Once Upon a Time....

I know I love to throw out “Best weekend ever!” quite often, but I soooo whole heartedly mean it for this past weekend.  Here I go, entering total fangirl mode:

Somehow, in my years of being a total TV nerd, I’d never hit a con before. While I loved the idea of doing something like Comic Con since most of the time my “Once Upon a Time” peeps are there – it’s so incredibly large and intense! So when OUAT peeps got added to Spooky Empire, it seemed like a great opportunity. And when Lana Parrilla got added – there was no way around skipping this con. This con is typically a Horror convention (Robert Englund typically appears to be the most popular there each year), and this was their first year branching out a little bit. It was a massive success, as the crowd Lana attracted was INSANE. Even after years of fan fair, I’ve never seen anything like her lines.  Clearly, the Evil Queen is QUITE loved.

Fortunately, we were VIP Pass holders. VIP passes got to get in the doors an hour earlier, and then we also got to jump the auto and photo lines.

I flew out of Nashville Friday  to Orlando with an old friend Robin. Immediately we got off the plane and saw this Snow White figure sitting outside the Disney World shop. So obviously I did what any Evil Queen fan would do—I choked Snow White so I could tweet it to Lana. Starting the trip off right.

Spooky is a GREAT con, although slightly unorganized in some aspects. We picked up our VIP passes and immediately rushed to the photo op table so we could purchase a photo op with Lana for the weekend. Instead of letting us buy an op for a specific day (she had a scheduled photo op for Saturday and then for Sunday) – the photographer gave us our passes and said to use it either day. Yikes! That meant they had NO IDEA how many people would be at the Saturday op and Sunday op. We had planned on Saturday, but it seemed like a horrible idea to tell people they could use it whenever when Lana attracts such a crazy, intense crowd & was on a tight schedule. But we breathed a huge sigh of relief when we had our passes in hand.

We spent our Friday after that in the rest of the Once Cast room - getting our favorite guy – Sean Maguire. Swoon, Swoon, Swoon. Love this guy, and aside from being ridiculously hot,  he’s one of the sweetest ever and crazy talented. No really, I love this guy. Once is my jam, and I’ve been in love with Josh Dallas since I started watching it, but….Sean took his place super quick.

I was so "I need to look nice for Sean, I will meet him when I look nice!" and then we walked in and I was like oh sweet Jesus. But oh well - I was at least wearing my Evil Queen tee. 

We had our “hooray, we survived getting Lana Parrilla photo passes!” celebration at this awesome place at Universal Citywalk. Seriously, our hotel could not have been in a more awesome location – directly across the street was Universal Studios, so it took us about 6 minutes to get back in the actual park area of Universal and boom, we’re overwhelmed with places to eat.

Saturday marked the arrival of the Queen, and when I say it was crazy, I mean IT WAS CRAZY. Even the staff said “I’ve never seen anything like this!”  They weren’t really prepared for her crowd, as evidenced by a bit of a mess the lines for her were. There are only 200 VIP passes, but I swear 90% of those people got in Lana’s line. We were in the first few folks in Lana’s line,  surrounded by so many great folks. The most awesome part about Once’s fan base is there was SUCH a variety of people there. Everyone aging from 2 years to 15 to 20 to 40 to 80, women with friends, husbands tagging along with some – it was just such a great variety of people. And when she walked in the room, people went crazy. There was something heartwarming about seeing the 65 year old woman in line with us screaming for the Evil Queen.

I’ve met so many celebrities in my time, and I make no exaggerations when I say that Lana Parrilla is hands down THE absolute nicest one I’ve ever met in my life. This is zero exaggeration. It’s quite rare – especially when it’s someone THIS popular that had lines snaking all the way down the hotel outside – for someone to want to know your name, hold fans hands as they talk to her, intently listening, commenting on their stories – and flat out CRYING with some fans.  No one was rushed through – while it looked like you might be, she wasn’t having any of that. Some of us spent 5 minutes asking questions, telling her what we thought about the show, current storyline – or in my case, asking a specific question about an episode. And that split second I said I wanted to ask about this episode, she stopped what she was doing to intently listen. I was so so impressed. Impressed enough that we went through Lana’s lines multiple times, giving us a total of 5 meetings with her. Cons are quite expensive, especially when you start adding up the cost of meeting some of the higher priced ones like her (especially since we had to pay for our photo op separately…you don’t even want to know what we spent on autographs and photos on top of everything else this trip!), but man it’s worth every penny. Everything I got signed I got exactly what I wanted – down to my favorite line of hers on the show. This people, is how you treat your fans. Pure class.

It’s hard to believe it got even better Saturday night with the VIP party, but it did. More time with the swoon worthy Sean, and grabbing some time with a few of the other cast members. (Who knew we’d love Rebecca Mader as much as we did when we hated her character all season!? And Lee Arenburg is a total sweetheart!)  It was a “is this real life?” moment.  And bless Sean’s heart for trying to get us an Outlaw Queen pic we wanted so desperately. It didn’t work with the mob, but man I love this guy.

Have I mentioned how much I love this man!?

The Wicked Witch is actually a MASSIVE sweetheart! 

And Lee Arenburg is far from Grumpy!

The cast panel was Sunday morning, and not only was it a FABULOUS panel (probably one of my favorites, but I’m an Outlaw Queen nerd, so having the two of them together on the panel for the first time probably has something to do with that), Sean made sure we got the gold we’d been wanting all weekend!

Part of the cast panel.

and our beloved Outlaw Queen!

and then the gold! Sean and Lana totally played everything up and we got exactly what we wanted.

We loved the last one so much we had to have it printed & make Lana sign it before we left – which almost made us late catching our flight home! (No seriously, we were massive panicking in Lana’s line Sunday, but we refused to leave. Once they said she was running late, we played the “Okay, she gets 30 more minutes. Okay, we can give her 30 MORE minutes if we have to. Okay….maybe we’re getting a little panicked.”) But alas, something in the Universe wanted us to get it signed, and we not only made it to the airport in time, MCO put us in the expedited security line so we’d get to our gate even quicker.

Seriously, best weekend ever. I’m such a tv junkie.  I’m so sad it’s over. We’ll be heading to Vancouver soon to visit the set and that can’t get here quick enough. But first…..we’ll hit Dragon Con so we can see our Sean again! 

Beachin' It....

I'm finally home after the MOST amazing vacation ever! This past weekend in Orlando was more than I ever even imagined -- but more on that tomorrow, when I actually have a chance to gather some of my thoughts!

Before I headed to Orlando, it was girls beach weekend time! We chose Orange Beach, AL this year. We probably wouldn't choose it again for next year, and would opt for Gulf Shores - while Orange Beach was BEAUTIFUL, and we were right on the beach...it's so inconvenient for getting around. We wanted to be able to walk everywhere like we did in Pensacola. That totally didn't happen. There was an abundance of liquor stores (too bad we bring our own wine!), and a very select few restaurants. We ended up walking a mile to find even one surf shop.

But that said, it was an incredible lazy beach weekend!

On the way, we stayed in Montgomery, AL to stop at Hank Williams grave site, a must for vintage Country nerds like us. As we were there we spotted signs for a Museum, so we jumped at the chance to go while in town! The museum said no photos period, but...you know I don' t listen too well, so I snuck a few on my phone.

so beautifully done

I freaked OUT when we saw this, an old Opry program from 1952. What I wouldn't give to get my hands on that, the line up was absolutely incredible. 

A horrible pic, but I was trying to take it pretty quickly. We did NOT expect to see the vehicle Hank died in inside the museum. They really did a great job on having so many incredible artifacts.

And then we were beach bound! Well, kind of. First we got hit by some lady who CLEARLY did not know how to drive! Thank goodness it was a stop light - we were in the right lane, she was in the left - and decided she needed to turn right so she just did without thinking. Thankfully, we had barely started to move and she just scraped us and there was super minimal damage to the besties car.  NOT how we wanted to start the trip off though.

A little beach pic spam...

we made it! beach babies for the weekend!

the best view in the world, with a good book, the beach in front of me and George Jones playing on our speakers.

another good view, wine on the beach! yes, we always rep our Kentucky Blue when we go to the beach!

the extent of our weekend, seriously.

one of the nights there we sat out with the speakers, had a massive Jeannie Seely sing along while watching the sun go down over the beach. It's hard to get better than that. 

After well over a week of being on multiple vacations & having the trip of a lifetime this past weekend, it's back to reality and work for me tomorrow. Such a bummer. 

Happy Monday!

life is made up of moments....

I feel like I say this every year: It is SO incredibly easy to have photographer burnout every  Christmas season. This year might be the absolute worst I've had it.  I've been so bombarded with client work. The past few weeks I took a nice little break, and now I'm absolutely swimming in client orders. And it seems like Christmas makes so many people go....crazy, some of the calls & emails I've gotten recently have made me literally want to tear my hair out.

This week in particular, I dealt with a few less than pleasant folks & literally wanted to walk outside and start screaming. It's moments like this that make me not enjoy what I do -- and THAT is the worst feeling in the world. And I don't think I've ever felt it as strongly as I did this week.  Every year I say I'm going to make changes the following year so it doesn't happen again, but I've never meant it as much as I did today! (and I really am going to start shooting more for "me" next year!)

Thankfully, one of my very favorite clients text me shortly thereafter to schedule her gender reveal session. It couldn't have come at a better time. I shot this sweet couple's engagement photos, their wedding, anniversary, and now the fun of having their first child. Every big moment in their lives --- she's turned to me to capture it. And THAT reminded me of why I love doing what I do.

I hate to go full nerd on everyone and quote my show, but on Once Upon a Time this week, Charming & Snow both used the line about "Life is made up of moments, good ones, bad ones, but they're all worth living." and I absolutely loved it, because it's so true - and I live for capturing those moments. And with that....favorite shots from this year that I took for ME, that renewed my love for being behind the lens - for every moment, big or small. Images I can look at and immediately be back in the exact incredible moment I was in when I took it.

It's no secret P was a huge inspiration in everything I wanted to do. I discovered my love of design from starting the website, and I learned my love for photography from all the shooting I did at shows. I am convinced my absolute best work happens when I'm taking pictures of her- maybe it has something to do with having spent so much of my life at her concerts.  I love this picture, especially since I'm so obsessed with black & white. 

This one time, for my 30th birthday, the bestie & I went to see Merle Haggard & Loretta Lynn in the same weekend. Most amazing weekend ever. And the moment I look at this picture, I'm taken back to moments like us singing along to "Mama Tried"....you know, with Merle-freaking-Haggard standing in front of us. (PS: I really really really love Merle Haggard) 

I love my babies more than life itself. And how grossed out Kadin is that I asked his sisters to kiss his cheek (yet he can't stop laughing about it!) makes me smile every time I look at this. 

I love baby toes. There's nothing happier than baby toes. Especially when they belong to one of my new baby cousins that is one of the happiest, sweetest babies I've ever seen in my life. 

My 4th of July was full of Bourbon, in my beloved Lexington, with my bestie. What better way to celebrate Independence Day than doing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? This helps sum up my entire year--- usually on the road with my bestie & Chris.

My nephew, ever the inquisitive one since Granny passed away, asked me out of the blue in the car one day what I thought angels might sound like, and without a single thought, "Emmylou Harris" is what came out of my mouth. I'm pretty sure I'm right.

The bestie & I saw Don Williams(!!!) this year - an artist that was on my "Concert Bucket List"! I completely fan-girled when I heard "Lord I Hope This Day is Good" live. Hello, one of the greatest songs ever written.

This is just one of my favorites.  As I mentioned, Liz Lamoreux's blog of Capturing Where I Stand inspired me to start shooting where I stood. Standing toe to toe with Johnny Cash's boots might be one of the highlights of my year. And capturing where I stand will be prominent in my 2014.

Mango Margaritas on the beach. Because is there a better way to spend Memorial Day weekend than in Pensacola with your best friend, drinking while having an epic Loretta Lynn sing-a-long on the beach? 

And a client shot that was one of my faves from the year --- from the aforementioned client who helped put some things in perspective!

I'm glad 2013 is almost over...my camera is going to stay busy! So many trips & concerts in the works...(unless P decides to do a few shows. Then it's "cancel all things!!!" and go see P!) I think I might be away even more next year than I was this year! (How is that possible!?) Here's to 2014! 

Ohio! Part 1

August is officially here! My favorite month - and it's not just because I really love my birthday and celebrate all month long (no really, we pretty much are celebrating all month long this year! I may be an end of August baby, but I'm still an August baby and I hate celebrating my birthday in September!)- but I really love how HOT August is too!

You know, I travel a lot. We are always taking weekend trips everywhere we can - so I really should be accustomed to packing and unpacking. But for some reason, when I come home, it takes me FOREVER to unpack and get situated. Mom & I got home Monday night from our trip to Ohio, and I may or may not be partially living out of my suitcase still. I'm such a slacker, I know.

Some pretty great picspam from my fabulous Ohio trip ahead..... We had such a great time. I have a lot of Aunts & Uncles on my fathers side (compared to my mom's side, where I only have one of each), which means I have a lot of cousins. And, as it often happens when you don't live in the same area with your extended family - I don't keep up with a lot of my cousins. Well, I say that, but I guess I actually do "keep up" with a majority of my cousins - I'm just not close to them all. However, my cousin Emily & I have been partners in crime  since we were little.  It's been a year and a half since I had seen her, when I flew out to California for our Epic Thanksgiving adventure in 2011, so we were totally overdue for a visit! Not to mention, I was super stoked at getting some time in with my Uncle Scott, Aunt Faye, Cousin Dan & his wife Alice & all their boys! (Especially since I hadn't seen some of them in a few YEARS!) I won't be back until December, which isn't the ideal time to be able to be out in my Aunt's AMAZING back yard garden & play with the boys, so this trip was so perfect.

I know, I know, it's a long post --- I will break it down ;) Here's our first two days of vacation!

Before we went to see anyone, we went straight to the cemetery. Honestly, I think we had to mentally prepare ourselves for this moment - it's just never going to feel right to have to go to the cemetery to see my precious granny! 

Hanging out with my Aunt June & Uncle Gay. Seriously, are they not totally adorable?

Nothing better than baby toes! The split second Alice and Dan brought the boys to my Uncle Scott's house  and put them down, I started snapping toe pics. 

This was the HOORAY! TWIN COUSINS REUNITED pic!

Playing with my sweet cousin Gavin.  Probably one of the coolest kids you'd ever meet!

Aidan is such a great kid - such a good big brother! The last time I saw him he was a baby, and my cousin Emily might have had to pry him away from my aunt to give him to me --- hooray for having four kids to spoil and play with this time, there was plenty to go around ;)

I know ladies, Jacob is probably making your ovaries ache right now. We've been joking about his Gerber baby pose in the lower picture. I could EAT THIS BABY UP!

I could eat THIS baby up too - Baby Lucas is so precious. Look at those eyes!

For lunch Friday, we went to a Geneva on the Lake staple - Eddie's Grill. Love this place...and my Granny was a frequent visitor to this place -- to the point that we had to call Eddie when she passed away to let him know. He loved her! 

They have some pretty fab burgers, mixed with great fries -- which taste amazing with vinegar (try it, you'll thank me), and last but not least - the best root beer you'll ever have, even if you don't like RB!

We got some time in at the lake....how beautiful is that!?

twin cousin selfie at the beach. This is pretty much how we are the entire time we're together. Well, that's when we're not obnoxiously singing (more on THAT later, we might have made some pretty epic videos this weekend. 

and then we went on the playground and acted like 4 year olds together. deja vu! 

Love this girl!  And if these pics aren't enough to show our fun....the video below should, just make sure to scroll over it and turn the volume on in the top left corner ;)

We went to dinner with our old neighbors Friday night --- neighbors I actually have a ton of memories of! 

And then we hit some local spots! Cheers from Billy's Martini Bar! RUN there and get the cherry kiss martini, because you'll die at how amazing it is.

I don't even remember where we were at this one! Maybe at "Just One More", where we went after checking out Em's new apartment? All I know is it was another moment where one of us got our phones out & we both instantly posed. We're pretty awesome like that ;)

Proof that Emily got me, the non beer drinker, to try a beer! No really, this never happens!

That sums up my Thursday & Friday in Ohio pretty much! Now to enjoy Friday night at home - tomorrow it's movies with the sis, Mom & Kiddos again! Happy weekend!