Teasers :: A Girl and her Pony

Teaser from today's shoot. Having an iPhone is so much fun sometimes.

Life :: Alyssa's Grad

Well, it was one of those weekends when I felt REALLY old... my 'fake-little-sister' graduated highschool.

Here's the kid I knew from the time she was about 6... I've known her through her first pony, her first ambulance trip, her first boyfriend... her first car! Boy this kid has grown up a lot.
This is the girl that hated the taste of alcohol... And we started the day off doing Jello Shots...

I've known her, and her mother, for so long... they're like family to me. Her mother has seen me at my best, and worst, and still thinks great things of me - I couldn't be more greatful!
She has also seen me grow my photography talent from a few measly photos... so here it is. My first paid gig! :)

I spent the entire day with her - from Jello Shots and family photos, to commencement, from hair and make-up appointments, to the grand march... And loved every minute of her. Some people enjoyed the stress more than others... but we all came together to support the 'girl of the day'.

I enjoyed every moment of it, and was glad I could be there for my 'little sister'. It's one of those moments where no matter what you say, the act of being there is better than anything else. :)

I got to play with some fun photography equipment (a flash I like to think I know how to use, a new lens, etc)... And was greatful for the opportunity.

And I'd like to point out, they say grad will be one of the best days of your life - But those people have too much faith in a single day. Your life is what you make of it. Hold your head up and smile lots, and everything will fall into place.
Well kid... love you bunches! Cheers to class of 2012!!!

Equine :: Alyssa and ImaFlyin / Mac's Little Gem

Mac's Little Gem

This past weekend, I was able to spend some much needed time out at the barn... and with one of my favorite people. Doing a 'photo-shoot' with Alyssa and her ponies has been something I have been looking forward to doing for a while, and something we have planned to do lots, but for one reason for another, just kept falling through the cracks. I have to say, the largest reason was probably single-handedly the weather. Let's think this through, Mother Nature has thrown us shit until the last two weeks..

Sunday just so happened to be a day I can spend all day out at the barn, a day Alyssa wasn't working, and a day Mother Nature decided to give us some sunshine and warmth... for the most part. We managed to luck out... Between the shoots, it spit and dribbled some rain, after the shoots... it poured.

Alyssa and ImaFlyin "Fayth"

Alyssa was game enough (or stupid enough?) to take out both her current ponies - starting with ImaFlyin (aka Fayth). Fayth her her off the track project horse she's training up, showing a little, and hoping to flip out the door in the next year for some quick cash, and time for her new 'Spruce Meadows' mount. For an otherwise 'meat horse', Fayth has come an exceptionally long way. Although I still don't trust her as far as I can throw her, she is quite smart, and learns quickly...

Fayth does have character...

Following Fayth was her tried and true show mount, Mac's Little Gem (aka Gem). Gem is a star... most of the time. Today was hard, and doing some gymnastic jumps, for whatever reason lost a lot of confidence... so Alyssa worked at building up the confidence, and worked on her own two point position at the same time.

Alyssa and Mac's Little Gem "Gem"

It was definately the day for stupid faces...

In addition to our lovely planning, Alyssa's mother decided to (not so) secretly hint that she had no good photos of her horse, Blue Moon (aka Lily)... So Alyssa and I managed to pull our butts out of the sand, and trudge back and forth throughout the field to get some of those anticipated, coveted shots of Lily...

Blue Moon "Lily"

Alyssa and Lily

Hopefully this one shoot with be the beginning of many...