Sea Dreamer

Last Saturday we embarked on a week-long Caribbean cruise, leaving behind all worries, phones, laptops, emails, dishes, cooking, cleaning, and media (save television, and I don’t care to admit how many hours we spent in front of the tube over the course of the last seven days) to revel in the luxuries of ship life. We took pleasure in family time, chatted up strangers, made new friends, came close to yelling BINGO! twice, and our favorite- enjoyed a family nap every day! It’s amazing how being chore-free and withdrawing ourselves from the cell phone and laptop immediately transported us a world away, so much that we have made it a point to do the latter more often for  a weekend stay-cation at home without the distractions of the noisy world. While basking in pure, golden sunshine, indulging our appetites and marveling at the sapphire ocean waters I felt so blessed and thankful- blessed to be alive and seeing all the beauty of the seas and thankful to be sailing with a man that makes me laugh and a baby that makes my heart smile.

In a less than excellent twist, hubby and I were awfully sea sick for the first day and a half and put on a synchronized regurgitation show during dinner. God bless that family sitting next to us who happened to make other plans for dinner for the rest of the trip. Well, surely, a couple that pukes together stays together 🙂

Now off to enjoy Sunday with my family.

Turks & Caicos
“Photograph colors as if they were the emotion they represent.”


Turks was by far my favorite stop of the trip and unfortunately this is the best family photo we captured on the island. At the risk of having on record I use these words- HOT MESS! We’ll always have the memories.

5 @ Friday

Next in line to creating photographs, the thing I love most about my job is my FREEDOM. Fortunately I do not have a job where I dread Mondays due to the fact that I will spend the next five days glued to a desk, doing something I do not enjoy, while answering to an objectionable person. I create my own schedule and I report to my desk each night clad in my PJ’s sans makeup.

I’m sure this was the set up I’ve dreamed of since junior high. Still, I lament.

One of my biggest struggles with this state of professional liberty that is working for myself is…well..working by myself and missing adult interaction (dare I say water cooler). Two if you’re counting but I wondered how nice it might be if perhaps a wedding and portrait photographer several doors down might have the answer to my color balance or online marketing quandaries. Since Friday 5:00 happy hour is a distant memory, three years ago last time I checked, I have created an equivalent. Welcome to my very first installment of 5 @ Friday where I will be answering five random questions on random Fridays. This week they come from Seymour Peeps.

1. Do you collect anything?
For a few years now, I have been collecting sand from (mostly) all islands I’ve visited. It’s amazing to see all the distinct colors, shapes, angularities and textures of the earth and also a nice way to reminisce about places I’ve been. My favorite is the black sand I brought back from Manual Antonio Beach, Costa Rica. I hope that someday my collection will include gravel pits, sand from mountain tops, a lush garden or caves.

2. What is your happiest childhood memory?
Being grandpa’s favorite and weekly outings for ice-cream and fishing with my grandparents. I can still remember the smell of the marina and the unsightly-dingy color of the fluorescent lighting at DQ. There is something so special about grandparents’ love.

3. Define a great relationship.
There are a few things I don’t leave home without. And then there’s Respect, Love, Friendship. I don’t lead a relationship without it.

4. When was the last time you swam in a pool?
A little over 8 months ago. It also happened to be my due date but that didn’t stop me from beating my brother-in-law in a swim race.

5. If you mated a bull dog and a shitzu, would you call it bullshit?
Happy Friday!!

Please check my latest work at www.ziemphotography.com and follow me on Facebook. I look forward to hearing from you!

Austin Portrait Photographer: Here & Now

“Thanks so much. For what we gave you to work with, they look fantastic! 🙂 Great job…You can’t even tell it was 90 mile an hour winds that day. ”

April and Will have been married for a few years and since they are on the cusp of starting a family they wanted to document a day in their present lives. Husband, lovely wife, cat and dog, Coda, who I mistakenly called Cotto for the first half hour. (We are a family of boxing fans. Thank you for refraining from throwing rocks at me.) April and I thought it would be fun to start with a few shots in their South Austin condo, stroll around the property and visit neighborhood eateries they most frequent. I was forewarned about Will’s apprehension in front of the camera, but what do you think? All I see here are smiles and expressions full of contentment and ease 🙂 After we wrapped and parted ways, I discovered a few locations for photo opps that I had missed earlier. I hope to return in the coming months or coming year for maternity, newborn or family portraits!!

David shot alongside me that afternoon, capturing video of the portrait session. A day in the life of a photographer if you will for my video bio. I’m not sure when we will have that ready to share with you all but I am hoping it will be soon. Real soon!

Austin Wedding Photographer: Wild at Heart

In no way, shape or form am I a Valentine’s Day kind of girl. I’m not so much into conversation candy, Wild About You balloons or red roses. As a matter of fact I was single the last time I genuinely celebrated the mandatory holiday. That said, I’m not afraid to admit I put in a request for a Valentine’s gift this year. If you know my husband you know he doesn’t deny his girls anything which is why he is the only man perfect for me– I like to hear the answer yes. Always.

We are going on a week-long cruise this weekend so I thought I might ask for a one-of-a-kind aquatic experience while we port in the Bahamas. I stayed at the Atlantis years ago and I did not manage to do this then so I am very much looking forward to snorkeling and gliding alongside dolphins in their underwater playground! Picture it: Me + water scooter + dophins = thrill. The highlight of the experience is the signature “foot push” where the dolphins propel you against the lagoon. I can’t wait to fall on my face two seconds in and I bet I will do it uglier than any other participant present.

I guess it is only fair I break out in dance or song in the morning. Nothing will say thank you and I love you better than a little jiggy in a wetsuit, flippies and snorkel.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you. I hope you are feeling lovely and your heart is full of joy and happiness, today and always. And if you or anyone you know gets engaged today–you know which wild and crazy Austin wedding photographer would love to be a part of the next step 🙂

Here’s a little munchkin that knows how to fill hearts like no other.

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