the winner.

Tell your friends and family! Everyone is welcome to enter!

Rules are subject to change! (I hope they won't, but I am sure I forgot something!)

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season and happy new year!

Family

I was lucky to have a big brother growing up...and I was lucky to only have one brother growing up if you know what I mean!

Every other year, my brother, his wife and their two children make the trek from sunny southern California to Michigan to celebrate the holidays with us.

I misunderstood/misinterpreted their request for picture of the family and thought they wanted one of my normal "sessions". It was a pretty mild day (above freezing) the other day so we headed downtown. When we got there, they all looked at me and said "Are we doing this outside?" Yes, my thin skinned California relatives! About 15 minutes into it, I felt kind of bad since everyone looked like they were freezing. I still like the few shots we got.

Thanks for coming to chilly Michigan to spend the holidays with us you guys!







The look on my nephew's face when I said my famous, "Let's try one more thing!"

Just for fun!

I caved! I am always the last person to jump on the bandwagon it seems. Everyone, besides me pretty much, seems to be using textures in some of their post production work. Okay, not everyone, but a lot of people. I have tried to resist, but another photographer was kind enough to share some free textures so I had to give them a try. I thought these images might do well with them since the sky was very grey and lacked depth along with the white snow.

I am no expert and your comments are no reflection on the people in the images, but I am curious what you think. Place your vote in the poll located on the right side of the blog.

Here's a really subtle one.

And the original.

A more dramatic attempt.


The original.

Megan + Chip - The Slideshow

Congratulations to Chip and Megan who were married this past weekend. Their ceremony took place at Riverview Church and was officiated by Chip's father which of course added a very special touch to their marriage! When I got to the church and checked out the layout, I was so excited because there were 4 aisles in addition to the center aisle so I thought I would be able to get some really cool angles and still be inconspicuous. Well, I don't think I have ever been to a wedding so packed! I think Megan told me they invited about 450 people, but I think there must have been at least that many and maybe a few "wedding crashers" too! The church was so full, I could barely get down any of the aisles! Then I reminded myself what the day was really about (not my pictures) and happily stayed in the back and just moved to the sides a little.

The reception was at Eagle Eye Golf Course and Banquet Center which is one of my favorite local receptions sites. We headed out back for a few chilly portraits of the couple (and encountered a few minor spills...see 2 posts below) before heading back inside for a warm and holiday inspired party. Below is my favorite portrait from the day.

Congratulations Chip and Megan! I hope you enjoy your show.

Click on the title of the post to view the slideshow.

Megan + Chip

Thank goodness for back-up equipment...lots of it! Congratulations to Megan and Chip who were married earlier today.

More to come, but since they are leaving tomorrow on their honeymoon, I wanted to post a few pictures for them.

Sometimes knowing is less than half the battle

My husband and I had a wonderful time today celebrating the marriage of Chip and Megan today. More on that later.

Here's what I know:

1. It is cold outside in Michigan.

2. Water freezes when it is as cold as it is in Michigan.

3. Steps with ice on them are very slippery.

4. Typical footwear worn to weddings does not have very much tread on the bottom of them.

5. Camera equipment is expensive.

6. People who slip on ice can fall and get hurt.

7. Camera equipment held by people who fall on ice can get hurt.

8. You should listen to your inner conscience.

9. If you photograph weddings, you should always carry back-up equipment in case the equipment gets hurt.


I ignored #1-8 today. Fortunately, I followed #9. Fortunately, the person who fell, is pretty much okay. From now on, I will think more carefully about #1-8.

Sad day for the gear pictured below.

Game On!

Something you may not know about me...I HATE having my picture taken, which may be why I love being BEHIND the camera so much.

So my dear friend Abby snapped the most ridiculous shot of me last weekend and posted it on her blog! Grrrr!

So it's my turn! Look how cute she is while working! She LOVES having her picture taken as you can see!

Eric + Nicole

I had the pleasure of photographing Eric and Nicole's wedding yesterday with Abby. The wedding was at a Divine Child Church in Dearborn and then we headed to Hartland to Waldenwoods for the reception. Nicole's mom did the most amazing job decorating the tables...the room just glowed!

I met up with the guys before the ceremony. They weren't back from the barber shop when I arrived, so the girlfriend of one of the groomsmen was kind enough to let me in and keep me company. It also gave me some time to play with the wedding bands. The home belonged to one of the groomsmen, so I am not sure any of these will have significance for the bride and groom, but I still think they are fun.



Who can resist a bobble head?


Marrying my husband was the best decision I ever made, so I am not speaking from personal experience here...but I have heard that marriage has its ups and downs...and sometimes makes you feel like this.


I do have some "real" getting ready shots of the guys. But I love this one.


Nicole looked beautiful and her dress was gorgeous!



The beautiful church.

The happy couple (and their fabulous photographer...see Abby?)



Abby set up some wonderful portraits inside the church. Here's an off-angle shot of one of theem.


A unique seating chart made of snowflakes, perfect for a winter wedding!


One half of the glowing room!


A matching snowflake cake.

Another off-angle of one of Abby's portraits of the couple at Waldenwoods.

The first dance.

There was lots of dancing and fun the whole evening.

Thanks for letting me join you Abby! Congratulations Eric and Nicole!

Happy Birthday Son!

It's our son's second birthday today and even though the family isn't celebrating until Sunday, we still can't wait to spoil you tomorrow a little. I had the funniest video of him I tried to upload (5X!) but it just won't work. So here's a lame post with no video and no pictures!

How I feel about him!

And a rare event...a picture with ME in it!