LAST CHANCE to take a Class

Hey guys!  So I've gotten a little busier than I originally anticipated for this summer. I'll only be teaching one more Photography session and one more Photoshop session. If you want to take it, this is the last chance.  I am planning on starting classes again in September, however, that is just a plan.  I can't say 100% for sure if I'll still be offering classes after this summer session.  You know, life.  Just saying. 

Anyway, if you're interested or you know someone who is, follow this link:

TAKE A CLASS

M&Ms?

I blame my mom. Not for everything, but when talking about the chubby weight hugging my mid-section I can only thank her...and my obsession. I am an M&M addict. And it was brought on by years of my Mom's training. She had a tin (which has now been passed on to my younger sis, Rach) that was always filled with M's. And if we were good, we'd get one or two, or even a handful.

So of course now when I want a treat I go for the plain M&Ms. But, I recently tried the pretzel M&Ms. After close inspection, I decided they were blah, yuck, not worth my tastebud's time.

Or so I thought after first try.

Of course I tried again. Afterall, they are M&Ms.

And now I'm addicted to them too.

Have you tried them? What do you think? 

Stop and enjoy the view.

Since I started shooting weddings I've made it a tradition to snap a shot of the wedding view. A few weeks ago, I shot a wedding at the Mt. Timpanogos temple in American Fork, UT. This is the same temple Mark and I got married 11 1/2 years ago. And finally, I captured it in a picture that I like. 

I love the cherry blossoms on the tree and the sun coming up behind the temple. 

Lovely. 

Hope you have an awesome Wednesday.
Oh, and on a side note: I finished editing my book, STALKING 101, for a second time and now I'm on to a third edit! But I have my fingers crossed that this will be the book to get published. Sigh. If not, I'll just write another. 

luv, erin

Hair today, gone tomorrow.

No fear, concerned friends and neighbors and relatives and blog stalkers--Mark has not become a member of Al Qaeda. He is not a serial killer. And as far as I know he's not planning to ditch our family for a tent in the woods and a shovel for bathroom facilities.

But it seems that everybody wants to know what the beard is all about. At first I think it grew out of sheer laziness. He didn't want to take the time to shave everyday. Mark grows hair like I eat M&Ms (or did, but that's another story). It's practically a super power. By 5:00 PM he doesn't have the "five o'clock shadow". No my friends. He has what other men consider "two day's growth."

In short, Mark is one hairy dude.

So as the days passed, and Mark's hair grew and grew, he decided to use his super power for the good of mankind (well, for the good of Xango's employees, and the kick they'd get out of a Xango inspired beard cut). On the 5th of May Mark shaved his burliness down to two X's criss-crossing his face. And in return he won the Xango annual mustache contest. 

So hot, right?

Believe me, it didn't last long. But Mark is uberly pleased that he won the contest. And I have to admit, the gift basket from Bath and Body Works smells pretty dang good! 

Public Service Announcement from S.S. Summerill

For that which I would risk my life.

On Friday, I was late! And as you know that's a compulsory thing for me; however, when it comes to a photo shoot, I am always on time (Okay, 99% of the time). So when I was already five minutes late and the dude sitting in the truck two cars ahead of me slams on his breaks in the middle of State Street, of course I might swear under my breath. But I didn't. I just smiled and swerved around him.

As I pulled alongside Mr. Truck, I realized why he'd stopped. Just feet from the threat of his tires was a tiny charcoal kitten. My bleeding heart leapt in my chest, and panic flooded me. The kitten was headed across four lanes of traffic (two northbound and two southbound).

Like Mr. Truck, I slammed on my breaks and allowed the kitten to pass. But with horror I realized the kitten's death was sure to come. Just a half mile down the road the next stop light turned green and on-coming traffic approached at a sickening pace.

Without thinking, I flipped a U-turn on State Street, cutting across all lanes of traffic. I threw the van into park on the opposite side of the road (the side that the baby kitten was headed) and flung my door open. With one hand I motioned for the on-coming cars to stop, while using my other hand to honk the horn like a mad-woman. The cars in the lane nearest slowed. But beyond that lane, a semi-truck barreled down State Street headed right toward the tiny kitten padding its way across the road.

I panicked. The kitten's imminent death flashing in my mind. I didn't stop to think past that.

And I ran straight onto State Street. Holding my hands up, as if that might stop a Semi. But maybe it was luck on my side, or Heavenly Father watching over me, but the semi stopped in time. I reached down and picked up that kitten.

Or so I tried.

That damn kitten ran from me after I risked my life to save it! I chased after it for a half second and pounced on it. As I returned to the side of the road, with the little gray furball clutched to my chest, car after car passed with a thumbs up and a wave. It took at least an hour for the pounding beat of my heart to slow. You know, risking your life and all can really kick your adrenaline into overdrive.

And now, I present to you the newest member of our family:

State Street (Lizzy) Summerill

Picking Favorites.

Whenever I take someone's pictures, I'm always surprised that my favorite image isn't necessarily their favorite. I know they pick images for different reasons than me, but sometimes I wish they would choose the one I would choose. It's like a validation thing or something.
Last night I went to the capitol and shot bridals for the most lovely girl. Absolutely stunning. So when I got home and sifted through the pictures, I had a hard time deciding on my favorite one. But after I edited this one, I decided this one is it (or at least one of the top ten). There's something so charming about her in this image.

I'm not sure what I like so much about it, and I even asked Mark. But all he said is, "Yeah, that's nice." Uh, ok.  Anyway, you can decide for yourself...but for me, this one makes me smile with pride.

Eh you. Long time no talk, o wat?

(Translation: Hey you over there. Has it really been that long since we've spoken?)

I'm a terrible blogger. I ride the Bi-Polla' roller-coasta'. So sometimes blogging is all I do and than life hits and I fall off the face of the planet . . . which really means, I hide away in my cave of an office and spend countless hours EDITING - my book or my pics. Either way, my butt's often glued to the cheapo, vinyl office chair I snagged at a yardsale a couple years ago for 5 bucks.

Weekly Update:

1. Cruised around with awesome authors like J-Rall (Name drop-Janette Rallison) at the LDS Storymaker's writing conference. Met a fab agent and a super stylish editor (CSE-cute shoes editor) and pitched my book. There will be more to come on this subject.

b. Frantically worked on finishing and polishing my book to send to the aforementioned fab agent.

III.  Hit a hard wall of writer's block halfway through the week when I recieved my first 'I hate your photography' message. Sigh. It made me sad and I cried cause when it comes down to it, I'm a bit of a wussy.

4. Came back from my sad slump by shooting a KICK-A engagement shoot with the oh-so-awesome Tonja Merryweather taking position as the assist. Together we rocked the engagements.  Here's a sample.

You can check out the rest on my photo blog:
www.erinsummerillphotography.com/blog

5. Then I read the most AWFUL book yesterday. Ugh. I felt so angry that I couldn't think straight. Thus, this is the reason I'm blogging and not writing. The book is City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I've heard the other two books in the series are good. But honestly, GAG!  I don't know if I'll be able to bring myself to read on. 

I hope your week rocked. Let me know what's up with you. And leave a comment, because really I'm a sucker for it and with my low self esteem and all, it makes me feel fuzzy and good inside. Just sayin'.