Senior Pictures, Oklahoma Style!

When I was a senior we didn't do pictures like they do them now. I went to the studio with a boring backdrop or something lame like a megaphone in the distance and took a very predictable senior picture. Now, they are on location, fun photo shoots that really show off their personalities! How I wish I would've done something like that! Instead I have a picture of me with hot rolled hair, a forest green crushed velvet sweater and my hand under my chin in that weird glamour shots pose. You know what I mean! Anyway, I had the best time the other day doing Emily's senior pictures. Talk about photogenic! This girl knew what she was doing, and didn't take one bad picture. She's such a natural. I had a hard time choosing which pics to feature, so there are a lot of them! Let me know what you think...

These were done in the Deer Creek area at an old run down shack or barn. It was really cool, except for the huge bee swarm right behind it! Thanks Emily for the fun photo shoot!

On Pioneer Woman!

One goal I had for this year was for one of my photos to be on Pioneer Woman's website. I really didn't think it would happen, but it's good to dream!  I couldn't believe when it happend in January and I certainly couldn't believe it again when it happened yesterday!

When she said the theme was green I immediately thought of my trip to Ireland and specifically this shot of the Glendalough Cemetery. It was such a rainy, dreary day, just perfect for a nice creepy cemetery picture. (But very bad for my hair!) Anyway, the day that I posted this picture in her Flickr group I had about 35 views. Flickr tells you how many people have clicked on your photo to check it out. After PW announced that I was in the first group of best photos the numbers kept going up and up. Today, just one day later, I have 466 views! It's amazing the power the PW has! It's been such a crazy ride, and it's been so much fun! Here's the shot that was featured.

Click here to go to the page that features this photo.

Several people have requested prints of this photo, and if you'd like one, please leave a comment and I'll give you the price for whatever size you would like. Thanks!

I Heart Faces - Dramatic Black and White

This is one of my all time favorite wedding pictures that I've taken. It really wasn't posed, that's how lovely and relaxed they were. I feel like I shouldn't even have been standing there. It's also very special because they are two close friends of mine! Morgandi is one of my dearest friends and Jason and I have know each other since we were kids. What a great couple!

 To see more drama go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

Fixit Friday

Here's the before:

Here's the after:

To see more fixits go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

Photography Friday - The worst

This week we're going to do something a little bit different. I want you to post the most embarassing picture of yourself. You read that right, let's see the 80's hair, bad teeth and glasses. Hmm, well maybe that was just me. Anyway, let's see what you got!

So the rules are different this week since you don't have to be the photographer. I'm excited to see everyone's pics, be brave and don't leave me hangin'! You have until Monday night to enter, so get thee to a scanner.

Alright guys, this is me when I was probably like 14 or so. I had done my hair like this so that I could send it in to one of those Teen Magazine best hair contests. I'm not kidding. So, let's see what you got!

Black and White Winner

I really loved all the pictures this week, there's just something about black and white photos! The winner for this week is:

Kate

She knows I have a weakness for this set of photos from her trip! Everything is so perfect with this shot, the light coming in through the windows, the color (black and white with a touch of sepia) and especially the silhouette in the doorway. Fabulous shot, my friend!

Thanks to everyone who entered this week!

I Heart Faces - Focusing on Angles

Viv enjoying the music at the St. Patrick's Day activities downtown! That's her dad on the guitar in the background!

To join the fun, go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

Photography Friday - Black and White/Sepia

The theme for this weekend's contest is black and white/sepia pictures. You can choose whichever one you want to do. Sometimes I can just look at a picture and know it would be best in black and white or sepia. The pics I just did of Violet for example are some that I knew would look best with a vintage feel. It's something to play around with, so have fun!

The rules: You must have taken the picture yourself, only one picture can be entered, must include the theme, enter your link in Mr. Linky's below, and you have until Monday night at 10 pm to enter. The winners will be announced on Tuesday. Can't wait to see your entries!

Happy Winners

I had two favorites that I kept going back to this week.

I chose this breakfast photo by Ann because I loved the simplicity of it. I love all the elements of it, and I love breakfast! Ann, let's go to Paris and have breakfast some time! Great shot this week. The next one that I loved was this happy girl below, taken by Sarah. I loved the look on her face and just how happy she was! However, I kept wanting to lighten it a bit and crop it. So here is the original shot, which was so cute!

Here's the editing I did to it. I hope this doesn't make Sarah mad, but I figured that since it's a photography blog that it would be okay! Great job to everyone this week, I hope you enjoyed the theme!

I Heart Faces - Bundled Up

In December I took Viv out in the backyard so she could play in the snow. I bundled her up and told her how much fun it would be to play in the snow! This is what her face looked like the entire time we were out there, which was about 5 minutes before she burst into tears and we went back inside. I guess she's like her momma, wishing for Summer!

To see more bundled up photos, go to www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

I Heart Faces - Fixit Friday

Original Photo: So cute but too dark!
I really wanted to lighten it up and showcase her face because she's so pretty! I also got rid of the stray hair because I felt like it was distracting. Go to www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

Photo Friday - Happy

The theme this weekend is very simple, just post a picture of anything that makes you happy. You have to explain why it makes you happy though! The rules: only one picture can be entered, you have to have taken the picture yourself, must contain the theme, and a new deadline - you have until Monday night at 9 pm to enter. The winner will be announced Tuesday! How could this face not make you happy? Violet makes me happy every day with her sweet smile, good attitude and she's so cuddly too! Plus, that's just happy hair!

Good luck and I'm excited to see your entries!

Winner

DSC00193.JPG, originally uploaded by Dwight.

The winner of Photo Friday is Dwight! I just love the water droplets! Congrats Dwight and thanks to all who entered!

I Heart Faces - Jump for Joy!

This was such a fun couple to work with. I love when couples want to do fun creative poses and really have a good time with their photos! This shot was their idea and I thought it was so cute! This was shot downtown OKC in the Myriad Gardens. Thankfully it was right across the street from their wedding venue. What a perfect spot for wedding pics!

To see more jumping, go to www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

Photography Friday - Flower Power

As you can see, this week's theme is all about flowers! Now that the sun is shining and the weather seems to be warming up, these little babies are going to start popping up everywhere! The rules:

You must have taken the picture yourself.

Only one picture can be entered.

Must go along with the theme "Flower Power".

Leave your link in Mr. Linky below or in the comments section.

You have until Sunday night at 10 pm to enter and the winner will be announced on Monday.

Have a great weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing your flower pics!

Wish You Were Here Winner!

I loved this week's pictures so much, it made me feel like I wasn't sitting here in cold and dreary Oklahoma anymore! This week's first place winner is Andy Jacobsen! Here is his awesome picture: I loved this shot so much, while the sunset and water are gorgeous, my favorite part of this picture is the foreground. Imagine this picture without it. Great shot Andy!

I'm also giving a special creativity award to Amy Nickerson. I loved the post processing she did on this shot:
Go to her blog to read what she did to get this vintage postcard look. Great job as usual Amy! You're inspiring!

Thanks to everyone who entered this week! Leave a comment for the winners. Also, I'm taking your suggestions for the theme for next week, so leave a comment if you have ideas.

I Heart Faces - Hilarious Outtakes

This was a fun maternity shoot I did down at the Myriad Gardens in OKC. This fun couple was pooped on during one of our pictures and then had to clean each other off. I even have a pic of them still smiling with bird poop on their heads before they realized what had happened! I think it's ironic that they're already having to deal with poop before the baby even comes! Get used to it guys.

What I love about this one is that his hand is on her belly. You can tell he's excited to be a dad! To see more funny shots of hilarious outtakes, go to www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

Photography Friday - Wish You Were Here

The theme for this week is all about vacations! Can you tell I'm ready to get out of the cold weather and get my toes in the sand? The rules: You must have taken the picture yourself, must incorporate the theme, put your name and link in the Mr. Linky below, you have until Sunday night at 10pm to enter and the winner will be announced on Monday. Anyone can enter, it's fun! I'm excited to see your shots this weekend!

Going Green Winner!

I really loved all the photos in this week's challenge! Great job everyone! I am handing out one award this week and it goes to:

ComplyKated

I love the vibrance of the green, the reflection in the bubble and just everything about this one! If you haven't met Kate, she is such a great and fabulous friend to have. Visit her blog here.

Thanks to everyone who entered! See you on Friday!

I Heart Faces - Hands on fun!

This week the theme at i heart faces is all about hands! I just did a photoshoot downtown in OKC last weekend for a little boy who just turned three and he did this when I asked him how old he was. Is he cute or what? He was very proud of being a three year old!

To see more pics of hands go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

Photography Friday - Going Green

In honor of my hatred for all the cold weather and snow we've gotten this winter, the theme this week is Going Green. Positive thinking people! And I recycle. And you should too. Anyway, the rules: You must have taken the photo yourself, must incorporate the color green in the picture, you have until Sunday night at 10 pm to enter and the winners will be announced on Monday morning. This is my first week to try Mr. Linky's so put your name and your link in the box below and hopefully it will work! If it doesn't work just leave your link in the comments.

Be sure to visit the other entries and let them know what you think!

Photography Friday Winners

I couldn't decide between two entries this week so it's a tie! First place and first place go to Amy Nickerson and Morgandi Lashley. I just loved both of these entries.



Here's Amy photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickersonphotos/3843555288/in/set-72157623244912954/.


Here's Morgandi's photo of her mom meeting her newest granddaughter, Stella. Sooo sweet!



Great job you guys! Thanks to all who entered!

I Heart Faces - I Wanna Dance!

This wedding was at a great inn in Guthrie, Oklahoma. It was so beautiful inside and had a fabulous dance floor. It also had a great design on the ceiling, so I wanted to get that in the shot as well. It was hard for me to choose this week, but I kept coming back to this one! To see more people shakin their groove thang, go to www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

Photography Friday - Love ya!

Since it's Valentine weekend, the theme for this week's contest is Love. You know the rules, but here they are anyway: You must have taken the picture yourself, the theme must be used, leave your photo link in the comments and you have until Sunday night at 10 pm to enter. The winner or winners will be announced on Monday! Have a lovely weekend! Here is a pic I just took of my girls. Can you tell that they're tired of getting their pictures taken? They're like, "Mom get that camera out of my face please!"

I Heart Faces - Kisses

I had a really tough time picking a kiss picture for this week's contest. I ended up choosing this shot from a vineyard wedding I did. They are sitting on a tractor, which I suggested that they do, and they went along with it! What a gorgeous wedding that was, by the way. On another note, I just finished my new website, so go to http://www.mandystansberry.com/ to check it out. I designed it myself and it was a long process! Let me know what you think!

To see more lovely dovey, smoochy woochy kisses, go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

I Got The Blues Winners!

This was hard for me this week! With so many great photos and so many entries, it's not easy to choose winners. However, that is the plan, so here we go:

First Place - Gena Shoemake

I love this color of blue, it's probably my favorite shade! And while I'd never want to be this close to this rodent, I love that his eyes are so focused and everything in the background is perfectly blurred. Great job!

Second Place - Ann White

This picture looks like something that could be hanging in the white house! Very Americana!

Third Place - Rebecca

What a fabulous shot of the Eiffel Tower, sooo pretty! Makes me want to get my passport out!

Fourth Place - Angela Risley

I don't even think this one needs an explanation! Do places like this really exist??

Fifth Place - Lailah Morris

I love how the entire picture is just of the ground, but you can see almost the whole sky. The composition is perfect. I also love that even though Lailah and her family are going through so much right now, she can step outside the hospital and see something beautiful. Even if it's on the ground. Lovely!

Thanks to everyone who entered this week, please come back next week and do it again! Also, try to stop by the winners blogs and congratulate them! Have a great week!

Photography Friday - I got the blues!

This week's contest is all about the color blue. We're getting some new couches today and we picked out some gorgeous light blue ones and I'm excited about it! So, be sure to read the rules carefully: YOU must have taken the picture yourself, enter the link in the comments, must have the color blue in it, you have until Sunday night at 10pm to enter. So, if you are in the picture, it can't be entered. Unless it's a self portrait! Have fun, can't wait to see your entries! Be sure to click through the rest of the photos and let the other people who entered know what you think! Have a great weekend, hopefully we'll see some blue skies soon!

Photography Friday: Birthday Winner!

This week's winner goes to Candice Forte! I love this picture because you can tell he's excited about all those balloons. And since I just watched the movie Up last night, I can just imagine that he's about to float up off the ground. I think it would have been a little more impactful if it had been cropped in closer so we could see Cole's face a little bit better. He's a major cutie! Congrats Candice! Thanks to everyone who entered!