"The other Sarah's" Wedding photos

I am the furthest thing from a professional photographer, I will be the first to admit it!  However, when my sister decided (very abruptly) to get married last weekend...guess who got recruited to take photos?!  With the help of our awesome family, we whipped together a pretty snazzy wedding if I do say so myself!  Here were some of my favorites!  

It all came together very quickly, and very beautifully.  Congrats Sarah and Tristen!

My favorite iphone apps for photos.

I have spent (way too much) time scouring the app store (and some awesome IG-ers) looking for fun ways to add something extra to my photos. I've seen lots of cool photo effects through instaram, and would not rest until my pictures looked equally awesome.  So...here I give you, my top 10...wait, I just counted and there are actually 8...OK, my top 8 apps for making your cool photos even cooler, right on your iphone!

My first favorite app is Instagram. (Free)  If you have an iphone and you have not signed up for instagram, you must live under a rock.  Go get it NOW.

I've been having so much fun with this app, not just for the cool photo effects, but because it allows you to "follow" your friends, or others and keep up with their photos too.  Love, Love, Love.

Next is Camera +  ($1.99)

I take every single photo on my phone with this.  I feel like the photos are better quality has better options than the regular camera.  It allows you to zoom, it even has a timer so you can take cool shots like this:

For putting text on my photos, I love to use Phonto (Free)

This app allows you to take a photo, or upload one from your phone and just start typing text.  You can change font, size, color, and tilt.  There are a ton of fonts to choose from, and I love that you can make the text opaque for a cool effect.

Another must have for adding text is Label box (Free)

This app creates fun labels like the photo above that can be left blank, or write text on.  I love the label maker tape in red and black...

While we're on the subject of cute labels...Masking Tape is pretty much ridiculous. ($.99)

It looks kind of shady when you first open it up and look through it, but I promise you will not be disappointed.  There are a million color/pattern choices for the tapes you can create:

I mean, seriously??  How much cuter is this picture with a little masking tape behind your text.  I know what you are thinking...Holy Crap Sara...you must have way too much time on your hands.  I really don't, I just ignore everyone and everything and spend obscene amounts of time doing "monkey business" on my phone.  Mother of the year.  I know.

Diptic ($.99) gives you several different ways to lay out your photo to create a collage, or add multiple images.  For example:

Do you love the "bokeh" effect and the look of lens flare?  Check out LensLight.($.99)  It is way too fun.

...and finally my go-to app for photo editing, and adding some fun effects with minimal effort is Pixl-r-omatic. (Free)

It has lots of filters, lighting options, and frames built right in.  Along with many other apps, you can upgrade for an extra fee and "unlock" more options, but it has a great amount that already come installed.  

I have a handful of other apps I use for frames and such, but these are the few I use daily.  If you have found some great ones, please share!  On second thought...don't.  My husband already gives me the stink eye whenever I am on my phone.  Which is all the time.  So, whatever...tell me anyway!

Winter Wonderland...uuggghhhh.

It has been snowing like crazy the last few days.  Lots of schools had a snow day friday, and it kept coming all day yesterday.  I know I have said this before, but it is worth repeating...I do not enjoy the snow.  Not so much at all.  I don't enjoy driving in it.  I don't enjoy seeing other people drive in it.  I do not enjoy shoveling in it.  I do not enjoy playing in it.  I do not like it here nor there, I do not like it anywhere.  I do not like it Sam Sara I am.

HOWEVER...

I have two children that do not share these opinions of mine.  (And one husband who outright disagrees with my opinions...not that he has any say around here.)  Lucky for all of them, the sun was out in all it's splendor today, so I gave in, and we all went for a walk around Frederick Meijer Garden.  IT.WAS.MAGICAL.  

 There were about 2 other cars in the parking lot, so we had the place all to ourselves.

 We were all bundled up and just walked around looking at how different everything was under a blanket of fresh snow.

 The sunshine felt amazing and helped keep us out there a little longer than we normally would have been able to.

 The blue skies were stunning, and created a perfect backdrop to the crisp white snow, and countless empty branches.

 We found a few reminders of Christmas left over.

It was an absolutely stunning afternoon.

After our walk, we headed inside for some hot chocolate and found some pretty things there too!

It sure was pretty, but I'm looking forward to the butterflies coming back! 

I guess if this snow is going to be around, I might as well enjoy it...oh...and did I mention I taught myself how to fire up (and actually use) the snow blower this week?  

 Sure did!

Don't mess with me.

Intro to Photography. Yay!

A few months ago, some friends and I were hanging out and we started talking about taking a photography class.  Normally when things like this come up over drinks, it sounds like a great idea, but does not come to fruition.  

When said friend brought the idea back up via email a few weeks later, I jumped on the opportunity to strengthen my "photography skills".  I've always thought about doing this, but probably wouldn't have pursued it on my own.  We decided on a day and time and got ourselves registered.  Last night was our first class, and to say that I was excited is a complete understatement.  

The teacher was awesome, very passionate about photography, and easy to understand.  Of course last night was just the intro, so lots of camera exploration and lecture, but over the next seven weeks we have so much to cover.  There's even homework!  I can't explain how exciting this is to actually use my brain again! :)  

Also having a night away each week where I don't have to feed, bathe, and put kids to bed is an added bonus.  I'm thankful my husband is supportive.  I'm thankful the tuition cost isn't an obstacle.  I'm thankful for friends that share my passion.  This is one happy girl right here.