Amelia Christmas 2012

It's Thursday!!!  You know what that means?  Nothing really.  Just one day closer to the weekend:)

Today I would like to share with y'all some of my favorite photos from a photoshoot a few weeks ago.  Amelia has the perfect little face and amazing blue eyes!  She was seriously a great sport.  I am always amazed by little ones who actually sit long enough to take a photo.  I mean I know how hard that can be for me sometimes.  And please check out her cute little dress.  Doesn't her mom she have the best style?

Speaking of her mom, see that adorable headband ?  Mom MADE it!  Mom and I went to college together and she was always the crafty one.  I always knew she would make a great elementary school teacher and an even better Mom one day.  Impressed like I am?  Check out Mom's Etsy shop here and her Facebook Fan Page here to order your own handmade bows, headbands, diaper covers, etc.  Mom, like Amelia, is seriously one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet.

Without further adieu...

Hope you enjoyed them!  

Hope your week hasn't been too stressful.  Cheers to it almost being the weekend!!!  

Sneak Peek - Jacob

This cutie (even though you can only see his back side) is a re-occurring photography subject for me.  I love being able to spend time with him and his family.  It has been so great to see him grow up over the last 2 years.  He is seriously the sweetest, cutest, funniest 2 year old I know. 

And he was such a sport!  Seriously!!!  Since I was indoors and wanted to really get the ambiance of Christmas in this shoot I had to use my tripod and a really slow shutter speed.  In order for me to get photos of him that weren't blurry I asked him to stay super still for me.  And he did!  Something you really can't say about most 2 year olds.  

Without further adieu,

Isn't Christmas through a child's eyes one of the sweetest things ever?

a day late...

Lately I have not been carrying my DSLR around with me like I used to.  That needs to change.  My remedy; start participating in Sunday Scavenger Hunt hosted by Ashley Sisk over at Ramblings & Photos again. Hoping this helps to motivate and inspire me on a weekly basis.  I have been in need of both recently.

Last weeks prompts were:  Nature, Vintage or Retro, Whimsical, Cooking and Week's Best.  Here are my interpretations (a day late)...

1) Cooking.

I do not cook or bake.  And I honestly have no interest in learning.  Luckily I have a husband who does not mind it.  Otherwise I would be most likely still be eating Pierogies and Lima Beans from the can.  However, I do make a mean oatmeal.  That is the extent of my "cooking."  

 2) Nature.

Pittsburgh had fabulous weather this weekend.  Yesterday it got up to 70!  Our last hurrah before Winter finally takes over.  I'll take it though!  Anwayyyyy, on weekends husband and I like to walk to our favorite breakfast joint in Ambridge (a suburb approximately 40 mins NW of Pittsburgh), The Maple.  We go at least once during the weekend for a cheap but delicious breakfast when we don't feel like making our own or we are out of whatever we need.  Over the Summer we got into the habit of walking  there (approximately 2 miles each way) as a way to get exercise and enjoy some fresh air.  Since it was so nice yesterday, we decided to continue with this tradition.  The above was taken on our way back.  I love when nature invades civilization. 

 3) Vintage/Retro

This is a corner shelving unit in our dining room.  It has pretty much been the only thing in my house that I have gotten around to "decorating" even though we have lived here for just over 2 years.  On the top shelf is one of my favorite antique shop finds; an old Kodak Duex and the second to bottom shelf on the right; an old camera my sister found when she was in England she gave to me for Christmas a few years ago.  It has markings on it dating back to July 21, 1896.  Pretty cool, huh?   

4) Week's Best. 

This was taken on our way to The Maple for breakfast.  I love the colors contrasted with the black of the bare trees and blue sky and how the yellow balloon is perfectly illuminated by the shining sun behind it.  

4) Whimsical.  

I love games. Yahtzee, Phase 10, Apples to Apples are some of my favorites.  This, however, may be my new favorite.  It's called Cards Against Humanity.  Similar to Apples to Apples but for a much more raunchy crowd.  Great to play while drinking with friends.  Lots of laughs will be had by all, i promise.  

Hope you have enjoyed my interpretations for the week.  I am excited to get back into SHS again.  If you do not already participate, you should!  It is a great way to share your blog with others and see other people's talent as well.  

Linking up with:

Hope everyone has a great week!  

Fall Foliage

As much as I love warm weather and have a hard time accepting the reality that it gets cold in Pittsburgh I am reminded every year how much I do love the change of seasons.  How couldn't I with sites like this on daily drives and regular walks?  Below are some of my favorite Fall Foliage photos I have taken this year.  

As we quickly approach fall back and the colorful leaves fall to the earth I am grateful I often had my camera in tow.  

The 'burbs of Pittsburgh surprise me every year and remind me of how much I really do love (this may be harder to repeat come January and February) living here.  Continuing to find surprises around the corner even after 15 years is truly humbling.  

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

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.