Wild Flowers + Photography

by Alana on May 16, 2013

This past weekend I was able to pick some wildflowers from my yard to include in a photo session! My client really wanted to include flowers in her session, and the outdoors. After some rain delays and missing the azaleas and trees in full bloom we improvised. We met at a park with yellow flowers covering it, and I brought along these beauties growing wild on their own in our yard! It was a fun afternoon!

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As I catch up on life as a full-time business owner I hope to share more of what’s been happening in real life! I am blessed beyond belief at how busy I have been, and with the interest in my photography and passion for capturing photos of pet + people. Life is Good!

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ABJ Photography :: Pet + Family Photography

by Alana on April 15, 2013

I am trying to raise awareness of our Pet + Family Photography business, right here in Georgia! This year, I am leaving my full-time job as the photographer for the Governor of Georgia, and pursing my dream as a full-time photographer…my own pet + people photography business!

We have been shooting weddings and families as ABJ Photography for the past five years, and I have been the exclusive photographer for the Governor of Georgia for the past four years. However, as we moved through 2012 it became very evident after the loss of Tess that I wanted to get involved with something that meant more to me than 9-5.

Will you check out our site, and if you like what you see…

LIKE our Facebook Page

Follow us on Twitter

And SHARE this post with your friends via the icons below?

Maybe, these sweet faces from the Adoption Day Saturday will stir your heart to share…

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We got our very own Magnolia from the Atlanta Lab Rescue, and cannot think of a better way to spend a weekend afternoon! I am SO thankful to get to use a gift the Lord has given me, my heart for animals, and pay tribute to my sweet girl Tess! Thank you for your support! I hope that we can work together one day!

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Happy Friday!

by Alana on April 12, 2013

We will be back out in the yard this weekend, and also helping out at the Atlanta Lab Rescue adoption day at K-9 Planet on Saturday! In honor of my love for the mountains, and dogs, here is a little bluegrass to take you into the weekend…

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‘Tis the Season for Updating Your Pots!

by Alana on April 10, 2013

Here is a little sneak peek of our weekend updates out in the yard! Oh, it felt so good to rake up those final dead leaves, and add some color to the perennials in the pots outside. David added grass seed to the yard a couple weekends ago, and it is fun to see the grass growing! No one tells you, when looking to buy your first home, about how hard it is to grow grass! We have tried sod, and seed. But, with all the activity and shade in the back yard it has been hard to maintain. Oh the joys of home ownership!

Over the past few weekends David has built a few pallet projects for the outdoors. Below you can see his bird feeder, and my wooden pot holder.

I am excited to continue planting season, and outdoor activities over the next few weeks! I update my ABJPHOTO Instagram account pretty regularly, these images were shared there as well. Here are a few other camera phone shots of the progress:

Hydrangea in a pot- round two…

I LOVE the plant shown on the barrel above and on the railing on the lower right. It is from Papa, and it has the best funky shape and color! I gave it a larger pot this season, and excited to start growing new clippings from this plant.

I am still working out where things will get the sun they need. But, I am very happy for our progress…both with the grass and the pots.

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Happy Easter!

by Alana on March 30, 2013

Happy Easter everyone! We are celebrating at home, getting outside before the rain comes for some yard work, and enjoying friends and family all weekend! Each year I miss being on the beach, welcoming the sun as it rises out of the water at Wrightsville Beach. But, I have a photo of it sitting on our gallery wall to remind me.

We count our blessings over here each day! Last night, we giggled as Maggie joined Mason in his bed, he usually is not into snuggle time, but Maggie is his dearest friend. I am thankful for them, and they make us smile every day!

Happy Easter Y’all!

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Fun Finds at Lakewood 400 Antiques

by Alana on March 21, 2013

David and I had a great time wandering around Lakewood 400 Antique Market this past weekend. Kinda made me wonder why we had not been before! I love that kind of thing! I have been looking for a hutch/pantry piece to replace one I sold last year, as well as some new lighting for the kitchen, eating area, and hall. We got a lot of great ideas, but did not find the perfect piece…yet.

So many re-purpose ideas, like this star for around the Holiday. Wrap it in a strand of lights, and you have a great outdoor decoration!

This egg basket could make for a light, or neat place to store fruits and veggies in the kitchen.

Another great DIY idea for hanging lights….driftwood! Good thing David has that nail gun!

Loved this cabinet, but the person who it belongs to was not around, and it seemed to be attached to the wall…maybe next time. Guess it was not the right piece after all…

I LOVED this light, for in the kitchen! But, I could not pull the trigger on the purchase. I have seen a few other new ones, handmade in the USA, that I may save for…I love industrial lighting from barns or old ships.

Another great DIY idea. Old lamp shades with chicken wire or alternative covers. There were a lot of this at the antique market this weekend. They are a little too French Country for me…but who knows, maybe I will add one to our home someday?

Great day, but we were super exhausted after a long night, early morning, and lots of wandering through booths. I am looking forward to another trip there this summer! If you visit Lakewood 400, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring cash, and keep an open mind about all the fun finds!

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Pet Photography Updates!

by Alana on March 11, 2013

This week I am updating my photography site with some new pet photography sessions! I wanted to share a few, and let my friends and family know so that you can follow along too! Mason and Magnolia are starting out the week, of course…

Check out our sessions on the blog today!

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We Made a Rain Barrel!

by Alana on March 7, 2013

A few weekends ago David and I took part in the Roswell Green Expo. I noticed a tweet went out for a Rain Barrel making class and signed up right away. The expo was interesting and I got to see some neat things. David loved the exhibit on solar energy, and I love the compact planters.

After touring around we went to our class. I have been interested in rain barrels for a while as an alternative to watering our plants with the hose. This is a way to conserve water and prevent run off from the yard. Rain barrels are not good for plants that produce food, but they are great for all the other plants in your yard.

Above you can see the supplies: 50 gallon barrel, ours were donated from the Coke bottling facility. Drill, drain, mesh netting to keep out large particles and mosquitoes, one zip-tie, some 1 1/2 inch tubing, and a small garden hose tap. Most supplies can be found at a local hardware store.

We connected ours to the gutter on the side of the house. After using some left over patio stone to prop it up, David connected the drain spout and we were in business!

Hint: It is important to make sure you can get your watering can under your tap.

You can see how it looks straight on above. If the barrel fills up the water will just come off the top onto the ground. And, if we want to take it up a notch, we can invest in a small pump to pray water, or filter it up from the bottom of the barrel. I think I will be just fine using the watering can to water our flowering bushes and plants during those hot summer months.

Of course Mason and Magnolia were there the entire time, helping and coaching us along.

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What the Camellia taught me today.

by Alana on February 28, 2013

I had to stop and get a photo of these flowers while walking back from lunch today. It is SO bitter cold outside, the kind of wind that really shocks you when it blows. I saw these flowers and my mind quickly jumped to thinking about beauty in such odd circumstances. The bloom below caught my eye first, and then the one above. See how it has ice on the lower petals? On my goodness, what a reminder to me of beauty in the midst of ugliness, hardships, and less than perfect circumstances.

Oddly enough, these flowers thrive in the cold. Like a preface to Spring and new life. I have been praying for the Lord to reveal himself to me, I have been praying through a lot of things lately. Prayers during this Lent season, but also for some life change as well. I am thankful for the moments where I can feel the Spirit step in front of me, forcing me to think, and notice HIS presence all around me.

P.S. Aren’t these flowers insanely beautiful?!? I tried to grow some at our house and failed…like hundreds of dollars failed (Check them out here, now all dead- sad face). I may need to look into some seeds…I just had to share. I love these southern beauties.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

by Alana on February 13, 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day! Have you seen this short film? Paperman, by Disney Animation. It was floating around Facebook recently, and I thought it was very fitting for such a sweet day. I know Valentine’s is tomorrow, but why not spread some love a day early! Such a heart warming 6 minutes.

Happy Valentine’s to you and yours!

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