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Lori and Charles {Wedding} Belton, Texas

karen — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:44:23 +0000

Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Beecham. These two Texas Tech grads could not have been happier and more laid back on their wedding day. It was a true reason for everyone to put their “Guns Up”.

Lori and Charles were married in Belton under the great Cathedral Oaks. The mood was set by a four piece string quartet and a cool reprieve from our Texas heat. The ceremony was simple elegance and the reception was filled with laughter, a seated dinner, and LOADS of dancing.

A statement of love.{Couples Boudoir} Fort Hood, Texas

karen — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:34:50 +0000

I was absolutely thrilled and excited when Mrs. S asked if she could incorporate her hubby into her boudoir shoot. I have never done a shoot like this before but always relish in a new opportunity. I enjoyed shooting the session so much that I will definitely welcome the opportunity to do it again. I got to capture the romantic and sweetly intimate side of their relationship. I live for fun, passion and oh so sweet LOVE. I am so thankful that I got to incorporate these things with my photography, great company and great music! Thank you so much you two for letting me share some of these images. I had a really fun time during your shoot!

The Photographer’s Workout and Diet {Personal Ramblings}

karen — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:56:05 +0000

I try to follow at least a few blogs to keep myself connected to the photography world. I about died laughing about the truthfulness of this latest article by Dana Suggs. I try to tell people that being a wedding photographer or even assisting at a wedding is WORK. Granted, it is fun and I would not trade it for the world but you do have to be in pretty decent shape to run around lugging equipment and scaling walls and such. (Side note: I think I have to climb on things more than most since I am only 5’2 on a good day if I S-T-R-E-T-C-H my neck really tall. ) I have to laugh when I realize that the only people that I am ever taller than are the flower girl and ring bearer!

At any rate…..thanks Dana for the breakdown of the workout! I have included one shot of me “crab walking” at work for good measure.

The Photographer’s Workout

Posted: 31 May 2011 09:22 PM PDT

I had a ~~Photo shoot~~ workout with a friend and fellow photographer, and after I could barely move the next day, I realized I may have stumbled upon something. Yes, I’m gonna patent it, back off. Eat your heart out zumba, I’m finally gonna be rich!!

Let me introduce you to the

The Photographer’s Workout!

Crunches

This entails laying on either your back or side to get that perfect angle! Lift your upper body (and that 100 lb camera) 90 degrees off of the ground. Repeat 10 ~~shots~~ reps. All photographers will have rock hard abs in no time!

Crab Walk

This is especially effective while chasing babies and toddlers, or staying out of view during weddings. This must not be done too many times…..or your body may indeed stick like this.

Weightlifting

Here we have our models demonstrating the different weights available; newborns or teddy bears. Remember, as with all workouts, please consult your doctor to ensure you are in proper physical health to lift weights. Do not try to lift the toddler boy your first time doing this workout. They are made of rocks

Toe touches

Without actually ever touching your toes. I’m not even sure I could reach my toes. Wait, I’m not sure I can even see my toes… do my shoes match?

These can be done in various forms: reaching out to your client, or held for 30 minutes over a sleeping baby in a basket. Both are quite effective in toning your core.

The Walk

Whether with attitude, chasing a runaway baby, or stalking a wedding party, this promises to leave you winded…..and possibly prostrate on the floor in an asthma attack. Wait…maybe that’s just me. Why aren’t I thin?

The Rock Climber

Or hood of a truck….or chair in a field….or 7ft ladder…….or the family bed….or quite literally ROCKS.

Find whatever it takes to get that perfect angle and climb aboard! Notify those around you that if you fall, they are to catch THE CAMERA. CATCH THE CAMERA! I do not recommend doing these after the Crab Walk or The Walk.

Mirroring

These are great for instructing your client how exactly you would like them to pose……or possibly making them do incredibly silly things all for a laugh later with your other photographer friends. Tone those abs, stretch that back, strengthen that core while you laugh hysterically regaling the tale of the shoot! What happens with photography friends, stays with photography friends.

And of course, as with every workout, we must end with the

Cool Down

Never forget the cool down. Ever.

And now that I have successfully “patented” The Photographer’s Workout, I will be going on my book tour autographing my best selling weight loss book:

The Photographer’s Diet

The Photographer’s Diet is limited to:

Bottled water warm from sitting in the car while you are out on your ~~photo shoot~~ Photographer’s Work Out.
Granola bar 6 months past the expiration date because you had the forethought 2 years ago to drop it in your camera bag.
Handful of nuts you snuck from the wedding reception table. Don’t tell about the fingerprint in the wedding cake icing.
Fruit moldy and dry from being left in your camera bag 2 weeks ago. Call it “dried fruit” and all the naturalists will buy it!
Candy….mainly chocolate, used after an especially stressful family shoot of 4 children, an inattentive dad, and a screaming mom. This should be taken in high doses.
Sonic Happy Hour. {sigh} They have 398,929 different drink combinations. No, really! They do! Diet cranberry limeade. YUMMMM-O!

LAUGH ON! And, always be kind to others!

PS. A SPECIAL thank you to Arden Prucha and Mia Coelho for letting me use their behind the scenes photos of their photo shoots!

Dana Suggs is an I Heart Faces Contributor and the owner of Dana Suggs Photography. She loves to blog about her beautiful family and welcomes everyone to follow her on her Facebook Fan Page as well.

Kim and her furbaby Eva {Lifestyle Portrait Session} Copperas Cove, Texas

karen — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:21:22 +0000

Beautiful, hilarious, music AND sports savvy…..dog lover. I think that about covers the basics of my new friend Kim. Meet Kim and her furbaby Eva. We spent some time together this past week and got some shots Kim and of course included Eva. Oh how I DO LOVE puppies. Here are some of my favorites.

Melissa and Larry’s Wedding {Love Story} Montego Bay, Jamaica

karen — Fri, 27 May 2011 21:00:22 +0000

Melissa + Larry
May 6,2011

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites

Their Love Story:

Fate brought Larry and Melissa together on New Year’s Eve of 2001 but alas….. while the spark was there that night, it was not until the following Valentine’s Day that they finally got to go out. Valentine’s Day has since been the official anniversary date, but after nine solid years together, that date has finally changed!

Larry and Melissa first traveled to Jamaica in 2008 when Larry surprised Melissa with a trip to celebrate their 6th year anniversary. After spending 5 days in the Caribbean Gem (and loving every minute of it), Larry and Melissa vowed that they would one day be back. And they did make it back, in style!

Their Secret to a Great Relationship:

The newlyweds agree that like most relationships, they have had their ups and downs. They attribute open communication, patience, and respect as the main ingredients to keeping their love strong.

They Love:

Traveling around the world together, socializing on the weekends with friends and family, and indulging in movies.

Melissa loves reading books, arts and crafts and enjoys a relaxing evening filled with hours upon hours of reality television.

Larry loves the sun. He enjoys bicycling, swimming, or just going for a walk on a beautiful day. While he doesn’t read many books, Larry gets his fill of sites, articles and blogs on the Internet.

WEDDING

Ceremony and Reception Place:

The balcony of the Iberostar Rosehall Suites

The bride wore:

An Allure exclusive

The groom wore:

A beach inspired tan suit

Wedding Music:
“Marry Me” by Train

Cake:

Two tiered round cake with fresh flowers and topped with a silver hand adorned “H”.

Colors:Lime Green and Turquoise

Theme: Jamaican Beach Wedding. They took the main thing they LOVE and made it into their wedding.

Flowers: Purple and Orange Tropical Mix

Décor elements: The perfect natural beautiful beach backdrop, turquoise fans, shells, and colored pom poms.

Unique details:

Melissa made the boutonnieres, the flower for her hair and the cake topper.

Funloving people always make my job even more amazing!

Melissa and Larry’s Wedding {The Details} Montego Bay, Jamaica

karen — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:56:17 +0000

You plan and plan so long for every last detail of your wedding. I can’t stress how important it is that all these things get documented properly so that you can remember each and every one for always. For you fabulous brides that are planning a wedding, most of these shots take place before the actual I do’s. It is so important that all of your wedding professionals have things delivered and set up ahead of time. This saves you stress and helps get those shots that you will cherish for a lifetime. Here are some of Melissa and Larry’s detail shots.

Melissa and Larry got married!{Wedding} Montego Bay, Jamaica

karen — Thu, 12 May 2011 06:36:02 +0000

The beautiful couple was married this past Friday in their own little piece of heaven otherwise known as the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Jaimaica mon! Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are off cruising and working on a little homework assignment that I asked them to put together for the later post. This is the sneak peak of them as the new Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hawkins. The very first picture is one of my favorites. The newlywed couple got to wave to all the well wishers from the hotel. It was amazing! More to come soon.

Melissa’s Bridals {Bridal Session} Las Velas, Houston

karen — Thu, 12 May 2011 04:52:36 +0000

I have been just bursting to share these images until after the wedding! Melissa had the clear vision of romantic old world style and not just any place was going to do. I think we captured it perfectly during the one hour time frame that we were given at one of the most gorgeous venues in Houston.

Melissa, we did it baby! Now I finally get to share these beautiful images with your glam touch! Muah girl! You were AMAZING!

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Tiesha’s Senior Session {Lifestyle Portrait Session} Copperas Cove, Texas

karen — Thu, 12 May 2011 02:57:39 +0000

Meet the spunky, music loving and drill team dancing Tiesha. She has been patiently waiting for these photos and for her SENIOR GRADUATION BABY! She plans on taking the summer off and dancing her heart out anytime she can. Come fall this gorgeous gal has plans to hit the college scene and rock their world. She loves great fashion and her favorite all time food is a good hamburger. YUM! You would never guess it was 50 degrees outside when we took these pics. Way to work your shoot top model style Tiesha!

The Brill Family {Lifestyle Portrait Session} Salado, Texas

karen — Mon, 02 May 2011 21:39:35 +0000

Meet Jennifer, little Miss Hannah and Kevin. We all spent a nice Saturday walking around and getting to know each other in my favorite place around here to shoot. Hannah shared her favorite memory of school this year which included her teachers getting pies in their faces. She is ready for the summer and even told me all about her doggy named Sammie. We played games, had an encounter with a super friendly grasshopper and of course had a great time! Kevin had an even better time once he figured out that my sessions were not only fun but all kinds of romantical too! He got to kiss his beautiful wife Jennifer over and over. Yes Kevin, you are welcome! Here are my favorites.

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