Fashion Shoot part 7--Final Post

So, today we bring the fashion shoot to a close. I hope you have enjoyed looking at the amazing job Miss Ali did modeling for us! If you haven't already seen them, you should take a look at parts 1 through 6 here on the blog. The final set of photos are some of my favorite. These were the last photos we took that day. We were in the studio and just threw a large wooden box in the middle of the room and asked if she could get in there. Once she got inside, she started posing for us and the magic began! Thanks for following our journey...

Fashion Shoot part 6

Only one more post after this one to wrap up the fashion shoot! 

Fashion Shoot part 5

Fashion Shoot part 4

Another installment in our fashion shoot with Ali!  Don't forget to check out  Part 1 (& the full story) Part 2  &  Part 3. More to come!

Fashion Shoot part 3

Fashion Shoot part 2

Perfection {Fashion Shoot part 1}

Have you ever had one of those instances where everything lines up even better than you could have ever planned for and your day turns out to be absolute perfection?  Bala and I had one of those experiences back in October.  

Let me rewind a bit...

Early last year, we had a portrait session with a sweet young girl named Ali.  She needed some photos taken for a pageant she was going to enter so we met her at the studio one afternoon.  As soon as we clicked the first photo, Bala and I both knew that we were in for a treat.  Sweet little Miss Ali blew us away!  She was unbelievably natural and intuitive, not to mention incredibly beautiful.  

Now, you have to understand that one of the unfortunate things that happens to any artist when they begin to turn their passion into a business is that there isn't as much time to create purely for the sake of creating.  This is something that Bala and I both have experienced in our endeavors.  So, we decided that we were going to make some time to do a shoot just for our own enjoyment.    Of course, there was no question that we would ask Ali to be our muse for the day, and she graciously said yes.  

About that same time, a fabulous new clothing boutique opened up around the corner from us downtown, named Leigh Nants.  (I seriously could blow our entire income there.  Love, love, love the clothes!)  On top of that, it is owned by two of the cutest sisters with impeccable style who were also 100% on board when we asked if they would allow us to showcase some of their clothing in our shoot.   Many, many, many thanks ladies!!!

Mix all of that with simply gorgeous weather, the super talented Katherine Tosh, who did an awesome job on Ali's hair and makeup, and we had the ingredients for a fantastic fashion shoot.  Of course, Ali rocked the modeling, the clothes from Leigh Nants were incredible and we were absolutely thrilled with the results.  It was a tough job weeding through over a thousand shots we took and picking out the best ones, but we finally managed to nail down our favorite 300 or so ;)  I will be kind and not unload all of them on you at once but instead break them up in the next few posts.  So check back over the next week to take a look at our version of a perfect day.    

Tara & Billy

Soooooooo...it may come as a complete shock to you, but it looks like I might be terrible at keeping up with blogging. Oh, well.  Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy {almost} Valentine's Day! Think that about brings us up to speed ;)  Now without further delay...  

Fact:  we love photographing weddings.  I think Bala would agree that one of the best things about it is that we get to make new friends every time.  We are always so honored to be invited to share such a beautiful and special day with a couple while we are capturing the moments that they will look back on for the rest of their lives.   It's pretty magical, actually.

One of the things that stood out the most about Tara and Billy's wedding was that there was no doubt that the day was entirely for them.  These two surrounded themselves with the people they love and there was no stress, no drama, just a complete celebration of  the love that they have had for each other for nearly a decade.  It was positively wonderful!   A stunning bride, handsome groom, super fun wedding party...we love our job.  And the best thing of it all is that we are now able to call Billy & Tara friends :)

Mister Man

This guy is one of my favorites.  Coincidently, he is also our son's favorite.  They are best buds.  There is one thing you need to know about this little man...he never stops smiling.  I mean never.  I have watched him with sweat dripping off his forehead at soccer camp and during games, falling down, getting kicked, running into other kiddos and still, the smile does not leave his face.  It's a phenomenon and I absolutely love it!

I just realized how close we are to Christmas again and it reminded me of this silly, fun day when I had the chance to wrap this little smily face in lights and photograph him for his Christmas card last year.  We had a great time, but I'm not going to lie...since I brought his best friend with me to the shoot, I had to bribe him a bit because all he wanted to do was play.  I made the deal that he could take some pictures when we got done and he took the bait.  Of course, I captured all smiles and he captured me once...

They couldn't decide on which card they liked best, so they sent out a few of both...

G.

I'm going to skip around on the ole timeline and throw in a shoot out of chronological order. I know, I'm a total rebel. Watch out. 

We met up with beautiful G. one chilly day in March to shoot some senior pictures. Little did we know that she would absolutely blow us away with her modeling skills! Seriously, Bala and I could photograph her all day long. She was an absolute photographer's dream...a complete natural in front of the camera with an awesome personality which made for a super fun shoot! We're always excited to shoot seniors, but this young lady is definitely one of our all time faves.

The Mize Tribe

So, I have to start out by saying that we just happen to have the coolest friends imaginable.  Seriously.  The group of people we have the honor of knowing span the entire spectrum of creatives and artists from painters to authors to musicians and more.  We truly are blessed to know such unique individuals and even more blessed to call them true friends.  You will get to meet many of them through this blog as we have had the pleasure of taking their photographs.

One of those families I am speaking of pretty much fits into every category artistically.  The first and most important works of art Baily and Toby have created are their two adorable little boys!  Beyond that painting, photography & music are just the beginning of the list of their creative endeavors.  I seriously am amazed constantly at the creativity and artistry out of these two.  Besides that, they are the most laid back, genuine people you will ever find and they just look freaking cool, right?!?  The only thing wrong with them is that they live about 12 hours away from us which puts a damper on us getting to hang out as much as we would like ;)

Today happens to be Baily's birthday and I think it would be awesome for you to go to their Mize Tribe Arts facebook page and show them some love. You can tell them that I sent you and while you're there, tell Baily happy birthday!  You can also visit their website at mizetribe.com. 

Cuties!

Why yes, I am posting two blogs in one week. Thanks for noticing!

Bala and I had the privilege of getting to hang out with all of these sweet children one day last December.  I know, I know...that's a long time ago, but there are only 2 more posts and then I will actually be showing stuff from 2011...how about that?!?!  

These particular children happen to be all of the grandchildren in my very good friend's family.  He's actually one of my all time favorite people as well.  And he and his family have just recently moved back here, so you can just go ahead and color me thrilled!  On top of that, I absolutely love his whole family, so you get the picture...we enjoyed ourselves.  

And just where have you been?

Ok, ok...it's not you, it's me.  I guess 5 months between blog posts probably isn't very adequate, but what's a busy girl to do? And by busy, I mean not-sure-if-we-have-even-taken-a-breath-since-March kind of busy. Heck, I'm not sure we have breathed since we moved almost a year ago. I'm not making any promises, but I will try to do better.

Let's pretend that I am not almost a year late in getting this one up. Remember my lovely friends, Jonah & Allison, from their engagement shoot? They got married last October and we were honored to get to spend the day with them in Rosemary Beach, Florida.  It was a beautiful day with a sunset to die for!

Our Studio!

As many of you know, we recently signed a lease on a studio space in downtown Paris.  We are not completely finished with our renovation work, but since we had several people waiting on shoots, we decided to do a soft opening so that we could go ahead and use it and squeeze in the rest of the work as we can between shoots.

Now, before I go on, there is something very important that has to be pointed out.  My husband is amazing.  Every major change you see in the following photos was done by his two hands and now aching back.  I assisted where I could and have painted my share of the walls, but the real magic has happened because well, frankly, I married a man who can do anything!  I am not stretching the truth in that statement.  He really can do anything.   Just wait...I'll prove it.

As I said, there is still a great deal of work to be done...the floors need to be sanded and sealed again, there are photos to be ordered for the walls, more props to display, our sign isn't up yet and we still have to remedy the awful drop ceiling and florescent lighting.  But I have faith that you all will be able to look past those things and see the potential this little space of ours has!

I'll begin with the "before" photos taken the day we got our keys.

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Studio II

Here are some shots from the tearing out process...

The Lounge Area

Ok...here is exhibit A of my case to prove that Bala really can do anything.  We knew that we would have to replace the flooring and originally planned on painting the concrete, but we decided to go "green" and recycle some of the material already in our building.  In it's former life, our studio was a retail store.  On the second floor of the store was where they kept their inventory.  There were two rooms of shelving...

which allowed us to go from this...

to this, by using some of the material for strips to nail the other material to!  

A little distressing

 and staining, 

                       

and voilà!

Studio I

Bala sanded the existing floors so that we could stain them the same as the Lounge and then added some molding for visual interest.

Studio II

Tore down a wall and removed the carpet...

And now, for what it looks like today with vignettes set up for our shoots.  Remember, there is still much to do, but we're well on our way!

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Exhibit B...faux finishing done by you know who.

Studio II

Aaaand Exhibit C...floors painted and vignettes set up by the man who. can. do. anything.  I rest my case.

And here's what you see when you walk through the front door.  Quite a transformation!  Oh, and the next time you see my husband make sure you shake his hand, 'cause you're kinda in the presence of greatness ;)