I’ve taken to afternoon walks with the dogs through the backyard. Since there is about an acre behind the house which also connects to the greenway, there is plenty of room to stretch and explore. I bundle up and put on the work boots (I think it’s funny that we have those) and am ready to traipse through anything. The dogs love it, and snow doesn’t slow them down. We visit the chickens who are now full grown and ready to defend themselves from curious little dogs. Just a little bit of everyday life in the country.

Every morning for the past few weeks we got up with anticipation. We have been waiting and wondering when our chickens would lay the first egg, almost as if to question their ability to do so in the first place. The thought of being able to go out and gather fresh eggs from our chickens seemed so idyllic it almost was like a fairytale. We have wholeheartedly embraced aspects of life in the country and getting chickens four months ago was our first real step in that direction. We have seen the girls grow rapidly in the past 4 months since they first arrived as tiny baby chicks and today we went out to the coop and found this little egg inside.

It worked! Our chickens can lay eggs and this crazy miracle of life and food is taking place in our backyard. I’m excited, if you can’t tell.

After an whirlwind weekend in Lancaster, PA and then Washington, DC it feels good to be home. I still think about moving to a city and living within walking distance of cafes, running along paths by the waterfront and deciding between public transportation and biking… but I can’t complain about being able to walk to my backyard and gather fresh eggs. Life is both simple and complicated in the country, but I suppose it is where ever you live.

I feel at home photographing in wide open spaces and natural locations, and that’s exactly where this weekend’s wedding took place. The ceremony was not far from Buffalo, and the reception not far from Rochester, New York. The best of both worlds as the lives of Corrie and Brendan came together. I’m so happy for you guys and thanks for allowing me to document your day. Enjoy the Adirondacks!

There are times when you just know, and that is the case with Wes + Rachel. I have not only had the pleasure of photographing them, but they have accompanied me for a few weddings this summer to second shoot. When we planned their session we made it a priority to incorporate an activity and make it more of a date. I always recommend thinking about photos in that way since it gives you a context to plan within. You no longer show up just to take pictures, but you show up to go to a waterfall and then go canoeing… and that’s just what we did. Love is wonderful to document, and I hope you enjoy this session that took place practically in my backyard.

standing up in a canoe while floating down a river was not easy – but they were up for the challenge. In fact, they didn’t tip at all but they did lose a paddle that Wes quickly rescued.

every session should be this fun. congrats again w+r!

The chicks are growing up. Who knew it would happen so fast? Obviously I wasn’t expecting them to change so much each week but there you have it. They’ve entered their awkward teenage years where they aren’t quite as cute as they used to be and have started to grow their feathers and lose their fuzz. At least for them it won’t last very long – in fact I took these pictures before we went to Seattle + Portland and as I expected we came home to completely different birds. I think they are now in their 20′s and are looking more and more like the hens they are suppose to (time to take a few more pictures).

They’ve started flying around a bit, getting used to people and are packing their bags to make the big move to full time outside living. Here are the pre-trip pictures of the girls which we have also named! Above + below is Lola… I think she’s the nicest

then there’s Beatrice

Ramona

and last but not least Flossie (she’s a firecracker!) Still walking around like she did as a chick – and running too! She was the one bird that tried to run away from us when we took these pictures. We’ll have to watch out for her.

Now that you’ve seen their teenage years I think you need to head back to the baby chick post and see how cute they were then. I’ve heard a few people would be interested in prints of the baby chicks and if so head over to my proofing site where I’ve posted them in a gallery. Also, I’m going to be giving a print away on facebook so head over there for details to enter!

It was a great birthday present. The cookbook, Tartine Bread – from the legendary bakery in San Francisco, a food scale, a bench knife, and a vintage cookbook stand were all cooking themed and necessary tools to start the process of bread making. I don’t think Matt gave me the present with hopes of weekly homemade loaves in mind, but I wouldn’t blame him if he did. You see, I have a habit of saying “we could make that” to almost everything. Quilt? I have a sewing machine. Honey? let’s get bees. Laundry soap? I could find a recipe – and I’ve seen someone else do it. While ambitious, it less often becomes a reality and I want to be a photographer more than I want to become amish.

However, it was time that statement became true with bread making. Reason #1. I love fresh bread #2. I live in the country, so driving to a bakery is not really an option #3. I like when I know what ingredients are in food #4. I now had the instructions and tools to do so.

Once I opened the present, delighted to discover the secrets to bread making I began to delve into the book which read like half book half cookbook. Yes it had recipes, but it also told a story. Matt asked, “so should we make bread for dinner?” and I quietly laughed to myself before explaining that before we could even think about making bread we would have to start the 7-10 day process of creating a starter. Yes, this was serious business and not an adventure for the faint of heart or instant gratification cooks.

Of course, I had hope. Hope that the process would be come easier, that bread could be part of our routine, and soon it would be second nature. I began my starter, feeding it regularly and keeping an eye on it like a new pet. Finally I was ready to make my first loaf, and since Tartine’s basic country bread recipe (one of the base bread recipes for multiple variations) makes two loaves I used half for pizza dough.

I’ll spare you all of the boring bread making details and recommend checking out the book if you are interested in learning about the process and trying it for yourself. Seriously it’s a great book and to top it off it has some gorgeous photography which documents the processes well enough to know if what you are doing is right (I always find that helpful). In the end we not only had a delicious and completely different kind of pizza crust – much more chewy + crispy and probably the best we’ve made so far – but we had a fresh loaf of bread. Perfect? No, but being my first time around I’m excited to try it again this week and test out some variables until I come up with a loaf I love. Then I’ll move on to milling my own flour.

I know I’m not the only one out there baking bread regularly (at least I hope so, otherwise you guys must think I’m crazy) so if you are let me know and I’d love to hear any tips and tricks you use!

thanks Tartine for teaching me how to make bread! Here’s a little overview of the steps I took:

I arrived at the Jebson farm on October 16th to find it bustling with activity. Planning a wedding is one thing, but planing and executing a wedding at home is a horse of a different color. I had first seen the farm during the engagement session I shot for Mike + Nikki which allowed me to see things in progress. They had thought of everything and this is what the scene looked like when I arrived on the wedding day. The field behind the house had been leveled out and set up with hay bales for guests to sit on during the ceremony. It over looked a pasture where cows could be heard softly mooing and beyond that was a view of the mountains. The barn, with walls repaired, a new floor and a fancy coat of red paint stood regally and beckoned you inside. Outside the barn a screen door held place card tags that fluttered in the wind next to a sign citing distances to some of Mike + Nikki’s favorite locations. Across from that an old carriage that once belonged to Nikki’s grandfather contained favors for the guests – some of Mrs. Jebson’s famous homemade pickles and beans that were grown in the summer. Inside, the tables were set with cream linens, terracotta napkins and burlap runners. Votive candles flickered amidst mason jars filled with wild flowers and vintage soda bottles that held table numbers. The dessert table beckoned with snicker doodles, mini pies, cupcakes and brownies that overflowed from an array of cake stands and wooden crates.

Nikki stood inside the barn, with hair and nails done in a casual button up shirt and jeans, and directed table set up. Mike was nearby, moving tables and bringing in the last pieces to make the set up complete. The buzz of energy in preparation only made the day more real, more palpable. Now it was time for them to make their final preparations and so they both slipped off and within the hour returned transformed, as bride and groom, ready to start what they had been waiting for.

I have particularly enjoyed being a part of Mike + Nikki’s wedding and documenting such a unique event. The elegance and rustic charm of their wedding was brought to life by the personal touches they wove in which is why this post is all about the details and preparation. So, buckle up, get comfy and enjoy post one of two from their fabulous wedding!

Wheat accented the front trellis and showed up in other places as well – including on Mike’s boutineer. Packets of lavender were in radio flyer wagons so guests could pick them up on their way in to the ceremony, and toss it for Mike + Nikki when they walked out. note: when you have a “tossing” of any kind, it’s another good reason to do a first look… lavender, rice + birdseed have a way of getting everywhere :)

The desserts were made by Meghan Smoot Becker and one of Nikki’s friends from NYC contributed snickerdoodles and brownies.

Nikki’s Melissa Sweet dress was gorgeous and featured Swavorski crystals and cream colored wooden beads, fitting in to her rustic elegance theme perfectly.

The ring pillow and flower for Nikki’s hair were made by Mike’s mom Cyndi and were both beautiful!

Mike and Nikki had a quick first look before the ceremony and I’m so glad we fit it in. The light was beautiful and they both looked stunning! Mike’s suit is Gucci, when he bought it a few years ago he swore he’d wear it to everything – including to their future wedding – and after not having any luck with other suits that became true!

Gorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous!

Love those blue suede shoes. Nikki was looking extra fierce….

…while Mike rocked that suit and put on an extra layer of handsome.

It didn’t take long to have some amazing photos before the ceremony, and after that they went off to take their places and seal the deal. Look for part two tomorrow!

A few years ago you were married. You were thinking of 100 different things, pulling together last minute details, keeping things within your budget, and trying to relax and enjoy the party you planned. It was crazy and amazing… and now? You’ve been through more together, grown deeper in love, and there is no reason not to have fun in front of the camera again. That is exactly what Jon + Julie did.

If you enjoyed part I of their session I guarantee you will like part II. I love an anniversary session (as I like to call it) and you really can’t go wrong with people in love. Jon + Julie came out to my neck of the woods for this session, so what you see if practically right in my backyard, so to speak. While I would love to take gorgeous photos for everyone I simply can’t always travel that much. If you want to come to me, this is one example of a location nearby, and honestly it’s one of many locations. I love all of the open spaces around where I live so take a look at life +love in the country….

a river and rocky beach

Julie you look fabulous! Julie and I were art majors together in college, and actually in one of my drawing classes I drew her portrait… I think I captured her personality better in the photos I’ve taken, but maybe I’ll share the drawing for you guys to see.

a fun short wedding dress from J.Crew

an cozy and chic yellow knitted sweater

wellies!

the picture above? one of my favs. yes, you can put on boots with your wedding dress

time to go

I love these images and hope you do as well! who else is up for an anniversary/engagement/portrait shoot? Jon + Julie you guys are so much fun. I’m glad we got together for these pictures and thanks for coming out – can’t wait to hear what you think about everything.

It’s not every day that you fall in love, but when you find someone you love keep falling for them each day. That’s what makes love grow and change and get stronger, something that certainly couldn’t happen without time. Jon and Julie have been married for several years and I photographed them to document the point in their relationship they are at now, and have some fun shooting an “anniversary session” where they dusted off their wedding clothes and put a new twist on them. So, there’s two parts to this session and I’m starting with the casual country shots complete with haybales, quilts, and of course the open fields that surround where I live.

I love them! the pictures and the people. stay tuned for part two debuting tomorrow!

As I found out from Caitlin, they purchased the template for their invitations from E.M. Papers which provides well designed, DIY invitation sets. I’m impressed with the options they have and they are so affordable to do if you have a tight budget – or even if you don’t! (For even more DIY printable invitation options you can check out the Printable Press, which works similarly to EM Papers). After finalizing the text all Caitlin and Matthew had to do was print them off at home. I’ve seen even more invitations printed at home, so it’s very reasonable and most of use have a high quality printer – or know someone who does. With out further ado, enjoy these beautiful wedding invitations which I’ve photographed with the giant pine cone Matt and I picked up out in California!

The invitation suite arrived out of the envelope gracefully tied by a thin white thread. It’s all in the details :)

One suggestion I would make to people considering printing their own invites is to make sure they invest in the right paper, since that will make all of the difference. EM Papers answers this question well if you don’t know where to start in their FAQ section. Caitlin choose a slightly textured white paper which was delicate and the perfect contrast to the rustic kraft envelope.