Oh Snap! Week 3

Today's interview is with Miss Shaina. :) Or as you may know her, Shi of Narnia.

Hey Shaina! Thanks for being with us today. What do you think of this cool weather? It's nice.

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you? I just somehow got interested in it. :) Maybe it was because of taking pictures with my brother's camera; I don't know for sure. I remember one time I started to get interested in it was a little more than 4 years ago, I think.

What was your very first camera? Well, my first camera (not the first one I used though) is the one I have now. It's a Canon Rebel XS. But I did have one that belonged to me and my sister, and it was a Sanyo VPC-S600 (I think that's it.) But I don't think I used that one as much as I used my Dad's, which is an Olympus FE-230.

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby? I don't think anybody inspired me to take it up. I just liked taking pictures I suppose, and that's what got me into it.

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.) A Canon Rebel XS, which I have two different lenses for, a 18-55 mm and a 55-250 mm.

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes? Self-taught

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc) I don't know if it's my FAVORITE, but I like doing people.

Do you have any professional experience? No.

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information? Sometimes I just figure things out on my camera that I never knew before. I am definitely not a professional, and still have alot of things I can learn, I'm sure. One thing I like is trying to take pictures without the flash, because I think it makes it look more natural than with the flash.

Do you, or have you sold your work? Yes, on some greeting cards.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)  

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard? Can I pick two? :) Um, I guess a wanna-be, and maybe artistic.

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art? I don't know, maybe a little more than 4.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? ;) CANON

And the last one: Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :) I love how photography can capture things that you see. Some reasons I take photos are because I like to, and also I take them for the greeting cards that we make. I hope that in my photography I will glorify Jesus Christ.

Shaina is a 19-year-old, stay-at-home-daughter, born-again-Christian who hopes to glorify Jesus Christ in all that she does. She enjoys photography and filming (though the extent of her filming are just the crazy videos she likes to make with her siblings and friends.) She also loves Narnia, and hopes one day to visit Ireland.

Thanks for your time, Shaina! :) How are you guys liking this series? Please leave a comment and give me some feedback. :)
-Sarah

Vintage Hairstyle Tutorial!!! :) "Sweetheart Updo"

I thought it was time for another hairstyle tutorial post, and since I've been looking at and thinking about vintage clothing/hair/makeup and watching such movies as Roman Holiday and others, I decided I'd try my hand at a vintage hairstyle for you. :) My model exited the scene as I was blow-drying her hair so you are stuck with me! :D I have seen styles like this in many vintage photos and even in a couple movies set in the 40's, so I'd say it's pretty authentic. :) I am randomly naming this the Sweetheart Up-do. It's sort of vintage-sounding, right? ;)

I'll apologize in advance for the quality/color of these photos. I was taking them myself in Mama and Dad's cavernous bathroom and trying to get a variety of shots at arm's length...needless to say, it was a bit flabbergasting.  

1. Start by combing or brushing out your hair and parting it to the side.

The first of many funny faces as I struggled with self-portraiting an entire hairstyle tutorial. Blimey!

2. Separate a piece of your hair from the left side (or whichever side you parted it to.)

3. Begin to roll the hair with your fingers, keeping it neat

4. Pin it gently, but flatly to your head, keeping the center of the coil tidy.

5. On the opposite side, begin rolling hair, but instead of pinning flat against head, gently twist and lay flat so you've made a bit of a sausage curl. This sound complicated, but just play with it until you get this look:

You can leave the back hair down and gently curl the ends to get a half-up look. This is pretty and wonderful for a girlish look. 

I look extremely devout about something. Haha! :D

I would have to do something about the frizz if I was to keep my hair down. :P

A view of the top, as it should look

However, I finished the style out:

6. Gather remaining hair smoothly into a low, tight pony-tail.

7. Gently loosen pony-tail holder and proceed as if you were making a flip-pony-tail. Don't pull all through. Instead, tuck the hair inside the cavity and pin in place. You'll achieve a sort of puff that looks vintage indeed! :) Spray in place. I find sometimes that my hair stays in the "puff" better if I dampen it before flipping. In the picture I wasn't as particular as I generally would be with neatness. The idea of the puff is for it to look soft and feminine. 

I know this is a *horrid* picture, but I hope you can get the idea! :)

8. Voila! A lovely, vintage look. Here are some of the Glamour-Shots. ;)

Yes, I took off my glasses for these photos. How I miss my contacts!!!! I deemed my "Specs" un-vintage so off they went! ;)

Love my vintage pearl earrings! :)

Am I in love with my camera? :P

I'm sorry. I had fun with Picasa and this photo. I look ever-so-slightly like one of those famous glamour-girls way back then! :)

Boy, It's Been a While Since...

...we've done a MOVIE QUOTES CONTEST!!! :) And it's been a while since I've done a post on this blog! Phew! But I'm off to remedy both things with a smashing Movie Quotes Contest. The rules, as usual, include:

• Using your own information and memory, not looking the quotes up online. You can, however, ask family members their opinion
• Telling me which movie the quote is from. Additional points will be rewarded if you can tell me who said the quote[s.]
• Entering your quotes in a comment left on this blog no later than Nov. 9, 2011! :)

Ready? Set? Go!


1. "Oh of course we live in the real world, as you say, where men of sense always reject a girl with a pretty face in favor of one with a well-informed mind!"

2. "This is...huge...Prison huge. You are gonna go to prison..you know that, right?" 
"Yeah, probably."
 "That would...bother most people."

3. "Percy. Fashionably late as usual."
 "Sink me, your highness. It was this demmed cravat. Simply refused to tie. I ask you. Sticking out like a pin-cushion." 
"I might have known it was something serious."

4. "Rob? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. That's a naughty word. We never rob. We simply borrow a bit from those who can afford it." 
"Borrow? Boy are we in debt."

5. "I don' want de girl....you don' want de girl...PO-lice! Maybe she want de girl!"


6. "A mother's love holds fast and forever. A girl's love is like a puff of smoke--changes with every wind." 


7. *Gasps as needle goes in* "That wasn't so bad."
"That was the penicillin." 


8.  "Roz, my tender, oozing blossom, you're looking fabulous today. Is that a new haircut? Tell me it's a new haircut. It's got to be a new haircut. New makeup? You had a lift? You had a tuck? You had something? Something has been inserted in in you that makes you look... Listen, I need a favor."


9. "This is crazy. I finally meet my childhood hero and he's trying to kill us. What a joke."


10. "Forgive me, your Majesty."
"Oh don't waste my time with flattery."
"Not to seem rude, but I wasn't actually talking to you."


11. "As a matter of interest, will the time come when I read them first?"
"You'll enjoy this. She has a real flair for description." 


12. " 'Strange treasures in this fair world appear, strange all, and new to me.' That is a poem by Thomas Traherne and I have absolutely no idea what it's about. But, when I was small I was made to learn it by heart so I don't see why you shouldn't suffer too."


There you go! Some of them are easy, some a tad more difficult, but I have faith in the strength of your memories! ;) Have at it! ~Rachel

Another Installment. ;)

 

 

 

 Okay, I finally have an interview ready to post! :) Introducing my cousin, Matthew!! :)

 

 

Hey Matthew! Thanks for being with us today. What do you think of this cool weather? I certainly could get used to it that's for sure!!!

Okay, let's begin:

How did you get started into photography? Hmm...I really just kinda picked it up. There isn't a huge story behind it.   And how old were you? About 14

What was your very first camera? My VERY first camera was actually the still camera on a Panasonic video camera. I then received a hand-me-down Nikon D50 from my aunt.

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby? Easy...my Aunt Cherie!! 

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.) Like I said, a Nikon D50, with a standard 28-80 f:4.5-5, and a nikon 70-300 f:5.6-6 telephoto lens. 

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?  Up until now, I was self-taught.  I'm currently taking a flash and a digital photo class.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc) Artistic, probably!! ;)

Do you have any professional experience?

Ummm.....I have done one photo shoot for a family outside of my own family...so I guess that would mean yes? ;)

 

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?  I am always looking at other peoples photographs, which helps me to see a wide spectrum of types of shots.

 

Do you, or have you sold your work? In a way...that photoshoot I mentioned earlier would be a yes then. I also just started a website with my aunt for selling some

of our photos.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question....) Well, here are two of my current favorite:

 

 

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?

Passionate, probably.  

 

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art? About 2-3. I've only been doing it for a short time! ;)

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? ;) Nikon!!!! ;)

 

And the last one: Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)

 I love it because you can capture so many moments with photography that you can't capture any other way. The purpose, to appreciate God's world in a different perspective. Other than that, God will decide what I do with photography later in life.....

 

 

 

Hey everyone! Well, to start off, I'm 17 and the oldest of 8 kids. I recently discovered a love for photography, and have now started a photo website with my aunt. As for any other things I like, sports is one of my favorites! ;)
I currently work in our own produce and cut-flower business as well as my uncle's landscape business. Also, I am homeschooled, and will hopefully graduate in 2012. ;)  Well, I guess that's pretty much it!

Make sure to check out Matthew's photography by clicking right here!!!!

Simply Seventeen Blog Party!! :)

First off, I'd like to say....

Happy 17th Birthday Jo!!!! *<=)

Yep! My onliest bloggy friend I've actually met, is turning the big 1-7 today!!! :) Hope you have the happiest of birthdays and enjoy your cake. ;) And for this occasion, I'm going to link up with her "Simply Seventeen" blog party!

{1} when you think of "old movies", what immediately comes to mind?

 Hm....probably "Roman Holiday", "It's a Wonderful Life" "Singing in the Rain", or Shirley Temple! :)

{2} who's your one of you favorite film or literary heroes (or heroines) and why?

 Only one?! ;) Man.....probably Mr. Knightley (both in the book and movie) Mr. Clennam, or Sir Percy for guys. And as for heroines, Lizzy Bennet, Emma, and Anne Shirley

{3} if you could live in a movie, which one would it be and why?

                          Wow. Okay, let's see. I'd love to live in The Lord of the Rings. Specifically in Hobbiton. ;)

How much better can you get? You wouldn't be too terribly far from this cool place:

and it wouldn't take too long to visit here:

:)

{4} music has changed a lot since 1900 - which "modern" type of music is your favorite?

Christian Contemporary and any classic Broadway tune! :)

{5} any songs you'd like to share with us? (lyrics, video, etc.)

Why not? :) Here's one with classic Broadway-style music and dancing:

And on a more serious note....This song is really great!

{6} if your life had soundtrack (i wish mine did :d), what would yours sound like?

Part of it would sound rag-timey....

Some tracks would sound more like this: =)

{7} when do you start counting down till your birthday?

Hm...my birthday is August 6th....and I probably start counting down after Rachel's b-day--so late July. :)

{8} what makes your birthday special?

Well, it's pretty simple. There's only one me. So there's only one of my birthday's a year! ;)

{9} do you ever wish you were born in a different month?

Nope! I love having my birthday in August because there are *no* holidays whatsoever in that month....and I like to have my holidays and events spread out through the year. :)

and finally...

{10} pick and post five words to describe your personality - you can add a description under each if you like.

1. Bubbly-According to my best friends, I am always either talking, laughing, smiling, or being mischievous. ;)
2. Playful- I enjoy having fun. Whether it's playing a game, teasing (in the good sort of way ;) or making jokes, I LOVE to laugh and delight in everything the Lord gives me. :)
3.Spunky- this one explains itself. ;)
4.Joyful- Mom and Dad say they should've made my middle name Joy. :]
5.Logical-Just ask Rachel about this one. :P


This was very fun, Jo! Thanks alot, and I hope you've had a fabulous day! :)
-Sarah

Schedule Update

Hey guys---just wanted to update y'all on the interview series. I was hoping to publish my newest installment on Monday, but a few things were backed up and I haven't been able to yet. As of right now I have quite a few photographer's scheduled to be interviewed, but this is my first time doing something like this and I'm still working out the glitches:P Suffice it to say, an interview *will* be posted as soon as I get an email from the interviewee. :) This just builds the suspense even more....;) Thanks alot!
~Sarah
p.s. Oh! And I'm still open for suggestions on people to interview! :) Please leave a comment if you have someone in mind.

The Apple Doesn't Fall far From the Tree ;)

We had a wonderful week at Daughters of Destiny and have come home tired, happy, and bitter-sweet, having left a number of good friends [old and new] back in Pinnacle, NC. :) I thought I'd share a very simple, very true thought the speaker shared on the very last night:

She said that we young ladies were like apples.

 We God-following, Christ-loving, pure young ladies are the apples on the top of the tree: the ones with the sweetest flesh, the best flavor, the  prettiest appearance. But the top of a tree can be a lonely spot.

 We see the young men who glance up at us on the top of the tree but are not brave or strong enough to make the climb. We see the apples at the bottom of the tree, within arm's reach, being plucked and taken home by the droves. But those apples, so available, are rotten on the inside. The real prizes are us, away up on the topmost branches. But as we watch the windfalls being picked up we begin to think that there must be something wrong with us. We must not be good enough--those rotten apples must be better....
Can you see where this is going? Mrs. Bjorlie (the speaker) cautioned us to wait and pray and know that the worth-while men, the ones who will fulfill all God asks in a husband, are the ones who have the strength of character and purpose to make the climb to the top of the tree to pick one of the best apples. We mustn't give up hope and complain that the rotten apples are being chosen--wouldn't it be far better to bide time and wait for the harvester who would appreciate the purity and beauty of a prize apple? I think so. :) ~Rachel

To put it shortly:

 

:) Gotta love it!

Introducing.....

(not final button, but it will have to do for now...)

Oh Snap! -Flashes from a photographer's life

Okay, I'm really super excited about this new devolpment! This is a once-a-week series of interviews from photographers I know and love! :) I'm really looking forward to doing this and already have some *awesome* people scheduled to be interviewed!!!!!! XD I hope you guys enjoy this series as much as I *know* I will.
For the "pilot" of this series, I'm going to be interviewing Miss Annabeth H. :)

Hello Anna! Thanks for being with us today. What do you think of this cool weather? I'm loving it!!

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you? 3 years ago my Dad and I started out wedding photography business. That's when I first started photography. I was 15 years old.

What was your very first camera? Canon EOS 5D

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby? My Dad who inspired me to take up photography.

What kind of equipment are you using right now?(camera,flashes,lens,etc.) Canon EOS 5D, Canon flash speedlite 430ex11, canon zoom lens ef 70-200mm, Canon zoom lens ef 24-105mm, canon batteries LP-E6 and changer , tripod.

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes? I've never had 1 photography class in my life! My Dad's helped me a little, but for the most part I'm self-taught.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc) I love shooting people, either portrait or a candid. I especially love shooting people at weddings.

Do you have any professional experience? Nope.

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information? I love reading photography blogs, but for the most part I've gotten everything from my Dad.

Do you, or have you sold your work? Yes!

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....) This is a really tough question, I could not pick between these two.

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard? Probably artistic.

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art? I've always liked photography, so probably most of my childhood. Again, with photography being such a normal part of my life it would be hard not to be interested in it.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? ;) Canon

And the last one: Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :) I love to bless people with my photography and to bring glory to God.

Well, thank you, Anna. :) I had a great time doing this interview, and I hope you did too!

Now, here's a short bio of the photographer herself: :)

Hi! I'm Annabeth Henderson. I'm the middle child of seven kids and 18 years old. I'm engaged to be married on May 12, 2012 to Samuel Taylor. I'm looking forward to this next chapter God has planned for my life. Along with being busy with wedding plans, I also teach violin to 18 wonderful students and help in my Dad's and my wedding photography business. If you're interested, our website is www.threedaughtersandawedding.com I live in small town in NC about 30min from the VA border. Thanks Sarah for doing this interview, I've really enjoyed it!:)

Well, I'm off to pack for camp!!! =) Yes, it has come up really fast on me, but this weekend we'll be leaving for a 6 hour trip to NC for Daughters of Destiny!! Can't wait to see all my peeps! ;)
~Sarah

I need your input! :)

So, according to our latest poll results, you guys are wanting most to see a series of interviews on fellow photographers! =D This sounds like bunches of fun! I already have asked several bloggy/photographer friends to answer a certain set of questions I'll make up. Just checking, but do any of you have suggestions for people to interview? :) I'm open for input on that, and also the questions I should ask! Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Oh, and here are some appropriate pictures and such for this post. ;)

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Aren't those SO adorable??? I found this shop the other day and love all the creative paper-work!

 

 *sigh* (Okay....I guess that's enough of my sudden "camera jewelry" search on Etsy. =P) =D Anyhow, aren't you enjoying this awesome weather!!! <3 I am *so* grateful for it.

-Sarah