Author Archives:

Jan 26 2012

Memorial Park Engagement: Kylee & Casey

Posted in Engagements

Earlier this week, I fiiinally got to meet the Kylee I’d exchanged emails with for so long… The Kylee with the gorgeous head of hair and fabulously keen fashion sense. The Kylee who’d met her charming fiancé Casey in – WAIT FOR IT – kindergarten. I mean seriously? I’ve been aww’ing ever since! We met up at Memorial Park to capture their engagement pictures and I’m SO happy to share with you all my favorite images from the day. The light was di-VINE. The subjects were nothing short of completely adorable. AND, might I add, these two were SO sweetly accommodating of a photographer hobbling around on two wounded legs. Legit. They are the best. :) K & C – I had such a blast with you guys! And I hope you love your sneak peek!! XOXO!!

When we arrived at Memorial, we noticed about 3,000 trees missing! (P.S. I didn’t make up that number. The guy working at the gym told me!) Apparently this drought we’ve been having was too much for the trees to survive. But we didn’t let the change in scenery deter us. I LOVE finding different ways to shoot at a familiar location. And I think the homes lining the parameter of the park worked PERFECTLY with Kylee and Casey’s über coolness. ;)
The FIERCENESS of this girl… And Casey? You aren’t too bad yourself!
One thing I observed about Kylee and Casey during our shoot is how simply they “get” each other. Their love is based on the sweetest friendship. :)
Huge thanks to some of my favorites ladies to work with – Sunkissed & Made Up – for Kylee’s gorgeous hair and makeup!
After a quick change, we headed further into the park. And then commenced a love-fest with this LIIIGHT. I am just in awe of its buttery goodness!!
So happy with this moment captured. It just makes me feel content. I really have the best job. Evaaa.
Let’s consider this a small taste of their first dance as man and wife in May. Kylee was able to share with me some pretty exciting details about their day, and I couldn’t be more excited! Blush pinks and grays? I mean, reeeally.
Kylee. What can be said that hasn’t already been told you your entire life? You’re gorgeous, girl!
And we’ll end on the cutest note of all. :)

Happy Thursday!!

by Alyse

7 comments

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
January 26, 2012 - 3:05 PM

jae - that lace dress & those cheekbones are TDF. i love how fun these photos are :)

January 26, 2012 - 11:56 AM

Casey - Alyse thank you so much!!@ these turned out so much better than I could have ever hoped!

January 26, 2012 - 11:43 AM

Melissa - Oh, they really are adorable, aren’t they?!

January 26, 2012 - 10:52 AM

Lauren Jolly - These are gorgeous!!!! and i love love love that white dress!!!

January 26, 2012 - 10:02 AM

Kylee Reece - Alyse!!!!!!!!

I love them! You are the best, thank you a million times over!

January 26, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Martha Swann - Too cute! I just love the styling of the shoot–their wardrobe, hair, makeup etc. looks phenomenal (as of course does the photography ;)

Beautiful job Alyse!!

January 26, 2012 - 9:43 AM

Rachel Ranalli - These are so adorable!

Jan 24 2012

Tidbit Tuesday #108

Posted in Personal

I feel like there’s just so much to share from this mostly uneventful January! Maybe that’s because the typically uneventful tidbits in life have taken on a semi-humorous sitcom-like vibe as of late. For instance! Last week, when holding my personal steam mask for my (now GONE) bronchitis in my hands as opposed to placing it on a flat surface like ALL the warnings say… I flinched and sent scalding hot water all over my legs. My laryngytic vocal chords prevented me from screaming as loudly as I wanted to, and my foggy brain prevented me from checking to see if Sully’s eyeballs had melted out before shoving him in his crate. The doc’s verdict was first degree rather than the second degree all signs pointed to, which was a HUGE answer to my frantic prayers. AND, my voice is now strong enough to sing Mary had a Little Lamb about two octaves below my usual range. This is PROGRESS, Internet!! End of update. :)

Yesterday I took Sully to get his nails ground down. And like clockwork, as soon as he jumps out of the car, people stop what they’re doing and stare and laugh at him. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear they were making fun of how overweight he is. (We’re TRYING!) But I’ve decided to believe they’re in awe of his cuteness, his heifer-like spots (no pun intended), and the way he walks like he’s on a mission! Protruding chin up. Ears back. Smiling the whole time.

As my birthday approaches… And as unopened packages labeled “Open 1/30!” pile up on my desk.. Well? I get more and more excited. I’m not entirely sure why I get so pumped for my birthday each year. I think it’s the fact that my 24th year will be a new beginning. Not that 23 was bad at all! I loved it. :) But 24?! It’s like I’ll finally be an adult or something! ;) Dylan and I plan to celebrate on Saturday since he’ll be working on Monday. And if all goes according to plan, we’ll wake up to bagels, eggs and bacon magically prepared for us/me. We’ll spend the morning on a birthday shopping-spree. We’ll prep a fab lunch with my new kitchen gadgetry. We’ll watch the ‘Cuse game. We’ll rent a movie we’ll actually pay attention to! And then we’ll be off to dinner with fancy shoes on.

Song of the Week: Without You by David Guetta featuring Usher. Oh, like you didn’t know my “songs of the week” are basically always determined by whatever was sung on Glee the week before… ;) While I like Lea Michelle’s version more, I am in LOVE with this new hit. No longer do I only associate David Guetta with a banner ad that always interrupts my Spotify playlist! Without You is a strangely-emotional masterpiece. Listen/watch HERE aaand HERE. :)

Until Thursday, I’ll leave you with this sneak peek of Kylee and Casey’s super stylish and sweet engagement session shot yesterday at Memorial Park! To say these two are absolutely ADORABLE with each other is the understatement of the century. Can’t wait to share more!! Stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday!!

by Alyse

3 comments

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
January 25, 2012 - 5:29 PM

Jess Fuentes - After seeing your Facebook posts…I really was wondering how you managed to burn your legs. I’m so sorry, but glad to hear it wasn’t as serious as you thought. Also, glad to hear Sully is smiling! :)

January 24, 2012 - 4:25 PM

stephanie rita - A) oh my gosh her lace dress is perfect. and B) I’ll be at the ‘Cuse game on saturday so i’ll wave to you guys!! haha =)

January 24, 2012 - 10:50 AM

gaty blanchard - Love love love these. What a gorgeous couple. You were so lucky the weather was perfect yesterday. Looking forward to the wedding pictures too. thanks.

Jan 19 2012

Starting Over: 101 goals in 1001 days!!

Posted in 101 in 1001

Hi friends! As I’ve been over-excitedly hinting at these past few weeks with the newness of 2012 upon us, I’ve just now drafted a brand new 101 in 1001. AKA, 101 goals I hope to accomplish in the next 1001 days! My first and most recent list was created back in March 2010, and although I fulfilled about a quarter of those goals, about 75% of them became tasks I either wasn’t at all passionate about any longer or things that just didn’t seem achievable within the given timeframe. So! I’ve decided to create a list of goals that are much more specific, measurable, and reasonable! Because let’s face it.. I was never going to “go on a hike” or “join a book club.” I mean, f’real… And just a fun little note about this list. You just might call it my “To Do Before Having Babies” list. Because so long as things go according to our plan, that is exactly how the timing would work out! BAYUM. Let’s do this thang!!

OH! And before you read on and see that I’ve only written 75 goals… Be aware that I’ve given myself the permission to re-evaluate this list on a regular basis. Adding to and taking away from it as I feel necessary! Otherwise, I’d probably try filling the gap with “capture and befriend a pet squirrel.” Just to push it to 101. And that’s just silly! So, here we go, Internet! Here are the goals I hope to achieve by October 16, 2014!! Let me know what you think!!

1. Change my name (I’m slow when it comes to these things!)
2. Start keeping a journal
3. Get a freaking iPhone already
4. Buy our first home
5. Get a sectional sofa that’s more conducive to cuddling
6. Find fun ways to display personal photos in our home and then DO it
7. Purge our home of unnecessary clutter on a regular basis (AKA, live SIMPLY!)
8. Create a legit cleaning schedule and try to stick to it
9. Make a habit of doing my laundry on a regular basis (I work from home, okay?)
10. Complete five DIY projects for our home
11. Give only handmade gifts for either Christmas 2012 or Christmas 2013
12. Learn to knit
13. Send out our raw wedding day images for editing by Colorati
14. Design and order our wedding album
15. Give wedding albums to both sets of parents
16. Do something nice for someone anonymously
17. Randomly send someone some small item they mention wanting
18. Mail someone a card and small gift to encourage them in some random way
19. Read through the whole Bible
20. Learn to keep Sundays as a day of rest
21. Literally count my blessings
22. Read five new books (AKA, try to love reading)
23. Cook through one full Barefoot Contessa cookbook
24. Make a habit of cooking more homemade meals for my husband
25. Make a legit wedding-worthy cake of fanciness
26. Hold a Martha Stewart-like dinner party for a small group of close friends
27. Enroll Sully in obedience school
28. Get Sully to let me cut his nails (it’s a nightmare!)
29. Get a second, larger dog and name him Windsor
30. Take a stay-cation
31. Visit Europe (namely, Ireland and Denmark)
32. Visit Seattle (I’ve always, always wanted to!)
33. Go back to NYC for a weekend
34. See Newsies on Broadway
35. Be in a wedding (!!)
36. Throw one kick-butt bridal shower
37. Photograph one of my dear friends’ delivery of twins
38. Take a martial arts or self-defense course
39. Become CPR certified
40. Try out a yoga/zumba class
41. Reach and maintain goal weight of 1_5 pounds (Like I’d really let that cat out of the bag!) :)
42. Make a habit of drinking more water every day
43. Make a habit of taking my vitamins every day
44. Make a habit of exercising three days a week
45. Grow out my hair as long as it once was and DO NOT CUT IT (only trim)
46. Schedule a massage to enjoy after a particularly hard-on-my-back wedding
47. Be better at keeping a schedule like someone who DOESN’T work from home (AKA, showering in the morning, getting dressed in real clothes, etc.)
48. Force myself to work outside of our home semi-regularly
49. Get updated head shots now that I’m 20 pounds lighter and my hair is longer
50. Shoot an updated promo video
51. Give away one free wedding package on the blog (through a specific selection process)
52. Conceptualize three shoots, have them styled by local vendors, and shoot them
53. Improve (AKA, finish) killer product packaging
54. Develop after-booking gifts/client kits
55. Purchase canvas gallery wraps for our office space
56. Double AFP’s profitability by at least 50%
57. Increase Twitter followers to 1000
58. Increase Facebook followers to 3000
59. Increase Google Reader subscribers to 300
60. Institute three new blog categories
61. Purchase 27” iMac for in-office work
62. Upgrade one of our Nikon D700’s to a Nikon D4
63. Begin using ShootQ
64. Implement the Git Kit
65. Take a seminar on time-management
66. Institute an internship program
67. Start Alyse French Photography/Windsor Collective workshops
68. Revamp my album ordering process (possible outsourcing)
69. Order new sample wedding albums
70. Create a “for photographers” page for our website
71. Create a “press” page for our website
72. Learn to shoot landscape orientation with more intentionality and creativity
73. Experiment with film photography
74. Blog about the majority of these goals as they are accomplished
75. Routinely evaluate the goals on this list and write down new ones (AKA, goals 76 through 101) ;)

Now feel free to share some of YOUR goals below!! Happy 101′ing!!

by Alyse

12 comments

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
January 24, 2012 - 2:25 PM

Kathy - The book “Getting Things Done” (aka GTD) by David Allen might help you with a number of these goals. I haven’t finished it yet (ironically) but it’s starting to change my mindset.

January 24, 2012 - 2:04 PM

Hayley Hughes - #22! I didn’t love reading until I read The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, you should check them out!

January 23, 2012 - 8:06 PM

Casey Chappell - Here is one of the BEST messages on the Sabbath I’ve EVER heard!!! It’s so refreshing and will change the way you view keeping it… or at least it did for me. So, maybe after listening to it you can accomplish #20 with a little more Joy!!
http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/sermons/#series-sort_the-path (it’s the one titled Sabbath) :)

January 21, 2012 - 11:59 AM

Pam - Oh great. Now you have me wanting to make a 101 in 1001 list….thaaaaanks :P

January 20, 2012 - 5:56 AM

Jessica - I’m with ya on #3! Hey, #66 sounds like something big. The best to you on working through this list!

January 19, 2012 - 9:19 PM

Chris Potash - Oh my daughter has #34 on her list too! It’s her new favorite musical!

January 19, 2012 - 2:52 PM

Noël - You defiantly should do number 40.

January 19, 2012 - 2:30 PM

Adrienne - Alyse! Check out this blog for #16! :) http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?p=1358

January 19, 2012 - 2:30 PM

Mischelle - Suggestion on number 19. My hubby HATES reading but has wanted to read the entire Bible. Well as you can imagine, it was a challenge. Till technology stepped in. He Downloaded the Audio version ( and it is done in different voices, not bland) onto his phone. Now he listenes to it when ever he is in the car or working at his desk. A great way for a non-reader to be able to achieve his desire!!

January 19, 2012 - 2:03 PM

Amber Jacoby - film photography!! Alyse, we can do this together!! Cause it’s been something i’ve wanted to learn! As always, you’re adorable. And I miss you!

January 19, 2012 - 1:53 PM

Lauren Jolly - Alyse, please take me with you to see Newsies! Gah! I LOVE that movie! My goals for this year include finishing designing my website, and a blog to go with it, create a Facebook page for Lauren Jolly Photography, and attend at least one photography workshop. It’s gonna be a great year!

January 19, 2012 - 1:45 PM

Lindsay - Ok, that was awesome. Now I want to make a list! …and possibly shamelessly steal a few of those. First smile at the office all day. Thanks for sharing!

Next » « Previous

© 2009-2010 Alyse French Photography. All Rights Reserved. Stealing is mean. 0M888656X4351784H

T w i t t e r
F a c e b o o k
P o r t f o l i o