You know, I absolutely love photographing weddings.  It’s exciting and fun and you have to be on top of your game 100% of the time.  But . . . there’s also something special about the Senior Portrait Session that I just can’t get enough of.

Maybe it’s the energy they bring to the shoot, or the excitement written all over their faces, “It’s finally my turn!”

I remember the feeling.  The nervousness and excitement about where my life was going to take me after graduation.  Where did I want to go?  What did I want to do?  Who did I want to be?

There are so many things I wish I could go back and tell the Senior me . . .

. . . Don’t be afraid to go out on your own and stop worrying what everybody thinks.

 Enjoy your single life while you can; you’ll find the one you’re searching for, so just relax and have fun.

You’re going to make some HUGE mistakes; keep your chin up and learn from them.

Don’t choose a career because you feel it’s what society deems acceptable.  Do what makes you happy and find a way to make it work.

You are so much stronger than you ever believed . . . so have faith in yourself.

But let’s be honest here. If it was possible for me to go back and have a chat with my Senior self, would the “Senior” me have listened?  Probably not. These are lessons we have to learn by ourselves, through our own experiences.  So as I photograph these Seniors and wonder what their future’s hold, I ask them about where they plan on going to college or what they want to do after they graduate. Then I smile to myself because I know ten years down the road they’ll look back at these photos and think to themselves, “If only I could go back in time and tell myself then, all that I know now.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what your future holds Meranda!

Did you know the meaning of the peacock feather is symbolic?

For many cultures it represents renewal and immortality.

That’s kind of how I think love is supposed to be; constantly changing and renewing itself.  Becoming something you didn’t realize it could be and surprising you all of the time.

I’m not sure if Aundrea and Eric were aware of this symbolism or not, but I thought it was the perfect theme for an unforgettable wedding.

(Gotta love reflections.)

(There was a breeze.) ;)

HOORAY FOR THE NEW MR. & MRS. SCHAEFFER!!!

 May your love be ever renewing.

Wanna know why I love my job so much?

It isn’t the hours spent editing images in front of my computer. . .

. . . it isn’t the fame and fortune that so easily follows a career path as that of a photographer. ;) . . .

. . . it isn’t even the freedom to be as creative as I want.

The best part?

The people I meet and places I go along the way.

Congrats Leigh Ann & Ryan!

Dear Papa,

I never knew 6 years could go by so fast.  Know what else I never knew? Six years later I would still be able to remember your laugh and the sparkle in your blue eyes that stayed even when the chemo did its best to smother it out.  Six whole years and I feel like every time I walk into your house I’ll hear you laughing with Mama in the kitchen. That speaks of the kind of man you were; when I can hear your laugh in my mind like I just saw you yesterday.

So many things have happened since you left, I don’t even know where to start. I’ve traveled to Europe again and stayed in Germany with “Schwinny” and his family.  (You made an impact on Sven too you know.  He took it pretty hard when he found out you were no longer with us.)  Austin married an amazing and wonderful woman named Sarah. You would have loved her. (She can bake almost as well as Mama). Brooke is pregnant again, but this time she’s having a girl to help even out the playing field of their family. ;) Last week I went on a trip to Acworth, GA with your sister to visit Bob and Julie. We talked about the trip we all took together to the Gulf when I was a kid. You and Mama and her and Gus and Mom and Dad. I was so young, but I remember the oranges on the trees and you telling me I needed to go outside and play so I could “get brown”.

I met somebody that I think you would have really enjoyed spending time with.  He has a sense of humor that reminds me so much of you sometimes. Nothing ever gets him down. I wish  you two could have met. Sometimes I wonder if maybe you went to one of Evan’s games or perhaps you were both at the gas station or something and you crossed paths and he has no idea. It’s a small town. It’s more reassuring to think that the two of you really had met at one point in time even if you don’t remember it, because you are one of the most important people I’ve ever had in my life and I can’t really stand the thought that you two never met.  We drove past the cemetery on our motorcycle the other day. (I’m sure you aren’t too thrilled about that, but I promise we wear our helmets and play it safe.)  Anyway, I had him stop.  I brushed the grass clippings off of your stone. (I’m sure nobody else notices that type of thing, but Blake’s taught me a thing or two about proper cemetery mowing etiquette.) ;) He told me he was sorry he never got a chance to meet you and then asked if I thought the two of you would have gotten along. I could just see it in my head – you and him trading stories and me listening to you guys and just laughing the whole time. You would have loved him.  Plus, he gives Mama a run for her money in euchre.  That’s saying something.

You’re still with us Papa.  Every Christmas, every Hunter Reunion, every family birthday, every Sunday lunch it’s like you were just there and left for a second or walked into the other room.  If only you really were and any second you’d come around the corner and see me and call out, “Alli girl!”  But as Ginny put it, “I guess we will always want one more week, one more day…”

Do you remember my best friend Lorin? We went to high school together and then roomed together at WKU. When we found out she had a malignant melanoma and she had to leave for a semester, she once told me that you and her sometimes did your chemo together. I’m sure you’d be happy to know that she’s now a 6 year survivor.  Her chances of getting cancer again are as likely as me getting it, or anyone else for that matter.  Why two of the most important people in my life would get cancer at the same time, I’ll never know. But I can say one thing for certain, it’s made the time that I do get to spend with her and the time I did spend with you all that more precious.

I miss you Papa. Plain and simple. So does Mama. So does the rest of the family. Were you able to have a Hunter reunion in Heaven the same time we had ours down here? I know there have been a few more members of our family who’ve joined you in the past few years. I hope you all are able to get together and reminisce like we still do.

If by some chance you get an internet connection in Heaven, make sure you subscribe to my blog. Or at least start following us on facebook.  Life is pretty great down here.  I know you would love to still be here celebrating it with us, but I promise to try to keep moving forward with a positive outlook the way you taught me.  Tonight I’ll be toasting you with a small scoop of neapolitan ice cream. Maybe if you’re listening really hard, you’ll be able to hear me clinking my spoon against the bowl. There are some legacies that this family will pass down for generations. ;)

Love you with all my heart.

~Allison

http://www.christianmemorials.com/tributes/harold-hunter/

]]> http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/2013/08/26/dear-papa/feed/ 0 http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/2013/07/26/nicholas-morgan-2/ http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/2013/07/26/nicholas-morgan-2/#respond Fri, 26 Jul 2013 21:21:39 +0000 http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/?p=1380 Have you ever wondered what chain of events bring two people together in the first place? Right now as I’m writing this I’m listening to the thunder outside and watching lightning streak across the sky.

I think that’s sometimes how love goes.  Two separate bodies, just slowly rolling along with their lives, and then all of a sudden some force pulls them together and WHAM!!! Their lives collide and create a friction strong enough to produce an electric current.

I could feel the electricity between Morgan and Nicholas from the moment I met them for their engagement shoot.  I think everyone in the bridal party the day of their wedding could feel it too. . .

I think Mother Nature felt it in the air too, because she let loose a light shower that day for good luck. (Mother Nature’s tears of joy?)

Mother Nature wasn’t the only mama tearing up that day. . .

The best part?  The chain of events leading up to Morgan and Nick’s big day was just the beginning.  I’m excited to say that their baby boy, Noah Jaxson Yearby, was born July 25th.  How wonderful is that?!

And it all started with just a little spark.

A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships were built for. -Grace Hopper

I know it’s probably a little cliche for me to start my blog like this, ESPECIALLY since Kevin has sponsors who actually pay him to fish; but I sat down at my computer and my fingers took control.  However, there is no denying that Brittany is the greatest catch of his life.

And of course, he’s hers.

(I wonder what kind of bait they each cast?)

One thing I know for sure . . .

They both know how to set the hook.

The thing is, I was never able to post their photos on my blog because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. Then after Christmas I left the country and once I got back, life got a little crazy and . . . well. . . here we are. So I know this shoot took place a few months back but I HAD to share the photos. They turned out too good to keep them all to myself.

(Needless to say, we had a lot of fun.)

The chemistry they have was so easy to capture.

I loved working with you all! Hope to see you guys again soon.

]]> http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/2013/04/22/the-wahl-trio/feed/ 0 http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/2013/03/07/a-year-of-lilys/ http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/2013/03/07/a-year-of-lilys/#respond Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:49:01 +0000 http://www.momentsthroughmylens.com/?p=1234 So you know how I am about baby’s.  They slightly frighten me.  I’m a bull in a china shop.  Tornado Alli.  Me no touchy da bebe.  But today I went through all of the pictures I took of Lily last year and put them together in chronological order and let me tell you, just because I may not handle a baby very well does NOT mean I can’t take one heck of a photo . . .

I guess I can give Lily some of the credit.  She’s pretty dang cute. Ok. RIDICULOUSLY cute.  Look how she grew! It’s so fascinating. I can’t wait to see the difference between her one year photo and her two year!

I mean. For real. This wedding was a treat to photograph.  SUPERHEROES!!! Come on! It was genius. And the bridal party was just . . . so . . .

ENERGIZED.  Em and I loved it!

The wedding took place outdoors in early October at Hillary’s parent’s house.  Everywhere you looked you had opportunities for beautiful photos.

Especially when you pointed your camera at the bride.

You were such a beautiful bride Hill!

The Father-Daughter-Son dance. ;)

Her groom wasn’t too shabby either.

Greg with his daughter = So sweet.

It’s always at “girl’s night” when my gal pals start chatting about their new boo’s.  Give us a decent glass of chardonnay and we’ll talk about our male counterparts for hours.  (Oh how I miss my girl’s nights.)  Anyway, I remember one evening we were having a glass of vino at 440 Main in Bowling Green, KY (FABULOUS place by the way.) and Hillary started talking about this guy she’d just started seeing. It may have been her new man or the fact that we were sitting at a table outside under the night sky, but either way . . . she had stars in her eyes.

I’d say they’re still there.

It’s a wonderful feeling, seeing your friends so happy.  It’s an even better feeling when you see the smiles on their children’s faces as well.

So about the pistol she’s bearing.  It was her gift on her wedding day from her new groom. Like whoa. What a gift!

Greg and Hillary, you’re two of the most awesome people I’ve been blessed with as friends. Congratulations on your, now, nearly 5 month anniversary. ;) May there be many more.