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It’s been a crazy week for me! I traveled to Florida for some fun in the sun. You know the type of fun I’m talking about when one goes to Florida in may… lots of sweating, lots of walking, lots of fun!
Unfortunately it meant I was far too busy playing to post any pictures…
But! Oh there’s always one, right? The wait should be worth it for all of you because now I can finally reveal my Super Secret Project! Yay! I know you’ve all been waiting to hear since I’ve hinted and hinted…
Two summers ago I entered my first photo contest and I ended up with a photograph hung in the exhibit. This experience humbled me and amazed me. I never thought I would see one of my photographs hanging alongside so many absolutely gorgeous photos let alone being seen by an estimated 10,000 visitors. Even more amazing was at the end of the exhibit I learned that my photograph was one voted as a People’s Choice.
I think I cried when I first got the news. That unbelievable to me.
A little while ago, I received an email from the same group inviting me participate in their new photo contest. I reread the email about a dozen times and then pinched myself to make sure that it was really there in my inbox and not a dream. I then began to make plans to shoot new photos with the theme in mind.
The theme is not one that I particularly spend a lot of time shooting, but I do enjoy. You know the old saying: Stop and smell the roses? Yeah, well I often look at beautiful flowers but never take the time to photograph them. This exhibit deals with the living things growing on the grounds so I needed to focus with that in mind. I got out and walked the grounds in a way I never have before and I looked to take pictures in a way I don’t normally take pictures at this venue. I actually LOVE doing this sort of thing, so needless to say I was excited.
Well, the verdict is in… and they chose to hang not one but TWO of my photos! Seriously? YES! I can’t believe it!
I’m not posting those two… I’ll post them after the exhibit ends. I thought you might like to see a few of the photographs I did take and considered entering!
If you are in the DC Area from May 22-June 20, you might want to consider checking out the exhibit a the DC Temple Visitors Center. The exhibit is free of charge and after looking at the photographs selected… let me just say it will be STUNNING.
I just loved the way the two flowers looked almost like a bridal couple…
So my favourite colour is purple and this lovely bud really screams SPRING to me.
I loved the way the light hit this purple flower making it nearly glow!
The flower looks as though it is reaching up towards the spires, reaching up towards the heavens, reaching up as I feel like I’m always reaching.
This last picture I’m sharing is one that I like because it shows a group of bright and cheerful flowers clustered in front of the Temple and it seems like whenever I am there I see some group of bright and cheerful people clustered in front of the Temple!
So there you go. My Super Secret Project! I hope you enjoyed.
–Have Camera, Will Travel (and turn Mission Impossible to Mission Possible!)
JS
PS Happy Mother’s Day to all!
When: February 20, 2010
Where: Washington DC Temple
What: Katharine and Steve are Getting Married
Your Mission Should You Choose to Accept It: Manage to get photographs after two blizzards bury the east coast without face planting in the snow or freezing to death!
That’s right. It is 2010 and February and the DC area gets slammed with not one but two major snow storms. These storms pushed our snowfall to the historic levels and shut down the entire metro area. Of course, where got hit the worst? The NW side of town!
After roughly a fortnight of melting, plenty of snow melted yet it was still higher than my knees. Wow, that’s just a lot of snow! Yet nothing will stop two determined photographers from capturing the special day of a beautiful bride and her prince, even if it means tromping through the snow like a lunatic and risking frostbite.
You could tell immediately on arrival that we weren’t the first people attempting to photograph a wedding. The major photo hotspots had little nooks carved out of the tundra for people to stand in and still get pictures of the happy couple with the temple background. Us? Oh no, that’s not good enough. Armed with a tarp and a sheet, we set up a place right in front of the fountain and made our couple tromp through the snow to it. Of course, since it’s wrong to ask someone to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself, that meant we also set off through the snow. I think the highlight of hilarity for everyone was my losing my shoe in the snow and needing to balance on one leg with a camera in each hand while the other photographer tried to fish my shoe out of the icy trap. Oh how I wish I had a photo! Never fear, if one surfaces I will post my shame for all to see. Normally I abhor all photographs of myself, but this? It was just too funny!
That said, I’m sure you don’t really give a care about me nearly planting my face in a mound of snow. After all, I’m fairly unimportant. You are here to see the photos!
Because of the severely limiting snow, we took a lot of photos in the lobby of the Temple. Who knew you could do that? Not us!
Now this is one dedicated bride – she donned her coat, grabbed that skirting, and took off through the snow!
Even her dad was a trooper and brought her bouquet through the snowy wasteland:
But I’d say it was worth it – what do you think?
They might have been a wee bit cold, but they were definitely having some fun…
Here’s the proof that 1. This bride is dedicated and 2. This bride is smarter than yours truly:
 Snowboot Bride! That’s right… she figured with a couple of feet of snow she *MIGHT* just need some sensible shoes instead of pretty dainty princess footwear. She brought herself some snow boots to muck about in the snow and get her dream photos. Not pretty boots with lace like I had for my wedding (hello was I totally channeling Madonna or something?) or sexy hot heeled boots. Nope! Me? I was wearing my nice black chunky heel dress shoes. Yes, I’m definitely glad the other photographer saved my shoe, I love those things! However? Yeah, probably not the best for snow, at least not this much snow!
I think my favourite part of weddings is the tender embraces the couple share:
The cake was beautiful:
But there comes a time in every cake’s life when it must get cut. Now I don’t know what this groom was thinking as his bride waved the cutter about, aiming it right at him:
I’m pretty sure he wasn’t expecting one of his knights…er groomsmen… to shout and stop the cake cutting to present him with…
 "That's not a knife! THIS is a knife!" That’s right… a sword! For as we all know, those cake knives are rather puny. And when we’re talking steel? It’s all about the size, baby!
 Now THAT is a cake-cutting! Best. Cake. Cutting. EVER!
Of course, we then had to go have some fun, because if someone’s gonna bring a sword to a wedding…
Thank you, Katharine and Steve, for letting me share in your magical day! I wish you all the best in your life together.
Love ya you crazy kids!
To see more photos of Katharine and Steve’s magical day check out the slide show or the gallery!
–Have Camera, Will Travel
JS
Monday marked my first full day of Utah and to welcome me, there was loads of snow. Not just a little snow, like I left in Virginia. Loads. It was snowing when my friend’s kids went off to school. We seriously questioned our plans for the day.
Finally we deemed it safe to travel, but it was definitely an adventure!
The first thing on the busy schedule was to take my friend’s son to the doctor’s office for a pre-mission appointment. Like the good loving people we are, we left him to deal with the doctor on his own. Welcome to adulthood! HA!
We went over to the Bountiful Temple grounds nearby. Why? Because it was close and I like to take pictures! The problem? It was Monday! What on EARTH were we thinking? Hello? Monday is set aside by the LDS Church for families. No church activities. Which means? Yup… the Temples are locked up tight.
But that did not deter us! Yes, there’s a large fence around the grounds and it was as closed as closed could be… but we were in Utah. Yay for mountains, right? Well thank goodness for the mountains, we got some great angles by driving around the windy mountain roads!
I don’t know what my deal is, but I seem to travel and then end up with needing to take creative Temple angles. On the bright note, that makes for interesting photos!
After we got back from our travels, I did borrow my friend’s car and went back looking for more shots and managed to get this one as well:
After we checked out the Temple, being sorely disappointed about the closed gates, we tried to find something for me at a local music shop. You see, my husband wants a particular book of guitar music and we can’t find it out here in VA. I thought, well, it’s worth trying out west. After all, what’s the point of going to Mormon-land if you can get Mormon-type-stuff right? Absolutely! And guess what? THEY HAD IT! AWESOME! From now on, I’m just gonna email my poor Utah friend and be like, “Could you go see…” Hehehe. I’m bad. I know!
We picked up my friend’s son again and then raced to get him back to BYU in Provo before his scheduled class. The snow was still falling in Provo and so we had a bit of a white out situation going on. It was crazy bad. Like apparently there are mountains there… guess what? We couldn’t see them AT ALL! Crazy!
We walked around the BYU campus and I managed to find a little something for my kids and a friend back home. Not telling though because hello… that would totally spoil the Christmas fun! Right? Yeah! So you can be left in suspense. Sorry!
So wanna hear my shame? This former dancer, AKA humungo clutz girl, totally fell flat on my back like some sort of cartoon character in the parking lot. Nice, right? Go me! I so rock. This is why you should totally have me out taking pictures. Because I just randomly fall down and will bring much laughter to everyone.
Before leaving Provo, we decided to just try to go see the Provo Temple. I mean, how many times am I going to end up at Provo? In the snow? Right. Besides, we found ways to get photos before. So we could do the same, right? Yeah. Except the snow was crazy and we couldn’t hardly see anything. However, we lucked out. They were plowing the parking lot so I quickly got out and snapped some pictures in the freezing cold with snow-wet pants.
There’s a mountain RIGHT behind that Temple. Squint and look by the flag. You can get a hint of it. I know, crazy white out! Is it even crazier that I thought the white out effect was neat? Yeah, I’m weird. I’m blaming the fact it was around 0 degrees and a blizzard or whatever and I was in wet pants.
The last picture of the day was also at the Provo Temple. There was this statue… I loved it!
Back through the snow, waving at the MTC, we headed north once more. My friend had some piano students coming and then we made popcorn, old school style! I took some photos for her website and she posted about popcorn. Pretty awesome!
That was my first full day in Utah! Fun, right? And for those wondering? Yes, I am such a dork that I kept my eyes peeled and nearly squealed with delight when I saw the Salt Lake Temple! Yay, Temple!
–Have Camera, Will Travel (TO UTAH!)
JS
Because? I want to. And because it is pretty. Most of all, I do have contacts there who have made it seem as though I am welcome.
And I’ve always wanted to photograph the Salt Lake Temple! (And go inside. What can I say, I’m a Temple Addict!)
And if I happen to run across the MoTab? Awesome! I promise not to act like a foolish fangirl. (Seriously, can those people sing or what? *SWOOON*)
My husband and I are looking at a way to make this possible. I have one month to try to make it happen. This would involve planning the days to be gone, arranging for help with the family here (he is more than willing to do what it takes), and then — eeek — the finances! The plane ticket, the food, the everything.
Can I make it work? I might just be able to!
But hey, I’m the “Have camera, will travel” girl! I’d rather wear the same two outfits for a week and wash them in the bathroom sink if it means having my camera with me. HAHA, yes I’m that crazy! (Actually, I’m also a great packer. Thank goodness!) I know I have some Utah fans. (Goodness knows why! I say, “It’s good to have friends!!”)
Whatcha think? Anyone want me to come out for a quickie visit for a few days? Hey if you want photos, I’ll have the camera.
Not only that but there’s all those free hugs you get when you are around me! (I always give free hugs! I’m a believer in free hugs!)
No post is complete without a photo. So I’d like to show you my Christmas photo of the DC Temple. Don’t you think it is just asking for a friend? Like a Christmas photo of Salt Lake? Yeah, I totally agree!
–Have Camera, Will Travel (Hopefully to SLC!)
JS
You wanna know blown away? It’s having a friend call you on the phone and say her daughter likes your photos and then ask you to fly across the country.
I always liked Meg before her wedding. She was a fun, creative, intelligent woman with a crazy, wacky side I could totally relate to. Preparing to take her photos though? I grew to love her more than ever. And I began to look forward to taking the pictures of her special day because I just knew she’d be loads of fun.
We talked about where to shoot pictures at, and we finally decided to use the Mesa LDS Temple grounds. Colton and Meg did not get married there last year but this year they were sealed for their first anniversary. Rock on you, two. This is for you for eternity!
Because they weren’t getting married there, we decided we didn’t want to make the photographs Temple-centric which meant we needed to get real creative. After arriving, I realized there was no creativity needed. The Temple grounds are like this amazing park. So much beauty everywhere you turn. I hope I get to go back out there for pictures again.
We started out by a reflecting pool. The fun thing here was we were working around some sweet 16 portraits. Now let me tell you, I never thought to do Sweet 16 at a Temple, but it rocks to me! And these kids? Oh man were they just totally beautiful all dolled up. We tried to stay out of their way and I let Colton and Meg just be the sweet newlyweds of five minutes that they were.
I wanted to make sure they had something with the Temple in the background, but we also wanted to remain honest. I thought looking through the gate made it speak towards their goal to get inside someday. From the reaction of the guy just inside the gate, I’m not so sure many people take pictures on this side of the gate. It only took me standing in the middle of the street, so I’m not sure what the problem was!
Now you can’t go to Arizona and not get some cactus pictures. OK, well I can’t. I happen to think cacti are cool plants. They have a beauty that is unique. Maybe it’s just because I miss living in Arizona. Of course, going into this little patch, poor Meg got attacked by one of the prickly suckers! Ooops!
We found a nice bench for the two to take a break on. Meg just resting on her beloved. I love the look in his eyes!
Letting the two rest in the shade in the cool grass brought about some very tender moments. It was only about 108 and blazing hot under the harsh Arizona sun. Yeah, and she’s wearing that giant white gown and he’s in a full tux. I love a summery wedding and all, but do you ever wonder why it is we actually CHOOSE to subject ourselves to such fancy clothes in such heat? Love it but man do you start to want to melt!
But after taking a break, we decided to walk around to the back side of the Temple.
Me? I like to see newlyweds kiss. And kiss. And REALLY kiss!
Cause you are married now. So go for it!
We found this bench and I let them have some more time while I plotted. You see… a little birdie filled me in. Oh yes.
And so I asked them. With a chuckle they nodded and we decided to go for it.
The first time we failed, but it made for a really wonderful photo. But in the end…
Oh yeah. Colton can benchpress his bride. Even with the crazy heavy dress throwing off her center of balance. Now you tell me that guy isn’t hiding a cape under that tux? You know he is. Colton, you are obviously Superman! That so rocks!
I know. That’s cool. Right?
And did you see their shoes? I love it. Saddle shoes and wingtips. I told you. I love this couple!
Ahhh, young love. It’s so precious. You can look at their faces and see that unconditional love as well as the hopes and dreams of where their life will lead. With every couple I watch get married, I just hope that they can find a way to keep that. To hold on to it. To never ever let it go.
Hopefully I’ll get to go out to Arizona again sometime. I had so much fun! And I’d LOVE to be able to see Meg and Colton and everyone else again.
Meg, Colton? I love you two crazy kids. You two rock! Thanks for letting me share in your special day. And for about the zillionth time, congrats on your recent first anniversary and your trip to the Temple. If ever anyone deserves eternity? It’s you! Oh and btw, I love reading your blog and looking at pictures at your dogs! How about some new pix going up soon so I can show my dog?
–Have Camera, Will Travel
JS
June 25, 2009 I got to watch Jared and Rosemary get sealed for time and eternity in the Washington, DC Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
What makes this most special is that Jared is my husband’s brother! This wedding has been a long time coming and I’m so glad that we finally got there. They are so in love and absolutely adorable together.
The other thing about this wedding is I was not the photographer. However, I got with the photog and asked if he’d like someone to play second photographer and he totally went for it. So he pretty much ran the show and I was just along for the ride. It was interesting to see the way another photographer works.
I hear the photog isn’t going to be at the reception in NJ tonight so I plan to take my trusty camera and we’ll see what all we can get. Watch for another blog entry… but probably not quite as fast. I rushed through these, staying up until all hours of the night, so that I could get them done for family.
I ended up with some neat photos and I hope you enjoy looking at them. Because of how many photos there are, I’ve decided to embed them as a slideshow. So you just have to sit here and watch instead of having to scroll for 18 miles. Aren’t I just so nice? Let me know if you like the slideshow vs the…well… 18 miles of scrolling!
Sit back, and enjoy the ride. There’s 76 photos for your viewing pleasure!
–Have Camera, Will Travel
JS
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