{Expired}

Email can be a wonderful friend if say...I hear from a distant friend...or...get a forward that truly does make me pee my pants it's so funny...or...notifications of sweet comments left on my blog.  NOT however to tell me that my Pharmacy Technician Certificate and License has expired.  How did they get my email anyway?  As I was freaking out about my back up plan being blown to bits by my procrastination, I started thinking.  Do I need a back up plan now?  

Then it hit me.  "Hi.  My name is Ali.  And I MUST CREATE!"  I remember something that a pharmacist once told me...he said, "Ali, you are a square peg trying to fit in a round hole."  This was shortly after he yelled at me to stop singing in the IV room.  Apparently he couldn't concentrate to my awesome made up tunes.  

Point being he was right.  I can't be stuffed in a small room making IV's for people...or stuck behind a desk stuffing envelopes for the elderly who can't remember which pill is which.  I must create.  That is who I am.  And if for some out-of-this-world reason this whole photography thing doesn't work out for me...which I don't see happening...then I know I am creative enough to figure something out.  

So I am liberated...Email, you can stuff it...I don't know where cyber space stuffing happens...but I don't care that my license expired.  I'm doing just fine thank you.  And to prove it to you, here is one of my FAVE images from a wedding that I shot recently...

Dave & April {for real}

April had a vision for her wedding day.  She would want it at Ryan Dam.  She would would have her best friend wear the so carefully chosen purple bridesmaid dress.  She would walk down towards her Love barefoot because it was her day and she could.  Unfortunately her dream never became reality...until two weeks ago.  

Dave and April were going to celebrate their 10th anniversary 2 weeks ago Sunday.  Little did she know that what lay in store was no ordinary card and flowers.  For the past couple of months Dave has been busy planning the most romantic thing I've ever heard of...April's dream wedding.  From getting her dress altered (Hey-if any of you have had babies you know your wedding dress doesn't fit...and if it does...I will be sure to bake you some cookies and send them to you every week until it doesn't) to calling the original bridesmaid to pulling out that Precious Moments cake topper from the closet.  Oh yea...you know Precious Moments rocked the 90's.  He pulled it all together...with some help of course.  

He wanted me to be their photographer because I've heard through the grapevine that April likes my stuff ;)  I was so excited to be able to document this time in their lives.  What an awesome opportunity!  To be able to see this couple renew their vows to a wedding that finally came to fruition.  It was a fabulous day to say the least.  I believe April's heart strings were tugged and that moment when she buried her head in his chest to hide the tears is when my eyes started leaking too.  

April, I am so happy that you finally got your wedding.  I count it an honor to have been able to share that with you.  Thanks to both of you for the amazing day!

She did go barefoot...but wore some comfys on the way down

This girl cracks me up!  She was the only one to catch the bouquet...LOVE IT!!!  I would be her BFF too :)

On the right...their offspring...so stinkin' cute!

This shot was taken by John...my awesome second shooter for the day

Yes...we did take "serious" pictures...but it's my blog and I like posting the funny ones

April...you're beautiful!

Dave & April {sneak peek}

OK...so I'm not gonna spoil the story yet...let's just say that I had THE most fun time last weekend when photographing this couples wedding!  A surprise wedding for April.  I told you it was a good story.  So to torture you Ali style, here are a few images that I love....

We had a rip roarin' time...I love how April is laughing so hard in this image!

I sincerely started crying taking these shots...the way he is holding her so tenderly...the way she is burying her head in his chest...that was it...I was a goner.

{Marissa}

Daniella + Marissa = BFF.  Forever.

When I say I was nervous when shooting Marissa it's only because she was born into a family full of photographers.  Her sisters are amazing and so I had a wee bit of butterflies.  Now, being photographed by her big sis', she knows how to do her thang.  It was no problem getting her true self to shine through these images.  Isn't her dress amazing?!?!?!  I was all drooling when she pulled it out of her car.  And those shoes!  This is why I LA LA LOVE what I do.  Having fun photographing fabulous people.  Seriously...can I say blessed?

told you the shoes were awesome!

{Daniella}

This here is Miss Daniella...she knows like a bajillion languages.  Fluently.  I met her mamma who happens to be the co-owner/trainer at Precision Pilates.  

Michelle + "inhale and corset" = me being sore in places I never knew I had muscle!

IT.  IS.  AWESOME!  Seriously, if you're in the Great Falls area you have to try it out.  She is an amazing trainer and I have lost 3 inches in my waist thanks to her :)  Had to give her a shout out...now back to Miss D.

We were going for texture and color and I think we were spot on.  I found her a rad bus...army maybe?  And she was all like, "I wanna be gangster."  You are so much fun Daniella!  Go on with your bad self :)  Hope you enjoy your sneak peeks!

Flood Family...Part Deux

Remember this image?  

Well that little bun is well out of the oven and almost walking!  I love repeat sessions!  These two sisters are so cute together.  Baby G was putting everything she could get her hands on in her mouth...she wants a taste of the world for real :)

Goin' to town on that stick...

A brief interlude for mommy and daddy time...

Owen & Emma

I heart these t(w)eens!!!   I have been so stinkin' excited to post this session.  Between mom and I picking out wardrobe and careful thought on my locations, I think we nailed it!  I mean seriously...these two could be models.  It was so hard for me to pick out my favorites because they all look so darn awesome!  

Owen is an amazing golfer and had just won THREE tournaments in a row!  He had me in tears he was making me laugh so hard with his office quotes and this had my face hurting...in response to the twirling of his golf club, "It's posing for you..."  The way he said it had me throwing my head back in the biggest belly laugh ever!  And Miss Emma...if I were guaranteed a girl like her then I would try for another baby in a heartbeat.  I could just take her home with me.  I adore her love of life and her joy is contagious.  

We practically laughed the entire time...especially when mom conveniently had a hammer in her car so we could whack some tin back in place....priceless!  I can't thank you enough for the awesome time I had.  I'm truly blessed to have met ya'll...

..."It's posing for you..."  HmwahHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Nothing like a sibling starring contest :)