Yearly Archives: 2009

Halloween in the Jungle

Just one, because I’m bogged down editing quite a few sessions right now.  By now most everyone has heard the story of how Sarah wanted so badly to be a Guinea pig for Halloween.  Sarah is obsessed with Guinea pigs, ever since we brought Nibblet home.  Well let me tell you, not only did I look all over town and scour the internet for Guinea pig costumes, but my mom was even going to make a costume only to be frustrated that we couldn’t even find a base pattern that she could use.  After weeks and weeks all I could find was a costume (on the internet) for the Guinea pig in the Wonder Pets, which was a toddle size and way too small for Sarah.  We looked at other costumes in the hopes of enticing her to change her mind.  We looked at Target, Party City, Halloween Spirit, etc.  No go.  Guess who else decided she just had to be a Guinea pig, too … yep, little sister Anna.

Finally at the end of my rope I was in Marshall’s and noticed they had some Halloween costumes on sale.  I found THE Cutest. giraffe costume for Anna.  Seriously cute.  I bought it and prayed she would like it.  Score!  She loved it.  So then Sarah decided she wanted to be an animal with a hood.  Um.  Ok.  Do you know how hard it is to find animal costumes in her size (other than a kitty cat, which she was when she was three and didn’t want to be again)?  Much harder than I would have thought.  We searched and searched … and found the cutest lion costume.  Score!  Again!  I paid way more for that lion costume than I’d like to admit.  But it was all worth it, don’tcha think?

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Emily H. | 2010 Senior (pt. 2)

Remember this stunning senior?  We did the first part of her session way back in early August.  She asked if we could split her session in two parts so that she could get some pictures with her sweet horse.  One of my favorite things is capturing seniors doing what they love, so of course I said YES.  Last Sunday I followed them out to their farm and was met with yet another beautiful piece of property to work with.  I was thrilled to see another rustic barn, too.  I think my favorite part was the old truck by the barn.  I was in photographer HEAVEN.  :)   After we did some shots of Emily with her horse and her fancy dress (love that contrast), as she was walking back to her truck to get changed I noticed a patch of amazing sunlight.  Of course I made her stop and let me get some shots there, too!  I think you’ll agree it was worth it. :)

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Sarah | Senior Session, part two

I love getting to try new locations and places, so when Sarah asked if we could do the second part of her senior session at her friends’ farm, I was all for it. And let me tell you, it was so worth it! When we arrived I discovered that Sarah’s friends have a gorgeous 250 acres with lovely rolling hills, stunning fall color already, and another of my favorites –lots of tall, brush. And need I tell any of my regular readers how thrilled I was to see an old rustic barn on their property?! The afternoon wouldn’t have been complete without our race to the top of the hills in her friends’ truck so we could capture the warm, golden sunset light.

By the way, Sarah is one of my senior models for Sparkman HS, so if you know her and haven’t had your senior portraits taken yet, be sure to ask her for a card with a special offer. ;)

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Brandon | Slideshow

Oooooops, I completely forgot to post Brandon’s slideshow.  Sorry to make Brandon and his parents wait all week long for it.  In fact, I’m behind in my blogging so expect a couple more posts to come.  I know, I know, I’m a bad blogger!

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Tara | 2010 Senior

I just love it when clients are excited about a session and bring their own ideas to incorporate.  Tara and her mom were so much fun to work with, so full of enthusiasm and willing to try whatever crazy ideas I had, too.  Often it works best when moms plans to disappear for a while during the session, as most seniors tend to relax and be themselves more when mom isn’t watching.  I’ve found however that sometimes having mom around helps keep things running smoothly if I can put them to work!  Tara’s mom made the perfect photographer’s assistant, helping me cart gear around and holding the reflector.  I even had her blocking the harsher sunlight in a few spots, which worked great.

We split Tara’s session into two so that we could get the locations we wanted with enough good light.  The first half we did downtown.  Since downtown has become a popular request by 2010 seniors this year, I’ve had to challenge myself to find different little pockets I haven’t discovered before as well as finding new ways to make all of my favorites stay fresh and creative.  I’d like to think I succeeded but you tell me!  Ha!  :D

Anyone that regularly reads this poor neglected blog knows how I love me some grunge — grungy alley ways, rusted pieces of junk, dilapidated old buildings, you name it, the grungier the better.  So you know how thrilled I was with the second part of Tara’s session … I was in grunge-heaven!  And to top it off they brought her dad’s old antique truck for some shots.  You’ll see the antique truck below but you’ll have to wait for the grunge cause I haven’t edited any of those yet. :D

This one is an early favorite of mine from Tara’s session.  I just love the way the sunlight is hitting her hair and the little bit of wind that kicked up was just the touch I was after!  Wasn’t that convenient?!

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My very favorite kind of light, the warm sunlight just before sunset.  And how amazing is that dress she chose?!  I swear, today’s senior girls really do such a great job putting together their outfit choices.

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One of my favorite things … capturing seniors doing what they love, what makes them, THEM.

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She’s simply stunning, isn’t she.  My hubby thinks she looks like a young Jodi Foster … I think he might be right. :)

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Tara decided to bring her boyfriend along for the second part of her session.  I think it was a good call, don’t you?!

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I love how she looks like she’s reflecting on her future (ok, so she was probably thinking “what the heck am I supposed to be looking at over there” but I like my version better).

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Just to be different I put the color version on Facebook and the B/W version here on the blog.

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Erin | 2010 Senior

Whooooops!  I just realized that while I got Erin’s senior sneak peek up on Facebook a while back, I never did blog those images.  Sorry about that Erin!  To make up for it I added an extra image that’s not already on FB. :)

I had a lot of fun with Erin’s session.  This was a girl who pretty much knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like.  I loved that!  She had the cutest little brown hat that I was so excited to see (um, seniors, hats are FUN!)  Plus she just did such a great job of putting her outfits and accessories together.  Erin asked if she could bring along her little dog, Jingle for a few shots.  Well of course I said YES.  Jingle was a little cutie but I’m going to make Erin wait to see what I got with them.  I’m evil that way. ;)   We squeezed practically every bit of daylight in that we could as we lose our sunlight so much faster this time of year.  But I love what we captured and the light was gorgeous.

One of my early favorites from Erin’s session … isn’t the light just so yummy?!

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Another early favorite, with a little help from the wind.  And I’d kill to have those gorgeous, long, dark lashes.

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And the extra one. :)

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2009 Holiday Minis!

2009 Holiday Minis are here … get ‘em while they’re hot … er cold …? Who knows what weather we’ll have, but November 7th is the date.  Email (marla@marlalaramie.com) or call (509-2662) for info and to reserve your spot. Download the complete details, including samples of the holiday cards HERE.  Hurry though, I’m only doing one day, four spots only.

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Slideshow | Emily L. – 2010 Senior

Look for mini session announcements tomorrow.  Current clients you should have the details in your email box already, if not check your spam folder.  Email or call (509-2662) for details.

One more for Emily L. and her slideshow. :)   Enjoy!

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Just One

As promised to my mom and my brother, a recent picture of my two girls.  See, I do still photograph my own kids. :)

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Slideshow | Justin – 2010 Senior

One of Justin’s favorite images from his senior session … and his slideshow. Enjoy!
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Slideshow | Mac – 2010 Senior

I’m totally late getting this slideshow up … sorry to keep you waiting, Mac. :)

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Introducing Sweet Niblet

After months of begging and working hard to prove she’s responsible, Sarah finally has her Guinea pig. I have to give a quick shout-out to the owner of Animal Trax in Madison for being so super nice and helpful.  We are now the proud owners of a sweet little baby Guinea pig named Niblet.  Anyone get the Hannah Montana reference (sweet niblets!)?  Sarah is already in LOVE although she was a tiny bit nervous about holding her at first.   Without further ado, I present, Niblet. :)

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Slideshow | Brian – 2010 Senior

Brian’s senior slideshow … and one more of my favorite images from his session. :)

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Emily L. | 2010 Senior

When I met Emily for her senior session recently I was so impressed.  This is a girl who knows what she wants to do in life and how she’s going to get there!  I remember being this age (way too long ago) and I had no idea what I wanted to study or what career path I wanted to take.  I’m in awe of these amazing seniors I’ve met this summer … so many of them know exactly where they want to go in life already.  Anyway.  Thanks for hanging out with me, Emily, I had a blast!

I love how one of my favorite locations is already beginning to look like fall!

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While I LOVE the black & white version, you definitely have to pop over to Facebook and see the color version … the light hitting Emily’s beautiful blond hair is just gorgeous.

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I love her reflective look here … do you suppose she’s thinking about what the future will hold? :)

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Brandon | 2010 Senior

Remember this adorable couple?  She’s one of my fabulous senior reps for 2010 and he came along so that they could get a few shots together, too.  I had so much fun with these two, and I loved working with them.  So needless to say I was thrilled when Brandon’s mom decided to schedule a session for him as well.  And let me just say, I love it when senior guys are so relaxed and easy to work with, so thanks Brandon!

A few football pics, first …

How perfect was it that the sun sets behind the stadium?!  The light was perfection.  And thanks to the school for choosing red for their uniforms. :)

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We had to get some football player/cheerleader shots, without a doubt.

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One of my favorite spots for photographs … the B/W version is on FB. ;)

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LOVE this kind of lighting for guys

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