Whirl wind weekend [and it was windy too!]

So the wedding was interesting. The couple did 'hire' a cousin on her side of the family to do the wedding photos. However, the groom's parents asked me to go ahead and shoot whatever I wanted.

This first shot is the rehearsal. 

Compare it to the wedding ceremony.

I took shots from behind the pastor.  It was fun to see the couples' face as they read their vows to each other.

Afterwards, the groom came up and asked me if I wanted some shots. I took family photos for his mom in the fall of 2018 so we do have a history together.

I told him what I'd thought of in his Grandmother's shade garden that I'd worked on the past week. He was excited about taking some shots there.

Of course as I was getting another idea together, the bride's friend came up with her pocket camera and had some ideas of her own. Note---> nothing against the pocket camera she was using, it could have actually been a very high end camera.

Friend person had some great poses and ideas for the couple. I decided to assist the other photographer and learn a few things. As she posed and talked to them, I took a few shots of my own.

My shot of the kiss by the pole barn. 

Yep, I liked it best in old 'timey' black and white.

I'm an Old Photographer so....as I was helping Friend Person, I tried to hold something for her and stay out of frame. Friend Person just quipped out "Don't worry, I'll just edit you out."

I think that comment startled me quite a bit. I'm the one that learned compose, compose, compose and watch your background. I'll just edit you out. [LOL like I don't exist!]

My guess is that wedding photography these days are heavily dependent on AI assistance. I know there is a way you can drop any subject you photo into a different background...I think.

Probably my favorite shot of the day was of the Ring Bearer.

This little girl walked down the grassy isle so carefully.  I swear, she must have held her breath for the entire walk. She took her job very seriously.

What did I learn once more at a wedding as a photographer? 

The after photos with posing are very creative. I doubt I could do it.

Plus, being bossy with people to get them to pose is a trait I don't have.

AI is the new helper. 

Bridezilla's still exist. The bride's mom was a Momzilla in a black sequined dress. 

I'll stick to nature and toys. I enjoyed the candid shots. My father was a master at candid photography.

Later on, I walked back to the shady garden and watched people from a distance. I only knew the father and mother of the groom really. 

I guess that's when it hit me that... oh yes, I was now a widow. A Widow with a capitol W. 

I went home and met up with my Grandson who just returned from fishing all day with Steve.

We watched the moon come up, chatted, and the next morning we took a nice long hike to chill out.

Gone to the dogs...and whatnot

 Well, sort of.

My neighbors on the top of the hill had a family vacation planned a while ago. They felt hesitant to ask me to care for their dogs while they were gone.

I've done this for them for the past few years. Their dogs are friendly, fun, and really quite easy to get along with. I enjoy my time taking them for a walk in the mornings and the afternoons. I don't mind feeding them and spending some time with them.

This is Tiyo. They adopted him in Africa and he is a mixed breed Baesenji which is a barkless dog. He does squeak when he is really excited.

Because of his thin coat, he loves hot summers, but doesn't care too much for rainy days or cold weather. 

However, he is a thoughtful dog who is pretty reserved but friendly once he gets to know you. He and I are pretty good pals.

He squeaks when he sees me.

Rupert is the classical mixed breed dog that is impossibly happy and exuberant all of the time. He literally bounces all of the time.

I did catch a shot of him being still. He seems to suffer from quite a few allergies, but that never seems to get him down. He just goes with the flow.

The gals are still grazing in their 'winter' pasture, but have started to eat a bit of hay. Apparently weeds are tastier in the fall?

This is the view of our place from my neighbor's woods at the end of their 5 acres. You can see their fence line in the shot below. We can't see each other's houses which makes it feel pretty isolated. Any other neighbors are at least 1/2 mile away.

The Whatnot...

Well, a friend of mine whose husband was also my husband's nurse is having their son's wedding at their farm on Saturday. I volunteered donate pumpkins from my pumpkin patch as well as help clean up the gardens. 

I actually had quite a bit of fun working at their place on Thursday.

I volunteered to come back on Friday and Saturday to help with setting things up for the wedding and my friend asked me to please bring my camera. Wink-wink.

I assume the groom and bride have a photographer so I would just be the one to get behind the scene candid shots as long as I am not interfering with a paid photographer.

My Grandson, Dennis, is coming in sometime Friday afternoon so we'll have some time together. 

Saturday morning Dennis is going fishing with Rich's fishing pal, Steve at 6am. I don't know how long they will be fishing, but I can always give Dennis the location I'm at and he can join me [after he does chores!].

I am absolutely thrilled to be helping my friends with such an important day in their lives and their son's life.

I texted my grandson and told him to bring a nice set of clothes as he may end up attending a wedding Saturday evening.

My Whatnot's can sure get interesting!