SOI | Swoon Over It » Miscellaneous

APRIL SELF-PORTRAIT: SELF-REFLECTION

amandabyoung — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:00:24 +0000

April was another interesting month for me. Thankfully, it started with a week-long vacation to the islands which was not only much appreciated, but much needed. From there the month presented some interesting personal challenges, but, ultimately, it has been one of self-reflection. And, while I took much more fun beach-related images while in the islands, this one somehow seems a bit more appropriate as a reflection of the month as a whole.

Still pinching myself that tomorrow makes it May. 2012, slow down a bit, will you?

For more information and a full explanation about the self-portrait project, please see this post.

MARCH SELF-PORTRAIT: PAINTED PROGRESS

amandabyoung — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:50 +0000

A few weeks ago I walked into my neighborhood grocery store, like I do nearly every afternoon and as I checked out with my regular cashier, he says to me “So, what’s the deal? Do you paint for a living or what?” Yep, that’s right. I had walked into the store covered in paint so often now that they’ve decided I simply must paint for a living. Yikes!

This post probably won’t mean much to many people, but to me, it’s huge. Epic, even. This is just me sitting on a sofa. Right? No images on the walls. Pillows looking frumpy. But you know what’s significant? It’s me, sitting in MY OFFICE. With walls that are no longer neon green (we’ll talk about that later). It’s been a month of a ridiculous amount of office-improvement projects, but one that I believe was well-spent. While the office still has a long, long way to go, it’s finally starting to reflect me and my business.

So, consider it far from a “welcome to my office” post, it’s certainly a peek at my new little humble abode. More details to follow, promise! In the meantime, I’m just reveling in this short, sweet little glory. This baby has come a long, long way and we’re just getting started. What about you, have you ever finished a project that has made you want to do somersaults of celebration? That’s kinda how I’m feeling right about now.

For more information and a full explanation about the self-portrait project, please see this post.

OVERCOMING MY FEARS WITH A TOUR OF THE CAMDEN AQUARIUM

amandabyoung — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:11 +0000

No, I’m not afraid of fish. When my dear friend Isis originally invited me to attend the Association of Bridal Consultants (South Jersey Group) meeting at the Camden Aquarium…. I have to admit, my gut reaction was to say no. And then I reminded myself of my #1 goal for this year: network more. I do fine in small groups, but large masses of people with no familiar faces tend to make me nervous. Actually, I’m lying. They make me super nervous. Like that first-day-of-school-crazed kind of nervous. What if no one likes me? What if no one talks to me? What if I do something really embarrassing like fall flat on my face?

But the lure of tackling one of my goals, and an excuse to explore the awesome Camden Aquarium (WHERE YOU CAN HAVE YOUR WEDDING!) was too much to say no to. So, I asked my first question: can I bring my camera? And, when I was told yes, I knew I was golden. As long as I have that pretty black hunk of metal, plastic, and glass to hide behind when my nerves get to be too much then I can do pretty much anything. And so I went.

And, of course, rather than any of my fears coming true it was quite the opposite. It was a lovely evening and we got an awesome, winding tour of the amazing aquarium and learned a lot about having weddings there. For instance, your reception room can have the shades lifted to reveal giant windows into the shark tank to wow your guests (see below, first two images). Heck, you can even have your ceremony in front of a giant aquarium window. The long winding pathways with glass windows looking in the tank can be filled with cocktail tables or reception tables so your guests can actually even be surrounded by the amazing sea life while they eat. And the photo opportunities? Endless. After getting to hang out there for the evening I am absolutely itching to shoot a wedding there. So, brides, let’s do this!

A huge, huge thanks to the Association of Bridal Consultants, South Jersey, and to Isis of Posh Events. Also, a thank you to the people who made me feel especially welcome…. I won’t mention them all here for fear of forgetting someone, but you know who you are. So lovely getting to meet so many talented individuals in the wedding industry.

See, right here (below)… you can have your ceremony RIGHT HERE. Amazing.

And the final sunset I caught as I left the aquarium. Five-image stitched pano of the Philadelphia skyline.

THE FIRST DAY

amandabyoung — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:13 +0000

…of Spring. It was glorious. When I woke up in the morning it was the quintessential first-day-of-Spring-morning. I could literally hear the birds chirping, see the sunlight streaming through my window. People were out and about. The line for free Rita’s water ice was ridiculous, as I probably should have expected (who doesn’t love free?). But, people were chipper. Moods were lifted. Weather was glorious. And, I couldn’t resist sneaking out and snapping a couple images of the incredible transformation that has taken place outside our house.

I have to say, when I moved “up North” (from Florida, originally, where it’s already in the upper 80s regularly this time of year) everyone went on and on about the seasons and how much I would enjoy the leaves changing color in the fall. And, I have to say, I do, I really really do. But, I still don’t think it’s half as beautiful as everything coming to life in the spring. Something about the sign of new life, new beginning, regrowth. It’s truly astounding to me.

What about you, are you a fall or spring kind of person (or winter or summer, for that matter)? I’m curious to know if I’m really in the minority here.

FEBRUARY SELF-PORTRAIT: AND SO IT GROWS

amandabyoung — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:04:35 +0000

So, at the beginning of February I went in for “a little trim” to my newly acquired short style and came out…. looking like a boy. It wasn’t my hairdresser’s fault. At some point during our conversation I had explained how I didn’t want to be in every 3 three weeks and so I think she took that to mean that we needed to go shorter. Much shorter. YIKES.

Next thing I know she flips the chair around and I wanted to scream. Thankfully, I’m a very internalize-any-extreme-emotions kind of girl and so I just took a deep breath and reminded myself that, yes, it was still hair. And, though it would take some growing, that I would – in fact – get over it.

Thus, I title last month’s self-portrait “And So It Grows” as I spent the whole month wondering how long it would take before I didn’t mind my hair again (and I still ponder this question every few days, though I hate it much less now than I did four weeks ago). This pose is perhaps one of the most awkward, and not particularly flattering, but – hey – I actually like the way my hair looks in it. Maybe that’s because you can’t really see it?

Live and learn, I suppose. Live and learn.

Have you ever had a haircut that just went horribly totally wrong? Tell me I am not alone in this!

DOING THINGS

amandabyoung — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:37:31 +0000

I have been doing things. Honest. As much as I would love to say I’ve been sitting back, sleeping in, laying on the sofa with a good book all day (boy do I wish!) that has certainly not been the case. And, as such, I am left a bit behind…. more than I was even before.

So, here goes… a few of the things I have been up to lately:

Nicole and Darin’s maternity session in Hershey, PA. With some of the only bit of snow we got this year!

Amber and Sterling’s maternity session around UPenn’s library.

Kendra and Tom’s engagement session in Old City.

Then, let’s not forget that I am working on NEW BRANDING.

Oh yea, and did I mention I’m getting a NEW SITE?

[alright, I have no peek of that... yet]

Or how about the fact that I’m about to have a NEW ADDRESS?

Yea, things have been a little crazy lately. All good. All fun. And so much I can’t wait to share. Of course, you would have known all this already if you would have signed up for the newsletter.

But first up? February’s self-portrait (whoops!). Coming tomorrow, promise!

SIXTEEN

amandabyoung — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:42 +0000

Sixteen. Nope, not my age (oh if we could all be sixteen again, even for just a moment). That’s how many posts I wrote last month. It might not sound like much, but it’s the most I’ve ever written in a month. Like, ever ever. It’s four times what I wrote in November. Precisely sixteen times more than I wrote in December.

It’s the sign of changes being made. Habits being formed. And – dare I even say it? – resolutions being met. Will someone pat me on the back over here, BECAUSE I AM PROUD.

But, was it just me, or did January completely and totally fly by? I feel like we were just ringing in the new year and then suddenly it’s almost Valentine’s (thanks to Rite Aid, by the way, for already selling Cadbury Creme Eggs – way to break my healthy eating!). So, in case you missed it and January flew right past you, here’s the recap of just some of the most exciting posts:

On the new year: how I spent my Christmas, my first Mummer’s parade experience, and my advice on goal setting
One awesome 2011 wedding: Brittany & Shawn’s wedding in Florida
Two lovely 2011 engagement sessions: Jessica & David in Florida and Gayle & Sam on UPenn’s campus
Personal: I chopped off all my hair, my friend had an adorable baby, I convinced myself to try something new, and how this year I am facing my fear of being in front of the camera (though I still haven’t posted January’s self-portrait yet, whoops).

Tomorrow… I’ll have a wedding for you. Or a self-portrait. Or both, depending on how ambitious I get. In the meantime, happy February… and let’s take this month a little slower, yes?

BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX

amandabyoung — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:06 +0000

For the past six months or so, my good friend Kelly has been trying to get me to come out to this monthly social extravaganza that takes place just blocks from my house called Dorian’s Parlor. But, unfortunately, the event always falls on Saturday evenings – and I’m typically busy with weddings on the weekends. However, this past weekend the stars finally aligned and I was persuaded to come out and see it for myself. Let me start by saying that I had honestly NO CLUE what to expect. Like, really no clue. Confession: You could have found me googling “steampunk” just a few hours before leaving my house.

Of course, I didn’t dress up or anything… but since the event itself certainly fell into my goal for doing more networking (which is more like a “break-out-of-the-box-and-do-things-you-don’t-usually-do” kind of goal, particularly when it comes to going places where I don’t know anyone), I couldn’t resist playing spectator for the evening. For those wondering, here’s the definition of the group, from the Dorian’s website itself:

Dorian’s Parlor is a lavish and sumptuous evening party inspired by the grandeur of 19th and early 20th centuries. It features music, live performances, fashion shows, and free food.

[Dorian's]…especially caters to people interested in the steampunk, neo-Victorian, and neo-vintage styles.

And, though I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, I’d say about a third of the people there were also photographers (hooray! photographers unite!). And, when you saw the elaborate dress and detail of the people in attendance, I can see why. So, I couldn’t help but share just a couple images from the night… especially since they’re so different from anything I’ve ever taken before. Behold, this is steampunk:

It started with some pictures of the live band.

But this is where it got weird for me. You see, in my line of work I’m used to people paying me to take their picture. Or being paid to be at an event and capture what’s happening. But at Dorian’s it’s different. My instincts were to sink back into a corner, with a long lens on and take candids of the costumes. And, so I’ve been told, that’s not the etiquette-appropriate approach to this kind of thing. So, not only did I have to talk to people, but then I was even going to have to ASK TO TAKE THEIR PICTURE. Talk about ultimate challenge for me. Hah. But, I did get over my hurdle so I could get a few cool images of the attendees. Someone pat me on the back, please.

Check this out… she made that dress herself. Seriously, so cool.

The best part? That wind-up thing was even rotating around. INSANE.

But it’s funny because now that that’s out of the way I feel weirdly relieved. Like “hey, I can do this!” Talking to strangers really isn’t that bad. What about you? Have you forced yourself to totally break out of your realm of comfort lately?

TWENTY TWELVE

amandabyoung — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:00:05 +0000

I’ve always been one for loving new beginnings. Fresh starts. When most people are moaning about Monday mornings, I have always loved the idea of a brand new spanking week that maybe just maybe I can accomplish whatever it is I set out to accomplish. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise then that I love the beginning of a new year. I’ve never been one for making a big deal out of the holiday itself (hooray for a 10:30 bedtime!), but I do sure love reflecting back on the year that has passed and looking forward to the year that approaches.

So today, on one of the first few days of the year, I would like to thank 2011 for everything. A new house. A new puppy. And a whole lot of learning about myself. But, I’d also like to welcome 2012 with outstretched arms. If optimism really can make things go your way, then I just have a feeling that 2012 might be the best year yet.* With that said, be prepared for a lot of changes around here… that’s all I’m sayin’. For now.

What about you? Do you welcome each new year as it comes or mourn the passing of the last?

*Please note: no fruit was harmed in the production of this image.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SB-900

amandabyoung — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:47:45 +0000

Of all the things I have learned as an adult in this world, I think one of the most important things is that we can never stop learning. Because it is that moment – that moment that we decide that we’ve learned all we need to know – that we might as well just give up. Truthfully, no matter how long you work in a field, or consider yourself experienced in something, to think that you know enough that you have nothing else left to learn is just foolishness. To be and remain successful at just about anything you must always challenge yourself… to try new things, to learn new things, and to keep an open mind. (Sidenote: This is not to say that I think I’m at a point of having nothing else to learn, by any means…. it’s more saying that I can confidently state here and now that I will always have something else to learn.)

Then again, I would also have remained a student my whole life if there were a profitable way of doing so. So, maybe I’m biased.

But, when my dear friend Nicole suggested the One Light Workshop in October, I knew she was right on the money. Off-camera flash is one of those things that plagues (but also can greatly strengthen) all photographers. Not just having a flash, but knowing how to use it. (Dang, that sounded like a line from a box office action thriller, didn’t it?) And, perhaps most importantly, knowing how to use it to your advantage even when faced with the most adverse conditions.

Here are a few favorites from the day. I have way more that I’ll try to share down the line, but these are all I’ve gotten to peek at just yet. And, I have to admit it, I think off-camera flash and I might just have a sweet love relationship together in our future.

Here (below) is our master Zack Arias hard at work. This man is a genius. Oh yeah, and his “their, their, they’re, and thurr” shirt he’s wearing? Well, as a self-professed grammarian at heart, immediately I knew we’d get along just fine. Actually, the real secret is that I actually have that shirt myself. What can I say? I like a good play on words.

This (below) was one of our two awesome models for the day. Seriously, isn’t she gorgeous?

And a few of my classmates…

Cannot recommend the One Light Workshop enough. It’s definitely not for beginners, but if you know how to use manual mode in your camera, and are ready for the challenge of mastering lighting, this is definitely where it’s at.