My visit with an old friend in Brooklyn

The other weekend I was able to ride the train up to New York and spend the weekend with one of my oldest and dearest friends from college. I met Toya my first week of college and while we are soooo different in so many ways, we feel comfortable around each other and can talk for hours and hours when we are together. I love visiting her and her little family, her girls are so adorable and sweet, plus I get the opportunity to always see some cool site in NY. This trip was no different and we swung by the Brooklyn Flea Market. Though not large in size it is jammed pack with goodies. I found one vendor that made furniture from reclaimed wood (barns, doors, etc) and was so disappointed when I learned that they don't ship. Me and hubby would have to rent a truck and drive to NY to buy any of their items. And I am seriously debating it since they were so beautiful (And like a num-num forgot to snap a pic of any of their booth.) 

And you know me being a big foodie I had to stop and get great food. We went to Cafe Habana Post in Brooklyn for hands down the best frozen mojito and cuban sandwiches anywhere. Oh my gosh I am drooling thinking about them. YUM.

Oh and in case you are wondering all pics were taken with my 35mm lens and the Nikon D90.

Enjoy!

There were tons of vintage Coach bags at the flea market. I mean everywhere! Maybe they are a hot item right now. Oh how I wanted to snag one. These were the bags when Coach only made leather and they were sturdy as hell.

My friend Toya taking my picture. Something that rarely happens these days since I took up photography.

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Loveliness is Abound

Right now loveliness is abound in the garden and I have vases of these all around the house. What a lovely sight to wake up to.

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I missed my anniversary

I missed my anniversary and didn't even realize it! It just struck me when I was talking to my friend Cass tonight about our plans for a photoshoot and I had to reference something on the blog and came across this.

Last month this time marked 6 months of me owning a Nikon DSLR. It was the anniversary of when I committed myself to learning photography as a "serious hobby".  Sometimes I get  soooooo frustrated that my photography is not where I want it to be and I get discouraged when I see the great work of so many other photographers. But I have to take a step back and look at how far I have come. I've gotten to this point by just rolling up my sleeves and digging in and committing myself to learning. And quite frankly I never thought one little inanimate object like a camera could change my life so much. I have never had anything light a fire in me like photography. I feel so blessed to be able to pursue something that I love and gives me and others so much joy. I am looking forward to where photography takes me in the next 6 months because it has taken me oh so far already.

For now I leave you with a photo I took around my "anniversary" at the Shoot the Shot Workshop I attended hosted by Isabel March.

And if you want you can follow my photography journey over at Girl Photography.

And yes this was totally a post giving myself a pat on the back. Hey we all need one every once in a while ;)

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Great Find : Emerson Made=Pretty Loveliness

I came across this great find at a recent bridal show I attended. I don't think you have to be a bride to find these darling for everyday.

Go check out the Emerson Made website to see more loveliness.

All shot with a Nikon D3000, 35mm, f2, ISO 400

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Philadelphia Weddingbee Meetup at Silk City

When I was planning my wedding I was a BIG time reader of Weddingbee.com, so I was thrilled to hear that a Philly meetup was occurring for all the area readers and Bees. The location was Silk City, a diner that has been around for ages, however, with the addition of the Beer Garden and a snazzy take on traditional diner faves Silk City is one of the best spots in the city for brunch. We lounged outside chatting it up sipping Bloody Marys and mimosas. Though I am 9 months out from my wedding I still occasionally stop over to weddingbee and read the updates and post a comment here and there. For all of you newly engaged gals who haven't discovered weddingbee.com head on over and check it out. I swear that it is super helpful to any bride and also crazy addictive.

flamingred - she came looking so chic and stylish, very SATC

Bee readers will recognize this lady. It's Mrs. Cupcake!

Flamingred's bridesmaid came out too.

Bee reader danadelphia.

PS All photos taken with a 35mm lens, edited in Lightroom, sharpened with Pioneer Woman's action in PSE. If you want to see the other settings go over to my Flickr stream and click the properties link for the photo.

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What's in my camera bag

So I have been asked what lens do I use and so here is what I carry around in my camera bag.

First off I am a Nikon girl. I know there are many in the Canon legions but I chose Nikon. One because it was recommended by a good friend of mine who is a fab photographer and uses Nikon too. Two when I went to choose my first DSLR I did not like the feel of the entry level Canons in my hand. They didn't feel as well made as Nikon.

I have 4 lenses in my current arsenal and I rent lens as needed. Hopefully one day I won't have to that but it takes a while till I can bite the bullet and get some of the big gun lenses that are upwards of $2 grand.Yes that is 2000 DOLLARS - US. Photography is not cheap.

From left to right:

1 - Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5/5.6 - this is the kit lens that came with my D3000. It was my primary lens when I first got my camera but I rarely use it now. I only take it out for when I need to get wide angle shots.

2. Nikon 35mm f/1.8 - I LUUUUUVVVVVVV this lens. It was the best investment of $200 ever. It is sharp and produces great photos like the one below. It is my little workhorse and I use it on every job. In fact I can do whole sessions or events with it. On my D90 and D3000 it more like a 50mm since they are DX (cropped frame sensors). Is the star of my little camera bag and I can't imagine leaving it at home.

3. Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6 - This was the second lens I purchased. I use it occasionally when I need to zoom from far away and I don't want to be obtrusive but I much rather prefer my prime lenses.

4. Nikon 50mm f/1.4 - People wax poetic about the 50mm and while I like it, I don't love it. Behind my 35mm it is my most frequently used lens. Maybe I have not fallen in love with it because I have DX camera and it is more like a 75mm lens on my bodies. When I switch to a FX maybe I will join the legions of adoring fans. But I do love the sharpness and beautiful bokeh it provides and use it as my primary portrait lens.

I am looking to get another lens soon (after promising my husband) no more lenses till the end of the year ;(

I have my eye on the following:

Nikon 20mm f/2.8
Nikon 24 mm f/2.8
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8

I just need to decide on which one.

If you haven't noticed I love shooting with prime lens. i don't mind having to move and i love the results they give you.

And hopefully if I am a good girl and business is good this year I can get the holy grail  - the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8.

Hope this helps.

Oh and I also have a SB600  external flash that I use on jobs as well, but I try my darndest not to use a flash and I never use one for my casual photgraphy (except today to take this pic - on my poorly lit bookcase). But almost every photo I have posted here on MarthWannabee has been without a flash.

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The Garden has been all abloom

The garden has just been bursting with flowers. My rose bushes all except one have been alive with color, my rhododendrons were bursting with lovely petals of pink, and now my hydrangeas are starting to make their appearance after a poor performance last summer. If the summer continues this way this may be the loveliest year for my garden yet.

Just towards the end of the bloom time for my rhodies.

My one foxglove plant which has now yielded all its flowers.

A new edition to the garden this year. I forget the name.

My hydrangeas are just starting to turn pink. I would love to have white ones.

Not a big fan of daisies but they are hardy and bloom for a long time.

My cactus, which sticks me ever year yields beautiful big yellow flowers. As you can see weeds love to hide out in it since the needless make it hard to weed.

Coreopsis another hardy plant that blooms all summer.

And my mini ivory roses. They are so lovely and are growing over their bed like weeds but I don't mind.

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Pet adoption Day at Northern Liberties Piazza

Did I ever share with you the pics from our outing to Pet Adoption Day in Northern Liberties at the Piazza? Be prepared for some major furry cuteness. We almost came home with a gorgeous pure bred cocker spaniel. However, Roe and I have decide to hold off on another fur baby till we get our new house and have more time to give it all the attention it deserves. Plus my little guy Donnie is getting old and crogegty and I swear he has a touch of AS (is that possible in cats), that I want to be able to focus just on him for now.

The little guy on the left was going to all the cages and spilling out the water bowls. Naughty!

Free dog treats offered by my friend Tara from Avery's Pet Styling Salon and Boutique.

I didn't forget my feline friends.

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