pure photography by april cochran-smith

new year's card

My great idea this year was to send out a New Year's card from pure photography.  Wondering why you didn't get one?  Welllll, I got them half made & then slacked off & never finished the other side.  I was feeling productive today, so I finished the second side.  Since it'd be a little late (no comments, please) to send it out now, I thought I'd at least share it with you all here.  So, to all of my wonderful clients of 2008, thank you & have a wonderful 2009!

kristen & chad - slideshow

Just like I promised, here's Kristen & Chad's slideshow!

kristen & chad

So, I'm about a week behind on blogging this engagement session.  Hooray for living in the middle of nowhere with it's recently spotty internet service.  Anyway, enough about me...  This engagement session was awesome!  When we were talking on the phone about where to do it, I mentioned that it was too bad that Indiana Beach was going to be closed.  Well, it turns out that this year, they decided to stay open until the end of October.  Score!  The only glitch was the fact that the park was having a Halloween theme starting at 4 on Saturdays in October.  Yeah, we got there around 5.  So, we spent a large part of the time ducking around corners trying to avoid crazy people with chainsaws.  Somehow there was some poor planning and there were actually 2 Leatherfaces (that felt really weird to type).  Needless to say, I lost any semblance of cool in my attempt to hide behind Chad everytime a Leatherface character came around.  The good news?  It was a ton of fun & we definitely got to know each other pretty well.  We even took a couple of breaks to eat some elephant ears (without cherries-grrr) & some world famous tacos while we waited for the lights to come on for the rides.  Of course Halloween threw another curve ball at us there and they didn't turn on the boardwalk lights.  Luckily, I found a little patch of light to photograph them in at the very end.  Kristen & Chad are so cool & so much fun to be around.  I can't wait to photograph their wedding on the lake in April! 

This is actually a fireworks store that I saw on my way to meet Kristen & Chad.  Luckily they obliged me & stopped for a couple of shots

FAVORITE!

I'm pretty sure they're making fun of me in this picture.  That's ok, it works :)

LOVE IT!  I have to thank Chad for this shot.  It was on top of the Pronto Princess, which was closed off.  Kristen & I were ready to walk away, but he went and asked if we could go up.  Sure enough, they said yes.  Chad, you rock!

I love how unique her ring is.  Isn't it cool?

I couldn't decide between these next two, so I just went ahead and put them both up!

My little spot of light...

Want more?  Don't worry, the slideshow's on it's way!

kristen & chad - teaser

I love this picture and just had to share it with you. I was trying to wait a couple of days to spread out my blog posts, but I can't wait any longer!  Ok, that's all.  Carry on....

shaena & ben - the full post!

Shaena is my husband, Dustin's, sister.  She got engaged to Ben about a month ago & while I'm not doing the wedding pictures, they asked me if I would do their engagement photos.  Obviously I said YES!  We did the photo shoot before (& partially during) their engagement party at Ben's parent's house.  Oh & in case you're wondering, I'm not doing the wedding pictures, because I'm actually in the wedding, as the maid of honor no less - woot!  It'll be pretty weird to be on the other side of the camera for the day, though.  However, I'd much rather be standing up there supporting the two of them, than working and not getting to enjoy the wedding!  

Shaena & Ben are a perfect match.  They both love nature, wildlife & just being outdoors enjoying life.  I've known Shaena since she was 11 & I'm so happy that she found someone so wonderful for her.  In the whole time I've known her, I've never seen her as happy, content & as comfortable in her own skin as she is now.  Not only is Shaena lucky to have Ben in her life, but our whole family is grateful that he's going to be part of our family now too. He's not just a perfect match for Shaena, he's a perfect fit with us as well.  Ok, enough mushiness.  I should be saving all of this for my speech I have to give at the wedding (yikes).  Besides, after seeing them in these pictures, I think you'll understand everything that I've just told you... 

I have to preface this by saying that Shaena was pretty freaked out by the wheelbarrow idea.  She hung in there like a trooper, though & Ben never tipped it over.

Yeah, they're pretty good looking.  (hello understatment)

LOVE IT!

Ben's idea & a very good one at that.  Everyone had been sitting right behind here & we made them all move their chairs to get this shot.  They gave us a hard time, but I think it was worth it, don't you?

We then moved on to Ben's grandparent's property down the road.  It was gorgeous, as you can see...

I love fall...

Shaena's idea & once again, a very good one.

Want more?  Check out the slideshow below!