What I have been up to at school....

Just thought I'd give you all a treat and show you what I have been doing at school. Well a little bit of it anyhow....

The following are from my enhanced photo/photoshop class. First two is just blending with layers (self portraits and textures). The third is what we are working on right now with more layers. Our subject for that one is dreams or a childhood memory. As you will see, that is one messed up dream lol.

The next few are from photo 1. Don't have all of them for some reason with me so this is all you get lol.

Oh and i have to mention that photo 1 is all black and white. We are actually working in the dark room right now and it's a lot of fun! I will have to scan in my images from there sometime in the next few weeks. It's crazy what you can do in a dark room! =)

2011 Pricing

Ok, I know I just posted about the wedding packages, but I decided to go ahead and put the 2011 pricing page live. So click on the investment tab above to view all of my 2011 packages and pricing!

2011 Wedding packages, 52 week project, and more

Hello there internet friends! =)

I know I have been slacking on the blogging side again, but I have to say it is for the greater good. School is taking over my life but that is a good thing because I am taking more photos of everything. My camera is basically attached to me! But I'm cool with that.

Anywho I am going to officially tell myself and all of my readers that I am putting the 52 week project on hold. It didn't last very long I know, but I will get back to it. I am determined to finish the whole thing eventually. I just do not have the time right now. Esp not when I want to take pictures of you all lovely people =). So I am taking a break and who knows, maybe some day I will post one out of no where for a surprise.

Ok so the main reason for this blog is that I have finally put together my 2011 wedding packages!!!! I get a lot of calls on my wedding packages and I am always like, well, I really don't have any other than just the one price. Sometimes that seems to baffle some people so I decided to create some packages with some extra goodies too! I also have been meaning to update prices and will be adding senior packages and all sorts of things. I am excited because this means that business is growing and I am at a place I didn't think (well I hoped but didn't think) I would be at already with this. But then I have to thank you guys because I wouldn't be here if you all didn't like what I do! So tthanks!

Ok, so here are your 2011 Bella Grace Photo Wedding Packages!!!

 All of my wedding packages will receive a cd copy of all images and an online gallery to view and order prints

• Bronze Package $600
• ceremony, portraits, basic of reception
•  Silver Package $800
• getting ready, ceremony, portraits, most of reception
• $25 off of an engagement session
• 8X11 printed photo album
• $50 print credit
• Gold Package $1150
• coverage of your whole day
• $50 off of an engagement session
• $80 print credit
• 12x12 printed leather photo album
• two 5x7 parent printed photo albums
• dvd slideshow
•  Platinum Package $1400
• coverage of whole day and rehearsal/rehearsal dinner
• free engagement session
• 12X12 printed leather photo album
• two 8x10 parent printed photo albums
• dvd slideshow
• $100 print credit
• 25 thank you cards 
• Extreme day after / Trash the dress $75
• one hour session usually done the day or week after the wedding day in your dress/tux
• Wedding package extras
• dvd slideshow $40
• extra cd with release $75
• thank you cards - $1 per card

And that is your 2011 wedding packages! There are other extras I do not have listed yet like canvas wraps and albums and things. So if you are interested in something like that then please ask!!!!

Remember

Today at 8:46am, 9 years ago, tragedy struck America. I remember all too well this day and I don't think it is something I will ever forget. I was a junior in high school and we had just entered our second period of classes when we had a TV sitting in our classroom. I was thinking awesome! Movie day! But that was far from what it was really for. I remember our teacher telling us that something bad has happened and that this day is going to make major history. He turned the TV on and the classroom was silent. In fact the whole school was silent. I couldn't believe my eyes. We were watching in absolute horror as the story unfolded minute by minute and the towers began to fall.  I remember just sitting there, watching with so many feelings. Hatred, sadness, awe, shock, horror, the list goes on. Why would someone do something like this. What is really going on? We all know what unfolds from there but it is still just as real now as it was 9 years ago...

As most of you know I am married to a soldier and so I have a big sense of American pride. I've always had this pride but I think it grows once you are a little more invested to it if you know what I mean. So I think it is very important to remember this day and talk about. But most importantly I think it is important to remember those who lost their lives this day. From the service men and women, to the people who were courageous enough to crash their plane to the people lost at the pentagon, to those trapped inside the towers that fell, to those that witnessed them fall first hand, and to those who lost someone this day, 9 years ago, I remember you. This day left a big hole in America's heart forever. So for this I say let us pray for us all and have some silence today in remembrance. From 8:46am when the first plane struck to 10:28am when the last tower fell I will be silent. Will you?

Mr. and Mrs. Brown

You may remember this couple from an engagement session I did in June, but yesterday they tied the knot! It was a gorgeous day and I'm so glad they let me be a part of their big day!

They had a very intimate ceremony at Trinity Lutheran Church in Atchison with just immediate family members. So I felt pretty special to get to witness these two make their vows to one another....

Her little nephew helped her dad escort Amy down the isle. So cute!

I love the inside of this church. It's so beautiful and very well done architecturally.

And the infamous kiss!

The new Mr and Mrs Jeff Brown!

We headed out to the blue building in Effingham, Ks and boy, I was pretty amazed! They told me that Jeff's mother, Judy, has been working hard and they were definitely right. It was gorgeous and I love the wheat idea! She definitely didn't leave any detail unnoticed!

Catering was done by Alan and Connie Dunster, and I must say that it was pretty yummy!

I got a kick out of this little girl. She just kept waiting and watching silently but excitedly for the cake because that's the best part right? I'm sure she would agree! =)

As you can see, and I explained before in their engagement blog, Amy has limited movement in her hands. I never thought about it, but once it came time for the cake cutting I kind of wondered how she would feed him the cake. Well Jeff had a fork and she said go ahead. He told her no, she was going to help him. So she helped him push the fork in his mouth. I had to share this because I just thought it was a nice moment and it showed how much he loves her. She is now his wife and he wanted to do it together no matter what. That ladies and gents, is what love is all about! =)

I have to admit that I got a little teary eyed at this moment. I always get teary eyed at weddings but this was a little more special. Jeff just got done with a little speech thanking everyone and his mom came out and wanted to say how proud she was for him being completely sober for a year now. Even Jeff was tearing up and so yah, my waterworks just couldn't help but over flow a little.

Congratulations Amy and Jeff. Thank you for inviting me to document and witness your wedding day! I wish you the best and happiness!

The 52 weeks list!

So just in case there is anyone out there following along and/or want to join in the fun here is the list of the 52 weeks of awesomeness project!!!

Week 1 Free for All
Week 2 Introduction of yourself
Week 3 Show us your Hometown
Week 4 Water
Week 5 Sports (anything related, teams, players, equipment, etc,)
Week 6 Botanical
Week 7 ONE object shot at 5 different angels/distances
Week 8 One for the road (signs, streets, traffic, etc.)
Week 9 Objects that tell something about you
Week 10 Things that make your life easier
Week 11 Your favorite color
Week 12 Household items
Week 13 Foods
Week 14 Something Slimy
Week 15 Sun (sunlight, sunset, sunrise, etc)
Week 16 Emotions
Week 17 Something old
Week 18 What you do outside the world of photography
Week 19 Weather
Week 20 Emotional attachment (heirloom/special gift, ect.)
Week 21 Pets
Week 22 Things you couldn't live without
Week 23 Habits
Week 24 Fire (candle, fireplace, etc.)
Week 25 Scrapbooking (stash, room, lo's, etc)
Week 26 Textures
Week 27 Hands
Week 28 Shoes
Week 29 Favorite Jewerly
Week 30 Generations
Week 31 Hot
Week 32 Fill the Frame (close ups)
Week 33 A week in our lives
Week 34 Faith (what you believe)
Week 35 Dance (body in motion)
Week 36 Family & Friends
Week 37 SOOC...from that to this...before & afters
Week 38 Patriotic
Week 39 Object: straight up shots and then straight down shots
Week 40 Nighttime
Week 41 Something that gives you the feeling of warmth or cold
Week 42 Pictures of words
Week 43 Chores I hate
Week 44 Animals
Week 45 Music
Week 46 Reflections/Shadows
Week 47 Flowers
Week 48 Sleep
Week 49 Action Shots
Week 50 Wheels
Week 51 Wrapping (gifts, baby, foods, etc.)
Week 52 Guilty pleasures

Week 15: Sun

Ok, as I said in my last post I have skipped week 14. I hope to eventually get back to it, but for time's sake right now I am moving on....

So here we are to the sun! We took a trip to Warnock last night to let the girls play in the park and so I can get some photos for my school projects. We were there till the sun set and I got some amazing photos that work perfectly for this week!

Note that I did not do any editing to these photos except changing to black and white. I had to leave them because they are beautiful the way they are! Mother Nature at her finest!

Where art thou 52 weeks of awesomeness?

So, yah. I'm behind.... AGAIN! I knew that once school started I would get a swift kick in the rear with tons of things to do, but I guess it didn't hit me till now that I haven't touched my 52 week of A project in a while. I am stuck on where I had left off and have no clue what to do! It is week #14: Something slimy. What around here is slimy? I think I got so stuck on this that I wasn't paying attention to how many weeks were going by here! ARG! So if you have suggestions I would love to hear them!

In the meantime I am going to skip week 14 and go to week 15. Then I will be skipping week 16 and will post week 17 by Tuesday. If that made since and you are still with me... Great! Cause sometimes I don't make much since to myself anymore! =) So be looking for those soon plus the blog of the wedding I shot today! YAY!

So if you are lost with all my posts and wondering what I have been up to, well here is a little update on moi! The whole crazy not feeling good thing and no luck with doctors... well still no where. Sigh! I am currently waiting on a call from the new doctor to hear what the results of my latest blood tests were and where we go from there. So, yup.... we got nothing so far still.... =(

In the meantime I have started school! Yipee! I'm so happy to be back learning and doing something I want to do! I like all my classes. LOVE my photo classes of course! And actually learned a few things that I have already put to good use! But with school comes projects and that means I am taking my free time to do those projects. But I love it and it is lots of fun! My recent project is currently in the lab at school still so as soon as I get it to my flash drive I will upload for you all to see! I'm pretty stoked about it =)!

I also started dance back up last week. So I am officially busy! I'm really excited about some of my classes this year though! Can't wait to see how they pan out and progress throughout the year!

So that is it in a nutshell I suppose. I am just a busy bee, but that is how I like it! If you are interested in photo sessions for the fall I would start booking now because I am limited to weekends and they are filling up quick!!!

Oh and before I go I wanted to thank everyone for all the love you have been giving me lately! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the nice compliments! They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside =). I love it! Keep up the comments even if they aren't about me. I love knowing what you guys think!

<3 Kristy