Punkin Picking 2013 & 2014

Per usual, the Driskell's visited the pumpkin patch and got some pumpkins to carve.  Last year was one the first times I tried out using a fast prime lens and WHOA, what a difference it made!  The kit lens that came with my Nikon is a pretty limited zoom lens with very little ability to get the shallow depth of field and BOKEH that I obviously love.  At any rate, this post has photos from this year's and last year's visits.  And PS, I used manual focus for the first time to get that last shot ;)

This was a little to big for him :)

I am obviously obsessed with these wildflowers but who wouldn't be!?

Our pup's getting big!!

This was a complete accident and I think it is awesome.  

Our punkins!! From the left: Kimberly, mind, Hagan's (Stay-puft Marshmellow Man?), Geoffrey's, Derek's.  I didn't have my tripod so this was shot balancing the camera on the railing AND I USED MANUAL FOCUS.  

Fall is Here! *Belvedere Plantation*

Fall is my favorite season. Period.  Football, boots, crisp air, candles, cozy sweaters, changing leaves.  You name it, if it is fall-related, I want it and I want it right now.  And an on-going fall tradition for the Driskell family is visiting Belvedere Plantation.  So we went a little early this year and the weather was still warm, but it was a blast and we're all still obsessed.

Per usual, I brought my camera but because we went in the middle of the day and there was not a cloud in sight, it made taking pictures a bit tricky.  Hello heavy contrast and overexposure.  But I managed to pull off a few keepers so here they are...

 Does anyone else find it strange that corn looks like this??

 Finally some better light, so handsome ;)

 Gimme that chevron pumpkin!

Had to sneak this pretty girl in here, she's getting big!

Moonlight Ride

A few weeks ago, the roomies and I went out on Monument and did some experimenting while photographing Richmond's Moonlight Ride.  It's essentially a night bike ride where the riders dress up their bikes with lights and it made for a great excuse to do some different things with our cameras.  So we set out with tripods and beer and began shooting!  It was really great to try out using slow shutter speeds and night shooting!

Of course, Beth required diet coke :)

I realize these are blurry but hey, they look cool and I think it's interesting to see the progress as I get more practice!

The girls!

These last two were using our cell phones for light :)

New Edition: Bailey the Puppy!

Hagan and I have been wanting a dog for sometime now and after seeing one of our friends with her new puppy, we had to get one. She is the sweetest, snuggliest little puggle and every bit of what we hoped for.  We're still working on sleeping through the night and chewing on our toys instead of the bathroom rug but we'll get there!  We love love love her.

 Noah the cat is really warming up to Bailey :)

Cutest little pup ever <3

*COMING SOON*

Our little family is growing! Come back later for the full story and LOTS of pictures :)

<3

4th of July, 2014

Ever since Hagan and I started dating, we have spent the 4th with his family grilling, celebrating and watching the fireworks. In keeping with our 6 year tradition, we celebrated 248 years of 'Merica with family, friends and barbecue sauce.

Happy Fourth Y'all!

Welcome for Starters

Hello there!  It's been over a year since I purchased my first DSLR and after some practice and a class or two, I think it's time to just put it all out there.  Photography has always been something I have been drawn to but never really invested much of my time into taking it to a level past a point-and-shoot and Instagram. But then one day, I did.  And I know just who to thank for that.  My friend, Alex, is a photographer and it took me seeing how enriching it was to her life and what a creative outlet it was for her (and all of her beautiful photos) to first get insanely jealous and then finally take that first leap into real photography.  So, here we are now -  we got the (sort of) fancy Nikon, a lovely 1.8 50 mm lens (courtesy of the Hubby), Lightroom and I think it's time to ante up and show some damn pictures!  

My husband and I just got married and our honeymoon was to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  It was all white sands, clear aqua waters, fruity rum drinks and love. 

Yeah, like I said.

And drum roll for the FAVORITE please...

kbye :)