Hi, my name is Liana Lehman. Thanks for visiting my personal photo news blog that we fondly refer to as 'liana's bananas' thanks to my childhood nickname and tendency to post about crazy, fun happenings.
I'm extremely blessed to be doing what God has called me to do - helping others achieve the impossible and experience the beauty about them always!
I hope to share my adventures through this blog -- including my more recent 101 in 1001 challenge!
This is a place for me to post all the latest happenings in my world - whether it be recent images from destination weddings and lifestyle portrait shoots, something silly that's going on, and even some personal stuff.
If you're an entrepreneur or professional photographer, the BananasEDU blog is full of biz topics. Check out the links above and below for access to all our sites.
It puts a smile on my face to hear your thoughts so comment away and leave your links!
Two weeks ago Mike and I made the trip to Florida with his family to attend his Grandmother's funeral. They put together a wonderful tribute to her and while it was a sad time, everyone was sure of her being ready and in a better place now. For me and his brother's fiance, it was the first time for us to meet relatives on his dad's side.
This morning we received the sad and surprising news that his Grandfather passed away (on his mom's side). Within two weeks time both of Mike's two remaining grandparents passed. I know how much he wanted to go up and visit after our visit to FL so this came as hard news. To be completely honest I'm at a loss for words here.
With that, I'll share some overdue photos that I took two weeks ago at his Grandmother's funeral in FL. The first time I took photos at a funeral (I was requested to by family) I felt really awkward and that it was inappropriate. What I realized after though is how much the family REALLY cherished those images and how healing it is to have the photographs to look back on.
Mike was a pallbearer with a lot of his cousins
Outside the church
At the burial
Four weddings and a funeral does not stop here this year. While it's with great sadness we may be attending another funeral, it's with Joy we look forward to two more unions this year (both his friends and mine getting married in the next two months!)
After going through a handful of Canon 50mm 1.4 lenses (err, about 1 per year since '06) I finally got my hands on the Canon 50mm 1.2L USM as my latest 1.4 broke again. So it's roughly $1,000 more but a good investment I must say when the others wear down so quickly and have to be re-purchased each year.
What I like: - This feels like a sturdy, well-made lens. The 1.4 felt like a cheap toy - The color is even more amazing. This lens with the 5D is unreal! - I can focus in MUCH easier. It feels like butter compared to the 1.4! - Did I mention the awesome low-light capabilities and depth of field??
Of course, when my shipment arrived, the only subjects in the house were Charlie and Grace so I called them out on the back deck right away for a quick test-shoot. One thing is, when you're shooting at 1.2 you can forget about both eyes being in focus unless they are on the same exact plane and you're back further. This one is straight out of camera, except for resizing and sharpening for blog.
Shot: Manual exposure, no flash, ISO 250, Auto WB, 1/640 second at f1.2.
I think I used this lens for 80% of the wedding I photographed yesterday it's so unreal! Pics of that coming shortly...
Finally found a gas can (Mike's friends own the store)... Now off to scour for gasoline. My car ran out after looking at 16+ stations.. And that was just today!
Have I mentioned ever I *HEART* my back deck?? I feel so blessed to have this space and am excited it's cooling down now so I can get out there and enjoy it. I'm even bringing work/breakfast out there during the shade-hours :)
I was browsing the net today and came across this and then checked it out on Amazon - I had NO idea it was out yet and haven't read the inside yet so I'm dying to get my hands on a copy :)
Product Description (from Amazon.com)
From emotional bridal portraits and intimate images of the ceremony to dynamic reception and wedding party shots, this illustrative sourcebook explores the vast array of image styles available to modern wedding photographers. Containing interviews with the top 10 wedding studio owners in the country, this indispensable reference offers a variety of opinions on everything from art and business philosophies to scheduling, handling retainers, writing contracts, and executing effective marketing plans. More than 15 images from each pro demonstrate classic and cutting-edge techniques—as well as each photographer’s signature wedding portrait style—and are accompanied by details on recreating the scene. Additional tips on inspiring expressions and moods, modulating lighting, and adjusting composition while keeping clients relaxed during this emotionally-charged event are also included.
The Perfect Wedding Guide just posted TWO articles chalk-full of tips and advice for those interested in planning a destination wedding... and featured our pictures :)
This is another thing that I've had complete for a while but it's been so busy I forgot about blogging until now!
On May 5th, 2008 I started with a FRESH Moleskin journal and only took a break from it for a few trips this summer (when I brought a smaller notebook then transfered these entries into the journal). I realized in late August when I got to the end of the Moleskin that indeed I'd accomplished this 101 in 1001 item MUCH quicker than anticipated!!
Journaling has been something I've done most of my life and includes random recounts of events, thoughts, prayers, verses, studies, and some notes. Mainly it's a prayer journal though lately.
When I look back to the ones from JR High and grade school it's more of "what boy is cute" and "who's birthday party I was invited to." Haha. I recently recovered a locked chest full of all my childhood notebooks and notes and journals... it's nice to have this blog now to have another sort of record of everything going on.
I've since purchased a new Moleskin... I think I'll continue with this one...
Our friends Laurie and Greg were due last Thursday and Laurie stopped by with their daughter on their way to a play-date.
Look who may be a big sister today (they're supposed to go in today!)
Here's a few shots I got of her in her car seat. She was ALL seriousness that day!
The funniest thing happened when she came barreling into the house... Charlie (our boy cat) was sooo scared! He usually is the first one to run up to any visitors and want to sit on their lap but I think he didn't know WHAT to do since she's so small :) Here's Laurie pointing out where Charlie is and then her going out to bond with Grace (our girl kitty).
This is going to be such exciting news to find out if it's a little sister or a little brother!
Let me prelude this with the fact that NO, I am not making my own wedding cake. We hired an AMAZING baker in LA to do that and I'm so excited to see/taste it on the big day.
I MAY however be helping with a friend's cake and trying this technique out for some parties and GTGs in the future.
Kimberly and I got together this past Thursday for a fun, girlie "DIY Night." We've gone through the 12-step program to fully admitting to our Martha-esque home-body girlyness and now we're here to share our findings with the world. Findings:
COVERING A CAKE WITH FONDANT ICING IS SOOOOOOO EASY!!!
Gone are the days of me practicing my Wilson Cake Decorating methods with just butter cream (that I learned when I took a class that my mom enrolled me in when I was 12)!!
We didn't have a lot of time because I had to pack last minute to leave town... so we decided to try on the smallest cake possible... for technique purposes. Here we go:
1. Start with a pre-made cake from Publix or Kroger or your neighborhood grocery store. This 9" round single-layer cost us a whopping $7! Remove any decorations and smooth out the butter cream icing.
2. Smooth out the butter cream but leave at least a thin layer - the fondant needs this layer - it has to stick to something!! When you're done, stick it in the freezer or fridge to make the cake firm.
You can buy pre-made fondant at Michaels and other craft stores or order better-tasting stuff from a place like Cooks Dream. You'll also need a fondant roller which is generally longer and less-porous than a rolling pin.
3. Remove the fondant from it's package and kneed it to "warm it up." Then sprinkle some corn starch on your surface to keep it from sticking. Roll out the fondant until it's as thin as you desire (usually 3mm thick more or less). It's like working with play-dough!
4. Now it's time to put it on the cake. Place the cake next to the fondant and roll the fondant onto your fondant-roller. This makes for easy transfer without tearing it. Then simply unroll the fondant over top of the cake and adjust.
5. Now here's the most difficult part (but really it was surprisingly easy!)... the application and smoothing of the fondant. I found this video online from Planet Cake that shows how to do the technique (the whole process really!)
6. Next you cut off the excess with a knife.
7. We then cleaned up the bottom and transfered it to another cardboard. For a "real" cake we'd probably put it on a cardboard the SAME size as the cake so you don't see it at all.
8. Then it's time to decorate!! We had some fun playing with the fondant but since we were out of time we quit before it got too pretty so we could sample a bite before the night was done. Tah-dah!!
My only wish was that pre-made fondant was better-tasting. It's best described as sugar the consistency of gum to chew. Ewwee. But oh-so-pretty!!
Throwing a shower for my friend Kimberly and mailing off our Premarital question sheets Mike and I both filled out before being assigned a mentor couple :)
I find my pictures being used in the most interesting places on the Net. I found an article on a website called Environmental Graffiti that uses a picture I took to illustrate their picks for the "10 Incredible Underground Lakes and Rivers" throughout the world.
It's always odd finding my pictures reposted without my permission (they clearly removed my watermark using Photoshop) but it doesn't really bother me if they've properly given credit and linked back to us.
This image was taken in July 2007 the day before Farrah and Nick's wedding in Kefalonia, Greece.
The Messalini Caves have to be the most amazing caves I've ever been in. We actually got to go on a boat ride on this lake into other parts that were not exposed to the light.
I ended up framing this picture in not one but TWO spots in my house I like the image so much. If you want a copy/print they're available now online for purchase too :) Underground Cave Pictures For Sale
My busy-bee weekend plans have taken a very quick turn. Mike and I are headed down to Florida tomorrow morning for his Grandmother's viewing and funeral. I'd gotten him tickets to a Braves game (and other attractions) for his birthday that were scheduled for this weekend along with a garage sale planned but those things can happen some other time.
Above: Mikey chatting with my Aunt and Uncle on the 4th of July up in Ohio... one of those weekends we had a chance to get out of the hustle-bustle
One of the biggest problems in our schools and workplaces is that we confuse activity with results, so we put a premium on busy work and busy-ness. But human beings need time for reflection, because that is how we develop good judgment, and that is how we learn to live with ourselves.
There’s a story about an American traveling in Africa. He hires a guide to lead him through the jungle to a remote village. In the afternoon the guide stops to set up camp for the night. The American impatiently inquires why they aren’t taking advantage of the remaining daylight to travel farther. 'We have traveled very fast and must allow time for our souls to catch up with our bodies' says the guide.
Then again this weekend...well, it's worse this weekend because I didn't even have my own camera there. I ADMIT I'm BAD at being a wedding GUEST and NOT TAKING PICS. I get this urge, this itch, and I JUST CAN'T HELP IT!
Mike set down his 20D for a few seconds at our table...and when newlyweds Angie and Justin came over I picked up it up for a few clicks.
It's AN ADDICTION, I swear!
Here's a shot I got when they found out that our friends Heather and Greg are pregnant!
We've got about a month before travels start up again for the Business Boot Camps we're doing in Arizona and Texas then a wedding in New Orleans... so between now and then lots of behind-the-scenes work is being done on our websites and processes.
I'm just now realizing how incredibly outdated our portfolio site is and we're putting up new galleries online soon so here are a few of my favorites that made the cut. These are from Carmen and Bryan's Day After shoot in Ocho Rios Jamaica. We actually did TWO day after sessions after their wedding because they had different outfits and wanted to catch the great light one morning (it was ~ 6am!!)
Sooooo relaxing!
Love the flare/light
This one cracks me up... her expression is priceless!
The pool ones are some of my favorites. Talk about dangerous having a few $$k worth of camera equipment an inch above the water!
WOKE up this morning to news of the largest bankruptcy in history... TEN times larger than the WorldCom/Enron collapse... (no, we're not connected in any way other than the name with the Lehman Brother's)
SPENT the lunch hour with sweet potential clients laughing, comparing quirks of loved ones, dreaming out loud about our weddings, forgetting for a while what was happening outside these walls....
COOKED up an industrial-size vat of noodle soup that will last us through the winter, and hopefully help Mikey's cold...
GLIMPSED the news again and was yet again reminded YES I am blessed to have a business and a job even if the economy is less than stellar now...
RECEIVED the sad, sad news that my darling fiance's grandmother passed away this evening...
REMEMBERED the verse cards I'd made and wanted to look through again...
Blessed is the man who preserves under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? - 1 Corinthians 1:20
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9
A funny thing is happening.. I must be getting to that age .... where so many people we know are finally getting hitched.... where I'm just as often a GUEST at weddings!
It's sooooo weird not bringing a camera!!
Mike and I are headed south of Atlanta today for our friend's wedding and I've discovered most of my wedding-worthy attire is BLACK since I'm used to being behind the camera! When our wedding is over and I have a clothing budget again, I've got to get me some proper wedding-guest attire! LOL. What to wear, what to wear??
I'm still out here in LA and moved over by the airport where the annual Pictage Partner Conference is taking place. This is the 4th one out here and it's always awesome to see familiar faces here. I fly home tommorrow after I speak :)
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