Resolutions, Insecurities, and Why You Should Take More Selfies

I have always loved the beginning of a new year, the resolutions and the commitments, the fresh starts. I know it is so cliche, but I have done it all-- I’ve written down my “word of the year”, I have vowed to focus on loving more or eating better, I have made list after list. And some of these resolutions I have kept, some have faded as January becomes June, becomes December. But I still love it. I love goals and I love hope.

I know we are already halfway through February, but I have finally taken some time to think about 2016 and have set some goals and written some lists. One phrase I heard a while back that has been resonating with me is this-- Exist in Photos. And I have decided that this is something I will try to focus on a little more this year.

I have a chance to see first-hand a lot of insecurities. You want to remember what you don’t like about yourself? Have someone point a camera at you. :) Even if someone doesn’t tell me with their words, I have gotten pretty good at reading it by the way people act. I see the wedding guest who always drifts towards the back of the group photo, because they think they are overweight and like having people in front of them. I see the bridesmaid who never gives me a full smile because she doesn’t like her teeth. I hear the mom, who laughs and asks if I can take off 20 pounds and ten years-- she winks as she says it, but sometimes I think she really wishes I would. I know the senior doesn’t pick certain photos of herself, because she thinks her arms look too big.

So this year, I would like to inspire you to step out of your insecurities just a little bit, and exist in photos. Why? Because there are a lot of people out there who love you. They want to remember this beautiful time in your life, right after you’ve had your third child or turned 18 or said I Do. They love your big smile, the one that lights up your whole face and makes your eyes sparkle. They can almost hear you laughing in those pictures. This time in your life, the year you may not have it all together, or the year you gained 3.455 pounds, it is so full of lovely memories that deserve to be captured. Like baking cookies with your kids. And playing in the snow with them. And being at your cousin’s wedding, or standing with her at the alter as she says I Do.

This year, let’s Exist in Photos. Let’s take too many pictures and post too many on Facebook. Instead of shrinking to the back of the group, let’s jump in with them and smile big. Snuggle with your kids and ask your husband to take a picture as your little ones fall asleep on your lap, even if you’ve already taken your makeup off. Make 2016 the biggest photo album yet. And then at the end of the year, maybe we’ll look back and see how much fun we’ve had. Like those late night dates to Wendy’s because we were craving a frosty. That beautiful beach vacation that made all your friends a little jealous. Instead of taking too many pictures of just your dog, see how many you can take with your dog. And maybe in 2017 you can keep it going. Be intentional about it, have fun with it. :) I will try, too. Because I’m guilty of taking more pictures of my coffee than I do of the ones I love, with the ones I love.

So let’s try this together. In 2016, let’s build more tangible memories. Let’s take a few seconds to record this amazing life that is going by way too fast. Set a ten second timer and jump in the picture. Be present and laugh and love like crazy. From the big moments to the small, sweet ones, let’s create a little paper picture trail of our year. Whether with an iPhone and Instagram filters or with pictures from a pro, in 2016, let’s Exist In Photos.

Three Cameras I Would Recommend for Christmas 2015

Every year about this time I get asked my opinion on cameras I would recommend, for those doing a little Christmas shopping or who are scouting Black Friday ads, and I make up a little list that I send out when I get those inquiries. So I thought this year I would just write a blog post about it, that way everyone can have access to it! This is not exhaustive, I haven't spent hours and hours researching so forgive me if there are better options out there. But this is a good place to start! :) Canon PowerShot SX610 HS Digital Camera

I am starting here in the mid-$200 range, because most of you have smartphones that have pretty decent cameras on them already, so this camera would give you something you don't already carry in your pocket. The feature I love most about this one is the 18x Optical zoom, which means it is actually zooming in and not just cropping into the picture (which is what "digital zoom" means, and what your iPhone does). This camera also has 20 Megapixels and can shoot up to 7 images per second. And another pretty neat feature about this camera is that it has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, for wireless transferring to mobile devices. So it sounds like getting these images onto Facebook and Instagram would be pretty easy! And I have to say, this is such a pretty camera. :) --This camera will be perfect for parents who want to take better pictures at their kids' ballgames and family gatherings, vacationers who want to be able to zoom in close on wildlife and zoom out for mountain and beach views, and business owners who want to post decent-quality images of their products on social media.

Olympus PEN E-PL6 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera

We are moving on up to the $400 range now. This camera kind of brings out the old teenager in me, who loved taking pictures but wasn't quite familiar with what settings like aperture and shutter speed did just yet. I think of this camera as a trainer for a DSLR. It still has interchangeable lenses, but it's smaller than a DSLR and the price tag is great for those who don't want to commit to learning tons about photography yet. This camera boasts 16 Megapixels (I know it feels like a step back from the 20 Megapixel option above, but contrary to popular belief Megapixels aren't everything), up to 8 images per second, and two lenses-- one wide angle and one telephoto. This camera also has a FlashAir memory card, "which enables wirelessly transferring image files to connected mobile devices and computers". So it looks like this one would be able to transfer pictures to your phone easily as well, if you want to post your images on social media. Please note though, this camera does not have a built in flash, so if you need to use flash often this may not be the camera for you. --This camera would be perfect for the photography enthusiast who wants to take their passion for photography to another level. Not quite professional, but a good camera to learn on. Would be perfect for pictures of your kids playing at the park, concert photos (when allowed), and nature photography.

Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera

Okay, so you (or someone on your Christmas list) absolutely LOVE photography and are ready to start learning more and investing more into your hobby. Let's move on to the $650 range. This camera is an actual DSLR, has 18 Megapixels, can shoot up to five images per second, and can support more professional lenses and equipment. The link above is for the camera body only, no lens is included. The reason I chose this option, rather than a kit with a body and lenses, is because I always recommend a basic camera body and a 50mm 1.8 lens for those wanting to expand into more of a professional-quality camera. The camera is only half of it now. Every professional knows that lens choice plays a huge role in the look and quality of their images. This lens will enable you to shoot at aperture 1.8, which will be great in low-light and for those of you who love those blurry backgrounds. It is not a zoom lens, but by starting at this mid-range, you can get comfortable with this lens length and decide if you find yourself needing a wider lens or a longer lens, and invest in another lens accordingly. I actually shot my first year of business with this lens alone, and photographed most of my class assignments in college with it, too. Pretty amazing, considering it is only about $125. :) This camera also does not have a built-in flash, and no memory cards are included so you would need to invest in one (I'd recommend a 16 GB or two). --This camera/lens would be great for those who want to take more professional-quality images. I would not recommend this to someone who doesn't want to take the time to learn what the different settings do (such as aperture/shutter speed), because shooting this in auto mode would be wasting most of its capabilities.

I'm going to stop here, because if you are looking into something even more professional than these you really need to do the research yourself and know what features you need in a camera. I hope this helps some of you though! If you purchase one of these I'd love it if you would check in and post a comment below letting me know how you like it. :) Happy shopping!

(For those of you wondering, you can find the camera I shoot with and love here.)

An Introduction to Abrea

I wrote a little introduction to Jimmy a few weeks ago, but I thought I should probably tell you all a few things about myself as well since some of you are new around here! So here goes-- 10 Things You May Not Know About Me. 1. I grew up in Troy, TN, but I was homeschooled so I don't know as many people around here as I probably should. I am kind of grateful that a lot of you don't know me from high school and such though, because I was pretty awkward. ;) And I'm not talking about the Zooey Deschanel cutesy awkward, but like the Chandler Bing awkward!

2. Gilmore Girls is my favorite show of all time. I even got Jimmy to watch it with me, just so he would know why random things make me laugh! Many weddings and sessions have been processed with Gilmore Girls playing in the background.

3. I became a coffee lover in college when I had class for four hours straight, starting at 8:00 in the morning. It was mostly sweet Starbucks drinks for me until I took a trip to Portland, OR, a couple of years ago. Now that I know how amazing a beautifully handcrafted latte tastes made by a skilled barista, I am sold! We have a whole section in our tiny kitchen devoted to coffee now. Freshly roasted beans, a top-notch grinder (we grind beans every day before making our coffee), and about five or six different ways to make coffee here at home.

4. Speaking of 8am classes, I went to college in Nashville for photography and absolutely loved it! Nossi College of Art became my home away from home for two years. For the first time ever I was surrounded by other people who had a passion for art and creativity. It was like heaven to me. We had small classes so we all became a little family, shooting homework assignments together and helping each other figure out photoshop and lighting. I cried like a baby my last day of classes, it's kind of embarrassing. :)

5. Jimmy and I met at a Bible study called The Bridge, and out of that little Bible study two other couples met and got married. It just might have been because my sister was there and is kind of a matchmaker... We have to give credit to whom credit is due!

6. At home, I clean and Jimmy is the cook. He is pretty amazing, and I am pretty ditzy, when it comes to cooking. For example, the first time I made popcorn I left the plastic wrap on when I put it in the microwave!

7. We don't have kids yet, but we do have a little scruffy dog named Annie. She was a rescue, so we don't know exactly how old she is or what breed she is. I think she is her own breed, though. A little mixture of all sorts. Her crazy hair is one of the things I love most about her!

8. My name is pretty unique, and one of my good friends still mispronounces it. It's now to the point that I can't even correct her because we've known each other a few years. :) When in doubt, feel free to call me "Abe"!

9. I am a pretty stereotypical lady who loves Fall! I can never get enough scarves, cardigans, boots, and pumpkin-scented candles. If I could hit pause about mid-October and keep the orange leaves around a few weeks longer, I definitely would!

10. Jimmy and I wanted to elope in Washington state, but after our families were a bit sad about not being there to watch us say "I Do", we had a small ceremony here at home instead. It was the perfect wedding day though, we couldn't have asked for a better one! We did end up going to Seattle for our honeymoon, and can't wait to go back someday. So if anyone needs a photographer in the Pacific Northwest... you know where to find us! ;)