Dani Leigh Photography

R and R

Dani Leigh — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:22:24 +0000

Sometimes it takes just a random weekend away, sleeping in a different comfy bed, someone making you muffins in the morning and having some good brews at night for you to get your head straight and realize what is really important to you. A few weekends ago, we went to Rehoboth strictly for the purpose of getting away before weddings took over my life and to go to Dogfish and try some of their new brews on tap. By Sunday morning, I knew it was time. I had to quit this stupid job of mine that I have had a love hate relationship with for the last 4 years. While I had met some incredible people, there was the long hours, the just craptastic days and some not so nice people too. And when it really comes down to it, it is time for me to get happy doing what I love. I announced a few days ago on facebook that as of March 9th, 2012, I will be a full time photographer, and I could not believe the amount of support I could feel staring at my computer screen. While I am insanely nervous, and sometimes scared, it helps to know that I have an amazing family and great friends to support me – and feed me and shelter me if I do fail. Which I have decided, I won’t. But if I do, I know someone will be there for me. Can’t wait to toast to living my dreams in just a matter of days!!

Jessica & Travis – Ceresville Mansion Wedding

Dani Leigh — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:03:18 +0000

While all of my photographer friends were boarding airplanes to attend the world’s largest photography convention in Las Vegas, I guess someone had to stay back to photograph all the weddings that they are missing out on.

Jessica and Travis met their freshman year of high school. Travis had an art class with one of Jessica’s best friends and they met sitting in the hallway waiting for class to start. Jessica made a wise crack about Travis’ Slipknot t-shirt. I think that was my favorite part of the story. Mostly because Travis does not strike me as the type to wear a Slipknot t-shirt at all. Apparently Travis used to ask Jessica about girls – whether or not she thought this one was pretty or that one? Even though they have known each other since high school, they didn’t start dating until 2006.

The proposal came in 2010 on Mother’s Day of all days. Jessica had thought she already knew when Travis was going to propose. She thought it would happen in Charleston, SC where she went to college and was planning on going for vacation with Travis, but apparently Travis couldn’t wait that long. Travis was working that Sunday, but showed up at home around 2pm. Jessica assumed he had forgotten something, or was coming home for lunch, and thought nothing of it. She was watching “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days” and eating pretzels on the overstuffed chair in their living room while the cats napped near by. Travis came around the corner into the room looking a little flushed, and said: “I don’t think I can wait anymore…” He rushed over and dropped to one knee, saying (a little out of breath) “Will you marry me?!” Ahhh!! I heart random day proposals where there isn’t really a plan and everything can be happy and wonderful. Makes for the best stories.

Jessica and Travis got married this past Saturday at Ceresville Mansion in Frederick. They were totally lucky because it was one of the prettiest February days. They are on their mini moon now in Philly eating awesome cheesesteaks and getting tattoos. They are just too cool for me. Newlyweds – I hope you are having an awesome and totally laid back time! I am so glad to be able to call you friends!

Oh stop it, Jess. You are too cute.

Total hotness!

I just love this one for some reason. Absolutely love.

Travis really does have some epic facial expressions.

Ha. Looks like a fail, but really it is the follow through.

Putting the bride to work!

What Alice Forgot

Dani Leigh — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:37:00 +0000

When I wrote my birthday list the other day, I didn’t think I would have an update for you so quickly! But I have already finished 1 of my 12 books and I felt like telling you about it.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty is a quick read, mostly because you can’t put it down. You are constantly wondering what is going to happen, but not in suspenseful way. I tend to like lighter, fun books usually with a pink cover so this was a good find even though initially I was scared it was going to be too heavy (thanks, Mom). Quite the contrary, there is enough character development to make these people in the book feel like real humans you could have just sat and had brunch with.

The story is about 39 year old Alice who has turned out to be a total control freak, almost superficial and a super mom. She runs and does spin class, she dresses to the nines and won’t leave the house without makeup. She is absent to her sister who needs her so much in her life and in the middle of a brutal custody battle with her husband she is separated from for her 3 kids. At spin class one day she falls off her bike and gets amnesia and has essentially forgotten the last 10 years of her life. The now 29-year-old Alice believes that she’s happily married and pregnant with her first child, that that she and her sister are still best friends, and that she couldn’t even believe she would be in a gym because she hates exercising.It comes as a series of shocks to her when she realizes she has three actual children and that not only does she not remember having them, she doesn’t remember them period.

As the story goes on and she is trying to figure out what happened in the last ten years of her life, she realizes that her and her husband have done every single thing to their first house that they ever dreamed of doing, including getting a pool. She is a mom of 3 gorgeous kids whose “real” pictures line the foyer. Her home was exactly how she and her husband wanted and envisioned it being in the future when she was 29. Throughout the story, she realizes how much she has changed and how much she has truly taken everything for granted and wants her life back the way it was….Except the clothes, “the clothes can stay.” I thought that was one of the cutest lines from the book.

Anyway – if you are looking for a good quick read, this is definitely a great book for you!

Wrap up!

Dani Leigh — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:53 +0000

I swear this week went so fast for me. I felt like I had a million things to do. Is this how life is post age 26? I feel like a wrap up is in order.

__________

We should all make heart shaped potatoes.

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This is hysterical. JIMMY FALLON: Tony Gonzalez and Jerry Rice Reenact ‘Jerry Maguire’ – Gotcha Media.

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I took over 1000 photos for Kindly RSVP Designs.

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I completely forgot about meeting with this amazing bride on Monday and she gave me another chance! I am so grateful for her! This has never happened before and I was so so so embarrassed!

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Friscos is legit my new fav place in Frederick. I have been dreaming of exploded potatoes. You all should totally try it and then go next door and buy beer and wine from their shop!

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I have wanted to chop my big toe off for the past week. I need to run. I actually feel like I need to run. I miss it. Hopefully by the beginning of next week I will get the green flag….which is good because I have a half marathon to run on the 26th!

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Ollie looks like a bobblehead again. Or naked. Gotta love getting him groomed.

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Daren got into air assault school. Do you know what that means? Well it means that I will have a heart attack pretty much every day of my life for his next deployment. He is going to repel from helicopters and shoot at people. Crazy.

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My grandma is moving this weekend into the Disneyland of assisted living facilities. I can’t wait to have lunch in her vegas style dining room on Monday!

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I am craving Dogfish so we are hopping in the car in a bit and heading to Rehoboth for the weekend!! Can’t wait to play with the pups on the beach!

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Have a good one ya’ll!!

Bells – 1 month

Dani Leigh — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:12:03 +0000

Just a few cute ones from my shoot the other day.

27th Birthday Adventure to Smooch! Studio

Dani Leigh — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:42:43 +0000

My RAF (real ass friend) is seriously the best. She made the first Tuesday evening of being 27 super special for me! Julie came over to get me after work – totally complaining about the guy who eats moldy blueberries she has to sit next to in her MIssion Control class this week. She popped into the bathroom, still complaining about this poor excuse for a human, popped out of the bathroom announcing that she looks total hot….for a 6 month pregnant person….and that we could go now. I had absolutely zero idea where we were going but have total faith in Julie’s ideas so wasn’t worried at all. Finally we pulled up to Smooch! Studio and she declared we are making lipstick!!!!! OMG – so. much. fun. When I walked in – Julie’s sister was there – even more fun!!!! We were total goofs and had so much fun creating our custom lipgloss/lipstick.

This is my best oh. my. goodness. WEAREMAKINGLIPGLOSS! face.

The woman that worked with me asked me what I usually wear, lipstick of lip gloss and my response was chap stick. Specifically burts bees. I’m a simple girl who now owns custom lip gloss.

Not the finished product! I went a bit darker.

Doesn’t this make you want to kiss me so bad? I am so embarrassing. My ‘mixologist’ next to me thinks I am a total loser. Jokes on her, I don’t really care.

Dude. I am loving my glasses.

Pretty, pretty, Melissa!

Final product.

And it smells like melons!

Get it? Like forever 21? Because 27 is so old.

So glamourous, Jules!

So many flavors!

Love.

{Featured!} Moment Junkie!

Dani Leigh — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:54:18 +0000

A few weeks ago I got an email from an old bride with a link to what has become my new daily obsession. I was, and she was too, shocked that I had never heard of this website. It is so simple and perfect. They feature one photo every day that is submitted by a photographer and then every once and awhile a momentous wedding. All of the moments have to be completely un-posed and just the luck of being there at the right time. Today, my photo grace the presence of their blog for the first time and I could not be more excited. Head on over to Moment Junkie and check it out! Give it a little like love too.

PS they totally created the caption. This is actually a maid of honor and bridesmaid while getting ready.

27

Dani Leigh — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:52:11 +0000

Ok, it is official. Today is the day I have been dreading since my teen years. I think it is the “7.” To me, it just sounds so old. I can very clearly remember a time around the age of 16 or 17 where I told someone that 27 is the birthday I am dreading most, it will officially mark the age when shit needs to get done because I am entering my late life and will never again be thought of as young. Blah blah blah, I hear all of you now telling me I am crazy and that I am still young. But as my friend Janice has pointed out a few times today already, I am in my late twenties. Not the fun years of graduating and getting to drink legally, and not the mid years where you are still young and can get away with making dumb decisions and drinking a bit too much without going into liver failure the next morning, no. This is late twenties. LATE Twenties! People say the word late when they are referring to someone/thing that has just died. OMG!

Anyway, in the spirit of not spending the rest of my life dreading the fact that I am so super old from here on out, I decided I will do exactly what I should do and promise to “get shit done” before my next birthday. Without further adieu:

27 Things to do Before I Turn 28 – in no particular order whatsoever.

Try at least 2 new recipes a month.
Drive to Tennessee/Kentucky to visit Daren before his next deployment (and see Nashville).
Read 12 books. Goodnight Moon doesn’t count.
Get a Primary Care Physician. Recommendations welcomed.
Go back to Europe.
Book my 2013 vacation.
Send 12 hand written letters just because – Christmas cards do not count.
Quit my job.
Make things – I know, so vague, but I want to make things. I need to get in touch with my inner crafter.
Get onto Style Me Pretty – even if it means sending them submissions once a week for the whole year and getting them all declined. At least I tried.
Finish a half marathon.
Start thinking about/buy a house.
Get completely out of debt – including student loans. This is in the forseeable future.
Plan another concert date with two of my favorite ladies – Jenn and Lauren!! I want to wear my cowgirl boots for this one!
Make time to go to at least one wine fest this year.
Get to my happy weight and the best shape ever.
Buy a new dress/outfit to celebrate happy weight.
Buy a new phone – maybe even jump ship and finally get an iphone.
Get to 1000 fans of Dani Leigh Photography.
Travel to a Ravens away game.
See at least 3 girly movies with Mandy Wildoner.
Buy a new purse, because seriously, I have had this paprika Vera Bradley pattern for literally >one year.
Grow more herbs.
Go to the Spy Museum.
Make an album of my own personal photos.
Pay the toll for the person behind me.
Make a list of 28 things to do before my 29th birthday before my actual birthday.

Can’t wait to keep you all updated on the progress – now go eat some cake for me!!

Jackie & Kevin – Sotterley Plantation E-Session

Dani Leigh — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:37 +0000

I promise not to start this post by telling you how many times it was rescheduled. Totally not going to do that. I am sure Jackie does not want me to tell you that. So I won’t tell you. Oops – sorta did now, didn’t I? I think the rescheduling just made it all the more anticipated. We super lucked out with the amazing weather and great location that Jackie and Kevin picked out. I studied all of Jackie’s pinterest e-session photos and knew them even better than they did! Of course, I implemented a lot of my own ideas as well – there were so many amazing spots!! And super great lighting!! Jackie & Kevin – I seriously cannot wait for the big day and I hope you love these as much as I do!

{Published!} Rustic Wedding Chic!

Dani Leigh — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:09:04 +0000

Super excited today to have Ellie & Dan’s Engagement Session on Rustic Wedding Chic!! Head on over and check it out!!