8.7.12

Making Polaroids

With the Friend Reception assignment of printing some of Heather and Robby’s photos to use for decorations, I thought I’d take it up a notch.  Being that Heather carries her Instax camera with her everywhere she goes, and remembering I’d seen a tutorial on creating a Polaroid in Photoshop, I took a stab turning their photos into Polaroids.  And it paid off in a big way.

Amanda’s tutorial is the best; easy to follow, easy to understand and really did produce the most adorable Polaroid-like prints.  (If you’re not familiar with Amanda’s work, she’s a Birmingham photographer.  She has beautiful wedding and family work, but her labor and delivery slideshows are my favorite.  I always need a tissue.)  So I followed Amanda’s instructions step by step, ordered my prints and then waited for them to arrive.  They looked great.  I haven’t had the chance to print many of my clients’ images, but now I want to.  Seeing them on screen is one thing – the prints are just something else altogether.  But armed with the 4×6 pictures and their Polaroid outlines, I got to work.

And yes.  I took pictures of my pictures. :)

I mean, come on. How great did that black and white print? And how cute are Heather and Robby?

Precision cropping is key.  I dusted off my mini-paper cutter to make it easier.  And I meticulously trimmed each line.

Like I said, they turned out great.  So great.  At Heather and Robby’s celebration, the pictures were pinned along jute with clothes pins.  It was a simple touch, but it really did help tie in our theme.  And hearing Heather’s sounds of approval made it worth all the blade work.

So thank you, Amanda.  Ava’s birthday photos were adorable – Ava is adorable! – but I definitely appreciate you taking the time to share the tutorial.  Everyone enjoyed looking at them throughout the house and I hope Heather is enjoying them at her own now. ;)

Filed in: Photography | Shutterboo Photography
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August 7, 2012 - 8:26 am

Heather - I LOVED the polaroids!! BEST. IDEA. EVER!!! Thank you so much for all of the work that you put into them. I’m trying to find a place and a way to display them now. ;)

August 7, 2012 - 8:44 am

katie - I just laughed because I went all ghetto with my polaroids and just used scissors. Meanwhile, you have a full on paper cutter to do the work. Maybe I should invest. And Amanda’s tutorial was perfect. So glad she went out of her way to show us all how to do it. Now I need another excuse to make more. Love that Heather has plans on displaying her photos. They are adorable.

August 7, 2012 - 12:19 pm

Amanda - How fun! I love how yours turned out. Seeing prints is always great, but there is something about the square format and white frame that makes Polaroids that much more special.

August 23, 2012 - 8:07 am

Mini Accordion Albums {product feature} | Louisville Lifestyle Photographer | Shutterboo Photography - [...] with products.  Designs for press pieces like announcements and cards.  Ordering prints and making them look like Polaroids.  A few other surprises up my sleeves, but the one that I’ve been over the moon about are [...]

September 20, 2012 - 7:57 am

Mentionable Photoshop Finds | Shutterboo Photography - [...] one fell in my lap.  I actually wrote about Amanda’s tutorial last month, but it’s worth including in this list.  Not because it’s rocket science, [...]

8.6.12

Friend Reception: Celebrating Heather+Robby

Heather and Robby aren’t new to this blog.  Actually, they’ve been blowing it up since their uber-fun engagement session in April and then with their warm, heartfelt wedding later in May.  Their wedding was small, only family was present, but that didn’t stop our friends from wanting to let them know that they’re just as excited about their marriage.  So the Friend Reception was born.

All hands were on deck for planning, prepping and throwing common sense out the window.  A menu was set, decorations were decided, favors were made and photo booth was created – we were going at it with saloon flair.

Burlap and jute.  Wild flowers.  Little paper mustaches on sticks, for the women of course.  And long feather boas for the gents.  A “wanted” poster was the backdrop for the photo booth with a slew of props including play guns, a bow and rubber arrow, cowboy hat with a feather, and handcuffs.  Throw Robby and Heather and all of the friends that couldn’t wait to toast with them into the mix and you had one heckuva celebration.

I had three reasons why I was pretty excited for the Friend Reception.  The first being that I was in on the planning – I was called to my photographer duty to put on my creative hat and help with the decorations.  Knowing all the details of what was going into it made me feel like a surprise ninja.  (And I like being a surprise ninja.)  Second, I was sooooo excited for Heather and Robby!  It had been an honor to be their photographer, but to actually spend an evening relaxing and toasting to two awesome people was a treat.  And thirdly, the friends that came together – most of us used to be fabulous co-workers, people I saw every week for 40 hours gathered in one place to do anything but talk shop.  And two of my faves made it town from Chicago and Austin.  What’s not to love?

It was a perfect night.  Laid back fun with enough hitch in the giddyup to bring on some stellar laughs.  Delicious eats, a wide selection of adult libations, good conversation, bad jokes and wizardry.  (A new drinking game, which, is hilarious even for people who aren’t partaking.)  I didn’t want it to end.  But when me and the hubs finally said goodbye, handed out hugs to all our friends and sent well wishes to the bride and groom once more, I knew it was just as we had planned, just what was necessary to to celebrate the couple of the hour.

I’m telling you people, friends make it worth while.

Filed in: Life As I Know It
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August 6, 2012 - 8:43 am

katie - I love that they had a “friends reception”. That is so sweet. Nothing like being able to celebrate with those closest to you. And the beers are hilarious.

August 6, 2012 - 3:17 pm

Meredith - Oh Brooke. You have the most incredible way of making the ridiculous look like a work of art. You captured everything the night offered. Thanks so much for being as good of a friend as you are a photographer. We will laugh over these in our 80′s!

8.3.12

Gettin’ My Read On

Library Visit

As much as I’m embarrassed to admit, I’m not a strong reader.  At all.  I’m actually pretty slow when it comes to reading.  I’ve tried to read fast, but I find myself missing too much stuff, not understanding how the plot twisted or able to remember the characters and end up re-reading several pages.  So I just go slow.

(It’s better this way.  Believe me.  Having to re-read the pages of an Econ 201 book because you read too fast will take years off your life.  Because you’ll be bored to death.)

But as embarrassing as that is, I’m even more embarrassed I let my LFPL library card expire.  Unused for a year (an entire calendar year!), it expires so that the cardholder has to visit in order to reactivate it.  But I’m happy to report I reactivated my card last week.

With being a slower reader, I don’t read a lot and when I do read, it’s solely for entertainment purposes.  As in “I want fiction and nothing but fiction and maybe a little more fiction” entertainment.  So far this year, I enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy.  After finishing the first of a very popular book triology that has a color in the title, I decided I wasn’t going to read any more.  (I just couldn’t.  The writing… blech.)  I moved on to The Fault In Our Stars.  (Great book.)  After I suffered through a horrendous fluff book about a hit woman, I wised up – no more e-reader unless it’s something I want to own.  It was time to go back to the library.

With the new job being only a mile and a half from the library I grew up in (or kind of… they built a new building next door about 15 years ago), I took my lunch break to search for new books.  I forgot how much fun it was!  I still had my list of “books you may want to read” in my wallet, so I busted it out and found one of those books: Spooky Little Girl.  (Such a fun read!)  But then I browsed, which is the best part.  Another Notaro book.  A book by Niffenegger (because I love The Time Traveler’s Wife so-so-so much).  And then another one that looked good.

That’s how I roll at the library.  If it looks good, I’ll give it go.  I totally judge books by their cover.

But now that I have new reads, I’ve been gettin’ my read on.  A few minutes in the morning before I’m actually require my legs to swing out of bed.  While I eat my lunch at my desk – no better way to escape the office if you aren’t escaping the office.  And few pages before I call it a night.  A simple little task that’s found it’s way back into my day.  And it feels good.

Filed in: Life As I Know It
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August 3, 2012 - 8:44 am

Amanda - Seeing this post reminded me that I forgot to follow up with you after our last book club meeting (using the term, “book club” very loosely). Next book on deck – Gone Girl. Followed by a read/re-read of The Great Gatsby – yes, in anticipation of the Leonard DiCaprio movie ;)

Happy reading!!

p.s. love that you are going to the library for your books – way to kick it old school!

side note: are the kids still saying, “kickin’ it old school”??

8.2.12

Ashley+Brad {engaged}

I’ve been friendly with Ashley’s family for years.  I went to school with her older brother; he and I shared many classes and stories over the years.  And then he married one of my best friends.  So through the years, I’ve gotten to know Ashley.

I was very excited to hear she went Greek while at university (and in the process became a Sigma Kappa sister).  I was happy to hear of her big break into a retail management after school (at my favorite place to stop, where everyone wears red – and I’d bump into her).  And I was thrilled to hear of her move to Cincinnati, one that would give her opportunities to grow professionally (and personally).

That move is where she met Brad.  When I heard she found a man who was so enthralled with her he got down on one knee and begged her to marry him (this is how I envision it at least), I got butterflies.  Ryan’s little sister was getting married.  I’m getting butterflies just thinking about it.  (And truth be told, Brad is quite the romantic.  He proposed on a sunset cruise in Naples on Ashley’s birthday.  And he did get down on one knee.  *swoon*)

After meeting Brad, I realized that he made sense for Ashley.  Polite, sweet with a hint of humor, a warm smile and a caring disposition.  So similar to the little sister I’ve grown to know and call a friend.  And the fact that the both have red hair?  Well, that just means it’s meant to be. ;)

Meet Ashley and Brad.

Gah – this is one of my favorites! The way they look at each other, so happy… this is what it’s all about.

I feel the need to state for the record that the photos below were Ashley’s idea.  Not Ashley and Brad – all Ashley.

And you can tell just by the smile on her face!

And for those who do know her big brother – like brother, like sister, no? :)

Such an incredibly fun, smart and beautiful couple!  I can’t wait to hear more about their upcoming wedding because I’m sure more butterflies will be involved.  Best wishes, Ashley and Brad!  I send my very best to you both!

Filed in: Coupled Up | Shutterboo Photography
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August 2, 2012 - 9:27 am

Susan - That last shot may be my fave engagement pic of all time. Adorable!

August 2, 2012 - 1:43 pm

katie o. - So cute! Look at that! A couple of gingers. Gotta love it!

August 2, 2012 - 7:34 pm

melanie - Love my SIL :) So pretty, and I love to here your perspective. In love, as always!

August 3, 2012 - 8:38 am

Susan - Love! My fave is the black and white hug shot! Her face is so happy, and he’s just burried in her. Lovely!

7.31.12

Listastic Tuesday

• Last week has to be one of the best week’s I’ve had in a long while.  Three straight days of loving life and everything about it.

• Here in Kentucky, we call that a trifecta.

• My “book club” met Thursday for dinner.  I don’t remember discussing a book (or reading one that we had all agreed on for this dinner), but it was a fabulous feast at Hammerheads. I had the PBLT – pork belly, lettuce and tomato.  I died and went to heaven.

• That same night, I almost did die – too much meat and fat in my stomach caused a lot of restlessness and bad dreams.  It was ugly.

• But I’d do it again.  (I just need a few months to detox.)

• Friday was spent with fabulous former co-workers.  Add in some Clifton’s Pizza (YUM!), Uno!, Catch Phrase, Olympic Opening Ceremony, laughs about the ceremony, stories galore and a tornado watch and you got yourself a pretty good evening.

• Saturday.  Oh, Saturday!  My afternoon was consumed with slaving in the kitchen to breathe life in Mini Derby Pies (hello sweethearts!) and Mel’s artichoke dip.  But it was all for the sake of a party later that evening.

• Friend Reception!  I’ll definitely go into more details later, but such a wonderful night!  A good time had by all, no injuries to report (although there were some camera flashes in eyes on purpose… they called it a “physical challenge”) and all I want to do is press rewind and live it all over again.

• To sum it up, I have some pretty wonderful people in my life.  Pressing rewind now…

Filed in: Life As I Know It
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July 31, 2012 - 8:48 am

katie ohhhhhhhhhhhhh - Love the polaroids. These look awesome. Love the lists. They make me happy.

July 31, 2012 - 10:51 am

Heather - Saturday was a blast! Robby did sustain a couple injuries and a wax covered pant leg from his daring acrobatics. ;)

July 31, 2012 - 10:51 am

Heather - Saturday was a blast! Robby did sustain a couple injuries and a wax covered pant leg from his daring acrobatics. ;)

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