Me? I want a hula hoop.

My favorite things this month:

*Finding a photograph of my great, great, grandmother.

*A new found appreciation for my job.

*Photographing Christmas pictures in 80 degree weather.

*Being hyper from a late night candy run to Walgreens.

*Singing to Alvin and the Chipmunks with my friends and brother. With the car windows down. While looking at Christmas lights.  ....The hula hoop part is obviously the best part of the song. <3

*The Trans Siberian Orchestra.

*Indoor fireworks.

*Decorating our Christmas tree right before everyone gets here.

*Shopping for someone and end up buying $60 for myself...

*Scheming with my cousins during our Chinese Christmas gift exchange.

*Not being able to see my kitchen counter because there is so much food.

*Late night scary movies and secret sharing.

*Looking around and realizing we are growing up and things are changing.  And being excited. <3

When Wallflowers Dance.

The title of the book caught my eye as I scanned the large bookshelf.  I didn't even pick up the book. I have no idea what it is about, but the title has lingered in my mind ever since.

When Wallflowers Dance. Such a beautiful and simple title.

~~~

I'm sitting here.  My hair twirled in to a bun, hoping maybe it will curl just right this time when I take it down...doubtful.  And my bangs are falling too close to my green eyes.  I really should write hair cut on my to do list.

But oh this last week was long.  There was no time to think about hair cuts.  It was good, hard, emotional, long, and one big blur mostly.  

My birthday was Monday.  It was fabulous and celebrated the whole weekend, as all birthdays should be celebrated.  Thanksgiving was Thursday.  That was always my grandmother's favorite holiday.  And of course, black friday.  Mine and my mother's favorite holiday. :)

Since Thanksgiving was just a few days ago, I feel I should post a few things that I'm thankful for:

*Family who drive an hour and half away for my birthday lunch. And them declaring we should do it every year.

*Ninfaritas. 

*Laughing so you don't cry.

*Driving home late at night and smiling when you pass that park because it takes you back to that day better than a time machine.  

*Shopping at 3am.

*2.5 hour lunches.

*Friends who open up the car door, turn up the radio, and dance with me on the 7th floor roof of the parking garage in the middle of downtown all because the band was horrible on my birthday night.

*Wallflowers dancing.

~~~

<3 

PS...A sneak peek of my new website :)

Empty Pews.

Beautiful flower arrangements were scattered around the casket.  A slideshow of old photos...memories playing on a screen.  Sad songs softly playing in the background.  By the third time the slideshow had played my tears had slowed down.

Between introductions to faces I had never seen before, I would sit down on the first pew in that small chapel.  Empty pews behind me.

This was just the viewing.  I didn't understand the point of a viewing.  It felt like two funerals to me.  One was hard enough.

I started focusing on the flowers and biting the inside of my lip to distract my mind.  For some reason this helps me.  My poor lip is finally starting to heal.

I was looking at the arrangement my mom and I had picked out just the day before.  It was beautiful.  Deep red and white flowers, with two ribbons on it.  One said Mom and the other Gran Gran.

I was trying to remember the name the sweet lady at the flower shop had called those pretty white flowers.  I had decided she called them snap dragons when I heard people walking in to the chapel.  As I turned around to look, the sight took my breath away.

There was my family.  About twenty or so of them.  They filled the whole aisle up waiting to hug my mom, dad, brother and me.  And not to just hug, but to huuuug us.  A "I love you and it will be ok and I'll help hold you up through this" hug.     

The next time I sat down in that first pew, the pews behind me were nearly full.  With a deep breath and a tear on my cheek, I could feel the support.  The love.  A deep comfort because I knew everything would be ok and it would get better.  I knew the next day would be hard, but I could get through it. And it wouldn't be so bad, because I had so many amazing people sitting behind me in those once empty pews.

(a postcard from PostSecret)

Old Photographs

Photographs are not fully appreciated until photographs are all you have left.

My grandmother passed away over the weekend.

Stop what you're doing and pull out that box of old photographs.  Have a few laughs while you look at them.  And print some new photos to add to it.  Trust me, it's important.      

The Edge.

I paused.

I knew I was at a crossroads.  I clearly saw the two paths ahead of me.  And I knew which one was the right one.  But I paused for just a few seconds.

In an instant I could see what my life would be like if I had picked one path.  It looked nice.  Good.  Stable.  It would have been the easy decision.  Comfortable and safe.  Very safe.  

The other path was full of uncertainty and unknown.  I couldn't even imagine what my life would look like.  This path might as well have been on the edge of a cliff.  

I could guess the consequences of each path. And I knew the right decision.

In my heart, I knew.  It was so clear.  But I paused.

Many people in my shoes would have picked the wrong decision.  I couldn't have blamed them.  A part of me yearned for the wrong decision.

It would have been so easy.

The Knot...No, THE Knot.

So here are the rules to this game:

1. The event/class/party can't cost me anything.  Whether it is a free event or I have to volunteer at the event, it can't cost me a dime.

2. It must give me an opportunity to make connections and pass out business cards.

....This is harder than you'd think.  However, I already have an event on my calendar that is sure to be fabulous! 

I recently received an email from The Knot (Yeah! THE Knot! That HUGE wedding magazine!) inviting me to a networking bash they are having at The Omni Hotel in Fort Worth (Yeah! THE Omni! Like my favorite hotel!).

People. To say I'm excited about this one. Well, that would be an understatement.

Holy cow!!!  And not only is the event going to be awesome, I have 2 amazing ladies coming with me, who I'm lucky enough to call my friends.  One of them you might know, my oh so fabulous second shooter!  And the other is an amazing up incoming wedding planner!  

Can't wait!!

I have a few other classes I'm considering, but if you have any ideas or suggestions please send me an email at Brittney@BrittneyAnn.com or leave a quick comment.

And since a post is always better with a photo, here is another on from a wedding for Hannah Michele Photography

Operation: Hear Me Roar

Aren't they suppose to send you a rejection letter?  I'd be fine with a standard letter saying thanks for applying, but we don't want you.  But not even acknowledging me?  Not cool.  At all.

I'm not the kind of girl who is cool with being ignored.  No, I'm the "Why hello! Hear me roar!" kind of girl.  I fight for what I want.

So I asked myself why I wasn't fighting for these jobs.  The jobs I should get because business is slow.  The jobs that would be amazing because it was a stable income.

But it wasn't until tonight that I asked myself why I wasn't fighting for my business.

Somewhere in the craziness of life, I think I forgot.  Forgot that I'm not powerless because there isn't enough in my bank account.  I'm not powerless because the economy sucks.

On the contrary, I'm the only person in the world who can make this business work.  And I refuse to let excuses get in my way.  It simply means I'll have to get more creative.  It's nothing more than a challenge.  And I can handle a challenge.  Challenges are nothing more than puzzles and I can figure out puzzles!  

I have dreams and I'm too young and stubborn to let a stupid thing like the economy get in my way.  I refuse to be held back by such a stupid excuse.  I want to be able to live off of my photography business.  And I want to start a non profit business.  And at least 2 more for profit businesses.

But for now, my goal is to be able to live off of my photography business by this time next year.  Yes, let's just start there.        

So my first plan of action for Operation: Hear Me Roar will be to network like crazy.  I'm looking for groups, monthly meetings, and networking parties!  I love meeting people and hearing their stories.  And basically the only expenses are business cards.  I can afford business cards. :)

Worth remembering.

A deep breath and I remind myself to remember this.  Remember how this feels.  Right now.  This is worth remembering.

~~~~~  

I was always the one that was different.

Never quite fit in.

I was homeschooled growing up and I loved it.  But to my friends growing up, I was different.

I was the back-up friend.  They only had time for me when they made the rest of their friends mad.  Always last in line, never worthy in their eyes to be at the top of the list.  So many tears wasted on them.

I would suggest something, but my opinion never mattered to them.  I never got a vote.  I was homeschooled.

Therefore I was different.

Wild parties and drugs never mattered to me.  I never saw the appeal of getting drunk.  I still don't.  I've never felt the need to act like a complete idiot in public or give a beverage such control over me.  But I obviously just didn't know how to have fun.  

It never really bothered me, but I knew what they thought.

They figured I would be screwed up.

How could I possibly handle going to a large public college when I'd never been in a real classroom?  And really, photography? What a stupid dream.  I bet she changes her mind in a few weeks.

They bet I would be socially awkward.  They bet I would never be able to make friends.  They were so sure I would be the lonely wall flower in that dark corner of the room.

~~~~~

I'm a few weeks away from my 22nd birthday.  And I can honestly say, "Hell yeah. I turned out different."  I thank God for it everyday of my life.

I thank God I have parents who told me when I was little that I could be anything I wanted to be.  And more importantly, I thank God they never stopped telling me.

They taught me how to fight for what I want.  They taught me how to work and work hard.  They taught me how to find information when it's not handed to me on a silver platter.  

They taught me impossible is nothing more than a challenge.

And this so called wall flower, well she can walk into a room full of strangers and walk out with friends.

And the girl who would never have any friends, has real friends now.  Amazing friends.  Who stand by me and support me.  I'm no longer the "back-up" friend.  They listen to me and my opinions.  And we can go out and have fun without being so drunk we can't find the car.  

So to everyone who doubted me.  To everyone who thought I would turn out so strange.  To everyone who never cared to listen to my opinion...

~~~~~

A deep breath and I remind myself to remember this.  Remember how this feels.  Right now.  Because this... this moment in time...


This is worth remembering.

(a photo from a recent wedding with Hannah Michele Photography)

The Way You See.

"I've found that photography has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them" - Erwitt

 

Meet Tara.

My old tennis shoes step on to that green baseball field and against my protest my eyes start to fill with a tear or two.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. 

First, I want to introduce you to a lovely young lady.  Her name is Tara.

This beautiful baby girl went to heaven after just ten short years with us.  

She loved playing baseball with her brothers so since she passed her amazing parents have held a baseball tournament in her honor every year.  

I believe the first year there were 28 teams.  206 teams participated this past weekend.

All the proceeds from the tournament go to the Tara Sawyer Foundation.  This foundation has helped over 1,000 children afford to play sports.   

But back to what I was talking about, what makes this year different from the rest is that they had a special needs buddy ball game. If I could only bottle up that enthusiasm and passion for life that was on the field that Saturday morning. 

Sunshine.

 "Can’t you feel that sunshine telling you to hold tight?

Things will be alright."

I was oh so lucky to find myself in Hawaii this summer!  These are a few photos I took at Iolani Palace.  And while the palace was cool, I found myself not wanting to leave these trees!  I know, I'm in Hawaii and I'm taking photos of trees! Don't judge. That's just how I roll, what can say?! lol! 

Run.

He is standing beside me and I hear him say take a deep breath.

So I take a breath that is a little bit on the shaky side.  I keep my arms by my side, scared they will show the nerves that I've been trying to hide.   

I hear him say I'm going to count to three and you need to run.

One.

Two.

Three.

And I run. I don't think about it.  I run.  I don't think about everything that could go wrong.  Or the what ifs.

Or how insane I am for having just ran off a platform 100 feet off the ground.  I just ran.  I didn't even hesitate!  I trusted everything would be ok.

And there is a moment before the zipline catches you, where you are just falling.  Its just a brief moment before I'm sliding down, but it feels like forever.

(Notice the exit sign at the bottom of the photo!)

~~~

So I'm now a college graduate.  I've picked up the diploma and everything.  It still feels so strange!

I'll never forget sitting in halls with my friend after my last final.  I was still worried.

I kept saying how I was done, wondering if maybe the next time I said it I would actually believe it myself.  I didn't.

I was mostly thinking of things that could go wrong, you know, natural disasters and such.

Maybe my crazy journalism teacher would decide to fail me or maybe I didn't study hard enough for my business law final.  I obviously didn't know enough about Billy Bubba Hawkins and his legal troubles.  What if there is a tornado and all my grades fly away!

My friend confidently said to me that he was sure everything would be just fine and that what was the worst that would happen? I go for another semester.

My first thought was that we obviously disagreed on how devastating going another semester would be. :p

But by my second thought I decided to be a little more rational and saw his point.  So then I let myself believe, that maybe, just maybe, I really was finished.  That that really could be my last day as a college student.

~~~

So here I am.  Having just ran off the platform, waiting for the line to catch.  Not knowing what's next in my life.  Maybe everything will work out and it will be a fun ride.  Maybe I'll hit the ground and have to come up with a plan B.  

All I know is I just ran.  I didn't even hesitate!  And I'm trusting everything will be ok.  :)

Life.

So what have I been making such a big deal over???

Well today is the day!

And I specialize in life.  Yes, you read it right. Life.  I don't specialize in weddings or portraits.

I specialize in life.  And you are going, say what?!?!  And what does that mean missy?!?!?

That means I specialize in my client's story.  Who they really are.  When someone looks at my pictures I want them to go, "Oh my gosh, that is so 'insert name." lol

I want my clients to be comfortable in front of the camera.

And another rumor I may have started is that I actually don't have any photos that I took on www.BrittneyAnn.com.  It's true!!!

And you now really think I've lost my mind!  But the reason I don't have any of my photos on my website is because all my clients will have their own website now!  And links to 3 sample websites are on my website under the section shoots!

So go explore the new www.BrittneyAnn.com and let me know what you think!!!

I made it.

GRADUATION TODAY!!!!!!!!

I just hope I don't cry at graduation!  ....I'm sure I will though.

Anyway, I wanted to write this awesome blog today.  And I debated what it would be about in my head.

Maybe what I learned in college.  Maybe advice for high school seniors.  Maybe how it was Brittney Ann Photography's 1st birthday yesterday!

But it is kind of a big day tomorrow with the big unveiling at noon and there is still lots of work that needs to be done and I sort of have this stage I need to walk across today.

So, here is the big awesome blog.....

I made it.   :)

It's the hallways I'll miss.

It's too soon.  I keep having to remind myself it's too soon.

My college alumni shirt is hanging in my closet.  And everyday I want to put it on.  I some how convinced myself that it goes with everything in my closet.  Yes, the bright blue shirt with orange writing totally goes with black dress pants and high heels. Trust me.   

I keep trying it on, but I refuse to wear it before graduation.  You think it would be a wedding dress or something!

Silly, I know.

~~~

3 years ago, I was 18 and dreaming about college.  I could not wait to get there!

I remember freshman orientation, campus seemed so huge.  I remember wondering how I'll ever be able to get around.

I remember telling a fellow student at orientation that I wanted to start my own photography business.  She patted me on the back and sarcastically told me "Good luck with that! You'll never make any money."

I just half-heartedly smiled and shrugged my shoulders.    

~~~

Today, I'm sitting in class.  My last day of college.  I now dream about what color I should do my future kitchen in and I wonder what would be the best location for my shoots this weekend.

Campus is a lot smaller than it used to be.  I could get around with my eyes close and I'm fairly sure I have several times.

And that photography business that would never work, is so busy my head is spinning and is about to be officially 1 year old!

  ~~~

I've been counting down to this day for what feels like forever, but lately I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to miss when it's all over.

It took a lot of thinking, but I figured it it out.

It's the hallways .  It's where I sat swapping crazy professor/boy stories with my friends.  It's us laying in hall laughing about what happened in class.  It's the meeting my friends for lunch after a long day of classes.

Yea, that's what I'll miss the most.

~~~

Ok, now for a few picture! These are from a shoot I did last weekend, I just love how they turned out!

I adore the look on his face here! lol!

Something stronger.

I wish there was another word besides thank you.  Something stronger.  More powerful.

If there was such a word, I would like to tell it to everyone who has ever supported me and has had my back.  Sometimes, thank you just doesn't seem like enough.

It is one of those weeks, when thank you just isn't strong enough.

You tell someone thank you when they open the door for you, but it just doesn't seem right to say just thank you when a person looks you in the eyes and says you can do this, you're on to something here, go get your dreams.

Thank you just doesn't seem like enough when someone stops what they're doing and comes right over to help you and your dead car.

Thank you isn't enough when people get excited for you and you see them start believing in your dreams.  I feel very confident that if I could bottle this feeling and this support up, I would be able to solve world hunger and there would never be another war...ever.

I'm back!!

Well hello there! Missed me?? :)

Well I'm back!  Sure I have two tests, a presentation, a couple of journalism assignments, and a math lesson or two all next week, but I've got everything under control and will be blogging again! :)

My new website is coming along very nicely! I'm really getting excited now that everything is coming together.  I just can't wait to show everyone.

Here is a sneak peek of pictures I took of my brother and his girlfriend.  It was so much fun and I just fell in love with the location!!!!

I'm sorry

Dear Blog,

Remember me? It's Brittney. I'm sorry for neglecting you.  I have been very busy taking pictures and taking tests.  I don't care much for the latter.  I promise I'll come back...it will probably be a few more days though.  Don't forget about me!

Love,
Brittney

PS...Only 27 days till graduation!!!! 

Jaime

I quite possibly have the best job in the world.  These are the hotties I get hang out.  I know, be jealous. :)

This is Jaime's heartbreakin' little brother, Jeremy!

Wild and Precious

Would you like a hint to my secret?  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to read this first!  

Anyway, I found this quote today and fell in love and thought this is so totally going on my website on May 17th because it explains everything beautifully!  And to the three people in this world who know what I'm talking about, there better not be any comments anywhere that I'll have to delete! :)

So here is my hint:

  

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

And that's all you're getting!  I promise, when everything is announced you'll go "Oh!"  :)

A Forest Fire

"Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire -- you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away." - Denis Waitley

What are the odds?

I have Rascal Flatts playing in the background, a half written journalism assignment (ok! not quite half, but whatever), my bank's website, and Realtor.com all open on my computer.

You see, I'm not one to be patient.  I'm always the one looking forward.  More like running forward.  Figuring out what's next and how I'll take it on.

I decided I want a house.  You see, I have a business.  I'm about to have a degree.  Why not a house?

Yes, the girl who has four figures in her bank account (and that is only till that credit card bill comes in) decided that her next goal was to own a house....within two years....I'm shooting for a year though.

If you know me at all, this won't surprise you.  You've probably already heard me talk about it.

I'm the girl who goes why not?  Why can't I get there?  If I fail, I fail.  I believe limits are only limits if you let them be.

My dreams are usually not on the same side as the odds.  But if I believed in the odds, I wouldn't be graduating next month.  I wouldn't be a business owner.  You wouldn't be reading this.

So who says by next year this four figured bank account girl, can't be a six figure bank account girl?

I love Ted.

If you have never been to this website, you need to!  Now!  TED: Ideas Worth Spreading is one of my favorite website ever!

I don't want to tell you much about, it is something that you just need to check out and explore.

I'm currently watching Jaime Oliver's speech.  So amazing and inspiring!  I really think this guy is on to something!

I have been doing the YMCA wrong...

I know!

You are thinking really Brittney?! Honestly! How can you mess up the YMCA!?!

Oh but you can!!

So it all starts when I get a text from my friend asking if I would like to drive to Oklahoma (only about an hour and half away from us) to see KC and the Sunshine Band the next day to surprise her older brother (who just loves all those 70s and 80s hits).

Me, being up for any excuse to take a little road trip, goes of course!!

(I don't know much about 70s and 80s music, and couldn't quite honestly tell you any of KC and the Sunshine Band's songs...I'm much more of a country music girl)

Anyway, we tell him that we are going to dinner in Fort Worth and on our way to Fort Worth we make a little detour. :)  He was so excited, to say the least!!

It was on our way that my friend tells me that the Village People are the opening act!

In the intro of Destination Truth, the guy says "I've seen some unexplainable things and I've done some things I can't quite explain."

As we are dancing to Macho Man, this saying seemed all too fitting. (mostly the first part, than the second!) :)

So the last song the Village People sang was, of course, the YMCA.  At which point, they inform us that we have all been doing the YMCA wrong!

Apparently there is a wrong way to do the YMCA!!!  It is the M and the C when things start to fall apart.  If you would like see the right way to do the YMCA, go HERE

Katherine

This is my amazing friend Katherine!  I just love this girl!  So beautiful!!  We did a mini session today so she could have some head shots for her job.  We went to this awesome location in Addison, it is The Village on the Parkway.  Me and the awesome Michele came across it and we both instantly fell in love with it!  I hope I have an excuse to go back soon!!

This is big....no. BIG.

I have finally decided what I specialize in!!!!!

Yes, after months and months (if not years) of debating.  Agonizing.  Thinking about the pros and cons. And flip-floppin' like a fish out of water.  (I swear I have bounced back and forth between families, seniors, kids, and weddings like a crazy person.) But no more!

I have picked what kind of photography I am going to specialize in.

This is big people.  Like really BIG.

I could never figure out what I wanted to specialize in.

Nothing felt just right

Have you ever tried on that trendy shirt that everyone is wearing?

And you are all excited, but when you put it on....well it fits....but just doesn't quite look right.  And it is kind of scratchy and you could wear it, but it is just...eh.

Yeah, that is how I felt when I thought about picking a specialization.

Till I thought of this, that is!

And THIS idea hit me and baby it was love at first sight!  It was like finding that perfect little black dress! AND then looking at the tag and seeing that it is on sale!

If I were to guess, this is what the first person who put peanut butter and jelly together felt like.

Its just right.

After I thought this, I knew there was no turning back.

After really thinking about it, I realized that truly this has always been the kind of photography I have wanted to specialize in.

Even when I was 13 years old, I wanted to specialize in this.  I just didn't know at the time.

What?!?

You want to know what it is? What I'm so excited about?

Yeah, I can't tell you right now.  BUT I will soon!!

I'm completely changing my website to reflect my specialization.

And I don't want to rush this.

This needs to be just right.

So on May 17th, the day after I graduate college, I will let you in on my secret.

I can't wait to share this with you!!

Jake's Full Gallery Is Up!

Hey guys!

Jake's full gallery can be found at My Smugmug. Here are some of my favorites! There are so many I really like, it is hard to pick favorites!!

Some photographers don't like sun flair...I'm not one of them! :)

56 days...1344 hours...80640 minutes...

I'm very much a "future" kind of girl. A "what's next" kind of girl. A "dream bigger" kind of girl. A "well you just watch me!" kind of girl when someone tries to tell I can't do something.

I graduate college in 56 days...1344 hours....somewhere around 80640 minutes.

To say focusing is challenging for me would the understatement of the year.

My computer seems to automatically jump back and forth between my journalism assignments to my communication presentation due Thursday to Facebook to TED: Ideas Worth Spreading to Lightroom to edit my photos.

Just back and forth, back and forth.

I'm not one of those people worried or scared about graduating.

Ok, a little bit.

But mostly, I'm so excited.

It is a new beginning.

I wonder where I will be in a year, 2 years, 5 years.

I never would have guessed I would be where I am today 5 years ago.

I can only imagine where I will be in 2015.

I feel like anything is possible...I hope I always feel like that.

Destination Truth and The Creepiest Thing I've Ever Seen......Ever.

Thank you Destination Truth! I now won't be able to sleep ever.....again.

So if you don't know what Destination Truth is, it is this show where they take a team out to search for all those crazy myths and monsters you hear about growing up. Like leprechauns and big foot and anything else you can think of!!!

It really is an entertaining show!! And one of the guys on there, Josh, is hysterical!

But can I just say, there is not enough money in the world for me to work on that show!!!

They do some crazy stuff!

One of the creepiest episodes I've ever seen is the one with the Island of the Dolls (Warning!! Do not hit that link, unless you are brave or stupid! Either will work.), which is in Mexico.

This island is just wrong on sooo many levels! It is really the creepiest thing I've ever seen.

Jake

What can say? When you get a guy like this and find a cool location like this, it will pretty much make any photographer start dancing!! ....Possibly singing too. ;)