"We're movin' on up!"

I never imagined watching The Jeffersons late at night on TvLand would ever influence my business, but as I sit here thinking of title related to moving, it takes all I can to not bust out with "We're movin' on up!  To the East Side!  To a deeeeeluxe apartment in the skyyyy!"  (To be completely honest, Internet, I did break out in song much to my husband's dismay.)

And while we - as a family - may not be physically moving, my blog is!  If you've bookmarked, favorited (pleeease let me not be the only one who did this), or are following my RSS feed, you're going to have to do a little extra work because my sweet, sweet blog's new address is...*drumrooooll*

http://bgphotographystudios.com/blog/

As I said before, I've been a Blogger girl all my life, so I'm still working out WordPress kinks and playing with the amazing designs that ProPhoto has to offer (plus I can get rid of that nasty Blogger URL :: eww.)

But for now, this is home.  Home sweet home.  And its already filled with things I love: weddings, curly fonts, vintage frames, burlap textures...ah, I am getting comfy cozy already.

A huge thank you to my special tech support team: Ben from ProPhoto and Adam (my husband who wears many hats: second-shooter, graphic designer, drummer, teacher, and coordinator)!  You two take the cake!

And since no blog post is complete without a photo, here's Adam wearing another one of his hats during our wedding days: "I take the dresses and make sure they're flowing in the wind pretty."   My brides, this is dedication.  And just one more reason why I love him so much.

A little here+there amidst changes on the horizon.

Anne of Green Gables is playing in the background (rather, my writing is taking a backseat to this film adaption of the books that have taken over my nightstand), and my mind is whirring in a thousand different directions.  Life hasn't seemed to calm down from the end of May, but I'm making conscious efforts to enjoy the small things here and there.

|| a little mix-up from my normal weekly post (and just a day late) ||

Belly rubs and cuddles (row one, picture one).

Early Morning Commutes with my husband (row two, picture one).

Annual Garage sales with all sorts of family :: babies, mamas, grandmamas (row one, picture three; row two, picture three; row three, picture one).

Staycations on a non-wedding weekend (what even IS that?!) filled with big breakfasts, movie nights, long walks, and antiquing (row three, pictures two-four; row four, picture three).


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

This week is filled to the brim with activities (personal and business) -- all perfectly wonderful -- and I'm trying to keep my tank on full.  One of the biggest announcements is that my dear blog has finally made it to the big times :: ProPhoto!  I've been a Blogspot girl for four years, and the transition is hard in the making after perfecting my baby for so long.  But I am busily making things ready (as is Adam too -- wearing his "graphic design" hat for the week) and making it mine for the big reveal later this week!

Have a wonderful week, my friends!  See you on the other side! ;)

"Why not go out on a limb?"

I'm peacefully write this week's personal post snuggled in our warm bed (freshly laundered sheets with extra powder, might I add) -- a cat at my feet and my husband at my side.  The drier is still spinning another load (number seven of the day) and Pandora's "A Fine Frenzy" plus my iPhone's thunderstorm sound app add a soothing ambience to my favorite room of the house.  Maybe its the string the of twinkle lights Adam's hung above our headboard or the fact that I can still turn on our heated mattress pad for mid-day naps.  It could quite possibly be the stack of books I have on my nightstand (Anne of the Island being my current night-time read).  Or maybe its that everything's found its place here -- in its own nook and cranny -- and so have I.

STARS OF THE SHOW:

Distance does make the heart grow fonder.  For humans, this rings true for Adam and I.  Whenever we were separated for a period of time, the first time we saw each other...I can only explain as butterflies.  Sweet, fluttering butterflies.  This must've been something we've passed on to our furry family because -- as you can see below -- they've wanted a lot of cuddle time.  Together.  On their own.  On the couch.  Heck, they'll even settle for a lap while Adam plays video games (row four, picture four).  And my personal favorite (uh-huhhh)...kneading my face and pillow simultaneously at 7AM (row three, picture two).  Because who doesn't like that kind of wake-up call?!

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Anyone here on the west side of the state knows how to spend an afternoon in the latest 90+ degree weather: in the air conditioning.  Any photographer can empathize shooting an outdoor wedding in said weather.  I've never packed a wedding bag so specifically as to include travel deodorant (row four, picture two), but, hallelujah, I'm thankful (I'm sure Adam is too) I did!  
Tracie and Nathan's wedding day was perfect.  In hindsight, the rainstorm 3/4 of the way through the ceremony and the hail that followed might've put a damper on the party, but I tell you what -- I never stopped praying for sunshine, and God delivered plenty of it throughout the day.  I don't want to ruin anything for their upcoming blog feature, but as I was looking through Adam's First Look pictures (row four, picture three), my eyes welled up with tears and I was enthralled with her beauty, their love, Adam's talent, and the love for my job.  I am so lucky.


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

I'm heading back home tomorrow for my parents' annual garage sale.  We have over five families worth of goodies to sell, and I've got an English grandma who will be needing me to take over the register when she has her afternoon tea. :)  I'm hoping to post a little country portrait love later this week, but until then, I leave you with the words of my friend Mark Twain...

"Why not go out on a limb?  That's where the fruit is."


Simple truths.  Take your step.

Perfect brides, saying "I do" to Pinterest, and rocking the photobooths.

We've comfortably settled back into our routine after being absent from home for the past week and a half.  Ever reach the end of a week and can't remember what even happened?  I know I was busy last week with meeting this weekend's bride and making trips back home to feed the kitties and traveling across state to meet Kelly Hampton -- but besides those few bits & pieces, where did the time go?   I'm putting my money that it went to the place of lost socks, hair-ties, and bobby pins.

STARS OF THE SHOW:

A huge hootin' and hollerin' *thankyou* to my sweet husband for working hours on installing all my photo software on my laptop and researching equipment for the Mark II this past week (row one, picture three).  
My dear friend and I spent an afternoon together at the pool (albeit, not in it : notice how she'd snuggled under a towel?) talking and laughing and eating delicious Oreos.  Tommy-cat heard us giggling all the way from his hide-out in the woods and had to join in on the fun (row two, picture three).
There are a select few women in my life whom I look up to :: each for their own separate reasons.  Kelle Hampton is one of the most inspirational women I've ever met (row three, picture three).  I've read her blog for two years and her book brought me to tears.  Could she honestly be as wonderful in real life as her blog makes her out to be?  ABSOLUTELY.  She's genuine and down-to-earth and I'm so thankful to have met her.  *and thank you to Adam for driving the three hours there and three hours back ~ I love you!*

POINTS OF INTEREST:

I've been looking forward to Tracie & Nathan's wedding ever since our consultation last winter.  When we met this past week, she handed me one of her invitations (OH.MY.GOSH :: in love!)(row two, picture two) and we talked details for Saturday.  The two of us have always clicked, and this weekend sounds like sheer perfection.  Golf greens, sunny and warm, a first look, and our own golf cart!  I can't wait!
There's no denying my love of Pinterest.  You can frequently find me pinning Style and For the Home projects.  I love to pin.  And then I realize I have a bajillion pins (spent by hours clicking "repin") and none of the projects done.  It was time for me to commit.  Thank the Lord for best friends like Karra that drag my butt to Hobby Lobby and get us going on these fancy bracelets (row two, picture four).  It actually turned out pretty cute and useful for girls with small wrists like myself.  ;)
I love a good photobooth session.  On the iMac, in the mall, AT WEDDINGS (row four, picture four).  Saturday, I had the pleasure of working with Emily Rae again, and even though I was missing my real photobooth partner, I handed her prop after prop and she obliged my requests for photostrips.  Thanks, girl!  


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

I've completely rocked my inbox's world this morning (not to mention pumping out behind the scenes work :: expense spreadsheets & packaging materials), and I'm feeling optimistic about this week on the blogging world.  A little wedding action, a little portraiture, and a helluva lot of underlying excitement for this weekend's wedding!

Dropping the ball, geriatric cats, and a little camera *magic*

I completely dropped the ball on yesterday's weekly update, and I blame my parents' (used-to-be-mine) geriatric cat.  Its weird for my old house not to be my home anymore: I miss my bed, having all my work stuff handy in all the right places, knowing exactly where the dishes are, and most importantly, I miss being able to sleep through the night without the geriatric cat howling for me to pick her up onto the bed at least twelve times...before 3AM.

The couch was mighty comfy around then.

STARS OF THE SHOW:

Memorial Day Weekend (row one, pictures one-three) || Grandma laughing, my sweet husband and I with a touch of that day's sun.  Oh, and a fabulous white, floppy sunhat.  Because it ain't summer without a sunhat.
Adam's work helped put on one of the largest Girls on the Run 5K in Michigan last Thursday, and THESE GIRLS are the stars of the show (row three, picture one).  The day was rainy, cold, muddy.  Nothing stopped them.  Proud of them AND my husband for working so diligently and helping mesh innovative elements into this annual event.
And a BIG SHOUT-OUT to my brother-in-law, Scott, for graduating high-school this past Sunday (row four, pictures one-two)!  We had a weekend filled with graduation parties, plenty of family time, and non-stop plans all around West Michigan.  

POINTS OF INTEREST:

A wonderful perk of Adam working late hours lately to put on the Girls on the Run 5K was him bringing home around 100 carnations from a dinner event.  Four vases later (row two, picture four) and each room in our apartment filled with pinky goodness.  *sigh*  I'll take it.
Kristen Carlson and her husband photographed our wedding, and when they upgraded to the 5D Mark III, they put up their 5D Mark IIs for sale.  OF COURSE, I jumped on the opportunity because how freaking awesome would it be to own the camera that photographed my very own wedding?  And secretly, yes, I believe it holds some K. Holly magic...and I can't wait until I get to shoot with it at the next wedding!


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

This week's agenda?  Hoping to blog the entire wedding from third shooting with Emily Rae, complete some "around-the-house" surprises for my parents when they return, driving across state to meet Kelle Hampton (!!!) to get my book signed, and getting ready for second-shooting with Emily Rae on Saturday with my new 5D Mark II.

Happy Tuesday!  :)

Nerves of steel, Pinterest recipes, and my inner photography nerd..

My preface is short for the to-do list is long and a post office trip needs to be prepared.  Not only that, but there was that whole "day in the sun, picnicking with a family of thirty-something, and cuddling year and half year old nephews as the first wade in the big pool."  So let's get this party started:

STARS OF THE SHOW:

Toad and his wide-eyes made their way to the vet this past Wednesday (row two, pictures two and three). We found out that our rescue-baby previously had his toes broken, was in a ear-fight and had his thigh pulled out of socket and not properly healed.  AND THEN, they gave him two shots.  I just about fainted.  Literally.  Sick to my stomach, couldn't look at the needles, and had to sat down.  (Nerves of steel, this one.)  And Toad didn't even make a peep!  What am I going to do if I have a child?!  They will most likely make more than a peep.  
Noah (one of my nephews that I frequently watched this past winter and spring) graduated from preschool on Thursday (row three, picture one) and we had an ice-cream outing at the park with the whole family after downtown what we call our quaint little Holland (row three, picture two and row four picture two).

POINTS OF INTEREST:

This week was our week of trying new recipes: homemade healthy fish fillets (row one, picture three), round, smashed + baked potatoes (row two, picture four), healthy potato sliced fries *russet + sweet* (row four, picture three).  YUM.  WOW.  Aaaand, PROBABLY on the menu this week too.  
Remember last week after the battle with the batting cages and I declared the next date night would include a massage (row four, picture one)?  I seriously did book it the next the day of said blog post, and afterwards?  I realized I need to book more of them more often.  Definitely.
I was shopping around for gifts for a special someone, and I honestly couldn't leave without purchasing one myself (okay, okay, Adam bought it for me...but we're married, so "shared" finances, right?).  For those of you who aren't consumed with all things photography, its a decal for the computer or iPads that's a dial on a camera (row three, picture four).  *sigh*  I open and close my laptop frequently just to admire it.  No wonder I don't get any work done.


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

Tomorrow's all "behind-the-scenes" work :: redesigning my brand, designing packing materials, and editing the final photos from Danielle and Matt's wedding.  Look out for a feature of the adorable couple within the next few days! :)  Hope you all had a marvelous weekend!

Anne of Green Gables, rivalry, and I NEED A MASSAGE.

Sifting through and editing wedding pictures in the house all afternoon warranted an outing for this fuzzy-minded photographer. I pictured setting up in one of Holland’s quaint coffee shops and pumping out a quick blog post – home in time for dinner (which I picked up in the end, so whenever I arrive would be the “right” time anyway).  Who would’ve known the busiest street would be closed, the wi-fi wouldn’t work (I know because I’ve tried multiple signals, held my laptop over my head, and re-arranged my work area to the darkest corner of the room), and an M&M cookie would be my dinner?  Downhearted at first, perhaps; but PERSPECTIVE, my friends.  No internet distractions, the scenic route on the way home, and chocolate for dinner?  A girl's dream come true.


STARS OF THE SHOW:

Maybe you’ve noticed the absence of a cute little baldhead in the past few weeks (row one, picture two). Ever since my sister has finished teaching spring courses, I’ve had my Tuesdays free (and in turn my Instagram free) of that baby I love so much. Luckily, he and I were reacquainted this past Tuesday and spent our time together on a mile walk (I evidenced that row one, picture three)– power-pushing a stroller up-hill through grass and all.
I think we give our black cat a new name every week. It’s funny to retrace the web of names…to see the slight transformation of each name and the stark difference from start to finish. When we adopted him, he was called Dakota. Right now, we we’re referring to him as DAT GIRTH (after recently measuring him for a kitty harness [which, he’ll have to get a small dog harness instead] …and as evidenced by row two, picture four).  Poor fat Toad (another name we have for him).  The biggest ones are always babies at heart.  At least he still fits on Mama's lap.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

I have a stack of books on my nightstand: mostly psychology and religion and a few marriage books. And I was frequently waking up in the middle of the night in panic until I realized, UH, STRESS OUT MUCH?  I’ve knocked the aforementioned books off the nightstand (they are happily on the coffee table now) and replaced them with the White Noise application on my phone (row two, picture three) that lulls me into a relaxed state with a thunderstorm every night AND a light read that holds dear to my heart: Anne of Green Gables (row three, picture one).  Needless to say, my dreams are much sweeter as of late.
Husband/wife rivalry is healthy, right?  As Adam so lovingly pointed out on his Instagram that three points is still considered him winning, I lovingly Instagrammed how I was on my way to beating him this time around in Words with Friends (row two, picture two).
I tackled a long to-do list Friday (row three, picture four) in order to spend the entire evening with my husband for an official date night (row four, pictures one through three). We wanted to do something out of the ordinary, so we went to the batting cages (both something we’ve never tried)…fun? yes.  but MY LAND, I had no idea what was wrong with me Sunday morning. Aching back, raw fore-arms, and as I’m bemoaning my condition to Adam, he says so obviously, “Its probably from the batting cages, Sweetheart.”  YEAH.  On our next date night, I’m substituting the batting cages for a massage. I’ve already scheduled the appointment.
Last year, I dove head first into my business. I studied blogs like textbooks, researched forums, and shot four weddings (with Adam as my second-shooter) without ever assisting or seeing it done first-hand. This year, while our own schedule is filling up with clients, I made a bit of wiggle-room to second-shoot for experienced area photographers to gain a few tips and add to my portfolio (row four, picture four). More on this though later this week.  :)


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy!  You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)

Look out for a sneak peek of Saturday's wedding on the blog within the next few days!

[personal] a week in the life...

In the last fifteen minutes, I've put clean sheets on the bed (sprinkled with fresh powder -- something I promised [in my vows!] Adam I'd do), poured a cup of Sleepytime Extra tea, Googled the healthiest state in America (Michigan is tied for 30th -- yikes), and arm-wrestled my husband (he won, but I did put up a good fight).  Just another night at the Burnett household.

Wedding season started this past Friday for me and Adam, and I just have to say, I AM POOPED.  I honestly forgot how much we ran around, wedged in funky positions to get the perfect shot of a toast, and spoke through a specially designed sign language.  Oh, and I forgot how I end up apologizing to Adam at least once for getting snappy (.like.a.boss.).

But I also forgot how much I LOVED IT (except that last part).  I'll do a blog later this week with a preview of Danielle and Matt, but I was reminded why I love photographing weddings: the celebration, the sneaked looks of admiration the bride gives the groom during the ceremony, the camaraderie felt during toasts and all sorts of love felt throughout the room: parental, romantic, friendship.  I've never been happier to welcome wedding season.

stars of the show:

We are cat people (you've probably caught onto this if you've been following my blog).  I mean, we are ALL animal people, but our apartment allows two cats, and we're fully booked.  The first cat we adopted from the shelter is our beautiful calico.  She may not have nine lives, but she has many identities: Attention Seeker (row one, picture one).  Any kind of food beggar -- especially turkey sandwiches (row one, picture three).  7AM cuddle-bug (second row, third picture).  Secret agent hiding in laundry (second row, fourth picture).  Sassy-pants too, but she's a little too dramatic to get her picture taken then.
Our family gathered Saturday evening to celebrate five years of life of my nephew, Noah (third row, third picture).  I still like to brag about being the first one to hold him that May day in 2007.  Happy Birthday to the joy-boy of the family!
Adam and I have been married for almost a year now, and we are frequented with, "So, when are you two having kids?"  Even more so when my husband is the baby whisperer (third row, fourth picture).  Its endearing and actually amazingly attractive, and then I have to keep reminding myself how I like to sleep in until 11AM.  

points of interest:

Camera gear just gets me excited (third row, picture one).  Cleaning lenses and clearing memory cards and packing our bags for our wedding Friday evening :: ADDICTION.  
Saturday morning breakfast of champions (third row, picture two).  It wasn't even morning when we bought them.  We woke up at noon, dressed hoodies so people couldn't recognize us, and completely invaded the Meijer bakery.  Hallelujah for sprinkles.


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)

This week on the blog:  a sneak peek from Friday's wedding and the final installment of my seniors!  And yes, I've started planning a(n imaginary) ten-year-renewal of vows for Adam and me.  I just can't help it.

In other news, I have a one week trial of Hulu-Plus solely for the purpose of watching season 8 of The Office with Adam, and we are watching every.chance.we.get. -- which is coincidentally...NOW.  Toodles!  (<-- Seriously?  Who says that?)

Choosing joy, FLASHING! POP! UPS!, and Bert from Mary Poppins.

Its raining again, and I'm trying really hard to make it romantic and melodramatic and enjoyable with lit candles and the smell of baking blueberry bread.  I've opened the doors and windows and even donned a shawl around my shoulders.

I hate when things come down to simply changing your attitude because 1) that means admitting something's wrong with me and 2) changing your attitude can be hard work (not to mention when life gets all fuzzy in the details.  But I've proactively kicked my butt all morning.  And I'll kick it all night until I won't consciously have to kick anymore.

Sometimes in life I feel like I don't have much choice.  But I've been sitting here with my cup of tea and Grandma's shawl wrapped cozily around my shoulders, and I'm realizing how much I can choose joy no matter what the circumstance.  And choosing joy about the rain is about the easiest choice I can make right now.

stars of the show:

You know how some ads on the internet aren't as conspicuous as MAJOR! FLASHING! POP! UPS! but look like a little person on the bottom of your screen or a freaky little insect that scrambles across your webpage?  Let me introduce you to the spider that scared me half-to-death (second row, third picture).  NOT an advertisement.  Definitely real.  I "ew"ed myself all the way to the kitchen to get a napkin and "ew! ew! ew!"ed the entire time I smushed it...peeking only once to make sure it was dead.
Holland's Tulip Time Festival began this past Saturday, and Mom, Dad, and Gram came up to visit for the arts and crafts portion.  However, it also rained Saturday (and Sunday...but who's keeping track?), so we spent our day shopping at Lowe's for fans (row three, pictures three and four), at Hobby Lobby for little crafts, and eating pound cake and drinking tea at our apartment.  Honestly, I'm thankful for the rain that came, because I those are some of my favorite things to do...especially with those people.

points of interest:

Thursday was hot and humid, and I decided to start my summer jogging (row two, picture one).  I realize I should probably jog all year round, but I don't like running inside and I don't like running with a lot of clothes on.  One mile in, and my thighs are itchy and my legs are wobbly and I feel like I'm suffering from bronchitis.  I'll try again tomorrow.
On our way to Tulip Time yesterday (before the downpour) we walked past through the grounds of my alma mater Hope College (row four, picture one) and Adam let me reminisce about where I took classes and what the library smelled like and how beautiful the time was that I spent there.  Thank you, Sweetheart.
Once we got to Tulip Time (and after snatching some greasy fair food), I spotted Bert (Dick Van Dyke's character in Mary Poppins) circa 2012 (row four, picture two).  The banging drum when he walked, the harmonica, the guitar.  I must've told Adam a million time "He's just like the guy from Mary Poppins!"  But, for the record, Dick Van Dyke is way cooler.  And oh.my.gosh- REVELATION.  He danced in the rain.  It's a sign.  I have to watch the movie now.



*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


This week on the blog: part two of my seniors and a little inspirational wedding bliss SINCE ITS WEDDING WEEK!  Oh, this apartment is buzzing -- ripping out cute poses from magazines, cleaning gear, going over timelines, and excitedly chatting Adam's ear off about how cute her bouquets will be, oh.my.gosh, I love this venue, I need to go shopping for something to wear, ...maybe we should get married AGAIN!

Monday, Monday -- a blank canvas to start your week: make your brush strokes intent and beautiful!



And for you Mary Poppin's fans...

a blog on: being Snow White, loving people, and enjoying the small things.

Normally rainy days like today call for comfy pants, a good book (or an entire marathon of The Office), and *something-hot-and-cozy* while I angrily glare at all things work over on the desk.  However, I am kicking today's booty: Chuck Norris round-house style.  E-mails, check.  Blog post, check.  Album, check.  Mini-photo session for future blog post, check.  Cleaning house, check.  SHOWER, check.  The latter deserves a standing ovation.  Thank you, Internet.  Thank you.

stars of the show:

I re-painted a bright pink birdhouse (you're welcome, hubs) to make our apartment feel more homey and country (plus, I like to pretend I'm Snow White).   And I piled that thing high with bird-seed plus sprinkled the ground with it...to you know, entice them.  THE DUMB THINGS WOULD NEVER FLY ON MY HOUSE.  But I did have some cute Mama Goose and babies visit and pick my ground seedlings (first row, third picture).  *note: since said visit, birds of all sorts have found where the house is and fly there multiple times a day...something my cats both appreciate.
Karra fixing my purple peek-a-boo after a bad off-brand bottle of purple left half my head of hair slightly tinted blue (row two, pictures two and three).  A nice bleach, conditioning treatment, and much-needed girl talk, and I was all peaches when I got home.
Grandma's house is my peace (row three, picture three).  I feel God when I'm there.  I feel able to just breathe.  And I was able to visit her TWICE this past week: oh be still, my heart.  This woman brightens my life.
After reading Kelle Hampton's Bloom, I immediately composed a messy e-mail - with a mascara streaked-face and a pile of tissues next to me- to this girl who is my net.  The hour long calls where I have to hide in my closet so we can talk about boyfriends.  The long e-mails filled with our problems.  The happy every-so-often cards in the mail that make us smile.  I haven't seen her in six months, but it just fits when we're together.  And this past Friday, Adam and I got to hear her perform with her band (row three, picture four).  Her voice is powerful.  The room loved her.  And I needed to see her.


points of interest:

Sometimes, I'm lucky enough to have lunch with my husband during his busy day.  This past Friday was chilly, but I was determined to have a picnic (row three, picture one).  So we did.  In the car.  Blanket and all.  WITH bakery cookies.  I've learned that if you want the world, sometimes you just have to go get it yourself.  
I love this horse's mentality (row four, picture one).  He dreams big.
Lilacs (row four, picture four).  Oh, how beautiful to arrive at Grandma's house with a vase filled with these beauties that I blogged about only days ago.  Enjoying the small things in big ways.  Check.



*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and ha, my blog, easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


This week on the blog: albums & dedications to my senior girls of 2012!  Wedding season countdown: 11 days.  I'm already full of appreciation for love and sweet touches and kisses and beautifully written vows.  And Hubs just called and informed me he'll be home an hour early: so if y'all don't mind, I'm ditching work early too for love-time! ;P

Happy Monday!

Douglas J & the Girl who is my .HAIR.ROCKSTAR.

Karra is one of my best friends, and I am forever indebted to this girl for making my hair gorgeous on my wedding day & my boudoir session (plus handfuls of trials & my most recent purple peek-a-boo).  FOREVER INDEBTED: because styling hair is just about as important to a bride as making sure the groom is waiting for her at the altar.   Especially when you have baby fine hair with zero body like me.

She is amazing at what she does, and when she asked if I could photograph her graduating class from the Douglas J Aveda Institute, I couldn't say "no."  I mean, these girls study hair.  Not only will I get to help out a friend, but I GET TO PHOTOGRAPH GIRLS LOOKIN' GOOOOOD.  Extra "o"s for gorgeous hair points.  

Now, let me introduce you to a few of these gorgeous girls (with Karra being in the middle of the first row with gorgeous thick hair).







They all knew how to work the camera and were such an exciting group with crazy, fun ideas!...(having a girl on each level of the parking garage, going on the roof, climbing on top of lockers: oh, and I shot this session wearing heels & standing on a table.  (10 rockstar points for me!)



I'm convinced if this below picture is how school has been for them, I want to enroll.  STAT.  Just so I can be crazy fun with other girls who can curl my hair for me.



Congratulations!  Wishing you all the best in your future careers.  People like me would love to offer your fabulous hair & makeup skills to my brides and senior girls! :)

Lavender & Old Lace

I've had home-buying fever since I was old enough to use a hot glue gun.  And while my fever was quelled by marriage fever for hardly long enough while Adam and I planned our rustic+chic wedding, the home-buying fever returned the minute we returned from our honeymoon.  Or before.

OKAY, OKAY, I ADMIT IT.  It totally just never left.

I believe my love for all things vintage and country stem from my grandmother who lives on a large piece of property (once) filled with gardens of fruit and vegetables, tall and beautiful hydrangea bushes, and a dirt road that led to imagination-filled walks.  She donned her and Grandpa's home with hand-made lace curtains in the kitchen and let me hand-pick wildflower bouquets to place in the center of her table.  And when we'd sit on the sofa with our afternoon tea and the windows & doors open, a faint breeze would sweep through the hall accompanied the song of wild birds.



Early on in our relationship, I begged, pleaded with, made Adam promised to fill our backyard with lavender bushes.  We are thankful for our apartment: a roof over our heads and large enough to give us space when we argue and small enough to create a special intimacy during these first few months of our marriage.

But lately, we'll sit in our two-bedroom apartment and dream of redecorating a place that is all our own:  mud-rooms created from a gutted closet, palettes of color to set the mood of our rooms, a garden to grow everything wild and beautiful to sit in the mason jar on our dining table, and a green bead-board backsplashed kitchen complete with old lace curtains.

[personal] a week in the life of...

I like adding things to my to-do list that should already be a given to anyone's routine.  Crossing off extra things ("Shower.  Load dishwasher.  Put on real pants.") no matter how mundane make me feel like I pretended worked hard today.  I was pumped when I crossed off "Package and ship orders.  Finish contracts.  Deposit checks.  Get groceries."  But then when I realized I failed to ever get around to putting on real pants today, I kind of felt like a loser.

But, hey, at least I'm not blogging in my underwear.


stars of the show:

My nephew Landon is a second-grader; and every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, he gets extra time after lunch to practice for a walk-a-thon.  Last Wednesday, he got to pick a special person (*ahem*) to walk with him (second row, second picture).  Bonus cool points to Uncle Adam who installed a cool app on my phone to track our walk and tell us how fast we were going!
Once you graduate college (or high-school), your group of friends kind of disperses.  And you can't run down the hall to your girlfriend to complain about boy problems or spontaneously watch hours and hours of Sex & the City.  So, when the chance to organize a Girls' Night (third row, first picture) presented itself, I threw myself in.  Girls did not disappoint!  And the eight of us talked babies, houses, marriage, jobs, and memories-- with a heaping cup of hilarity (which may or may not have included one of us spilling a glass of water on her lap).
Our kitties are frequently called the babies.  And the babies love the warm weather and rolling around on the cement outside our apartment (fourth row, first picture).  Love our calico and her miss priss attitude.  "I'm working on my tan, Mom.  Where are your ferns to fan me?"

points of interest:

If you read last week's post, you'd remember my mantra: "I'm a rockstar. I'm a rockstar. I can do this. I'm a freakin' rockstar."  The first four pictures inspired the mantra.  And man, did we ever rock-it-out. 
Look for this gorgeous girl (second row, third picture) and the rest of her class from Douglas J Aveda Institute later this week! :)
4:30AM Saturday morning.  I could hear the bird in my dreams.  But the chirping was getting louder and louder, until I realized 1) birds aren't that annoying and 2) the chirping was inside the apartment.  I go into panic attack mode (I was awaken from my sweet dreams after all...) while Adam swears and swiss-army knifes it out of the ceiling fixes the chirping.  And still it hangs: dismantled wires and all (third row, second picture). 
We stopped out to eat on Saturday just because we needed to get out of the house.  Two Jimmy John's sub-sandwiches plus a quick look on my phone calendar (and an "oh heeey!") made it our official eighth month anniversary dinner (third row, fourth picture).  Still feels like a sleepover with my best-friend every night.  I hope it never changes, Sweetheart.


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and ha, my blog, easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


Holy long blog post.  I think its time for tea and one of those donuts I just had to have! from Meijer.  Portrait blog post coming soon...and what's that?  18 DAYS UNTIL THE FIRST WEDDING OF THE SEASON. :)

Weekend Newsreel | Babysitting | Being a Rockstar

"A Week in the Life..." got pushed back because of Happy 100!, and to be honest, all I can remember about last week was snow early on and a weekend jam-packed with visits to Grandma's house and my parents, talking way too fast to my May bride&groom ("Its just something I do because I'm so excited..." I explain to Adam) during our pre-wedding meeting, a musical, and something about THE.BEST.DAY.EVER spent with my husband window-shopping, eating sugar cookies, swinging on the beach, and an impromptu manicure.

It's Tuesday now-- not like you wouldn't know that or anything; but on Tuesdays, I change diapers, make lunches, cradle babies on my hip, play one of Spiderman's nemeses (and yes, that's the plural of nemesis-- I just checked), make beds & fold laundry, create pretend campfires out of connectable race-tracks, and tell ghost stories at nap time while letting kids eat suckers. "And when the lunch-time scramble hit with a 15-month old crying for food, a 4-month old on my hip, and trying to drag a 2 year-old away the TV, I began chanting, "I'm a rockstar. I'm a rockstar. I can do this. I'm a freakin' rockstar."

The house is quiet now, and I'm playing catch-up. Senior picture orders, boudoir album, e-mails, and the ever reliable "A Week in the Life..."

stars of the show:

Jake (Adam's little brother) was able to perform for the first time with Adam's older brother (who is graduating this year) on stage this past Saturday. After the show (and saying hi to Mom & Dad), Jake bypassed all the other relatives because he locked eyes with his big brother, Adam. And big brother Adam kinda rocks it out too (fourth row, second picture).

points of interest:

Early last week, a freak-snow storm hit (first row, second picture): giant, huge flakes fell slowly to the ground (but thankfully weren't able to stick), while I texted my sisters in Florida and brother in California. They were, obviously, quite happy for me and misery (first row, third picture). 80s in March. Snow in April. That's Pure Michigan.

Tuesday night, I had to opportunity to photograph the most recent graduating class of Aveda Douglas J Institute in Grand Rapids (second row, first picture). I couldn't say no, well, because I'm forever indebted to one of the girls in the class for doing my hair for my personal boudoir shoot and wedding day (and my mid-20s crisis purple hair). These girls knew how to work the camera (not to mention a hoot to work with), and I'm excited to blog a few of their pictures later!

(second row, second picture) Kelle Hampton on the Today Show featuring her recently published memoir Bloom. You inspire me, girlfriend!

Do you think my clients would like me better if I sounded like YoYo from Hoops&YoYo (second row, fourth picture)? "Work it, baby!"

Aaaaand the last two rows dedicated to a beautiful weekend.

*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and ha, my blog, easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


I've got less than an hour before another KIMC (kid in my care) comes home from school and we head outside to play some mad hoops on the new driveway set-up. In the meantime, I think its time to dig out my book for these special, quiet occasions on days like these. ;P May your week be filled with finding happiness in the ordinary!

Old & New Dreams: Happy 100.

I didn’t always want to be behind the camera. Honestly, I wanted to be in front of it. And since my chest resembled more of a boy's than a Victoria Secret Angel, I dreamed that even modeling for JC Penney would pretty be earth shattering. Me…in print!

Summer 2008, and my mom’s friend let me borrow her Canon 20D because “I liked the way the clicker (who knew what a shutter was then?) sounds like a real camera and not my little Powershot.” Pretty soon, my girlfriend and I were in my parents’ bathroom, squishing close together so we could both fit our faces in the oval mirror to apply dramatic make-up. America’s Next Top Model: College (but-really-just-playing-dress-up) Edition.





We’d each take turns posing while the other one took the photo. I remember getting frustrated because my photos weren’t turning out how I envisioned them. I’d sigh and start commanding: Don’t put me right in the center of the photo! or Only from chest up! before quickly scurrying back into my (*ahem* much practiced) model pose—pout and all.



But I knew. I knew right then that no matter how much I wanted to be in front of the camera, I belonged behind the camera.



While I’ve switched from automatic mode (and flash—oh no) and no longer revel being in front of the camera (yikes!), I still feel a sense of belonging as I gently press my left-eye to my viewfinder and capture everyday fleeting moments, significant occasions, and simply…beauty.





Old dreams have done goneand packed their bags to let new dream move in. So while I don’t necessarily want to be featured in a JC Penney catalog as a model; YES, I’d die-and-go-to-heaven LOVE to be featured in The Knot or Martha Stewart Wedding as the photographer. ;P



Happy 100, Blog. Cheers to another 100!

[personal] a week in the life of...

53 days later, and I still can't get my password correct on the first try. Dumb hackers. But my land, it does show how routine rules my days.

I'm not sure why I started to do these weekly blogs on Sunday when Mondays are my catch-up days. For most people, they wind down on Friday and restore their energy for a new week. On a normal Friday afternoon, you'll find me running last-minute errands, hurriedly checking off my mental to-do list, attempting a perfect homecoming for my husband. Normally, I'm mid-laundry-cycle and am half-dressed by the time he comes home (which the latter, I'm sure he doesn't mind); but ever since he's been physically absent during the week, I want the weekend to be ours. And we make it so with routine Saturday morning breakfasts and spontaneous house-hunting trips. But by the end of our weekend, I've sucked the last bit of marrow, and I'm exhausted. Mondays are mine to enjoy...slowly. With breakfast consisting of hot tea and an english muffin and my latest read, answering client e-mails with extra enthusiasm, and running out of the apartment like a bat out of hell to enjoy some sunshine and another attempt to rid myself of this cold.

Maybe these updates might shift a day or two in the week, which probably doesn't matter much right now, but in 4 weeks from this Friday: FIRST WEDDING OF THE SEASON, BABY. I'm beyond excited for a wedding at one of my favorite venues (and the sister barn of where Adam and myself were wed), The Blue Dress Barn.

But I digress.

stars of the show:

adam is a rockstar when it comes to making me feel better. whether its flowers (helloooo, gorgeous flowers row 1, picture 2) or taking afternoon naps (row 2, picture 2), or making me get my butt out of the tissue-infested house (i went through 2 150 count boxes in almost 4 days), he knows what i need when i need it. and i love him (and his silly self: row 3, picture 2) all the more for it.

points of interest:

i'd like to very humbly and graciously point out ROW TWO, PICTURE ONE. BRIDAL PACKETS MADE BY YOURS TRULY. oh, my sweet brides. these packets contain information and goodies i wish i would've known (or did, thankfully) on my special day to make it even smoother. y'all get one as your wedding date approaches (i felt like a grandma mixed with paula deen there with the "y'all" trying to calm down crazy reaching brides- as if you're that excited), so don't worry!

"bloom where you are planted." row three, picture one. i've followed kelle hampton's blog for years, and when i heard she was publishing a book (and offering incentives on said pre-orders), i clicked "add to cart" on amazon.com faster than...than...okay, i did it pretty quickly. while on the outside, nothing in our life seems related: she is a mother of two children, one of which has down syndrome (on which the book is primarily about) who lives in florida and always dreamed of being a teacher and having lots of babies. hardly relative to my life. but, i laughed. and oh, good Lord, i cried. and she met me in a place where i desperately needed to be met emotionally. and i'm so thankful for that.

beach shell from my sweet niece in florida. now every-time i get in my car, i close my eyes and let the sun warm my face and desperately wish i was on my way to her house to spend the day having tea parties and playing with dollies.

*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and ha, my blog, easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


I never did win the big Adorama give-away, and I'm okay with that because I am learning that right here and right now is mine to grab and take ahold of. To make beautiful and memorable.

And part of that, my responsibility, is designing this boudoir album for a bride who is making her marriage beautiful and memorable - purposeful with this gift to her new husband.

Happy Monday!

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver

[personal] a week in the life of...

I write multiple introduction paragraphs (I blame my [self-diagnosed] OCD). But I was struggling tonight with words, and I read the few sentences out loud to Adam. I started the post with an impressive list of my "16 hours days, forgetting meetings and realizing it last minute, temper tantrums" kind of week, when Adam so sweetly stepped in to remind me, "But I also got you flowers!" Then a pause while he looked over to them: "...that...now...are...dead." He smiled. I smiled. Thank you, hubby.

And here we are.

stars of the show:

my hair. my PURPLE hair. besides feeling like a complete radio-transmitter ("E.T.?") with a heavily foiled head, my four-hour "crazy-hair" volunteer appointment at Douglas J Institute was well worth it. i mean~ I HAVE PURPLE HAIR. rockstar.

points of interest:

the "introduction" flowers at their best & brightest. adam's always been a romantic (second row, last picture: sweet note to which to wake up). i've always been a realist (which i've actually admitted to meaning pessimist). prince charmings do exist. just take your eyes off of mine. ;P

"XXX" ~ i finished wrapping up a boudoir session this past week, and i can't wait to begin designing her *little black book* album. wish i could blog all my sexy bride-to-bes, but these are for their future husbands' eyes only!

we've finally upgraded our 13 year-old dell laptop to a macbook pro i found on craigslist. adam's friend works at the apple store in our area, and gave us the "genius bar of approval" on our investment. yes, my friends, we have completely branded our house with apple products.


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and ha, my blog, easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


While I didn't win it big with the Mega Millions, here's to hoping for new camera equipment from Adorama! They're featuring a give-away (fingered crossed for these goodies: Canon 5DMII with Canon EF 24-105L Image Stabilized Lens, Think Tank Photo Roller Luggage, SanDisk 16 Extreme Pro CF Card, and SanDisk 8GB Memory Vault) that ends tonight. If you enter your e-mail for the $200 give-away, you're automatically submitted into both give-aways.

While I may seem absent on the blog, I'm busy in the office. I'm booking another wedding for this summer, re-designing the blog, ordering senior pictures (2 more months! you can do it!), and drum-roll...I'll be sending out bridal packets this week! We're on the brink of wedding season, and I couldn't be more excited! Happy Sunday!

[personal] a week in the life of...

This blog has been live for a little over a year and a half. And lately, my vivacity for writing, for my blog has felt forced. I assume you've heard the analogy of how if you squeeze sand too tightly, it falls through the cracks of your fingers, but if you cradle the sand, you can hold it~ safely, without fear of losing it. I'm sand. Falling fast through the cracks of my own fingers: by my own pressures and presuppositions.

Last summer, I wrapped up 4 weddings and announced I was officially a photographer. And by that new standard of "photographer," I had rules to live by; an invisible law to follow in the photography blogging world. Don't write too personally. Don't write a blog without a picture. You must post a session each week. If you don't have a session, don't write anything at all. You're a PHOTOGRAPHER now, Brennigan, people EXPECT this from you. They expect professionalism, lots of fabulous -never-before-seen- pictures, and you living up to and blowing your competition out of the water.

And for months, I have tried to live up to these expectations that left me wordless at a keyboard that previously was my soul-mate. I've always blogged. I've always spoken my heart, my mind. I can't help it. And sometimes its good to spill your guts, and sometimes its scary for others to hear, but it's me. I muted myself for the sake of photographer laws & rules that don't even exist.

I was reading Jasmine Star's magazine last night again for some business insight, and there in direct block quoting, she spoke the words I needed to hear: I've come to believe beyond all doubt that brides are choosing photographers, not photographs, so stop focusing on the very thing that makes you the same.

I knew -instantaneously- that that was what I had been doing. I had created a rule-book to make my blog, my business look like everyone else's. I let the pressures of Facebook pages bring me to tears ("I lost a follower! I'm a failure!"). When only 7 months ago, I was a bride myself picking out my wedding photographer~ not because of her pictures (which are beautiful, by the way), but because when I first started reading her blog, I knew we would click. When I met with other photographers, I never felt that connection that I did with her. Many photographers in our area take astounding pictures. But ultimately, my choice to choose her as our wedding photographer was because I connected more with her (her words, her blog, her personality) emotionally than I did with her portfolio.

And as I searched through my blog to the first post on August 29, 2010, I can see how much I've improved technically. I'm proud of that. And I believe its okay to be proud of that. But, I also see my decline in letting my readers into my everyday life. I limited myself for the sake of pressures and made-up photography laws and eventually choked my ability to express myself.

So, today, I'm throwing out this made-up rulebook (it's thick too, mind you). This is my second summer of weddings, and I'm so grateful to the brides that have chosen me to document their special day. And I feel it: the excitement I first felt when I realized this is what I want to do, the fear of rejection, the joy of losing one's self in art, in life, and the calm of knowing that I am able to blend the two resulting in a beautiful story.

*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and ha, my blog, easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


It's been a week of reflection, and I'll let my photos show where my heart has been. I have a lot planned for this week. Re-inventing my business, reclaiming what I laid aside for the sake of blending in, and forcing myself to step out from my safe shell I've found and proudly stake what I've created.

Hoping you'll be blessed in finding your true self this week: through nature, words, music, specific actions, or people. Whatever it may be! Happy weekend, readers!

[personal] a week in the life of...

Flower bulbs have been planted. Flip-flops have been dug out of storage. The grill has been filled with charcoal. Bubble wands have been flying through the air. The two of us have been taking walks almost every night, and the kitties love the breezes that drift through open doors & windows. Our unseasonably warm Spring has left the Burnett household wholly satisfied. We spent our Fall and Winter (first as husband and wife, no less!) dealing with car accidents, hospital bills, job searches, sickness, and lots of reality. We needed this. Together, we needed this Spring.

stars of the show:

little next-door neighbor girls. particular, evie. i watch my nephews every tuesday and this week, evie & little charlie spent the morning with us. once her big brother aiden comes home, all the kiddies and i decide we need bubbles. because bubbles cause faces like that (first picture, first row).

phara was our first rescue kitty. and i am absolutely smitten by her ability to act royal. not like i spend hours in front of her waiting for the opportune moment, but i totally caught her mid-yawn and she looks like a lion. or more-so, looks like she's trying to be a lion. and hey~ in this household, we dream big.

cameron & katelyn: my sweet, sweet nieces (second row, third picture). they live in florida, but thank you steve jobs for inventing ipads with facetime.

ella celebrated her first birthday today, and let me tell you~ kids love adam. babies love adam. i love adam. and this little cutie (last row, first picture) was being a sweet flirt with my hubby today. and it was her birthday~ she makes the rules. :)

points of interest:

there's more to our week besides my new sparkle shoes, my orchid blooming & the tulips poking through downtown holland, and discovering hearts inside twistie-ties. noticeably, the results of listening to grandma.

i wanted to go home today after the birthday party. i was tired. i wanted to save money and grab something from home before settling down for the evening. as i was voicing this to adam in the kitchen, grandma demanded spontaneity. "that's how you make the memories," she insisted. multiple times. SOOO, we stopped at one of our local beach towns and took our dinner to go. we sat in the sand and dreamed together of our future. dreamed big. talked like best friends & lovers do. we held hands. and we watched our first sunset of the season on my homemade quilt. what an evening it was. listen to your elders, they say. well, they -whoever "they" may be- are right.



*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and ha, my blog, easy-peasy! You can follow me @ bgilsonburnett or on Twitter @brennigan)


Adam & I have spent hours and hours outside today, and my body is ready to collapse into warm knit blankets. I'm ready to sip my night-time tea and turn the house down for a quiet night.

I hope your weekend did not disappoint. Goodnight!

New Growth

I've declared it. From the mountain-tops this time. Spring is here! And my orchid has gone through dormancy and come out the the other side ready to open its petals and drink in this beautiful sunny warmth.

Weeds? My nephews and I call them FLOWERS.

Even the tiniest growth (which I discovered this morning) brings a smile to my face.

Not to mention the kitties sure do love the doors open all the time. :)

Enjoy this unseasonably warm weather this weekend, Michiganders!

Happy Friday!