How to properly beach comb

 I thought this would be a cute way to share some iPhone pictures from my vacation.

Step 1. Find a relaxing coastal place, such as Miami. 

Step 2. Make your way down to the beach early in the morning (after a few caramel lattes)

Step 3. During low-tide, walk gingerly along the shore

Step 4. Survey the spoils of the hunt.

Step 5. Choose your favorite shell. Perhaps one that resembles the Cheetos you ate for breakfast.

Step 6. Find a hammock and take a nap, because your on vacation!

The photo-centric engagement

I recently met with a future bride named Cassie . Over a caramel latte at Starbucks in Ann Arbor, she shared with me her amazing story of her Canon Christmas proposal.

Last year, Cassie was just starting out in photography. She had big photo dreams and had been diligently saving money to purchase her first DSLR camera.

 When Christmas time rolled around, Cassie and  her boyfriend Brandon got family & friends together for a Christmas party. Once everyone had arrived, Brandon handed Cassie a box and told her to open her gift. She felt worried because they had both agreed not to buy each other gifts that year. (Cassie’s brother stood by with video camera in hand.) When she opened the box she saw the word Canon and started shaking with excitement. Tears streamed down her cheeks as She took the Rebel Xsi out of the box. Brandon handed her a memory card to use in the camera. He said, “Check the card to make sure there aren’t any of my old photos on it”. She hit the play button and this is the image that popped up.

 When she looked at Brandon he was down on one knee. Brandon looked up at Cassie and asked “ I love you, will you marry me?”

Cassie just stood there in amazement, holding the camera, holding her breath, smiling, crying, looking at Brandon. Her brother, still holding the video camera shouted “Well, are you gonna say yes?” She looked around to realize that all eyes where on her, waiting for her to say something, anything.

She exclaimed “yes, yes, yes”, and the celebration began!

Brandon purchased Cassie the engagement ring in October & had planned on popping the question then. However, he decided to wait until Christmas because his brother had just become engaged.  Brandon knew how special the camera would be to Cassie and thought it was a perfect vehicle to deliver a proposal. Brandon took 72 shots to get the image above.

Their wedding is scheduled for June 2012.

As a female wedding photographer,  this is the kind of story that just pulls at your heartstrings.

How sweet, photography love to the umph power.

The Beach

The best time to shoot at the beach is early morning or late evening/ sunset, that's when you get the sweet light.
 But sometimes your schedule works out differently and you can't go until mid-day. If you want the photo to truly speak of the landscape it's self, then you have the option of cloning out any beach-goers.
Which is exactly what I did in this photo, removing 6 out of 7 people. So who is the person standing in the surf? Another photographer. I just couldn't bring myself to clone him out, after all he was there doing the same thing I was.

Photo tip- Sand is a camera's mortal enemy. It can cause all sorts of havoc. So opt for a disposable water camera from the drug store. If your really have your heart set on taking your camera, place it in a clear ziplock baggy and rubber band the body and lens of the camera so the bag is tightly against it. Then, go ahead and get your feet wet.