It IS personal! (Warsaw, IN Photographer)

There is a quote from The Godfather that goes "It's not personal. It's business." Now, I'll admit I've never actually seen The Godfather, and I only know about the quote from another movie, You've Got Mail, which happens to be a movie that frequents my (ever changing) Top Ten movies list. In the movie, it makes sense as advice. In real life, things get a little more complicated.

See, our business... what we do... is deeply personal. Yes, you are hiring us to capture your family, your wedding, your life, but you are also asking us to take tiny pieces of ourselves in those photos. As artists, we aren't just making photos, but creating art... and it can be a painful, and personal process!

Additionally, when we say "Investment" we aren't just using it as a buzz word. You truly are investing in Double K when you support us. You're investing in our business, you're investing in our lives. And we truly appreciate it!

Last but not least, I'd like to thank the people who didn't think we'd make it. Your doubt only made us prove ourselves! Yes, we have a long way to go, but, baby, look how far we've come!!

Melissa + Zech = LOVE! (Warsaw, IN Wedding Photographer)

So hard to blog about weddings... so many wonderful photos to show, and yet I don't want to make your eyes cross!

One of the best parts of Melissa & Zech's day was the dress. Not just the dress because it was gorgeous and perfectly "Melissa", but because it was a secret!

I'll never forget her slinking up to me at the rehearsal, and going "Guess what?!" Before I could answer, with a sparkle in her eyes, she told me- "Mom and I found a new dress! And it is PERFECT! And nobody has seen it, but me and Mom! Zech has no idea!! It's going to be a complete surprise!" So I was already in love with the entire idea of the secret dress, and then I saw it, and it WAS perfect! And it was so much fun to capture the looks she got revealing her surprise to everyone!

Melissa and Zech, we love you guys and loved being a part of your special day! Looking forward to the future addition in your family, and being able to capture you grow! ~Naomi

PS~ They did a seriously adorable First Look, and the Sneak Peek I put up really is cute too, so be sure to check the links out! And, if you do like your eyes crossing, feel free to check out their gallery on our website!

Happy Monthiversary!

Today is 3 years and 10 months since I married my best friend. We celebrate every month because the 24th is a special day, not just our official anniversary, but also the date we were engaged. Even our wedding license cost $24!

I love this man with a heart that burns for him. He is so amazing and I sometimes feel I will never live to deserve the love he gives me- and then I realize that is the whole point of true love. It's nothing deserved, but a gift freely given.

Dearest Samuel,

     You are my one and my only. You showed me love when my world was crumbling, and you have supported me through some of the hardest times in my life.

     Thank you for believing that my unique view of the world would be cherished by more than just you. Without you, there would be no Double K. More importantly, without you... there would be no me.

                                                                                        I love you so much! ~Naomi

Backup your backups!

Did you know that on average, only 7% of computer users make daily backups*? I'm afraid that until today, we fell in with the other 93%! Now don't freak out- we have a solid backup plan in place, but I was certain I wanted more!

Before today we backed up all files (personal & business) to an external hard-drive. We then backed up all business files to disc, in their original format. Additionally, we back up the business edits to disc, and they are uploaded to galleries on our website. Even private photos end up on the website, via private galleries, with password protection.

As you can see, it makes for a bit of work... and if Sam is doing the backups, a bit of mess!

After seeing several photographers whom I follow post warnings via their blogs or Facebook pages, I came to realize that what we were doing just wasn't enough for me to sleep at night! Nightmares of hard-drives crashing, discs melting, houses burning down were enough for me to say ENOUGH! So as of today we started doing a daily backup sweep that stores our information & files online. I've done through research and not only is this secure, but according to other photographers, this is the best (and easiest) way to backup photos.

Since I'm old-school, and always will be a little, I'm still doing the backups to our hard-drive, and burning the original & edited files to disc, but I love the peace of mind I just bought! And I hope you do too! ~Naomi



*Backblaze Survey Info

Izzy- 3 years (Warsaw, IN Child Photographer)

There are times when certain sessions are more challenging than others. I note this not to complain, but to affirm! I love challenges, be it weird lighting or extreme heat or an active child. Add them all up and you get Izzy's session! In retrospect, we should have rescheduled, but we soldiered on with our snapping on The Hottest Day of June! And I'm glad we did because I think we really nailed it! They might not be your perfect portraits, but I think we really captured this little gal as she truly exists!

Heather & Keith Sneak Peek- Warsaw IN Wedding Photography

I called this a "Pop-up wedding" because like a pop-up storm, it wasn't on our radar! Luckily we had the weekend open and were able to capture this special wedding- not just a wedding of two people, but a family coming together.

And what could be more romantic than wanting to get married under the willow tree in your parents' lawn?

This is the groom seeing his bride for this first time, and Heather's son seeing his mom come down the aisle.

In addition to very touching vows to each other, Keith said vows to Heather's son. Definitely some tears from the audience!

The happy, gorgeous couple!

I don't suppose you can be a mom and have your first dance completely uninterrupted!

Mom and son dance, so adorable!

Heather & Keith, thanks for letting us capture your special day! We hope you continue to grow together as a family and that your love is always shining as bright as we saw yesterday!

Daphne The Spider

This blog post is about a spider. Yep. So you've been warned. I understand that there are many people who don't like spiders, and won't even be the least bit interested in this. There are people wondering what the heck a spider has to do with a wedding photographer anyway! Well, read on, and you will find out.

Few things to know about me- when I say I love all animals, I mean ALL animals! Also, I like rooting for the underdog, be it the Cubs or a misunderstood creature of God. And I also take photos of everything.

I also have several chronic pain conditions that from time to time flare up and make my life a lot harder to live! One is a disease called Interstitial Cystitis (also know as Painful Bladder Syndrome). Some doctors will tell you it isn't even a real disease, but I will tell you that as a patient, it can make your life not worth living. I also have several other medical conditions related to the IC, such as Endometriosis, and another disease so painful & private most people won't even talk about it. I've come a very long way as a patient- exercise, diet, physical therapy, drugs, supplements, short of voo-doo, I've been through the ringer. Many days it works, and I count my blessings and pray for all my fellow patients who are having bad days (months, years, etc).

This past month I kinda hit a dark spot. And along came a spider...

I first noticed the web late one evening as we were coming home. It stood out in my mind because it isn't every day that you find a spider web on the top of your car! I just assumed the spider had made the web, then decided a moving home really wasn't her thing.

Next morning, I almost get into my car when I see this-

She's there, alive & kicking! And enjoying all the bugs we caught the night before from driving through the country!

I told my husband, Sam, her name is "Daphne" and she is allowed to stay as long as she likes!

Not only was I inspired by her ingenuity, but every time I drove somewhere her web was eventually destroyed, and every morning I would go out to my car to find she had spun another one overnight.

In addition to making a web, she came up with this neat little "cave" at the base of the antenna, where she would go while I drove! It was even waterproof!

Sadly, this past week she disappeared. There is still a wisp of her web atop my car, and I've left it there as a reminder that you can still create beauty, even in unlikely circumstances.

Thanks, God, for the reminder!

Put a little love in your heart...

As a photographer, even one who makes photos every day, I often find myself missing pieces of my own life. Forgetting to catch the photos that we will value forever of our own family.

I love my husband dearly. Part of why I love him is how he unconditionally loved all the animals living under my roof, because they were my little family.

Even though Duke is (and always will be) MY dog, he has learned to love my husband as his own "Daddy". This photo captures what I feel.