NOTHING could have prepared me for how much I would grow to love Oklahoma. #OkieLove I am a Native New Yorker who swore I would never spend more than a four year in this state after being "exiled" here due to military assignment. Yet, I have moved away and moved back all in the short span of two years.
Read MoreThere was a time when I knew two children. That's what they were to me. That's how it all started. In middle school, what passed for puppy love, grew into something adult-like (they might as well still be children to me). I remember when they graduated from high school. I remember when they both started driving. I remember when they started their first jobs. I took Alissa's senior pictures.
Then I took her engagement pictures.
Derek, my brother, takes no pictures because he believes it steals his soul.
Nonetheless, I watched these two people grow into these wonderful mature individuals. I watched their love mature and grow into something that seemed so recognizable by the time they hit their twenties. And now, they are husband and wife. Strangelove. Oh how strange this love story thing can be.
Venue: Tupelo Cotton Mill (Property Manager: Josh Riley) Florist: Breezy Blossoms of Toccopola, Ms Catering: Pizones Pizza of Fulton, Ms & Taqueria Matamores Mexican Restaurant of Pontotoc, Ms Cake Baker/Decorator: Debbie Gillespie of Pontotoc, Ms DJ/Wedding decorator: Event planner; Joshua Harris of Thaxton, Ms Photography: Tiffany Wills (Blue Arden Photography)
I left work on a Thursday. I drove all night and stopped somewhere between Fort Smith, Arkansas and Little Rock, Arkansas nestled uncomfortably in the front seat of my car. I thought I would deny myself sleep, but it did not work.
At some truck stop or some gas station, I fell like a fly in the winter.
I was tired.
I had to shoot the next evening.
Not just any shoot though. I was on my way to a small town outside of Tupelo, Mississippi called Thaxton. Thaxton is quite literally THE FIRST one horse town. I was to shoot my baby brother's rehearsal dinner then wedding (the following day). I knew if I did not sleep, I would not stand to see Friday's sunset and would miss the rehearsal dinner, which would be criminal.
I did not miss the rehearsal dinner; but I was late...as always.
I stopped in Oxford, MS (Go Rebs!) on the way to Pontotoc. I rode past Ole Miss, stopped by a bridal store to pick up the suspenders for the groomsmen, got caught in some afternoon small town gridlock mayhem, then went to 5 different stores to find a dress for the wedding (since I was also a bridesmaid too). I drove by the spot I once got ticketed for parking on a Sunday and not paying 25 more cents. I drove by an army of women clad in slight different variations of wedge heels and summer dresses. I interrupted their march accidentally when I daydreamed right on through the Pedestrian Crossing area.
I drove by about 10 dress shops in search of a dress for the wedding.
I did not find a dress that day. But I did find one to wear to the rehearsal.
I rushed home in time to find my mother, Mama P, already gone and my brother, Josh, and my Barney on the way out the door. I looked like I still had Thursdays disaster all over my body. But they didn't care. Josh cared only enough to make the observation. They were just happy to see me and I them.
After an infinite amount of primping (and damn good contouring "girl beat that face"), I left our house and made my way over to the venue, an abandoned building located on the outskirts of Tupelo, the birth place of Elvis. My brother would marry his soulmate in the birth place of Elvis. Not literally. I mean, Elvis wasn't born in this abandoned building, but it had to be moderately symbolic that they would tie the knot in the town still living in the ghost of this man.
There was an argument as to the color of the building. Was it white or was it yellow? My only concern was "could I find it?"
It was white just in case you wondered.
I didn't find the building, either. Siri did.
The venue was paradise. My brother, Josh, had spent days hanging lights, moving furniture, and making the place perfect for a princess. He made an empty warehouse look like something, quite frankly, out of a magazine. He made me proud.
Proud he made me even as he pranced around in a wedding dress. Proud he made me even as he called me names and told me to stay in a hotel instead of at home (inside joke). Proud he made me because he made my brother and new sister so very happy the day before their wedding.
This was love. This was family. This was celebration which is everything a wedding is supposed embody. .
This is a re-post from one of my favorite partner sites, Linen and Salt, blogger and bride Gabrielle Tarpley (Refer to Byrd and Gabbi). All ipsy bag photography by Blue Arden Photo.
About Gabbi: I am a 28-year-old lifestyle blogger, special-ed teacher, and Etsy shop owner. I call Charlotte, NC home. I can’t begin talking about who I am without mentioning my strength and my core, Jesus Christ. I love my husband, my family, Southern life, decorating, crafting, cooking, weddings (and any other party that I can design), stripes, pastels, traveling, photography, gardening, smell-goods, makeup and hair. In other words, I love being a girl. Linen and Salt is a Lifestyle blog for like-minded women who love surrounding themselves with beauty, have a thing for domestic “duties”, and are girl bosses in addition to it all. New articles come out weekly and include wedding tips, beauty reviews, makeup tutorials, product roundups, DIY projects, recipes, whatever else I feel deserves to be blogged about!
A few months ago I wrote about my love of ipsy and how amazing a value it is. I recently decided to start blogging about my monthly bags so that my readers could see for themselves the quality of the bags and to share some huge savings with you guys.
Most of you know by now that I recently got married. It was this minor thing that happened in my life that I barely blogged about at all (that was me telling a joke…). Along the wedding-planning way, I had the opportunity to meet a few other creatives who I love. By far my fave is Ollie of Blue Arden Photography! I am extremely excited to collaborate for the first time with her on this post. She has a way of making life look prettier through her camera lens All of the lovely photos on this post are courtesy of her!
Now on to the goodies!
Hikari Shimmer Bronzer (retails for $22): I can’t decide which is my favorite item in this month’s bag between this bronzer by Hikari or the Smashbox X-rated mascara below. Both are awesome. The Hikari bronzer is perfect for summer and the pink part of the quad can be used as a blush.
Get 30% off with code HIKARI30
Smashbox X-rated mascara (sample, full size retails for $22) : A lot of times I feel like mascara is all the same. This is the first mascara that I’ve tried in a very long time that has truly impressed me. The formula goes on smoothly and the effects are dramatic!
Get 15% of with code IPSY15
Eva NYC Hungry Hair Oil Treatment (retails for $8): Awesome formula! I think this is very awesome for natural girls.
Get %15 off with code IPSYOIL15
Slmissglam Small Contour W07 Brush : (sold as a part of the White Glam Brush Book that retails for $325): A girl can never have too many brushes on deck. This brush in particular is originally sold as a part of a set.
Use code SLIPSY25 to save 25%
Hanalei Lip Treatment (sample, full size retails for $25): I have not tried this product thoroughly yet but I do like the way it makes my lips feel off the bat!
Use code HANALEI30 to receive 30% off your purchase.
Jake Karlik Music , managed by Tulsa Jazz Music Group, was an interesting subject to shoot. Imagine photographing a super talented musician with all the charm in the world who distracts you with overwhelming amounts of humor. Instead of seeing this as I shoot, I took the approach of seeing this as hanging out. We walked through downtown Tulsa so I could meet this young man of barely 18 behind so much music and talent beyond his years. Please go check out his page and be blown away by his massive talent. I think I just shot my first star
I will be the first to admit that I am intensely personal. I hold my family and close friends very dear and close to me like a small secret (family and friends are synonymous). But, I know you won't understand this if I do not share a little bit about this personal tale.
Alissa and Derek are middle school sweethearts. Derek is my little brother. I adopted him when he was twelve after his mother adopted me at 24. I have watched him grow from an awkward emo teen into the amazing man I am honored to call my brother. Similarly, I watched is relationship with Lissa morph from puppy love (rarely taken quite as seriously) into this beautiful and steadfast relationship. I am thrilled to have a new member of the family who has actually been family for years already.
Here are a few shots from their amazing day.
Every year, around this time, prom rolls around, with it bringing nervous teens, suit and tuxedo rentals, and long, bling-laden gowns. Every year, around this time, I am struck with nostalgia. Many people aren’t aware of the fact that I make up the 53% (YouGov research) who did not attend their prom.
I know it’s a shock.
It wasn’t by choice. I was actually grounded from both of my proms (but that’s a story for later bloggings).
I’ve always felt like I missed something great…a sort of rite of passage. But in realizing that I make up the majority, it’s been more comforting. It was also extremely comforting to follow my nephew and his beautiful girlfriend through their prom preparations.
It’s not every day that you get to shoot your nephew for his prom. In fact, this was his (and my) first prom. Vicariously through him, I got to experience the anxiety and nervousness; the sequins and rhinestones; the sweetheart infatuations and nervous silence. I was not only their photographer, documentarian, but I also got to be their chaperone for a short period.
And as we rode through the streets of South Tulsa, listening to Beyoncé, me driving in the front (dancing of course) and them laughing and cutting up in the back, this day, this moment made my dreams come true. I became a part of their event. I experienced the highs. And, I was there right up until the moment they excited the car hand-in-hand, and walked into their rite of passage through the high school doors.
This experience brought me back center. And while so many people I know have attended 2,3, and even 4 proms, the one I got to experience was the greatest one on record, because I got to be there and capture it.
Located at the intersection of real life and a dream, The Peninsula Club is Lake Norman’s premier private member owned Country Club. The Peninsula Club is situated just north of Charlotte, North Carolina, in the upscale Peninsula Community. The Peninsula Community rests along 11 miles of Lake Norman shoreline, offering the perfect retreat for anyone who desires the good life. The Peninsula Club is the heart of the Community with a spectacular 35,000 square foot Clubhouse and Rees Jones designed Golf Course overlooking Lake Norman. -http://www.thepeninsulaclub.com
This past week, I was in New York City (my birthplace) to lay my grandfather to rest. I had the opportunity to meet family friends who have been so great to my family. I had the opportunity to photograph a new addition to this amazing family. I am so thankful that my family is surrounded by such great people. Here's a small sneakaroo.
Reason 50 Why I Became A Photographer: Subjection to unsolicited photography. Thus photographed is now the photographer. Me, Then and Now. A Photo Journal.
My mother and me. Look at how beautiful she is. Look at that strange child she is holding. Even thenmy eye brows rose at their own volition. As a photographer, I equate beauty to symmetry. My mother is beautiful therefore she is photogenic. She was beautiful. She is beautiful. I became a photographer because I believe you can almost capture a person's soul if you try hard enough.
Me when I was one or two. For some reason, these are the moments that I feel I can remember. While other people remember events in words. I remember them in colors. I remember them in heaviness. I see the light people had in their eyes. I remember the feel of the box, the smell of the tag, and ripping it open. Or maybe that is the imagination that has been present and prevalent my entire life.
I'm almost positive it took two to three shots to get this right. I'm almost positive I refused to look at the camera. I'm almost positive those were my favorite shoes. I KNOW I chose the crayon as my prop because I thought it smelled pretty. This is the first time I remember feeling beautiful. Something happened between then and my teenage years. When is it that we start to view ourselves not as beautiful people, but as ugly mistakes that are meant to be compared with "the standard."
I always laugh at this picture because I remember writing this card. I remember the photographer trying to convince me to look at the camera and me refusing. It's funny. As adults, we almost feel obligated to do as we're told for photos. As children, we sincerely could care less as long as we are capture (which is why I believe children actually have a light in their eyes when they are photographed).
Self Portrait in 2016. There's light in there yet. I'm actually looking at the camera. But I did contemplate whether or not I should reveal this photo. First, I'm not a fan of myself. It sounds bad, but it's true. But, I'm learning to love myself. I mean REALLY love myself which means accepting my mistakes and flaws for something beautiful. I'm learning to trust the process ever so much.
This week has been a rough week. That is all. Jenny helped. She came over, and did what I told her to do all to help me through this rough time in my life.
Really fun and GORGEOUS outtakes from my shoot with the beautiful CynSingsJazz.This woman is beautiful without even trying! I can't wait to post the actual sneak peek! Love you Cyn! Photo by Ollie Wills of Blue Arden Photography
I am lucky to have friends from all over the world. Heck, I'm lucky to have friends down the street with my saucy temperament. A couple of weeks I went home to see one of these unfortunate souls and was welcomed warmly into their beautiful home to meet see (again) two of their lovely kids and to meet two new additions (I'm also a late friend). Here's my documoment.
I had the distinguished opportunity, yesterday, to bea part of this very large family celebration of life. I've never felt so much love in a room; and ALL AROUND THE HOLIDAYS! What a great time to throw a birthday party! I have to say that I am a bit partial to gold and pink and warm color contrasts. This party was definitely a wonderful surprise and perfect end notes to one of my last events of the year. A party isn't a party without music, dancing, and good food, which this party had all of! Here, let me stop talking and just let you see my night.
Yesterday, I shot a birthday party and came to find that there was a little surprise for me when I showed up: A Photo Booth. I must tell you, always come prepared to parties. Although we were worried about the darkness in the room, we got quite a few great ones! I had a great time getting to know these folks!
Wishing all of you a lovely Thanksgiving filled with all the love, family, and turkey, and non-traditional eats and treats that can have! Happy Thanksgiving!
