Our wedding..

Our wedding was nothing shy of AMAZING! Perfect weather, beautiful beach spot in Grand Cayman, wonderful officiant, and the hottest groom a bride could ask for!! Teehee! No, really, it was an amazing time!!! Just wanted to update everyone! I will post some pics very soon, but for now, it's back to work- gotta get to my classroom and work a little, as well as get back to photography. Talk to you all soon!!

P.S. I'm considering a name change for my business...since my name...changed... I was thinking Majestic Imagery.... so I could somehow tie it in with horses...but my husband thinks it would be cute to do Hall's Mark Photography... It's my new last name...but sounds like Hallmark...kinda. Any opinions?

More updates coming soon...

In just over a day, I will be leaving on a cruise ship, off to my destination wedding in Grand Cayman island! As a photographer, this day means even more to me...I've had to watch and capture everyone else's day...and now I get to have my own!! I'm so thrilled, it's impossible to put into words..

On another note, if anyone tries to contact me in the next two weeks- please expect a delayed response- I will be gone for a week and crazy busy the week I come back- I probably won't book another session until the end of August, if then. I need honeymoon time as well as time for my hubby and getting ready for the new school year. Just know, I still love you, and will get back to you as soon as I can!

Also- pray we get someone who KNOWS how to handle a camera- with a cruise line, it can be hit or miss...but it's something I'm requesting prayers for... pictures are obviously of highest importance!!! :) Also- pray for good weather! THANKS!!! Here are some of our cute engagement pictures taken by my wonderful friend, Jim Powers!

Off Topic- Meeting the Pioneer Woman! 11/16/09

On November 16, I met my first "celebrity" I'm sure she would not like to be called that, but I think she is known by enough people now to be considered one. She is not a celebrity of movies...or tv shows... but she is a celebrity in the blog world- giving advice on daily life...talking about things that happen on the ranch where she lives....sharing wonderful recipes (and writing an AWESOME cookbook)...and last but not least...PHOTOGRAPHY. The photography is what I originally visited Ree's (The Pioneer Woman) site for. I needed help with Photoshop when I was first starting my business and a friend from work, Amanda, gave me the link: www.thepioneerwoman.com.

I went to it...read it...and was INSTANTLY hooked. I then began checking it once a day and trying to comment on her posts at least 2 times a week. The fact is, Ree Drummond is a normal person...who lives on a ranch in Oklahoma and homeschools her 4 children. She also blogs daily (great writer), has a website dedicated only to recipes, takes pictures and posts them constantly (which I LOVE- especially the animal pictures!) and published an AMAZING cookbook!!

To kick off her release of her cookbook, she has gone on tour...and Kansas City was her stop last night....and you better believe...I WENT. I had to meet this amazing lady to make sure she was a TRUE person- and I can assure you, she is...and true, amazing, friendly person. Her husband and boys are the same as well and I can't even begin to describe how amazing it was to meet them in person and get their autographs.... although...I'd love to just spend a weekend with Ree on the ranch to pick her brain about photography...and photograph those beautiful mustangs that roam the land...but that is a different topic altogether.

The simple fact is- Ree, I am a fan for life- Please don't ever stop posting and keep those awesome PS actions coming!! I meant it when I say- I use them ALL THE TIME! Check out some of my pictures on here and see for yourself!!! Thanks for coming to KC and bringing those boys and t-shirts!!! :-D

Here are some photos from the event! Here is my Shutterfly Share Site for the others (work in progress) http://ccombsphotography.shutterfly.com/

(*DISCLAIMERS: these are NOT shot in my "photographer" mode (auto mode), I was in the balcony, and the lighting was terrible.)


An adorable baby and her adorable sister with pink boots sitting behind me! Her mom and I became camera buddies and chatted about lenses! These could have come out much better...but as I said..auto mode.


Some of the crowd before Ree Drummond came out...


Ree arrives! The crowd went wild!


Answering questions from the fans!


She was talking about where all the leftovers go... whatever Ree- you look great!


Good shot up close (using my 55-200mm from the balcony)


Almost looked in the balcony...


Ree's Baby with her (expensive) Nikon D3.....would love to see what he took with it... lol


MM decided he should take over...


Ree and her Baby!


The boys got to hand out prizes!


Resting from the tedious job of prize delivery.. Look at the her baby! Priceless.


My mom- I decided to play with my 50mm lens while I waited.


I tried to take a picture of the awesome stained glass...


Punk 3 and 4 were having fun!


Punk #3 signing my cookbook- He had nice handwriting!


MM signing my cookbook on "his" page... lol


Marlboro Man, Punk #3 and Me!


My t-shirt! THANKS REE!!!! These are BEAUTIFUL!


Random snapshot of Ree...way before my number bracket got called


FINALLY! We got to meet Ree! I love this picture!


Now the next "celebrity" to meet?? Clinton Anderson... January 16 and 17.... I cannot wait to meet that talented horseman and see first-hand how to get my Appaloosa trained well... (he's already broken and learned the ground work...but now I want to expand his training!) CAN'T WAIT! I think I am truly a country girl at heart...who grew up in the city. Oh well!

Leonardo the Leopard Gecko

Well I came home this afternoon to find my beloved Gecko, Leonardo, had passed away. I am very saddened by this loss. He was a very neat pet with a lot of personality. He also held sentimental value as he was one of the first gifts from John- he and my sister actually split the cost. Which is even harder to deal with at this point in time.....

This is just a short memorial for him. We had a great 6 years together-- I will miss you Leonardo. R.I.P.

Life.

Well since no one really reads this and comments, I will post something personal.

Currently, I'm going through a series of life-changing events. For starters, my boyfriend moved out due to financial reasons and back to his parents. This has been pretty crushing for me. It's very odd to go from living together to not. When we should be progressing forward. Not going backwards into the control of parents. But what do I know.

I am purchasing a horse. It is my first one ever and I have mixed emotions about him. I'm very nervous and very excited. Here is a photo of him: (these photos are not done with my professional camera- this is an 8mp camera phone)



His name is Tonka and he is an appaloosa quarter horse. I found out about him through a long-lost friend who initially contacted me to do portraits of her show horses. We got to talking and I of course thought it was awesome she was still working with horses...and how I wish I could work with horses....and she invited me to help work them. While out there, she introduced me to Tonka, a neighbor horse...and it was love at first sight. I've been researching to see if I can afford him...and after a week of research, I discovered I can and will be getting him tomorrow! Training also will begin tomorrow as he is not yet broken. Youtube has some awesome horse training videos.

So...I will have an interesting learning experience and some nice nature pictures!

In a few days, I will be posting some recent work. I have two masters classes currently and am running behind on my web posting. But I promise. There are photos waiting to be posted. For now, enjoy Tonka!