Ashley Hodgson Photography

I HAVE MOVED!!

2009-10-28T13:15:00.005-04:00

My time at Blogspot was a lovely two year deal, but my blog has been giving me so much trouble lately, that I thought I would broaden my horizons and try something new. I now have a new blog at WordPress.Com. I am still going to use Photobucket and I am still going to apply all the great things Kristen taught me. And happily with this fresh start, I even have some updates/changes in my business which shall be fun! I am excited. For this fresh start.

Please visit my new blog: www.ashleyhodgsonphoto.wordpress.com

I bid adieu for the last time!

Technically Challenged......

2009-09-30T11:23:00.008-04:00

To My Dear Fan Base:

I hope you do not judge me for my lack of HTML knowledge. I hope you do not squint with disgust each time my very white blog and crazy header, blares at you through your computer screen. I do hope you still check my little blog in spite of its imperfections? Imperfections, which I know, I need to fix soon! And I assure you, when school doesn't press quite as hard, I will happily run to some computer whiz, and beg them to save my blog from its dire plight. Do forgive me, dear readers, do forgive.

My excuse for no new blog post? Well, my family and I have been very busy. Very busy. I always feel like I get busier and busier as each school year comes and goes. And, I always think I cannot possibly get any busier, but each each year, in fact, I am always busier than the last. I, know, that is a lame and common excuse for lack of posting, but I have been BUSY! I do pledge to do better. Period.

Due to the pressuring from some certain people, I will post a few pictures from this past Monday. My family and I hiked up to "Chimney Tops", where we enjoyed the sights and rejoiced that the weather behaved itself beautifully. And being the little photographer that I am, I was sure not to forget my camera........

At the very top, looking very determined and serious.

Up next: Head shots of a lovely friend.
Truly, I will post as soon as I can. Truly.

Please Note

2009-08-19T20:35:00.007-04:00

I have been having some technical difficulties---hints the odd placement of my header! I am working on it, and should have the header back to its original spot soon......

Internship

2009-08-19T14:09:00.033-04:00

Well, here I am, finally getting around to blogging an event that, really needs some blog space: the internship in Maryland. It was great. God was so kind to allow me to go! In a span of a week, I learned so much, in really, so little time. I have, suffice it to say, been enlightened in many ways. Before attending the internship, I honestly knew none of the technical or business aspects of photography. I knew my photography style, had a little blog that took hours to upload the many photos, and had only a limited (but great!) amount of photo shoots under my belt : ). The latter is still true, but I am quite happy to say, I am now taking advantage of this wonderful, little mode called manual. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I am now an official manual shooter. This may in fact, mean nothing to you, but thank goodness it finally means something to me....: ) My pictures are better, and I am no longer hindered by less than conducive lighting....but I shall say no more and let my photos do the talking. My fellow classmates (there were two) and I, devoted one whole day on the subject of running/owning our own businesses, changed our blog formats, and had a photo shoot every night. As I said above, it was great.

Now, it is in order that I pay tribute to the mastermind behind it all: Kristen Leigh (pronounced lee not lay : ). Not only is she fun, nice and thoroughly enjoyable to be with, but she is a brilliant photographer and business woman. And did I mention she is only nineteen years old? (almost twenty--everyone wish her a happy birthday on her blog Tomorrow is her golden birthday!) She knows her style, and her pictures seem to get better and better every time I see her latest wedding shoot. It really was an amazing opportunity for me to intern with her, and she gave us much needed insight. Thanks, Kristen, for dealing with a nut like me (Do I really have a lazy eye!!?!?), and taking a week out of your summer to teach a group of fellow photographers in need! Kristen, you're the bomb.

Kristen doing what she does best.....(There I did it, Kristen, I said something nice and cheesy ; )

Really, Kristen, thank you.

Now, I also must mention another very important factor in my internship experience: my classmates.

First, I shall begin with jolly, Ashley. (Doesn't she have a great name??) Oh, Ashley. Well, we had an odd beginning (we met about three years ago) that neither of us can explain, and now, it's a story we just laugh in confusion about (ask her for the tale, or ask me: it's too long to type), but now, as of a few weeks ago, we are fast friends. So much so, I stayed at her house (Thanks, Malcolm family!) after the internship's conclusion. Let's just say, we wish there wasn't a nine hour traveling distance between Gaithersburg and Knoxville--so sad. Isn't she pretty?

Ashley at work.......make sure you check her blog out!

(Miss you "scar-face"....ha!)

My other classmate was Jessina-baby (ha!). As soon as you meet Jessina, you like her. I certainly did, the moment we shook hands when she arrived. She is so very pleasant to be around, and is one of the sweetest, and kindest girls, I have ever met (Did I say she was nice?) . I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her, and getting to know her better. She has such a gift for photography, and has such an admirable goal for her skill. (She would like to photograph missions trips some day.....surprising? I think not.) Another, lovely face......

Jessina in action---check out her great blog as well. Miss you!

Well, to all my faithful readers and future clients, here is the proof that I did indeed attend, Kristen's Photography Internship, and that I am now officially no longer a "photography dummy".

Amen.

Outer Banks

2009-08-16T20:26:00.012-04:00

Before I begin the tedious (and I say that tongue in cheek) task of recapping my week of photo shoots, crash courses in business and blog transformation, a.k.a. interning with Kristen, I think it necessary to do a post on my wonderful Outer Banks vacation. Each year (for the past six) the Hodgson family has packed up all three families, and driven to some sunny, sandy destination. We go sightseeing, play games, watch movies, eat more than we should, and spend hours on the beach. Each year has been different, and each year has held its own special memories. This year was no different- save instead of making the trek to the Gulf, we decided to vacation on the East Coast. And, I am so glad we did.

Let me begin with our first outing; Currituck Lighthouse.

We climbed all 214 steps...........joyously at the top enjoying the sights.
Mom didn't care to make the climb with us: heights aren't her forte.......Here she is happily at the bottom. : )

The lovely "keeper's dwelling"

The grounds around the lighthouse.

........The following day, we went to Jockey's Ridge. The sand dunes were beautiful, though the day we chose to visit them was one of the hottest days we were there. Thank goodness for the breeze at the dune's top.....

Becca and Caroline

Henry and me on top of Jockey's Ridge....

.........

.Sweaty indeed.

Henry snapped this candid picture of me, I think there was a fly in my hair....

We all spent a good amount of time, during the course of our hike, seeing who could get down the dunes the fastest. I am happy to say, I think I was the winner.......but, no I shan't post any pictures of me tearing through the sand. : ) I hope a picture of Caroline will suffice.......
........Hodgsons at Kitty Hawk
Wilbur and Orville Wright Memorial

Becca

Henry and Granddaddy
Dad being, well, Dad.....

.......Henry, following suit

.........
My sweet grandparents in front of Bodie Lighthouse

And, one last shot from the OBX National Seashore.

Thank you family for such an excellent vacation. I had a wonderful time! Though, I think it was mean to plan a vacation the week before school resumes.......(which will be a scary shock of reality after doing such rigorous activities like beach going), but I forgive. : )
Up next: Internship Re-cap.

Braden and Christy

2009-08-06T15:06:00.007-04:00

Last Wednesday night, Kristen, the interns and I got to photograph this wonderful couple. We arrived in Laytonsville, and awaited Braden's and Christy's arrival with eager anticipation. It was our first couple shoot of the internship. I wondered what they would be like. As they arrived and got out of the car, I instantly knew this would be a good photo shoot; perfect weather, quaint location and a sweet couple. I had heard from Kristen they would be cute, but little did I know they would be this adorable.
Christy, your dress was beautiful.

I asked them to dance, and, oh yes, they pulled out their best moves!

Lovely. Just lovely.

Christy is quiet and gentle; Braden is fun, and well......

loves Christy very much.
Christy loves her man, too!

Braden and Christy, I hope your seventh wedding anniversary in November is wonderful!!

Jake and Loren: Wedding

2009-07-31T23:34:00.008-04:00

Freeman Plewniak: Newborn

2009-07-28T16:48:00.006-04:00

Smoky Mountains

2009-07-21T20:44:00.007-04:00

On Monday, our family took the lovely drive to the Smoky Mountains. After eating and hiking a bit, the boys attempted at some fishing, but they were hit with their usual curse: catching only one three inch fish a piece. (I am sure you saw Henry's prize Rainbow Trout above.) Fishing for Dad and Henry seems to be more of a test of patience than, well, huge success......poor chaps.

Coming Soon: Freeman Plewniak

2009-07-18T12:17:00.002-04:00

Elsie Puncochar: Newborn

2009-07-14T14:45:00.009-04:00

The Puncochars: Family

2009-07-14T14:33:00.009-04:00

Loren and Jake

2009-05-30T14:44:00.006-04:00

Loren and Jake

2009-05-27T12:42:00.004-04:00

Marissa- Senior Pictures

2009-04-15T11:18:00.000-04:00

Hamming it up for the camera, yours truly.

Easter

2009-04-15T10:13:00.002-04:00

The weather was sunny and warm. The lunch was scrumptious. The outdoors were lovely. And we were grateful: truly grateful for our Savior!

He is risen: Hallelujah!

Spring

2009-04-06T08:38:00.001-04:00

Henry flying his remote control airplane.

Hope all are having a fabulous April!

Grass Can Be Lovely

2009-04-06T08:16:00.000-04:00

I am so happy with how these shots turned out. I guess it was worth the tick I got on my back from squatting in the tall grass for so long!

Becca

2009-03-21T12:08:00.001-04:00

Caroline

2009-03-21T11:47:00.001-04:00

Business Cards

2009-02-25T12:28:00.000-05:00

Just received these in the mail!!

Out in the Country for an Afternoon

2009-02-25T11:48:00.001-05:00

This past Monday, my family and I went out to my grandparent's house. They live on a beautiful piece of property and the surrounding areas are gorgeous as well. I love to go out to their house and spend time with them and enjoy their land. That particular day the weather was really lovely, so I dragged Henry along through their woods to get some pictures of the neighboring fields. I am glad the pictures turned out!

Fruit-a-la-Fruit

2009-02-19T16:05:00.000-05:00

Lauren and Marissa

2009-02-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

Two very dear friends for whom I am most grateful. Thanks for
letting me get a few quick snaps!

Meagan and John, Part I

2009-02-05T17:27:00.000-05:00

This wedding was such an amazing opportunity for me. I was so thankful that I was able to second-shoot with Gabby Dalton (Thanks, Gabby!). Not only did I learn so much, but I loved being "behind the scenes" at such a laid back yet elegant wedding. I have known the bride, Meagan, for a long time so I felt at home with her and her bridesmaids. She looked so lovely and was so very excited to get married to John. Thanks for letting me be part of your day! Enjoy the samples.

Meagan and John, Part II

2009-02-05T16:59:00.001-05:00

Photo Shoot with the Lovely Alicia

2009-02-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

I so enjoyed taking Alicia down to one of our local parks and getting a few pictures.
Alicia is so easy going and was an excellent model. (Thanks for bearing the cold!)
She's such a natural beauty!! Here are a few samples:

I loved her hair!

Dan

2009-01-08T22:32:00.003-05:00

This is my cousin Dan. He loves to have his picture taken and even asked for me to do so! He was an excellent subject. As for the cowboy theme, give all the credit to him! I really like how the tones in these photos turned out. Most of them are straight out of the camera, no editing from me.
Enjoy, he's a cutie!

Dan the Man

2009-01-08T22:11:00.001-05:00