Friday, August 29, 2014

Rain | Style Shoot

 I ran across these photos I took last year and decided to share some with you all!  I tell you, we got SOAKED taking these pictures.   It was pouring, but my sister was so sweet and did whatever I asked. :)


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

How to Make Your Blog More Professional

If you are just getting your blog started, you're probably wondering, "How in the world do I make it look professional?"  Or maybe you just want to make improvements on your blog.  We've all seen, and disliked the overdone blog that overwhelms you with flowers, sparkles and random colors.  Well, through research, trial and error (LOTS of error ;D) I have learned some basics that truly make your blog look more professional.

1.  Get rid of the navibar.  You never see this on professional blogs so we are going to ditch it.  Go into Layout then click on Edit that's in the Navibar box, then click Off.  That's all!  VERY easy.


2.  Create your own favicon.  Again, you never see the traditional blogger emblem on a professional blog.  Here is a link to a favicon program.  After you save it to your computer,  got to Layout, click on Edit in the Favicon box, load your favicon, then click Save.  It may take 24 hours for it to change, but it will load!


3.  Don't use too many colors.  Choose about 4 colors.  I made 2 of them my main, then 2 my accent. My main colors are black and hot pink, then gray and a light pink.

4.  Don't clutter with too many designs.  You don't want to overwhelm your readers.  You want them to focus on your pictures or writing.  Then you want them to remember your blog because they loved your work, not because of a crazy header, song (sometimes music is fine, as long as it's done tastefully), and sparkly background.  A blog needs to compliment, and bring attention to your work, not be so strong it makes the person forget your pictures. (Another problem with too many designs is it takes your blog longer to load, and people don't want to wait a long time.  So instead of waiting for your page to load, they'll leave and go visit another blog).

5.  Don't use text slang.  It is extremely unprofessional to be using, "Yesterday, we went 2gether 2 da park and 8 on da playground."  Seriously, its painful and looks like you skipped grade school.  Just no.

6.  Get your their, there, they're and your and you're straight.  People appreciate well written sentences.

7.  Don't use crazy text.  You want something simple that can be easily read.  If it's not simple, people will lose patience and leave your blog.  The same thing goes with the color of the text, on the body of the post, make sure you stay with gray or black.

8.  My last tip. Go to professional blogs you love and see what they did.  Look at the blog and think, "What do I like?"  Really study the blogs you love, and then use that knowledge to improve your blog.

I hope this was helpful!  Leave me a comment if you have any questions. :)


Friday, August 22, 2014

Christopher | 2nd Year | Toddler

You might remember this adorable little man from last year.  Cute as a button, and SUCH a smiley sweetheart!


Friday, August 15, 2014

Scott and Meriah | First Look | Wedding

Meriah and I had known each other since she was two years old, and I was one.  We grew up together, promising to keep each other accountable, especially when it came to boys. ;)   Then Meriah met Scott, and she kept her word, keeping me updated, when she was CONVINCED he was "just a friend," until their wedding day.  So it was really special for me when Meriah and Scott wanted me to take their first look pictures.   To make it even MORE special, they saved their first kiss for their wedding day (but I gotta tell ya, it is a little weird watching your bestie kiss a dude for the first time;).  If you want to see pictures of the rest of the day, my VERY talented friend Anna Liz did an amazing job documenting their wedding.