But I’m facing dilemmas I want to try to change. I feel myself most drawn to the personal blogs where the writers speak candidly and freely about their lives.  So in the same ways those writers are able to pull me into their world and embody me with interest – I want to allow myself to be more personalized, which is hard for me. I’ve had to be the strong, silent stable figure for much of my life but this is something that needs to change. I just visited a shaman, of sorts who told me I needed to live an authentic life and this is where I intend to start. Letting some of my fearful walls down. Boy, aren’t you in for a treat?

These writers I love -their words flow freely without fear – for they are who they are, they know themselves — never flinching in the shadows.  They make no excuses – I find that is so refreshing in a world saturated with political correctness and those whom find power sitting behind their computers.  One of the biggest inspirations was a friend I had met on Flickr, Jessica Weiser (http://www.fideliophotography.com/). She used to post these really amazing photographs and then have amazing stories to coincide with them. Which for me, not being as great with the word ADORED the fact that she felt so at ease to write about her life and her hardships throughout her life. I instantly liked and connected with her.  I don’t even think I’ve ever even told her that, but this is a great example in life that you may not ever have any idea that you have an impact on someone – when in all actuality you do. Do you know that person who has inspired you or gave you insight? Do you have that person or one of many people that have shaped you or continue to mold you?  I have many people but Jessica is certainly one of them.  Which this in turn leads me to Ashley.

I will be shooting a wedding with an upcoming photographer, who had some really amazing friends that thought *SO* highly of her – they bought her ME. Ok, let me back that up a bit – that sounds ODD… Ashley loves photography and her friends love HER so much, they wanted to push her and have her learn. She was turned onto my work through a friend of a friend kind of thing and I think she found an affinity and kinship  in my work. They wrote me and hired me to mentor Ashley. When I first met Ashley, we spoke briefly at LaHacienda over a couple margaritas (I instantly liked a fellow margarita lover) and I decided that instead of being much of an instructor in life. I’m a do-er.  I tend to be the verb instead of the noun. So she had her own wedding coming up to shoot. Tomorrow actually that I will be helping with.

It’s always fun to second shoot a wedding and get to tap into your creative self when you find yourself getting stale. I try to get as creative as possible in most situations, but when you get 15 minutes to do photos at a wedding,  you end up pulling out the traditional gotta- haves. That’s not inspiring, but actually stifling to a creative mind wanting to expand and <CREATE>.  So while second shooting, you get to do NOTHING but be CREATIVE. AAaaaah, music to my ears. I do tend to get many brides that will factor in lots of photo time, but there are some weddings that photos get rushed and it makes a world of difference. I will be posting some of these wedding images on here soon.

In trying to figure out what images to blog, I thought I might choose the prom images I did recently. They are fun, and fresh and youthful and it’s that season so here is Vince and Ally’s prom shoot.

In my efforts of tearing down the walls that defined me, I hope not to bore you to tears about my uneventful life. I am pretty sure I had such a traumatic childhood that God & the Angels decided my adulthood should be very mundane. And depending on who you are, maybe it is and maybe it isn’t.

Enjoy! I think my A.D.D. is kicking up — Oh look, something shiny…

XO

It was a really icky day here in Charleston and luckily everyone else thought so too. We basically had the USS Yorktown to ourselves to complete the feel for the shoot.

Next time your couple session seems humdrum or if your fiancee is dreading it, let him have fun planning the shoot to his liking. This will get him involved and actually look forward to it.

Until next time. XO

We’ll see more of Melissa and Davey in October for the BIG DAY!

{Stage 1} engaged.

I got engaged in August of 2007. I had seen Tomme’s work before hand and set her website aside for when I become engaged. Photography was the only thing I wanted to spend money on. It is my most important feature of my life. Not as a skill. No No… That, I am still learning. But more because of the moment each photograph holds. Photographs are irreplaceable.  And I LOVE to look back on moments and remember that ‘special day’.

I met Tomme and knew right away that I wanted to sign her. I didn’t even have to meet with any other photographer… just her. So, I signed with her and Tomme did my engagement photos that November.

{Stage 2} bridals.

I had thoroughly analyzed her work before I chose her… knowing she would produce wonderful unique images. BUT, in order for them to be as AWESOME as I wanted… I knew I had to get dirty… And I did.

For my bridals, I was in a field with grass, crickets, spiders (yuck) and mesquites (i think i ended up with 14 bites)… then I rolled around in the middle of a road… Dont worry ladies… the dirt comes out!

{Stage 3} the wedding.

Once your wedding day arrives, there is nothing to do but put your faith in your photographer. It is ALL in their hands. Because THEY ARE THE REASON YOU REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING.

{Stage 4} maternity.

My husband and I found out shortly after our wedding that we were expecting. SURPRISE to us! And of course the first thing I did was contact Tomme. DUH! Its another big moment in my life. You think I dont want me captured when I am 30+ lbs over weight! Many think not… but to be honest… Tomme made me feel like a SEXY pregnant woman. Let’s just say I walked away from this shoot feeling more confident than I did the entire pregnancy! Come on, any woman who gains 30+ lbs doesn’t feel ‘sexy’ or ‘pretty’… EVEN IF THEY ARE PREGNANT! I walked away feeling like a MODEL!

{Stage 5} baby.

And then came baby… HOUSTON! A couple weeks ago Tomme and I scheduled for her to come and shoot my baby, Houston‘s newborn photos. Sigh. Didn’t work as planned. Let’s just say Newborn photography has a different skill… PATIENCE! and more PATIENCE! and then waiting. This was our first attempt at ‘Newborn’ photography. And well… ahem, yea.

Although, I wouldn’t say it was a complete failure. Our first mistake was trying to shoot his photos during the main time Matt and I keep him awake… Oh well… But, as always, Tomme still got some great shots in between the crying…

Tomme and I called it a night. So the next day I started thinking… since I had started shooting with Tomme in October (2009), my confidence was not quite up there… I still get a little jittery before I shoot. So, I knew I had to grow a pair of… you know… and try to shoot on my own. SO, I tackled this shoot myself. AHHH. Dont worry, I did good! So good, I impressed myself! And Tomme!

{Stage 6} Family

My family (entire family) is having a photos session with Tomme this spring! So, I will be sure to post them soon!

Thanks for staying with me and reading my chronicles of life. I think its very important to develop a relationship with your photographer. Because, they are the ones that help you remember the important moments in your life. Before I was Tomme’s assistant, I told myself I would use her for every important moment in my life. Because the first time I met her, she was not just a photographer, she became a friend.

There are some rules! *YAWN* They aren’t crazy rules tho. These are easy rules to ensure that everyone gets the best possible shot at a win.  There are no rules for the stories you submit, but for the sake of internet space please keep it concise instead of a timeless classic novel. Your stories will be posted so make sure you edit correctly. Spelling and grammar should be legible and correct. Your stories will be posted as-is.

But let’s look at the ways you become eligible to WIN!!

Submit all stories to: gallery.tommehilton@gmail.com. Entry deadline is February 28, 2010 at midnight.

All entries will be posted and voted on by your friends/family and anyone exposed to this contest. Start spreading your VD germs!

Good luck, writers! xo

]]> http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2010/02/do-you-have-a-vd-story/feed/ 0 http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2010/01/r-and-m/ http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2010/01/r-and-m/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:51:34 +0000 Tomme http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/?p=106

Meet ROBYN & MATT:

Matt had his bachelor party the night before our engagement shoot.. for you future couples…. this is not the best time to decide to walk around Charleston in the elements if you aren’t quite feeling up to par.  But he cheesed it up for me quite well… and nearly got attacked by a pigeon but was all worth the while.

OH, the things you do for love!

Now, take a look at this couple-in-love before they TIED THE KNOT!

Had a whole lotta love the past few weeks, so much love I’m having trouble keeping up with it all. But I’m gonna start with Morgan and Michael.   Here’s their facebook image. I met Morgan when I met Brice and Kim one evening {{ Everyone know Kim and Brice? May 2 yrs ago they tied the knot! }}. She was introduced to me as the ‘artist sister’ of Brice. My ears perked up right away. An artiste? EXCITING! Her artwork is fabulous! And if I had her link I would include it.. but for now, I’m just going to tell you… she’s fantabulous good!

Flowy dress + Windy = YUMMY

I love her skirt.. she wore flowy, feminine clothes… and that seemed to photograph VERY well. It fit her eclectic, romantic whimsical nature. She has the fashion sense I always wished I could adopt.

That’s a GREAT looking couple. Magazine worthy.

One of my newest ventures is lighting. I couldn’t get enough of that skyline and how warm it was. This was prob about 830 in the evening and I picked up just the slightest warm light on the horizon and thought it looked so beautiful. I love how Morgan is just illuminated with some backlighting. SEXY.

Sigh. There it is again. I love these shots. Can’t deny.

Good night — please don’t forget to do a nice thing for one of our couples and lend them your vote!

Until next time

xoxoxo

]]> http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2009/10/whole-lotta-love/feed/ 1 http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2009/07/erich-and-candice-are-taking-the-plunge/ http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2009/07/erich-and-candice-are-taking-the-plunge/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:14:14 +0000 Tomme http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/?p=87 And they took me along with them.

So.. how excited was I to do this shoot? Pretty daggone excited. I love challenging myself and stepping it up! And welcomed it eagerly!

I met Candice because she owns Yoj designs and events. She is a wedding planner locally here in Charleston, and does beautiful, customized work. You should check her out!!  I was initially struck by her warm friendly nature.  She has this GORGEOUS red hair and a smile that just makes the room glow.  We hit it off and was one of those meetings where we had to make ourselves leave b/c conversations flowed, it was like hanging out with an old buddy. We kept in touch back and forth in both our busy lives and she wanted to get together for margaritas. I thought it was b/c I was such a cool cat, but I soon learned that Erich had proposed and she herself was in the midst of planning her own wedding!! And she wanted no other than ME to shoot her wedding!!! I had to say. I was so flattered. She has access to numerous photographers and there are PLENTY in Charleston. For her to like my work well enough to hire me for her own wedding is one of the best compliments I’ve received.

So we talked…. Erich is in the Navy and they have a rich history on the water, and in the water. She certainly doesn’t seem like the ‘typical’ everyday bride. She told me she hired me for D.I.F.F.E.R.E.N.T!! *gasp, me?* .. so different we worked on.  I had always wanted to shoot underwater images so Candice was the perfect guinea pig. I know this isn’t for everyone but I love her willingness to be unusual! Fun for me. Awesome images for HER.

Might I mention, she also didn’t wear your everyday bathing suit.  Now, why would she? She had heels on, bright pink heels, I might add.. and a black dress that had a crinoline skirt, lots of jewelry and a hairpiece we kept fishing out of drains that resembled a peacock… she was going for fun and FAB! Mission complete.

The underwater housing for these cameras are Sooo expensive. I thought I might want to do this more often, but not sure I can afford to. Oh, I also don’t have a pool, but if you want to donate yours that’s one step closer. 

We had a sexiest hair toss competition. I dunno, it’s still a toss up!

And when Candice pointed her pruny, wrinkled finger at me…. I knew we were done! What a fun, invigorating shoot! I loved stepping it up! We will be getting married in April and I can’t wait. It will be a GALA affair, to say the least!

BUT I have a ‘vision board’ that I use and it helps keep me on task. My number one on that vision board- as of today: BLOG EVERY WEDNESDAY……..my original Humpdate- plan-of- action.  It somehow fell apart at the seams.. I’m picking back up and grabbing the sewing machine and we are back to being the wicked stepsisters. 

Well, today’s fine post is brought to you by the poor photographer’s foundation.  { trying to entertain myself.. get on with it already.. }

This is Wendi and Tom. We are getting married June 6th at Magnolia Plantation.   Check out the link if you haven’t seem Magnolia already. Gorgeous. All those elements of Charleston everyone loves Charleston for. 

Tom and Wendi: they are really fun – we ended up meeting for margaritas and time just flew…that’s when you know you hit it off with someone. You look up and before you know it, you are like .. ‘WOAH’.. I gotta get goin’….. I really look forward to their wedding.  Here are some of their engagements.

I just love this soft blue on her..it looks like creamy, cotton candy goodness!

I’m always looking at lighting. How it affects what I’m shooting.. where it is. How I can use it or hide from it. Most of my couples when they see me aiming my camera AT the sun, they think I’m a little off. (Nah, me?)

I love this bldg. Everytime I can shoot at it, I end up spending lotsa time here getting shots b/c it looks great in color AND b/w… those stripes really add a cool element to the shots. 

And, if you hadn’t noticed.. I have a thing for horizontal people. More often than not, this is how I try to get all my clients at one point in our relationship. 

The sun sure went down quick that night.. you know that’s a good sign when that happens, it always feels more like hanging out w friends rather than being on a shoot and working…… somehow I usually end up lucking out with my brides being ppl I really enjoy hanging out with and getting to know. 

Had to take this shot. They are getting married 6/6 so this just seemed to call to me. 

That’s Tom and Wendi and we’ll be revisiting them as they are my next wedding. Look forward to the great images we get and the fun tales to tuck under our caps.

Send some prayers my way. Jim is still unable to find work.. he’s been laid off since November and hasn’t had any luck. He’s been posting resumes all over the country to no avail. He has a history in film, movies and writing screenplays.. but he was a liason with civil engineering and construction… he also has a CDL, but that is by far his last resort. He told me the other day he thought we were going to move to California…thought the prospects seemed to be better there.  It scared me  b/c it’s hard to start your own business from scratch and it definitely turned on my nervous factor. On the other hand,  I do well with change. I think more often than not, good comes from change. You grow. You figure yourself out better… people just need a good shake up to re evaluate themselves occasionally. It wouldn’t be a ‘bad’ thing but I could certainly use some prayers and sending your guardian angels our way to see if they can work things out for him -HERE-. I’ve always been a firm believer in things happening for reasons..so if we did end up in California it wouldn’t be an awful thing – may take some getting used to but I always look for the positive in most situations.  So if by chance, your guardian angel is bored b/c you’ve been so good.. have her come stop by our house and see if she can do some good here.

Come by and see me on Facebook and Flickr. I have a www.LoftNoire.com and www.TommeHiltonGallery.com page as well on there to keep up on the latest on each of the companies. 

I am going to be such a consistent HUMPDATER…… Make sure you stop by each Wednesday to see the featured blog. 

Until Next Time. I mean, Until next Wednesday. xoxoxo

I have been behind is editing and posting, so I am going to post her and Gene’s engagement session and she told me today that Gene has no idea about my sites and that he would never find her bridal pics. I hope she didn’t underestimate his google capabilities. So I am going to include both sessions.

I have to say…. I know guys don’t really look forward to their engagement sessions and I keep that in mind when I shoot. Men don’t like looking stupid so I try to keep in the back of my mind their cool ness.. and most guys tell me afterwards they didn’t really mind the shoot b/c there wasn’t all this cheesey, fake smiling… So, check out the super cool Gene.

This statue is where Gene proposed.  I like how the angel is looking down at them… approvingly, of course!!

And now onto the bridals, which we did today…Lis wasn’t feeling great but she still looked like a million bucks. 

I love the romantic grainy ness here… It was really sunnier than I had hoped for, but once in a while the sun would go in and we were ‘golden’.

And I realize this look isn’t for everyone… some will think it’s dark and dreary, but in another essence it’s dramatic and moody.. and Lis can pull off drama undoubtedly.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to get her on the ground or not. She had talked to someone at the boutique she got the gown and asked about cleaning after the shoot and they read her the riot act about ”trying” to clean it. So she was of course extremely apprehensive about getting the dress dirty.. but for being outside all day in and out of sprinkling.. that dress stayed pretty clean, I must say!

The wind was def. in our favor.

That’s a whole lottaLIS…….. she’s gorgeous and can’t wait for the big day to see how radiant she is!! xoxoxo

Way past the bedtime. Night folks.

Charlie and Ashley met via E harmony, which I think is AWESOME…. it’s so hard to meet the right person. Many of my friends go from person to person without any luck, so it’s always a good thing when there is a tool to put the right people in the right circumstances. 

Here are some shots we got:

I just loved the wood grain in this photo.

I love how tight she has him held. 

football fans.

I have this odd effect on people.

They are getting married beginning of April at Debordieu Plantation. I love beach weddings, when it’s not so hot that the sweat causes the sand to stick eternally to locations you weren’t sure were yours.  I love how casual they are about it. I didn’t ask but I have to wonder if the dogs will be there dressed in their bests.? I guess I will be posting that soon enough!

Until later. 

xoxoxoxo