My friend Laura Ryan tagged me for a little Q&A, so here is the third installment of “Getting to Know You.”

What is your occupation? Fundraiser by day, wedding photographer by night (and weekend).
What color are your socks right now? Grey. I love, love, love the color combination of grey and yellow (my outfit today).
What are you listening to right now? Lion’s Mane by Iron and Wine. I am obsessed with Pandora Radio at the moment. If you haven’t checked it out, start your own radio station! It’s fun, and I’ve been amazed at how on point they are with their observations of my musical taste.
What was the last thing that you ate? Breakfast of apples and cinnamon oatmeal!
Can you drive a stick shift? My past two cars were manual transmissions. I love driving stick, but sometimes NOT having to shift is a luxury…hence the reason I bought my automatic transmission 2007 Santa Fe. I adore my new car.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Something soft and cool. I would never call myself pastel, but a really pretty grey or soft blue maybe?
Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Dad! He told me I could inherit his old film cameras if I wanted them. I said “heck yes” and picked them up shortly there after. They are now part of my collection!
Do you like the person who sent this to you? Laura is stellar!
Favorite drink? It use to be, hands-down-no-joke, a chai soy latte from Borders Books. Well, they went and changed their coffee and tea supplier and now they suck. Seriously, I am crushed by this discovery!
What is your favorite sport to watch? Not a huge sports fan, I leave that to Kyle. But I enjoy a good hockey or football game here and there!
Have you ever dyed your hair? Oh yes! You see, my 3 sisters are all scorching blondes. I use to be blonde as well. But my blonde hair went the way of the dodo bird, and for the longest time I dyed my hair blonde because I couldn’t let it go. Then I started dying it red for awhile until I saw a picture of myself with my recently dyed crimson mane and was horrified by what stared back at me. Since then it’s been an occasion dye job to juice up the brown locks I’ve grown to love.
Pets? That would be the loves of my life, Dude and Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea is a timid little thing, content to hide in Kyle’s closet when company is over only to emerge when everyone is gone to snuggle up close with Kyle and I purring the loudest I’ve ever heard a cart purr. Kyle calls her and I “his pigeons.” Then there is Dude. I don’t even know where to start with Dude. He just rocks. He does this move we call the “prairie dog”, he fetches bouncy balls, he HAS to lick the shower after I get out, he can hear a can of wet food open from miles away, he likes being picked up and snuggled. And if you are wearing a hoodie sweatshirt while holding him, he WILL attack your tassels.
Favorite food? A huge, ripe and sweet orange. Really, it’s natures perfect dessert.
Last movie you watched? Does the first disk of My-So-Called-Life count? If not, then the movie before that was Becoming Jane.
Favorite Day of the Year? June 24th, my wedding anniversary!
What do you do to vent anger? The best way for me to vent anger is just to talk about it. If not with the person I am angry with, then someone I know who will understand and who’s opinion I respect (friends, sisters, mom and dad, Kyle).
What was your favorite toy as a child? Toy? I can’t think of one specific toy, but I remember playing outside ALL THE TIME. We were never inside it seems. Forts, hide-n-seek, kickball, Red Rover…just outside all the time.
Which is your favorite, fall or spring? That’s a toughie. I mean, spring coming at the end of winter always feels like such a wonderful time…everything is new and green, it’s just the right ingredients for pretty days full of smiles. But fall is all about that late day light shining through the colorful trees, about new sweaters and boots, cider and pumpkins. On man, tough one.
Hugs or kisses? Hugs that turn into kisses.
What kind of pie? Apple pie a la mode. Or mince pie. YUMM!
Living arrangements? My hubby and I bought a 4 bedroom, 2 bath Cape one year and one day after our wedding. It was by far the best gift we’ve ever given each other.
When was the last time you cried? My birthday! Long story, but I was feeling weird about turning 29. haha. I’ve recovered now and love being older and wiser.
What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes.
Favorite smell? Ground coffee. Or when I go over my parents’ house and my mother is making her spectacular pasta sauce.
What inspires you? My family, my husband, my friends.
What are you afraid of? Those metal cellar doors on the ground outside shop fronts. You know what I am talking about? I canNOT walk on them. They never seem locked all that well. I just get too clear of a mental picture of one breaking and me going crashing down into the cellar of the store. So, if we are out and about together and you see me step around one, or jump over one, pay me no mind.
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Veggie or black bean burger please!
Favorite Car? I’ve always wanted to do a client shoot with a black 1960 Thunderbird. It’s just so sexy and classic.
Favorite cat breed? I don’t know cat breeds. I just like cats.
Favorite day of the week? Saturday!
How many countries have you been to? 2. England and Greece. Whoa, I need to start traveling more!

Since I tend to be a little on the nerdy side, I figured I’d bundle up in lots of layers, and perch myself outside around 10 o’clock last night to get a look at the eclipse.

Once I saw it, I figured I’d take a picture of it!
Shot with a 1000mm f/11 Reflex-Nikkor lens. It’s a really, really old lens (circa 1965) that has a fixed f/stop and needs to be manually focused.

My little fingers were frozen solid and red by the time I was done futzing with the tripod, focus, and exposure. But a fun time was had despite the runny nose and frozen ear lobes!

I came home early from work and some french tulips were waiting for me. Along with the most tremendous balloon I think I’ve ever seen.

He just makes me laugh. I love him because he knows so well how to make me laugh.

Here’s to you and yours and your Valentine’s Day celebrations!

Last but not least, I’ve found a great company to work with for formal albums. The reviews are nothing short of awesome, and I am drafting a sample album in InDesign as we speak. Once it’s complete and arrives in my hot little hands, I will share the product with all of you! So, stay tuned for some product shots!

My family, for better or for worse, are Jets fans. J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS! And believe me, like any marriage, you love for better or worse, through good times and bad, in sickness and in health. With the Jets, there’s always lots of bad. But when they are good, it’s euphoric, trust me!

ANYWAY, as loving New Yorkers, we had to root for that other team. There was no rooting for the Patriots. nuh, uh. Plus, being a JETS fan, it must be in your DNA to root for the underdog.

And WHOA!! What an exciting game! As Eli was making that final drive, that incredible final drive, I happened to be sitting on the arm of my sisters couch. Next thing I knew I was standing on the couch, jumping up and down. The game was just so boring leading up to that second half of the 4th quarter, that the dogs settled in and were fast asleep. When all of a sudden the noise and commotion that erupted from both myself and my entire family was enough to send them about 10 feet into the air.

Go Giants! And seriously, how CUTE was it to see Peyton rooting for his little brother like that?