Ampersand Photography

NEW BLOG!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +0000

After a full year of planning, toying with the idea, sketching, thinking, planning, talking with my designer, working on, putting off, working on again, and dreaming of all the time... I am quite happy to announce the debut of my brand new blog: www.ampersandphotoblog.com.

And now if you don't mind:

Please CLICK ON IT and go explore!! (note: there are still a few pages waiting for details, but it's a happy place, nonetheless)
Please update the link in your blog reader, so you don't miss all of the sweet, ready-to-be-shown pictures that I've saved up for the new blog
Please share with your friends!

PS— I want to give a huuuuuuge shout-out to Jennifer Olmstead of Deleted Space Creative for all of the amazing time and energy she put into this project. Jen, I didn't think I could love a corner of the Internet as much as I love this blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

winter

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0000

new blog... soon??

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:44:00 +0000

Dear friends: my new blog was supposed to launch today.
That will not happen.
Why? Because I decided to spend time with people this weekend, instead of working.
I'm 150% comfortable with this decision.
And 150% comfortable with pushing my new blog launch date until later this week. Possibly Wednesday, or as late as Friday.

I'd rather have it perfect than to launch it half-cocked.

Anxious anticipation, on the edge of your seats! And in the meantime, this is a tiny bit of my process. My designer is exponentially more sophisticated in her design process than I am... and a brief comparison of our end result is full proof of the fact that I neeeeed a designer.

it takes a "village"...

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:30:00 +0000

it takes a village to make a baby smile.

oh, munchkins.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:16:00 +0000

Brian & Eva | PREVIEW!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:34:00 +0000

disturbed

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:23:00 +0000

I found this long-lost favorite in my journal from last year. so convicted.

"Asking Questions and Defining Goals" : a repost

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:36:00 +0000

An updated repost from January, 2008 on my old blog.

Eight or nine years ago at Christmastime, my pastor at the time sent our church body an e-mail encouraging us to set wise goals for the upcoming year. He included a list of questions by Don Whitney, written to urge believers to reflect on their walk with God, to "stop, look up, and get our bearings." These questions had a great impact on my life at that time, and are the reason that I playfully "boycott" New Year's Resolutions and, instead, prayerfully evaluate wise goals that I should set for myself. I hope that it blesses, encourages, and challenges all of you as it has done for me.

Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year

What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?
What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you “Consider your ways.” Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.

What’s the most important decision you need to make this year?
What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what’s one way you could simplify in that area?
What’s the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?
What habit would you most like to establish this year?
Who do you most want to encourage this year?
What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?
What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?
What’s one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?
What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?
What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?
What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?
What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?
In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?
What’s the most important trip you want to take this year?
What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?
To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?
What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?
What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?
If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?
What’s the most important new item you want to buy this year?
In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

Written by Donald S. Whitney

#fromwhereistand

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:33:00 +0000

Twitter hashtags are fun. Instagram hashtags are funner. (funner? really? yes.) This is a series I've done over the past few months: #fromwhereistand. Kind of a fun way to remember moments... each one has its own story.

ummm... hello?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:04:00 +0000

Dear blog world:

My name is Sarah, and this is my blog. Yes— I'm still alive, still keeping rather busy, and still thoroughly enjoying life, though a quick peruse of this blog-sphere might lead one to believe that my car was recently hijacked by feral monkeys and that I am now held in captivity in a treetop hut on some Internet-less mountaintop in Southern Tennessee. Yes— I dropped off the face of the known earth. I'm so sorry for not giving a fair and proper warning.

There's a reason for the quiet, actually, and "busy" isn't the sum of it all. Sometime over the Summer I decided that editing and delivering images on time trumped daily blog posts, that time with real-life people mattered more than time online, and that my current blog juuuuust doesn't quite cut it anymore. What started as a "I'm going to work harder and blog less" resolution turned into a "I'm going to work harder, blog less, and work on a new blog in the meantime" endeavor. And with the new blog in process, I couldn't bear to put all of those lovely, perfect pictures up on this old blog. So I've stored pictures in files on my desktop, waiting for the day when my designer and I wrap up designing and tweaking and developing, and the new blog is released into the blogsphere with joy and thanksgiving. I currently have over twenty posts ready to blog. But the new blog isn't finished yet, so you'll just have to wait with eager anticipation and baited breath. In the meantime, thanks for the patience.

I'm afraid that I'm still in the midst of "life is busy and blogging isn't top priority," but I'm trying to ease my way back into a good posting routine. Actually, I'm easing my way back into good everything routines. Things like getting up early, and exercising, and not eating so much sugar. The usual. My good intentions have been slightly delayed by the unwelcome presence of a particularly hateful headcold over Christmas weekend, but I'm beginning to see the light of day without grimacing, and hope to be fully recovered in time to enjoy New Years festivities.

Today, though, say hello to my best friend, courtesy of Trader Joe's:

Again, thanks for your patience, friends.

Much love,
Sarah

freelensing

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:48:00 +0000

it's not really in focus, but I love it anyway

Merry Christmas Season!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:56:00 +0000

It's the day after Thanksgiving. And the first day of the Christmas season. Here's to a sweet, joy-filled time of preparation.

(yes, that's my car and my tree. both are quite appropriately tiny. and I don't care.)

darling little toes

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

everything is pretty at sunrise

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:10:00 +0000

annapolis wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:23:00 +0000

I lovelovelovelovelove the joy of second shooting for sweet friends when I get the chance. I usually fill up every spare weekend with second shooting... partly because I love weddings that much, and partly because I love spending time with my photographer friends that much. One weekend this Summer I spent the afternoon in Annapolis, MD assisting my sweet friend Rebekah Murray. She posted that wedding on her blog today, so head over and take a quick look: www.rebekahjmurrayblog.com

In the meantime, here are a few shots I grabbed from the day. Enjoy.

preparing

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:20:00 +0000

perfect

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:43:00 +0000

sometimes in the course of editing a wedding, some pictures make me stop and gasp. this was the one that did it tonight.

parking passes, free Starbucks, and seeing.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:58:00 +0000

Yesterday I started my morning (very early) with girlfriend heart-talk at Starbucks while it was still dark outside. Yesterday my Post Office lady gave me a free Starbucks drink coupon, just because (we're total BFFs, by the way. "girl, love your hair!!" comments back and forth between us every single time I mail something). Yesterday I returned to my car after running some quick errands to find a paid-for parking pass on my windshield, left by a random stranger. Yesterday, I re-listened to Sunday's sermon (twice, actually), and was reminded that God is sovereign, and He is trustworthy, and that He never changes. Yesterday I read part of Hebrews and found myself overwhelmed with gratitude. Yesterday I kicked work in it's not-so-little tush, and made a huge dent in my to-do list.

It was a good day yesterday. I felt very loved, very well-cared for by my heavenly Father and the people around me. Today... it's not as good of a day. Not bad, just not as awesome as yesterday. But I re-read Hebrews this morning, and was struck again by the same verse.

Now in putting everything in subjection to [Christ], [God] left nothing outside His control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him. But we see Him, who for a little while was made lower than the angles, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. —Hebrews 2:8-9

I can't see life clearly. I can see glimpses of God at work, but His actual works are often hidden from my eyes. My life doesn't always make sense to me (or to anyone else, for that matter). But because I know that Christ rules not only my life, but the whole world, and "God has left nothing outside of His control." I may not currently see everything in focus, but I see Him, and that makes all of the not-seeing seem insignificant.

So today, even though it's not as splendid as yesterday, even though there is less seen and more to be questioned, I see Christ, and that is enough for today.

featured & published.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:10:00 +0000

So in the midst of all the lovely insanity that was the last six months, I somehow forgot to mention a few happy, exciting things. Such as being featured on quite a few blogs, and getting my work published in a real-life print magazine. [!!!!!]

features.

Elizabeth Anne Designs kindly featured Brittany's bridal shoot . . .

. . . as did Grey Likes Weddings [!!!]

Done Brilliantly featured Austin & Leah's Central New York wedding, as well as Garrett & Allison's Washington DC engagement

Project Bride featured Mathew & Lydia's wedding, as well as Ryan & Kelsey's

And my favorite!!! Washingtonian featured Benjamin & Grace's Washington DC engagement on their blog, and I couldn't be more thrilled or humbled.

And last of all, Katelyn James was kind enough to interview me for her blog! Click over this way if you desire to read it through.

published.

Yes, published! As in, a real print magazine! DIY Weddings Magazine published not one, but two weddings!

Andy & Lauren's Ann Arbor, MI wedding . . .

And Jacques & Paige's Minneapolis, MN wedding

Tim & Vanessa | PREVIEW!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Tim & Vanessa were married this past Saturday in Columbus, Indiana. It was the most perfect day imaginable.

Brian & Christine | PREVIEW!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:10:00 +0000

Brian & Christine got married on October 9. Just a small preview of their sweet wedding.

breaking through clouds

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:12:00 +0000

It happens to me every Fall. Every single Fall. I wake up one morning and realize that I've been a bit sad for the past week or so, and that everything in life seems hard, and even though I know that God is good and kind and faithful, and He never changes... it feels like whatever hard things I'm facing at the moment will never end. And then I cry. A lot.

Every. Single. Fall.

Why? I have no idea. Maybe because the days get short so quickly, and it takes me awhile to adjust to the changing light. Maybe because I'm highly allergic to mold, and Fall is mold season at its finest. Maybe because it's the end of wedding season, and I'm quite simply exhausted. Maybe... maybe I don't really know. It just happens.

And that's where I've been the past couple of weeks. Sad, discouraged, down, and not fully sure why. So I did the only thing I knew to do: I cried. And then I talked with wise, loving friends who knew me, and who knew how to encourage me. And then I went back to truth and started talking it to myself. And then I "retraced my steps," or, in other words, relived God's faithfulness in my life. I wanted to just keep crying, and to hide in a corner, talking to no one. It's easier that way, but it doesn't help the situation at all. Truth always helps.

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgment against you; He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil... Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow week. The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. — Zephaniah 3:14-17

Today I'm speaking truth, not accepting discouragement. Today I'm coming out of the clouds.

hello, life.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Today I woke up to a friend's text message canceling early morning coffee, and thanked God for an extra hour to sleep. Today I gulped a cup of black coffee and then sipped a cup of black tea, and chose to linger long over the Bread of Life, the Word of God, savoring every ounce of life it would give me. Today I attempted omelets and wished that Dad could show me again how to make them properly. Today I sat down with a friend and took a hard look at how I use/spend/waste my time, and realized that I need consistency much more now than I did back in January. Today I looked back over my blog, and realized that it's been far too long since I've really spent time writing— not just blogging to keep up with my schedule, or writing to accomplish an end, or journaling. I mean writing because my heart is full of words to speak.

It's been a quiet season for me, in many ways. Not quiet, actually, because quiet means to be still, in a state of rest, not moving, and that has not been the characterizing factor of this year. I think that reserved is a better word— "kept for another time or future use; restrained from freedom in words or actions; not free or frank." It's not that I haven't wanted to speak or write or think, but that circumstances seem to be pressing the words down inside of me. I hit a sort of breaking point this weekend, and decided that I'm tired of that pressing, tired of feeling soul-choked. Which is one reason that I sat down with my friend and we talked over how I use my time... and more specifically, how I spend time with people. I love people, but too much of a good thing ceases to be good— and I'm overloaded.

I don't know why I stopped writing. I used to fill 4 or 5 Moleskines a year, and I'm only halfway through my second 2011 journal. Strange. I used to write here on the blog. As in, really write— with words that held weight and intention, that really meant something. I used to consider myself every bit as much a writer as a photographer. Words were my oil paints on a canvas, like sculptor's clay under my fingers, and I delighted to shape and form them, to let beauty roll.

These days? Not so much. I'm happy if I can get a journal entry in once a week. I feel like I lack brainspace— that no matter how much I sleep or rest or schedule myself, I don't have time or mental capacity to really think anymore. And when I can't think, I can't write, because writing is how I think.

I've felt this before— this mental lock, this verbal constipation. Oh, the words. Where are the words? Eighteen months ago I sat in a quiet coffee shop, keenly aware of the fact that one, I was alone, and two, I was emotionally clogged. I know why I felt that way, then— I was in the middle of an extremely intense spiritual growth spurt (read: "dating a boy", among other things), and forgot to give myself the time and emotional space to actually grow. When children go through growth spurts, they tend to need more food, sleep, and grace; and so do our souls— food for proper growth (God's Word), sleep to restore (both physical rest and intentional, uplifting friendships) and grace (extended to ourselves and received from others).

I'm in the middle (hopefully, toward the end?) of another intense growth spurt (read: life is stretching... and this time I'm not dating anyone). In the past six months I've lost my grandmother, rejoiced at my sister's engagement, bought a car, moved out of my parent's home, took on a nannying job, finished the nannying job, shot sixteen weddings, moved again, rejoiced at my sister's wedding, slept too little and drank too much coffee. I am stretched thin, "like butter spread over too much bread."

So what to do? The same thing I did last time— trace my fingers along the walls of my soul until I find what I'm looking for, and remember.

I remember that grace is sweet, not painful, and that my rebel sighs are groundless in light of His mercy.

I remember that I am not as strong as I think I am. Grace-given leaves grace-needed in it's wake, and in all of it I remember that I need Christ even more than I think, more than anything else.

I remember that God builds differently than I do— that Christ-likeness is formed in quietness and faithfulness, in the realm of the unseen, by the hands of the All-Wise Father God. He knows where I need to be bent, where I need to be broken, and where I need to be bound up again. This growth is natural, and it's okay.

I remember that Christ is my primary relationship, and that waiting is worship, and that life as a Christian is different than any other life... and that's as it should be.

I remember that God does not change, even when I feel less mature, or less faithful, or see love for Christ flicker and wane.

I remember that God is pressing me into the mold of Christ and that necessitates great pressure, and trimming off any excess. The cutting hurts. It is not pleasant, and is not easy. "God will not necessarily protect us. Not from anything that will make us more like His Son," Elisabeth Elliot wrote. "Grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief," becomes my prayer, joined with the voices of hundreds of saints before me.

. . .

So... hello, life. After six months of insanity, I think we can be peace-loving friends again. I have stepped into October committed to loving God well, to serve people with humility, and to faithfully commend the Gospel in everything I do.

Dear reader: have you experienced crazy "extremely intense growth spurt" seasons in your life? how do stay grounded in the midst of it? how do you tell the difference between a growth spurt and a time of discouragement and struggle?

George & Katheryn | PREVIEW!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:11:00 +0000

Goodness, I've fallen sadly behind in blogging! I'm hoping to get back to a regular blog schedule starting next week— as well as back to a regular exercise schedule, working schedule, eating schedule, sleeping schedule, and... well, just general life schedule. It's funny to think back to when I was in high school, and I longed for an exciting job, for travel, and for activity. And now? The thought of staying home is just sooooooo inviting! Maybe it's the change in season? Fall makes me want to snuggle up with a blanket and read a book next to an open window, with good coffee at my fingertips of course.

And speaking of Fall and all things beautiful... (yes, cheesy intro, but that's all I got today), here's just a small sneak peak from last weekend's wedding in Richmond, VA!

Jack & Jessica | wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 03:32:00 +0000

Jack & Jessica— one of the most well-suited couples I've ever met. I love them, I've loved the time spent with them, and I love who they are together. Friends, thanks so much for letting me document so much of your life this past year!!