Photography

Camera Upgrade Time?

by Diana on January 5, 2012

in Dinner,Photography

How is your new year going so far? I hope it’s been fabulous!

Mine has been a little crazy….mostly on the work-front. The next couple weeks (maybe even several) are going to be pretty busy. Today was a longer than usual day. I pulled 11 hours with only a 15 minute break. Phew! I went to work till about 5:15pm, came home, and had my laptop back up and running by about 5:45pm.

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Luckily, hubby saved the day and cooked dinner!

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While I typed and calculated away, he turned some leftover spaghetti sauce into baked ziti.

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Just before 8pm, I called it quits for the day and got some cabbage steamed up to go with our pasta.

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Dinner was great – hubby is a better chef than he thinks!

***

Anywho, on to the camera discussion…

I’ve been thinking for awhile that it’s time to upgrade my camera. I don’t take camera purchases lightly, though. They’re so expensive! No, no, I think long and hard when deciding on such a big purchase. The first time I considered getting a DSLR, it was 2006 and I was researching what kind of camera I needed to shoot photos for my handmade jewelry business (for the web site and promotional material). I was a member to online jewelry-makers groups, I researched web sites, and I read through indie business forums for hours and hours and hours. I studied for a long time and finally decided on the one – the Canon Rebel. But, I couldn’t afford it. :(

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Yup, I didn’t end up getting the Rebel till a couple years later when hubby organized a group gift from him and some of his family to get the Rebel for my Christmas present in 2008. I used the camera for a whole year and exactly one year after hubby purchased it, it died. :( Luckily, since it was the last day of the warranty, the camera was covered. Phew! Since the camera was trashed, I had my choice – get the same exact camera or get a credit for the same camera and use it to buy a new one. Instead of getting the exact same camera, I got the Rebel XSi (just one step up) because I found the extra auto-focus points really helpful. So, at this point, I’ve been using the same camera since 2009, and she’s been doing great work for me…But, I’m ready for an upgrade.

I actually almost got a new camera last year around this time. If money weren’t an object, I probably would have gotten the Canon Mark 2D, but do you know how much those cost?! You have to either be a professional photographer, a really-really serious hobbyist (and I consider myself pretty serious, but…), or just plain rich. Instead, I asked around to some of my favorite food photographers/bloggers and researched online at a price point I was more comfortable with and decided on the Nikon D7000. Then, I got cold feet.

What if the D7000 was the wrong camera? What if I invest all this money in a camera, and it’s the wrong one? I worried I’d be trapped with the wrong camera forever! Ok, I knew it wouldn’t really be forever, but it would be a long time before I could gather the funds for a replacement. It’s not like I’m just getting a latte. Like I said, I don’t take camera purchases lightly. Not to mention a jump from Canon to Nikon would be a big leap since I’m already comfortable with a Canon camera. Ultimately, I decided that I needed to think about it for a couple more weeks. And a couple more weeks turned into a couple more months, and now here we are, and it’s been a year.

So, in the last couple weeks, I’ve researched cameras more, still leaning towards the D7000, and I tried to really think about if I was making the right decision with the D7000. After some time, and lots of reading, I decided on the D7000 again. At least, I did until…I couldn’t really find it in stock (at the price I wanted to pay). It seems to be out almost everywhere! Some online sources say the flooding could have destroyed a lot of the stock, though I don’t know if that’s true. But you know what rumor I think is even more interesting?

Word on the street is that Nikon is having a press conference tomorrow (January 6th) in Thailand and that they may announce a replacement for the D7000….the D7100! What-what! Yea, if I’m going to spend this much money on something, I’m definitely going to wait to see if those rumors are true. No point in getting the old version if there’s a newer, better one coming out soon, right? I hope we find out some good news tomorrow from the conference!

What’s your dream camera?

Do you get nervous and second guess yourself when you make a big purchase?

{ 13 comments }

Glowing Bride + Groom

by Diana on June 5, 2011

in Lunch,Photography

Hubby and I had the pleasure of attending one of his oldest friends’ wedding in Raleigh this weekend.

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I got some really awesome photos of the couple on the dance floor thanks to some wonderful natural light.

But stepping back…

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Hubby and I headed to Durham Saturday morning with Bailey in tow.

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We stopped at Panera on the way to get get lunch. I opted for a salad entree to get 2 servings of veg, since I wasn’t sure how much there would be at the wedding, and I was trying to get my 3 for the day for Project Veg-Up.

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(me and hubby’s mom)

After a couple hours of downtime at hubby’s mom’s house, we got glammed up to head to the wedding!

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The guests were given ice cold water – one plain and one with fruit – to sip on during the wedding…

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…which was outdoors.

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The weather was hot, but so beautiful! Look at that green grass and those blue skies!

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With Project Veg-Up still on my mind, I was extra happy to see the wide assortment of fruits at the pre-party before the reception. I always love fruit platters, but I really dug into this one, filling my plate with watermelon, pineapple, melon, and strawberries – lots of my faves.

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The reception room was gorgeous. I loved the tall windows and all the natural light.

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We had table #9.

This was possibly my first wedding where I didn’t know anyone but hubby and his mom (my MIL is great friends with the parents of the groom). Luckily, we had some really cool peeps at our table. :)

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I loved the cute story behind the couple’s Scrabble-themed favors.

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And soon enough, the couple came out for their first dance.

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The lighting was awesome and made the bride and groom look like they were glowing!

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Aren’t they cute?

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For eats, we had salads…

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…and I had the prime rib with mashed potatoes and crisp tender green beans.

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Plus this times 2. ;)

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After some dancing (where I may or may not have led the wedding in Cupid Shuffle, Zumba-instructor style lol ;) ), we called it a night and gave our best to the happy couple.

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And another fun play on a wedding tradition – the couple opted for wedding “Guest Libs” (like “Mad Libs”). Neat!

Congrats Bryan and Brie!

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What’s the most unique guest book you’ve seen at a wedding?

{ 21 comments }

Besides enjoying some natural healing outdoors, good eats always make things better. Here are some more get-well-eats I’ve been enjoying:

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Emergen-C

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More raw cacao oatmeal

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This time with a yummy chocolate + coconut flavor combo.

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Almonds for crrrrunch!

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Mom’s Get Well Soup

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Always a winner.

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Turkey melt with deli goods from Earthfare.

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Salad and grass-fed-beef spaghetti.

Check out the different the background color makes. Here it is with a white background.

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And now dark wood!

Which do you like better: white or wood background?

{ 2 comments }

Hey friends!

I hope (if you’re playing) your Eat in Month is getting off to a great start! For us 9-to-5-ers, we have packed lunches to look forward to this week. Bah! lol But I’m sure we’ll come up with some yummy eats. I’m having leftovers of this…

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But more on that in a minute.

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We had breakfast hubby style – a rye bagel with a fried egg.

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Shortly after breakfast, I got started on dinner. I made my mom’s slow cooker pot roast – a family favorite for years now. I subbed celery for the potatoes.

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Out of curiosity, I wanted to see if I could get dinner prepped in under 10 minutes. So, I put 10 minutes on the microwave timer and took off! I had all my ingredients in the fridge or pantry, so no cheating here. I managed to get the pot roast in the slow cooker, cleaned, chopped and added the veggies, and opened and added the soups with 1 minute and 25 seconds to spare. Not too shabby!

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Dinner ready in less than 10 minutes. I’ll take it!

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Hot tea – mixed berry zinger.

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Lunch was fab and so simple.

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I had roasted tofu, bok choy and brown rice. I made the rice for lunch knowing I’d be able to have it with dinner, too. Gotta love efficiency.

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More tea after lunch – this time Yogi Tea in Calming.

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Yogi tea quote of the day – “The universe is the stage on which you dance, guided by your heart.” Gotta love a good dance-related quote. :)

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A Bailey photo – since I know you guys love it.

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Since dinner was already done, I used my newly found free time to get crafty with a sewing project.

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I made a camera strap cover for Caitlin as a thank you for running my first 5k with me. Ok, not just for running with me, but for going above and beyond! She stayed at my pace, helped distract me with fun chit chat, and even tracked my stats on her Garmin. She rocks, right? :)

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I also threw in a couple coconut macaroons.

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Doesn’t she look fabulous with her new DSLR camera strap cover!?

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After dropping off Caitlin’s gift, it was time to dig into dinner. Gosh, this meal never gets old! I love how tender the meat gets and the flavor is so nice.

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Dough balls and macaroons for dessert. Mmm.

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Possibly the best part about pot roast – leftovers. I already have lunch packed for tomorrow!

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I put the pot roast and veggies on the bottom of my tupperware and the rice on top. Usually my rice gets soggy from the sauce, but I’m hoping this will help it stay drier.

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I took a minute before blogging to turn my Christmas tree lights on again and play with some bokeh photos.

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Yay bokeh!

Eat in Month

Pantry Tips – Ok Eat In Monthers – I’m sure you’re hitting up the grocery stores and stocking up for the month. Please be sure to check out my tips for creating the perfect Eat In Month pantry (click).

Recipe Ideas – Let’s collaborate on recipe ideas guys! I’ve started some discussions on my Facebook page where we can share recipe ideas and post questions and answers for how we’re doing each week. Please be sure to check out the Discussion tab of my Facebook page for some great ideas and inspiration. There are different threads for different types of recipes. :)

Not doing the challenge but have some recipes you think the challenge participants will like? Please go ahead and add links to your recipes in the Discussions on my Facebook page. Pimp your blogs people! I’m serious!

Running into any challenges or complicated situations and want some advice? Please post your questions (or answers to others’ questions) on this Discussion thread for the first week or Eat in Month (click).

Resolutions 2011

Establish Date Night – Once a Month

Plan and Host a Zumbathon for Charity

Pitch Idea for Invention or Create Prototype

Add Printable Versions of Recipes to Blog

Create a Budget

Use Budget

Spend Less Time on Computer / Establish Computer Schedule

Start doing photos for local restaurants

Enter a photography contest

Volunteer at least once a month

Go to church at least once a month

Execute ideas instead of just dreaming them

Execute ideas faster

Speaking of executing ideas, record those vlogs you’ve been meaning to do. Heck, maybe do 1 vlog per month?

Take cooking classes.

Do one new challenge a month. (I have big ideas for this friends…BIG! Challenges are being drafted and will be published before the start of each month.)

2011…BRING IT!

PS Check out my latest recipe – Irresistible Coconut Macaroons!

What’s your favorite resolution you made for 2011?

{ 26 comments }

Bahamas: Then and Now

September 30, 2010

I love look-backs. If only I were a video guru, I’d do some crazy video like the time-trick videos they did in Titanic…those were so cool. When hubby and I were in the Bahamas last week, I couldn’t help but be reminded of scenes from our wedding in 2008 as we passed familiar places. Here [...]

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Punk Rock Dance Fitness Par-Tay! Two Years Ago Today…

May 25, 2010

I know you guys are dying to see what was in the bag yesterday (ok, probably not but that’s the coolest thing to me…lol), so I’m going to brush over the eats and get to the goods! But first, man, I had the WORST night of sleep ever last night! I think I was awake [...]

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Touring Key West + the Conch Tour Train

April 28, 2010

After our delicious brunch at Blue Heaven, we said our “laters” to Rachel and Frank and headed out to explore Key West. Key West is about 2 by 4 miles and is basically comprised of many narrow streets (originally designed for carriages, not cars) with lots of cute, beach-town buildings, house, cottages, inns, bed & [...]

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The Keys to Wedded Bliss

April 27, 2010

Hubby and I hit up the Simonton Court breakfast bar first thing Saturday morning. They had bread, bagels, french toast, waffles, fresh fruit, toppings, hard boiled eggs, juices, tea, water, and coffee. I had a coffee, WW toast with PB, french toast with quasi-syrup (the sickly sweet stuff), and a hard-boiled egg. I had an [...]

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