Tag Archives: couples

Authentic Walls

I’m back on the chopping block. I always tend to drag my feet when it comes to blogging. I don’t look forward to it – not like I wished I would. I never really figured I have anything to say of much interest. When engaged in conversation, I can be witty and funny and carry a great conversation, but lay a blank page in front of me in hopes of filling it with really interesting verbage and engaging information and the crickets are chirping endlessly.

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

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Angie - May 15, 2010 - 6:33 pm

You are funny and fabulous! I fell in love first with your photos, and then with your FB personality! You are going to do just fine bringing personality to your blog!! Kudos to you for making a change! Maybe it will inspire me to finally take the leap to a real blog myself!!

Themed Engagements

If you ever considered having a couple session done, why not take it a step further and add a theme it to make it more interesting? Do you have a time period that you just love? Take Melissa and Davey for instance. Davey is in the Navy and Melissa had an affinity to the 40′s. So she thrift shopped until she put her outfit together, and perfectly I must add.  Davey didn’t really have to go all out for his look. I thnk he licked his palm and slicked back his hair once or twice. *Such a hard job being a guy!*

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!

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Well, hello there.

Ok, I’ve decided I need to be more consistent at blogging. I shudder at the thought of it, maybe bc I can’t imagine MY life to be THAT interesting in the first place but b/c of the amt of time blogging ends up taking.  I usually feel like I can be more resourceful editing someone’s wedding or session. But, with practice I shall get better and more efficient… so I’m gonna keep it up until they come up with a drag and drop system *that I can afford*.. to make blogging a piece of cake. 

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

 

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Joni - May 27, 2009 - 10:40 pm

Tomme,
Sending good vibes, guardian angels, prayers, etc… your way.
I’ll send you a private email for some ideas.
Loved these new photos. Wow. You’ve got something very special!!
Joni

Charlie and Ashley, the infamous

Many times my relationship with couples in our busy lives is via email. Sometimes I never even meet them as they are destination brides and grooms so I find it awesome to meet my couples and connect with them, if even just for an hour or two. I got to spend a bit of time with C&A and their dogs.. although I’m not sure Ruby really liked me after all. 

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

 

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