idea went like this, (brandon) “hey, let’s all four get in the shopping cart and get ashley to take our picture.”

awesome, seeing as it is a mini version of a cart anyway, this will be fun.

um. have it told you i cuss?

well, out of love for people that don’t, not in front of anyone but those closest to me 

here is the proof.  awesome, thanks ashley.

i’m pretty sure i cussed auf deutsch- so, that pretty much doesn’t count.

right?

then, i’m pretty sure jeff cussed. – ok, ok, maybe not.

this makes my heart smile…. looooove it.  this is making it on a wall in this casa.

ashley, seriously- perfect job!! that never happens!

we brought props, had a blast & created  magical collections… what a day!

and really, both of you, stop it.

you are too beautiful!!! save some for the rest of us!

we love you both more than words.

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oh the stuarts… what to say? well, this is my old friend donna (she isn’t old, we are just old friends ) donna and i have been friends since college – little did we know we would be settled into our adulthood in the same town!  when we decided to move to bryan/college station we had no idea that donna and her love were here- it has been such a thing to have a familiar face and heart in a new place.  Ben, donna’s husband teaches at a college bible study called Breakaway here on the Texas A & M campus- he teaches thousands of students each week- what a cool ministry.  Donna leads worship and heads up a cool conference every year called masterpiece for college women – they are working hard to equip the college students with the truth & hearts that will live in freedom.

Ben & Donna were both in need of some  promo shots… so they commissioned me for the task- we had a blast running around and looking for really great spots that really did justice to their hearts.  there were a ton more that i loved, but i just thought i would share a few (who knows where you will see their final pics)

*** on a side note- i have to tell a funny story about one of mine and donna’s first shoots together, mind you- this was 10 years ago. (we’ve been doing this for a long time)

we were out in a random field shooting & i had two shirts.  a white one. and a sweater with rich earth tones (loove earth tones… especially then) – but, it was striped. as i put it on, over my white shirt donna looks at me and says (without any kind of “i should deliver this nicely” in her voice) “ooh, i do NOT do stripes.”  the thought of it now makes me laugh out loud!  but at the time i thought “well, that’s just fine, YOU don’t have to! I DO. take my stinkin’ picture!”  as we were shooting ten years later, donna realized she HAD ON STRIPES. it was so perfect.  this was the moment the story was relived… perfection.  absolute perfection.  in case you are wondering what donna looks like when she is 150% cracking up- this is it.  nice stripes d.

love you- & am so thankful for you and ben in our lives.

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in the end, they all seem to have a divine connection that is bigger than the actual event- funny how that works…

a while back, this happened (THIS IS A RE-POST):

DATE: 09/14/2009 11:01:57 PM

there was a TERRIBLE wreck today on  WM J Bryan & Sterling.

jessica and i were just working away- in a great little groove and we here a LOUD crash.

the kind of crash that you think the house is coming down,

or lighting struck a tree right next to you.

NOT the kind of crash that you here everyday.

we look at each other troubled and look out the window (for the falling tree or sky to fall out of the sky)

coming RIGHT AT US (seriously, i’m not being dramatic) rolling at who knows what speed is a flipping huge truck an it is ROLLING! (how does something that big even do that?)

my world stopped.

i couldn’t breathe.

the truck hits our mailbox before making it to the huge pecan tree.

it send the truck into a 360 spin (the perfect donut is on our sidewalk)

and it lands.

i grabbed the phone and dialed 911,

we ran outside.

i won’t go into all the details, boys & girls came out of the truck and there was still a car in the middle of william j. bryan- so i ran out there, helped her to my steps

all the while trying to breathe.

neighbors came from everywhere-

witnesses, firemen, police-

it was nuts.

there is no reason any of them should have made it.

especially the girl in the little chevy car.

she has some serious angels on her side

i mean that in the most real way i can say.

this is where the crazy part comes.

jessica always parks out front.

right in front of the window.

her truck should have been toast.

there was a force field up.

had to be.

i think she is secretly a super hero.

i’ve been wondering how she picks everything up so quickly.

she remembers everything.

isn’t that wild?

it’s completely divine.

brandon and i have prayed that this home would be a fortress.

a place of safety in the midst of chaos & danger

a place a peace in the midst of turmoil.

what a picture of that.

these are tire tracks in the place i stand every morning to check  my mail.

brandon wanted to can this little mail box…

i think it had a purpose all the while.

crazy thing.

this little mail box isn’t even in the ground.

but it stopped the force of that truck & sent it in another direction.

tell me that wasn’t God looking out.

protecting and defending us, when we didn’t even know what was coming.

thank you jesus.

_____________________________________

TODAY’S POST BEGINS HERE:

then, check this out- THAT DAY- my tooth falls out.  i know, i know… weird, but i have bad teeth- but i just moved here- so, i call my friend becca, who then calls her mama and asks what dentist she uses… i call, make an appointment for the next morning (who can do that) i show up…

start talking to the lady at the front desk who is filling in and we start talking about the wreck on WJ Bryan… THE WRECK HER DAUGHTER WAS IN.

um, small town?

not that small.

so, i realize this- get her daughter’s email and we email back and forth a few times and that’s it.  i tell her that her life has a purpose, bigger than she understands, and that there is no reason she should be alive- all to the glory of God.  (she I AM SURE thinks i’m a weird “lady (and yes, i’m seriously sad that i’m in that category to teenagers now, and when they call me ma’am -cause they do that in texas- i have the urge to let me them know i listen to cool music and know a thing or two about the streets… but i resist the urge- most of the time… anyway) who is trying to tell her how to live- so i drop it and really never think i will here from her again…

FAST FORWARD ABOUT SIX MONTHS: i get an email- from katelyn.  i won’t go into the details of our exchange, but it seems that it is quite divine.  we were going to meet for coffee to get to know each other, but one afternoon i needed a model & BAM. that was it.  she showed up ready to go… i am excited for her to be a part of my SENIOR REP program & can’t wait to see what is intended for our friendship!

Katelyn, i know you have been dying to see my favorites… sorry for the delay sister… i hope they are worth it- there were a TON of great ones… these are the few that caught my eye!!

(ps… david was in the wreck too… he came to be a prop and model… thanks david!! and seriously man, do you see your smile… crazy handsome!!)

*favorite… look at those smiles!

a little lens baby fun… i still don’t know what to think about that little guy… what are your thoughts?

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Jennifer and Buppy are getting married in a couple of weeks at Lilian Farms and i cannot wait to document their day- it is going to be incredible. i have to say, that i’m really excited about the food too- i mean, really? can you imagine?  they had THREE SHEETS of dishes they were deciding from- (and those where just their favs) i am going to make sure i get a nice comfy corner to get my grub on in  and a nice cold something to sip on… and then i’ll get back to work! (but really, i’m excited their getting married too… but for the record jen & buppy… can brandon and i be invited to all of your parties?  i’ll bring my camera and a sign that will say “will work for food.” you think i’m playin’….)

i just love this last image- it just speaks so much to me about trust and love- i don’t know if it just they way they fit perfectly- or  just the emotion their joy stirs… i just love it- (i gave it a fun vintage feel for kicks….)

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the glasses stole my heart- but ben noticed the hats and laughed- one is wearing texas and the other a&m… i guess we can all get along   for those of you who aren’t from texas, or don’t know that we live in the town that is the home of the fighting texas aggies… there is a -shall we say- rift between the schools and you pretty much have to be a fan of one or the other.  there is not fence to sit on.

loved it-

lots to sort & edit, session in 2 hours… and some neat stuff to talk about/share & ponder… more love to you than you could dream have a sun filled day!!

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what a peaceful soul.  sweet laura, you are a jewel… i had such a fun time exploring with you- you were soo brave in the cold- thanks for pretending to be warm, and for being ready for and excited about my ideas.

it was so sweet to hear about your heart and your life- and your excitement about all that life holds for you.  this is such a sweet time in life, such a special season- thanks for letting me tell this small part.  you are beautiful, radiant, and so tender hearted- i pray you are brave & strong through out this life.  it waits for you dear, take it and run!

to see more of this session, head to the facebook fanpage!

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if you know me well- you know of my affection for sharp as a tack lyrics that poetically infuse music with heavy words rich with metaphors, deep-probing thought, and  real-life. in this life, i’ve listened to a lot of lyrics.  and i’ve learned from a lot of artists, but i have to say- no artist has taught me more than tupac. (second to him is Alanis)  and i’m not talking about california love.  me and my girlfriend is a song you’ve never heard unless you are a real tupac listener… and if you aren’t and you hear it, you might get confused, feel like you should cover your ears and never come back to this blog.  i get kind of giggly thinking about some of you heading to youtube to listen and then having to turn down the speakers on your computer real fast.  i mean, real fast. it’s really all beside the point- i could do a whole post on rap music- poetry, singer song writers, rhythm, powerful vocabularies, choice words… the lost arts, weak words, and lazy communicators.  the point is- when i hear this song- i can’t help but move- images flood my mind of what it must feel like to have the whole world against you.  i’ve always been fascinated with bonnie and clyde . and i’ve always wanted to shoot a couple with them in mind.

last week i taught a really great CRASHintoMYBIZ class with an up and coming houston photographer (***i’ll share when she’s ready) Hilaria and Ivan were our models, and i knew they would be the PERFECT BONNIE & CLYDE.  we happened upon a perfectly ambushed building (riddled with pseudo bullet holes- that came in the form of rocks) and the rest is history- we only shot 45 minutes tops & i walked away with a stash of new favorites!!  here are a few that i had to share here- you can head over to the Shauna Maness Photography facebook fan page to see the rest- & if you aren’t a fan… become one!!!  (that’s were the model postings go!) the WHOLE time i was shooting me and my girlfriend was playing in my head.  i know hilaria and ivan would have loved it… but i didn’t want to scare away my new friend – so, i came home and listened to it and edited.  looove them!!!

**** sick, right?

i know… they are too perfect.

i mean, really? so- check it- my sister (who happens to be MIGH-TY fly herself did the styling &&&& THE MAKEUP.) i cannot stress enough how important great makeup is girls!!  if you know that you are going to have a super-special shoot… then make an appointment and treat yourself!! you will be so glad you did!! and if you are scheduling a shoot with me, ask me to book a makeup artist for you- i will just add it into your session… easy, easy!!  i hope you love my version of bonnie and clyde.

and if you head to youtube and listen to tupac, don’t judge me really, think about the story he is telling- and why he chooses each word- they are all intentional. (as they should be) ** and for the record: i don’t really like guns at all, so personally, i wish tupac was talking about his new iphone, but alas, he isn’t.  shoot cameras, not guns. (oooh, that should be a TSHIRT!! – i’m on it)

have a blessed day.  don’t rob any banks.

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ok, so- these beautiful darlings are Noelle & Michael.  Their wedding is coming up in March & i am pumped about it.  I have a feeling it is going to be a day filled with purpose & laughter- not to mention sweet love and pure moments of fulfillment & joy.  oh sweet day.

I have to say that sweet Noelle started off a little nervous- and paired with Michael who quickly assured me “i am probably the most confident person you will photograph.” we chuckled and the ice was broken- we laughed at his mad skillz as a top model & by the end i think Noelle felt like a top model too… their spirits are full of life, and love- and i had sooo much fun just hanging out & talking about the real things of life.  We talked about their trip to Cambodia, war, love, what it means to live our lives fully & how it is totally OK to invest in great wardrobe pieces    at one point we were talking about some of the things that brandon went through in Iraq… really heavy stuff- & i got the light just right and moved them one more time & said… ok, in the middle of the heavy stuff- y’all just tuck yourselves into each other.  great. nice. way to make sure the engagement session is light, carefree, & fun.  way to go shauna.

it really was great.  i shot theirs a couple of days after Ben & Trish’s & it was such a joy.  I felt like i really had the freedom with both couples to express who they were without any pre-conceived ideas.  these are the couples i’m looking for.  so thankful.

hope you are having a happy day.

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her name is Lael.  and i just fell in love with her.  she was shy at first.  hiding behind her mama’s leg she peaked through to see if i was still looking.  i was.  she has the softest curls and the sweetest cheeks & once she started smiling it was over- she played on the slide, acted out scenes from Annie, and played with her balloons for a bit until she was onto the next thing… her mama is diane- and she is too groovy.  i knew it was going to be fun when i saw her half sleeve.  magnolia’s and lace… too vintage and feminine- it is a dream.  it makes me want to call our tattoo guru and make an appointment TODAY! and Joe? check this out- he was in Baumholder the same time we were!! SMALL WORLD.  we were in Germany at the same time, in the same TINY VILLAGE.  how strange that we both moved back to texas only to meet in Bryan.  funny how the world turns.  it was a very grey day- and despite the chilling air- little lael did NOT want her sweater on. so, we sniffled and she strutted… it was so the opposite of the way kiddo sessions normally go.  they were heading to New York the next day (they are stationed at Ft. Drum)- i talked to Diane today and she said they have been in a blizzard and that there is 3-4 FEET of snow in front of their door.  oh, how i remember the days of pouring snow.  that is one thing i don’t miss about germany.  the snow is beautiful as it comes down- but if it doesn’t melt on contact… it’s not so fun. && in talking to Diane about her images i realized… i never blogged them!!! so, here they are- the Alvarado family- Downtown Bryan, Texas.

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let’s start monday with a little love, how does that sound?

perfecto to me…

Rev. Johnson (uncle D is what i’ve always called him because he is my best friends uncle so that is what i  call him when i talk about him, but to him, because he is a pastor i call him Rev. Johnson- because i respect the position of authority he has been given in my life)

“Do you know when God separated men? into trades? races? colonies? divided them by language? confused their tongues, divided their hearts?”

um… no sir, i responded. i don’t think i do.

“do you read your bible? what does the bible say?”

to be honest, i’m not really sure i responded- embarrassed in the way you are when you’ve been learning something for a while, someone asks you a detailed question and you’ve got nothing- but you feel like you should have something- i was new to Christianity- I was rescued by Jesus around my 18th birthday and my world was turned upside down.  Uncle D lived in Midland, so when he would come home to visit we would all sit outside for hours and hours and talk- he has never been much on non-sense- God has always used him in my life to challenge me- to grow me- when i think about him, i think about conversations like this and i know that i’ve grown over the years because of his direct questions, his demand of higher thinking, and his love for God.  This was one of the first conversations as a new believer in Jesus that really made me step outside what i’d been taught and figure out what God intended.  what a blessing- this became the way i approached everything. Isn’t it funny how the littlest things can share people, he probably has no idea.

when he got engaged, i was thrilled that he thought of me when it came to photography- how exciting to get to tell their story.

i asked Pinellafie-

are you ready to be a pastor’s wife?

i  sure am, i’m ready today. i don’t want to wait another day.

how beautiful is that? i tell you what, the story of how they finally connected will make you cry you laugh so hard, and to see the way they lean into one another, love each other, get each other- it is enough to inspire anyone.

i can’t wait to see them love each other through this life, i’m so glad to be a part of their day…

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