Work it

This time of year is some what out of control for me lol

 From three sessions a day too early mornings and late night editing. My eyes get so sore from my big screen on my mac (not complaining about the "big" part, I love my mac!) trying to keep all clinets happy by getting their pictures back asap and also trying to spend time with family too. 

It gets nuts at times and it will die off soon enough I know but while I am in the mix of so much work and so little personal time I am blessed to have this rock star of a girl to keep me laughing. Everything she does just keeps me thinking "Relax Lanette, enjoy the moment"

Graci is a great reminder of not forgetting to have some fun, relax and be a little sassy ;)

 If only I could work it like her, she's got style.

Tripods and remotes

Yesterday was our second attempt at the tripod I bought at a garage sale last week and the self timer remote I had to have with it on Amazon. The first attempt was pictures with Nova sleeping on my bed. Those pictures were sadly lost, I forgot that they were on my memory card after deleting them! Opps!

So I wanted to try it again and yesterday I knew it was going to be "nice" out. I knew the sun would be out, and I was hoping that it would heat up the whole town by 3pm. But NOPE still freezing! So while we got the tripod in place and set the settings for the camera, I'm shaking thinking "why the heck did I think this was a good idea?!" Cain's shaking too but smiling that big smile, happy to be doing this with me. So I sucked it up! We did about 15 minutes of trying different poses making sure we had plenty to choose from. When I went to take video though, my camera died! Of course I would forget to charge my battery! But I wasn't to upset, I was ready to hop back into the car and get warm! 

We have a lot of learning to do with using the tripod. A) we look retarded in all the pictures! It's hard not to look too "posing" when setting up the picture yourself. B) Not every picture was in focus. So I will have to learn the trick with that!

This one though was Cain controlling the remote button while I went to check out the picture (and right before the camera died) Haha 

Today is just as cold, but missing the sun. For now at least, who knows it could show up! I have a wedding to photograph this afternoon that I'm excited about! Cain is coming along and going to help me! He now has my older camera and new lens! All we need is a camera bag that he is willing to carry around and my day will be made! :p

Even though I won't have him for long seeing how there is a Notre Dame game on later tonight! Ha I then will be on my own doing what I do ;) Have a great Saturday! Stay in if you can, lay on the couch and watch TV if you get the chance. Wish I was doing the same!

Go Notre Dame! 

Graci wears shoes?

Who ever has seen Graci with shoes on? Anybody? That's what I thought, it's not very often she does. But because she does go to preschool she has to wear shoes of course! So every Wednesday I do see her with shoes but as soon as she is in the car and buckled in I hear "ugh these shoes make my feet hot!" Haha and here I can't keep my feet warm and I have two pairs of socks on with boots! I used to just carry Graci every wear so instead of putting the shoes back on her every time we go some place I would just carry her. Well sadly that just isn't going to happen now, she is to big!

The other day we were about to head out and like always we are searching for the shoes she threw off some where. I said, "you take them off all the time I think you should learn how to put them on!" She said "I know how!" Me thinking that she probably had a good idea of how too but knowing she really couldn't I took a moment to show her. But like always she surprisings me of how much she really DOES know!! While taking these pictures I was like "Dang, I think she got it" Haha and she did. A little messing but all in all for a 4 year old I am impressed. With Graci, I should have known that :)

Week of the 21st

Some random photos from the iPhone! It was a great week! Hoping for a even better one coming. Lots of work and Cain starts his new job! Be sure to check back in for more pictures :)

Lane | Senior 2013

I love trying new things! Taking video and editing isn't really new though. I've been doing it for quite some time actually. I just haven't ever thought to do it as more then a hobby. But who knows it might turn into something more, or it can just stay a fun hobby! So when we were planning Lane's senior shoot I thought I would love to make her a video. Something a bit more then just still pictures. It was FREEZING that day and I almost decided not to even mess with the video. But she looked so cute and the colors were so pretty. I HAD to do something more then just photograph the day. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think, be nice ;)

Lane Stringer | Senior '13 from Lanette on Vimeo.

My biggest blessing

When people ask "How are you?" I don't even hesitate and answer "Great! I can't complain!" "Well  you could complain" is sometimes a response I get. And it's very true, I could. And at times I do think in my head of some things I could complain about, but why? Life is so wonderful, even at it's worst of times you can count blessings that others can't.

Cain is one of those blessings that I have in my life that I will never forget! He is my best friend and as cheessy as this will sound, my soul mate.

I would often hear from woman much older and wiser then me growing up... "You'll know, when you know" what the heck does that mean? I would think. So whenever I would come into connect with a male (I was mostly surrounded by little kids my teenage years so I wasn't into much connect) I would think "I wonder if he is the one? How will I know? Maybe I'm missing something? haha I just didn't understand what the statement meant! Until, the day I fell for Cain. I didn't know, until I knew him. That was the catch with the phase. You will know, when you meet the right person. It's as easy at that.

It clicks, and it will stick no matter how hard the times get, or no matter who tries to break it up. When you come into connect with what many people would call your "soul mate" I don't think anything could change the way you feel about them. Maybe it's just me being mushy about the love I have for Cain. But I believe in true love so ... there! My blog, my thoughts ;p

Having my best friend around has been more of a blessing then I could ever realize. Cain was gone for 7 months with very little commutation. I treasured every little phone call, and each letter I got. His words and up beat spirit helped me get through the time apart. We both agreed to only be positive, which we both did and it was the best thing for us.

So to now have him back around 24/7, it could be easy to forget those months apart. It already feels like he was never gone. But I don't want to forget, I want to always remember to treasure Cain no matter where he is at. States away or a room away to treat him with respect and the love he deserves.

And while we are talking about respect, love and all the jazz. I would like to say that Cain treats me like gold. I'm his girl, and he lets everyone know it. I'm proud to be his, but I'd have to say I'm just as proud to call him mine.

We love to talk about the future and all the great things we wish to do. And with him I know those things will come true. He never stops trying at his dreams. And I will never stop supporting him through life. 

So as I count my blessings today, count yours. Some are easier to think of but sometimes it's the easy ones that you forget about. 

A big thanks to Lane for taking these two pictures last week, I didn't even have to ask! :)

~Lanette

Workshop models!

I've just spent the last 15 minutes doing flips, cart wheels and something along the lines of jumping jacks and giggling like a little girl! Why? you ask. Well let me be the first to tell you!

Cain and I are going to be workshop models for not just any photographer. But my all time favorite photographer team….. Drum roll please…. Bobbi and Mike! Ehhhh!!!!

I have been following these two for almost 3 years now! And am a stalker through her Instagram :/ truths coming out now! I have always wished that I could one day be able to be photographed by them.

So yesterday I saw Bobbi post that they were looking for workshop models (not sure what that is, go here!) the requirements were: ridiculously in love (check), fun (check), comfortable in front of the camera (check!), a cold weather tolerance…. (check, for cain… I can suck it up!), last one was preferably engaged, well that's one not checked, BUT! We have been together for a long time and do plan on getting married! (which isn't surprising to the people who know us!)

I asked Cain if I could send them our picture, and of course he said go for it! Probably thinking we wouldn't be pick :p haha no, I know Cain wanted to be picked seeing how much it meant to me.

And well we just got the email reply and it's "BOOM! done and done!" hehe Say wwwwhaatttt?! I didn't even finish reading the email I started doing the flips and cart wheels!

I love how excited Cain is about this too. He would do anything for me, but I know he would never do something he didn't want to honestly do. We just wish it was today! Well not today because it's freezing and raining… but we can't wait for it to come! Which is the 6th and 7th by the way! Just the 6th, unless the weather is crappy (kind of like today) then we will do the 7th.

My excitement isn't over yet, I still have shopping to do!!

Until then, I need to chill the heck out or I'm going to break something!

:D

Autumn brings pretty colors but grey skies...

It was a beautiful sunny day until I needed to take pictures and it turned on me! This time of year is so amazing with all the autumn colors, yet the weather doesn't stay nice enough for you to enjoy it from the outside! I have 4 sessions coming up for the end of this week and then throughout the weekend, and a wedding Saturday! I'm praying that the weather holds steady for me to get some nice and pretty fall pictures! No more rain and grey skies!

This was taken last week on one of the nicer days. Love all the yellow and gold lighting. 

I wanted to write something poetic on these but I'm just not that crafty with words. Anyone have a good saying or verse to put on these?! Comment below if you have something in mind! I think this would be a nice desktop background :)

After a week of waiting Cain finally heard back from Lowes and they were smart enough to want to hire him! So starting next week Cain will be back on the work force and I will go back to missing him through out the day! Wont lie, it's been nice having him around the house lately! But we are both thankful for the job. Can't wait to see him in the blue vest hehe ;)

Hope everyone has a great night!

Lanette

Shaw Family | Bluffton Indiana

This past Saturday didn't look like it would clear up from the rain and a cloudy sky. But for about 4 hours the sun was shining, the rain stopped and I was able to take pictures at a backyard wedding and then this kid/family session! 

The Shaw family used to live right down the road from me. I was lucky enough to actually baby sit these adorable kids for a couple of years before they moved. I was very excited to see them again and take their pictures! It wasn't the warmest outside but they didn't seem to mind! 

Photographed by: Lanette Stringer

Busy day ahead...

It's a beautiful morning here in Bluffton! Busy day ahead for Cain and I but before the work starts, we are heading to church! So blessed to have this man in my life!

Lanie | Fort Wayne and Bluffton Indiana

I've been photographing Lane now for 6 years. That's when I started actually taking pictures as career. So I'm not counting the little snap shots I took of her while we were playing dolls or outside with our kitty cats! Lane is a great little sister, always bugging me and driving me crazy! ;) I honestly couldn't ask for a better friend in a sister. She is out going and full of energy never stopping! I am going to miss her while she is away the next 10 days. A little jealous that she is with my brother in Alaska while I'm home working! 

Here are some of my favorites of Thursdays night rainy session!

 

  

Photographed by: Lanette Stringer

Pumpkin carving and the steps that go with it

Last year I really wanted to carve pumpkins with Cain but he was in the middle of freshman year classes and our schedules never allowed us too. SO I was determined to do it this year. I have never carved my own pumpkin so I was really excited about the whole picking of the pumpkins and then making a design thing. We had it all planned out to go "pick" our pumpkins. I'm talking about going out in the field of pumpkins and actually picking it from the ground! I found a place online that said "Pumpkin Farm" so therefore I thought I would be able to walk out there like a little farmer girl picking my pumpkin! Well, it wasn't quite that way. They were already PICKED! 

Cain just looks over to me in the car and put a sad face on. He knew what I wanted, and this wasn't it! We agreed right there that next year we would find a actual farm for us to pick them ourselves.

So first step to carving pumpkins, picking the perfect one! I had mine, and Cain found his!

Next step, get a picture of you and the pumpkin! Not sure why this is a step but I love having pictures taken with Cain so therefore I made it a step!

My very cute boyfriend ;)

 Step three, gut them! Step four, design them!

Step five, cut out and around the designs .... but don't get into it as much as Cain did! lol

Cain decided on Jack Skellington.

I get the creeps just looking at it, and it's light outside!

I opted for the lesser of evil looking things, and did a tribal design.

Happy pumpkin carving! 

Cain and Lanette <3

Nova bomb ....