Anna Grace Photography

::Wedding on the Shore - Lindsey and Dave::

2011-04-04T12:54:00.000-03:00

It was a sunny afternoon. The sky was blue. The beach was sandy, the water rolling...
And Lindsey and Dave were getting married. :)
She chose orange and linen...both perfect compliments for a shore-side wedding!
Lindsey and Dave were sooooooooo great to work with...which was to be expected since we had such a good time during their engagement shoot. ;) They're truly one of the most fun couples I've ever worked with!
Here's a nice little teaser of their big day, hope you enjoy it!

She was a radiant bride.

I loved all the fresh flowers Lindsey had chosen, the orange was so refreshing!

Instead of wearing shoes on the beach, the bride and maids wore "foot jewelry" hand made by Lindsey and her helpers. How cool is that?! IIIIII thought it was amazing! :)

The memories behind this photo make me smile. X)

The happy couple...

...looking very much...

...in love. ;)

Their beach wedding theme was carried into their reception as well.

There was a lovely meal...

...plenty of dancing...

and a view like no other!
That night, the moon was closer to the earth than it has been for the past 18 years! We made sure to get some night shots on the river. :)

And they danced the night away!

Alright, I've jut got to take a moment to brag on Lindsey.
She is the absolute MOST organized bride I've ever worked with! I don't think there was a single detail she hadn't thought over, and that made the whole day run beautifully!
When I've worked with this couple, I honestly feel like I'm working with friends. They have always been kind and willing to try any idea I throw at them. Thanks so much you guys for making my "work time" into "play time". :)
God's continued blessings on your newly-bonded life!

A super duper happy,
Anna Grace

::Colorado Immortalized - My Trip::

2011-03-08T15:54:00.000-04:00

SO.......
I did it!!! I took TONS of pictures on that wonderful vacation...over 900, to be exact. *gulp*
Oh but don't worry! I'm not about to show you that many. ;) I know I said in my last entry that I would post my Top-10 from the trip when I got back.
Tsk tsk...how silly of me.
I should've known I'd end up with more favorites than that! In fact, I have my Top-11 favorites here for your viewing pleasure.
...PLUS a bunch of others that I just couldn't resist sharing. Those speak to me more from the memories than from the artistic qualities they posses. ;)

Well, here goes! And I sure hope you enjoy ALL of them as much as I do...and not just the Top-11. :)

Frosty leaves in Aurora one morning.

Another shot from that same morning. :)

Mango, Strawberry, and Chocolate-Almond Gelato in Boulder.

Emily one afternoon. She makes me happy. :)

Stretching watermelon salt-water taffy in the Georgetown Valley Candy Company. So. Incredibly. Good.

Sunset near Red Rocks. *sigh* Oh, to be there once more!

Do not touch. It's sharp.

My first attempts at nighttime, city photography.

At 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.

There you go! There are my Top-11! And I've got several more for y'all down below. :)
If you are interested in purchasing any Fine Art Prints from this collection, feel free to email me at
annagracephotographs@gmail.com
We can discuss products, sizing, and pricing. These would make great gifts for home decor.
I know I'll be getting some made! ;)

The old, rusty truck we passed everyday. :)

Frosted Evergreens.

And icicle in Breckenridge. It was tasty.

Pooch.

The windy mountains of Breckenridge.

My dream car, near Boulder. :)

More frozen yumness!

Mist on the mountains.

Denver sunset.

Where I had my first snowball fight. ;)

Red Rocks...mind-blowingly huge!

My delicious pear-brulee...somethin...yummay! Courtesy of D-Bar Desserts in uptown Denver.
By far the most tangy, custard-y, sweet, crispy, icy, vanilla-ish, crunchy, caramel-y thing I've EVER put into my mouth. *two thumbs way up*

And last, but not least...the gang.
I know. We're disheveled, uncoordinated, sunglass-ed, and pixilated...
But it's US!!! And I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Katie, Ellie, and Em,
I love you girls, with all my heart...and can't WAIT for another adventure!

I sure hope this gives you a good idea of the grandeur which is Colorado!
Who knows? I may do a "Part 2" post...there ARE about 900 pictures, after all. ;)
Blessings,

~Anna Grace

::Helllllllllllp::

2011-02-21T13:50:00.000-04:00

I need some accountability.

In exactly 24 hours from now, my sister Emily and I will be headed to the airport.
"Where are they going?" you may ask.
Hold your horses. I'm about to tell ya. ;)

..................................................*drumroll*............................................
*dramatic music*.......................................................
....................................*excited eeps from the crowd*............................

COLORADO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, so maybe the announcement wasn't worth all the hype...but I'M certainly excited. ;)
We are going to visit some very dear friends from our childhood.
We've known Katie and Ellie since we were little tykes...and I mean little. I think we've been friends upwards of 14 years now. That's more than half our lives!
They're awesome. Plain and simple.

Brace yourselves for some low-quality photos. ;)

(Ellie and Emily, Summer of 2010)

The accountability I spoke of earlier is this.
While I'm in CO, I'm hoping to learn to take time to find the beauty in my surroundings, i.e., take a bunch of artsy-type shots to stretch my creative eye.
When I return, I hope to do a blog post of at least my 10 favorite creative shots from the trip. If there are more, I'm sure I'll post them as well. ;)

I need your help in the comment section. Remind me. Keep me accountable.
I value your encouragement! :)

This is Katie and I last April-time, out on the town, photo-documenting our daring exploits in the wondrous land of pottery barn. Oh, the sights we beheld.
Outside of my family, she's one of the greatest friends I've got on the planet! And I praise God for her.

Please keep us in your prayers and...
Don't forget to remember to remind me not to forget this new photographic mission. ;)
Hope that made sense.

A super DUPER excited,
Anna Grace 8D

::Family Affair - A Teaser::

2011-01-28T22:33:00.000-04:00

THIS...was fun.
After Thanksgiving, I got to do a photoshoot with (simply put) an awesome family. It was a lovely day. Not to hot, not too cold...and plenty of natural light to make use of. Praise the Lord!
I'm playing my way through the editing process right now, but I won't wait any longer to post a few.
It just wouldn't be fair to anyone...especially me. ;)
Thank you, friends, for letting me capture these moments for you. The pleasure was all mine.

Without further ado......*drum-roll please*.......I give youuuu.......
The Lampe family. :)

If a picture's worth a thousand words, have fun deciphering those 5,000 I just gave you. ;)
Blessings upon blessings,

~Anna Grace

::Wee Ones - A Surprise::

2011-01-05T23:31:00.000-04:00

Over the past few months, I've had the opportunity to do seeeeecret photo shoots with some pretty swell kiddos! :) Their lovely grandma wanted to surprise her children for Christmas with pictures of their little ones.
Let me tell you, the whole "veil of secrecy" added a whole new fun-dimension to this photography project.
We did a series of four shoots for each grand-babe, so the lighting for each day was unique...just like the kids. :) LOVED IT!!

Meet Delilah...

She's got outstanding hair for a 4-year-old. I'm almost jealous...in a Christian sorta way. ;)

She loves swinging...

And is a natural when it comes to cuteness. ;)

THIS...is Willam.

He's a lizard man. I'm pretty sure he was chasing one in this photo. ;)

He likes to talk.

And explore. I can see this little fellow going places. :)

May I introduce you to Gabriel?

The baby of the family at a year and a half old.

His interests include...

Walking constantly, gazing about in wonderment, and discovering hickory nuts. ;)

He also seemed particularly fond of sitting in trees.

And lastly, we meet Grant.

The most physically coordinated 3-year-old this side of heaven.

He can run, jump, throw a soccer ball like a pro, and I'm told he can already ride a bike...NO TRAINING WHEELS!

Ah...and he'll be raised a Gator. Win. ;)

I shall now do something I've never done on this blog before.
Leave you with a picture of myself on the job. Kinda wanted to give you an idea of just HOW much fun I had with these kids during the months of secretive-photography work. One particular shoot eventually found me inside. The lad was playing and reading books. Naturally, he thought I should join in his fun. :)

So I did. Yes, the picture is low quality, but hey, it was GRAND! Definitely a first! XD

Now that I've probably lowered my level of professionalism in some people's eyes, I shall leave you with a photo from William's shoot that has captivated me...forever, I'm afraid. :)

I entitled it Peter Pan Feet.
“There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.”
-E. Lawrence

Good evening to you, one and all!
~Anna Grace

::Eternal Twitterpatedness - Isaac and Lydiana::

2011-01-05T21:44:00.001-04:00

November 5th.
It was November 5th when our dear surrogate brother Isaac married his soul mate, Lydiana. And what a day it was! Filled with love, music, happiness, and dancing.
I can personally attest to deeper laugh lines after the whole day was done.
It was small and personal. Beautiful.
Many happy tears were shed over the purity and wholesome admiration between the couple. Such a gift to behold...purely amazing. *happy tears*

So, without further ado...the pictures. ;)

Music could be heard the whole day through. Isaac and Lydie's brothers were jamming pretty hard in the back room, even in the early hours of the celebration day.

THERE she is.

The man himself.

The feel of the wedding was DEFINITELY country. And man! Did they pull it off!
(Isaac and his brother-in-law, Obi.)

Isaac and Lydiana's main mode of communication throughout their courtship and engagement was...
...you guessed it...phone. And it worked splendidly for them. ;)

Contemplation...

I love, LOVE this shot.

A cowboy and his woman...

I'll just take a minute to say that their cake and cupcakes were to DIE FOR!!
Sinful yummness. Plain and simple. :P

Isaac, a prolific song-writer, composed a song for his beloved and sang it live for her during the reception. It was such a special way to show his love for her. And EVERYONE approved...especially Lydie. ;)

Dear brother and sister, I was and continue to be amazed by the Lord's goodness in your relationship. I look forward with great anticipation to what God has in store for your lives, and feel privileged to be a part of it. :)
Love you both an awful lot!

~Anna Grace

::Well, This Is A First::

2010-10-27T23:06:00.002-03:00

My dear blog readers,
How are you? Was the sunshine warm today for you? The clouds white? The sky blue?
I sincerely hope so. :)

I've been asked many a time on Facebook (via comments and messages) how I actually make watermarks for photos. Since it's way too complicated to show without pictures, I decided to blog my first-EVER online tutorial! Eeep! :)
The method I'm showing you is one I've taught myself over the past few days on Picnik.com.
Side note: I use Picnik*Premium which makes what I'm about to show you possible. I love Picniking!! :)
I'm super excited to get this show on the road, so, on we go.

First, I start by going to Picnik's homepage.

Next, for the purpose of making said watermark...I upload a photo that is completely meaningless to me.

Yes...I randomly chose a frying pan with eggs in it. Next question...

For this example watermark, I wanted the background color to be white.
So after I cropped the photo into a more manage size under the "Edit" tab...
I began painting it white under the "Create" tab using the "Doodle" effect.

Note: It doesn't matter what shape (square, rectangle) that you crop your original photo into. That is entirely up to you and can be dictated by how you want the watermark to look in the end.

After painting it white, I went over to the "Frames" tab and put a black border around it.
(I only did that so that I can have a visual on how large of a workspace I've got. This step isn't necessary when you've got a colored background.)

Ta-daaaaa!

Alrighty, for the sole purpose of this tutorial, I have set up a completely hypothetical situation.
Let's say that Mr. John Doe has asked me to design a watermark/logo for his new restaurant. Let's imagine that it's a very upscale, exotic mushroom eatery.
Random?...absolutely. But we're just pretending. ;)
Alright...mushrooms...yes!

SO, in keeping with this theoretical eating establishment, I looked through the "Stickers" tab and found an image that suited the idea perfectly. :)

Voila! Make sure that when designing your own water mark, you formulate your design with the appropriate feel. The creative design, to me, can be the hardest part to creating a watermark/logo.
But don't worry! You'll make it. :)

Next, I chose a font from the "Text" tab and gave my imaginary restaurant a name.

TELL me that's not an amazing name for a mushroom eatery! It makes me happy. :)
Note: the logo does not have to take up the entirety of the box.

I then went into the "Edit" tab to "Crop" the image in whatever dimensions I pleased.

/\ See the green tab there on the bottom, it says "Photo Basket"? Take note...that's important. ;)

Next step was to save the image to my hard-drive. Remember where you save it!

Then, in order to actually place it on the photo to be "watermarked", you must upload the saved logo back onto Picnik.

Once it's uploaded, go to the "Home" tab in the top left corner, then click the green "Close Photo" button.
Doing this will kick your watermark into the afore-mentioned green "Photo Basket" tab on the bottom.

Next you should upload the photo you wish to watermark. I chose a soda one because, let's face it, it's food related.

Once this is done, click that green tab at the bottom, and your "Photo Basket" will pop up. The black arrow is pointing to the lovely littler logo I just uploaded, and then closed.

Then, click and drag the watermark thumbnail onto the picture you uploaded.

Once you do that, you can click the green tab again, and the basket will minimize. This will give you more work space.

Now arrange the logo on the photo however you like. Mine is in the top right corner. I left the Advanced Blend Mode on Normal and faded the watermark 38%.

(And yes, I know that this hypothetical organic bistro would most likely not...ever advocate these sodas. ;)

It's done! All you have to do is save the photo with the logo. Don't forget to rename the watermarked photo, otherwise you'll save it as the original. That's not fun.

Ta-daaaaa!!!!!

Ooops! Haha, silly me...I pasted my logo over the watermark. It's just so darn cute...must protect it!! ;)
Maaaan, now I want to open and gourmet mushroom eatery! Oh well, a girl can dream.

*drum roll*

There we go...that's better!

I hope this has been a fun, easy-to-follow, understandable tutorial. Give me some feedback in the comments section if you'd like. I'd really appreciate it. :)
Also, please don't hesitate to email me at annagracephotographs@gmail.com if you've got any questions on this topic or about booking a session.
Have a grand evening!
Happy watermarking y'all! :)

~Anna Grace

::She's Here - Colbie Jane::

2010-09-20T23:03:00.000-03:00

Many of you will remember Paige and Jason from several months back. They were expecting...
a little girl. :)
There are roughly two things in this world that naturally make me turn into a little girl with excitement.
The first thing: WEDDINGS. The second: BABIES! No joke, these thing make me ethereally happy!
(And I'm getting the laugh lines to prove it. ;)

Miss Colbie Jane has left her mark in my heart! I was so excited to go meet her for the first time...to hold her, talk to her. Nothing quite like meeting a new little person for the first time!
Aaaaaaand......I'm smiling. :)

Again.

So I went, taking with me some homemade cranberry biscotti cookies for Mom and Dad. They.were.good!

And there she was...looking so perfect. :)

Three generations.

Blue eyes like Mama...

Long eyelashes like Daddy...

Mother-daughter moment...priceless. :)

Cheeks!!

Radiant motherhood. :)

/\ LOVIN' these turquoise colors!

Aren't they beautiful?! Like mother like daughter I guess.
This was definitely the best possible "first ever baby shoot" I could've asked for. Paige was awesome and we spent so.much.time laughing at all things from Colbie's funny faces, blanket wettings, and fail baby poses.
Hahahahaaa!! It makes me laugh again just thinking about it all! Oh my. :)

Paige, Jason, and Colbie...God bless y'all! Thanks for the wonderful memories!
I look forward to seeing your sweet family again soon!

A joyfully reminiscent,
Anna Grace :)

::Twitterpated - Isaac and Lydiana::

2010-09-08T19:00:00.001-03:00

Great new! GREAT NEWS!!!

Hmm, I'd say about a month ago, I did a photo-shoot of some very special friends. Friends going through a very special season of life. God-centered courtship. :)

My surrogate-Coast Guard-brother Isaac flew down to Florida from Alaska one Saturday night. Then surprised his lady friend the next morning at church!! She.was.shocked...in the happiest of ways! ;)
So while he was down, the happy couple asked me to do a session with them.
I was only TOO happy to agree! And what a session we had...SOOO incredibly enjoyable!! :)

::1::

::2:: One thing you should probably know is...

::3:: ...since Isaac went back to Alaska...

::4:: ...he and Lydiana have kept up thriving communication...

::5:: ...as much as his military duties and sailing the open ocean can allow...

::6:: ...and in that time...

::7:: ...Isaac has...

::8:: ...asked Lydiana to be his wife!!!!!!!!!!!!

::9:: SHE SAID YES FOLKS!!!!!!
(Side-note: I knew they wouldn't last un-engaged for too much longer! ;)

::10:: Yes, there are other people in this photo, I know. It was purposeful.
This is an example of the way their relationship has been. Surrounded by people who love them...looking to them as examples of what the Lord can do when we wait. He is good, all the time!

::11:: A date is set for November-time and the tizzy of wedding planning is in full swing!

::12:: AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

::13::

::14:: Definitely my favorite from the shoot! :)

::15:: Holding on...

::16:: /\ There were giggly spectators the whole time during the shoot. We were all smiles! :)

::17::

::18:: My very close second favorite of the day!

Hopefully, come November, we'll get a change to do a bona-fide engagement shoot. But for now, I'm content to peruse and smile over these! :)

Isaac and Lydie...I'm looking forward to your wedding with GREAT anticipation!! (I can hardly stand it!)
May the Lord continue to be glorified in your lives and use your relationship as a testimony to His goodness!
Love you both, so much!

An ecstatically joyful,
Anna Grace

(PS) GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, I'm done now. ;)

::Just Beachy - Lindsey and Dave::

2010-06-06T00:57:00.004-03:00

Soooooo, back in December, yes December, I had a "photo-shoot give away."
And a few weeks ago I was finally able to meet up with the winners of that Christmas give away!
*wild applause*

Lindsey and Dave are engaged and were amazing fun to work with! The beachy setting was great!
WOW! You know, I've never done a shoot that was so relaxing, and yet scary at the same time. o.O
Relaxing because it was the beach...what's not to like? :)
Scary mostly when I was in the water with my camera as a wave came crashing in on me, almost to my hips.
Eeeek!! *gasp*

However, my beloved camera and I lived to shoot another day.
The whole session? Well worth all the close calls! :)

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::2:: Spinning...

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::13:: Love birds. :)

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::15:: What a coincidence!! Dave is named Dave too!
(We couldn't resist snapping a picture with this pillar. ;)

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::22:: I really LOVED shooting under the pier. The architecture was so visually interesting!

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::28:: Dave was so gentle with her. :)

::29::
I left with the sense that their wedding next year...yeah, it's gonna rock!! Amazing couple.

After hugs and handshakes, I trudged back to the car...weighing about two pounds more after all that sand was packed into my rolled up jean cuffs...awesome. :)
Venti Caramel Frappe, anyone?
Yeeeeeeees. :)

Thanks so much Lindsey and Dave! I can hardly WAIT to do your beach wedding in March. Man, it's coming up fast! *EXCITED*
God bless, more and more,
~Anna Grace

::Looking to the Future - Jamie and Brandon::

2010-05-07T00:33:00.003-03:00

19 years. Yes, I'd say it's been about that long.
I've been living in this wonderful, sleepy little town for at least 19 years. I love it, always have...grew up here. It's a small place, only about 10,000 people...if that. Small, but beautiful!

I took a drive two weeks ago in that town. Just about 5, maybe 10 minutes. The reason for my drive?
An engagement!
We did a photo-shoot that day to celebrate the promise that has been made between Jamie and Brandon!

Oh, it was glorious! I was driving down a quiet paved road which eventually turned into a dirt one.
The drive was so lovely that I drove right by the house...oops! Oh well, no harm done.
Perfect day for documenting two lovebirds. :)

::1:: Our first location was Jamie and Brandon's orange grove, and the site of their future home. :)
They've got some of the prettiest orange trees I've seen in our area. Nice and big!

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::7:: They were so much fun!

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::10:: Some heavy rains knocked most of this season's blossoms off. We could still find some around...and so could the bees. :)

::11 and 12::

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::14:: I'm diggin' the chair!

::15::

I lu-hu-huv that RING! And the carved dragon flies...amazing.

::16 and 17:: When I was taking some photos of Jamie, I asked her to look at Brandon for this last shot...love!
And I haven't been able to forget what he said to her after I snapped the above picture...
"You smile better when you're looking at me." :)

::18:: Totally staged and not the way he proposed (hilarious story) but it was a fun shot to do.
I asked them to talk to each other during this shot. Their exchange went something like this:
"Oh man, after this is over, I'm gonna push you in the pond." -Jamie
"Yeah right! Not if I throw you in first!" -Brandon
...No romantic gush at all, but they had me in stitches! :)

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::22:: Beautiful eyes...

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::24:: Look! Awesome truck in the background! Just sayin'. :)

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Location number two found us by the pond in Jamie's parents' back yard.

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::37:: I love this shot!

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::39 and 40::

::41:: Definitely a favorite. :)

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I think had a liiiiittle too much fun on this exploit.
Aaaand, I think I just overdosed on the smiling while writing this post. :) :) :) :)
Yeah, definitely a smile overdose.

Jamie and Brandon, thank you sooooo much for letting me be a part of this exciting time in your lives!
Praying the Lord will bless all the moments and months to come,
~Anna :)

::Matt - Class of 2010::

2010-04-19T16:47:00.003-03:00

It's Springtime here in Florida, and the smell of High School Graduation is in the air.
Ahh...a pleasant thought. :)

The weather was nice, and historic downtown unpopulated.
The wind was blustering, and he was a guy...with short hair.
(That sounds unrelated, but if you're a photographer, you get it. ;)

This shoot was nothing but fun and relaxing. Matt and his mom were both an extreme pleasure to work with.
Wait, did I say work? I meant play. :)

So, without further ado...

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::3:: Brave guy. He climbed 10-15 feet up a little wall-mounted, iron ladder to a tiny platform clinging to the side of the building...just so we could get this shot. Well done, sir!

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::7:: Guess who got accepted at UF? Go Gators!
*chomp*

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::9:: I'm really liking that tile.

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::14:: Again with the climbing...up he went! :)

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At the water's edge...

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::25:: Hello river...

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::29:: And a quick shot with Mom. They're both such awesome people! :)

Congratulations Matt! May the good Lord guide and bless your future endeavors!
~Anna Grace

::Great Expectations - Paige and Jason::

2010-04-07T22:59:00.002-03:00

BABYYYYY!!!!
Baby, baby, baby, BABY!!!

Sorry...was that over the top?

Sooooooo, guess what I did on the 30th of March?
That's right! I went backpacking in Uganda!!!!
No.
But I did have the most amazingly fun first maternity shoot a budding photographer could ask for! :)
The weather was superb, the lighting outstanding...and my subjects? Even better!!
Paige and Jason are expecting their first little miracle in the next few months.

We're all eagerly awaiting little Miss Colby Jane!
Or is it Kolby Jane...Colbie Jane? KOLBIE Jane...?!
I don't know, her parents aren't even sure yet either. (Truuust me, I double checked. ;)
Well darling little girl, however your name will be spelled, we're all SUPER excited for your appearance!

Alright, alright! Enough yammering, now let's see some baby bulge! :)

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::2:: Pink! How appropriate. ;)

::2:: Mmmm...I want a green apple.

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These next two photos were Paige's special request pose. :)

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::14:: Good grief! Does she make pregnancy look glamorous or what?! :)

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::17:: Mhmm, motherhood looks great on her! :)

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::19:: Sigh...I love Springtime in Florida. You can find color almost anywhere.

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::23:: Belly laughs!

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::26:: Radiance.

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::30:: My all-time favorite shot of Paige and Jason during the shoot! :)

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And so...we wait!

An oober ecstatic,
~Anna Grace

::For the Love of Black and White::

2010-03-30T01:59:00.000-03:00

This week, i:heart:faces is offering a FUN challenge...dramatic black and white!

We were at the beach on a sunny day. She was playing her guitar, I was laying in the sand, listening to the Rowing Song mingle with the crashing waves...bliss.
This photo takes me back to that Summer...with all it's sunburned glory!

Click on over to I:heart:faces and browse the many wonderful black and white entries...happy viewing. :)

~Anna Grace

::Christin - Class of 2010 - Teaser::

2010-03-29T22:24:00.000-03:00

No, I haven't fallen off the face of blog-earth. :)

Last Thursday, I got to spend the afternoon with Christin.
That girl...is awesome!

Soooo excited!! :)

~Anna Grace

::Their Big Day - Hannah and Peter::

2010-02-11T13:14:00.001-04:00

The day started cloudy and rainy...it ended that way too. But the icky weather wasn't enough to dampen our spirits. The big day had come! Hannah and Peter were getting MARRIED!!!
That knowledge alone was enough to turn that gray, soggy morning into one of the brightest days of our dear friends' lives! We all felt such joy, an overwhelming happiness.
With that said, let's get started, shall we? :)

Kisses for Lissy, Hannah's niece.

Boots! The wedding theme was Country/Western.

Sister feet, just before putting on their boots.

It's almost time!

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind..."

"Auntie Nannah, your sleeves are so big! They look like wings!" :)

And just minutes before we began pre-ceremony pictures, Peter decided to run outside to get something...in his dress shirt! We quickly sent a hairdryer across the hall so he could get rid of those unsightly rain spots. :)

Hannah and Peter chose to do pre-ceremony pictures, and here is almost everyone...ready to go.

Serious pose...in a happy sorta way. :)

Seriously goofy!

The whole party.

The bride with her girls.

These bouquets were so much fun to make!

Yes, the lovely bride, the whole wedding party in fact, had Wendy's food...15 minutes before the ceremony. We laughed and ate, ate and laughed, sighed...and got ready.

Yummy! :)

Peter, deep in thought.

Praying with his father, just before the wedding. A very special moment.

They all stood...

Saying their vows...

Undoubtedly THE quickest first kiss I've ever (tried to) capture!
I think it lasted about, hmm, 3/4 of a second! This is all I got of it. :)

Man and Wife!!!

Their cake smelled absolutely delicious!!

Congratulations!

One last tearful hug with her mother before they left for Tennessee.

Bubbles!

And off they went, starting life together, as one.

Hannah and Peter, I pray earnestly that the Lord will guide you and keep you.
May you ever look to Him! Blessings on your future together!
With Much Love,
~Anna Grace

::Sneak Peek - Hannah and Peter::

2009-12-23T21:46:00.000-04:00

Soooooooooooo...here's the preview.
Consider yourself teased. :)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...sorry. :)

::Drumroll Please::

2009-12-08T23:41:00.000-04:00

Well, it's official.
There is a winner for the FIRST EVER Anna Grace Photography Photo-Shoot Giveaway.
Today, I typed out every name for the entry, 16 to be exact.
Printed them all on the same piece of paper.
Cut every one in the same size.
Folded every piece alike.
And put them in a vintage brown cap.
Completely equal playing field.

Then I stuck in my hand, gave the names a long mix (for good measure), and drew out THE WINNING TICKET...

Congratulations to our winners! Lindsey and Dave, when you see this post, please shoot me an email to annagracephotographs@gmail.com. We'll begin dialogue for your shoot.

Thank you so much to all who entered this giveaway!
Be on the lookout for future offers from Anna Grace Photography.
May God bless you all richly!

::December Giveaway - Time Sensitive::

2009-12-01T15:50:00.003-04:00

What's the occasion?
CHRISTMAS!!!
I love the Advent season. It's a time to remember Who was given to us, and what price He ultimately paid on our behalf. I'd love to celebrate Christmas this year by gifting someone a photo-shoot.

What's included:
A one hour on-location photo-shoot (portrait, engagement, or family), and a cd of the pictures with printing rites.
How to enter:
Simply leave a comment on this post...with a bit of Christmas cheer, if you'd like
AND
Upload the picture below in a post on your Blog about this giveaway and link back to this blog
OR
Post a link about this giveaway on your Facebook feed
*When you comment, please note where (blog/facebook) you have posted the link for this post.

The time for entry will end on Monday, December 7th at 12 p.m.
I hope to announce the winner the next day!

God bless and happy commenting! :)

***I realize this giveaway is location-sensitive. I am in the central FL area and will try to work out any arrangements that can be made. Please, only enter if you are reasonably close to my area. If you have any further questions, please email me, the address is in the sidebar under Contact Me. Thank you!

::Brown Eyes, Smiles, and Hugs - DeLeon Family::

2009-11-30T11:29:00.005-04:00

I've got some pretty outstanding cousins!
On Thanksgiving day, I had the opportunity of doing my cousin Adrian's family shoot.
Can you say FUN?
Adrian and Frank's kiddos are really photogenic...so getting some good shots was a cinch!
It was a challenge but we loved every minute of it! :)

**This is going to be one of those posts. You know, when at some points you can't decide whether you like black/white or color better. Yeah. :)

Clara

::1::

::2:: The sunlight was juuuuuuust right for her pictures.

::3:: Laughing at Daddy...

::4::

::5:: Chub! I love it!

::6::

Frankie
I seriously took NO bad pictures of this boy...amazing!

::7::

::8::

::9:: Showing me his "big boy" pose. :)

::10:: Jump Frankie, jump!

::11:: He is so proud of his necklace.

Eden

::12:: I can't believe she's only 4...wow.

::13::

::14:: Look at that pretty dress.

::15::

::16::

::17:: Gotta love those eyes!

The Group

::18::

::19::

::20:: Kisses...

::21::

::22:: Here, Eden and Frankie are telling Clara all about their Barbies and cars. LOVE her expression! :)

::23::

::24::

::25:: Hugs...

::26::

Family
I sooooooooo wish I would have had more time to be creative with the family shots. But the day ran short and we were all needed by the rest of the family. This part was still fun though!

::27::

::28:: They are all truly a blessing to us!

::29:: *warm fuzzies* :)

Special thanks...
To my cousins Adrian, Ashley, and Erica who stuck with me to the end.
They were the cheering, peek-a-booing, waving, whistling crew who kept the kiddos looking in the right direction. This shoot wouldn't have been nearly as hilarious without them! Love you guys! :)

::30:: And a very happy Thanksgiving was had by all!

::Sneak Peek - DeLeon Family::

2009-11-28T20:45:00.004-04:00

Coming soon!

CAN'T WAIT!! :)

::i:heart:faces - Falling for Autumn::

2009-11-17T11:02:00.002-04:00

There are few things I love more than the warm lighting of Fall...swoon!

If you want to get your fall-photo-fix, head on over to i:heart:faces and satisfy your craving. :)

::By the Sea Shore::

2009-11-16T17:45:00.005-04:00

Well my friends, we went to the beach...back in JULY! :)
Yes, I am just now getting around to posting a few shots from our lovely afternoon trip with Jean. And what a trip it was! Sand, salt, sunshine, and laughter...a wonderful combination.

Livie darlin'

It was simply grand to sit on the beach, hearing Emily strum away on her guitar.
The Rowing Song, what a perfect ditty for the beach. :)

Jean...peacefully gazing.

The reflected ocean in Emmy's glasses...

Sandy feet...gotta love them!

If I remember correctly, most of us ended up with lovely sunburns. Well worth it for all the memories we made together!

*Post dedicated to Mrs. Lynn. :)

::Fix It Friday::

2009-10-30T18:29:00.003-03:00

Here it is, my first "Fix It Friday" attempt with i:heart:faces.
This event is to help stretch your editing experience and techniques.
The little girl in this photo looks like a pixie in a garden...LOVE IT!

Here is the original image we were given.

(I take no credit for capturing the photo, only the edit jobs.)

This project was so much fun! Thanks i:heart:faces. :) Looking forward to more!

::Welcome Autumn::

2009-10-27T01:27:00.006-03:00

...come stay for a while. Put your feet up...there's no hurry.
The weather in Florida can be so indecisive, especially in the "Fall" and "Winter" months of the year. Oh, a nice cold front may float our way. But as surely as it comes, it will go. Such is the way of things in our area.
Very little cold, or even cool, weather.
Perhaps a frost or two in late January or February.
And, sadly, almost no traditional Fall colors to speak of.
No peaceful roads lined by majestic trees laden with orange, gold, and crimson leaves.

But...if you take a look, a good hard look, one can find small gifts of Fall color all around. I love to hunt for these details in the big picture.

Here is some of the best of Autumn our area of Florida has to offer.
Enjoy!

Cheers...to Fall.

::Pink Week Result::

2009-10-26T10:19:00.002-03:00

Well, my first i:heart:faces challenge is over...but with an encouraging result.
I placed 4th!!! What an exciting blessing!
I've gleaned so much from this great blog already and am really looking forward to their upcoming posts.
Thanks i:heart:faces! :)

i:heart:faces - Think Pink

2009-10-20T13:00:00.014-03:00

Yes, it is true.
After much deliberation, and an impulsive leap, I am planning to enter a photo in an i:heart:faces challenge....exciting!
Looking forward to "heart-ing faces" with other face heart-ing people! :)

This week's category?
Pink.
Awesome.

::Denim, Dames, and Dear Friends::

2009-10-07T23:56:00.007-03:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!
Almost two weeks ago now, we celebrated the belated 21st birthday of our dear Lauren!

By special request, we dressed to match and had ourselves a photo shoot. (You have no idea how much time and confusion went into these outfits! There's females for you. :)
The result was nothing short of a wonderfully hot photo shoot with lots of laughs (the important thing) but not a whole lot of great shots. :) (Keep in mind: 6 females, one camera on a tripod, one remote, ONE remote operator, and a sun hot enough to melt your makeup and frizz your hair...what fun!) Trying to get everyone looking at the camera for every shot was nigh impossible...hence some of the following "non-ready pictures".
We all did the best we could...and had a blast doing it too! :)
**Please, don't expect creative perspective in these shots...a tripod was in use.
**Also, please excuse the fuzzy pics. That's what happens when I resize them for the blog.

The gang...

Jean, Lauren (the lady of the hour), Emily, Olivia, Emily C., Anna
Yeah...no idea what Emily is doing in this picture...cracks me up though! :)

Goofy, take one.

Goofy, take two.

Goofy, take...well, you get the picture!

Smiles all around.

Yup...a bunch of goofballs. Surprised my camera still works? :)

Happy Birthday, Lauren...from a bunch of sillies to another. We love you!

::In Loving Memory::

2009-09-28T20:32:00.010-03:00

I dedicate this post to my brother...Isaac.
On this same day, September 28th, two years ago, he went home to be with the Lord.
A motorcycle accident claimed his precious life and tore him away so suddenly.

August 25th, 1975-September 28th, 2007
32 wonderful years.

We miss him terribly.
His smile, sense of humor, his love of life, loyalty to God, unwavering devotion...
All these things and many more help to paint a fuller picture of who this great man was.

**********************************

In our home, there hangs a very special picture in the dining room.
He was twenty, vibrant, and full of life.
I remember when our family got that picture. I was about 6 years old.
We opened the package. I saw the photograph, and beamed with happiness.

There he sat. My red-headed hero. In his green Army uniform, half-smiling at me.
Sitting in front of that beautiful American flag.
My heart spilled over with all kinds of pride, the good kind.

*************************************

Through the years, that picture has held an important spot on the wall, the very top.
Every time I see it, I go back to that moment so many years ago.

The day that a 6-year-old little girl caught her first glimpse of her hero Isaac...servant of his God, family and country, in his uniform.
The first day she knew the excitement of patriotism.
Though this little girl has since grown into a young woman, she still gets a rush of healthy pride whenever she studies the face of the young man in that picture.
Those eyes which held such love for his family, his friends, his God...for her.

Her breath catches.
She lifts a silent, heartfelt prayer to the God who made that amazing brother.
Thanks Him for the wonderful years He gave her with him.
And looks forward to meeting him on that beautiful shore.
She loves him still.

~Anna Grace

::Look At Them Boots::

2009-08-18T17:56:00.004-03:00

A photoshoot during Florida's 97 degree summer weather wearing a scarf and boots?
...SURE! :)
Emily and I had a grand ole time exploring our area today. So many times as a photographer in a small town, I can tend to feel a little stuck artistically. That's when I find it helpful to go on a scavenger hunt. :) Just driving around looking for places to take pictures can really help develop the eye of a photographer. It's always an exciting challenge.

Thanks Em for being such a willing and fun subject! :)

~Anna Grace

::Love Somebody Like You::

2009-08-05T11:51:00.013-03:00

Hannah and Peter are getting married!!! SO looking forward to shooting their big day come December! We're all in the thick of wedding plans right now...can't seem to get enough either. :)
This past weekend, we had an amazing time taking engagement pictures. Sunday afternoon found us in a seemingly empty field behind the church...BIG challenge for the shoot! But with a little scenic scrounging, we found some wonderful photo spots.

I LOVE this one!

In this next picture, I told them to look wherever they wanted to...

...this is what I got. :)

Six white diamonds, all in a row.

Such good friends, such a great couple.

Hannah and Peter, I was so blessed to be able to help you with these pictures. Looking toward your wedding day with great anticipation. Praying fervently for smooth sailing till then, and God's continued blessings when the day is over! :)

An utterly excited,
~Anna Grace

::And the Winner Is::

2009-07-26T13:25:00.008-03:00

There was an amazing response to the Header Vote in my last post! Well done everyone. I was very honored by your input and greatly look forward to redesigning my blog layout around the most popular header choice.
***I am sorry to those of you whose favorite didn't pull through, but I pray this was a fun experience anyhow. :)
***The winning header may still be subject to editing changes.

Here are the stats:
There were 31 comments here on the blog...
And a bunch of votes from my facebook advertising account.
***Most of the commenters voted for at least two headers.

In 6th place with 4 votes...

Happiest of all days.

In 5th place with 7 votes...

Weather worn.

In 4th place with 8 votes...

"Toadally" a joke header. :)

In 3rd place with 11 votes...

The original header.

In 2nd place with 12 votes...

Old house charm.

And the winner, with 14 votes, is.................

Autumn Sun.
This one barely squeaked accross the finish line, winning by only two votes! :)

Again, thank you all for taking part in this. It wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without your input.
The new layout should be up when life permits...fairly soon! :)

~Anna Grace

::May the Best Header Win::

2009-07-10T20:55:00.007-03:00

Hello Readers,
I've decided to do something interactive...to see how many of you are out there. :) I need your help with a task.
You are eligible to participate whether you've been watching my blog from day one...or just found your way here.

I have posted 6 choices for a possible header on this blog. I need you to view them carefully and leave a comment as to which one (or two :) you would like best to see. In two weeks (July 25th) I will tally the votes and begin plans to redesign my blog around that final choice. So make sure you get your two-cents in! :)

***Try to look past the fuzziness. That's what happened when I re-sized them to fit in the blog. :)

1) As you can see, the original header is still in the running. :)

2) Old house charm.

3) Happiest of all days.

4) Weather worn.

5) Autumn Sun.

6) This is "toadally" a joke header choice. :)
***Don't actually vote for this one...unless you really want to, I guess. :P

Looking forward to the results with great anticipation!
Remember, please leave a comment in order for your opinion to count!

May the best header win!

~Anna Grace :)

::Joseph's Senior Shoot::

2009-06-07T17:32:00.011-03:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with some family friends whose son has...guess what...GRADUATED!!!
He chose some very neat venues for the shoot.
We began the photo shoot in the garden where Joseph's parents were married.

Somethin' about a guy and his guitar...

We found a neat brick path while we were there.

Here is Joseph with his sister, Lauren. I have done a photo shoot of them together before. :)

And now, we take a journey to the belly of a bridge. :)

I really liked being under there. Being surrounded by concrete and cool lighting was new to me, but a great learning experience!

We had a grand time exploring and shooting...very, very enjoyable!
Thanks for the good time! :)
~Anna Grace

::Spring Wedding - Part Six::

2009-05-07T11:41:00.008-03:00

Here are some of the favorite after-wedding shots of Brit and Kevin.
The lighting was just beautiful...

Her veil was gorgeous!!!

Perfect weather for getting married...

Their "getaway" car was soooo cool!

Now for some bridal shots...

Windows to the soul...

The reception...

In which, the mothers and wedding coordinator gather around to bustle the dress.

All smiles...

After dancing the night away, the guests lined up outside to bid Brit and Kevin farewell.

See...told you it was cool car! :)

Blowing bubbles...

Here they come!

The Mr. and Mrs...

A final wave goodbye...

Well folks, this is the final installment of Brittany and Kevin's Spring wedding,
I hope you enjoyed these few posts representing their big day!

To the Bride and Groom:
I hope you will be blessed with every happiness in the coming years.
Your wedding was lovely!
Thank you...for letting me be a part of it!

~Anna Grace

::Spring Wedding-Part Five::

2009-05-01T15:24:00.005-03:00

The whole wedding party was fun to photograph...before and after the wedding! :)

Havin' a little fun. :)

Love this one. Everyone was just being themselves. :)

~Anna Grace

::Spring Wedding-Part Four::

2009-05-01T14:35:00.005-03:00

One Saturday afternoon not long ago, music filled the air...

...a groom caught the first glance of his stunning wife-to-be. While gliding up the aisle...

...she shed tears of pure, unbridled joy.

Family and friends filled the sanctuary to watch this man and woman join in the most sacred union.

A solemn prayer was spoken, asking the Lord for a blessing on the marriage. After which time...

...the bride and groom spoke their vows of devotion to each other.
Now, man and wife...

...they sealed their promises with a kiss...

...a sigh of happiness escaped from the assembly.

Smiles wreathed the faces of this newly united couple as they sailed out of the church, ready to begin life...together.

~Anna Grace
(all smiles)

::Spring Wedding-Part Three::

2009-04-16T19:55:00.007-03:00

Couldn't resist putting up a few of the preparation. The hours just before a wedding are so special.

Reflections...

A beaming bride...

No, this was not the ceremony attire for the men...merely a joke for the bride. I think we all got a kick out of it. :)

In which we find the future mother-in-law lacing Brittany's gown and her sister, the maid of honor, holding the veil.

Goin' to the chapel...

~Anna Grace

::Spring Wedding - Part Two::

2009-04-13T20:19:00.004-03:00

A tid-bit...just for now. :)

More to come!

~Anna Grace

::Spring Wedding - Part One::

2009-04-10T23:33:00.012-03:00

It's the Little Things...

While shooting the marriage of Kevin and Brit this past weekend (which was so fun!!!), I got some interesting shots. I think it's important to showcase the "little things" that helped make their special day so memorable and unique.

The ambiance in this church was incredible!

I loved the dress detail...truly a stunning gown.

Love this shot! :)

Mmmmm...

This is only the first of, Lord willing, many more posts to come! Hope you all liked the pics...I wanted to go with an "artsy" feel for this set. :)
Brit and Kevin, I hope you enjoy the coming pictures as much as I loved taking them! Many blessings upon your marriage!

~Anna Grace

::A Southern Belle::

2009-03-26T22:12:00.015-03:00

I'm baaaa-aaaack!!! :)

About a week ago, I had the honor of photographing a young lady in need of head-shots. The time of day was just perfect and her company was impeccable!
What an enjoyable shoot! :)
I couldn't resist posting the black/white duplicates of each picture...they all turned out so nice!

Don't you just LOVE her hair? So beautiful! Thank you my dear for a lovely time. We hope to be with you and the family again soon. :)
Cheers!
~Anna Grace

::A Friendly Sort of Day::

2009-01-12T10:16:00.013-04:00

Hello Readers!
This is a most unusual post for the type of blog I run. :) About a week ago, I (spontaneously) spent the night and following day with my dear friend Jean. Whilst enjoying her company, we decided to do a photo-shoot of us. I have put a most curious watermark on the photos. Both our names are on the pics because we both had an equal hand in the composition and taking of the pics. It was most enjoyable!
We spent the entire day in her subdivision which, many of you can imagine, was very difficult. We were constantly dodging golfers and smiling impishly at passers-by. Good times. :)

I love the way Jean is sitting. She looks so prim and proper while I look starstruck about something or other. :)

An attempt to convey the differences in our features.

One of the MANY goofy moments...

Sunlit smiles...

Traipsing around the field...

Jean's expression in this shot is priceless!

...and another one. :)

Hope you all enjoyed this post. Jean, I really loved spending time with you in this way.

~Anna Grace

::Mr. and Mrs. Justin Fitz::

2009-01-05T11:39:00.017-04:00

On the weekend after Christmas, my family and I had the extreme pleasure of attending my cousin Justin's wedding. He and his lovely bride Katie were kind enough to let me take some pictures alongside their photographer. Here are a few of my favorite candids. :)

Coming up the aisle...

Groomsmen up a tree...

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Katie. I believe she was laughing at the antics of her new husband and his friends. :)

A precious moment...

Justin and Katie, may our Lord bless you with every joy. Love you both so much!
~Anna Grace

::Family Christmas Pictures::

2008-12-15T14:49:00.015-04:00

Last Saturday, our family went out and spent the day taking pictures and yard sale hunting. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely!

I couldn't resist putting up a couple of Mom and Dad.

Love this one!

With our instruments.

Sorry for the sun flares Dad! :)

And the winner is...

Thanks for stopping by!
~Anna Grace

::Emily's Senior Shoot, Part II::

2008-12-11T09:58:00.006-04:00

Here are a few "in-town" pictures of Emily.

Hope you all liked them. :)
~Anna Grace

::Emily's Senior Shoot, Part I::

2008-11-24T16:54:00.010-04:00

A few days ago, Em and I went out to take her senior pictures. We had to stretch it over a couple of days but, thankfully, the lighting was wonderful during both shoots. Most of our time was spent in the historic downtown area. It's amazing how many cool 'picture places' you can find when you actually look. Great fun!

Most of these pics were taken at home. I'll try posting some 'in town' pictures in a few days...don't have time for editing all of them right now. Life keeps calling my name. :)

~Anna Grace

::Hello Readers!::

2008-11-20T17:28:00.005-04:00

My blog is undergoing some alterations at this time. We're trying to make some aesthetic changes that will help with viewing. I apologize in advance for any strange layouts you may see. Rest assured...it won't last forever. :)
Thank you.
~Anna Grace

::Yours Truly::

2008-11-14T19:54:00.008-04:00

By popular demand, here are a few pics of myself. The lighting was a little hard to play with; I think I ended up with an okay balance though. The editing process was fun and I decided to play around with a new technique.
*The effect I chose is okay but I think it would look way better in a landscape shot with lots of clouds in the sky. :)

*To all you budding photographers: A good flash and a light reflector are key to decent indoor photography.

Hope you enjoyed it. This, I suspect, will be the last post of me for a very long time. :)

~Anna Grace

::Wedding Celebration, Part III::

2008-11-13T20:21:00.011-04:00

I couldn't resist making this post. I had so much fun with all the children and young people at the wedding that I just had to show some pictures. :)

The adults were also very willing subjects. What a joy. :)

~Anna Grace

::Wedding Celebration, Part II::

2008-11-12T13:24:00.020-04:00

I took SO MANY picures at this wedding, it seemed a bit unfair to make one post with only ten pictures. Here are some of my favorite stills and candids.

~Anna Grace

::Wedding Celebration, Part I::

2008-11-11T20:04:00.014-04:00

I had a wonderful time shooting this couple's big day. The charming venue for both the ceremony and reception was set outdoors. (The lighting was perfect for most of the evening.) John and Vashti were extremely fun to work with.

The first kiss as man and wife.

With the groom's mother...

and his family.

With the bride's mother...

and her family.

The tokens of their love and affection...

I adored the cake toppers!!! Here we find the bride preparing to throw the groom a curve.

And a memorable night was had by all.

~Anna Grace

::Brother and Sister Shoot::

2008-11-08T00:03:00.007-04:00

Last weekend, I was prvileged to do a photo shoot of Lauren and Joseph. It was a such pleasure to spend time with them. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

~Anna Grace

::In the Wood::

2008-10-27T12:33:00.012-03:00

I loved doing this shoot with Liv. The lighting was grand.

~Anna Grace

::Livie::

2008-10-21T00:11:00.014-03:00

~Anna Grace

::Emmy::

2008-10-15T16:34:00.010-03:00

~Anna Grace