New Lens with a Family Photo Session

OK...last night, I got to use my new lens taking some pictures of some of my favorite people in the world...members of Leslie's family. I love them all and I loved the opportunity to test out this 85mm lens on some portrait shots of the families and the other group shots we did. I will revise this to include a photo here, but I want to ask them first if I can use one of them.

The grandchildren were all ready for some big smiles for the camera as well. When we finished with the photos, the older group of cousins, none of which are from this area, headed to the Starbucks in Target located in Monaca but ended up following the GPS down the ever scary (especially on a dark night like we had) Freedom-Crider Road to end up in Cranberry! Everyone got home safely after the adventure. Like I told Betsy, I just wanted a Chai Latte anyway! :-) This will be one of those stories that is revisited...often!

About the pictures, the overcast sky worked to our advantage and the mums around the back patio added some nice background color for the pictures. I had fun and I think the family did too! I hope they all enjoy the photos!

Photography

Photography has long been a hobby for me. I have always enjoyed snapping lots and lots of photos at family events and in nature as well as on vacations. This picture was taken at the end of July this year at Niagara Falls. I just like it. Why? I've been to the Falls a number of times now and have witnessed many things including the ice bridge that forms. However, this was the first time that I saw the fully contained rainbow that forms from the "American Falls" to the "Horseshoe Falls" on the Canadian side. This picture doesn't show the complete rainbow, but with this one, well, every time I look at it, I think I would not want to be the one to look for the leprechaun and his pot of gold where this rainbow is originating!

Anyway, the reason I am writing this initial blog is to let it be known how I have had the pleasure of expanding my interests in the area of wedding photography. It really happened quite by accident. My friend Kelley insisted that I take her wedding pictures. I didn't want to but she said that it would be my wedding present for her if I would just be willing to try it. I made her promise that if I ruined her wedding photos that she wouldn't hate me! I used my trusty Canon Rebel S and took around twelve rolls of film. She was happy with them. Then, my uncle asked me to take the pictures at his wedding the following year. Then, someone heard about me from someone at one of those weddings, and it has just taken off. The thing is...I really do love weddings. The moments captured with my digital camera now are memories for the couple and their family to cherish.

I will add blogs about some of the upcoming events as they occur and may go back and add a couple from the more recent events. So check back soon!