Cutest Couple

Okay, so I need more models other than my 3 sweet children (and the 4 other children I've selected recently for modeling purposes) to help me get my business going and showcase what I can do with a camera. Therefore, I've decided to have a Cutest Couple Contest! Here is all the info you need to participate!

1. Send me a recent photo of you and your sweetheart to: aprilswancey@hotmail.com

2. Be sure to include a short story about you and your sweetheart and why you think you guys should win.

3. Make sure to include your full name, mailing address and phone number in the email (this information will NOT be published on the album, it is just needed in case you win!)

4. Photos will be uploaded to my "Cutest Couple Photo Contest" album on April Swancey Photography's Facebook page. (http://www.facebook.com/AprilSwanceyPhotography?fref=ts).

5. Deadline to submit photos is January 31 at midnight. Photo with the most likes wins.

PRIZE:

Winner of the contest will win a free photo session with 15 poses, CD with printing permission, (1) 8x10, (2) 5x7, (12) wallets of your choice.

Good luck!

My Favorite Shots of 2012

So even though I waited to the very latter part of this year to dive head first into this photography thing, I did manage to capture what I think were some pretty awesome shots.

With that being said please bear with me. I am still new to this, and everyday I learn something new whether it be new lighting ideas, flash settings, poses or whatever, I'm learning, I'm mastering my art, and I couldn't be more excited about it all.

Thank you so much for all the support you've given me. From the sweet family that was my very first clients, to those of you who've agreed to let me use your kids as models, to the ones who have allowed me to photograph your wedding (and bridal and engagement session), and even those of you who pushed to create a Facebook page, put my name out there or just the ones who have told me I can do this and supported me 100%.

To my family, friends and those of you that I call my second family, thank you. You guys have been so amazingly supportive not only this year but for many years. It is because of you guys that I finally built up enough confidence in myself to make the jump and go at this full speed ahead.

I'm so thrilled about what the new year is going to bring. It is going to be awesome. Stay tuned, spread the word and check out my favorite shots below!

Photo of the Week

I captured this photo yesterday. I've always loved photos of raindrops on glass. Yesterday was a rainy day (as is today) so I took the chance to capture my own rainy day photo.

 

 

The Harper Family

Last weekend, I took the Harper family's annual Christmas portraits. I've known the Harper's for about a year now, so I was excited to have the chance to photograph their beautiful family. I have to say the photos turned out great!

 

We took the photos at Bonita. It was a beautiful Sunny day and the temps were nice.

 

 

Beautiful Family!

 

Even though little Miss Callie tried to give us trouble, I managed to capture a few smiles! This is one of my favorites!

 

I truly enjoyed photographing this family! Hope they'll give me the chance to do it again!

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Holiday Magic

Christmas is definitely my favorite time year. Christmas itself is a magical time. The lights, the trees, the holiday baking, the ornaments, the presents and one of my favorite parts the church services and all the traditional Christmas songs. I love the crisp cold air at Christmas time and the fires, the cuddling, and the family time that comes with it. It's like no other time of year.  

 

Now that I have small children it's become even more enjoyable. They are beyond excited about Santa's arrival, the tree and they too enjoy the music (however, their favorite Christmas song at the moment is Alvin and the Chimpmunks "Christmas Don't Be Late." - the orignal version).

 

So how exciting is it that I, a photography student, get to take some photos for a class project at Christmas? Pretty exciting if you ask me!

 

 My classes are so much fun. I love my instructors, my classmates, all the different software, the techniques I'm learning. I'm turning into a photography nerd I guess! Furthermore, I'm slowly building a customer base outside of my classes, and I've landed a job taking photos of newborn babies at the local hospitals. I was talking with a friend of mine yesterday and I made mention of the fact that there is no greater feeling in this world than to see a lifelong dream slowly become a reality.

 

Below are 2 of my favorite shots I've taken with bokeh that capture a little of what Christmas is to me. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the Things I'm Thankful For

I have so many things that I am thankful for I decided to just put them in a numbered list. So here they are:

 

1. First and foremost I'm thankful to have Christ in my life. I have been blessed in so many ways. I'm so grateful to him for all he's blessed me with!

2. I am thankful for my family (blood, non-blood and all). I've been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life. I love each and everyone of you more than you could ever imagine.

3. Thankful for my church family.

4. My husband - I have a great husband. He's been so supportive in me following my dream and returning to school to pursue photography.

5. The 3 sweet little faces you see below. They put a smile on my face every single day, and they can make a horrible day turn into the best day.

6. My friends old & new.

7. For fresh from the garden vegetables from a friend this year that have helped to make my Turkey Day side dishes.

8. For my yard man - yes, he deserves to get some praise because he kept my grass looking great all summer long!

9. For my husband's job and my upcoming job - jobs are so hard to come by and so many people are being laid off these days we are blessed to have the jobs we have!

10. For my kitty cat - he's always there when I need a friend ;)

11. For a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in my tummy.

 

I hope everyone has the best Thanksgiving ever.

 

Below are my latest photos of my sweet babies. Memphis was feeling under the weather so we will have to try again with him soon.

 

 

 

Marriage Retreat

Okay, so for years anytime someone told me they were going on a "marriage retreat," I thought two things. 1.)They were super old and 2.) They must have major major issues within their marriage. So I found it to be somewhat funny when I caught myself on the way towards Orange Beach, AL this weekend for nothing else but a marriage retreat.

First, let me clarify that there are no issues within my marriage. I have an incredible husband who would do anything for me and I too would do anything for him.

We decided to go on this trip because we knew it could help us grow our marriage and become stronger.

We had such a great time and gained so much from it. We laughed for hours on end, saw a movie, did some shopping, spent tons of time on the beach, hung out with some other super nice couples, worshiped our wonderful God, and so many more things. It was a wonderful trip. I've attached some of my favorite shots below.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

April

This is me and my supercool 3D movie glasses ;)

Pictures of the week

I meant to do this last week but I got sidetracked with sick kids, sick husband, etc. Each week I'm going to attempt to post my favorite shots of the week. These were some of the ones I took last week. I also vow to make this blog more than just a place to see my pics. I will try to post stories behind some of the pictures along the way too!

 

Have a great week and enjoy these pics ;)

 

Fall Sunrise

These photos were taken just minutes from my house at a local lake I live nearby. Unfortunately the quality is really really crappy because I only had my cellphone to take them with. I plan on having my camera in hand in the morning however in hopes to capture this gorgeous fall sunrise again in better quality! Isn't it just beautiful?

 

 

 

Halloween 2012 and Two of my Fall Faves

Just a few shots of Smiley

LOVE!

Saying Goodbye

For most of you, this will probably come as a bit of a surprise to you. My hope however, is that by the time you are done reading this, you fully understand my reasonings behind it.

Last Friday, October 12, 2012, I resigned from Liberty National after a year and a half of service. My resignation is not based on anything within the company or anything that was said or done to me. Bottom line is Liberty is an incredible company. One that I would highly reccomend anyone to work for, do their insurance with, or suggest to others. My decision was based solely on reasons based away from my job.

As much as I have deeply enjoyed this job, it has become too much for me to handle. I have three beautiful children all under 6 years of age, and it is just time for me to go home and be a mama to them. They deserve to have me around more, have cooked meals nightly, have me there to do homework with them, play with them and tuck them into bed at night.

This past year I've been through a lot, overcome a lot, survived a lot. I think I've made some real progress and I think with the praying and tears and hard work and sleepless nights I finally know what I am supposed to be doing in life. Why I've avoided it so long, I'm not 100% sure. I'm going to pursue a career in photography. It is something I've always, always loved and something I've always been extremely passionate about for as long as I can remember. I'm currently talking to an admissions counselor about the possiblities of pursuing a degree in it. It's something I can do and still be the mother I want to be at the same time.

My family is my whole world. Those three little faces especially are my heart. They need me and right now, I really need them.

To my customers, I can't begin to express my gratitude to each of you. You have all brightened my days in ways you will never know. I will miss each and everyone of you. Thank you so much for the kindness and support you have given me.

To my co-workers, thank you. Thank you for becoming my second family. You guys are some of the sweetest and kindest people I've ever met. I can honestly say this has been my favorite job by far and I am going to miss you all like crazy. The hardest part of resigning has been leaving you all behind. Please stay in touch.

To my own family, thank you. Thank you for supporting me, for having my back, for never giving up on me and for always believing in me. For keeping my kids, for being there when things were at their worst, and cheering me on in all of my success. I love each and everyone of you more than you can imagine.

A special thank you to my husband who was so incredibly supportive during the long hours and late nights. Thank you so much for the countless loads of laundry done late at night, the countless number of dishes washed and diapers changed while I was far away. Most of all, thank you for supporting me in my decision to resign. For encouraging me to do what makes me happy. I love you more than you will ever know.

With that being said, if you are interested in a great career, I would encourage you to seek Liberty out. They took a leap of faith on me and I will be forever grateful for the opprotunity. It was truly a rewarding job, but it just wasn't the right fit for me.

I'm looking forward to what the future holds and I'm excited beyond belief.

God bless each and everyone of you,
April

Hi, my name is April and I'm offically addicted to Pintrest

When Pintrest first made it's debut in the world, I avoided it like the plague. Mainly because I didn't want to be like other people who just jump on the bandwagon for anything and also because I assumed it was just another attempt of someone trying to compete with Facebook and figured it would eventually fail -- yeah, I was WAY wrong on that one.

A few months ago, my company created a pintrest site for all the ladies who work there. So, I gave in joined the page and didn't really pay much attention to it until recently. Now, I'm hooked. I have found so many great things from recipes to awesome things to do with your kids (if you haven't looked it up look at 70 things you  MUST do with your kids - we have had a blast with these ideas) to great books, to photography ideas, to holiday decor.

My most recent find has been some sweet ideas for Halloween decor that I can't wait to try out this weekend.

So there you have it. I am offically a Pintrest Freak.

And ladies, if you are a member of the elite LNL Crew, check out Ladies of LNL on Pintrest!

Fall Shots

Just a few of the Fall Shots I have taken.. this was really more of a practice session than anything. I'm hoping to get them back out soon in better attire!