It started off beautifully- they let me sleep in! We made it to church and then relaxed. All was looking good. BW3′s came about and we were the ONLY women/ children there. There were men lining the bar or sitting at table’s on their own. I know I have never conformed to traditionalism exactly, but I thought at least ONE other woman might want to hit up some wings on her special day! (Nope…) So, then we were off to my beautiful new location where we had an awesome session. Of course, the session went the way anything would for a woman with children. I’m going to spare the details here, but mildly lets just say that there were two children that had some unpredicted circumstances come about. Additionally, they both fell in the water… which was awesome. We all laughed and it was funny for everyone. The day actually went better than I even could have hoped for! I love these two little ones with all my heart and thank the Lord that I am THEIR Mommy!

Especially our Mom’s.

We love you!

(My Momma)

(Sam’s Momma)

These are portraits of our parent’s Beloved Sessions.  (Full session’s to be posted soon.)

We met for the first time over a Skype conversation and we knew that we were going to have a fantastic Engagement Session with them.  We headed up to Old Town Alexandria and my, oh my… Sam & I are totally taken with that town!  We have to say, they did a great job choosing the location for their session.  Every time we turned around there was something else absolutely charming sneaking up on us.  Vicky & Mike have some great memories there and that made it all the better.

As we were preparing this post, we realized we had so many awesome shots that we needed to split the session into two different posts.  So, here is Part 1.  Please enjoy! (And seriously- check out Vicky’s killer shoes!  Oh my gracious she rocked them!!)

Thank you, Vicky & Mike, for sharing your evening with us and for opening up your hearts to allow us to see you for the amazing couple that you are.

truly,
sam & beth

That’s funny…

You would have thought I had learned by now that even the best laid plans take turns.  GOOD turns, but none-the-less turns that alter plans.

So, We are traveling all over the state and will continue to be super busy, but I couldn’t let April end without one more post.

I decided to end it on a fun little note…  Instagrams of the start of our vacation.

“Shoot for the moon.

Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

by Brian Littrell

I realized that I don’t have a great way to help me keep all these tasks organized, so I started an online assistance program using Day Zero.  I probably spent too much time setting it up, to be uncertain if I even like the program, but if it helps, I guess it’s good!  Feel free to check it out- it lists what has been accomplished, what is being worked on and what is still in the to-do area.  I don’t have it completely worked out, but there is a good start to it.

Since I have been writing several posts about my 101 in 1001 I figured I would link all past posts at the bottom- please feel free to take a look!

Start Date: January 26, 2011
End Date: October 23, 2013

1. Host a basic photography and creativity workshop
2. Start individual mentoring  DONE!  11/11/11
3. New website  DONE!  late 2011
4. Regularly work on R & T’s baby books
5. Photograph the Kodak plant
6. Order personal portraits for our walls  DONE!
7. Go on a cruise
8. Have a Beloved Session with Sam
9. Have a Mommy Session with my babes
10. Start a couples Bible study
11. Be debt free and stay there
12. Hang my art in a gallery
13. Make art greeting cards
14. Go to Europe
15. Get a new sign for Daane Studios to replace the Beth Daane Photography sign
16. Have a wood burning fireplace- indoors or out  DONE!  6/2011
17. Create a blogging schedule on paper  DONE!  2/2012
18. Create a space in my home for personal reflection time  DONE!
19. Have a functional, yet pretty, office space
20. Go to Disneyland  DONE! 2/2011
21. Support my Dad somehow in his business  DONE! 4/2011
22. Support my Brother somehow in his business  DONE! (and ongoing) 2/2011
23. Take a spontaneous vacation
24. Go on a mission
25. Take a calligraphy class or lesson and practice my writing skills
26. Write handwritten letters on pretty stationary every week DONE! (and ongoing… slacking a little and need to get back to it.)  2/2011
27. Chop hair for locks of love  DONE! 3/2012 …….(15 inches and it was the second time!  …first in 2005)
28. Have a date with Sam once a month, hopefully more
29. Have a date with Reagan once a month
30. Have a date with Trevor once a month
31. Host a workshop I believe in (for someone else)
32. Photograph a Beloved Session for my Mom & Dad  DONE! 4/2011
33. Photograph a Beloved Session for Sam’s Mom & Dad  DONE! 10/2011
34. Make regular home video’s and watch them
35. Start a Master’s or Doctoral Program
36. Get PPA Certified as a Master Photographer
37. Use my medium format camera
38. Buy the tools and make Polaroid Transfers
39. Go to New York City for the tree lighting ceremony and Macy’s Day Parade
40. Meet an author of a book I love
41. Make clothes quilt for Reagan, at age 5
42. Make clothes quilt for Trevor, at age 5
43. Photograph the cover of a magazine, for a purpose I believe in
44. Write and publish three journal articles with photographs
45. Start writing a book
46. Write new business plans
47. Get a Guinea Pig… you know, for the kids…
48. Get an Ant Farm… again, for the kids…
49. Buy a house with acreage
50. Open a studio apart from our home on said acreage
51. Have a homemade Christmas
52. Go snowshoeing
53. Go cross country skiing
54. Hike a big mountain
55. Start writing my memoir
56. Go to three photography workshops or train individually under a photographer I really dig
57. Enjoy a beach drink… on a beach
58. Have a video made for our website
59. Photograph 50 “how it’s made” creations
60. Plant a small vineyard on acreage
61. Plant an Oak Tree on acreage
62. Plant a garden, vegetable AND flowers on acreage
63. Make an album, somehow, of Sam & I’s wedding
64. Have a portroid made of Reagan & Trevor
65. Build a piece of furniture
66. Take an interior design class
67. Make some good wine and share it
68. Shoot more food photography just for fun
69. Go to a University of Virginia football game
70. Go to a Green Bay Packer game
71. Eat my favorite meal and dessert at Titletown AND Brett Favre’s Steakhouse in Green Bay, WI
72. Perfect a corn chowder soup recipe
73. Make a family recipe book with our family traditions
74. Read the Bible  *Started, 3/12
75. Extraordinary Mary personal project, interview 33 women
76. Meet Todd Smith of Little Things Matter
77. Present my super secret idea and plan to Donald Trump
78. Put on a map, the places I have been, lived and want to go
79. Buy matching boots for Reagan and I
80. Post my mission statement
81. Sleep 7 hours or more a night
82. Make Reagan & Trevor’s name wall art
83. Learn to make great pies for Sam
84. Donate artwork somewhere it will be needed
85. Take a little vacation somewhere by myself for no reason at all
86. Read at least 75 books
87. Transfer old VHS home movies into updated digital format, specifically our wedding
88. Part with old camera gear I no longer use
89. Create a family legacy book for every year since 2001
90. Write about our Great Daane Adventure
91. Create monthly stylized sessions
92. Create e-mail accounts for my darlin’s and e-mail them weekly  DONE 4/24/2012
93. Visit every Virginia Winery
94. Make a monthly craft project and finish it
95. Journal every day, even just a few lines
96. Volunteer for Bill and Melinda Gates in some capacity
97. Make a book from my first blog from 2005
98. Go out to a restaurant and order dessert first. More than once.
99. Speak at a convention to educate
100. Photograph for fun with plastic cameras and make a book
101. Photograph in the Cherry Blossoms

Past blog posts about doing my 101 in 1001:
April 10, 2012
January 25, 2012

1. Not Finalizing the Wedding Day Schedule

“Talk to your photographer before finalizing the schedule for your wedding day. There is a lot to consider in terms of photographing and natural light. Certain times of day are more photogenic than others (midday sun casts harsh, unflattering shadows on the face while late day sun casts a beautifying warm glow on everyone).”

–Hillary Harvey, Hillary Harvey Photography

2. Not Sticking to the Finalized Schedule

“Pay attention and respect the schedule you and your photographer discuss prior to your wedding. Being an hour late can make or break your images. Don’t just assume it only takes 10 minutes!”

–Alison Clinton, Horizon Photo

3. Letting Relatives Get in the Way

“We have a name in the industry for a guest who shows up with pro photo equipment and takes ‘unofficial wedding photos’ — we call him Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob may think he’s doing you a favor by taking more shots for the couple, but usually he just gets in the way and makes us miss our shots. Tell Bob to leave the camera at home and just enjoy his time at the wedding without working.”

— Sandra O’Claire, Eau Claire Photographics

4. Not Explaining How You Like to Look in Photos

“Beauty is really very subjective. I ask my clients to send a photo of themselves before the wedding that they like and one that they don’t.”

— Dorie Hagler, Dorie Hagler Photography

5. Focusing Too Much on Taking Photos

“A good photojournalist can capture the story of their day and capture some artistic portraits while keeping the time away from loved ones to a minimum.”

–Alex Fagundo, Candidly Elegant Photography

6. Not Getting a Second Shooter

“Sometimes brides want to save a little money or feel that it is too obtrusive for more than one photographer to be present on the wedding day. But consider this: The second photographer offers another unique point of view throughout the entire day that you would not have had photographed.”

–Chris Leary, Chris Leary Weddings

7. Not Getting Help Organizing Your Guests

“Designate someone that you trust and who knows your family and friends to be in charge of organizing people for portraits. That person can gather the people needed, direct them on what shots they will be in, and then release them when they are done. It keeps things moving quickly, smoothly, and enjoyably.”

–Erica Natali, Natali Photography

8. Trying to Make Things “Perfect”

“Just have fun — whether it’s getting a little cake on your face or some little detail that didn’t turn out 100 percent like you had hoped, go with it, have fun, and keep smiling. The photos will be so different if the bride is scowling at her new hubby, don’t you think?”

–Jennyfer Huff, Florida Weddings Photography

9. Skipping the “First Look”

“A ‘first look’ [aka taking your couple photos before the ceremony] is so much better than trying to rush bride and groom portraits after the ceremony — especially if your ceremony ran a little late (which most do). You end up trying to hurry up and get to the party.”

–Ashley Nardello, Cleopatra Photography

10. Trying to Pose

“A good photographer gives direction for a reason: to get the best moments and shots from the day. The best thing to do is relax and act naturally. Be in the moment. Be hopelessly in love with each other — the pictures will turn out smashingly!”

–Brook S. Hollis, Lucent Photography

11. Waiting Too Long to Book Your Photographer

“If you find a great photographer, book them! Good photographers book a year or more out and won’t be available forever. Nothing is more frustrating than choosing a wedding photographer and then finding out that they booked out your date a week prior.”

–Jeff Livengood, Digital Dreammakers

12. Looking at the Camera All the Time

“Some couples want candid photographs, but they always feel like they need to look up at the camera and stop what they are doing. It could be an instinct, but remember — unless the photographer asks you, try to act natural for the best journalistic shots.”

–Dina Konovalov, A Dream Picture

13. Not Providing a List of “Don’t Takes”

“Let the photographer know before the wedding if there are certain photos you don’t like. It can be anything such as ‘I don’t like the photos you took of us not smiling’ or ‘I don’t like wide-angle close-ups; they make us look weird and fat.’ It totally throws off a photographer’s creative approach when a bride spills her feelings while you are in the zone.”

–Tony & Natasha, Artistique Photography Productions

14. Asking for Too Many Shots

“If clients have done their homework and have chosen an experienced and reputable wedding photographer, then chances are that photographer does not need to be provided with a two-page spreadsheet of every combination for family portraits.”

–Millie B., The Studio Weddings

15. Not Choosing a Photographer You Connect With

“Make sure that we get along. I work with clients for sometimes two years or more. If we don’t get along, it’s going to be a very long and very bumpy ride.”

–Gillian Reinhardt, Carolina Studios

16. Skipping the Engagement Session

“Engagement sessions increase the confidence and comfort level of the bride and groom in front of the camera and allow the bride and groom to practice having their photo taken in a fun, no-stakes atmosphere. Ultimately, an engagement session will let the bride and groom see why the photographer might tell them to do something funny, and this leads to wedding day comfort and trust in the photographer.”

–Heather Cook Elliott, Heather Cook Elliott Photography

17. Not Hiring a Professional Photographer

“Choose someone who is a professional and not just anyone with a digital camera and a website. Make sure the photographer you choose has an education as a photographer, has apprenticed or interned with other photographers and paid their dues, and has the experience and ability to consistently capture the moments of your wedding no matter what situations may arise. You should expect to spend between $2,000 and $6,000 for any decent wedding photography.”

–Chris & Dawndy, Bendet Photography

18. Falling for Photography Trends

“Too many times, brides fall for something trendy in photography. It is critical that these images stand the test of time and are valued for each following generation. Trends are fun but rarely last! Look for a photographer with a classic shooting style, and be wary of too much Photoshop and digital ‘tricks’ and manipulations.”

–Brie Castell, Castell Photography

19. Forgetting the Details

“Think about spending a few minutes to decide what other elements are important to photograph — did your sister make special wedding favors? Are you carrying important heirlooms with you? Bring an extra invitation, and try to keep those special elements easily accessible for photos.”

— Nick Coleman, Dave Cross Photography

20. Not smiling — All the Time

“Tell all of the individuals walking down the aisle to look up and smile. If they are too nervous to smile, they should at least keep their head up and stare down the aisle. This helps keep the face from forming the ‘evil double chin’ look that happens when you stare at the floor while walking!”

–Christin Berry, Blue Martini Photography

– Justine Lorelle Blanchard

Read more: Top 20 Wedding Photography Mistakes – Wedding Photography – Wedding Photographers http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-photography-videography/articles/top-20-wedding-photography-mistakes.aspx#ixzz1t0KBXAgz

When Sam was in California at Vandenberg Air Force Base a couple months ago he went out to the beach and took some amazing landscape portraits.  I didn’t really have to beg, but I did ask that he take as many pictures as he could to “bring me back” to the beauty!  I did a post a while back with a few images, but I came across a few more and wanted to share them.  Take a look!  There is one that was in color and cropped differently, but I actually prefer this one!  (Can you see right away which one it was?)  Please enjoy this little recap of some of Central California’s Beauty.

Today is an update kind of day… a Revisit to this old post that I created a few months ago about my 101 in 1001.  Do you know what a 101 in 1001 is?  Take a look back at my old post right here and you can catch up a little bit about that.  Feel free to leave and questions or thoughts about it here as well!

I saw this taxi the other day and felt like the caption is pretty fitting for this post.  On the back of his cab he had the following message:  “Goal- a dream with a deadline.”  I love it!

 I am reading a book called, Circle Maker by Mark Batterson and I am nearing the end of it.  Funny enough- near the end of this book I find out that the quote “Goal- a dream with a deadline”… well I can attribute that quote to him!  So cool!  Oh- and another side note— this book is absolutely fantastic!!!!

As I revisit my old list, I realize I have in some ways neglected it.  I diligently work towards things on my list, but I don’t have my list posted anywhere so that I can look at it and see what is on it on a regular basis.  Shame on me!  I have completely forgotten what some of the items on my list even ARE!  Another thing I realize as I look at my list is that some of the things on my list… well, I wish they weren’t there.  Not because I can’t do them, but because I don’t WANT to do them.  I don’t feel like they are important or appropriate as time and life has changed and so I just don’t see why I should dwell on them.  I’m just going to ramble here a little, because I need to process through my thoughts (scary, I know) and I feel that if I do it here- you may also connect or have some ideas about how I can handle this situation.  Believe me- I want to hear it!

Ok, so let’s take #92 for instance.  “Create e-mail accounts for my little darlin’s.”  Well, I just don’t know that I really want to do that anymore.  I feel like there are times when we get too caught up with technology and take for granted the old school methods of life that worked so well for so long.  You know- old fashioned letters and writing?!!  So, I could change that to “journal” to my little darlin’s on a weekly basis.  Same thing really, but there is a beauty and true treasure about receiving a hand written letter, isn’t there?  Holding and touching letters that a loved one poured their hearts into- oh there is something so deeply beautiful about that.  There is so much you can tell about a person’s handwriting, the stationary they choose, the manner it’s presented….  So ok, I am done processing through that thought- thanks for listening to my ramble.  Want to know what I decided- yes- I decided that fast because really this is a bit silly- there are major things happening in the world like children going hungry and people not having medical insurance- this is not major and I shall not dwell on it.  I WILL create the e-mail accounts and I will send out their e-mail addresses to their loved ones to write them letters.  (I know not everyone is a total sap like I am and has their heart melt over hand written letters.  I also know that life gets busy and as much as we have every intention of writing a hand written letter, sometimes it doesn’t happen and that is ok.)  I WILL emphasize though, that I will NOT be actively caring for these accounts.  I will not be responding to e-mails or notes to them.  They will be accounts that sit with minimal care until the children are old enough to handle them themselves.  I will also be continuing to journal on a regular basis for them.  I used to keep a notebook where I record notes of things I need to do, drawings of ideas and simply a journaling outlet.  I used to take them everywhere with me.  I had decided to only write on the right side of the notebooks and on the left side, I would reserve that to writing notes or incidents of a situation that involved my babes.  I allowed them to draw there… which often then extended everywhere… and I kept those pages reserved for them.  I loved doing that because it was a way for me to incorporate the love that I have for them, into my work/ journaling.

Is your mind realing yet?  Wondering if I am a little crazy?  (I am, but that is neither here nor there…)

I’ll end these thoughts for today, and I shall close with updating #92 along with all the other 101 in 1001′s, thank you very much.  There are a few other’s I have slight reservations with, but I am going to save that for another day.

Start Date: January 26, 2011
End Date: October 23, 2013

1. Host a basic photography and creativity workshop
2. Start individual mentoring  DONE!  11/11/11
3. New website  DONE!  late 2011
4. Regularly work on R & T’s baby books
5. Photograph the Kodak plant
6. Order personal portraits for our walls  DONE!
7. Go on a cruise
8. Have a Beloved Session with Sam
9. Have a Mommy Session with my babes
10. Start a couples Bible study
11. Be debt free and stay there
12. Hang my art in a gallery
13. Make art greeting cards
14. Go to Europe
15. Get a new sign for Daane Studios to replace the Beth Daane Photography sign
16. Have a wood burning fireplace- indoors or out
17. Create a blogging schedule on paper  DONE!  2/2012
18. Create a space in my home for personal reflection time  DONE!
19. Have a functional, yet pretty, office space
20. Go to Disneyland  DONE! 2/2011
21. Support my Dad somehow in his business  DONE! 4/2011
22. Support my Brother somehow in his business  DONE! (and ongoing) 2/2011
23. Take a spontaneous vacation
24. Go on a mission
25. Take a calligraphy class or lesson and practice my writing skills
26. Write handwritten letters on pretty stationary every week DONE! (and ongoing… slacking a little and need to get back to it.)  2/2011
27. Chop hair for locks of love  DONE! 3/2012 …….(15 inches and it was the second time!  …first in 2005)
28. Have a date with Sam once a month, hopefully more
29. Have a date with Reagan once a month
30. Have a date with Trevor once a month
31. Host a workshop I believe in (for someone else)
32. Photograph a Beloved Session for my Mom & Dad  DONE! 4/2011
33. Photograph a Beloved Session for Sam’s Mom & Dad  DONE! 10/2011
34. Make regular home video’s and watch them
35. Start a Master’s or Doctoral Program
36. Get PPA Certified as a Master Photographer
37. Use my medium format camera
38. Buy the tools and make Polaroid Transfers
39. Go to New York City for the tree lighting ceremony and Macy’s Day Parade
40. Meet an author of a book I love
41. Make clothes quilt for Reagan, at age 5
42. Make clothes quilt for Trevor, at age 5
43. Photograph the cover of a magazine, for a purpose I believe in
44. Write and publish three journal articles with photographs
45. Start writing a book
46. Write new business plans
47. Get a Guinea Pig… you know, for the kids…
48. Get an Ant Farm… again, for the kids…
49. Buy a house with acreage
50. Open a studio apart from our home on said acreage
51. Have a homemade Christmas
52. Go snowshoeing
53. Go cross country skiing
54. Hike a big mountain
55. Start writing my memoir
56. Go to three photography workshops or train individually under a photographer I really dig
57. Enjoy a beach drink… on a beach
58. Have a video made for our website
59. Photograph 50 “how it’s made” creations
60. Plant a small vineyard on acreage
61. Plant an Oak Tree on acreage
62. Plant a garden, vegetable AND flower on acreage
63. Make an album, somehow, of Sam & I’s wedding
64. Have a portroid made of Reagan & Trevor
65. Build a piece of furniture
66. Take an interior design class
67. Make some good wine and share it
68. Shoot more food photography just for fun
69. Go to a University of Virginia football game
70. Go to a Green Bay Packer game
71. Eat my favorite meal and dessert at Titletown AND Brett Favre’s Steakhouse in Green Bay, WI
72. Perfect a corn chowder soup recipe
73. Make a family recipe book with our family traditions
74. Read the Bible  Started, 3/12
75. Extraordinary Mary personal project, interview 33 women
76. Meet Todd Smith of Little Things Matter
77. Present my super secret idea and plan to Donald Trump
78. Put on a map, the places I have been, lived and want to go
79. Buy matching boots for Reagan and I
80. Post my mission statement
81. Sleep 7 hours or more a night
82. Make Reagan & Trevor’s name wall art
83. Learn to make great pies for Sam
84. Donate artwork somewhere it will be needed
85. Take a little vacation somewhere by myself for no reason at all
86. Read at least 75 books
87. Transfer old VHS home movies into updated digital format, specifically our wedding
88. Part with old camera gear I no longer use
89. Create a family legacy book for every year since 2001
90. Write about our Great Daane Adventure
91. Create monthly stylized sessions
92. Create e-mail accounts for my darlin’s and e-mail them weekly
93. Visit every Virginia Winery
94. Make a monthly craft project and finish it
95. Journal every day, even just a few lines
96. Volunteer for Bill and Melinda Gates in some capacity
97. Make a book from my first blog from 2005
98. Go out to a restaurant and order dessert first. More than once.
99. Speak at a convention to educate
100. Photograph for fun with plastic cameras and make a book
101. Photograph in the Cherry Blossoms

I didn’t want to repost the entire post here, but would welcome you to see this part of my and Sam’s life.  Our sweet Mykah.  Thank you for stopping by today!

truly, beth

If you would like to see the captions and more Instagrams feel free to join our facebook business page by clicking here:  www.facebook.com/daanestudios.