TY & I need a change!

Thanks to everyone that responded on my photography post! It truly excites me to know that so many people I've never met in person would hire me out. One of my goals for the new year will be to take a leap of faith (or Hope...get it?!) and just start offering photography sessions. Since I've done a good handful of shoots, people will have some idea of what kind of work I do. So if they like it, they'll book a session..if they hate it, well.. they don't have to. 

And speaking of photography, I did a session with two mommies and their kiddos in our local pumpkin patch this weekend. I loved the way a few of the shots turned out and almost hated a few others. That's how I've been learning though. I wanted to share a few of the shots I loved.

I think it's safe to say the overall shoot was a success. The mommies were happy and I got some more practice in.

This coming weekend Darren and I are taking a day trip to the mountains with our friends Brandi and Tyler, who were married a little over a year ago. We're going to try and find some cool spots where the changing color of the leaves stand out to do some "rock the dress" style photos. I figured she would be the perfect candidate since they're newly married. And she is beautiful and tiny. Bitch.  Anyway, so that's the plan. I've never done anything remotely bridal at all..so let's hope I don't embarrass myself!

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 After blogging pretty regularly for the past few months, I've found I really enjoy it and have slowly started blogging more and more. It's totally like an addiction! That being said, I've started to want to blog about other things aside from weight loss. That is still a main focus, but after testing the waters with a couple other subjects..I think I'll give it a go.

So..now I need to figure out a new name. The one I have right now was basically something I came up with after 10 minutes of brainstorming and I thought it was cute because it rhymed and weight loss was my original reason to start a blog. Now it irks me every time I come to my blog. It's so cheesy! But then again, I'm an overall pretty cheesy person...so whatever.

How did you choose a name for your blog?
Did something just come to you or did you have to sit and think about it?

Photography

Can I even call it that? I in no way consider myself a photographer. Yet!

I'll start with a little background on my love for 'picture taking.' Ever I since I can remember,  I've been poppin' my coller I've been obsessed with it. When I was 13ish, I would set up different scenes and backdrops in my bedroom and take photos of my friends with a disposable camera. Oh man..I should find those. I would pose barbies and take photos of them. And I've always been drawn to beautiful photos. I've just never known exactly HOW to produce them. I thought if I had a camera...well..I could do it. Wrong..very wrong! When Mackenna was born, I would pose her and take photos of her with a regular old point and shoot Sony camera. I thought I was good then and that's a little embarrassing to think about. Here's a few pictures I did of her with that point and shoot camera. Don't critisize too much on these. I know they're horrible..it gets a little better, I promise!

I know...yikes! But the passion <-- I HATE that word has always been there. 

 So anyway, I guess my parents have known that, so they bought me a super nice Nikon camera last Christmas. Since then, I've been practicing and can even see a HUGE improvement just in the 10 months I've been doing it. Next are some of my most favorite shots.

 

 ** Please let me know what you think! And/or any photographers out there who have any tips they wanna offer, you can e-mail me at Jenabel_87@hotmail.com. If I were to start a business right now, I would most likely offer a 1-2 hour session with print release and a CD of the images. I know a CD isn't the BEST option, but for starting out, that's all I really know to do. Other photographers around my area who are also starting out do this and charge $50-$75. I really wanna start being even more serious about it and possibly making some money at it. I just don't wanna seem like a fool with a camera. So...would you hire me? I need to know!

Letter To Myself

With my birthday coming up, I thought it might be appropriate to do a letter to myself like several others have already done. Here it goes..

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Dear high school me,

You will become less awkward as times goes on. You won't always be a bean pole and you will learn how to pluck your eyebrows. As far as that horrible name some people call you, brush it off. They're jealous and they won't even matter at all in your life ahead. You will get your first real boyfriend and you think you will marry him. You won't. GREAT decision! You will dump him eventually for the "cool" guy, who will break your heart. It's okay though, you learn a lot from it and eventually move on.

Don't quit dance. The boyfriends you have in highschool won't be your husband. So stick to what you love doing. And quit skipping school for gravy biscuits and cuddle time with your boyfriend! Making good grades will make your life a lot easier in the long run!

Stop..just stop going to parties and pretending to drink beer and then pretending to be drunk. And act overly silly and annoying. You're not respecting yourself at all and will later regret it.  It's okay to be the only one not drinking at a party. That's a good thing. And you'll have plenty of time to drink when you're legal.

Dear highschool graduate me,

FINISH Cosmetology school!You're good at it. Your parents work way too hard for you to waste all that money. Quit letting petty things influence BIG decisions. And if you do quit, at least finish your next ambition, which will be dental hygiene. That's an even better choice. And you won't always have the time or the fortune of your parents paying for your school to be able to do so.

Your first trip to a club will come soon. It's very stupid to drink Vodka and Gatorade in gas station Styrofoam cups. You won't fool the cops that way and your friend isn't going to hide the evidence just by shoving it under the seat. Go ahead and tell your parents. They will be pissed, but at least they'll have time to save the money (or make you work for it) to hire a lawyer and save your ass from a record and a stupid class with a bunch of real-life losers. Did I mention being nicer to your mom? She's your best friend. Be thankful she's as "mean" as she is.

Before you get your job at Hooters, realize there's a stereotype. And if you plan on working there a while, get used to the fact that it's all you'll be able to show on a resume. Most professionals don't (and won't) take Hooters seriously.

You will have a couple more boyfriends. The relationships will teach you more than you think. They might be a handful of jerks, but you'll appreciate your husband more when you find him.

Other than being able to support yourself, Hooters will have it's advantages. You will form some lasting friendships and one lasting relationship. You will meet your husband here and you won't expect it. He's not a club rat like he's trying to make it sound. He thinks you're cool so he's trying to impress you. Don't worry. Go ahead and go out with him.

The next few years will be the most fun. Have fun and enjoy this time. It's not cute to drink yourself to sickness though.

Your period will be late and you know why. Quit putting it off. You're already 5 weeks pregnant. It's okay though, because your boyfriend, Darren is the best guy you could ever imagine. He won't run. He is your best friend. Matter or fact, he'll be there every single step of the way, propose when your daughter is born, and work his ass off to support you both when she's here. You have found one in a million. Consider yourself lucky. As far as your parents, of course they will be mad at you again. Okay.."disappointed." You will understand that once your daughter is born.

All in all, you're doing a great job. You will be very happy with how your life unfolds.
You're a good girl. Just stick with that. No need to try and be anything you're not.

Love,

Only a few years older, but much wiser,

Me.