Jessi and Daniel Bamforth Wedding

I had the great honor of being a second shooter for a good friend and great photographer Melissa Hohler of Hohler Photography, for a beautiful Wedding in Sellersburg, Indiana. The Bride and Groom had a beautiful day full of family and friends to celebrate there perfect day. The weather even cooperated and did exactly what we wanted it to do. Congratulations to the beautiful couple!!

If you want to see some of Melissa’s Work you can find her at: http://hohlerphoto.smugmug.com and http://hohlerphotography.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Melissa

As many of you know I love art, hence my love of photography. I love everything that goes into art, the thought process, the ideas trying to manifest in different ways. The creating, the capturing, and the feelings that go into it, and that are revealed through it. Art is a way to see into the artists sole, a chance to see how they truly feel.

And that is why when Melissa asked me if we could do a mutual photo shoot for each other I saw it as the perfect opportunity to express myself, with myself. It’s not often that a photographer gets to have there picture taken, unless they take pictures of themselves, and I was never very good at that. And any chance to spend time with people and share your story, and hear a little bit of theirs is something I never miss. I love a good story, as I am sure most of us do.

Here are my two favorite shoots I took of Melissa on our “Creative Story Sharing Day.”

 If you want to see more visit me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150239529165767.370704.149661450766#!/pages/Written-with-Light-Photography/149661450766

A Little Some Thing To Knit About

This is a little business that I love. I’m a big fan of anyone who makes photography props, and sells them at a good price, and the quality of her products are far better then I have seen anywhere else and most prop companies charge much more.

But “Some Thing To Knit About’s” Baby hats are not just for Photographers, they are perfect for anyone with a baby or that knows someone with a baby.

I just got a few Props from her myself, and I love them. And if you don’t believe me try her hats for yourself at http://www.etsy.com/shop/somethingtoknitabout .

 

 Her shop is new but it is great, Give it a try.

August 28th Wedding

This is a Wedding I helped with last year.

The Wedding went like most, almost everything fell into place and others needed a little coxing, but everything turned out perfect. Lauren and Adam, chose to see each other before the Wedding, which is a new tradition I like a lot. I had spent time with both of them prior to them seeing each other and they were both a bundle of nerves, that were quickly released as soon as they saw each other. After they spent some time alone we went on to take all the group pictures, so they’d be done before the Wedding. The Yarrow Golf Course was the perfect back drop not only for the formal pictures but for the Wedding as well.

Lauren surprised many of the family when they discovered that her something blue were, Blue Converse, but others like her father were not surprised because that was what she always wore to all her proms and formal events growing up.

At the reception Adam’s two Best Men, gave two entirely different kinds of speeches. Adam’s brother went first with a touching and deep speech he had written on a napkin a few hours before, and his best friend finished it up with a light hearted speech he had been planning since his Wedding, two months and three days prior.

I must thank both Lauren and Adam for letting me be a part of there special day, and also Rose for letting me help her take the pictures.

You can also find us on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Written-with-Light-Photography/149661450766

Warmth in the Storms of Life

Here we are in Michigan, and everyone and everything is pulling inward to stay warm stocking up on food and supplies. And this little Orchid decides it’s going to open and shine a light, warming up the world around it.

If only there were more people like this little flower. Can you imagine a world that opened itself up when others were pulling away. If one person started and touched a few other people, even if those people didn’t carry on the blessing the world would still be that much warmer.

Stay safe and warm for this storm, but don’t let the storms of life put out the warmth you should be sharing.

Don't Forget to check out "Written With Light Photography" on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Written-with-Light-Photography/149661450766

TEEN IDENTITY PHOTOGRAPHERS PLEDGE

I agree to uphold and promote these ideals:

1. I will provide a photo/video session experience with teen girl clients designed to elevate their self esteem, make them feel beautiful and empowered.
2. Any photos and videos I (or my studio) create portraying teen girls will be done without over-sexualizing the subject. Photos and videos will be created tastefully, preserving the “innocence” of youth, yet at the same time striving to reveal the true personalities of our subjects.
3. Each year I (or my studio) will donate whatever time I can afford towards a Teen Identity approved organization or project designed to raise self-esteem in teen girls, empower teen girls, or address some issue of social injustice facing teen girls. This may include, but is not limited to, pro bono photo sessions for teen girls in economically depressed neighborhoods; teaching photography and/or video workshops on behalf of Teen Identity; acting as a photography/video coach for teen girls in my local neighborhood.

Forever Jung Jewelry

In a world full of everyone doing the same thing, and going in the same direction, creativity is the key to success. And Robin Jung of “Forever Jung Jewelry” has that to her advantage. With a good eye for color and putting things together Robin is well on her way to success.

But unfortunately creativity is not the only thing you need in this world to stand out, and get your name out there. What keeps businesses afloat is the word and mouth, of people whom are completely in love with a product and can’t help but tell people about it and its creators. So I implore you to do just that. If you wish to do it for “Forever Jung Jewelry,” Robin Jung I’m sure would be very appreciative, but don’t just do it for her.

Tell others about the small businesses and artists that you love. Don’t be secretive about where you got something that will only destroy the creators of that product you love, and may even cause them to go out of business, and you’d never have a chance to get anything else from them.

I have heard stories about businesses going bankrupt that pulled out of it simply because three people told everyone about them and dressed in their product every day for a month.

I’ve also heard stories about people whom were afraid if they told were they got something that they would look like everyone else. And the Artist they were keeping a secret nearly had to close his doors. The only reason he was able to keep going in the end was someone was so in love with its products and wanted to get some that they harassed the man who was trying to keep the Artist hidden, every day for a full year. When the man finally gave in and told the younger man about the Artist that younger man bought the attention of the Artist’s Business to the forefront for everyone to see, and now the Business is going strong.

So please support the businesses you love, don’t keep them secret, even if someone else has the same shirt as you, it will look completely different on them then it does on you.

To see her Web Sight go to: http://www.foreverjungjewelry.com/

Riddle Family

I was able to take some pictures of the Riddle family this past week at Richland Township Park. It was a glorious day that decided to only threaten us with rain. And the excitement and joy that poured out from the kids from the time they jumped out of the car, was perfect. We did the family pictures first, so the kids could play, only pulling them away for a few more shots after they started playing. It was a great day!


If you want to see more pictures from this experience find them on Facebook at: Written With Light Photography

Slide Shows

Hear are a few of my latest slide shows. Feel free to let me know what you think.

Senior Slide Show



Wedding Slide Show

In Honor of Those Whom Have Gone Before Us

I got the great honor today to be able to go and put flags by the graves of many brave men and women at Fort Custer National Cemetery, with about four-hundred or so other soles. When I first arrived it looked blank and like there was no one buried there, because all the stones are laying flat on the ground. After only a few minutes I could clearly see that my first impression was far from right, being able to slowly see the flags accumulate.

            About an hour and a half after we started we were finished every grave accounted for with a flag boldly waving in the wind. And as I walked by each section on my way back to the car, it was almost a haunting feeling. I was able to share that experience with a member of the US Army, and friend of mine. As he walked by each section he observed the men and women whom had gone before him, those whom had been just as willing to die for the freedom of this country and its people.

And as I walked beside him I couldn’t help but think how thankful I was that he was willing to fight for me, my freedom, and my family. So I wish to thank all of the brave men and women from all walks of life that decided to listen to the call and fight for us, because they don’t get thanked nearly enough.

And I’d like to encourage each and every one of you who read this Blog post to thank some one for all they do, and have done for you.

Butterflies

I don’t know about you but Butterflies are my favorite insects. They remind me of fairies and I was always a big fan of them as well.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to “Frederik Meijer Gardens” located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with one of my best friends recently. Now any time of year is a great time to go to “Frederik Meijer Gardens,” because there is always something going on there. One of their special events they have every year is a butterfly display of exotic butterflies from all around the world. And that was the main reason why my friend and I went.

I was expecting something great, but when we walked into the green house to see hundreds of butterflies floating around, I was taken back. There is no way to describe how amazing and breath taking it was to see everything contained in that room. It was easy to spend hours in there and we did. I hope if you have never been to see the exhibit that someday you will go, because there is no way to describe it to you that you could possibly feel what I did. Some times you just have to go and see for yourself and let the beauty of God’s creation stare you in the face.

And one of the many cool things about the exhibit is you don’t have to be lucky to have one land on you, it is quite common. I even had one that liked my camera very much.

Enjoy your Spring everyone, I know I am!!

Picture taken by: Tim Ulman

To see more pictures visit us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=218529&id=149661450766&ref=mf

Senior Banquets

One fateful day a couple years back a friend of mine called me up and informed me that she had been put in charge of creating a placemat for our churches Senior Banquet, celebrating their graduation. Not knowing what to say I congratulated her on being chosen, and she swiftly informed me that they had picked her because she said that I would make it. And that it had to be done that week, so she was coming over with pictures and a ruff sketch. When she arrived she gave me all the information I would need to know to make the placemat, like the size, the theme of the night and all the pictures and names of the Seniors. Monopoly was the theme so after spending a few hours trying to make a Monopoly board in Photoshop with the dimensions of the placemat, I finally decided to do what I should have done in the first place. Go and take a picture of one of the Monopoly boards that I own. Making it much easier for me, since now all I had to do was change the names of some of the squares to fit with the local hang-out spots, add the pictures, and type in all the names. After a few drafts being sent back and forth with the big man in charge, they finally decided on the one I’m displaying here.

The next year I found out through another one of my friends that they needed help with the Senior Banquet. I really wanted to help but unfortunately I was going to be in Colorado during the time the Senior Banquet was taking place. So I told my friend I would help in any way I could before hand and to just let me know. When she started going through the list of things that needed to be done, one struck me and I knew I had to do it. They needed the placemats made. Despite the interesting way I ended up doing the placemats the year before I had really enjoyed it. The theme for this year was completely different, it was The Red Carpet. It needed to be sleek and have all of the Seniors in at least one picture. Thinking that that would be no problem I took up the task. I soon found out that only two Seniors had turned in pictures on a CD, so I tried to find pictures of all the Seniors without having too many of the two that turned pictures in. You can probably tell the two that turned in pictures though.

And I’ll probably be doing this for at least a few more years to come. Though volunteering can be hard work it’s never not interesting, and that’s what I love.

Don't forget you can check us out on Facebook too.

Josh 2010

Josh asked if we could do his senior picture in January because he wanted his pictures out in the snow. Which kind of intrigued me because I had never taken or seen anyone’s Senior Pictures done out in the snow. But shortly before I showed up to take his Senior Pictures I started envisioning bad things like he was going to have a coat he absolutely wouldn’t want his pictures taken in or that he would have to take his coat off real quick as we snapped a few shots. But to my delight when I arrived he had a very stylish coat, and had coordinated everything to go with it.

Now I’ve done his family’s pictures before so I knew he was very easy to coach into the position I was looking for. But I have to say he still surprised me anyway. He explained to me that he had done his research and knew what he liked and what he wanted, so all I had to do was point out a good background and he would snap into the perfect pose, making each one look perfectly natural. Never have I had someone so easy to photograph. Way to go JD!

To see more pictures go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=192352&id=149661450766&saved

Samara

I had the honor of doing Samara’s pictures a few months ago. And if you’re wondering what took me so long to get them up, well her Father brought her to get her pictures taken as a surprise for his wife’s Christmas gift, so I had to wait till after Christmas to put them up. But isn’t that the coolest thing you’ve ever heard?

Samara was very well behaved throughout the photo shoot. At that point in time she was about 3 months old and unable to hold herself up and didn’t like being on her tummy so we did all of the shots of her on her back, other then the one we did of her and Daddy. I also got to do one of my favorite things a chalk drawing of one of her pictures. Now what else can I say, other then she is completely adorable and I had so much fun!

To see more pictures visit us @ http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=192348&id=149661450766&saved

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Yes, Thanksgiving, anyone who’s gone to school and listened in History class knows about how this holiday started. But yet we forget or we don’t understand, what truly was going on. You see “Thanksgiving” means “overflowing with gratitude to the point that you have to give thanks.” And they had so much gratitude that they set aside an entire day to celebrate and express it. They had made it so far and they were hopeful and joyous about what was to come even though they knew it would be a tough road ahead.
Now fast-forward almost four-hundred years and Thanksgiving is nothing more then a day to get together with family, if that in some homes. I’m not saying a family focus is bad, in fact I believe that family should be very high on our list of priorities all the time. The whole point of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for what you have, even when you don’t think you have a lot, and family should be one of the things your thankful for, even if you don’t think you have that great of a family. Some one once said “There is always someone worse off then you,” and it’s very true.
So my suggestion this Holiday season is to try and rethink what you do for Thanksgiving, maybe go and volunteer at a soup kitchen, or ask everyone around your table to share what they are most thankful for. Or maybe you invite someone you know doesn’t have anyone to spend the holiday with, to join you and your family. Maybe you do a couple of these ideas or all of them; perhaps you come up with your own ideas. I know I’m going to do a few of these and I’m also going to writing a thank you notes to some of the people that mean the most to me, I’m going to tell them why I’m thankful for them. Let’s make this Thanksgiving not about us, or food, but about whom it really should be about, the one who gave us everything we have, God. For He deserves all our thanks-giving.

Laura

Laura is quiet and reserved, but I soon discovered she was quite at home in nature, and had a quiet playful side. We apparently chose quite the day for taking pictures, the park we went to was full of Photographers, all of us dancing around each other, to get our pictures without disrupting any one else. None of use could blame any of the others for coming to the same park it was absolutely beautiful, with vibrant colors from the trees; every shot had such great added possibility. Laura has what I call a quiet strength, she’s cute but when you look in her eyes you can tell there is something more. And there is so much more. Laura plans on going into Forensic Science, sure we’ve all seen them on TV and its strongly dramatized but she plans on doing the real thing. Talk to her for five minutes and you too will know she is more them smart enough, and quite cut out for the task. And I for one would want her on my side if I was ever falsely accused of murder.

You can find more of her pictures at; http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=175585&id=149661450766&ref=mf

Kyndra's Story

They say if you want to get to know some one you should go right to the source. Kyndra is my first “My Story” session so I’ll let her tell you about herself.

"I like a WIDE variety of things, but I think they all have one thing in common. Creativity. I like to make things, with my hands, with my voice, with my movements, I love it all! I like to figure things out and look at stuff differently. I don’t usually like to be normal.

I’m pretty unusual as it is. My family takes care of Goats and Llamas. We shear them every year and then I make yarn our of the Fleeces. I can decide whatever shape, size, and color to make the yarn. Then I can take my creation and weave it, knit it, felt or crochet it, I love the endless possibilities!

And it doesn’t just end with animal hair; I love people hair too! Especially the curly stuff! I cut my brother’s and sister’s hair all the time, usually on the back deck. There I have a beautiful view of the countryside that surrounds my home.

Lots of wide, open space filled with animals, creeks and beautiful trees! You’ll have to come visit some time in the fall, right when all of the trees change colors. It’s gorgeous! I’ve painted many pictures of fields surrounded by colorful trees and brush. That’s right! I pain and draw too! Ever since I was little, I’ve been sketching and doodling all over the place. It was just one small step from drawing to painting. And what description of me would be complete without MUSIC? All kinds of music! Jazz, Classical, 80’s, Christian, Piano, Classic Rock, Broadway, you name it. Something about music just gets me “right there.” It moves me. Somebody once said, “When words fail, music speaks” and I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

I love old movies, because not only is there music, but there’s also dancing! You can not watch Gene Kelly or Fred Estaire without wishing they’d ask you to join them!

I also like to bake. Nothing is better than the look on people’s face when they small that fresh baked apple pie on a cold fall day or getting your sister covered in flour while baking cookies. J It reminds me of family- of community.

Speaking of family, where would I be without mine? I love my big family. They’re such a bunch of Goons! I have two younger brothers and two younger sisters, an older sister and (of course) Mom and Dad. Each of us might be a bit of a troublemaker when we’re alone, but boy look out when we get together!!

I like to read books with my younger sisters. One of our favorite series’ is “The Chronicles of Narnia.” The girls will stop me in the middle of the chapter to ask all sorts of questions. Though it ends up taking us all of story time for just one chapter, we spend some precious moments together reading those books that I’ll never forget.

Thought I love all of these things, there in one thing I strive to love above all- my God. He gave me these talents and all of the people in my life. His grace has amazed me and carried me when I couldn’t stand. He saved me from myself and I would be nothing without him. He gives me the freedom to Laugh, to cry, to give hugs, and to love the people he has put in my path. In these coming years I want to stay close by his side and pursue the dreams that he reveals to me always resting in the fact that wherever I am, I am right in his arms.

Thanks for reading!!"

Love, Kyndra


For more Pictures look us up on Facebook.

Family

What is family? For everyone that question has a different answer even to two people in the same family. To me family gathers around each other maybe not all the time but when there together there happy to be with everyone. Sure sometimes there are fights and disagreements, but they just make the sweet times sweeter. And I have to say I had a great time photographing this family. To be perfectly honest I was a little scared when I heard how many people would be there, I’d never worked with that many people other than at a Wedding, and at a Wedding everyone’s focused on the Bride and Groom, and not normally the photographer. But as soon as I arrived at the quaint house in the country I started to realize I had nothing to worry about. They all made me feel right at home as if I was and had been part of the family for a long time. So thank you for you cooperation and welcoming hearts.

To see more pictures got to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=166579&id=149661450766&saved#/album.php?aid=166579&id=149661450766

Emma

I got to photograph this little girl for an hour, which ended up being more then enough time, because she was so well behaved. She didn’t fusing at all, even after falling over and bumping her head a few times. She wasn’t quite able to hold her self up well so I tried to use things to prop her up. We still wanted to get some pictures of her holding herself up so I’d get her into position lean back and take a few shots wile she slowly tip over to her right, it was absolutely adorable. After a little wile we got into a routine of setting up snapping a few pictures quickly, catching her before she fell over, and doing it all over again. I tried to keep the props soft and cute for her pictures and Emma seamed to think I did rather well, when I put out the fur she kept running her hands over it, and she played with the blankets between most of the picture taking. Don't forget to look for more pictures on Facebook.

Forslund and Hohler Wedding

This was my third Wedding, but it was the first time I worked with another Photographer. Melissa (The Bride) had already asked the other Photographer if she would do the Wedding. The other Photographer wanted there to be two of use instead of just her. So Melissa asked me to come and shoot as well. At the Wedding I did the girls getting ready, and the rings, then we split off and I took the pictures of the Groom and his family along with the Groomsmen while the other Photographer did the Bride. Then we got back together for the Ceremony, and then we were off the Reception.

Everything was so beautiful and I was glad to see so many people enjoying themselves at the Reception, dancing. Melissa’s Brother does Brake Dancing and that went over very well, because soon after all the little kids started rolling on the floor trying to imitate him, thinking that was all he was doing. I had a great time, filled with joy and laughter. And Happy Tears.