April Bern Photography Blog

Goals Roundup- Week 1

2013-01-09T13:20:05Z

It's not even been two full weeks and I have fallen off the New Year Goal wagon already (I haven't worked out in 4 days!)! I realize that I need some accountability to hold me to these goals. so... here we go...

1. 365 project: So far, I'm on track with this one!

1. Day 1, 2. Day 2, 3. Day 3, 4. Day 4, 5. Day 5, 6. Day 6

2. Work out at least an hour a day: well.... I think an hour might be an overly ambitious goal, especially with the wii fit. It seems that for me to accumulate an hour of workout time on the wii, I need to devote at least an hour and a half to it.

12/31- 30min

1/1- 1 hour

1/2- 1 hour

1/3- 30 min

1/4- 1 hour

1/5 & 1/6- NONE :(

I took the weekend off, and now it's Wednesday and I haven't worked out since Friday. Looks like I have a date with my wii tonite.

3. Cut out sugar and eat fewer carbs eat more veggies: That's a pretty vague goal. I'm going to ammend this to eat more veggies (at least two servings a day) instead of less carbs. I drank my coffee this week (with the exception of some truly awful diner coffee) sans sugar. But I did eat some cookies and had some chocolate. For the most part, I did well on the living without sugar. I can do better, though.

4. Finish Projects: First project nearly complete: felted clogs. Only one more step left before this one is knocked off my list! My yellow scarf is nearly complete. I estimate that this will be completed next weekend.

5. Home Projects: Happy to report that the last two curtain rods have been puchased. One curtain rod has been installed in the loft and and has temporary curtains--this of course means that the bedroom now has none so we'll call this goal half complete.

Hopefully posting this will keep me accountable, honest and on track. I would love any encouraging words, or any tips you have to help me stay on track with these goals. Oh, and feel free to call me out when I don't post (most likely due to me slacking with one/all my goals). Sometimes, I need tough love!

Let's do this!

New Year, New Goals

2013-01-03T13:37:16Z

Since it's early January (3rd day as of this writing) I've been feeling the need to work my resolutions, er... goals, for the new year. Usually, I make my goals around my birthday, but I suppose last September I was a little preoccupied. So, here they are:

1. A 365 photo project. (Did I hear my friends groan? sorry...) I've been feeling terribly uninspired lately, so I'm hoping that by forcing myself to take a photo every day, it will spark some creative juices. I'll be posting these on my flickr account.

2. Work out at least an hour a day. (I know, how original...) My wii fit just told me that my size 12 ass is obese. If that's not a motivator, I don't know what is.

3. Also, cut out sugar and eat less carbs. All this working out isn't going to amount to anything if I don't quit eating nutella straight out of the jar (sorry, nutella... I've got to break up with you. Again.)

4. FINISH PROJECTS! I'm terrible at finishing what I start. I get so excited to start a project and about halfway, I completely lose interest (I'm onto the next new project!) I have so many half finished projects going on, it's a little out of control. My top three things to finish first? A pair of clogs i've been knitting for over a year, a scarf, and a granny square blanket that I started over 2 years ago!!!

5. Watch less TV. Seriously. This never used to be a problem, but G watches a lot of TV and has introduced me to some seriously well made shows (hello, Games of Thrones, I'm talking to you...) I would have much more time to workout (see goal 2) or finished projects (goal 4 and 5) if I spent less time in front of the boob tube.

6. Start working on miscellaneous projects around the house. There are a ton of things that need to be worked on and I haven't done much in the year and a half since we moved in. Top three things to fix/work on in the house? Get curtains for the loft and craft room (oh, hello everyone watching me workout to the wii!) I would like to get drawer pulls for the kitchen cabinets, and a new light fixture to replace the broken one in the downstairs powder room.

I have high hopes for actually completing these goals (of course, this is just the top 6 out of a list of about 82...) I already bought curtain rods for the upstairs rooms, and have been researching drawer pulls/knobs for the kitchen. And, I have a date with my good friend, R, on Sunday to finish up those darned clogs...

Okay, 2013, bring it! I'm ready for you!

The 10 Most Popular Blog Posts Ever (well, the 2012 Edition)

2013-01-01T23:34:12Z

Despite not posting very often last year, there were a few post that were wildly popular!

Here are my 10 ten posts for 2012:

1. Crafty Connections- March 15

2. Granny Square Mania!

3. Wednesday Inspiration- April Showers

4. Cookies, Old School Style...

5. Crafty Connections- January 18th

6. Crafty Connections, April 26th

7. Wednesday Inspiration- Blizzard

8. Possibly the Best Cupcake Ever (Salted Caramel Cupcake)

9. 7 Tips to Help You Take Amazing Photos on Christmas Morning

10. Crafty Connections- May 10th

Goodbye 2012! A year in review

2013-01-01T21:01:37Z

via katievaz

Hello! Happy New Year!

It's time for my obligatory "what I did last year" and my top 10 posts of the year (to be posted tomorrow.) Unfortunately, I didn't post very often this year. To say it was a little hectic is putting it mildly!

In January, I started (and failed!) a new 365 project. I made it through a few weeks only. (don't worry-- this year, I'll do better!) The year also started out with a touch of sadness-- my little bird, Pegleg, passed away.

February started off really well. My partner and I had the opportunity to photograph the sweetest newborn and family ever. G and I took a super fun long weekend trip to San Antonio and Austin, TX.

March was quiet. I'm sure I was planning wedding stuffs (not!)

In April, we suffered another little sadness. My other bird, Scooter, passed away to the great big birdcage in the sky. It wasn't all sadness in April, however. It was my turn to be the in front of the camera for our big engagement photo shoot (what a fun experience that was!)

May was a tough month. My grandma fell twice in one day and was rushed to the hospital. She spent a few weeks in the hospital recovering (she hit her head pretty badly, hurt her wrists, and twisted her knee) She was transferred to a rehab facility in early June.

June and July was spent mostly going to the rehab place every day to spend time with grandma to make sure she would eat at least one meal a day. She had a really really difficult time adjusting to being in the rehab facility (we all had a difficult time adjusting!) Oh, and I was still trying to plan a wedding somewhere in the middle of that mess.

We were able to photograph another awesome family in August. I also made my third trip to Texas for work as an Art Director for a few product video shoots. That was an incredibly cool experience. And I got to see my friend Robert and his wife, Vickie, once again. If you ever get a flat tire, Vickie is the babe to change it for you!

And the highlight of the year? September, for sure. I got married! (3 1/2 months later and it still seems strange to write that...) We had a lovely small ceremony and reception. It was perfect. (Almost) exactly what I wanted. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. We left the next day for Maui and had an amazing time. (omg! I want to go back!)

October was spent getting settled into married life (still sounds weird to say that!) We also did a super fun Wizard of Oz themed Halloween photo shoot with the world's most photographed little girl. November was nice and quiet. Spent Thanksgiving morning with my mom and G's dad for breakfast. Spent some time with Grandma at the nursing home in the afternoon, and had dinner with G's mom.

December honestly flew by. We had a maternity photo shoot early in the month (seriously, this job is so easy when the family is so good looking!) The rest of the month was spent being crazy busy at the real job and obtaining the perfect gifts for the families! And here we are! 2013 already!

7 Tips to Help You Take Amazing Photos on Christmas Morning

2012-12-21T02:47:49Z

Hi! Can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner? This month, heck, this year, has gone by so quickly! I'm looking forward to spending time with family, eating good food (some of which I will be cooking!) and having a few days off of work to unwind.

But, before I begin my mini-vacation, I wanted to leave you with a post I wrote for A Different Light Photography detailing 7 simple steps to help you take amazing Christmas photos.

7 Tips to Help You Take Amazing Photos on Christmas Morning

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! See you in the new year!!!

-a

22 things I'm thankful for this year

2012-11-23T22:00:25Z

Happy day after Thanksgiving! I hope yours was as awesome as mine was. I made a breakfast Strata that I swear was made with unicorn eggs-- it was that amazing. Seriously. I spent a lot of time with family (both mine and G's) and ate a lot of amazing food. Food so delicious, it should have been illegal.

Today, since I'm still in a food coma, I wanted to take a moment and share my list of 22 things I'm incredibly thankful for (in no particular order)

1. I'm thankful for my family (even my new family!) I love them.

2. I'm thankful my grandma still has her health and that I got to see her and spend time with her this Thanksgiving.

3. I'm thankful for my husband (it still feels weird to call him that...)

4. I'm thankful for my job and that it's something I really enjoy doing.

5. I'm thankful for my beautiful house. Even though I complain (A LOT) about how far away it is, I still love it. Especially when the sun streams in through the windows.

6. I'm thankful that my friends and family are really and wonderfully supportive of my creative and artistic endeavours.

7. I'm thankful that I can pursure these creative and artistic endeavours!

8. I'm thankful for coffee. And really, you should be thankful that I have coffee. Trust me.

9. I'm thankful for my garage and dishwasher. They are the two things that I didn't think I would like when I moved into my house. Now, I don't know how I ever lived without them.

10. I'm thankful that G has a job that he loves and that he's incredibly happy with.

11. I'm thankful that I have amazing friends. I'm calling you out Livi, Debs, & Rachel. You guys are awesome and I love you!

12. I'm thankful that we can afford our house and vehicles and still have a few $$ left over to eat real meals.

13. I'm thankful for my car that is super reliable and gets me around.

14. I'm thankful that my job is flexible and lets me come in early and leave early.

15. I'm thankful for my team at work. They are really a wonderful group of people and are a lot of fun, no matter how many fiascos or sunova's that happen.

16. I'm thankful I get to take photos of products for my real job.

17. I'm thankful for our photography business. I get to take even more photos and help people remember important stories in their lives.

18. I'm thankful for the beautiful area I live in, again, despite how much I complain about how far away it is.

19. I'm thankful for Zumba. I suck at it, but I love it so much!

20. I'm thankful for pinterest. I would not be as adventureous in the kitchen without it!

21. I'm thankful that G eats my culinary creations and knows not to ever complain...

22. I'm thankful for our trip to Hawaii. It was truly awesome and the trip of a lifetime!

life on the 4th floor

2012-08-10T18:37:55Z

This is a snapshot of the past two months. Grandma's been in this rehab/nursing home facility since June and we visit nearly every day (even though she doesn't remember if we were there or not) These photos are just a snapshot of grandma's life on the 4th floor.

At the end of May grandma fell (twice!) and was hospitalized. She spent a week or so in the hospital and then was moved to a rehab facility in Niles. It was so heartbreaking to leave her there. She wouldn't eat, she didn't want to socialize with the other "crazies" (as she called them) She was pretty miserable. Every time we came to visit, she thought she would be going home and would get really excited. So. Heartbreaking. About a week after we brought her to the rehab facility, she had some sort of really bad infection and was rushed back to the hospital (talk about a rough few weeks!) She got a hefty dose of fluids and antibiotics and was sent back to the rehab facility after a few days of recouping.

It's pretty depressing in the rehab/nursing home. It's decorated warmly enough and it doesn't look like the typical sterile decrepit and dingy nursing home you see on the television. There are laminate hardwood-esque floors, the walls are painted a warm golden color and there are bight curtains in each residents room. The residents are what I feel make it so depressing. The residents on the 4th floor are in various stages of dementia and Alzheimer's. Some are still communicative and seem to be pretty aware. Some are in their own little worlds and can't or don't communicate with anyone. They shuffle around or sit for hours and hours in their wheelchairs or special wheeled devices, lost in their own world.

There are a cast of characters living on the fourth floor with my grandma. There are two women that have little baby dolls that they hold onto. One of these women tries to feed the doll, keep it warm, talk to it, and kiss it-- as if it were a real baby. I wonder if these women think the doll is their own baby from happier times in years past? There's Ruby, a woman who stands outside or across from my grandma's door all the time (it's a little creepy, actually). Mary, who talks to my grandma in Polish (I didn't know my grandma could still communicate so well in Polish!) Hazel is the woman with the crash helmet and special wheeled contraption. She spends most of her time walking the hallways. There are the two sisters who are so sweet. They share a room together and always sit together. While at the table during meals, the sister who is in slightly better condition takes care of and helps feed the other one. Dorothy is fortunate to be pretty communicative and aware. She and my grandma sit next to each other often and talk. There are also several folks who are confined to special gurney type chairs, who cannot move their arms or legs that need to be fed and are dependent on the CNA's for complete care.

What makes me most sad is many of the residents do not have friends or family that visit them. My grandma is so lucky that someone from our family goes at least every day, and most days, two or three people stop in and see her. We're there to make sure she eats, make sure she's well and receiving the care she needs. We notify the nurses when she needs to use the bathroom, or when she has a headache and needs some aspirin. We make sure she has her clothes and belongings. She looks forward to someone coming to visit everyday. She's happy that we take her outside and we talk to her about what's going on in our lives, or the world. She laughs. She smiles. She may not always follow the conversation, or even remember much that we were there, but we show up. Every day.

goodness, isn't grandma cute?

Photo Friday- Downward

2012-05-04T12:49:20Z

Photo Friday- Downward

Photo Friday- Portraiture

2012-04-27T12:45:41Z

Photo Friday- Portraiture

This photo friday topic is a little close to my heart as I'm moving towards a career in portraiture photography. I (along with a very dear friend) have started a photography company called A Different Light Photography. We specialize in family, children, newborn, senior, and engagement photgraphy. Read more about us here.

This photo is of my dear friends little baby and I think this has to be my second most favorite photo I've ever taken. I love the light, I love the fact that she was absorbed in picking dandelions, I love the fading sunlight in her hair, and her little pink outfit... I love everything about this shot! I'll have more photos from this amazing tea party photoshoot up soon!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Possibly the best cupcake ever (Salted Caramel Cupcake)...

2012-04-15T02:35:51Z

I made these cupcakes last week for Easter, and I have to say that they are probably the best cupcakes I've ever made. Everything was made from scratch-- the cake, the caramel (omg! i know how to make caramel now!) even the icing was completely made from scratch. It was a little daunting at first, as I'm not the most adept in the kitchen, but I managed to not screw up by say, accidently broiling them. Remind me to tell you about the time I brilliantly broiled a batch of chocolate chip cookies...

(doesn't that cupcake look amazing?)

Check out the recipe here:

Salted Caramel Cupcakes