This Blog is Moving!

My blog recently underwent a MAJOR overhaul and has moved to a new permanent home. Please update your blog reader to www.acarrollphotography.net to catch all the new updates and fabulous posts!

A little teaser of the first post of the new blog...

Marathon Boudoir Session : : Announced!

Little Dylan : : 1 Year Session

Little Dylan is turning 1 in just a few short weeks and came down to the studio for a fun session complete with cupcakes and playing outside...enjoying the warmer temps we've been having!

Dylan's big blue eyes are completely captivating. A total cutie!

To make Dylan laugh his parents were running around and scuffling (is that a word?) their feet on the ground making. To Dylan, it was totally hilarious!

Our Photography Workshop : : Recap!

Ok so our workshop yesterday...SO totally amazing! I have been excited for weeks about Jen and I teaching our first full-day photography workshop, but the group of photographers we had attending yesterday totally made the class even better than I could have imagined! Throw in two sassy models, some perfect pre-spring weather and we had ourselves a pretty fabulous day!

We covered the gamut from talking about running a successful photography business, to teaching how to shoot in different lighting conditions using flash, reflectors and off-camera flash, both indoors and outdoors. It was a lot to take in, but these photogs had some amazing images to show off afterwards. We finished our day talking about editing and doing some image critiques.

Did you miss out on this workshop but want to be involved in the next? We are starting a mailing list for the workshops we'll be hosting in the future so if you want your name to be added, email either myself at amy@acarrollphotography.com or Jen at jen@jkphotographyonline.com.

Our senior model, Shawn, who was rocking some amazing poses for our students.

Jenn totally focused on her subject

Jen (we had three Jen's attending our class) getting into her angles

Action shot!

After lunch, we had Amy in her wedding dress and posing by our very cool freight elevator down the hall from our studio doors working with some off-camera lighting.

Thanks to all those who attended! Both Jen and I hope it was a great experience!

Amy + Carlo : : Preview Gallery

Saturday, March 7, 2009

I'm having a hard time coming up with words to sum up this wedding. So while I will give you the low-down, I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

First of all, Amy and Carlo are the sweetest couple! Not only are they sweet, but their family and friends were gracious and sincere and completely came together to make this day what it was. Amy's vision combined with a seriously fabulous list of vendors, made it one of my favorite weddings to date! I also had the fabulous Darrin Wassom alongside me all day helping me shoot, light, and even hoisting me on his shoulders to get a shot after the ceremony. That's some serious dedication to helping me get a great picture!

Helping hold it all together was the lovely Aletha of Pearls Events along with her two assistants for the day, Julie Strating was on staff to give Amy and her mom the perfect look with her makeup artistry, Amy's gown is from one of my favorite bridal shops in West Michigan, September's Bride, Gail VanderLaan rocking out some seriously amazing flowers, Becca of Lil Miss Cupcake providing her trademark tasty cupcakes, Rick Reuthers providing the music and singing, and a reception at one of my favorite venues, The Amway Grand.

I love this shot of Amy's mom, watching her little girl transform into a bride

Sisters!

I adore these bridal portraits. Amy, you are SO pretty!

These flowers were out of this world...gorgeous!

And we're off to the church!

St. Mary's is SUCH a beautiful cathedral!

This shot was taken from Darrin's shoulders. There was this horrendous trash receptacle right in front of the group and as it was raining, we didn't want to move them from the awning. Darrin stepped in like a champ and saved the day!

Smile with your eyes Carlo!
(I love a man who knows America's Next Top Model references!!)

Amy and Carlo are graduating this May from law school. It's also how they met so we had to get some shots in the tasteful and scholarly Lumber Baron Bar in the Amway Grand.

Before the reception, there was a cocktail hour in the upper balcony of the Imperial Ballroom. The candybar/place cards were a big hit!

Amy + Carlo - I loved loved loved working with you both and hope your both enjoying your time in Mexico. Enjoy your preview and can't wait for you both to see the rest of your pictures!

Featured : : Shore Bride Magazine!

I was so excited to open up my mail yesterday and see the latest Shore Bride Magazine that featured some of my favorite weddings and sessions from this past season!

Check out their website here, as they offer lots of fabulous planning tools and articles for those of you planning your big days!

Veronica + Iker : : Preview Gallery

Friday, March 6, 2009

After their wedding ceremony, Veronica, Iker and their friends and family met at my studio for some formal pictures. This was the first time taking pictures of a bride and groom in the studio!

Iker had just arrived in the States from Spain a week before, traveling with his friends. Veronica and her family were a loving, joyful group. We rocked out a fun session and celebrated the love these two share.

Looking totally adorable in her bird cage veil

And the handsome groom

Veronica's parents were so cute. I couldn't resist letting them snuggle in front of the camera too!

The whole group, looking totally fierce

Congratulations you two!

Amy + Carlo : : Married!

Amy + Carlo's wedding yesterday was nothing short of completely fabulous. I knew when I shot their engagement session last spring that this was a wedding to look forward to and I was not disappointed! Look for their fabulous preview gallery later this week.

Veronica + Iker : : Married!

Congratulations to Veronica and Iker, who were married in a small ceremony yesterday. Look for their preview gallery later this week!

Last Chance : : Workshop Sign Up Next Saturday!

Due to increasing demand, Jen and I have decided to make all your wishes come true and host a FULL DAY WORKSHOP!

We are super excited about this and have done a ton of brainstorming about what we should include and teach you!

Here are all the juicy details:

Cost: $500 (or $350 per person for studio teams)

Date: March 14th, yes, finally a Saturday!!

Times: 10am -6pm

Whats in the bag?

Getting your business started, branding yourself, advertising and marketing tips by the pro’s (us)
Shooting RAW and JPG, Manual settings, working with natural light, using flash, off camera flash and post process of your images and just about anything else your little heart desires!
We will be spending a majority of the day working in our studio building with a little side trip included in the afternoon for some location work.

Who is this class for?

If you consider yourself an amateur photographer or beginner, then this may not be the class for you.

This class is for people who have working knowledge of their DSLR cameras and flash. Please bring with you the following items:

Your camera
Any lenses you have
Your flash
Memory cards
If you have a laptop, please bring that as well
A notebook to take notes with

Deposits are $100 to hold your spot. We will be providing morning coffee and yums with lunch being provided in the afternoon.

We will also have a bride and groom plus a high school senior to model for us!

To ensure everyone gets enough hands on attention we are limiting the amount of sign ups, so act fast!

Please email me amy@acarrollphotography.com or Jen info@jkphotographyonline.com for more information, questions or to sign up!

Thanks to everyone who has given us suggestions and requests over the past year on what they would like to see! We look forward to a fabulous day and can’t wait to share this course with you!

Jack : : Two Year Session

Today little Jack came in for his two year session and I couldn't believe what a difference just a few months makes. I've been photographing this little one since...well...since he was still in the belly ;) Today he walked in a toddler, chatting away and looking totally grown up.

The lovely Julie

This year, Jack got to indulge in his favorite snack for his session.

Totally rocking his hair.

I asked Julie to sit down for this picture before I had Jack sit by her. Her bright blue eyes were the same color as the door behind her and I couldn't resist snapping a few pics.

The whole family. Adorable.

Lindsay + Justin : : Engaged!

Yesterday I traveled down to Chicago for my friend Lindsay and her fiance' Justin's engagement pictures!

Lindsay and I have been friends since high school and I couldn't be more excited for her and Justin's wedding this spring! This past December, Justin proposed to Lindsay on a cold, snowy day in Chicago and because it was the city that started the planning for their big day this year, we headed there for their fabulous engagement session. It was cold, windy and bitter, but they smiled anyway and were sports for whatever crazy idea I had. Totally love them for it!

And you may remember Justin from a quick shoot I did for him last year when I was promoting his fabulous videography business, My Life in a Movie.

Congratulations again you two! It was a great day in the city yesterday :)







The very place Justin proposed!










Justin's two daughters, Willow and Ginger, were along for the fun and we had to include them in the fun!