You’ve kind of already seen today’s 365 post if you’ve read the blog post just prior to this one.  It was about my dad’s engagement photo shoot I did this morning with his fiance, Sharon.  They asked me if I’d be able to get a photo for their Save The Date card done before I left for Ethiopia (on FRIDAY!!!!) and I said sure! We walked in the somewhat blustery sunshine of Downtown Annapolis to grab some stellar shots.

Now, my dad seems to think he might need to “improve his looks” a little bit, but I know better.  And not just because he’s my dad.  I have realized over my time of shooting couples either on their engagements, or weddings, or just because, that they always look wonderful.  Wanna know my secret?  It’s L-O-V-E!  It’s that simple, and I guess it’s not really MY secret.  So, if you want to look great in your photos, if you want to look phenomenal, have them done with someone you LOVE!  It works every single time…no lie!  I always tell my clients that I don’t photograph ugly people – it’s a rule.  And I follow it strictly.  I strive to make every person look & feel as wonderful as I see them from behind my lens.  And I happen to think it works.  It’s all about being with someone you love.  So, pick someone – your spouse, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your kids, your dog, your grandmother – whomever.  I guarantee you’ll look awesome if you’re with someone you love.  Look at my dad!

This is my husband, Josh.  He’s my other half, my better half, my more patient half, my “I’m a better gift giver” half.  He just has a lot of talents & one of them is completing me.  I love him.  This image is one I captured of him working this evening on his laptop.  He has a regular job, where he goes in to an office daily, meets with clients, fixes their home automation issues, builds the home theater of their dreams, programs remotes that do everything but change diapers, etc.  The work you see him doing here is his other passion:  creating apps.  Josh has probably been one of Apple’s biggest fans since I can remember.  Yes, at one point in our marriage we owned a PC, but it was short lived.  He brought me over from the dark side (or to the dark side) very early in our marriage.  And it’s almost been 7 years now and I am continually impressed at his knowledge.  Not only can he talk Baltimore, but he can whip my tail at scrabble almost any day of the week.  He’s also had more hair colors than anyone I know.  He has me tied for the number of ear piercings.  He’s gotten more tattoos than I care to image the pain for.  He’s got two daughters that dote on him.  And now he’s ventured into his own small business.  You never cease to amaze me, Josh Sroka.  I love you, my renegade.  You are like no other & that’s what I like about you.

Don’t you just love handmade gifts?  Especially when it’s little hands that made them?  These are 2 candles my “big girl” Emma made me for Christmas.  The candle on the left she made in her preschool class.  They mod podged little images on the outside & sprinkled it with sparkly glitter.  The candle on the left features three white snowmen made from three of her fingers.  She made that one at our MOPS group.  They are just so sweet & I remember when she gave them to me for Christmas she was so excited to be able to give me something all on her own.  So teachers, childcare workers, caretakers of children everywhere – these little things that you help our dear ones make warm my mommy’s heart in these cold winter months.  Thank you!  And keep ‘em coming!  I’ll gladly fill my entire house with knick knacks if they come from the hands of my girls.

Oh, and I love the title of this post because it reminds me of my mother-in-law’s former store:  Handmade with Love.  She no longer runs a brick & mortar store, but if you like jewelry, love unique things, or love shrinky dinks, you should check out her latest endeavors over at Fun Jewelry on eBay & Create Happiness on etsy.  She’s quite talented!

Well, I better get to bed.  We need to get in some active time tomorrow before the next big snow hits!

My sister came along in my life when I was almost 7 years old.  She kicked me out of the “baby” role & stole my spotlight with her brown curly hair & beautiful blue eyes.  And I LOVE her!  Maggie hates hates hates when I share her business with anyone, so I’ll be vague, but I have to share with you how proud I am of her & how much I just love her.  Now don’t get me wrong…she is annoying, steals my clothes, doesn’t return my phone calls, talks incessantly, and STOLE my role as the baby in the family.  Yet, she is my sister and she has been through some tough stuff in her short 22 years.  But lately, I have seen a fortitude & determination in her life that makes me smile.  She wants to be a good mother to her dear, sweet Leah.  She wants to work.  She wants to make her way in this world.  She wants to be self sufficient.  Wanting is one thing…doing is another, and lately, I have seen Maggie doing.  So, to honor her (& because I’m the worst gift-giver ever & all I know how to give is photographs), I stole her daughter today for a mini photo session.  Yes, it did benefit me to parade my niece around in tutu’s and feather boas and make her cry, but it is also my gift to Maggie.  Leah is her world, her constant, & her reason for trying to be better.  These photos of her little love were what I felt would speak to her the most…that, and an iPod.  And I’m really bad at secrets, and I’m not technically supposed to be giving Maggie this gift until Leah’s 1st birthday in November, but, like I said, I’m really bad at secrets & can’t wait!!!!  And MAJOR MAJOR props go out to my partners in secrecy Ashley (my sister-in law) & my mom, Susan.  Ashley made so many faces, did so many noises, dances, and other crazy things to get Leah looking at me.  And Mom, you were great watching the 4 other grand kids & helping with numerous outfit changes…oh yeah, and lying to Maggie about what we were doing!  Thank you both!  Here is Leah Beth…..

Now I think all my couples are the greatest, and they are all madly in love with one another.  But I have to give Dan & Cindy the award for the most lovey dovey looks, most hands holding, most kisses, most spontaneous acts, and most energy!

Dan & Cindy I am honored to finally give you some photos of you both together.  And I cannot wait for all the surprises and acts of spontaneity that will no doubt occur during your wedding!  Enjoy your preview…

Moses & Kim have been engaged for a little over a year and are planning on tying the knot this November.  When I spoke with Kim about where she wanted to go, she asked if I’d mind if she brought her dog, Chloe.  I said, “Sure, why not!  She’s part of your family, too.”  Besides being madly in love with one another, Kim & Moses love Chloe as well.  The shots of them playing with their little gal are just precious.  And all those shots where you don’t see Chloe, rest assured, she is very close by looking at us with her sad doggie eyes, sending telepathic messages that she wants to be included too!

Here are Moses, Kim, and Chloe the Dachshund….enjoy!

Chloe in her favorite spot – on Moses’ lap

Could she be a doggie model?

I think Moses likes this….

Isn’t Kim a doll?

Laughing at one another

Behind every good man….

…is a good woman

I loved this tree!

Here they are having some alone time while I peek

funny faces

surprised faces

“I love you” faces

]]> http://www.mandysrokaphotography.com/2009/06/moses-kim-and-chloe-too/feed/ 3 http://www.mandysrokaphotography.com/2009/05/joe-jacque-married/ http://www.mandysrokaphotography.com/2009/05/joe-jacque-married/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 13:47:24 +0000 mandysroka http://www.mandysrokaphotography.com/?p=3810 It will be two weeks tomorrow since Joe & Jacque became husband and wife…and I’m finally doing their “official” wedding blog!  My wonderful friend Heather agreed to so graciously assist me on this wedding, and I’m so grateful!

Jacque & Joe couldn’t have ordered up a more perfect day for their wedding.  They began their journey at the United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland.  If you’ve ever been to a Naval Academy wedding, you know those things move like clockwork!  There’s about 30 minutes for one wedding, they shuffle you out one door as guests for the next wedding shuffle in the next door, and 30 minutes later the next wedding begins!  I have to give huge props to the ladies & gentlemen at the Chapel who make those miracles happen!  Jacque & Joe’s wedding was the first wedding of the day, so luckily we had a bit more restful time before their ceremony began.

Everyone who’s seen her picture nailed it on the head – Jacque is a stunning bride.  She was so sweet and excited to become Joe’s wife.  And Joe!  What a guy!  He just beamed with love for her as she came down the aisle with her father.  They were a wonderful picture to see.  And I’m so glad they let Heather and I share in their day.

Okay…so enough babbling.  Just get to the pictures!  Here are Jacque & Joe…

Okay, so I am a little slow, and just got into this whole “Twilight” phenomenon.  My friend Bethany mentioned she was watching the DVD with her high school youth group girls and I was slightly interested.  So my wonderful husband got us the DVD and we watched it (on Blu-Ray, of course!), and I was hooked!  I fell immediately into the world of forbidden love and vampires!  So, I have been preoccupied for the last week or so reading all the books from Stephenie Meyer’s series.  I just finished the last one and am now satisfied.  My heart has beat like a high school girl again….sigh!  You should go check them out, too!

Also, I’m really excited to be meeting a new little baby today who is three weeks.  I’ll have some of her sweet baby newness for you in a few days!

Back to reality….

Josh has always been a coffee drinker.  When we registered for our wedding, we signed up for a Krupps Espresso/Coffee Maker combination.  We used it about 10 times, then I proceeded to accidentally break most of the moveable parts.  Then we switched to a cheap, regular coffee maker with a timer on it.  The idea was for me to make Josh’s coffee the night before and have it set to brew as he woke up.  You know, like those Folgers commercials…”The best part of waking up, is Folger’s in your cup!!!”  That worked, until I either forgot to make the coffee, or Josh forgot to take it with him.  So we just kept the coffee pot around for gatherings for our guests.  Well, the day before the “big snow,” we went to Target and invested in a Keurig Coffee Maker.  It’s one of those machines where you put the little “K-Cup” in the top, press it down, push a button, and by some miracle, it brews a single cup of coffee!  It’s perfect for my husband, because I don’t drink coffee, he does, and can still quickly make one for himself before he heads out the door to work.  He also discovered there are a variety of teas and hot chocolates available as well.  He accidentally ordered two 50 packs of tea and hot cocoa, so if you’re ever in the neighborhood, stop by for a cup!  I know the Keurig will never replace his love for me, but it comes in a close second, especially on these cold winter mornings!