smash cake session

these sessions are always so fun, and even more when they are your son and your husband decides it'd be funny to put the cupcake on top of his head. he wasn't too interested in the frosting, but once he got going, he loved to play with it. not so much eat it. although i managed to save whatever was left for my dessert for the night. thanks buddy!

first roll of film

i'm not sure why i was so nervous to shoot my "new-to-me" Canon FTb film cameras i purchased off of craigslist. maybe it was because i didn't know if it'd actually work, if the film was good enough, more if my settings were even remotely close so i didn't waste $10 to have them developed. but when i got my first roll back i was pleasantly surprised with myself. maybe i could actually do this and learn from it. i'm excited to try out my next roll soon!

camera: Canon FTb
lens: 50mm 3.5 Macro
film: 35mm Fujicolor Superia Xtra 400

new challenge

even at our wedding, it was one thing i requested. film. i love how classic black and white film prints are and it was a stroke of pure luck that my wedding photographer loves to play with film cameras on the side. some of my favorite shots are from the film prints she gave to us.

well fast forward three years. one year of digital photography under my belt. i took a chance and purchased this set on craigslist this weekend. costed me a whole family session to purchase, but i'm hoping they treat me well. the lady that sold them to be said they were her dad's. he is now 82. it came with everything you see here. two Canon FTb QL cameras. two 50mm, a 28mm, 135mm macro, 80-200mm lens. each with it's own leather lens case, some awesome vintage camera straps, canon lens adaptors, the actual camera manual and this gorgeous HUGE black leather bag that fits all the equipment in.

it's like a very early christmas for me. i can't wait to get some extra time to practice with these and see just how good they actually are. after a little cleaning and ordering some 35mm film, of course. i'm beginning to get impatient. it will be a nice change. a good challenge. for me to take on film.

27/52

"a portrait, once a week, for the year of 2014"

week twenty seven.

over half way through this project, and here is a snapshot of the wedding i did recently. loved getting back into photographing for my clients.

real life

this last weekend, i jumped back into photographing weddings. as i paged through facebook, i saw this photo that was posted. for a second i didn't think it was me in it. but then i realized it was. this was me. taking photos of a special day that only happens once. i never would have thought years ago, this is what i would be doing on weekends. with grandma and grandpa watching my baby boy.

i just couldn't believe how blessed i've become in this life. a full-time job that i enjoy doing day in and day out. a hobby that i self-taught myself and now capture rare special moments for other people to cherish for years to come.

the day of, i'm just as nervous as the bride. i want these photos to turn out just the way they imagined them to be. i put a lot of pressure on myself. i am the only one there, though at times i wish i had a second pair of hands to carry this or that, or capture a photo i would have missed because i wasn't there. i still can't believe some of the images i take. i feel so lucky to do this for others. it's so fun to work your butt off all day long and many weeks after editing for the final end result.

i love going into past clients homes (most have become or are dear friends) and see the photos i took hanging on their walls. makes me so proud to do what i do because i love to do it.

most days i just have to pinch myself and tell myself that this really is the life i am living. i need to embrace it fully. give it all i've got because i'm making memories last just a bit longer for myself and others. this is my real life, i'm so grateful for it.

winter wedding

these two wonderful people say their vows tomorrow and i couldn't be more excited to stand aside them. i was there to capture the moments he asked for her hand in marriage, and i know tomorrow will be quite emotional. she has grown into one of my dear friends so quickly, that i can't imagine her not a part of my life. she was literally there to help me find out i was expecting and the first to know even before my husband did. i can't wait to celebrate with these two, for i know it will be a beautiful winter wedding.

my friends make cute babies

sunshine - photo challenge

Today I am also linking up with Sara from Running from the Law, for her August Photo Challenge.

This is a fellow local blogger, Stormy, if you didn't recognize her already and as I create this post, she is in the hospital waiting for her little one to arrive. I wish her all the best and I can't wait to meet him/her.

© Whit Meza Photography

Canon 60D with 50mm 1.8 lens
Settings: f/2, 1/500 sec, ISO 100
Editing: none (SOOC)

first wedding photographed

Is in the books, ladies & gentleman. It had went so smooth the entire day, thanks to my two good friends who helped keep everything in line and even second shot some images for me with my backup camera. So thankful for them, there was no way I could have done it all by myself with a bridal party of 16+ people. I couldn't have asked for a better first wedding. We were even ahead of schedule for most of the bridal photos. Needless to say I'm looking forward to my next one at the end of October now.

Two Great Friends, One Beautiful Wedding

This wedding was one of my favorites that I attended. I got to be a fly on the wall and capture some beautiful pictures of two of my dear friends.  They turned out absolutely gorgeous, and I couldn't wait to share a couple favorites with you all: 

(C) Whit Meza Photography

Linking up to: The Jenny Evolution, Mama To 3 Blessings, Sincerely Paula, A Southern Daydreamer, Kim Klassen dot com, P52 Sweet Shot, A Rural Journal, Tales of a Pee Dee Mama, Little By Little, Thursday Favorite Things, The View From Right Here, meriak, Imprintalish, Better In Bulk, Finding Serendipity, Serendipity is Sweet, The Long Road to China

WW: Baby Bump

Linking up to: Project Alicia, The Jenny Evolution, Mama To 3 Blessings, Sincerely Paula, A Southern Daydreamer, Kim Klassen dot com, P52 Sweet Shot, A Rural Journal, Tales of a Pee Dee Mama

A Family Photography Session

Young family sessions are always a bit difficult to get everyone to work exactly the way you want them too. Luckily enough, I was able to capture these three at their home, just doing what they do best. :)

My First Wedding - Photography Session

This past month, I was asked to second shoot a wedding for a former co-worker's sister. Got that? Okay good. It was so much fun, a bit exhausting, but there is something about weddings that I just love. All the love, excitement, and laughs/smiles/tears.

I'll let you take a sneak peek of some of the photos. I had a hard time not uploading all 400+ of them. :)

Skating In Love - An Engagement Session

This beautiful couple was referred to me by one of my former co-workers (whom happens to be their neighbors). I was so excited for this because they wanted a winter engagement session, and there was finally snow on the ground. Lots of it!  

We started off at a local handmade ice rink where they skate together and made our way to a park. I am so happy with the way these turned out. 

Here are just some of my favorites: