Its completely random how we met.
I was just trying to sell a lens. Make that two lenses.
Last Christmas I upgraded to a 35mm L series lens – such beautiful crystal sharp lens – and in the springtime, I decided to sell my 50mm and fisheye lenses. I never really used them much anymore anyways – not after being exposed to the incredible world of L series lenses, bound n.e.v.e.r. to return. That Canon 50mm lens was the cheapest lens I could find and I really loved using it for portraits. Lots of bokeh, or whatever you call those blurry, round circles of color in the background (I am such a geeky, technical photographer – ha!). But I got so frustrated with never being able to get tack-sharp pictures, and finally realized it was the poor quality glass, not me that was the problem. And the fisheye was fun for landscapes, but really, who wants portraits that make them look like their nose is the size of a grapefruit and their ears the size of a cheerio. So they had to go.
I posted them on craigslist with a link here, saying that these two lenses were responsible for taking all of these shots. Actually, I had been using just those two lenses for all my portraits the two years leading up to putting them on craigslist.
I opened up my inbox one afternoon to find an email from my website from this Bill guy, saying he found my website in a roundabout sort of way, really loved my work, and wanted to know if he and his fiance could meet up with me to talk about shooting their engagement session and wedding. Wha?!!!
Eric and I met with Bill and Amber over frozen yogurt and crazy thing…he found out about me through craigslist! Totally did not expect craigslist to be responsible for our new friendship.
Bill and Amber so fun. They’re up for anything and are willing and ready for new adventures.
They wanted to bring Amber’s two little kiddos along, and I’m so glad they did. SUCH little personalities! Gunner came running up to me when they first pulled in and all excited asked, “See my new shoes?!”
I had found this cool old abandoned grocery store in Tyler, with cobblestone out front. It was perfect. Bill and Amber brought along some fun props, and I grabbed the green trunk that Eric wanted to throw away.
What I love about Bill is that, if I hadn’t already known that he and Amber were engaged, I would have thought he was Dixie and Gunner’s real dad. He treats them as his own and the kids love him to death. It so cute to hear them call him, “Kid.”
They plan to wed at Stone Oak Ranch in May, and I’m excited for their wedding next spring!
Love, Alicia
