Get outside the box!

For starters, if you're a photographer this is a must-read. 

If you love to capture memories by way of pictures, or even if you simply appreciate having all those moments at your beck and call, keep reading.

I love photos. I enjoy looking back and remembering all those great times or events, and I like to be the one to document them in the way of pictures. 

Those days where your camera is constantly on in your hand or hanging on your neck ready to snap any frame you find pleasing, are fantastic! They make you feel great, you create a masterpiece, and get at least a few awesome shots. 

And then there are the periods of time (days, weeks.....even months. :P) where photography has had to take a back seat. This summer has been one of those times. Originally I was feeling like a bum for not creating any fresh and inspiring albums, or contest-worthy photos. But very quickly that died off. I realized that for this season picture-taking couldn't be the highest priority,(due to life's craziness plus the fact our computer's stuffed) and that was fine. :) I didn't even have to feel a little guilty for leaving my camera home when I went on an outing or to a party---and I could really enjoy the times I was able to spend snapping the shutter. 

And of course......

Levi's first berry picking *snap!*

Girls' Retreat *snap, snap, click!*

Brilliantly-colored sunset *snap, snap!*

Family birthdays *click, snap, click*

Surprise party *click!*

......you get my drift. ;)

Through my camera-free days, I realized how nice it was not to view all the good times through a lens. :D Seriously, there is a huge difference in "being in the moment" and "capturing the moment". For instance, that awesome look of shock and delight of Bethany when we jumped out at her......it's wouldn't be the same in a photo. Documenting a fun or important time with film can not even start to compare to the experiencing the realness of the same moment. 

Ann's 100% true point appeared in my inbox today, and I was like, "yes, exactly!" (make sure and take the link all the way....it's a fabulous post. :) 

So, for my summary:

 Keep taking great pictures, but make sure and put away your Nikon or Canon ;), and really and truly live in some of those bits of life. :)

Ciao!

~Sarah

{all photos from Pinterest}

Oh Snap! Ampersand Photography edition

Hey Sarah!(by the way, I love the name! ;) Thanks for being with us today.  

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?

It was very serendipitous, actually. I was out of highschool, working a part-time job, studying music theory, and praying about what to do with my life. Photography was kind of one of those “huh, I think I'd like to do that someday” things in the back of my mind, but I never seriously considered actually doing it, you know? But it was one of those things I just thought I might like to try. Not long after that I started what would be a three-year stint in full-time ministry. The desire to pursue photography consistently swelled inside of me, but whenever I had time to pursue it, I was broke, and whenever I had money I was working crazy hours and had no time. By the time those three years were up, I was 22, the desire had grown into a passion, which grew into a purpose, and I was determined to pursue it. So I bought a camera and dove in headfirst.

 

What was your very first camera?

I had some little point-and-shoot film camera when I was in high school… I think it was Fuji? I have no idea. My first "real" camera was a Canon 30D. 

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?

I love people, and I love communication, and photography seemed to be a very natural way to merge the two loves… and it's much more than a hobby for me. =) 

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)

Canon 5d Mk2, Canon 30D, Canon 20mm f/2.8, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Sigma 50mm f/1.4, Canon 85mm f/1.8, Canon 135mm f/2.0, Canon Speedlight 580EX II 

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

Mostly self-taught, but I took some workshops through the Institute of Photographic Studies (IPS). If you're looking for a basic, "everything you need to know about photography" class, this is it!!! 

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

Brides. 

Do you have any professional experience?

Yes, I'm starting my fourth year as a full-time, self-employed wedding photographer.  

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?

Watching other people and hearing them explain it. 

Do you, or have you sold your work?

Yes and yes. =) 

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?

None, actually. I would label myself as a professional. Photography is my job, not the thing I think about day in and day out. I think about marketing and to-do lists way more than I think about photographic techniques or cool things to try. And I'd always prefer sitting down with a person and talking heart-stuff over coffee over taking their portrait. Yes, I'm passionate about photography… but I'm more passionate about God and the Gospel. I'm more obsessed with doing well in business than I'm obsessed with photography in itself. I'm definitely a die-hard, but since it's the thing I do all the time and have to do all the time (or I won't have house, car, or food), I've grown past the "I want to be known as a photographer" stage, and I'm now in the "I don't want to be defined merely by my camera" stage. =) 

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?

I've been interested in it for about ten years, I have practiced it for five. 

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P)  ;)

Canon. Alllll the way. =D 

And the last one..... 

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

Photography is all about seeing people as God sees them. I whole-heartedly believe that every single person is made in the image of God, and reflects a bit of His glory. When I look at a person through my camera lens, I have the precious opportunity to look at them they way that God looks at them, and to document that individual beauty that reflects His glory.  I shoot weddings because I love marriage, and I love marriage because I love Jesus Christ. I also love weddings because I love love, I find joy in contributing to other peoples' happiness, and because... well, I just like pretty things. 

Hi! My name is Sarah. I'm a portrait and wedding photographer in the Northern Virginia-ish area. I'm passionate about God, light, people, and love, and obsessed with just about anything pretty, or textured, or vintage. I love photography, and coffee, and meeting new people, and... lots of other things.

  Website // www.ampersandphoto.com

 Blog // www.ampersandphoto.blogspot.com

Facebook // www.facebook.com/Ampersand.Photo

Twitter // www.twitter.com/scdanaher

~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! :)