Olimb Photography Blog

To Talk of Many Things

2011-02-16T16:41:00.004-06:00

"The time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things! Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings! and why the seas is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings."

It's finally come; the time to say farewell to the old and hello to the new. Our brand spankin NEW blog launched today - it's up and pretty with our first post in the new format. I honestly a bit surprised by how it feels to be writing into this blog for the last time...it's a tiny bit bitter sweet. Blogger has been so good to us in allowing me an outlet to share who I am and who Andrew and I are and just to give people a look into our photography and how we see the world. So, while it's a little sad to say goodbye to the old, I'm so so so excited to see the new and all that's in store there.

Dont forget to update your feeds and your google readers as you wont be able to follow us at this link anymore. Get excited because there are a few new blog series coming as well as a new blogging schedule that I'm super super excited for. So, from now on, Olimb Photography's blog can be found over at:

www.olimbphotography.com/blog

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Change Change CHANGE

2011-02-14T07:45:00.007-06:00

I've never been a fan of change. It scares me to death. Sure, I can look back over my life and see so much good that has come from change, so much growth...but when faced with that moment right before the change...I'm terrified.

I havent been satisfied with my website for quite some time. It was a fine website, but I wanted more. I wanted something that was about Andrew and I and who we are as people, not just about the photos. But I was scared to make a change because so many people ere on the side of "dont change your image too much or you wont be recognized". But we're people...not just photographers and people change on a daily basis. And our website needs to reflect who we are, not who we were. So, the time came for a change...a brand new website and blog compliments of an amazing couple of months developing with Spilled Milk Designs through ShowIt. And I seriously have to give an extra shout out to Rachael for her amazing design work and putting up with me and all my changes.

So head on over to our website, take a look around and let us know what you think! And our blog...well, I say our blog but really, it's MY blog. Andrew gives me free reign there...it's my outlet and it's really for me personally to have that place where I can really share who I am and how I see life. I'll have a new blog coming up a little later this week. But until then, enjoy the warm and gooey goodness that is our new website! Leave us some love and let us know what you think!

Brand spankin NEWNESS: www.olimbphotography.com

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Our Favorite Things: iTunes Podcasts

2011-02-07T12:54:00.000-06:00

I've been a little obsessed with knowledge lately. Not all knowledge, cause frankly, a lot of things bore me to death, but one of the goals I added to my personal goals for 2011 was to know more. I realize this sounds really vague but I promise, it's way more detailed on my list. There are about eight different categories of things that I'm starting to crave to know more about. The biggest thing is Christ. My walk last year was fairly stagnant for the most part; it wasnt until about half way through the year that I threw up my hands, let go of everything I was holding on to, and dove into my relationship with my Redeemer once again. As this year began and I started on my personal goals, a greater knowledge and understanding of Christ and Biblical histories was one of the first things to make the cut. One of the things that has helped me dive into learning more is iTunes Podcasts. One of my favorites is Voddie Baucham's podcast but I'm adding more and more to my library as the days go by.

So, what's your favorite podcast? Comment below and the first to comment and leave your email address will receive an iTunes gift card! Woot woot!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Whats Next

2011-02-01T16:30:00.002-06:00

2011. Two thousand and eleven. It's strange but I remember a time when that date seemed like it was so incredibly far away. I was in middle school writing 1997 on my English papers and I'd see futuristic movies set in 2010 or 2012. It was so far...so far. And now here it is, 2011 and I cant quite determine my emotions on that. Not entirely. But, I am incredibly excited, I know that much. There's a lot for 2011 that we're looking forward to, a lot that we cannot wait to see. And while I had originally anticipated sharing my personal goals and our photography goals, I cant really bring myself to share my personal goals. They're intimate and precious...and really I dont think I'm ready to share those just yet. Maybe it's out of fear but I'm gonna hold onto them for a bit.

But our photography goals. Those I'm ready to just throw out there because I'm so crazy excited about them and ready to tackle them head on. So, here it goes...2011!

1. Our filing system for 2010 absolutely sucked. This year I've got a new filing cabinet, new folders, new harddrives and a whole new system. They're bright and shiny and yellow and perfectly organized. I've got a plan set for how I'm keeping track of everything and a way to keep each individual client feeling as if they're my only priority. The trick will be to not get lazy with the filing and imputing.
2. Finish redesigning the office. Andrew and I have been in our new house for a year now. A year. And ever since we put together the office, I loved it for about six months...maybe less. I wanted a new desk from pottery barn and I wanted plants and orchids and shelving and baskets and hooks and inspiration boards. We didnt get that far. Right now I have chunky black shelves and a chunky black desk...not the pretty white ones from pottery barn. So this year, I'm planning on purchasing my dream desk, and my decorations and hopefully I can keep orchids alive.
3. Incorporate a new blogging schedule. I'm holding off on that until our new blog launches. Yeah baby! You heard right, a new blog! Once it launches, we'll have new series on our blogs...Garland Puppy, Wedding Wednesday, Our Favorite Things Thursday, and Book Club Reviews.
4. Launch new blog and website. Spilled Milk Designs have been absolutely amazing with us. I cant wait to show you what they've done because we're stoked to switch over!
5. Submit at least five weddings to wedding blogs and magazines. I've never done this before and it terrifies me. I'm setting a goal to submit a minimum of five. I'm afraid of rejection, of not being good enough...but I'm going to try.
6. Book 20 weddings. Last year I set a goal of 12 weddings and we were blessed with 13! 20 sounds like a crazy amount to me. It kinda scares me a tad...what if we dont book 20? What if we book 20 and it's more than we can handle? But last year we laid our goals down before our Savior and said this is what we'd like to do, do with it as you see fit and He blessed us. So this year, we'll see what happens.
7. Shoot three creatively themed sessions. These are more for me. I love seeing those styled shoots in magazines and blogs but they're not realistic...they're created for blogs and for magazines. I just want to push myself more this year...and setting up three creative sessions is one of them. They take a lot of work and effort and extra money but I want to do it.
8. Shoot less and get more! We did so much better towards the end of the year but still not good enough. We shoot a lot of images...and what takes up the majority of our time is culling through them all. While there's a fine line between being safe and being just ridiculous, we're going to shoot less and get more quality. We're going to try to shoot less and get more quality. I dont want to miss out on an amazing shot because I dont want to take too many images. But I dont want ten thousand images of the same shot.
9. Purchase a 35mm 1.4 and a macro lens. Last year we rented our equipment that we didnt own from BorrowLens.com and while we discovered which lenses we really wanted, we wasted a whole heap load of money we could have invested into a lens. So this year, we're buying them, not renting, we're buying the new shiny pretty little lenses!
10. Make our materials match our brand. I've finally found new boxes for our high-res DVDs and new cases. They're going to be the most amazing custom packaging ever! They look amazing and they're the first on the list for things we're investing in this year. And our friends at letterpress have some new paper goods ready for us that we cant wait to share.
11. Build better relationships with our fellow wedding vendors. We shoot a lot of weddings with the same set of vendors and I havent taken the time to build relationships with them. This year we plan on making them a higher priority because they're amazing and without them, our photography wouldnt be what it is.
12. Keep tax information up to date and organized and consider hiring an account to handle all our legalities and tax stuff. BECAUSE I HATE IT! So, so much do I hate dealing with taxes and accounting and forms...hate hate hate!
13. Get more creative with our posing. We kinda got stuck in a rut last year. We werent very creative in posing our clients and we didnt push ourselves to try new things. This year, we're pushing our posing, we're practicing, we're trying to get more of a variety. As we looked over our images from last year, I noticed that I loved intertwining my clients. I loved their arms wrapped around each other and the groom protecting the bride with his arms and seeing her completely safe and comfortable in his grip. I love shots that are tight and from the waist up, focusing in on the eyes, the expression. But this year, I want to push myself.
14. Inspiration boards. I wanted to do these last year and never did. I want a board of posing a board of ideas, things that I love, things I want to buy, anything really. They're part of the office redesign, I'm designating a whole wall to them.
15. Pay off anything on our business credit card by December 1, 2011.
16. Start saving to convert to Macs. Yes, you can all gasp in shock...we do not own Macs, we dont work from Macs and we are a tad bit jealous of all the Mac products, gadgets and gizmos available.
17. This is one of the few business goals that mesh over into my personal goals but I'm going to share it anyway. I'm noticing a trend with other photographers new years resolution and goals. They all say they dont document their own lives enough, that they dont have any photos that are a good representation of themselves. We are no exception. You know that traditional photo of a young couple buying their first home standing in front of the sold sign holding keys? Or the photo of the couple eating pizza or mac and cheese on the floor on a blanket because they havent moved in all the way yet. We didnt get those photos. When we moved in, the only photos we have are the ones I snapped on my iPhone to show my grandma via email what our home looked like. So this year, Andrew and I want to document our lives. We want photos of the two of us together each season. Spring photos, summer photos, fall, winter...and every year we're going to make a photo album of that year and the highlights, the ups and downs and the memories. Andrew and I started this business because we loved being able to give that to clients...the memories, seeing themselves in the best possible light...and we want to that as well. What good is doing this if we cant have our own memories documented along the way.

And that's it...that's what we've got for 2011. I'm sure we'll add to the list as we go but this is our starting point, our spring board. As I'm sure it's 5:00 o'clock somewhere I'm going to go enjoy a nice glass of wine and spend some time over a nice dinner with my husband and our furry little Garland beastie. So here's to 2011!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

What Did and What Didnt

2011-02-01T14:34:00.001-06:00

No holding back...no fears...no timidity. Today is February 1st and it's the day I promised myself to post my evaluation of 2010 and our goals for 2011. This is gonna be a long post, just a warning...so I would strongly recommend grabbing yourself a big cup of coffee and join me in what did work last year, what didnt work last year. Later today I'll post our goals for 2011 cause seriously, I didnt want to overwhelm you all at once.

So first up, the recap of 2010...

2010 was a molding year for Olimb Photography. We really started to get a firm grasp on who we wanted our clients to be and how to get them. We streamlined a lot of little things that were draining any sort of creative energy from our business and found a handful of things that we were really, really lacking. Here's a little overview of what we learned from last year. I'm gonna put up a disclaimer...this is how we did things, how we learned and how we feel. It's not going to be right for everyone and I'm pretty sure it's not even the business school and photography school way of doing things. But it's how we work.

1. Look for light, not for pretty backdrops. Forever I was always worried about where to shoot, what location had pretty backgrounds and cool props. I dont know what did it but one day I suddenly decided to look for light and viola! We love our shooting style now, getting pretty lighting and simply capturing the subject, our clients and their love, their energy.
2. Andrew is never allowed to touch engagement rings...ever. Is there a story there? Yes, yes there is. But it will not be shared, all ended well and he's never touching an engagement ring again.
3. Brides that set aside a good hour for photos at a variety of locations get absolutely amazing photos.
4. When shooting kids, the higher shutter speed trumps all.
5. Go with your gut...not matter how weird or scary it seems.
6. Sometimes weddings that stretch you are what you really needed to discover your shooting style and to see just how strong you can be.
7. Always always be prepared for rain and fog...always.
8. Read the situation and the emotions. There were a few times last year when I read the situation and was terrified to do anything. Emotions seemed weird and I just gave up and became a fly on the wall. That's not what we're hired to be...so it took a few instances to learn to just step back, take a breath, re-evaluate the situation and everyone's emotions and try again and again and again until you get the images you need.
9. Finding a bride you absolutely cannot live without and form a friendship with is the most amazing thing ever. She is who we strive to find and who we want to spend every weekend with.
10. Shooting for the sake of shooting is a two edged sword. Practice is always key in photography but there comes a point when you need to recognize when you're passion is gone and to take a break. Trying to shoot through a creative-less and passion-less existence doesn't do anyone any good.
11. We live in Florida. Florida is hot. Hot is an understatement...Florida is Hades! In light of this obviousness, we no longer accept weddings in the dead of summer. Because I'd like to live.
12. Whenever possible, I will always always shoot a first look. They're intimate and amazing and sweet and precious. Despite that, I will never push a first look on a couple if they're arent open to it.
13. I want to shoot pudgy little babies covered in cupcakes and pearls and tutus and headbands and little footie shoes. It scares me to death and I'm not 100% sure on how I'm going to go about that but I want to shoot pudgy little babies!
14. Family photos took up a tremendous amount of time last year. Especially close to Christmas when everyone wanted a Christmas card photo. So, this year, we're not shooting family photos like we did last year. We only have a limited number of shoots for the entire year because frankly, we got burnt out by Christmas and seriously, who wants to be burnt out at Christmas!
15. It took almost two years, but Andrew and I finally have a system at weddings. I always know where he is, what he's shooting and what I need to get. Feels amazing to not be stressed at a wedding anymore wondering if we have what we need.
16. We no longer design our wedding albums. It's complex and I hated using the program and I wasnt very good at it. It took a lot to release control of it and send it off to a designer...an amazing designer that I cannot imagine life without.
17. The word amazing. I use it way too much...I've got to start finding new words because saying things are amazing all the time is getting old and unbelievable. Things are amazing! But I'm a writer and I'm gonna find another way to say it.
18. Buy what you need, not what you want. When we first started our business I swore I wasnt going to take out a business loan. I bought a lot of things that I thought I needed and didnt, things I wanted and should have waited on and some things I desperately needed but didnt have the money for. This year we're really evaluating what we need to buy and want to buy and writing them on 3x5 cards. We're prioritizing what we need versus what we want.

*Breathe* I think that about scratches the surface of last year. I'm fairly certain that I left out a lot or at least a handful of things of importance, but 2010 was an amazing year. We've learned so much and come far last year as a photography business. Personally, we've come even further and changed just as much. There's a lot of change coming for this year. I'm terrified. I'm excited. I've cried. I've gotten angry. I've wrestled depression and anxiety and experienced a ton of happiness and genuine joy. There's a lot coming...

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Life Unexpected

2011-01-31T16:35:00.000-06:00

Sometimes you just never know what life has in store. One moment you can be up, one moment you can be down. If there's anything that I'm starting to see trend in my life so far this year, it has definitely been control. No matter how convinced I am that I have some sort of control over my life, it's always proven false. No matter how much preparation and thought I put into something, in the end, if it wasnt on God's map for my life, it isnt going to happen. In light of coming to terms with that, I'm trying to remember to take advantage of all the moments placed in front of me. I'm trying to let go of some of the control that I'm clinging to and stop trying to figure everything out.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Bland

2011-01-25T11:21:00.004-06:00

Life has been feeling a bit bland lately. Not boring, not sad, not anything bad at all...just a bit bland. I'm totally blaming the weather, just so you know, because this gray color that's always greeting me outside lately is making me feel like I need to go have a conversation with Miss' Dash. If this isnt me screaming for Spring, I dont know what is.

Last night, as Andrew and I walked home from the gym, my face buried in my fuzzy red scarf, I asked if he would hate me if we were to take a late night trip to Pier 1 Imports and Target. Because the bland was really doing me in for crying out loud! I half expected him to say no, that we dont need anything for the house, that we dont need to spend the money when I'm wanting to buy my office furniture next month, or just something along the lines of "you know its nearly 830pm right?" But that's not what I got. I got a smile and a sure. A smile and a sure! My husband loves me...just sayin. So, last night was spent in Pier 1 and Target finding a few new throw pillows, clear red vases, and a mirror to add some spice to my otherwise bland mood.

Oh, and flowers...because really, that was probably all I needed was a nice bunch of sunshine to distract me from all the gray.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Fear and Blank Page

2011-01-20T15:53:00.000-06:00

There are moments in life when I'm afraid of looking forward. They dont happen often but they tend to leave me frozen in my tracks and afraid. This week I finalized my goals and aspirations for 2011. As I sat at my desk in my twirly red chair I tried to prepare a post sharing those goals with you all. But instead of my usual flow of words that comes when I try to write, I was only met with fear and a blank page. Fear that I was being unrealistic. Fear that I was trying too hard to have a life I was never meant to have. Fear that I was missing out on something. Fear...

I've avoided my blog for the past few days simply because I was dwelling in my fear and grasping hard to what I knew. I wasnt ready to let go of 2010 and start from scratch in 2011. Yesterday I stumbled upon the photos I took of the lunar eclipse. They're not that great...our photography equipment is for people, not for stars but I like looking at them...grain and all. They remind me of that night and one of the best conversations I've had with my heavenly Father in quite some time. And it wasnt until I looked back over these photos that I remembered that conversation and the incredible weight that I felt was lifted when I finally trudged back inside from the freezing cold to the warmth of my bed and Andrew's arms. That night I surrendered a lot of fear and a lot of control; and yet somehow from then to now, I've picked it back up again.

So now, on my inspiration board are the 4x6 CVS brand photos of that night to remind me of that night and to stop picking my fears back up. What are you afraid of this year? What are you secretly holding on to and refusing to let go?

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Three Sides, Please

2011-01-17T13:35:00.000-06:00

I try my hardest to order something different every time. I try to convince myself that an actual entree would taste just as good. I stare and stare and stare until our waiter asks what I'm having. Almost out of shame, I offer an apology before I order. "Mine's a little weird" I tell him. Usually at this point I either receive a laugh or a blank stare...I take a deep breath and I order my three sides.

My life with you has taken on that same sort of semblance. I timidly offer up an excuse or an apology as to why what I'm thinking or about to ask may sound weird. Usually you'll give me a smile or a blank stare, further prompting me to let you in on my thought process. But when it's all said and done, no matter how strange my request or reasoning, you always seem to accept me and make me feel like the most amazing person in the world.

As I go through life ordering my three sides, thank you for always being there, for loving me, for pretending that I'm perfectly rational and normal even though we both know rational and normal arent in my list of personality traits. I love you...in my irrational and totally abnormal sort of way.

Sarah and Rob: The Engagement

2011-01-14T16:50:00.000-06:00

There's a first time for everything. The first time you fall off a bike, the first time you kiss, the first time you call your mother from college because you have no idea what a bundt pan is...and for us, the last session of 2010 held another first: engagement session with a dog!

Sarah first contacted me and genuinely touched my heart. Taking the time to tell me why she wanted us as her photographers, Sarah reminded me of why we shoot weddings and why every smile, every kiss, every dance, every tear, every hug just draws me in. As we got to know Sarah, Rob and their furry little baby Bourbon, and argued about the importance of that extra berry in the four berry smoothie I couldnt stop smiling. We have awesome clients. They're the type of clients that we can just relax with and be silly and talk about our perfect day. They're the type of clients that turn into friends...that on their wedding day, we feel like part of the family, struggling not to cry as the father daughter dance begins, feeling as if we've invested in their story and wishing them all the best.

Sarah, Rob, we cannot wait to join you on your wedding day! And tell Bourbon that he will be missed...his monstrously large nose included!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Julie and Thomas: The Wedding

2011-01-12T17:56:00.001-06:00

She slowly slipped her hand around the door and tucked it securely into the hand of the man she was moments away from marrying. Those closest to her were silent as they held back tears knowing how precious that moment was. The two stood on either side of the door for just a few seconds, envisioning the other, waiting to say "I do". The longing etched onto his face as he slipped his hand from hers and took his place in the front of the church said it all. They loved; they were loved.

I didnt think the memories would be so strong. As Thomas slipped her wedding band onto Julie's finger, I remembered our own wedding day. Julie and Thomas pledged themselves to one another in the very church Andrew and I not only grew up in but the church that we were married in about two years prior. Seeing the look on Thomas' face as Julie was declared his beloved now and forever, I could barely contain the flood of emotions remembering the way Andrew looked at me as we said forever.

Julie, Thomas, cherish the journey. Take the time to lay in the sand, to eat all the sushi you can, to watch the sunset...enjoy one another to the fullest.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Garland The Cowardly

2011-01-11T11:11:00.000-06:00

Garland is a very, very, very friendly dog...almost annoyingly so. You think I'm joking but if it moves, she'll want to play with it. Squirrel, spider, trash, laser pointer, cat, small child...it moves, she'll play. I seriously doubt she's met a person she doesnt like. I find myself apologizing a lot when we have company for things like the obnoxious jumping, the face licking, the hair chewing, the talking back - yes, our dog talks back.

We have quite a bit of construction going on on the street outside our housing development and as it turns out, our dog is quite the coward. Loud bangs that not only startle but rattle the house cause her to quiver and attempt to flatten herself into the couch behind me. Oddly, our little Toto wanna be is also afraid of the guitar...who knew?

So today, while the terrible little beastie is hiding away under my desk beneath my feet and I'm listening to a quite playlist on Pandora, I'm reminded of all the relationships in my life that make me feel safe and secure. When the world around me feels intimidating or I just feel the need to hide away beneath a desk, I have comfort, safety, and security.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Our Favorite Things: Health Mag

2011-01-07T09:13:00.000-06:00

Being that it's January, I'm fairly certain health is on the forefront of nearly everyone's mind. Or at least women, because when we see the flood of commercials on eating healthy and working out and feeling good, we tend to get a little, how shall we say, desperate to feel better and look better.

Towards the end of 2009 was my desperate to feel better and look better moment. I'd been married for a little over a year, finally got out from under a job I absolutely couldnt stand and took the plunge into doing what I really love full time. It was around that time that I got a piece of what appeared to be junk mail. Being that I was still a little lost when it came down to what my day to day schedule should look like now that I was working from home, it was one of the few pieces of junk mail that I'd ever looked at. Turns out, it wasnt exactly junk mail; it was my delta rewards points telling me that they were about to expire. At the time, Andrew and I were desperately searching for a home to buy so I knew that traveling was out of the question. I went on the website provided out of curiosity...maybe I could get a free ticket with my points or something. No such luck. I did however qualify for about half a dozen different subscriptions to various magazines. Enter Health magazine.

I've never really been one for the latest fads but I love healthy foods. I love how I feel after a hard workout, I love when my refrigerator is full of vibrant fresh colors and I love love love to eat a whole box full of strawberries in one sitting. 2010 became the year Andrew and I really embraced a healthy lifestyle, and luckily, through dedication, Health magazine and encouraging each other when we really didnt want it, it stuck.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Us: In Action 2010

2011-01-06T11:50:00.000-06:00

As it turns out, my decision to make January my month of creating goals for 2011 was a really, really, really good one. I keep stumbling across things as I'm filing away 2010 and clearing the way for 2011 that make me think "I've really got to get better about..." or "This was a horrible idea!" or what seems to be the most popular "Oops, I was going to do that wasnt I?" So, as I was compiling the photos for this blog post, I realized that yet another thing slipped through the cracks of 2010 and is being put on the list for 2011. Take one photo per photo shoot of Andrew and myself in action...and dont delete it.

The uh, not deleting part was the problem this year. I would forget that I was holding onto them, or I would think I looked awful and so on and so forth. So, here is a little glimpse of us in action in 2010. These photos arent much, they're all I could find in my folders but it's a tiny glimpse. Oh, and did I mention the outfits....yes, the outfits - totally adding that to the list of things to work on because sheesh people, why did I leave the house in some of these!!

This boy thinks he's hilarious...and you know what, I would tend to agree.

There's that beautiful ShootSac cover - oh how I miss you.

In the summer, my hair turns this color and I have no idea how or why.

Ah the braid. Someone needed to tell me how awful this looked.

This is my husbands idea of letting me get a good light reading...funny man.

I swear I look through the viewfinder. Just, not all the time.

I pity Andrew sometimes. I give him this look way more than any wife should.

Yes folks, book Olimb Photography and this face will appear at some point during your wedding reception - guaranteed!

Sometimes I think too hard...this apparently is the face that sticks.

This face makes me happy!

Andrew informed me that during the father daughter dance, my face flickers back and forth between this and near tears. It is by far one of my favorite parts of the reception.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Roland Family: Anytime

2011-01-04T14:15:00.000-06:00

I've expressed this before, but the significance of family photos is impressing itself on me more and more often. It's making me realize how few photos Andrew and I have. We dont have a wedding album or a photo album of any kind on our coffee table...the photos in our picture frames are about three years old. The more I shoot families and receive their emails thanking me for the memories and treasures I captured for them, the more I realize that this is something I need to be sure to start changing this year.

Over the holidays I was presented with multiple opportunities to capture the essence of families in their various parts of their journey. Christi and her sweet little girl were one of them. I'm beginning to really enjoy seeing the different types of kiddos that are in front of my camera. They're all so different! Prancing around in her little Madeline jacket trying her hardest not to complain about the cold...I laughed at how direct she was in what she wanted. She told me when she'd had enough of the cookies, when she didnt want the candy canes any more and when she'd had her fill of the Santa hat. And oddly enough, she even told me when it was time for me to go! But regardless of when she decided it was time to stop being messy and coated in sugar, she was adorable in her toothy little grin and engaging little inquisitive eyes.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

The Christmas Card That Wasnt

2011-01-03T15:23:00.000-06:00

Hanging my head in shame, I admitted that we failed this year. As photographers, I think people assume that we are going to have an amazing Christmas card. Believe me, I've seen some rockin Christmas cards from photographers. But, as much as I like to think of myself as a planner, we royally failed this year with our Christmas card. We never took a picture and the pictures we had, we never bothered to go through and pick one for a card. And then, when we thought about it, it was too late to get them ordered, printed, and sent out.

So, here's the Christmas card that wasn't. Happy new year everyone! And I think I'm going to go ahead and start planning our 2011 Christmas card now...then maybe we'll actually get one in the mail on time this year!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

A Year In Review: 2010

2010-12-31T15:52:00.005-06:00

It seriously feels like we were just doing this...Andrew and I were just sitting down writing out our goals for 2010; I was just writing in my brand new calendar complete with a new set of post it notes. But at the same time, it also feels like this year has been a long time coming. We have so much to look back on, some much to take in and learn from! Usually I would have a post set up about what we learned from this year and what we hope to accomplish next year, but we're seriously still soaking in everything. So, instead of cheapening the experience and just writing up some quick goals that we would probably never accomplish, I'm giving ourselves permission to wait. January will be our month to make our goals...after all, it's not like January 1 is going to roll over and we're going to be instantly better people - it's a process. And with every good process, time and caffeine and lots of couch talk will be required.

While I'm not going to focus on our past and future goals this post, I do want to focus on our amazing year we've had. This year has definitely been a growing experience in our shooting. It was a first year with the 5D Mark iis and really discovering what our shooting style is. And it's also been the first year that I've embraced my clients wholeheartedly, not caring about whats "normal" and just being what I wanted. The result? We have had the most amazing clients this year. Every year, our clients seem to get better and better. This year, a truly amazing year, our clients have blessed us with loving hearts and amazingly encouraging words every step of the way. Here's a look back at our fantastically fabulous clients this year...

Thank you all so so much for an amazing year. While compiling the images for this post, I at first couldnt stop staring at the technical - our style has changed so much throughout the year...and then I was struck by the sheer amazingness {yes, it's a new word} of it all. All of you chose Andrew and I...all of you have invested in our lives and made us feel like part of your family. Thank you! Words cannot express the gratitude that Andrew and I have for all of you entrusting your memories with us. We love you all - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Kelli and Mike: The Wedding

2010-12-29T19:15:00.001-06:00

I'm a sucker for watching men cry. Something about the way they lose control over their emotions when they see their bride for the first time makes me weak in the knees. In the words of Mike's father, he comes from a family of criers. However true that may be, seeing tears well up in Mike's eyes as he reached for his bride and held her tight was one of the most romantic things he could have done. Mike, if you recall, I told you that I was looking forward so, so much to seeing your reaction to seeing Kelli for the first time. Both of you were so excited about having a first look and I seriously wanted to bounce up and down when you gave us that opportunity. Your face, your tears, your smile, your grip on your bride...you and Kelli have a beautiful future ahead of you.

The air was cold...you could feel the anticipation. As soon as I stepped foot onto the stairs, I felt as if the whole world was waiting, that collectively, we were all holding our breaths. I had to remind myself to slow down...to breathe. I looked back at Kelli, whose hazel eyes searched mine for some sign that Mike was ready. Breathe I mouthed to her as I smiled and nodded. She picked up her dress and took a step up the stairs. As Kelli and Mike held each other, the only sound at that moment was the click of my camera...the world around them was still as their tears fell. I'm sure the air was still cold, but the a loving warmth had replaced the anticipation. Kelli's dad held her mother tight as they watched their little girl in the arms of the man she loved.

Kelli, Mike, Andrew and I have had the great pleasure of following you along your wedding day journey. From engagement to bridal to watching your families give you both away, we've been captivated by your dynamic...your dynamic together, the dynamic of your family, and your dynamic with Andrew and myself. It isnt very often we get to invest so much and get so much back in return...your family has made us feel so, so welcome and loved. Congratulations you two...we love you both and wish you all the best in your future together. And remember, if you get an empty fortune cookie, it's totally because you make your own fortune.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

An Explanation

2010-12-27T11:13:00.003-06:00

We have a tradition in my house at Christmas. I honestly have no earthly idea how it started or even when it started. We'd all be sound asleep in our beds on Christmas morning {we're not early risers in my family...not even for a holiday} dreaming of sugar plums and cookies. And then IT WOULD HAPPEN. Blaring through the speakers from my dad's office, it would startle us all awake. Ryan would usually be stubborn and hide out under pillows and headphones in his room, refusing to let it wake him. I on the other hand, I would storm out of my room pissed off. You see, I dont like being scared awake...even when I know that it comes every year. I would trudge out of my room with a scowl on my face to my dad, who would be just coming out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee, a huge grin on his face, singing along... "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas...I dont think Santa Clause will mind do you?" EVERY CHRISTMAS we would be scared awake by that silly song playing throughout the house. And my dad, well, he loves the song...he's the only one in my house that loves that song. We, the scared awake portion of the family, hate it.

My first Christmas away from my family was in Minnesota with Andrew's family. It was the Christmas before we got married and I remember being curled up on my inflatable bed smiling as I drifted to sleep...there would be no hippo song in the morning to wake me up at some ungodly hour. Little did I know, my loving fiance had made a pact with my father that year and at 7am on Christmas morning, Andrew played the hippo song to wake me up on Christmas morning. Needless to say, after a few pillows thrown in the direction of the doorway and an angry call to my laughing father, I accepted the idea that there was a very good chance my dad was going to pull this off every single year no matter where I was.

This year I prepared myself. I made Andrew promise not to help my dad. I recited what had happened last year, my dad driving by our apartment at the time, his truck windows down as he blared the song underneath our bedroom window. Andrew promised not to help him ever again since he was now married and on my side. So this Christmas, we locked my father out. We made sure that despite their spare key, they wouldnt be getting into our house. I checked every CD player and computer before bed, even locking our bedroom door from the inside. And with that, I smiled and drifted off to dream of sugar plums and cookies.

Christmas morning I woke up. There was no hippo song. I got ready to spend Christmas morning at Andrew's parents house. There was no hippo song. In fact, I went through till lunch before I realized. THERE WAS NO HIPPO SONG! I grabbed my cell phone to gloat: dost my ears deceive me? *gasp* No Hippo Song! I typed a quick text message to my dad. I smuggly poured another cup of coffee, thrilled beyond all reason...until.

If you have been on my website on Christmas, you might have noticed that there was a song being played all day long on my website. That song was the hippo song. And irritatingly enough, it stayed there all day long. My father has won again this year...but there WILL be retaliation.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

The Hazards of Raw Cookie Dough

2010-12-23T12:58:00.000-06:00

We sat on the couch in the formal living room. I always thought it was a little strange that my grandparents had a formal living room and a living room. I guess it was just for when you were feeling extra formal? I dont know, I always thought it was a waste of living room furniture. But there we sat, on that stiff cream sofa, going over the plan. I told him to go through the dining room and I'd go through the living room for regular people. He giggled. Yes folks, my brother giggled like a little girl. Apparently my plan amused him. "Remember, dont get caught".

I totally knew he would get caught. In fact, I was planning on it. You see, Ryan got in trouble...a lot. Pretty much any crash you heard in our home was followed by his name. So, when in need of a decoy, he was the perfect one. I poked my head around the corner peaking into the kitchen. Her apron was smudged with flour and egg residue and she hummed to herself just a little...my grandma's kitchen and the sound of the mixer generally meant one of two things. Cookies or a pie. Today, today was cookies...chocolate chip if the yellow bag labeled Nestle were any indication. As grandma turned away from the mixer to wash her hands, I watched as Ryan's little grubby palms reached for the spoon. I ducked back behind the corner and waited...a crash...my grandma yelling Ryan! And there it was. I ran into the kitchen completely bypassing the spoon all together. Only amateur cookie dough eaters go for the spoon. I dug both hands deep into the bowl, the sugary goodness squishing between my fingers. Success! And I ran for it.

Ryan sat back on the couch, the lingering effects of a lecture on the hazards of eating raw cookie dough on his face. I skipped in smugly, flaunting my genius. He looked up at me, his hands empty while mine were sticky and full. As I flopped onto the couch beside him, I handed him one of the mounds of cookie dough from my hand. And there we sat quietly...ignoring the hazards of eating raw cookie dough.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Chari Family: Anytime

2010-12-21T11:05:00.001-06:00

I sat in my car staring at the swing set...when was the last time I had someone push me on a swing set? I sat there, watching a little girl in a red sweater swing back and forth while I waited on my clients. I smiled as she flung herself from the seat and landed in a heap laughing in the sand. I found myself wanting to join her...to send myself flying from the swing set to land in a fit of laughter in the sand...

Moments later, I met the most adorable little boy I've ever seen. If I was being completely honest with myself, watching him made me wonder what type of parents Andrew and I will be. This boy was the sweetest, smartest little thing I've met in quite some time! He gave me hug after hug and between sign language, saying pretty please, and watching me, he would do just about anything I asked him politely to do. Oddly, the day seemed fairly nostalgic...being reminded of things of the past, toys I used to play with, shows I used to watch...and watching the laughter of a child enjoying things in life without a care in the world.

So, without further ado, the Chari family and the most adorable little guy ever!

Dwell in Possibility...

Cassie

Kelli: The Bridal Shoot

2010-12-18T23:50:00.000-06:00

Grasshoppers, ants and stink bugs...oh my! It has been absolutely killing me that I've been keeping these photos under wraps for so long! After tromping around Pensacola with one of my beautiful brides, I wanted to rush home to my computer, edit until I couldnt see straight, and then post the biggest monster blog post EVAR! The only downer of shooting bridal sessions would be, hands down, keeping the photos under wraps until after the wedding to show off the sheer awesomeness.

Kelli and her amazing little entourage rocked out the best bridal shoot I've had to date. As we stepped through brush, pulled sticks out of underskirts, screamed as Andrew shooed away some monster-freak-bugs., the most stunning light followed us throughout the day. And now, with Kelli and Mike's wedding having just occurred {more coming on them soon!} I can finally post away!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Kayla and David: The Engagement

2010-12-15T13:45:00.001-06:00

I think I owe them quite a few cups of coffee...or sweaters and scarfs or maybe new toes and fingers. Because folks, it was that cold. Andrew and I rolled up to Rosemary Beach and looked at the thermometer on my car...38 degrees. Yup, it was cold.

Despite running noses and near freezing temperatures, Kayla and David looked as though they were pros at posing for a magazine. I mean really, David had the Abercrombie face down to a science. And Kayla, she has that casual elegance that just blows me away. After we defrosted in a nearby cafe for breakfast, I entered people watching mode. Andrew took over the majority of the conversation and I watched.

I watched as David gave his bride to be the only chair and stood next to her as they enjoyed their breakfast. I watched as they answered Andrew's questions and retold stories and histories of how they met. I watched as Kayla would glance up at the man that chose her to be his own and smile...the more I watched, the more anticipation built up on what their wedding day would hold.

Dwell in Possibility...

Cassie

Best Laid Plans

2010-12-14T15:53:00.000-06:00

I dont usually make it well known when Andrew is away. It's something my dad always ingrained in my head "dont give people a chance to know something they shouldnt" or something along those lines...my memory, not the greatest on exact wordage. Ever since I can remember I've been told to be careful what I post online or what I tell strangers. Growing up, we even had a safe word that if someone were to come up to my brother and I, we knew that if they didnt say that safe word, they werent allowed to take us anywhere. So, Andrew had actually been out of town for two weeks, and while I wanted to say how lonely I was and how freaked out I got and how I realize that my house makes super strange noises when it's just me and Garland at midnight, *safe word* I kept quite. Okay, so I may have hinted at it just a little.

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you probably noted that my wonderful husband surprised me by coming home a day early. Extra brownie points and make out sessions for him! Yes, I went there. Oh, and did I mention he brought CUPCAKES?! I wasnt entirely sure who I was happier to see - I kid, I kid. That was Friday night. And Saturday, oh, I had major plans for Saturday.

I had the most adorable outfit picked out to pick Andrew up from the airport, my hair was looking amazing from the amazing hair abilities of Mrs. Hannah at Image Makers {mini shout out!} I had the movie times ready, dinner plans at Bonefish and even better plans for Sunday after church with a cozy date on the beach with a blanket and some coffee and sushi for dinner. Well, as they say, best laid plans and good intentions...right? When Andrew got home early, I was unshowered, sloppy, in over-sized clothing layered like an abominable snowman because, um, it's freezing in my house. I had no makeup on and I'm pretty sure I looked like the swamp thing. There went the look cute for husband plan. The next day was disrupted by being sick. Highly contagious sick...oh, and I threw out my back taking off a boot. Yes folks, all the personal training and boot camp classes I do and I threw out my back while taking off a shoe. And with that, all other plans went out the window.

So, Andrew made me new plans...We've been sitting around watching Smallville since Saturday. I'm to stay immobile as long as possible to ensure that my back feels 100% by Saturday for Kelli and Mike's wedding. And he's been taking care of everything else. Other than going through withdraws of being around the general public and being able to go to the gym, my best laid plans arent missed as much as I'd originally thought. Perpetual snuggle time with Andrew and Garland and no house work...I'm pretty good with the new plan!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Montanez Family: Anytime

2010-12-13T21:40:00.000-06:00

Megan isnt a stranger to the blog...like, at all. I think the farthest back she's been on my blog was sometime in May 2009. She's everything from my best friend, to idea bouncer offer, to coffee date, to muffin fiend to guinea pig to third shooter. And, like mother like daughter, Megan isnt a stranger to the blog and neither is her little girl. Hope's pretty much a regular in my home so she tends to grace the blog often. Garland's feeling a bit jealous by the amount of blog time Hope has gotten - we may have to tilt the scales in Garland's favor pretty soon.

This isnt the Montanez' first year as a family but it's the first year that they'll have photos all over their walls. From Megan's new photography business, to my incessant need to practice and try out new locations, their lives are extremely well documented. So, without any further ado...the Montanez family!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Hannah and Adam: Anytime

2010-12-09T16:22:00.001-06:00

So, there are a few photo-shoots when I'm asked to hold onto the photos for various reasons. And its always kinda a bitter sweet thing cause I have these great photos, but I cant share them. Well, today I can share one set I've been holding on to. Hello pregnant belly!!!

When I think about having children, often I toy with all the different ways I would tell my family. While I have a few ideas, Hannah and Adam definitely thought up a good one. Hannah and I have been friends for years now and I've known her since high school...like, I was a freshman and she was a junior so yeah, long time. When Hannah called me to schedule this photo-shoot, it was a whirlwind! I was honestly stunned she was able to keep it from her parents long enough to do the shoot. I would have burst at the seams by then!

The plan was to set up some photos for Hannah and Adam to show their families. Initially, the photos were to just be a "here's some photos for our resume" You see, Adam works within the youth ministry at Rocky Bayou Baptist Church and he used the guise of a head shot to show their families the photos. As they clicked through, they photos turned into an announcement. BELLY BELLY BELLY!!!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Baby It's Cold Outside

2010-12-07T10:33:00.000-06:00

I cannot feel my fingers. I suppose it's my own fault...I'm kinda sorta refusing to turn on the heater until I just cant stand it anymore. Last year, Andrew and I lived in a very, very small apartment so the heater was kinda optional and only really ever turned on for a minute or two a day. We stayed warm and cozy all year round for the most part. However, now that we live in a normal sized house, when it's really, really cold outside, it's really really cold inside. Hence why I cannot feel my fingers.

So, while I indulge in my fourth cup of Harry and David's dark chocolate peppermint coffee to warm up, I wanted to leave you with a little sneak peak. Kayla and David know a little something about how cold it is outside. Their engagement session was oh, say 37 - 40 degrees the whole time. So go grab a cup of coffee or some hot chocolate and enjoy this little teaser!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Folley Family: Anytime

2010-12-06T12:45:00.000-06:00

November is that time of year...the year of little tots and family photos. Everyone wants that adorable little photo for the Christmas card. You would think that being photographers, Andrew and I would have photos everywhere and that every major holiday is documented...fun fact, we dont even have a Christmas photo this year. Oops!

The Folley family came to us from Shannon and David's wedding earlier this year. It's always exciting to have clients that you get to see more than once - it's almost as if for a brief moment, the few hours of the shoot, you become part of their family. Shannon actually presented this shoot to them as a gift - my kinda girl right there! The Folley family was absolutely adorable! It helps when the kids and I can talk about How To Train Your Dragon the whole time!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Laura: Anytime

2010-12-05T19:18:00.001-06:00

Confidence. You know how you just know it when you see it? You know how there's some girls that just seem as if they are overflowing with sheer confidence? Well, that would be Laura. Laura is the last set from the group of three amazing senior girls I had the pleasure of shooting recently. I saved her for last because frankly, editing her photos made me think...a lot. Laura ran out of time and didnt put on any makeup for her photos! Ummm...that sound, that was me passing out at the idea of taking photos pre-makeup. Just knowing her confidence level while we shot these photos made me wonder how so many of us have gone so long grasping at confidence straws our whole lives. You could put on all the makeup in the world and style your hair for hours on end, but really, confidence is what makes you rockin.

So here's to confidence!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Ashley: Anytime

2010-12-02T18:45:00.001-06:00

The crinkly old woman eased her way out of the cart. She rubbed her hands together and swayed back and forth: "What are you doing, photographing butterflies?" It took everything within me not to fall into a fit of laughter. I peaked out from behind my camera and looked at the young woman posing for her senior photos in front of me...butterfly? Really? Well, okay sure, why not.

So, this is Ashley, and for the day, she was our butterfly. In a group of three friends, giggling, laughing, dancing to Ke$ha, she was the only one to get my Blue Steel reference for the day. That makes her Aok in my book...by like, a lot.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Hannah: Anytime

2010-11-30T23:42:00.000-06:00

There have been a few times in recent months when I have begun to feel a little bit old. Now, I realize that I'm not old...but I'm not in that "just starting college fresh outta high school" age. Which is kinda sorta where my brain defaults to. So, when I was presented with the chance to shoot three amazing girls for their senior pictures I realized just how many years have passed since I was that "just starting college fresh outta high school" age. I. Felt. Old.

First up was Hannah Mae {okay so I have no idea if that's her middle name but that's what I think of whenever I look over her photos}. She came out with two of her closest friends Ashley, who will be hitting the blog tomorrow, and Laura, who will be up the day after that. Originally I was going to post all three of these marvelous girls together but I wanted to give them their own moment of diva-ness! So here is missy Hannah in all her fabulousness!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Shiny New Toys

2010-11-30T10:37:00.000-06:00

FedEx is my Santa Claus. Seriously, when that little truck rolls up to a stop in front of my house, I feel like a little kid running down the stairs to the Christmas tree in the wee hours of the morning.

My favorite FedEx man recently delivered a monstrous box to my doorstep. Now, if he hadnt done this so late at night when I was home alone, my mind probably would never have wondered if there was a person hiding away in the box coming to kill me. Ah yes, arent I a rational human being? Anyways, once I got over my fear that someone would pop out of the box and opened it, VIOLA!

Andrew and I have been wanting to play with some serious lighting for awhile. But since we prefer to shoot in the great and beautiful outdoors in natural light, we didnt really see the need to invest in any of these bright and shiny new toys. BUT! We were mistaken! We're having so much fun with this lighting even if it has just been for our own look-at-the-adorable-little-Garland-puppy type use at the moment. Yes, she is our guinea pig and we love her.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Home Alone

2010-11-29T13:38:00.004-06:00

I'm sure everyone has seen Home Alone. If you havent, I'm just gonna go ahead and say it - you're un-American! But that kid is seriously my hero. Growing up, my dad went out of town alot on TDYs. If you're a military brat like I am, you know that was grown up speak for "dad goes out of town for x amount of time and brings home presents." I hated it when my dad went out of town. Not that I'm dissing my mom but I just didnt feel as safe when my dad was away. Usually, I would have nightmares when we was gone or lay in bed at night listening to the house creak scared out of my mind. Once I could have sworn someone was standing on the other side of my bed. I was terrified to roll over and see for myself - I literally laid there thinking I was going to die. But, like all kids, I had a pretty overactive imagination.

As an adult I still probably have a fairly overactive imagination...but I'm not usually home alone often so I'm generally not given the chance to think that someone is trying to crawl down the chimney or squeeze in through the bathroom window. But when I am, I suddenly wish I had superhuman strength or some insane butt kicking ability to protect myself...and my little dog too! I go to some crazy lengths to ensure that if some crazy person tried to break in, I'd have my Home Alone style defense system ready. Andrew is convinced I just need a really big dog - to which I dont object. But until that big dog {whose name will be Oz} makes his appearance in our home, Kevin is my hero.

Dwell in Possibility....
Cassie

Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T21:50:00.000-06:00

I have never baked a pumpkin pie in my life. Like, ever. I love to cook and all but I like to experiment...Ask Andrew, the majority of my cooking is a just-throw-that-in-there-and-see-what-happens kinda deal. And excuse me while I boast that in over two years of marriage, I've only had two really really really bad end results. One being a crock-pot jambalaya that we pretty much could have laid tile with and the other being a seriously undercooked whole chicken that made me want to become a vegetarian for awhile. Baking isnt usually something you can just experiment on. The recipe is kinda important there. So, since I'm hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year, I figured I'd better learn how to make a pumpkin pie.

Isnt it pretty! I seriously just want to eat it now and pretend it never existed when we're short a pie tomorrow.

Before I bid you all farewell until after the holiday {I'll be back and blogging on Monday, November 29th once I'm well rested from all this turkey!} I wanted to share something that we're doing at our house for Thanksgiving and invite you all to consider doing the same.

The NOW Campaign from Heart of the Bride on Vimeo.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Mesarchik Family: Anytime

2010-11-23T17:05:00.000-06:00

I dont get to meet too many people from Andrew's work. Something about not being able to get on base because I'm a mere civilian or something like that. So, whenever I get to see Andrew interact with people from work, I become all quite and conservative and hit my people watching mode. Why? Because I'm curious! I want to know what Andrew's like at work; I'm curious what happens during those eight hours he's not home every day during the week. So when Andrew told me that a guy he works with wanted to take some family photos, I was all "gold mine!" I'm going to find out so much about you! Imagine my surprise when I was told that he's pretty much the same as always. Curses....why is my husband so darn constant!

Kevin and Cassie {heehee, I love meeting other Cassies!} have the most adorable little girl. Oh, she played shy with me for about half of the shoot. Something about a big black camera in your face seems to do that to the majority of the child population. But I think I won her over in the end...or at least, that's the story I'm sticking to!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Our Favorite Things: The Truth Project

2010-11-22T14:19:00.002-06:00

I've re-written this post three times now. The first draft I wrote about five paragraphs. The second draft, only one. I'm still on the fence wondering if I should have put more of my heart out there in this post but I really want to let God speak rather than myself.

There are times in life when I go through ruts. Okay, so there are a lot of times in life when I go through ruts. Sadly, the ruts are self inflicted and I'm left pondering my guilt and punishing myself for being so well, to put it bluntly, lukewarm. While I would love to say that I wake up every morning and spend an hour in the word with my Father, I would be lying if I tried to say that. Someone once told me that church on Sunday's isnt supposed to be your main "meal". Church on Sunday should be that weekend splurge of going out to eat but that your main every day meals, the ones that keep you nourished, should be in your personal times with the Lord. Admittedly, I've been starving. Excuses pile up and I wind up looking at them in shame. Luckily, our Savior isnt about guilt and shame, pass or fail. He's about the relationship.

The Truth Project has become one of the main tools in my walk with the Lord lately. I've hit a rut of laziness in my walk and these videos and the truth of the Word of God are pulling me through. It's challenging everything about what I believe. It's breaking me down to the very core of my beliefs and verifying that what I believe is TRUTH. If you've never heard of the series, I would strongly suggest you find them on youtube or visit your church office and ask if you can buy them or rent them from your church library. They are some of the toughest, hard hitting, mind altering, preconceived notion shattering videos I've every watched. {Like how many descriptive words I used there?} So, while you may feel like your head is a spinning top after this, Our Favorite Thing? The Truth Project.

Kalyn and DJ: The Wedding

2010-11-20T11:45:00.000-06:00

I stood outside the hotel room door and took a few deep breaths. I'm always terrified right before I walk into the bridal room. It's when I first see the bride on her wedding day - it's when the brides closest friends size you up, when you meet the mother of the bride. It's like passing through a fire. At least, thats what I feel in that moment before I knock on the door. Andrew will squeeze my hand, kiss me on the cheek, and knock on the door for me. And just like that, the flames and fears are gone.

It always surprises me when a bride answers the door on her wedding day. But there Kalyn stood, all smiles looking absolutely stunning. I loved the feeling in the room that day. Everything about the atmosphere was focused on Kalyn and DJ and their love and devotion to one another. As Kalyn took a deep breath standing there awaiting the moment she walked arm in arm down the aisle with two of the three closest men in her life, I paused. Here stood a girl surrounded by her very dearest friends and family. She looked absolutely amazing and she was ready to pledge her life to a man she loved.

Dwell in Possibility...

Cassie

The Sneaks

2010-11-18T12:36:00.003-06:00

Okay so lately, I've been having this problem. It's called a cuteness problem. There's this cute little furry fuzz ball that runs around my house that's incredibly cuddly since Andrew went out of town. Like, super super cuddly. Since she's been so cuddly, I'm finding myself becoming completely distracted and curling up on the couch with the furry cuteness and watching Veronica Mars till one of us decides to move.

So, while I down oh say ten cups of coffee {yeah, that sounds about right} I wanted to post a few sneak peaks of what I'm working on right now. And then hopefully, Garland and her cuddly self will hide her cute little face until I can kick my to-do lists in the face.

Isnt she a little cutie pie! This little one and her mom and dad were part of a family shoot recently that I'll be posting shortly. But isnt this just the sweetest little face!

This is Hannah. Hannah loves to pose. Like, seriously, she could rock out the next Zoolander movie all on her own. I had the pleasure of shooting her senior portraits recently with two of her closest friends. They should be coming up here on the blog soon!

And this is Ashley, one of the trio of seniors shoots. Aparently we were the only ones quoting commedians...our own little world Ashley, our own little world.

And this is Laura. Laura's confidence blew me away when she shrugged and said she forgot makeup that morning. Forgot makeup?! You will never catch me dead in front of the camera with no makeup! I was jealous...just a tad.

And last but not least on the sneaks, this is the Fields wedding. I'm pretty sure I've drawn out the suspense for these two in getting their blog post up so I will just put it out there, you may want to check out the blog this weekend...just sayin.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Most Horrible Sister Award

2010-11-15T10:47:00.000-06:00

So, I definitely have just secured my place in the hall of fame in the category of worlds worst sister. My little brother’s 20 birthday was last week and I had prepped this cute little blog post…and then I went and told it to post on the wrong date. Yes, right there ladies and gentlemen deserves the noble prize of pathetic. So, instead of this posting on the 5^th of November like it should have, it was set to post on the 15^th. And to top it off internet, I didnt realize it until this morning. Fail.

November the 5th was my brother’s 20^th birthday. As I sat down looking through photos on my hard drive attempting to pull together and good representation of our relationship, I took a trip down memory lane. My brother and I never really did get along very much growing up. I look at families that have these amazing sibling bonds and I just think of how often Ryan and I fought like crazy. He and his friends would break my favorite horse, I would manipulate my way and get him in trouble for pinching me. I would pinch him till I left a mark and he would make me so angry I would nearly explode. But while the majority of our history together revolves around some sort of argument or severe dislike...he's still my little brother. He's the little brother that I made kiss the next door neighbor, promising that I wouldnt peak - and then I proceeded to make fun of him for the rest of the day. He's the little brother that rolled down muddy castle hills in England with me till we couldnt see straight. He slid down snowy slopes in Washington resembling a mini Michelin man rather than a little boy. We splashed around in buckets in the tub together until we realized that it's just gross to take baths with your siblings.

Now he's 20....sounds so weird to say that because honestly, it feels like I was just turning 20. So, while it's super super late and I'm officially the worst sister ever, Happy Birthday Ryan. And that Christmas tree incident...yeah, that was totally all your fault.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Men Are From Mars

2010-11-09T09:38:00.004-06:00

I play a lot of Halo. Now, to preface, Andrew likes to play Halo and therefore, I began to learn to play Halo so I could participate instead of sit next to him with a book for a few hours. So, it's safe to say that I play a lot of Halo with my husband. One of the funny things about being in that world for a few hours every night or so is that I get a really funny glimpse into the world of my husbands friends. Since they all play online together, I get to know a little more about them on a fairly regular basis. They talk smack, they give each other weird names, and they make fun of each other non-stop. Literally...NON-STOP.

As I laughed hysterically along with a few of Andrew's friends from work and watched my score dwindle down into single digits, I started to realize one of the things Andrew gets picked on the most for. At first I pouted and wanted to defend him until I realized that this is like some strange twisted version of guy bonding and they love it. Two things I learned create a target on my husbands back:

1. Smallville - apparently in my husbands world, the fact that Andrew enjoys watching this with me warrants losing a man card or means that your wife is in charge of your manhood.
2. Fixing a Toilet - in my mind, this would kinda make you "me man, you woman" type manly in the guy realm...not the case. It seems that declaring you fixed your first toilet would mean that you use it way to much in the first place if you broke it.

Guys are strange. They enjoy making fun of each other and they enjoy getting made fun of. All I know, my husband loves me. He loves me and he loves getting made fun of for that fact. He loves me enough to sit around for hours watching Smallville marathons when really, he should be sleeping. He loves me enough to come home from work and fix a toilet instead of eat dinner. My husband loves me...Smallville marathons, float wands and all.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Our Favorite Things: Candy Corn

2010-11-03T10:55:00.001-05:00

I've been a pretty lame person these past few days. Seriously, if I didn't know any better, I think I was kin to a slug, or a sloth, or something equally as slow. I don't want to do anything. It takes a great deal just to convince myself to put on anything other than work out clothing, because really, spandex stretchy pants are just so darn comfortable! In part, I'd like to blame the weather. It's not quite cold, it's not quite stormy, it's not quite hot and not quite, well...pleasant in the slightest. And as much as I'd like to say I'm above weather induced moodiness - I'm totally not. I'm also going to blame the Halloween candy that's taunting me. Really, how can you come out of a gym only to see leftover candy corn in a bucket in the pantry and not be a little irked!

So, today's favorite thing is an ode to all things Halloween. Candy corn! Once a year, I buy one bag of candy corn in October. Usually it'll last me till early December but it makes me feel like I'm five again wearing my Dorothy dress and glittery shoes. There's just something about eating candy shaped as a tri-colored corn that makes me just a tiny bit sentimental.

As Andrew and I stood in line, me clutching my bag of candied goodness, I sighed and stated that I loved candy corn. Andrew then shattered all fall cheer by stating that he hated candy corn. The corn and pumpkin shaped candy goodness hating scrooge! I then shielded my candy corn from him as if he had hurt the little bags feelings and added that to the list of things that Andrew will one day love. Number one: Monopoly. Number two: Candy Corn.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

When Pigs Fly!

2010-11-01T08:51:00.004-05:00

It's been quite some time since we've given a freebie on our website. I havent forgotten about it, I've just been working out the kinks of what I wanted to give away. And if I'm being honest with myself, I was a tiny bit nervous that maybe, just maybe, I wouldnt get a response. So, here's to crossing my fingers.

We're giving away a wedding!! Yes, I'm serious. No, there's not a catch. Well, okay not exactly a catch but there are rules...do those count as catches?

You see, in Florida, it's insanely hot the majority of the year. And the months that arent blazing hot are usually from about October to March...depending on the year. So, this brought on the creation of the rules for the free wedding giveaway, because honestly, I dont want to do a free wedding in the middle of 100 degrees. Sorry, I'm just not that much of a supergirl. So, the rules:

- Tell us your love story. I absolutely love reading these! The more details the better!
- Your wedding must take place in 2011 in the months of January to March or October to December.
- Your wedding can take place anywhere! We're Floridians but we travel so dont let location scare you! All we ask is that you pay 50% of our travel costs. We love a good road trip or mini vacay so we wont ask you to cover it all.
- Your wedding must take place outside . Ah, yes, there's the kicker to why it has to be during good weather months! We want submissions for outdoor weddings. Backyards, parks, butterfly gardens, a jungle, atop an amazing cliff, anywhere outside of ceremony and reception.
- You must submit a photo of you and your fiance along with an inspiration board of your wedding plans. Again, the more details the better.
- And last but not least, your submissions must be in by December 1, 2010 and I'll be announcing the winner on Christmas Eve 2010!

How are we judging? Well, we're looking for creativity, for personality, for themes and decor and stories that are truly a reflection of the couple. We want to fall in love with you and be blown away by how you stand out from everyone else. The availability of your wedding date will come into play as well but we'll notify you via email if your date is not available and cross that bridge when we come to it. And sorry .OP. brides, if you've booked already or if you've sent me an inquiry prior to today, to be fair, you will not be allowed to submit your wedding.

Of course, there's the fine print to go along with the rules. And it's lookin mighty fine if I do say so myself! What does this free wedding giveaway include? Let me tell ya! First off, you get Andrew and myself on the day of your wedding for six continuous hours. Along with our fancy cameras and shiny lenses you'll get our creative eye throughout the wedding day sticking on you like glue from start to finish. You'll also receive a credit to use towards your wedding album and a canvas gallery wrap print. Did we mention we're also including an engagement session? Well we are!

And if you're asking yourself: what's my cost here? Well, here's what we're requiring of you. Most importantly: be you!! But down to the nitty gritty, you'll be responsible for 50% of our travel costs {gas, flights, hotels, etc...should there be any} as well as purchasing any DVDs, prints, albums, or gallery wraps from your engagement session and wedding day. But remember, we're giving you a credit to use to get you started.

And that's it! Dont get picked? Dont worry, there may just be prizes for the runners up...just sayin. So let's get started! Pretty please email us through our website and away we'll go!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Kristi and Matthew: The Engagement

2010-10-30T10:38:00.001-05:00

I watched as they both turned to yell at the TV screen and then nonchalantly turn back to us, chatting away as they picked up another slice of pizza. The four of us chatted over beer and pizza about four different football games {Kristi pretty much lives and breathes college football}, their love of country music, vacations they'd taken together and the Guthries Drive Thru Window. Kristi and Matt laughed a little and looked at one another when we asked how long they'd been engaged...because you see, three years is a long time. "we wanted to be sure there was no doubt that this is what we wanted, forever". The air was cool, the pizza was amazing, and our clients were, well, they were amazing.

Kristi and I met a few months ago - well, met if that's what you want to call countless emails and Facebook messages. When we finally got our schedules together to meet in person, I arrived like two hours early. Why? I was terrified. Through the coffee shop window, I quickly began to master my nerves and fears as I watched Kristi get out of her car. I struggled to put on my "I'm a strong independent woman" face because frankly, it's hard to do that when you have someone who thinks you're the sun and the moon. I was afraid. What if I didnt live up to this person she made me out to be? What if she really didnt like me that much once she met me in person? When she came through the door, her smile immediately set me at ease as she rushed to hug me. Over the course of our conversation about all her wedding plans and details, I realized something. She was giving me the greatest gift I could ever ask for; Kristi gave me the gift to be incredible. She tore down any barriers I had about my limits or what I could be as Cassie Olimb photographer and gave me the permission to be amazing.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Julie and Thomas: The Engagement

2010-10-29T15:17:00.001-05:00

The chimes of my alarm sounded and my eyelids slowly opened. For a moment, I was unaware...why was I awake this early on a Saturday? Oh yeah, that's right, cause I have the most amazing couple who are totally in love who were willing to wake up before the sun to have a sunrise shoot on the beach. As I rolled out of bed and began my morning ritual, complete with extra coffee, I couldnt help but dance about just a little. You see, I have an amazingly romantic job. Early morning, watching the sunrise, completely focused on someone's passion for another. How can you not be excited to look through a lens at two people as they laugh at one another, gaze knowingly into each other's eyes and make out. So yeah, spending the morning at the beach all cold and windy constantly being reminded of how much one person can truly love another...yeah, this job rocks.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Picture Perfect Birthday

2010-10-28T12:32:00.002-05:00

Today is my mom's birthday...I will keep my mouth shut on the number of birthday that it is because, well, frankly, I'd like to live to see tomorrow. As I woke up this morning and wished her a happy birthday, I sat down to pull a recent picture of us and prep her birthday post.

Shocker! I dont have a single recent picture of my mom and I!! What kind of a photographer daughter am I?! Now, my dad and I on the other hand, we have tons...partially because we like making dorky faces at the camera any chance we get. But me and my mom...notta-one!

So, while I will wish my mom a happy *cough* birthday. I'm making it my goal for this next year to have tons of pictures of my mom and I together...even if she hates it.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

The Modes

2010-10-25T10:16:00.000-05:00

Our house is ruled by the modes. While we will never, ever admit it if you ask, she determines the mood of our house. This little scruffy face has two modes. Mode one: cuddle and cower. Mode two: play and chew. Mode one is usually reserved for me. While mode two on the other hand, that one comes out around 4pm when Andrew gets home from work. Garland's warm cuddly little mode one body will suddenly jerk up from under my feet, her ears will perk up and she'll start to whine as soon as she hears the garage door begin to open. This marks the beginning of mode two. Mode two will remain until close to 10pm when we finally settle into our bedtime routine.

Garland was at a play date the other day, which is code for "I'm a horrible pet owner and I have to be gone for a long time so Megan watches my dog till I can get home." I got home to unload my computer and planner and send some emails and clean before I went to pick up Garland from down the street and it hit me. My house is very, very sad and lonely with no dog!! Over the course of about 30 - 45 minutes while I finished up my to-do list, my house felt hollow.

So here's to the Olimb household...and modes one and two. Because our house without our little mode maker, well, it's just not our house.

Dwell in Possibility...

Cassie

Laughter

2010-10-24T12:52:00.000-05:00

Recently I was culling through some images from a recent wedding and I was selecting my favorites. Andrew happened to look over my shoulder and I could hear something going on in his head, despite his silence. "What are you thinking?" I asked cautiously. "You seem to grab the same photos from each wedding, no matter who they are". Nuh uh! I was so ready to respond until I realized he was right.

I'm a sucker for laughter. There's something about a picture of two people totally in love laughing. A scrunched up nose, eyes all crinkly, heads thrown back...everything about it is just - perfection. And when I'm selecting my favorite photos...it's almost always those kind. The kind where someone is laughing, or where you can see a smile tugging at the corner of their lips. At engagement shoots or weddings, I have been known to say some super retarded things. Better yet, I'm known to make some pretty lame comparisons to movies or magazines. Why? Because they make my clients laugh. And like I said, I'm a sucker for laughter.

Dwell in Possibility...

Cassie

Janae and David: The Engagment

2010-10-23T22:52:00.000-05:00

So you know that guy you worked with? The one you had a huge crush on but just assumed that everyone else found him equally as amazing and that you would never in a million years say anything? Well once upon a time, that was Janae and David.

Sometime after that quiet crush and a slow growing friendship, the two became inseparable. One night, after an intimate Thai dinner in a quite restaurant and watching a beautiful sunset on the beach, the two sat quietly on the beach. After a time, David admitted that the time she had a huge crush on him? Well, he was equally as starstruck with her. And that night, on a beach he asked Janae to share in his future, to build it step by step right along with him.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Quality Time

2010-10-22T15:21:00.002-05:00

During my brief "sabbatical" or whatever you want to call it, Andrew and I went through the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapma n. Now internet, this is huge...Andrew is in no way a book reader. I bought him a book when we were dating that he has still yet to read. Yeah, you heard me, four years ago I bought him a book and it still sits unread...this is a sore subject. But, over those four years I realized that Andrew is not a reader. If you can find a book on tape, he'll totally listen to it and love it - reading, not so much. I guess he missed out on the whole Reading Rainbow age or something. So, when I asked him to read the Love Languages book, I was a little timid. I didnt want him to read it just because I asked and get nothing out of it. But I totally wanted him to read it. My fix: we worked backwards. *gasp* After taking the quizzes, I read the whole book and Andrew read the sections that were my love languages. Viola!

"Quality Time: In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful."

"Words of Affirmation: Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten."

Ever heard of a couple with the same primary and secondary love languages? Look no further cause here we are! Andrew and I both crave quiet time...probably me a little more than him. I seriously feel like cannot breathe if I havent had any time with Andrew. This is probably why both of us are completely okay with doing everything with the other. I've had people comment on the fact that Andrew and I are almost always together. At the gym, shopping, movies, wandering around The Commons, groceries...it really doesnt matter what it is, so long as we're together. Now, words of affirmation - that's tricky. Andrew and I are both horrible at encouragement. Neither of us think "I should compliment that person on this". Sure, we think "Wow they look good" or "wow they're really good at that" or so on and so forth. But we never say it. And did I mention I am horrid at receiving compliments? So imagine the hysterical fit of laughter when Andrew and I realized that both of our secondary love languages was words of affirmation. Yes, we both suck at it and we both crave it. So now we're learning how to express affirmation vocally.

Case and point. Yesterday Andrew and I maybe had two or three full conversations all day. The remainder of our time was spent at the gym and watching episodes of house while cuddling with the most adorable little fur ball in our house. And we were happy; perfectly content. Our ideal day? We'd wake up, make some breakfast, hit the gym, shower, eat an entire tub of hummus with veggies and pitas and then just wander around all day. Maybe we'd go to a movie, maybe we'd sit outside at the commons and watch people, maybe we'd go to Barnes and Nobles and putz...and we'd wrap up the day at a nice sushi dinner. Then we'd go home, play a few rounds of video games and watch tv shows till midnight. That's just how we roll. Quality time - it makes or world go round.

Dwell in Possibility...

Cassie

Our Favorite Things: Puffs Plus Vicks

2010-10-21T09:23:00.000-05:00

I wanted to stay curled up under a pile of blankets. I glanced over my left shoulder to see Garland totally passed out on her back, feet in the air, randomly twitching at some imaginary prey she was dreaming about. A small smile tugged at my lips. At least one of us stay in bed all day.

After attempting to join the land of the living to get some work done, I retreated back to my sweats and makeup less existence and called my mother. "How much do you love me today?" I asked her. Now seriously internet, I'm considered a grown woman and I still call my mommy when I'm sick...and occasionally my dad when I'm afraid of a spider - occasionally {Andrew tends to get that job these days}. A short while later, my doorbell rang and there stood my mom with soup and boxes of tissues. Who doesn't love a good mommy!

I don't wish being sick on anyone...but if you're ever sick, totally grab up as many boxes of these tissues as possible. I've gone through four of them in the past week. I must have had my head buried under a rock because I didn't even know they existed. Puffs Plus VICKS is like the best thing since sliced bread. Seriously! {Wow, I just became increasingly aware of how much I want to use the word seriously...hmmm} You breathe in the most amazingly refreshing scent of VICKS when all you're trying to do is breathe! So, while I don't want any of you guys out there getting this little head cold I cant seem to shake, if you do, these are totally worth the trip to the grocery store...even if you are in sweats.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Riane and Nic: The Wedding

2010-10-20T15:41:00.000-05:00

For a moment, everything around me seemed to melt away. For a moment, it seemed as if all of the world was standing still...waiting for something. Taking a deep breath, I repositioned myself behind my camera and all the laughter and joy of the bridal party around me began to shift back into focus. It was then that I realized something, something I still, after so many weddings find so miraculous, so enchanting... There were two people in front of me; surrounded by their closest friends in the most beautiful warm sunlight with the musty Florida breeze easing through the trees around them, there were two people. And those two people, however different from one another, however often they laughed or cried, however often they said I love you, however often they argued about where to eat for dinner, those two people were standing before me completely intertwined. It was their wedding day and they were no longer the two individual people leading two individual lives. Together, they vowed to walk hand in hand throughout their life. Through sickness, through health, through arguments, through laughter, through love, through pain, through thousands and thousands of late nights talking about their past, their future, their hopes, their dreams, Riane and Nic were now forever one, hand in hand, walking throughout their new life together.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Mullet, Tantrums, and Orphans

2010-10-18T11:45:00.003-05:00

I'd like to preface this post with the following: The Mullet Festival is not a festival about the hairstyle...it's a festival about the fish. And while I live in a town that celebrates Mullet...I do not celebrate Mullet nor have I ever eaten Mullet and I recognize how weird and southern this festival sounds.

Every year around this time, the traffic gets crazy, the country music blares, and the smell of all things fried and bad for you fills the air and you know it's here: the Mullet Festival. Usually, I avoid the Mullet Festival like the plague...It's almost always super hot, you're pretty much guaranteed to spend $50 on foods that are gonna put you up and over close to 10,000 calories in an afternoon people and I'm not in the slightest a country music fan *gasp!* Yes I know, you can stop reading my blog now and dismiss me as crazy. But seriously, the extent of the country music I may listen to would be Taylor Swift and really, country? I highly doubt a country music fan counts her as country. So, this year, Andrew and I were pretty much okay with skipping the festival completely this year. Now a county fair, we'd totally hit that up. But the Mullet Festival, we're were kinda done with it.

"It's only for a few hours" my mom tried her best not to beg. And seriously internet, I wanted to throw a tantrum right there. I wanted to stomp my foot and pout and cry "I don't wanna" and then cross my arms across my chest. But, being that I'm not five anymore, that's not exactly an acceptable response. Instead, I agreed to, along with my mom, go. to. the. mullet. festival.

You see, my mom works with Heart of the Bride Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping the needs of orphans around the world. At the moment, they are currently focused in Haiti, Kenya, Ukraine, Zambia and Uganda. Part of how they raise support for the orphanages in those areas is through the sales of their Back to Africa handmade jewelry. The story of the jewelry can be found on the Back to Africa website because a short version just doesn't do the story justice. At the Mullet Festival, local businesses, farmers, and other vendors get to set up booths to sell whatever it is they sell or get the word out about their product. Seriously people, some of these booths are hysterical. So, despite how much I hate country music, I knew that if I compared it to supporting my mom for a few hours at the Back to Africa booth, I'd be there in a heart beat. Even if it meant listening to really bad music, get covered in dust and smoke, and eat way too many calories in one sitting, I'd be there.

The Mullet Festival ends today {alcohol free day if you're interested} so stop by the Back to Africa booth and tell them I sent you. Pick up a few beads and get to know a bit about the orphanages you're helping to support. And if you cant make it out there today, you can contact my mom {Amy} at Heart of the Bride and she'll give you directions to their store front in Niceville.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Our Favorite Things: Chocolate Hot Cocoa

2010-10-14T12:52:00.000-05:00

I'm allergic to nuts. I'm pretty sure if you've followed my blog for awhile, you might have picked up on this somewhere along the line. And if you know me really well, you probably know that I actually have had more allergic reactions than I like to let on. Because really, feeling like you're dying and being all itchy and swollen isn't fun for anyone. Especially at weddings. And yes, this has happened like three times. I used to think that I was fairly cautious about what I ate but since I didn't have a life threatening reaction, I didn't think too much of it.

However...lately I'm starting to see this happening more often and I'm reacting more and more severely. And the two Benedryls that I down whenever I eat something I shouldn't isn't really cutting it anymore. So now I'm much more cautious...not really for me but because I'm tired of seeing Andrew looking at me wondering if he's gonna have to throw me over his shoulder and race me off to the hospital at a moments notice. Really internet, seeing those green eyes look at you like that, totally makes you want to grovel, plead for forgiveness and melt into a puddle of mush.

So, now that it's fall and the weather is begging for warm beverages and movie nights curled up in blankets on the couch, I was bound and determined to find hot chocolate that I could drink . I'm usually shocked by the types of foods that coconut oil sneaks into {oddly, a nut allergy includes coconut oil...I thought coconut was a fruit - who knew!} and hot chocolate is one of them...that and the best gummy bears on the planet. Yesterday I went out in search of coconut oil free hot chocolate. And I found some!!!

Thank goodness for Harry and David's. Not only are they home of the best coffee on the planet, but they know can satisfy my need for hot chocolate! And note: it's not only hot cocoa, but it's dark chocolate hot cocoa. Hear that sound? That's the sound of angel's hallelujah choir.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Abby and Chris : The Bump

2010-10-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

We werent making any sense; it was so early that our usual coffee spot, Emerald Coast Coffee wasnt even open yet. So, as Megan and I drove to the mecca of the caffeine world, Starbucks! We were pretty quiet because it seemed without caffeine, every word that came out of our mouth was mumbling gibberish. Slowly, as I sipped my venti soy pumpkin spice latte with, wait for it, two extra shots, we made our way back to the world of the living. Why were we awake so early? You see, we were chasing after the beautiful morning light.

Usually, my clients arent open to sunrise shoots and normally, the sheer willpower it takes to get me out of bed in the morning doesnt usually happen until after that illusive light has come and gone. So when Abby and Chris were open to a morning shoot, I was giddy.

Abby and Chris came to us after their friends, Kim and Jordan booked us for their maternity session. Gotta love referals! Abby and Chris and their adorable little baby bump were perfect to work with. They posed, they played, they laughed, they were awake {hey, that's a big one at 7:30 in the morning for a photographer!} and we loved them for it.

With the cool morning air, the amazing early morning sunlight filtering through the trees, I shot and Megan watched, taking mental notes and pushing her lens and her camera. Abby, Chris, thank you so much for being willing to get out of bed early and have two caffeine filled girls play paparazzi with you and your bump. I cant wait to hear news of your little one!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Meghan and Ben: The Wedding

2010-10-11T10:19:00.000-05:00

If there's ever been a time in life when I felt apart of someone else's family, it was then. Never have I felt that two families just completely accepted me into their own with hugs, laughter...and brownies. I arrived at Meghan's childhood home and slowly stuck my head inside the door. Timidly, I waited to see if anyone answered my call {you see, I was afraid I was in the wrong house} but then Mike came around the corner, all grins in his burgundy vest and tie. "My sister's running a little late, but come on in!" I was ushered into the kitchen, offered a brownie {this job is detrimental to my waistline sometimes} and the day began.

As you might remember, we shot Meghan and Ben's engagement session awhile back and discovered that Andrew, well, he fit right in. Needless to say, surrounded by their friends and family all with amazing humor...let's just say we had a blast. Meghan, Ben, we wish you all the best in your life together. As you return to your little northern world filled with seasons, crisp falls, really really cold winters, think of us and drink some hot apple cider and remember. You truly, truly, had the best wedding cake on the planet. Like seriously, I still dream about that cake. All the time...

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Lost Dog

2010-10-10T09:51:00.001-05:00

"Stop stop stop stop stop!" I yelled at him as we slowed to the intersection. "Back up, now! Let me out!" I jumped from the not so stopped car, grabbing my phone as I went. "Come here little puppy!" yelled with the most sticky sweet voice I could muster. After close to 30 minutes of chasing the dog out of the street and another 30 minutes or so of being on the phone with various law enforcement and animal control, even PAWS, it pretty much became clear that since the dog wasnt hurt, they werent gonna come help us out. We were on our own at 1030pm with a dirty old white fluff muffin, tired from our wedding and really not sure what to do.

So, this is MissHap, or well, that's what we're calling her cause we have no idea what her name is. We found her on Redwood at the four way stop sign on 23rd street {or is it 21st street?}. We'll have her till Monday at which time I'll be taking her to wherever animal control tells me to. But if anyone knows who she is or where she belongs, please email me and I'll get you my phone number.

Now, usually, today being a Sunday after a wedding, I would try to post a sneak peak or a blog post from the previous wedding we had this weekend. But life, being as it is, is really random and not quite what you expect. At some point last night between really late and later, Andrew asked me why I did it? Why did I run after this dog? I told him a story...you see, when I was in my early teen years, my family had a dog. I'd picked her at the shelter and she was this beautiful little Chow/Shepherd/Something mix. One day when we all went on vacation, we left this dog with a friend and she ran away {the silly little thing was very skiddish and would bolt at the drop of a hat} We never found her. We put up signs, we went to shelters, we even tried a tracking device {totally ghetto but it sorta worked....sorta} A few years ago my mom thought she saw her being walked around a neighborhood, but she couldnt be sure and she didnt want to ruin some family's bond with their dog if it was her. "If someone had seen Cleo running down the street, I would have wanted them to stop and pick her up".

**EDIT** We found the owners! Well, my dad found the owners. My dad's a sucker for these situations just like me because losing our dog Cleo was definitely the hardest on him as he spent most of his free time for a good month looking for her. He called me this morning while I was on the phone with various shelters trying to figure out where I could put her {shockingly, there arent that many no kill shelters in Niceville willing to take in a lost dog}. "I found the owners" I heard him say over the screaming and near hysteria on the other end of the line. "Hurry up and get here". As we watched this calm, mellow little dog get more and more excited the closer we got to her home and her little whimpering whining began, I started to feel like an emotional sucker. I watched a woman barely holding herself together with her two children run towards this fuzzy little mongrel screaming Sandy and found myself getting choked up. So, Sandy is home and I still feel like crying just a little. My dad and I smiled at eachother all teary eyed...Andrew didnt quite get it. But we've been in that situation before and never got that happy furry reunion. Being able to whitness that for someone else...yup, there goes the tears.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Nikki and Travis: The Engagement

2010-10-04T14:49:00.001-05:00

They were nervous...that much was clear. But as they clung to one another, with nervous laughter and smiles that made their eyes disappear, they soon realized that as long as they held on tight, they were safe, comfortable, and loved. Soon, nervousness faded and all that was left was them, holding on tight, laughing, smiling, and loved.

As we walked along the European-style stone streets surrounded by beautiful light and the most amazing fall breeze, we collectively breathed a sigh of contentment. Nikki and Travis, hand in hand, Andrew and I glancing at one another from behind the camera "This is perfect" Travis said and he pulled Nikki close. Smiling, we agreed, this is perfect.

Okay so they may kill me for posting this one, but seriously, Travis could make her laugh! I seriously have to force myself to stop laughing when I see this one!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Our Favorite Things: Cupcake Vineyards

2010-10-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

I never claim to be a wine connoisseur, not by any stretch. And actually, until this past year, I didnt really like wine. My dad however, loves wine. I would definitely say he is a wine connoisseur...or at least he's learning to be. Growing up, my dad was always very, very good about taking my brother out on daddy date nights. Whenever he'd take me to a nice restaurant and order a glass of wine, I'd think one day I can order one with him. As a teen, I'd see my dad with a glass of red wine and think to myself one day I'll sit with him and have a glass of wine. In the mean time, I would grab my trusty bottle of Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice from the fridge and play pretend. So, when I turned 21 I was all sorts of excited to finally be able to be a daddy's girl and enjoy a glass of wine, not Welch's finest with my dad. One problem: I hated wine.

Now, if you havent picked this up from my blog in the past or if you dont know me well enough in person to know this, you dont tell me that I cant do something. So when my taste buds were pretty much saying yeah sorry, that dream of wine with your daddy, so not gonna happen...keep on with the grape juice you dreamer I forced it. I hear you laughing...yes I forced myself to like wine. I tried whites, reds, pinks, bubbly kind, fancy kind, cheap kind {oh yeah, I totally Boones Farmed it up for a while!} until finally I found one! It was a sparkling white that was like, insanely sweet. Once I found that one, I then found a local winery with a blackberry wine I couldnt get enough of and then from there, a really really expensive one I had with my dad. But I still didnt have "my wine". I didnt have a bottle in my pantry or an "oh, I recommend..." wine. And then it happened. I found the most amazing wine and I found it totally by the sheer genius of marketing. I was standing in the wine aisle staring at the bazillion different labels and this happy little one danced in front of me and jumped in my cart. Seriously, I saw the name cupcake and the happy little cupcake logo and the next thing I new, a Petite Sirah was in my cart.

"You're picking one because the label is cute?" Andrew asked in complete awe and with a slight smile pulling at the corner of his lips. Yes internet, he was mocking me...laughter was all but busting out of him when I rolled away in our squeaky cart and a bottle of wine that I picked because the label was pretty.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

And we're back!

2010-10-01T08:07:00.001-05:00

Why hello dear internet! How I've missed you! As much as I'd love to say that's a lie and that I truly loved being off from the world wide web, sad to say, I seriously missed everything! The first week I was going through withdraws and if I'm being honest here, I was kinda bored. I sat around my house with my stack of books thinking: HOW long did I say I was doing this for? But once I got out of my photography mode, I started really enjoying the time I had to just be me.

Now that it's October and the amazing fall air is totally at home in Florida, I cant help but look back and think that September went by crazy, crazy fast. So, a quick recap of my September.

- I drank red wine nearly every night...nearly. And on occasion, I totally had a glass of white wine in the afternoon on the porch....just sayin.
- My backyard now actually looks like a backyard instead of a weed infestation and pots full of dead sticks.
- I discovered Andrew and I have the exact same love language...creepy.
- I've totally gone Purple.
- I'm quite a few shades tanner thanks to long mornings at the beach with a book.
- I enjoyed my first pumpkin spice latte of the season, discovered the carb and sugar content and totally went back to my americano. **Only after I emailed Starbucks asking that they make a sugar free option for us healthy conscious pumpkin spice lovers**
- I bought a trashy celebrity magazine every time I was at the checkout counter.
- I lost 5 pounds {woot!}
- I spent a full day shopping in Tallahassee with Megan and bought my first pair of shoes that cost me over $100. *gasp, I'm still twitching over that one*
- I discovered that I dont want to raid antique stores for props for shoots...it's just not me.
- I discovered I love looking through antique stores for no reason whatsoever.
- Andrew turned 25! Yes, I'm married to an old man - I kid, internet, I kid.
- I embraced black nail polish for the entire month and now without it, I feel a little bit less inspirational.
- I started a great relationship with Nick from Spilled Milk Designs. Are you excited about that one? Cause you totally should be.
- I found three new locations I cannot wait to shoot at.
- I fought the urge to get extensions put in my hair. Really people, I want crazy long hair again. Word to the newlywed bride. Dont chop your hair off immediately after returning from your honeymoon. Seriously, dont do it.
-I indulged in my guilty pleasure Keeping Up With The Kardashians every day. If it was on, I was watching. Dont judge.
- I had Andrew remove the shutters from the font of our house so I could paint them red. Only after they were off, we both stared at the house totally loving it without the shutters. So now, I have a red door instead of red shutters.
- I went to Best Buy at midnight with Andrew to buy Halo Reach. A silly reporter was writing an article and completely quoted me as saying something that never came out of my mouth...go figure.
- Coincidentally, Andrew and I played a lot of Halo Reach. Like seriously, it became a nightly ritual.
- Andrew and I took a trip to Ikea to buy new office furniture. Once we arrived, we realized we really didn't like what we intended to buy...so we wasted a trip, got stuck in traffic, and killed our gas tank. Plus side, Andrew bought a bunch of clothes at H&M
- I started drawing up the floor plans for our dream home. I now cannot wait to build a home!

So, we're back! In all our crazy nutcaseness, we're back! You all have no idea how I've missed you! And to start off our October, I thought I'd give you a little family picture of us with Garland. That adorable little scraggly puppy makes our lives happy!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Bookworm

2010-09-06T08:33:00.000-05:00

It's been coming for awhile now. I felt it. I tried to ignore it...I tried to push through it. I tried to tell myself that I was stronger than that - that I could press on. But I didn't realize until recently that it was causing me to lose myself.

I'm taking September off; originally I'd planned on August but opted instead for the possibility of fall in September. Now, I realize that I cant completely check out! Orders, emails, inquiries, all that jazz I'm still here. But, from September 6 {today} to September 30th I wont be blogging, twittering, facebooking, or taking on any shoots. I'm taking September off to just be me.

I need to read. I used to inhale books; I would finish a book in a day without thinking. I've read maybe three books these past few months. I want to read every book I can get my hands on. I want to wake up and go to a farmers market. I want to go to antique stores or lay out at the beach. I want to go out with my camera and just shoot things that strike me as inspiring. Not because I need practice and not because I'm shooting a couple or a family but for me. I want to revitalize my garden that's been seeing quite a bit of neglect these days. I want to finally tackle my office redesign. I want to cook something new every night for dinner with a nice glass of wine. I want to sit out on our back patio at sunset with Andrew. I want to experience my life again not as a photographer but as a person. Because I've lost a little bit of my person and it's made me run myself thin as a photographer.

There's this version of me inside my head...I dont know if I can be that person but it's who I want to be. And recently, as I sat at the coffee shop spending time in the word with my Father looking through the life of David that I realized something. My focus is off. David spent a great deal of his life out in creation learning God's heart. He didnt have this vision of the person he wanted to be, the king he wanted to be, or even the man of God he wanted to be. My focus should never be on bettering myself or of being a better version of myself. That's why I feel like I've been running in circles and that the more I try, the more clouded my life becomes. So that person in my head, that Cassie that I've been trying so hard to be? I'm throwing her away. She's not my focus anymore. I'm missing so much by comparing myself to her.

Someone said that it's considered lazy to put up a post saying they were going on vacation or out of town or whatnot. That same person said to pre-plan blog posts to publish themselves so that your online presence didnt just disappear for x amount of time. But you know, I'm okay with that. I'm okay with not putting myself out there for a month. The internet isnt going to break down because Olimb Photography is silent for 30 days. So here's to September...and I will see you all again in October.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Rachel and Joel: The Wedding

2010-09-05T23:57:00.001-05:00

It had our own sentimental value. Quietly, as the guests were seated we glanced at one another. Rachel confidently and with her eyes fully locked onto her groom walked towards the very gazebo where Andrew asked me to be his forever. As Joel slid her wedding band onto her finger, I pressed my own against my skin...here is where I said yes to forever.

Dragonflies and butterflies flitted about the park, across the pond and above teary eyed guests. I walked slowly along the outskirts of the ceremony taking the time to really soak everything in. As Rachel and Joel's friends and family watched as they pledged their lives to one another, I watched as Rachel's sisters cried. I watched as Joel's family smiled and took video of every word. I breathed in the dewy air that held traces of the promise of fall and watched as the most amazing light poured across the pond and through the trees. Under that very gazebo, Rachel tried to hide her growing excitement and her smile began to burst. Under that very gazebo, they pledged forever.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Cathleen and Wesley: The Engagement

2010-09-03T09:03:00.002-05:00

She was the freshman trying to find a ride home; he was the junior with the 88 LeBaron. She handed him a $1.00 for gas, because once upon a time, that was enough for a gallon or two and he drove her home. The entirety of the ride was stuffy and quiet. He assumed she was stuck up but little did he know, she was cowering in fear over what her dad would think of her being in a car with a boy. A year or more went by and the two lead their separate lives, neither having any idea that their soul mate was going to be thrust into their lives again a little while later.

Her first thought: "Seriously, I mean, he wears Timberland!" She rolled her eyes listening as her friends gushed about how cute he was and how they should go out. Any of you girls out there know that if a group of your closest girlfriends are trying to get you together with someone, you're probably not going to able to say no for very long. As their first date came to a close and the credits for Casper began to roll, Wes leaned over to Cathleen and ever so sweetly asked if she would be his girl. Little did she know, she said yes to the ying to her yang.

Nearly seven years later, Wes began to prepare for the most romantic, most beautiful way to ask his girl if she would be his forever. Try as he might, he couldnt come up with the perfect proposal. He hid away the gorgeous ring in a packet of gum in his pocket so he would always have it with him. In Wes' own words "I'd had enough; romance was not in my repertoire!" Wes walked with a purpose into Cathleen's room where she happened to be taking a timed online test. He kissed her, told her that her breath smelled and offered her the packet of gum. Instead of finding the ring, Cathleen took a piece of gum and stared intently at her computer screen finishing her test. Wes couldnt handle the tension a moment longer. After seven years, he truly wanted this girl. "You idiot! Do you want this or what!"

Cathleen loves to travel. It was so adorable to watch her show Wesley all the places she wanted to go and all the places she had been. More than once there was a hint hint nudge nudge moment when it came to a "later in life I want to go to..." I seriously think that I may have to go to a travel agent now just to get some inspiration for where I want to go!

I'm gonna go ahead and say it. Cat, you have an incredible smile! It's hard not to smile looking at yours!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Kayleen and Jon: Anytime

2010-09-01T10:34:00.003-05:00

It happens a lot I'm finding...people fall in love with photography after their wedding. Like, seriously, they fall head over heals with it. That's how I got started but I'm still stunned by how often that happens. Kayleen and Jon were no exception. The two got married in May of this year and sadly are moving out of the area next month. Kayleen has fallen in love with photos, with images of love...and she wanted more.

So, before she leaves the home she's known all her life, Kayleen asked that we document the last of this time in their lives in this area. "It's bittersweet" she said "I've been here all my life, this is my home. But I'm so excited to build a new life with him." As the two of them embark on this next chapter in their lives, Andrew and I had the pleasure of giving them just a little more time in front of the camera. Because really, every girl just wants to be a rock-star in front of the camera! Good luck you two!

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Our Favorite Things: Fresh Start

2010-08-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

Alrighty, so I realize something as I'm writing this. This post has the potential to make people think I dont shower. Seriously internet, I shower! Please dont think this is me not showering because it's not. Dont start floating that around the grapevine, sheesh!

Now girls, it's Monday. I'm sure many of you out there are running around crazy already from your jobs, your life, your schedule, etc. And I bet at least one if not more of you didnt have as much time to devote to your hair as you would have loved. Andrew laughs at me but sometimes I'll have this amazing hair and I'm not going anywhere. Seriously, I have the best hair days on days when all I'm doing is sitting in my office. Hence today's favorite thing!

TRESemme FRESHSTART - have you guys seen this stuff? It's amazing! You spray it in your hair and let it sit for a few minutes, brush it through and viola! Your hair smells clean, looks clean, and your hairdo from the day before instantly transcends to the next day. I love this stuff. So not to be all like a commercial but seriously, go grab some of this and see how many days you can push your hairstyle. But please, dont forget to shower.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie

Vows

2010-08-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

I am probably every teachers worst nightmare. I question everything, I reject things without much cause if they're pushed at me too hard. You have to show me by example, I learn by doing and I'm stubborn to the core. So it always amazes me when the Lord takes a common theme and threads it through the entirety of my life. Silly little girl that I am, I'm always shocked when I look back and see His gentle coaxing into a direction or into learning something. I cannot possibly be that stubborn that He cant just put something in my face to see...can I?

There's a section from the book of Ruth that is often used in wedding vows. This past weekend I had the opportunity to share in the renewal of vows for one of my closest friends parents. As I stood on the white windy beach allowing the sand to squish in between my toes, I breathed in the moment. I was going to be documenting a very small, very personal ceremony. The pale pinks and oranges, even the gloomy storm gray blue skies that were threatening to force us indoors all added to the nostalgia that radiated from the day.

"Where you go, I will go and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Between the clicks of my camera, I fought off tears. Here stood a couple committed to one another. Thirty years of marriage, a tremendous amount of life and love, hardships and growth and here they stood on a beach staring into one another eyes reciting the same vows they pledged to one another so many years ago.

Dwell in Possibility...
Cassie