Shark Week

Greetings from Florida. No, I haven’t been here for three weeks; I left after the 4th of July reunion, I spent a week in California and now I am back again. While being a beach bum I find it hard to write anything worth reading…but here are a few fragmental thoughts I thought worth sharing.

  • Florida humidity makes it nigh impossible for several important things to work, namely camera lens, sunglasses, nail polish. It is also taking a number on my skin.
  • Chatted with my husband who is working in Austin this week while we are in the steam bath that is Florida and after walking two blocks downtown after work to grab a bite, the heat index was so high “it made his skin dry”. I don’t know what that means but the grass is greener {and sand is whiter} on my side.
  • I got to meet an amazing bunch from Texas/Arizona/Oklahoma for photographs earlier this week and I cannot wait to share them with you!
  • I watched my first ever episode of Jersey Shore last night and maybe five minutes was not long enough to count {or judge} but I bet I could get acrylic nails, a bad tan job and get paid $30k/episode.
  • Tulsi, now 14 months, has a 30+ word vocab and I am proud to say we have added a few Vietnamese words and commands this week. Go Tulsi!
  • I know I have neglected this blog as of late but unfortunately most of the jobs I have been commissioned to do these past few months are not shareable. I do have a many exciting weddings this fall and I promise you’ll be in for a treat.

Happy Friday. Have a great weekend.

Must Haves for the Beach

I have had a lot of down time this month and thoroughly enjoying it. Tulsi has been super social and active lately and it nice not having any major commitments while Jacob is visiting. And then we’re back on a plane next week to meet our family for a sun-filled reunion on the beach! We have spent four out of the last five 4th of July weekends together, all 65+ of us, so I am anticipating all the good times that will be had eating, beaching and dancing. For reasons unexplainable, I’m pretty neurotic when packing for a trip; I plan weeks prematurely and I start packing about 5-7 days prior to take off. Furthermore, little travelers need a magnitude of little stuff so I already feel as though I am behind. Goodness. Allow me to share the first few things that came to mind for our first trip of the summer season..

1. Book / 2. Accessories / 3. Polish / 4. Music

1. My girlfriends have commended The Help by Kathryn Scott and so I have been dying to complete my latest read so that I can begin this one. At the risk of sounding like a weirdo, I have to admit that I really get into an author’s writing..so much that I feel like I am conversing with the writer or the fictional characters. Reckon that is exactly what being full-time mommy and working late hours alone from home will do to a person who was very social in her past life. Book club, anyone?

2. I can’t decide if these would be more appropriate for church, for the reunion, or for my ride along the beach {on a bike I’ve stolen from one of my sisters} but any pair of earrings designed by one of Austin’s favorite trendsetters, Kendra Scott, will definitely make any woman summer vacation ready.

3. This is a great color of polish that is pretty versatile with any color outfit or make-up. I grew tired of the almost-black look after having worn it for over five years, but I love impact so this color is just perfect.

4. We started music classes with Tulsi earlier this month so this “Music Together” CD is constantly playing in the car, in the house and in my head — and we love it. In fact, during what will probably be our last road trip for a very long time, this music was the only thing that could keep her calm and happy in between her near manic episodes after she was just done with being confined to her car seat. I won’t be leaving home without this one!

 

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Celebrating Fatherhood

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there! May you all enjoy the most important job you will ever be given – Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle, Brother. Lots of love to my daddy for the gift of life, my late grandfathers who I miss dearly, my late brother for the most loving and precious nephew and my husband and father-in-law for being so wonderful to baby Tulsi and me.

Tonight, with the help of my brothers-in-law, we cooked an Indian feast for both Milan and Pops. My eight year old nephew, Jacob, {who has summered with me since the passing of his father} not only helped entertain the baby while we cooked but he helped with the dishes. As I type this blog entry he is sitting next to me watching a documentary on ants. It is at moments like these that I miss my brother and my grandfathers terribly; but I’m sure that somewhere out there they are proudly watching their son and great-grandson. Together.

XOXO

Austin Engagement Session: Michelle + Will

“Wow Ziem! These look incredible and could not have turned out more perfect! You did such an amazing job and we are so grateful. We will be in contact with you for wedding day photos soon 🙂 ”

I had the great pleasure of doing Michelle and Will’s downtown engagement portrait session last weekend. We met a little over a month ago {just days before Will would propose} at a function where I was commissioned by her {super cool} dad. Engagement sessions are my absolute favorite – nothing like capturing the story of two people in love. Such was the case with Michelle and Will – they are so laid back and easy going, fun to be around and should I just state the obvious- too hot for Texas?! The heat that day was too unbearable for May, I tell you, but they were all smiles and laughs, albeit sweaty smiles and laughs, rocking it out the entire session all the while keeping it fabulous. And I couldn’t help but notice how natural they were together, and in front of my camera. I guess history helps- Will’s Mom was Michelle’s 8th grade teacher so they have known each other for quite some time. I could go on about this fantastic couple but let’s get on with the photos.

Michelle and Will, I hope you all enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed creating the memories {and of course spending time with your family at Fortune Restaurant}. Look forward to working with you again soon. Here are a few of my favorite images. You can see more by clicking on the slideshow below.


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Austin Country Club Bat Mitzvah

At times I find it hard to write about my work and the people I meet through photography. How many different ways can you use gorgeous, colorful, fun and sweet? The problem is all these things are true and this job was no exception.  I had the opportunity to guest shoot a B’Not Mitzvah at the Austin Country Club last month and let me tell you it was one. big. dance party! Should I be ashamed to admit I left this event wanting to learn the “Dougie”?


Photo Fusion: Ziem Photography + Francois Photography
Event Coordination: Caplan Miller Events
Venue: Austin Country Club

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