Spring is in the air...

..and that means baseball season!

Growing up in Northern New Jersey doesn't leave you much choice for what baseball team you root for. You can either root for the Mets, and be on the short end of the stick all season, or you can be a Yankee fan. I was born into a Yankee household and can't picture my life any other way. BUT, I went to school in South Jersey where every one is a Phillies fan. Two years ago, North and South Jersey were at war... over bragging rights. Yes, thats right, the Yankees and Phillies were in the 2009 World Series!! So the campus looked like a gang war... you either wore red or blue. Of course there was more red because of the vicinity to Philadelphia. There were the dedicated Yankee fans, like myself, that had to hear all the trash talk, but in the end we were the ones that had the last laugh.

THE YANKEES WIN! THEEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN!

When the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, their fans literally tore the city apart during the parade. Luckily, Yankee fans aren't that obnoxious, so my Dad and I ventured into the city for the Yankee Parade! There were so many people that the police made a barricade a block away from the block the actual parade was going to be on. Thankfully, my Dad's fireman badge got us past the barricade. Like he said, the badge respects the badge. So we were front and center! (kind of.) We got as far as the crowd would let us, but it was far enough to see the parade!! Ok, enough talking, more pictures!!


Getting off the subway

Daddio in front of one of the floats

I'm with you buddy!

The confetti... most of it was shredded paper from the offices

Looking up at the confetti!

Matsui!!!!

A-Rod and Jay-Z!!!

I'm your Daddy!!

Johnny Damon!

Damon up close!

Texiera and CC Sabathia!

<3

JETER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andy Petite and his kids

Of course they saved the "Closer" for the last float!!

Mariano Riveria!

The aftermath of the confetti.

Today is opening day for the Yanks, and hopefully it's a good season! I would love to go to another parade!! On that note..

LET'S GO YANKEES!!

--Stephanie

Bright Night Lights

Salt Lake City has some really great views, even while driving on the freeway. From our apartment you can see clear across the valley, (as long as theres no inversion.) At night it really is an amazing thing to see. So a while back in October Chris and I found this really awesome spot in the Federal Heights area that had an awesome view of the capital. So when we had our friend, Mark, visit last week, we took him there to see the city. We also took a stop right in front of the capital to get some up close shots. You can see the capital pretty much any where you are in the valley because it sits up on the north side of the city. Here are some long exposure shots I experimented with. The first two are from the first time we went in October, the rest are from last week.


From our spot in Federal Heights

Down on State Street

The Capital

The long walk up

The great state of Utard.

Gotta love the bright night lights!

--Stephanie

Cowboy Grub!!

We all know the story of my life.. and if you don't I'll fill you in really quick. I moved out to Utah in August with hopes and dreams of finding the best, most awesome photography job ever, all while snowboarding and living the life, everyday. Well, seeing that dream hasn't fully come true yet, I still have to pay the bills. (don't we all.) So down the road about a mile is this little restaurant called the Cowboy Grub. So in September I went there, resume in hand, and talked to the manager. He said that they don't have any positions open currently, but if I don't hear from him to give him a call in about two weeks. Well a whole two days went by and I got a call! I started training, and well.. the rest is history, I am a waitress at the Cowboy Grub! Don't get me wrong, I love it there! Every one is super nice, the food is good, and they play country music all night! What's not to love?! ...Oh that's right.. I didn't go to college to be a professional waitress... (even though, I am pretty darn good at it.) No this isn't a sob story abut how I didn't find a job in my field, and yes, this story does have a point.

So, one fine day I over heard the owner, Kim and one of the managers, JR, talking about hiring a photographer. OBVIOUSLY, I told them I could help them with what ever photographic needs they had. No, I don't have professional lenses or lighting, like I would love to have, but yes, I take good pictures and work for free. So they let me be their photographer! I came in early one day and we had a photo shoot of some baked goods for their Halloween coupon mailer. I took a bunch and we experimented with different back rounds, but eventually I got a few good shots!












There was a few weeks before the coupon was actually mailed out, but my mailbox was one of the lucky ones to get it! Both times! Yep, that's right, they used my photos twice! (Of course I got some REALLY good food out of it, so it wasn't free) Here are the mailers that were sent all over the Valley!! (not the best scan.. sorry!)


October Mailer

November Mailer

Ok, ok, I know they are the same pictures on both mailers... but it doesn't matter! I'm just so grateful they chose to use me, and actually used my pictures! Thanks to the Cowboy Grub for giving me a job, and letting me be their advertising photographer for a day! I may not have gone to college to be a waitress, but at least I have a job!

--Stephanie

Puffs Plus Vicks.

So, I have been sick for the past few days. Drinking gatorade, blowing my nose til its raw, taking lots of meds, and popping ludens like it's going out of style have kept me pretty busy. Hopefully, I'll be better in a few days cause we have a friend over! Chris's friend Mark is here for a week and we want to show him a good time! .. but being sick wasn't in our plans. So while they are out tearing it up, I'll just post some pictures.

Back in April of 2010 my friend Erin asked me to come to Virginia Beach with her to shoot her Uncle's wedding. Even though I had never shot a wedding before, you know I jumped right on that! Unfortunately, the weather was kinda crummy so our beach shoot didn't last as long or work out the way we wanted it to. BUT her family is awesome! and it was a great wedding! (am I horrible that I cant remember their names?!?!?)


Before any guests arrived

Bride and Flower girl

The Bride waiting anxiously to start!

The outside Wedding Ceremony

Bride, Groom and daughter on beach

The beautiful Bride and Groom!

Bride dancing with her Dad

Bride and Groom first dance!

Cutting the cake!!

Dance Dance!!

Get your groove on!!

Then in May of 2010 my Aunt Cathy asked me to shoot my cousin Alysa's prom pictures! Again, of course I said yes! It turned out to be a beautiful day, and because prom isn't until later in the evening, the lighting was awesome. All the girls looked beautiful, especially Alysa!


Alysa and her date!

Putting on her corsage (with a broken wrist!)

Alysa trying to pin on the boutineer.

So cute!

Aria and her date.

Alysa and her friends.

Show me those heels!

All the gals.

All together now!

Shooting both of those events were pretty stressful. If you mess up their pictures, miss the shot, or they aren't happy with your work, you pretty much single handedly ruined their "day" and your reputation. I'm no pro, but I would like to get better at shooting events. Hopefully new lenses and better flashes will be in my future!!

--Stephanie