Apple blossoms

We have an apple tree right next to the yard in our house. Most of the time, we’re annoyed by its presence because it drops unedible apples that later turn to mush in our yard. It attracts bees and bugs, both of which I don’t care for.

But last night when I got home, I noticed just how beautiful the tree was with all of its blossoms. It was giving off the sweetest, most alluring scent, too. I just wanted to sit under the tree all night and just take it all in. I might have if it wasn’t for mosquitos which are now making their presence known. Instead, I grabbed my camera, got under the petal-filled branches and captured just a fraction of the tree’s beauty:

 

I’m mad at mother today…

Mother Nature, that is. Seriously, this rain is really inconvenient to my running schedule. I need to get an 11-mile run in this weekend, and I’d rather not get soaked in the rain. I know it may rain on the day of the half marathon so this could prepare me for that, but I also don’t need to chance getting sick this close to the race. According to weather.com, tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful, sunny day, so maybe I’ll get up early before church and put in 11 miles.

And I didn’t run yesterday, either. I forgot to set the alarm on my phone, so after the earthquake woke us up, I eventually went back to sleep and didn’t get up until 6 a.m. I was so angry. I should have just gotten up after the earthquake and gotten ready. It took me a while to fall back asleep after it since it completely freaked me out, so I probably would have been better off going out for a run.

I’ll probably get out today to do at least 4.5 miles just because I’m really wanting to get the extra mileage. I’ve run 15 miles so far this week, so that’s really not too bad. Add on the 4.5 today, and 11 tomorrow, and I’ll have 30.5 miles.

But for now, I’m going to take a nap, so this is where my running shoes will stay:

 

 

Abandoned Dairy Farm

After work tonight, I shot some more pictures for my mini portfolio. My first stop was an old iron and wooden bridge. I got some okay shots, but because the bridge was one color — dull brown — there wasn’t much contrast to the pictures.

My next stop was at the house of a friend from church. Just down the road their house is the family’s old dairy farm, which is no longer in use. There were old barns, silos, tractors and random other things that really made for a lot of great photos. I’m really excited about these two:

 

 

 

 

The Office Party

Tonight was the premier of the new season of The Office. I, Tyler, and our friends love this show so much that we decided to have a party. And dress up as the characters. And we met at Chili’s to start the party off, because, you know, Chili’s is the new golf course.

 

Left to right: Me as Pam; Elliot as Dwight; Tyler as Dwight; Rachel as Katie; BJ as Andy.

We went back to BJ & Rachel’s to watch the new episode. As always, it was good. Too bad there are only 6 episodes this season. Luckily, BJ & Rachel have some seasons on DVD to hold us over during the breaks.

I just loved Tyler’s costume. He really tried hard, and I think he pulled it off. He gave everyone a good laugh, at least. I did my best with Pam’s outfit. I used what I had in my closet. It’s not exactly what Pam would wear, but close enough.

BJ & Rachel also have this bobble head doll of Dwight. I used my new camera at an aperture of 1.6 to shoot this sitting on a pillow on my lap, with the television behind it. I love large apertures and the effect they have on images. So cool!

Can’t wait for next week’s episode!

 

Change of Name? Advice needed.

I’m considering transferring over to a different blog name, which I’ve already reserved: nicoleneffphotography.wordpress.com. I admit I’m a little apprehensive about it…what if I suck at photography? I’ll feel silly having that name, and then I’ll have to make the dreaded (and embarassing) switch back to this blog.

But on the flip side, it would be more professional and would suffice until I actually get a Web site of my own. I could list prices, info about my photography business, info about meetc. Most photographers I read on a daily basis use a blog that combines both their personal life with their photography. It seems that their clients really like hearing about their life outside of photography as well.

Does anyone have any advice for me on what to do? I’m certainly not a marketing major, so this is something that I have no info about.

 

Becoming a Photographer: Inspiration

As I get closer to taking classes, I have been consumed with thinking about what kind of a photographer I want to be. I have perused blog after blog and web site after web site. There are soooo many that inspire me!

1) bobbi+mike. My favorite. Hands down. Seeing Bobbi’s work is what inspired me to take this step toward becoming a photographer in the first place. She and Mike’s work is vibrant, fun, edgy and unique. AND she’s a fellow Sycamore!!

2) Jessica Claire. I covet one of her Shootsac bags. However, I’ve resolved not to get one until I’m a true photographer (and until I have a camera…I wouldn’t have any use for it until then, and they’re too pretty to just be left sitting around). But I truly love her work. It’s always so crisp and looks like it came straight from a magazine. And, she definitely knows how to capture those details. I love that she’s so driven, too. She sets goals (one of which was design a new product, and voila, we have the Shootsac!) and works hard to achieve those goals.

3) I just stumbled upon Jasmine Star. All I can say is, Wow. Her work truly takes my breath away. She not only has a true sense of capturing a moment with photos, but also with words. She always includes a little story with each couple she photographs. I feel as if I’m right there with her subjects, feeling what they are feeling. And, she’s a Christian and publicly professes her faith on her blog and Web site. Love that!

4) Anne Ruthmann. I truly love that she strives to make her business green. She also likes to help others make their businesses better. She does both by blogging about her efforts, tips and experiences. One of the ways she decided to help other photographers is by offering to include them as a second shooter at one of her many weddings (she was booked for 2008 before 2007 was even over!). I emailed her about it, and I hope that I’m advanced enough to accompany her sometime in May or later. I can’t tell you how excited I am about the possibility of doing that. Her work is definitely something I strive to emulate!!

5) Me Ra Koh. She used to be a writer (like me) but found healing through photography. After seeing Me Ra’s photography of her kids, friends started asking her to take photos for them. It took off from there and now she’s one of the very best in the business. Best of all? She gets to watch her kiddos grow up since she’s at home with them instead of in an office all day. I would love, love, love to be able to do that one day.

Each of these five women encompasses a little part of what I want to be as a photographer. They have talent, business know-how, giving hearts and great personalities. Just thought I’d share these five photographers who get my creative juices flowing each day when I check in on their photography blogs.

 

I Am Not a Jogger

I came across this column in one of the Runner’s World magazines my mom gave me this weekend. I really liked it, and then I read Jaimie’s blog where she classified herself as, first, a runner, and then reconsidered and called herself a jogger. No, my dear. You ARE a runner. The photo of you from this summer in all your running gear, sweat dripping from your smiling face says so. : )

I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.

I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.

I AM A RUNNER because I don’t have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say “Coolmax” and “Gore-Tex” in the same sentence and know which does what.

I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I’m pushing the limits of my comfort and why I’m doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate–things I once avoided–are necessary if I want to be a better runner.

I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I’ve done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won’t have to scream in pain later on.

I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.

I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best efforts, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them.

I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.

I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I’m not.

Waddle on, friends.

 

Something to add to my Christmas list…

Please buy me this. I think it would be really cool to have instead of a regular, run-of-the-mill camera bag.

And if you want to go the extra mile, buy me a cover. I really like the Baroque style – so classy! I like the Artistic cover, too.

If you decide to buy one for me for Christmas (pretty please! I’ve been good this year!) I am on their mailing list and have a code for $20 off.

Thank you : )

 

Halloween at the Neff’s…

Managed to be pretty uneventful again this year. Only three trick-or-treaters…which is three more than last year. Oh well…that means lots of candy leftover for us. At least Lola looked cute dressed in her witch costume!

 

It’s been a while…

No, I’m not posting the lyrics to the Staind song. I just realized today that I haven’t posted a blog in a while. Here’s what’s been going on in my life:

• I’ve taken a break on reading the book unChristian for now, mainly because I’m busy with doing some extra work so we can put money into our Hawaii account. What I’ve read so far has been highly inspiring and humbling at the same time. Some of the issues the book points out are issues I’ve had to deal with because of churches I’ve gone to, so I want to make sure that I don’t repeat the things that have made me feel farther from God.
• We went out with Matt (our pastor) and his wife MaryRuth for dinner on Friday. We went to RiRa’s, which I wasn’t very impressed with. The atmosphere was great, but the food was horrible. I had the fish and chips; the chips (just fries, really) were great, but the fish was slimy from the grease/batter. I don’t think anyone else was too impressed with their food either. After that, we went to Coldstone Creamery to get the bad taste out of our mouths. Seriously, we just had a craving for some good ice cream, and CC didn’t disappoint. I had my usual Birthday Cake Remix. Fabulous!
• Saturday we went to Nashville for a day trip. I won tickets on the radio Friday to see Ronnie Milsap at the Grand Ole Opry (I won them when I qualified for a trip to the CMAs, which I will find out if I win that on Saturday). With such short notice, I wasn’t sure we’d be able to go, but one of the girls offered to take Tyler’s Saturday work shift so we could. I was so ecstatic! Neither of us had been to the Grand Ole Opry, so it was a neat experience. We only knew one of Ronnie’s songs and were by far the youngest ones in the crowd, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. We did some shopping at Opry Mills Mall, then went to the Cool Springs Galleria to see our friend Cassie, and then back to the Opry Mills Mall for a dinner with our friends Nick, Randi and Jill Jones, who moved down there from Evansville this past year. It was such a great trip, but we got back pretty late and had to get up for church the next morning. We sure were tired, but it was worth it to be able to have some fun with Tyler and our friends. Definitely a break from the ordinary.
• I’m having dinner with my sister at El Maguey’s in Boonville tonight. Nothing like some Mexican food to make a belated birthday celebration great! I’m super excited about spending time with my sister. We may live a town apart, but I rarely get to see her. We’re hoping to make the meal a monthly thing.
• This weekend is our friend’s bonfire to celebrate his birthday. I’m so excited about cooler weather and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. I can’t wait to get bundled up in a big, comfy sweater and hat. It’s great cuddling weather, too.
• We’ve been spending a lot of time with people from church. Our church is about to undergo a lot of changes and I’m very excited about the possibilities of where it might take us. For once, I feel like I’m a part of a family at my church and we’re ready to make a difference in our community. Tyler and I have been praying about what that might mean for us as far as our involvement. Let’s just say I never thought I would even think about taking on this type of responsibility in the past, so it must totally be a God thing.
• I haven’t been running much lately. Too busy with family stuff. Hoping to get back on that train this weekend with at least an 8-miler. Still contemplating the Indy Half Marathon, too. Not really sure what’s holding me back since I know it would be a blast and I’d get to hang out with my college friend, Jaimie. Maybe I’m just a big wimp…the thought of running with 35,000 people is a bit overwhelming!
• I’ve been doing a little writing for the Courier & Press. It feels so good to flex my writing muscles! I’ve also been taking some pictures for the stories I’ve done. It makes me so happy to see what I can do with a camera.
• I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Tyler and I have been doing so great. We’ve really learned to communicate and make quality time for each other. And the time we’ve been spending together has been a lot of fun, too. He really is such a great man and I’m very lucky to have him.

I’m hoping to rest up a bit this weekend. I’d like to get some scrapbooking done, too (which if I haven’t mentioned it, scrapbooking and photography have become two of my biggest passions). Also, I have some things going on in my life right now, so I could use some prayer.