Rosie Update

Rosie, our beloved black-and-white cat, turned one year old (-ish … since she's a rescue, we really have no idea when her birthday is) a month ago. I realized I haven't done a proper Rosie blog post since we got her, and I think it's time I right that wrong. To all you cat haters out there, just scroll right along to the next post. :)

She loves:

• Chicken (And we give in to her begging waaay too much.)
• Toy mice (She's hidden a 15 pack all over the house and we can't find any of them!)
• Rubber bands (We frequently find them in our shoes. I think it adds a little element of surprise to her game.)
• The neighbor cat Marco (Nathan caught them sitting in our adirondack chairs last summer having a chat.)
• Unplugging my laptop
• Brita water (Haha, I wish I was kidding but our cat only drinks Brita water now.)
• Cuddling with us on our red blanket
• Hiding in our guest bed's mattress springs (She literally gets inside through a hole.)

She hates:

• Being petted on her back and stomach
• Not getting enough attention
• Every other cat in the neighborhood besides Marco
• Being tormented by the squirrels and birds
• Getting wet
• Rubber bands once they've broken

Cristy & Denney | Engagement

The perfect little snowflakes were falling outside while Cristy and Denney were settled inside Jeni's surrounded by family. We laughed about eating ice cream when it was 20 degrees outside, but we all agreed that there's never a bad time for Jeni's. Coffee arrived to warm cold hands and we ventured outside for some snowy engagement and family photos.

These are some favorites. I've learned to absolutely love shooting in the snow, and put a wonderful family in that snow? Perfection.

Note: I got to eat this macaroon after doing the ring shot. It was divine!

The coolest family!

I love this one of you, Cristy! :)

February Goals

Ah, sweet February. Somehow this month always seems rather hopeful. Maybe it's because we're inching closer to spring and I'm generally past the post-holiday doldrums. Maybe it's Valentine's Day. Or it's the 2014 Olympics?! I'm excited about this month just because of that!

This February I have no weddings, and I'm hoping to soak up this restful time before crazy March hits. I'm envisioning afternoon naps with Rosie, getting caught up on business and branding stuff, reading some good books, keeping up with my BALANCE New Year's resolution and turning those goals into habits (hello stretching every night and drinking more water).

After completing almost every, single one of my goals in January (man, does that feel good), I'm looking forward to an equally successful Feruary!

• Read two books (25 in 12): The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe and Film is Not Dead by Jonathan Canlas (I was an overachiever in January and read three books instead of my two. I highly recommend I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and will be doing a review soon!)
• Start exploring film (super excited for this one!)
• Set up Square
• Eat desserts only once a week (we're attempting to rid ourselves of our sugar addiction! Healthy/Natural > Processed)
• Finish up month #1 of Insanity (I forgot to take skiing into account last month!) and finish most of month #2
• File taxes
• Finish 2013 vendor discs (I'm so embarrassed that I'm still working on these! Whew, got to get them done!)
• Finalize all branding except for website
• Celebrate Valentine's Day with a fun date night!
• See two more Oscar-nominated movies (I like to have an opinion while watching the Oscars. American Hustle was great! I'm hoping to see Dallas Buyers Club and Philomena next!)
• Go through all old magazines and get RID of them
• Organize our junk room.
• Host friends for dinner and try new recipes
• Continue working on my good-side split (per #93 on my 101 list)

2013 | Behind the Scenes

I've had a "Behind the Scenes" folder sitting on my desktop for more than a year just asking to be shared (so, spoiler, a couple of these are from before 2013!). I figure it's about that time. :) Note: Being a wedding photographer is NOT as glamorous as it may seem.

Oh, my awesome assistant Emily. This girl is fantastic and has photographed about 20 weddings with me over the past few seasons. She's going to go out on her own this year (SO bittersweet for me!), but I thought it only appropriate to share how great she is through these hilarious photos. Emily is the best at posing for me while I test my light. Obviously, she's giving a toast here.

I asked Nathan to pretend he was at a wedding reception so I could test my off-camera flash. What a ham.

I have approximately 156 photos of Emily at the front of churches.

If only I was a liiiitle bit taller!

This is my I-really-really-really-hope-it-doesn't-rain face. Thanks to my friend Brittany for the photo!

And speaking of which ...

Brittany is the dog whisperer. For real.

At any given time, you will find Nathan flexing. And Markie being cute!

Hahaha, these are my favorites. Emily is a pro at acting out whatever might be happening when I'm not just testing my light. The couple ran through sparklers just a few minutes later, duh.

Shout out to Anthony Codispoti! He's not really part of the LBP team, but he's an awesome videographer. Check him out. No, really.

Working for a fraternity for five years taught me how to hang with the guys (among lots of other things!).

I wear dresses to weddings (you will notice the same ones over and over again. I need to expand my wedding wardrobe!) so I blend in with the guests. See, you can't find me, right?

Carolyn is looking mighty fierce. Emily didn't get my memo. :)

Cute Brittany!

This photo isn't in focus but it cracks me up. Nathan is talking to me so seriously, almost like he's NOT wearing a clown nose and feather boa. This was our first photobooth!

Oh, Emily. I'm going to miss having you along at weddings!

Hahaha, the secret's out.

Nathan really wanted to get his hair did, but I had to remind him that we were there to work.

She's literally singing in the rain! It's always a good time with this girl!

And we'll end with the photobooth! HUGE props (no pun intended!) to Nathan and his assistant, Matt, for all their hard work at each and every wedding.