Favorite Find Friday : Pearl Bobby Pins

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I stumble on things I love or inspire me all the time. I've decided that instead of keeping them to myself I'm going to start sharing them via Favorite Find Fridays! So for the first installment I'll introduce you to... Pearl Bobby Pins.

| Click Photo |

For those of you who don't know me I have this crazy, curly hair. So there isn't a day that i don't have numerous bobby pins to hold it back. I have been know to rescue many a girl from their unruly hair by pulling out one of my bobby pins out during a photo shoot.  So when I stumbled on these pearl bobby pins on Etsy I thought what a fun way to add a little flair to my daily hair do. 

The Leap... to Greatness!

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The other day my friend Will Coca, an awesome musical artist, posted this quote on Facebook.

"The only thing standing between greatness and me is ... Me". 

-Woody Allen

This quote hit me right where I needed. For months I have been searching, wondering if God really wants me to be a photographer. I love kids! I have a degree in Education, one that I spent tons of money on. And here is this talent of photography that God is showing me this is His plan right now. In my post, A Celebration of Love... and My Photography Journey, I shared about how this past year God has answered prayers and and sent direction. Even more so lately He has been showing me where He wants me. 

What I need to ask myself:  Am I fully ready to accept that I am a photographer? God has given me signs and direction, its time for me to stop and get over it! I want to be a photographer! I really want to pour myself into it and accept that. I've decided to take some leaps, to stop standing in the way of greatness. There are going to be some new and exciting changes these next months. Ones I can't wait to share...

 But I must ask you... What greatness are you keeping from the world? Are you standing in the way of it? 

Life During Photography Travels :: Summer 2012

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Click to see more of the fun... Life During Photography Travels :: Summer 2012

The Origin of My Love for Food!

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Spending time in the kitchen is a big part of my family and our memories... Its something we all love to do. Often I get asked where did you learn to cook and find your love for food. I remember as a little girl,  picking berries with my daddy and returning home with berry stained hands and mouth. We would get to work baking pies.

Memories like this are something I held onto after my daddy died. As I grew and kept cooking it gave me a sense of being close to him and those memories. 

My mom was supportive of my brother, Adam, and my creative endeavors in the kitchen... no matter how big a mess we made! Its something that has shaped who my brother and I are today and the passion for food we both have.

This past weekend Adam and I got together to make homemade Tortellini! Adam in the past year has become a master at pasta and pizza. Much like I have spent the past several years, reading and practicing everything I could about photography, he has done the same with Italian cooking. It is impressive the dishes he turns out. Here is a glimpse into the process! 

Adam has a pasta press that he rolled his fresh dough into sheets and then cut the in circles. Meanwhile I made a portabello mushroom filling for the Tortellini. 

He then stuffed and shaped them into the cute little tortellinis. 

The best part of his homemade pasta is the amazing rich and flavorful tomato sauce he mades from scratch. This batch was made with tomatoes and basil fresh from the garden. I might be partial, but Adam's pasta dishes are better than any restaurants I have had. This one was the same. Melt in your mouth. 

A celebration of love... and my photography journey!

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Christina and Tyler 's Engagement Session. Knoxville, TN. April 2012

Tomorrow morning I'll be taking off for Minnesota to capture the sure-to-be gorgeous wedding of my friend, Christina and her soon-to-be hubby, Tyler... This wedding is personally significant to me and my photography business.

You see this whole journey as a photographer was so unplanned. Graduating from college I had every intention of getting a teaching job. But God had something else in store for me... My little college sideline job of lifestyle photography sessions turned into a steady cliental base. I decided to take a year and peruse it, see if I could make a successful business out of it.  While business was good in the next months I knew that I should start thinking about the next year. I really love kids and love teaching and unless I really felt God wanted me to be doing photography I should find a teaching job. So in November 2011 I asked God for 5 weddings this summer or a teaching job for the coming school year.

God blew me away!!! The inquires for wedding photography started coming in and some of my fabulous couples of this summer started booking. It was Christina that called the first of January to ask me to be her photographer... My 5th wedding. I'll never forget the feeling of gratefulness and peace that came after hanging up with Christina. God had given me direction and answered my request.

Now as I get ready to leave for Christina's wedding I am thinking back on the past months...
5 weddings photographed out of 8 booked for this summer, 2 issues of Inspired Magazine published, 2 trips to Texas for Senior Sessions, and numerous lifestyle sessions sprinkled in between.
It's been quite the journey. I have grown, I have doubted, but I am learning to trust this plan for my life, one that I never had in mind.

This weekend is not only a celebration of Christina and Tyler's love, but for me, it is a celebration of the love and plan God has for my life.

 

Shives Wedding. June 10, 2011. Photo Credit: Amy Vitrano

Soaking up the sun light...

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May= weddings, 12 hour editing days, meetings with brides, family sessions and numerous graduations.  To say this month has been busy would be putting it mildly. But in the midst of all the craziness I took B.O.B.'s advise in his new song, So Good...

...I see us on a beach down in Mexico...

Colored Pants: Add some fun to your wardrobe!

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I'm totally digging all the colorful pants starting to appear. They are so fun and happy! Perfect with summer right around the corner! Here are a few that I am lovin from Fossil, J.CREW and Gap.

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Bought from Gap the light pink ones I'm wearing below... I love them! They are neutral enough that I can mix them with a lot of my clothes. Another favorite way to wear them aside from the combo in the pictures is cuffed as crops with a white and black stripe shirt and black sparkled sandals.

At least one pair of colored pants is a must for this summer! If you are not sure about the bright colors, try one on the lighter side and have fun with it!

Rosemary Maple Popcorn with Sea Salt

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Popcorn and movies seem to go hand and hand. I love recreating and adding to traditional food. So of course my Saturday night popcorn would also get a spin on it. I tried several different combo... but the winner:

Rosemary Maple Popcorn with Sea Salt

|| Ingredients ||

2 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 1/2 tablespoon rosemary leaves

1/4-3/4 sea salt... add to taste

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

|| Directions ||

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Place corn kernels and butter in large pot over med-high heat and cover. Once kernels pop shake frequently till slows to 3 second internal pops. Remove from heat, uncover. Transfer to large bowl.

2. Cook butter and syrup in med. saucepan over med-high heat. Stir constantly until mixture starts to turn amber.

3. Remove from heat. Stir in rosemary, salt and baking soda. Pour over popcorn mixture, toss to coat. Spread on baking sheet.

4. Bake about 30 mins or until dried. Allow to cool, break into chunks and enjoy with your favorite movie!

The Southern Accent found me "Pinteresting"!

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Pinterest... it's the newest social media, one that I have become quite a fan of. Jessica Weaver, a friend of mine, interviewed me for an article that is featured in the Southern Accent. You can read the article here to fine out my favorite uses for Pinterest. For those of you who are just hearing about Pinterest, the article will catch you up on this fun new site! Hop on over to my Pinterest board to check out what I've been pinning! And for those of you who'd like an invite, just let me know I'd be happy to send one your way! Happy Pinning!

A View to the Year Ahead from the Perspective of the Past!

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I spent this first week of the new year on Sanibel Island, FL. After the craziness of the holidays, which for me includes family time and last minute Christmas photo sessions, it's time for some R&R. Thankfully my parents planned a Mystery Trip for our family. The evening of New Years Eve we hopped a flight down to Sanibel. We made it just in time to walk on the beach and watch the fireworks light up the coast of Ft. Meyers and Naples as the clock struck midnight.

It was the perfect way to celebrate the new year... While looking forward to the new year, I also looked back 13 years to the last time I had walked along that shell covered beach. Sanibel Island is such a special place in my heart. Every year till I was 10 I spent the winters there, weather just for a couple weeks or for a couple months some years. Being there this past week was like coming home.

We spent the week soaking up the sun, riding bikes around the island, eating at favorite places and reliving memories. I had time to sit and reflect on this new year, where I am heading both with my business and personal life. During this time God opened doors and laid out plans for me, things beyond my wildest imagination! I find it amazing every time I receive another direction from Him. I love the verse in 1 Corinthians 2:9,

"No one's ever seen or heard anything like this,

Never so much as imagined anything quite like it.

What God has arranged for those who love him."

This week has reminded me of that. It's something I cling to on the days where my direction is not so clear. For He has and always will show me His will. I pray that He directs each and every one of you in this coming year. For His plans are the best plans!

2011 in Review!

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What an unbelievable year 2011 was! The blessings this year have been abundant in both my personal life and photography business. I have developed some incredible memories and friendships along the way this year. Thought I would share a review of some of the highlights from 2011...

Camp Mivoden:

I spent my second summer working at Camp Mivoden in Idaho. For three months I taught photography and hung out with some really cool people. Definitely a highlight of the year! Click below to read a blog post about my summer.

Summer in Idaho...

Travel:

This year found me on the road a lot, some for business and some for pleasure. Here are two of the pleasure trips I went on. Jess, a roommate from college, was living in Italy for the year and I hopped on the opportunity to visit her in abroad. The second trip was a family mystery trip, to Vienna and Prague to learn about our family roots. The best part was that it was a surprise till getting our tickets at the airport. Both of these trips provided awesome photographic opportunities.

A Dash Through Paris...

Hello from Florence...

Business:

This year was filled with growth for Caressa Rogers Photography. The year started with the launch of the new Caressa Rogers Photography website and update of camera equipment, with the Canon Mark II. In the fall, I won tickets from photographer, Jasmine Star to a 3 day conference hosted by Wedding and Portrait Photographers International. October came and I launched the website Travel Photography by Caressa Rogers. All of the growth would not be possible if it weren't for the 27 amazing clients I worked with this year! I am so blessed to have such wonderful, supportive clients and friends. I'm so happy about how much Caressa Rogers Photography has grown in 2011. Click below to read more about some of the areas of growth!

Free Ticket to WPPI U | Atlanta...

Pioneer Woman Sister's Contest...

The new Caressa Rogers Photography Website...

There is so much to be thankful for this past year and I can't wait for 2012. I have many new exciting things to share in the coming months.

Stay tuned and Happy New Year!

Caressa

Christmas Magic!

Pin It We decorated our tree a couple weeks ago and I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures after we were done. Thought I'd share a little Christmas tree magic as we get close to Christmas Day!

On The Eighth Day of Christmas!

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On the eighth day of Christmas

Caressa shared with me,

Eight framed art collections,

Seven fun photo gifts,

Six creative custom christmas cards,

Five festive photo ornaments,

Four legged friends,

Three blue eyed beauties,

Two lucky winners,

And Santa's little helper for all to see.

Source: maisonboheme.blogspot.com via Caressa on Pinterest

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Source: laurawinslowphotography.com via Caressa on Pinterest

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Surprise Thanksgiving Turkey Visit

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Fall is here... call for a trip to the apple orchard!

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I am oh so glad fall is here and the holidays are on their way! I have been super busy the last couple weeks, thus the lack of blog posts. However, this busyness has been so good... I have lots of fun news, contests, deals and photo previews to share soon. In between all the editing, photo shoots, and other business related things I've managed to do a couple fun things with friends. Here are a couple pictures of a trip we took to an apple orchard the other weekend! I just love apples and can't wait to make some apple treats. What's your favorite way to use apples?

The Creative Process

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While at the WPPI U Convention in Atlanta a couple weeks ago, Jasmine Star, shared this video in her presentation. Ira Glass, American public radio personality, shares his thoughts on creativity and more specifically about the process of bettering your work.

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

We look at the talented, big name, creative people in our world and often just assume that they have always been great at what they do. But the truth is, being creative is a process. That is why its called a "creative process." We all have to try and try again, working to better ourselves and our work. I so enjoyed Jasmine Star being open about her creative growth, sharing with us her effort to be the photographer she wanted to be.

You don't have to be a photographer, designer, writer, musician or even a creative person to apply Ira Glass's words to your life. What in your life are you not happy with? Are you fighting your way to make it what you want it to be? Or are you giving up?

Ready for Fall!

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Here in Tennessee fall is in the air... With low 70* degree temps its call to start enjoying some of my favorite fall things. This morning I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast outside with two of my favorite girls. A nice cup of coffee and Pumpkin Scones with Chai Icing made it a perfect soon-to-be fall morning!

The sunflowers on the table are just a hint of a great photo shoot preview I'll soon be sharing! :)

Tiffany McMearty

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I'll never forget my first memory with Tiffany... We met in Argentina a couple years ago as Adventist Colleges Abroad students. The first morning at the school Tiff and I went to ask the lady in the cafe for soymilk but made the mistake of saying... "Soy leche" which means, "I am milk". We wondered why on earth the lady was looking at us so strange.

Since then we've found out how to correctly ask in Spanish for soy milk and have become best of friends. Tiff is so full of life and I always seem to find myself laughing till I almost cry when I am with her. She told me she wanted something fun for her senior pictures... how much more fun could you get then a Ferris Wheel themed shoot.

Summer in Idaho!

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This summer I am taking several weeks off to go work as a photographer at MiVoden, a summer camp in Northern Idaho. MiVoden is located near Lake Coeur d'Alane, which is featured in CNN's article 8 Perfect Summer Lake Towns. I am so fortunate to spend my summer here in this gorgeous part of the country and have a job I love. Thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures so far.

My Best Friend's Wedding

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Alli, my college roommate, world traveling partner and best friend got married to the man of her dreams today. I can't being to describe how special it was to be her maid of honor and share in the excitement of her fairy tale come true. The magic of it all is best caught by this picture of her and Albert leaving to start the rest of their lives together.