Sneak Peek - Ava

Yesterday afternoon I got to spend some time with this adorable little one who turns one in a few weeks.  For someone who was woken up from a nap to be photographed she sure was happy!  And let me tell ya, it was a bit of a workout just to keep up with her!   What. A. Cutie. 

Stay tuned for more from her shoot in the coming week.  

Dave Proposes!

About a month ago I got a Facebook message from my friend Christine's boyfriend, Dave.  In the message he asked me to call him when I got a second because he had a question to ask me.  And since I knew they had been talking about it for some time, I knew he was going to ask me to photograph him proposing to her.  Of course I was thrilled and so excited to be a part of the next step in their relationship!  My second reaction was panic - how am I going to photograph the proposal without Christine seeing me?  I hope I get at least one good shot that expresses the moment.  As the day arrived my nerves started to get the best of me as I wanted everything to go perfect (I am always more nervous for shoots with friends). I can only imagine how Dave felt.

Christine was getting back from an epic weekend with her sister in Miami on that Sunday night so Dave wanted to meet her at the airport where he would get down on one knee to ask the big question.  He knew he did not want much too much attention so he wanted to be as secluded as possible.  We got down to the baggage claim area (even though Christine carried her luggage on with her) and discovered baggage claim E was completely deserted.  Perfect!

And the rest is history....

The only thing either one of them remember is Dave saying: "You are my world..."  I think that's a pretty good thing to remember:) 

Even though Christine did see me I'd say it turned out quite nice.  

To say I am so excited for y'all would be such an understatement!  Y'all are the best and make such a beautiful couple!

xoxo,

Alyson

Impromptu Monday adventure

A few Mondays ago husband decided to take the day off (much to my surprise) and asked if I wanted to go up to McConnells Mill and Moraine for a day of hiking and adventure.  And of course I said yes knowing that our sunny warm weather and hiking days were numbered.  Both are state parks located almost directly North of where we live.  We had both been to McConnells Mill before but it was our first time at Moraine.

The times we have been up to McConnells Mill were to swim and lay out on a huge rock that kids in our area have been visiting since high school but not to really explore.  It was a gorgeous day but a bit chilly since we were covered by all the trees.  Nothing a good hike can't cure though.

I love reflections of nature, buildings, lights, really anything in water.  It adds so much to a photo.

As we made our way along the trails we came across a waterfall (that unfortunately I wasn't able to capture as well as I had hoped - didn't have a tripod) that you could climb to the top of.  The climb was rather steep and with me being as clumsy as I am and with my camera I was hesitant because I knew getting back down would not be easy.  With a little nagging from the husband I made it to the top and what greeted me at the top completely took my breath away...

B&W adds that extra... something.  Don't you think? 

Beam me up, Scotty! 

I love the light breaking through the canopy of trees.  So peaceful and humbling.  

We started to get hungry so we decided to grab our packed lunches for a picnic before heading to Moraine.  What a lovely view on our way out.  I hope to make it up there in the next few weeks.  Can you imagine how beautiful this will be when the leaves start changing?

Like I said we had a gorgeous day for our hike.  These were on the road on our way to Moraine.  I had been looking for fields of sunflowers but unfortunately did not see any but had husband stop to let me capture just a few that were along the side of the road.  

Moraine is designed a little differently than McConnells Mill.  The park surrounds a surprisingly large lake where you can boat and even swim.  If you don't have a boat, no worries, you can rent your own for a few hours or the whole day.  Something we hope to do next summer.  Unless of course we happen upon a friend who has a boat.  Still interviewing... ;)

We decided to chill for a little before looking for some trails to hike so we parked our car and headed out to this dock for some sun and relaxation.

Same as the one above but I like how the LR edit adds a vintage feel to it.  I can kinda picture my mom jumping off the end in a polka dotted swimsuit with a friend.

We then headed out for our hour long hike.  We only touched a small section of the park but it was so nice to have a day of fresh air and adventure.  

Good-bye Summer.  Hello Fall... 

Jeff & Alicia's Vow Ceremony

About 3 months ago I was asked to photography a friend of mine's vow ceremony.  Jeff and Alicia hadn't been together for long before they both new they wanted to start a family and spend the rest of their lives together.  I just love those kind of stories, don't you?  You know the kind where both parties "just know" from the very beginning.  I have always thought that was so romantic.

It was a very small vow ceremony at Walker Park in Sewickley with only immediate family.  It was such a perfect and beautiful Summer afternoon to celebrate two people together becoming a family.

CONGRATULATIONS on almost 3 months together and for your new addition to your family.  I cannot wait to meet him!  Thank you so much for allowing to be there to capture your special day.  

RAWWWWWWR!

One of the reasons (besides his good looks) I married my husband is because he makes me laugh.  I don't think there is a day that goes by that he doesn't make me smile - even if it's not intentional.

For my last birthday (almost a year ago) my sisters got me these awesome lenses from Photojojo for my iPhone.  A tiny telephoto lens, fish-eye lens and macro lens/zoom lens (a two-in-one kinda deal) all that fit in my pocket and attach magnetically to the iPhone camera lens.  I opened them at work so you can only imagine how productive I was.  I was able to zoom in on my bling to make it look it huge and zoom in on a subject without having to move.

Little did I know that there was yet another treat inside the package.  When I opened the packaging a tiny dinosaur popped out.  At first I was all like "huh?  this must be some kind of a mistake." It wasn't until I read the invoice that I noticed that in addition to the 3 lenses listed there was a fourth "Rawwwwwr" listed.  It may have taken me longer than should have been necessary to realize the dinosaur was not in fact a mistake but a free gift from Photojojo.

When I got home that afternoon and showed the husband what I got we laughed about the little surprise dinosaur.  As with most random things, our new little dino friend sat on the steps going upstairs until one morning I was getting ready for work a week or so later and went to grab some TP and noticed our new friend just chillin'.  My husband is so sly.

It then became a game of "where in the house is dino"?  Husband would wait just long enough to put  dino somewhere else to surprise me.  And every time I would laugh.  

This was at my coworkers bday party in OH.  He brought the dino with him.

discovered while packing for Cali

After a while the dinos started to change.  And at first I got a little excited thinking that maybe just maybe husband bought me something from Photojojo.  But sadly accepted the reality that wasn't the case since the dinos changed from the blue guy to a Pterodactyl to a Stegosaurus and to T-Rex. 

Husband actually ordered the different dinosaurs from Amazon and kept them in his sock drawer where I wouldn't find them.  I haven't randomly found a dino in a while but know he will re-appear soon to bring another smile to my face. 

I love Photojojo and the different products they have for sale.  I bought this from them this summer for underwater pictures and really want this (anyone wanna buy it for me?) that just came out.  If you love iPhonetography as much as I do this site will not disappoint.