We spent two nights at a Marriot before flying to the DR. And this? THIS was the most amazing room service banana split of my entire life! (As if I’ve had a thousand room service banana splits, hah!) I kid you not when I say, I still daydream about it.

And who passes up a monster dish of sushi the day after getting married? Not me, Internet. Never, ever me.

Welcome to La República Dominicana! This was our toilet bowl upon arrival! Thank GOD they put petals in our toilet, or else I would have refused to use it.

We stayed at BlueBay Villas Doradas Resort. This place is God’s beauty made obvious!

Our beach! La Playa Dorada!

All-inclusive is THEE way to go! Look at this restaurant!

When I read the reservation card on our table, I realized I was married. :)

Dylan and I were so glad to be able to venture off and see the countryside! So many beautifully-intricate textures and colors there!

So, I have this weird affection for lizards. This one is named Gully. Which rhymes with Sully.

I didn’t even realize this other little guy in the picture below until just now!

A typical Dominican house.

A little rum and coke for the road. No open container laws here!

The children of the Dominican Republic absolutely stole my heart.

I. LOVE. THIS. PICTURE!

My mama knows this face all too well. Zoning like I do. :)

Oh, hey!!

Classic Dominican foot shot!

This sweet little boy was crying because his brothers kept kicking his ball away from him. Meanies! :(

Mama Juana. Don’t try it.

Freshly-ground cocoa! SO scrumptious!!

Dominican version of a Dunkaccino! A little cocoa. A little coffee!

So many details! I wish I could have captured them ALL!

Motorcycles are ev-er-y-where in the DR! You’d see 70-year-old women riding these things!

Before:

After:

BAM! Married! (And I chip my nail polish one nail at a time.) :)

And finally.. Dylan made me work it for the camera. Or maybe he didn’t. Maybe this is just me. :)

Happy Wednesday!

I’ve noticed something about myself. Life changing really.. I tend to eat a lot of things upside down. Think about it. Toaster Strudel, chocolate-drizzled granola bars, crackers with cheese? All the real flavor is on one side. The only solution for optimum flavor consumption is turning said strudle, granola and cracker with cheese upside down so it hits your tongue before anything else does. Challenge! Next time you eat pizza, wear a bib, and eat it upside down. You’ll never be the same. :)

Band/Song of the week: Light Outside by Wakey!Wakey! And let me tell you, it’s a good thing I work from home and Dylan doesn’t, because I played this song about 30 times in a row the other day. And he. Hates. That. :)

So for the first time EVER, I have reason to purchase a sofa, a love seat, a dinette set, and 17 uniquely awesome pillows! I think I could shop for accent pillows all day long. But who am I kidding? That’s pretty much what this last week has been for! I can’t wait to blog it all once our place is done!!

Houston is an incredible city. In what other city can you go to FIVE Marshalls Stores in ONE day? Some other interesting facts about Houston? It’s the fourth most populous city in the nation. It has ELEVEN THOUSAND restaurants. (Yes, please!!) AND it has a 17-block theatre district, which is totally my thang. Side-note: Dylan loves to make fun of my knowledge of all show-tunes in existence, as opposed to my complete ignorance of any music from the 90′s. I was sheltered. What can I say? At least I know almost every Michael W. Smith song from that decade. ;)

I’ve always loved design, and with decorating our new home, I have gone design blog crazy. One of my absolute FAVES is Design Sponge. Oh Grace Bonney, be my best friend? Readers – what are some of your favorite design-inspired blogs? Hook a girl up!

So there we were, heading down McGowen St., when I told Dylan, “I think I’m going to get my hair cut this week.” “Oooh, mhm. Okay,” says a skeptical, but nonetheless studly Dylan. He doesn’t think I have the guts! Which of course automatically makes me want to prove him wrong. Internet, I do solemnly swear (if my nerves hold up!) that I WILL be sporting a new do by the end of the week. Words of encouragement and pep are welcomed in the comment section! :)

I haven’t blogged a photog spotlight in a while. :( But this one hits close to home! Mabyn Ludke, everybody! Mabyn (and the incredible Tim Hunt!) shot our wedding nearly a month ago, and we couldn’t have asked for better photographers to capture our day. Mabyn is a dear friend, and her mastery of the art of photography is in-freaking-credible. She’s always, always pushing herself to grow, and it shows in the strength and creativity of her images. If you haven’t clicked on her name already, DO IT. Also! A little birdy (coincidently named Mabyn) told me our wedding is soon to be blogged here!

I’ll leave you with a hint of what’s to come tomorrow! Dun, dun, DUN. HONEYMOON!

Happy Tuesday!!

But I didn’t give up hope. I sent the loverly couple an email and they were stoked. Which meant I was double stoked. No, triple stoked. The images you are about to see are the product of 1 part stoked to 7 parts love. HUGE thank you to Andrew and Adrienne for being absolutely adorable together and giving me so much of their Saturday. :)

We started off in a field right near South Campus. Imagine that!

Clearly, I am hysterical. :)

Title: Content.

Duuuude, Andrew. Your eyes! Or.. eye!

When I saw Adrienne in this dress, I about died and went to heaven. SO perfect for shots in a field!

Adrienne, you are stunning. That is all.

This couple’s got STYLE.

I sent Dylan to the store to picked out flowers. Good job, eh?

Love the feel of this image. :)

Hawt.

Tilt-shift goodness.

Props to Dylan for this next one..

So, Adrienne’s eyes are this kind of sea-green. It’s hauntingly beautiful.

I love how Andrew can’t stop smiling with his girl. :)

Peace.

Can you find me in this photograph? Hint, (more like, answer) I’m part way in her sunglasses. But don’t tell.

Ahh, the “slight kiss”.. Always a favorite. :)

To see more from Adrienne and Andrew’s anytime session, *CLICK HERE for a slideshow*. Happy Thursday!! Off to Houston I go!

Lindsay and Chad are returning clients who have a family I’ve absolutely fallen in love with. And their baby boy turning 6 months old meant I got to hang out with them once again! We started out at The Crossings in Colonie, and wrapped up shooting at their sweet home, just in time to devour Lindsay’s gourmet (yes, gourmet!) barbecue chicken and onion pizza with apple/strawberry/feta salad and mango dressing. YUM.

So without further ado…

Lindsay and Chad are so ridiculously in love. I LOVE IT.

This baby has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. No doubt.

Call me a nerd, but.. Composition win! :)

Such a happy boy!! I want to steal him. (No, really.)

Dylan’s angle. I love how we’re all so desperate for the baby to keep smiling! :)

The whole fam.

Brothas. :)

I asked for attitude. And attitude was what I got!

WORK. IT.

Lindsay, you are beyond gorgeous!!

I call this one: Parents. :)

I melted into a big, ripply puddle when I saw my work all over their walls!! Then I took some pictures of my pictures (after asking Lindsay if that was weird.) :) Soo honored. Check out the rest of these images *here*.

Loving what the grain adds to this image.

I think I’m in love.

You thought I was kidding about the eyes?

Love this shot Dylan captured!!

Look at this little man’s legs!!

I could NOT get over this gorgeous window light. I think this image is going into my favorites-pile.

Enjoying a little lunch with us. :)

And drool has never looked so cute!

Happy Thursday!

Meet: Rochelle! Not gonna lie, when I first met Rochelle earlier this year, I immediately started daydreaming about shooting her portraits. It’s not that I’m weird. (Okay, maybe a little..) It’s just that this girl is GORGEOUS. And such a natural. Here are a few from our day!!

Backlight makes me giddy. :)

Work. It. Girl.

Gahh, Rochelle.. Are you for real?

Rochelle making wind look really, really good.

Can’t get enough close-ups of these gorgeous eyes! :)

In love with all of these colors.

New fave:

Rochelle, can you help my hair look like yours??

Accessorizin’.

ANTM Cycle 15 winner, anybody?

Aren’t these two just plain sweet? :)

Last but not least, I leave you with me and Stephie, the brain behind it all. :)

Happy Thursday!!

Introducing! DareRick, Amanda and baby Blake, a family SO full of affection for each other, which makes my job PIE. I was so grateful to be included in this gift-giving and on the sidelines as we had fun in the park!! Is he not PERFECT?!

He’s SUCH a happy boy. :)

I feel an addiction to adorable stuffed animals coming on. Someday, when we have kids.. (Kinda want this tiger now, though.) :)

There’s something about the composition of this shot that I really enjoy.

Ahh, you guys are too precious!!

I’ve seriously looked at this picture about a million times. New favorite!

Hahah, I think I tired little Blakey out. :)

Until…

LOVE this one. Can’t you just sense an adventure coming on?

If I were Blake, all you’d have to do to stop my crying is clap. Oh, the simple life.. :) I love babies!

Of course we had to get some shots of mom and dad! I love it when my couples are SO visibly in love.

So happy with this next series.

Amanda, I don’t think anybody could resist instantly loving you!

If your screen is big enough, take a look at how these next two images flow into each other. Didn’t even realize it until now. :)

And meet Stephanie and her husband Ryan!! Just HAD to get a few of these two.

Aren’t these colors yummy??

Friends and a sleeping baby. Nothing more beautiful.

Happy Thursday!!

kate [keyt], n. a girl’s name for the coolest person you will ever meet. [i.e., I wish I was Kate; Kate is great.]

I have to say, I kinda agree. :)

Kate is oh so much fun to photograph!! She was all about the fun props I brought along from our wedding centerpiece stash; when I told her we were headed to the dump for some pictures, she didn’t bat an eye; and when I chickened out and ran back to the car because I suddenly had the sense we would be eaten by bears in the woods, she played it totally cool.

Kate also happens to be an incredible encouragement and loyal blog reader. And I’m soo happy to be able to share some of her senior portraits with you today!!

Introducing, Kate!! Again, with the gorgeous brown eyes, gahhhh.

She was such a trooper! T’was not the warmest of days..

This girl knows how to accessorize! A Kate after my own heart. :)

Bet you’re wondering which images were taken at the dump.. How about starting right now?

Kate, you’re killing me with those dimples.

Not to mention killer hot pink nail polish!

WORK IT.

Hey Kate, maybe if you write a book someday, about.. say, looking off into the distance.. this can be the cover!!

No joke, I have ALWAYS wanted to shoot in this.. thing. Not sure how to describe it.

Ahh, isn’t it brilliant?!

Pretty girl. :)

Seriously Alyse, two headless shots in a row? You bet. LOVE ‘em.

The inside of this abandoned house was CRAZY. Caved in floors, a vintage baby carriage, wicked old e-v-e-r-y-thing. Someday, I’mma go inside! (Says the girl who is scared of bears in downtown Sharon Springs, NY..)

In LOVE with these images!

Hey Kate! After you’re done with your book, you should direct a movie and.. Yeah, I’m going to stop now.

Love you, Kate!! Happy Thursday! :)

For starters, I’m pretty much completely convinced that chapstick only exists to make head honcho chapstick companies heaps and heaps of money! (Is there such a thing as a head honcho chapstick company??) Seriously though, I’m convinced that chapstick only exists to make my lips even dryer so that I’ll keep buying it for the very short-lived relief it brings. Hmph.

Songs of the week: Fireflies by Owl City. Not sure what’s happening to my musical likes. But I totally dig this song! Also! Check out the ever-incredible Barnaby Bright. This husband/wife duo has more talent in both of their pinky toe nails than most people have in their entire bodies. Their song “Yellow Moon” has become one of my current obsessions.

Today marks a week since the completely devastating earthquake in Haiti overwhelmed the Richter scale, and my heart has been broken for all the children-less parents and parent-less children who now abound there. I have to be honest that in the first hours of the aftermath, I was skeptical of all of the “text this word to this number to donate this amount of money” messages all over the internet. But texting HAITI to 90999 insures that $10 will go from your pocket directly to the Red Cross to help with Haiti earthquake relief. Over $20 million has been raised so far through this effort alone. After the initial text, you will get a reply asking for confirmation, and shortly after you should be able to see $10 charged to your cell phone bill. It’s a no-brainer way to make an impact and help the hungry, thirsty, and buried alive. Do it.

So this semester, I’m forcing myself into a legit routine. For health and sanity’s sake. My goals: Wake up at 8, read my bible at 8:15, eat breakfast at 9. Lunch at 11:30. Go to class/work and do not stress out about the little things. (I’ve never been very good at that.) Workout at 4. Eat at 6. Be in bed by 11. And start all over again!

If any of you remember from last week’s Tidbit Tuesday, Dylan and I went to see Avatar in 3D in an IMAX theatre this past Saturday. The animation was incredible. The plot wasn’t as bad as a lot of people said it was. And Dylan even let me bite his hand when I got scared. Overall a fun time. Until I woke up the next morning. As soon as I got up, I was running into things and wobbling all over the place. I’ve never been so dizzy in my life. Add a bit of nausea into the mix and you’ve got one long and super great day. Not. It lasted until mid-yesterday, totalling about 36 hours of post Avatar ickyness. At first, I thought it must have been some sort of really odd virus, completely forgetting how screwed up my eyes get from 3D movies. But then I googled “3D dizzy” and “avatar imax 3d dizzy” autofilled. Apparently, I’m not alone.

My mom will say it to me at least once a day when I’m home. “Take off your coat and stay a while!” I am constantly freezing, so I’ll leave my coat on all day much of the time. It only just hit me the other day that that isn’t entirely normal. :)

On a similar note, I’ve found that I am much more productive when I’m wearing my boots. Don’t ask me why. Just am! So I like to wear my boots. And subsequently look insanely stylish. All the time. ;)

Today is a day I never thought would come. It is my first last day of classes. (!!!) It’s hard to wrap my mind around how fast the past four years have gone! But I’m very, very glad it has! Today kicks off with some good ol’ social psychology at 12:30. Tomorrow is complete with a little intro to historical archeology and drugs and human behavior (interesting combo, eh?). And my week finishes off with picture/multimedia editing. A fairly odd mix of classes, isn’t it?

Lastly, I’ve been having a lot of fun with formspring.me recently, a place where anyone can visit and ask you random anonymous questions. There have been some pretty interesting ones so far. ;) So to get in on the action, click here: formspring.me/alysefrench.

I’ll leave you with one of the headshots I was privileged to take of author Frank Meredith a couple short weeks ago. Frank’s novel, “The Unfinished Work” is a ingenious work of historical fiction and is available at Amazon by clicking HERE.

Jess and Gabe have this sort of explosive “I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it!” kind of way about them. Their excitement just to be in the same room as each other is so thick, you could scoop it like cookie dough ice cream. (Midday craving alert!) Jess and Gabe just fit. Like the gloves I stole from Jess in order to shoot outside in the negative 358 degree weather. But that’s enough metaphors for one blog post. :) To put it plainly, they are just FUN.

But before we get to the real good stuff, I want to give a shout out to Miss Kristen Padula. I’ve been beating myself up since Sunday because I realized I never took a picture of her for the bloggity! But just close your eyes (after you’re done reading)… Now picture a GORGEOUS brown haired, chocolate-eyed beauty with a camera in hand and a learning spirit in heart. Kristen tagged along with us and more or less observed the way we work and interact with clients. I’m so excited to see where her love for photography takes her! :) Thank you so much for spending the day with us, Kristen! We hope you had fun and that none of your fingers or toes had to be amputated from frost bite! ;)

We’ll start the ball rolling with a couple pictures of Simcha, the world’s cutest kitty (second to mine, of course). ;)

Jess and Gabe fed us mango and chicken curry before heading out into the freezing cold. But man, did this meal pack the heat! Absolute yumminess!!

Jess may be a social worker, but she should definitely pick up interior design on the side. Beautiful, right?

Dylan had no idea what a didgeridoo was. Gabe showed him alright. :)

My boy helping me test the light. Not too much light. But one HOT subject.

Okay, okay, okay. I promise I don’t do this at all my shoots. But, I couldn’t resist this rug!!

And neither could they! Transition to shoot starts NOW. :)

Among other things, Gabe is an insanely talented artist! Ginormously gorgeous murals adorn the walls of the Guzman’s modern-chic apartment.

Are they not adorable? Yeah, told you so..

So, it just HAD to be the coldest day of winter in Albany that day. But Jess and Gabe did so well! Jessica = FIERCE.

The eyes! Gahhhh.

Total hams. A couple after my own heart. :)

This is what happens when I say “Look happy! Now scared! Now surprised!” Wow Gabe, that’s your scared face? :)

I don’t think I’ve ever posted so many triptychs at once. But these two were complete naturals at posing. Or should I say, just being candidly awesome! :)

A little Washington Park action.

Oh bokeh, I do love you.

Our many thanks to Jess and Gabe. For being totally awesome, beautiful, fun, and so visibly in love. We love you!!

To see more from Jess and Gabe’s session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

“I shall answer this question in 3 parts:

1-Sympathy) I think I should get the portrait shoot because I was neglected in the photos as a child… my parents were burnt out of the picture taking from my older brothers that poor little Nina could hardly ever get a photo in.

2-Failure) I hated my senior portrait that I had taken at Walmart for $8.99.

3-An Actual Reason) I could use the photos on the website that I am creating to display my art/design work for an early start of getting my name out there into the design world.

Oh and I love all you’re photography and I love you and you’re going to be my new sissy.

Whoa just try and beat that.”

I promise you, I did not play favorites in choosing Christina (aka Nina) – who is Dylan’s sister and will soon be my sister!! I chose her because her reasons made a whole lot of sense. If I get to play any part in showing off the beautiful face of such an incredibly gifted artist and designer, then count me in! And I definitely know what it’s like to be that child in the middle, ya know.. The one whose older sister has albums upon albums full of pictures from her childhood because she was the firstborn, and whose little brother has even more than that because he’s the youngest child. (Yeah, maybe I’m a little bitter. But maybe that’s why I’m a photographer now!) :)

So! Dylan and Nina and I went out on the town and shot away! Here are just a few of the fun shots we both got!

Just a little closer. Nina’s eyes are gorgeous! If I had brown eyes..

Okay, so you can’t really tell. But Nina is at least 6 feet off the ground in this next series of pictures. (Thanks for trusting me, girl!!)

Just chilling in front of a big blue door. And looking gooood doin’ it!

I just had to post this pic! The color coordination here was pure coincidence. Crazy, right?

Just switchin’ it up a bit. Few things make me as happy as when I find a graffitied wall during a shoot!

If only her name started with E! Or these doors read “C”.

Gorgeous girl!

Sometimes weird angles are great.

Album cover time!

Probably my fave. Props to Dylan for scouting out this alley.

Now for the real fun! Leaves and tree-climbing!

Wish my DOF hadn’t revealed the asylum-looking South Campus apartments, but I still love the shot!

And a slight variation to seal the deal. :)

Nina: Thanks for being so fun and stylish. :) And for sporting a dress in negative 100-degree coldness. We loved shooting you! With our cameras. ;)

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Now everyone else, listen up! I will be in the Schoharie County and Albany areas for one month beginning this coming Saturday. I’m going to extend the same free offer to ya’ll! What do you say? You, me, my new camera, my new lens, and a high-res. DVD of appx. 30 edited, airbrushed images to do with what you please!! In order to win you have to comment on THIS BLOG POST (not my Facebook page) and tell me why you’d like a free portrait shoot! (Couples, this is for you too!) Leave your contact info, and I’ll announce the winner right here on Friday! Ready?? COMMENT!! (Oh, and Happy Wednesday!)