Joel & Lauren Engagement Session

Wanted to share a recent engagement session of Joel & Lauren. I had so much fun with this naturally charismatic couple! We went to Saratoga Congress Park and was able to use many of the areas. Although it was a really windy day, the wind actually added to the shoot making even more interesting. It's all about working with the surroundings... see more at: www.outoftheordinary.biz/joel_lauren.html

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Hans Wedding and a photo book
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Ain't no Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
CRAVING: an iced BK Joe
NEEDED A MOMENT: sigh
BEST MOMENT: sighing

For Sale: Defiant Wood Stove

We've decided to sell our wood stove and replace it to a gas stove model. It will be safer for JD and easier to use for all of us.

It is pick up only and yes, it is heavy so I recommend some helpers! But it would be a great addition for those looking for one or nice for a camp. It is used but still works, a 1975-1988 Model. Newly sealed and has a new thermostat chain/coil. If you know anyone that is interested please let us know. (518) 338-3333.

Here is our listing on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vt-Castings-Defiant-Wood-Parlor-Stove-1975-1988-Model_W0QQitemZ320428686748QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9b09bd9c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

They say...

They say, when you can't sleep, just get up. But what do you do when your body is exhausted and your mind isn't or vice versa?

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Hans Wedding
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: At Last by Beyoncé (by Etta James)
CRAVING: to catch up on my website
NEEDED A MOMENT: stove designs
BEST MOMENT: spending the entire day with Jim shopping and having a German dinner :)

Tracking the sun

You'd think because railroad tracks have been one of the most historical backdrops for photographers that I would have tried it years ago or at least in college... but it wasn't until this past Sunday that I finally did! Thanks out to Karilyn for her patience while driving us around in her wedding gown as I gave bad directions the first couple times around! ;)
We also had some fun with the sun... here is a preview or two.

Down a new exciting path

I can finally share some news that is going on in our personal lives. I was holding off on telling everyone until everything was official. Plus when running a professional business it's not always good to share day-by-day emotional feelings that may change on a constant basis.
Last week it was agreed that Jim & I got physical custody of JD, which JD has wanted for the last couple years. It's been an emotional and trying process for us all and we are thankful for how everything turned out. As we take things slow in the new transition we realize our environment will even out and this will be an opportunity for Jim to finally feel complete in his role as a dad.
I'd be lying if I said it didn't effect my work a little between all the past court/lawyer visits, emotional up & downs, and as I adjust to being a full-time stepmom, so thanks to everyone for your support and understanding as we are going through this new and exciting life changing adventure!

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Finishing Conway wedding photo processing (reception)
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Say Hey by Michael Franti
CRAVING: focus
NEEDED A MOMENT: swaying
BEST MOMENT: absorbing information slowing

PicPals ~ Welcome Keri

Just a quick note ~
I am very excited to welcome Keri Hladik as a new addition to PicPals (and she just happens to be a recent bride newlywed I photographed last month too)!

Here are her first two images but look for more in the upcoming weeks.

More than just a photographer

I know you are excited and I know it's hard to wait but please remember, when you hire me, you are also hiring a designer to do the artistic renderings such as color accent, b/w versions, touch-ups, etc. I go over every photo to be sure it is print ready -- the first time around.

By touch-ups I mean acne, mosquito bites, bruises, shave burn, shine/sweat, or other unavoidable things. This takes time and I can only hope you try to understand that I want to do the best work possible. The beauty is that you never notice that you had to have a touch-up done! If for any reason you do NOT want any touch-ups done and do NOT want any artsy versions I can send them as-is unprocessed but will not discount and will not later process the archived images.

Other photographers have different procedures and may not release print ready images or can take a year to process so I don't think 10-14 weeks is unreasonable. To compare me to other photographers is like apples to oranges because I am so different in the process. I do my best to still get your images returned to you in a timely manner. In the end, just as I will probably never understand what your job entails, some things will never be understood by those who do not do this line of work and I ask that you please trust me in mine. I guess that I will never make everyone completely happy and there will be opinions either way but at least I keep my process consistant and that is one thing you can count on.

In the meantime, if you need a couple images for a newspaper or such, I don't mind sending them ahead of time. Please send me a note.

If you are interested further, check my calendar for the latest wedding schedule, this too effects processing time and I apologize if this offends anyone but this is what I do for a living and that is how I was able to do it for you. And yes, someone has complained about this in the past.

I love you all and enjoy what I do. I couldn't ask for better couples so thanks again for your patience!

Announcement for 2010

Out of the Ordinary has decided to focus 100% on wedding, engagement and other bridal photography. Starting January 2010 we are discontinuing coverage of family, senior portraits, children, baptisms, maternity, business, pets, on this day, adult and boudoir sessions until further notice as we plan to build a studio in the next couple years. Our success is growing at such extreme amounts and for that we are thankful. But at this time, it is too difficult a process to rearrange our home continuously for studio purposes and keep our house feeling like a home for Holly, Jim and JD. It is also becoming hard to schedule in these occasions and be able to have a timely turn-around time on all photoshoots.

I have enjoyed capturing couples and individuals throughout their lifetime of changes and once the studio is built we will slowly introduce all occasion photography back in again. Within the next couple months you will see website changes made in regards to this. Until then, I wanted to thank everyone interested in other occasion photography and for understanding as we redirect our focuses.

In the meantime, I have a few photo friends to refer some of this coverage to who do fabulous work. Please contact me and I will refer you the best person for that particular capture.

~Sincerely~ Out of the Ordinary

A new computer

It's amazing how much a new computer can not only pause your life but be so enlightening at the same time. I was starting to suffer with a slow computer and honestly, my computer rocked before but with adding over 40,000 photos on there and any system would slow down. So we revamped everything and got a new system with a new way of working and backing up. Hopefully this will help speed up the processing. Oh but now it shows too many details to fix, lol... jk, it actually makes processing enjoyable again!

Here is a photo from the last wedding, congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon!

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Conway Wedding and boudoir pics
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Eternal Flame by The Bangels
CRAVING: water
NEEDED A MOMENT: the common cold and learning a new computer all over again
BEST MOMENT: enjoying the new computer

A look at Jewelry...

Jim & I stopped over at Ship Shape to send an international wedding package (which, btw, was the best customer service experience I've had in a long time). Anyway, how does this have to do with jewelry? Well, let me tell you. I walked into Ship Shape and what do I see glimmering from the counter but BEAUTIFUL jewelry. I tell you... I forgot why I was there for a moment as it gleamed back at me calling my name. I wanted to buy every piece I saw and would have... had my husband not been with me to control the situation. Who knew such pretty stuff existed?!

It is designed & custom made by MJ's Creations ~ Mijung Savale and she is so creative. She also does bridal pieces and although currently has no website, they are a must see in person anyway. It's at the same address as Ship Shape & same phone number: 97 Glenwood Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804 • (518) 792-0867

Oh & while you are over that way... if you haven't tried FIVE GUYS BURGERS & FRIES, you are missing out! That's all for now. Hope all is well with everyone! Thanks for all the comments lately.

MY CURRENT PROJECT: Conway Wedding & 2 other occasion shoots
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: She is love by Parachute
CRAVING: not to multitask
NEEDED A MOMENT: school clothes... all clothes
BEST MOMENT: a small date with Jim

Photo Enhancement of the Month - August 09

Running a little behind in posting... September's coming soon!
Photo Enhancement of the Month - August 09
www.outoftheordinary.biz/enhancements.html