Autumn is my favorite time for photoshoots!

I LOVE Autumn!  I especially love it before daylight savings hits.  That way it is light outside into the evening and leaves plenty of time for evening photo shoots.  The sun glows  softly as it sets behind the brightly shaded trees. 
This year was no exception. We were very busy with fall photo shoots and barely had enough time to fit all of them in.  Here I have narrowed down some of my fall favorites. There are a couple from years past too. There are so many more that I loved but I just couldn't put them all online. This blogging stuff takes way too much time.  I'd rather be out taking the photos!  Enjoy!

Military Photo Shoot

Today I came across a photo shoot I did of my sisters family this past summer.  We wanted her dress to be vintage, but there were a couple of problems with that idea... 1.we had two hours until we needed to take the photos so that it would still be light enough. 2. where do you find a vintage dress? 3. If we did find the dress, we didn't want to spend much money. 

So... we went to a second hand clothing store and started hunting. We did not find anything that looked vintage... at least not what we were looking for. I wanted something with polka dots, navy blue and then a red 'pop.' Then... there was a very large,  full pleated skirt, button down top, very old polyester dress. But I've sewn since I was a kid and it had potential!!!!

This is how the dress looked when she tried it on in the store.  I just used my phone camera to snap a photo. We also found old silky red shoes and a red hat and belt to add a 'pop' to the photos.  Total cost $10

Then to cut apart the dress at the waist...

 Now off comes the top of the gathered skirt... quicker than seam ripping all of it.

 Sleeves were way too long and had cuffs... Goodbye long sleeves

 Rolled presserfoot - hemming sleeves

 They are still too long and poofy.. putting elastic down front of sleeve

and pulling it tight as I sew so it gathers it higher

bodice was too long and uneven... snipping time

I greatly dislike pleats and my goodness that skirt was full!

Goodbye full skirt

Having fun with the extra fabric... the "gypsy hat!"

Pinned the front bottom of bodice

Sewing the bodice front shut

Then I put a gathering stitch in the skirt and pinned it to the bodice and then sewed the bodice and skirt together.  Then I sewed open the top of the bodice so that it looked like a v-neck.  I must not have photographed those parts!  


Then off to the park for their photo shoot.  I have learned so much about the military in the past year.  On the photo end... One of the things that I have learned was that technically people in the military are not supposed to post photos of them and their significant other or spouse kissing or public displays of affection.  

So in honor of that, here are some pix that I can post...

I did make some of the photos vintage colored but I ended up liking them best in full color because the red pops so much better.  I hope I have inspired you to 're-purpose' something old into something new!

Dustin and Tara's Engagement Photoshoot!!

What a BEAUTIFUL day!!!  I got to spend the day with my family this morning and go to church, have dinner with my beautiful family and then go with my husband to do an engagement photo shoot at the Hershey Golf Club.  Tara and Dustin are such a sweet couple and we had such a great time with them. Tara put so much thought and time into the details of their photo shoot and it sure paid off.  Way to go Tara!!!

We took some formal shots first...

then it was - Golfing time!

 I LOVE THIS SHOT!!

Way to go Dustin - holding that tee and ball was no easy task.

Wardrobe Change...

Just so happens they are fans of different teams!!!

                 A little rivalry at it's finest!

Had to get a little something of Hershey - so here is the "Hershey Kiss"

Then it was time for "baseball love!"

What a great day! We enjoyed getting to know Tara and Dustin and seeing their sweet love for each other.  We look forward to photographing their big day in May 2013!

Congrats Dustin and Tara!