Photography by AnnaLaero

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:51:46 -0400

Labneh

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:24:00 -0400

Yesterday’s making homemade Labneh (or lebanese cream cheese) resulted in not only pure deliciousness but also an impromptu photoshoot in our tiny kitchen.

Herbed Labneh

*Greek yogurt
*Kosher salt
*Olive Oil
*Various Fresh Herbs (we used rosemary, thyme, and bay.)
*Cheesecloth
*Fine metal strainer
*Mixing bowl
*Glass Jar

-Mix together the greek yogurt and kosher salt (amount of salt varies to your own preference)
-Put mixture into cheesecloth and place in a fine metal strainer over a mixing bowl and let strain for at least 3 days in refrigerator.
-When all liquid has drained out there should be a good amount of way sitting under your strainer in the bowl.
-Cheese should have the consistency of soft cream cheese.
-Lift out cheesecloth and gently squeeze out any remaining liquid from cheese
-Take small amounts of cheese out and roll into balls in the palms of your hands
-Drop cheese balls into a glass jar filled with olive oil and fresh herbs
-Allow cheese to marinate in oil and herbs for at least 7 days (cheese can keep in oil up to a year)

Spread cheese and oil on bread when all is said and done and enjoy!
xoxo

Bridal Boudoir

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:04:37 -0400

Documentation 34 weeks.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:49:07 -0400

Documentation
34 weeks.

simplify.

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:10:35 -0400

Tina + Patrick

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 04:32:38 -0400

This was by far one of my favorite sessions I shot this winter. I rarely do winter engagement shoots or weddings because of temperatures and mostly muddy weather but this year we lucked out and had one of those fluffy feathery snowflake snowfalls that covered everything in a perfect layer of soft white. Its the sort of snow that makes you want to run outside and fall backwards in it. Tina & Patrick were absolute troopers in the freezing wind that day while we tromped around a small nearby farm. The cold made snuggling close even better and its so incredibly clear how perfect they are for each other. I don’t think I need to say much about that. The photos speak for themselves.

THOUGHTS

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:23:00 -0400

(photo is entirely irrelevant to the post but I can’t make a post without one ;) )

I have had people look at me and ask “how can you do that? how can you see so many colors?” or “I dont know how you saw that light, (etc etc)”

There is a total disconnect between wedding and portrait photography in general.

Perfect photos are perfect because they are imperfect. thats what photography is. a documentation of imperfection.
Wedding photographers and clients alike want PERFECT photos, perfect blog posts, etc. We lose the realness of the people and places sometimes that we are documenting when we do that. We press the shutter button a million times, look at the back of the camera and think “huh that looks sufficient I can fix it in photoshop later if not.”

I understand brides and other clients wanting things to look perfect on there wedding day. Hell I have been there, done that. On the day of though when it came down to it I honest to god didn’t care about any of that I put most of the “this needs to look like this and oh no that didn’t get done” out of my head and focused on J, our family, and the people who did so much to pull our day together to make it real.

I so often talk to other photographers who say “I just want the perfect images on my blog. I want THE best ones.”
Yeah. I get it. you want to show off your best work and thats fine…BUT….why are you dear bloggers afraid to put the imperfect ones there (on your blog) and your thoughts along with it. I love the photographers who post one image..that is almost entirely irrelevant to anything…its not perfect, the people aren’t perfect, the location isn’t perfect….its life. Just life happening in that exact moment and that person is allowing you to see that split second they felt necessary to capture. They see beauty in it and if you look past the lack of willowy models and poor lighting situation or the amount of grain…..it really can be a stunning thing to see. Why do we so often spill out overly happy and beautiful words? Yes I would rather read something that isn’t extremely depressing all the time but I also like to see that other people, photographers, artists, and vendors alike are going through those same thoughts and motions and they want to capture the rawness that is life as they see it.
If you are a naturally happy person who loves to spill out your good thoughts and wishes to the world that is wonderful. My husband is that exact person and I wouldnt have him any other way. I am merely saying all of this because so often I see people immediately being struck down for their honest and real and imperfect thoughts that they post. They are instantly criticized and pulled into a pit so they learn not to. I’m convinced that you are not human if you dont want to look at art and feel anything other than sappy happiness. You can’t have the good without the bad, the bittersweet, the awfulness, because thats real. Thats what photography is supposed to be in my eyes, not some conjured up magic (although yes that can be absolutely fantastical as well in the right situation.) but to NOT admit that there are imperfections in our work, that there are imperfections behind the scenes…..I just cannot wrap my mind around that..around not wanting to see something other than the cheesy mass produced goodness that so many people crank out….. Photographing families, couples, weddings….when I do my work I cannot fake what is or isn’t there…thats not the way I do things. Yes I will give you a little direction when I see fit but I am there solely to document YOUR STORY through my eyes. There can be tears, there can be fights, there can be smiles and tears of joy as well but regardless I am there to freeze for a split second those real emotions and potentially amplify them with the surroundings at hand as I see them. That blurry photo of your flower girl crying running across the room? I think thats gorgeous, the underexposed grainy black and white of the new husband and wife dancing? perfect in its very own right.

From our recent trip to GA Exploring the graveyards.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:32:42 -0400

From our recent trip to GA
Exploring the graveyards.

Happy Valentines Day xoxo2.14.13

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:43:39 -0500

Happy Valentines Day
xoxo

2.14.13

To dance...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:57:57 -0500

Grab the one you love and dance like no one is watching

Israel

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:23:00 -0500

Pittsburgh Engagement Photographer : Tina & Patrick

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:37:23 -0500

Tess

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:41:57 -0500

recovered a lost file from this lovely lady’s senior session about a year or so ago. Isn’t she gorgeous?

Sweets...

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:59:34 -0500

….For your sweet

Valentines day is just around the corner

Pittsburgh Engagement Photographer : C&C

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:43:00 -0500

19 weeks.

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:00:00 -0500

19 weeks.

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:16:00 -0500

This is why I love this time of year….. I get to take a...

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:38:23 -0500

This is why I love this time of year….. I get to take a few days to do my absolute favorite hobby. Baking like a fiend.

Pardon the quality I only had my iPhone charged at the time.
xoxo

Missing Israel today.Sea of Galilee -2012

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:39:56 -0500

Missing Israel today.

Sea of Galilee -2012

This is happening right now! Ladies these sessions make amazing...

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:27:02 -0500

This is happening right now!
Ladies these sessions make amazing gifts for your guy for Christmas (or birthday…or valentines day….or any day!) ;)
25% off a 1hr boudoir session. Includes 2 outfit changes, and digital files or prints (your choice!) email me at annalaero@gmail.com for more details.