Five Things for Friday
1. It is not easy getting a picture of all 3 dogs together! I love looking at these 2 pictures next to each other, so accurate of what you’re doing to get them all to hold still and look. The one on the right is just about perfect! They’re so cute!
Proof that we took about a million pictures to get a good one. Haha!
2. This weekend is my parent’s 30th wedding anniversary! They celebrated by going on a 1 week cruise to Alaska, which has been my dad’s dream vacation for years. They sent us this picture of the 2 of them on their balcony room after getting on the ship on Sunday. They are so cute I could die! They have been a wonderful example of marriage and parenting to my sister and I.
3. I did my first “faux” food blogging trick for a photo. See that glass of milk? Well, I was out of milk when taking this pictures. What do I do? Well, I could run all the way to the grocery store just for some milk. Or I could…ummmm…mix some mayonnaise and water, stir it really well, make sure the glass is out of focus so you can’t tell, try and not barf at the thought of a glass of watery mayo behind the yummy cookies, and not have to leave the house. Guess which one I did? Kinda gross, but it worked! Did this just ruin those cookies for you? Don’t worry, I only used the “milk” prop in one picture, then quickly dumped it out. And burned the glass. Just kidding about burning the glass. Or am I?
4. Every morning, as soon as Jake hears my alarm go off, he jumps up on the bed and lays above our heads on the pillows. My head fits right in that open spot between his back legs and front legs. I love it so much! It is the best way to start the day. We like to call Jakey our Pillow Pet.
5. We film our first wedding of the season this Saturday! Shawn has been getting all of our gear ready (this is maybe only 2/3rds of it) and going a little Label Maker crazy by labeling everything.
We started our videography business late last fall, and only had 2 wedding films we shot in October to show as examples of our work to prospective couples. From those 2 films we’ve booked a handful of engagement shoots, booked over a dozen weddings to film, and 3 of those weddings we’re filming and photographing, all this summer! It is exciting and fulfilling watching our business take off.
We were out to dinner almost 1 year ago in late June 2013 talking about what would our dream jobs would be. Mine was starting a food blog, and Shawn’s was to start a videography and photography business. We took the plunge, and here we are 1 year later about to start a fully booked wedding season. Shawn does an amazing job at filming and editing videos, and I love working alongside him being the second camera. We make a great team.
Even though we only have 3 free weekends between now and October, along with working our day jobs, and me doing this blog, it doesn’t feel like any added stress because we have the best time working together and being creative. It’s all work for things we’re passionate about, which is the best kind of work.
Today I’m feeling very grateful we took the chance to make our dreams come true. We’re going to have a great life together.
33 Comments on “Five Things for Friday”
Aaw, love this post Natalie! Your dogs are super adorable :) That’s so awesome that you and Shawn are following your dream and are having a blast together! Haha – the mayo trick is genius too lady! Have a great weekend :)
Your dogs are absolutely adorable, they remind me so much of mine! I have three dogs also!
By the way, the water and mayo trick? That’s genius! I probably would’ve gone to the store and bought milk. I’m remembering this one.
Great post Natalie :D I love that you are both doing what you want to be doing. That faux milk…smart and gross at the same time. Haha
I am laughing over your dog picture! So true and so funny. I am also so inspired by both of you going after your dream jobs. Congrats on having so many weddings booked this season. That is awesome!
Oh I cracked up at those doggie picture outtakes. We have one dog and sometimes it’s so hard to corral her for a picture. I can’t imagine three! And that mayo water is genius…but I’m definitely cringing at the thought of it! Looks like a big glass of milk to me, so mission accomplished anyway. :) I love that you and Shawn are going forward with your dreams together. My boyfriend and I had a similar sit down to decide what we should do, hence the move. We’ve been thinking about it for so long, it’s hard to believe it’s almost here! Best of luck with your busy, busy summer!
Building a successful business with your husband — one you both love? There can’t be anything better than that. So happy for you both as you head into an awesome wedding season!
And your parents — so adorable. I love it. They remind me of my own mom and dad, who will celebrate 34 years of marriage this winter. They also provided such a great example of love, trust, understanding and respect to my sister and me . . . that’s invaluable.
I love that the two of you are doing what you love and working together. Love the pic of the pups, so cute! Have a great weekend, Natalie!
Your parents look so cute and happy after 30 years! Love that. And I think it’s so cool that when you finally said what you wanted outloud, you decided to make it happen. Congrats on the booming businesses! And I’m definitely keeping that mayo trick in my back pocket :)
Hahaha love the little food photo trick! Happens to me all the time… when I’m out of something I need to photograph the dish and just try to make something work. Love your creativity with that! Good luck with the beginning of the wedding season!!!
Ok, your dogs are TOO adorable. OMG. Even the outtake pic is precious. I especially loooove Jake… he’s so pretty!!
The mayo water… I am gagging thinking about it lol… I hate mayo, even not watered down… thinking about drinking a big glass of mayo water… ahhhh!!! But hey— it worked!!
And congrats on following your dreams! So awesome!! :)
Thanks Jess! I love my Jakey boy, he’s such a handsome doggie. Love all his freckles. And I was for sure gagging as I was making the drink. Oh the things we do for food photography! Hope you have a great weekend friend : )
First of all, love your dogs pictures, they are so adorable. So great you and your husband and going for the dream jobs. Sounds like you two are on the same wave length about jobs and goals; so important. Great post Natalie!
We definitely have the same goals for careers and how we want our life to be. Glad we’re on the same page! Makes life very fun. And aren’t my dogs just too cute? Hope you have a great weekend Cheri!
I am such a sucker for dog photos!!! Love this. My pup never looks at the camera at the right time, but I can’t imagine organizing three! So cute :) Awe, and a pillow pet -love that! Congrats to your parents, they are just so darling. And I that is such a great tip to create “milk.” Of course, I wouldn’t want to drink it, but it does look like milk! LOL at burning the glass. I would do something similar!
Have a great weekend!
GREAT post, Nat. I already told you how much I love your friday posts, but I will repeat that… I love so much because I love seeing what other people are up to on the other side of their blogs. It’s great to have a dream, but it’s better to pursue it like you guys are doing ;-) You guys are so inspiring! It is great what you are doing and I wish you much more success. You guys work really hard so you deserve all the best.
Your parents are such a cute couple, just like you and Shawn. Have a wonderful weekend, friend ;-)
Oh Olivia, you’re so nice and always give my heart warm fuzzies! Thank you so much for that. Means a lot to me. Sending out virtual hugs to you! I love hearing about what bloggers are doing outside of cooking too. If you ever did a post like this I would definitely love to read it!
It was very scary and uncertain when we first started, which makes it all the more sweeter now that it’s come full circle. Thanks for your nice words Olivia. Hope you have the best weekend ever!
Sending out virtual hugs to you too ;-)
I always smile so big at your dog picks. They are such hams! I am cracking up over the watery mayo…but it’s totally genius! Congrats on your and Shawn making your dreams come true. Looks like the biz is taking off!
Wow, that is so awesome that you guy are following your dreams! Way to go! And that cracks me up about your doggie pictures…that’s about what it’s like trying to get a decent photo of more than one child. :)
If it’s this tricky to get a picture of my obedient dogs, I don’t know how I’ll be able to get pictures of my kids! I’ll probably end up bribing them with lollipops : )
haha yes! Trying to get three dogs together AND looking at the camera all at the same time is nearly impossible, however looks like you got some good shots. Such cute pups! I’m such a sucker for all dogs! You’re parents are adorable Natalie, and how nice they are celebrating 30 years by going on a dream cruise in Alaska, I was just thinking a couple days ago how bad I want to go there! I love the outdoors and that just seems like the ultimate outdoorsy person paradise! UM that milk or should I say mayo and water…never would have guessed girl! That’s an awesome trick!! And you could never tell!! Have fun this weekend filming the first wedding of the season! Enjoy! :D
Oh my gosh, your dogs are the cutest! I love that your one dog jumps on the bed above your heads in the morning. How adorable is that?! And what a great idea to mix mayo water…I’ll have to remember that! Sounds like you have a busy but fun summer planned! Hope you have a great weekend!
What an awesome pic of all your babies together :).
Happy 30th anniversary to your parents. That is definitely an accomplishment. My parents are celebrating their 33 year anniversary this year. You just don’t see it that often anymore.
How awesome that you got so creative and mixed mayo with water. Great job Natalie!
And WOW! all that camera equipment.
Hahaha! Mayo water pretending to be milk. Um, LOVE THAT! I never would have guessed by looking at your gorgeous photos. Nicely done, Nat! :) And that is so amazing that you and Shawn get to do a business like that together. Also I’m kind of jealous of all your amazing photography gear! I love that Shawn organizes all of it. Most men I know would never go to the trouble! LOL. Have a great weekend Natalie!
Wow. That is so awesome Natalie. I love how you guys talked about your ‘dream’ and made it happen. Not too many people can do that or attempt to do. I give you guys props for that.
Love the roll of pics for the dogs. Looks as bad as trying to do pics of my kids. :)
Cute pic of the parents. Mine have been married 35 years now. I love the example they gave us too.
Have a wonderful weekend. Best wishes on the wedding shoot!