Toni Price Photography

So, with a baby comes lots of changes (or so I’ve been told).

Here’s some changes coming to Toni Price Photography:

1. I’ll no longer be doing senior portraits. My specialty is weddings, and with a babe on the way, I’ve decided to be picky with my time (one of the BEST things about working for the man- and you being The Man). I’ve LOVED taking senior portraits, I really enjoy it. Just not enough time to do it all.

However, I’d never just leave you hanging. Here are some referrals who are ah-mazing!
Kokomo: Ashleigh Wheeler Photography. Amazing. I mean, really great! You HAVE to check her out!
Lafayette: Dave Mason. Again- amazing. These photographers really know how to take great portraits!
Delphi: Portraits By Lori. Lori’s images are beautiful. There is no question as to why she’s always winning awards!

2. I won’t be booking any more weddings for this year. I’m practically as booked as I can be at this point. Besides, I don’t think you want me bumping into the cake table with my belly. If you need some referrals, email me!

So just to recap, Toni Price Photography will no longer be taking senior portraits and as far as this year goes, I’ll not be booking any more weddings. So to come full circle: with a baby comes lots of changes (so I’m learning).

And here is a photo of the cutest 7 week embryo you’ve ever seen. Baby Price was the size of a blueberry here (1.5 cm!) He or she is now a cute adorable plum (2″) 3 months today! whoop whoop!! Now we can’t WAIT to find out what we are having!! Hurry up June!

Styled Shoots are uncommon in our neck of the woods, which is EXACTLY why Tammy, Val and myself thought it would be fun!

So what is this “Styled Shoot” you might ask. Good question. A Styled Shoot is simply a way for creative artists in the same industry to get together and let their creative juices flow! However they see fit.

Of course I was game for that!! And so were they…

Florist: White Iris Designs
Custom Jewelry: Abby Cox Design
Hair & Make-Up: Sassy’s Salon
Vintage Chandelier & vintage wedding dress: Painted Pony
Photography: Yours truly

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We went to sleep on Saturday night to rain and storms, and we woke up Sunday to heavy clouds just waiting to drop rain on us. It wasn’t until we arrived at Sassy’s Salon that I just knew everything was going to be okay. Why? She had coffee for us. (How sweet is she!?) And not just coffee… but Starbucks Peppermint flavoring. My favorite. Like, I go CRAZY for this stuff. At that point, come rain or shine, we would roll with the punches.

That’s Ann!! She is amazing. Not just at what she does, but who she is.

That’s one beautiful model, Melanie. Mel and I have been friends for years. She is SO beautiful and I knew she would be an AMAZING  model for this shoot!!

And this is our other beautiful model, Brooke! Here is a quick fun story. Stick with me here:
I worked at Victoria’s Secret in 2005.
Brooke worked at Salin Bank in Logansport in 2005.
I decided to switch jobs.
Brooke decided to switch jobs.
Here’s the crazy part…
She filled my position at Victoria’s Secret, I got her window at Salin Bank.

Tell me we weren’t destined to be friends <3

Oh, and she is amazingly beautiful. PERFECT model for this shoot!

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So from here on out, I don’t plan on saying much. An occasional peep, I’m sure. But I want to let you take in the beauty of what was created. From the flowers, to the jewels, to the photography. If you love to let the right side of your brain loose… you’ll really enjoy this!!

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I have to peep in here. That bouquet… I’m in LOVE! The colors, the textures… amazing!

Brooke- you’re ridiculously beautiful!

Abby used all genuine stones in these pieces. SO delicate and beautiful!!

Mel- this takes my breath away. Stunning <3

I must say, for our first Styled Shoot… that was a success! And so FUN!! I’m SO blessed to get to work with some of the most amazingly talented creatives in this industry!

Brooke, Melanie- thank you SO much for giving up your time to help us. You girls are so beautiful, and as cliche as it sounds… you’re even prettier on the inside. That’s why I love you so much!!

I can’t wait for our next shoot!!

Make sure you check out the vendors!

Florist: White Iris Designs
Custom Jewelry: Abby Cox Design
Hair & Make-Up: Sassy’s Salon
Vintage Chandelier & vintage wedding dress: Painted Pony
Photography: Yours truly

eeek!! That’s a wrap <3

Although there are times I would like to give my dog away… how could I?? I LOOOVE HIM!

I love the way he crosses his legs. I love the way he puts his head in my lap when I’m crying. I love the way he won’t touch his food until we tell him to eat. I love the way he thinks he is a lap dog. I love the way he gets SO excited when we get home. I love the way he lets me ride my bike with him on his leash and doesn’t ever make me wreck. I love the way he looks at me with those sad puppy eyes. I love the way he bumps into the bed when HE is ready to get up. I even love the way he takes forever to eat his bones, so that when I take a photo of him, his bones look gross. I just love him!

Confession time.

I LOVE workshops. Yet, I HATE workshops.

It’s to the point where I’m making pros/cons list. It’s out of control!! I’m going to share my list, maybe saying them out loud, blogging it about it, and posting it to my Facebook will help me decide. I mean, that’s how all important decisions are made, right? (Sarcasm there… just wanted to make sure that was pointed out!)

Here it is…

Pros:

1. You make friends (See con #1).
2. You get killer models to stand in the cold, wind, whatever and they ROCK! They don’t mind at all.
3. Which brings me to this point, you get great shots.
4. Which in turn gives you credibility that you can in fact, create great shots.
5. I learn something… every time. I learn, every stinking time.  (I think that alone leans me towards loving workshops.)
6. They are worth your $$.
7. You get to shoot at awesome locations (buuut… see con #4).
8: You learn from the BEST!!

Cons:

1. If you’re bad with small talk (like myself) you may also scare your new friends.
2. You leave wishing that was an actual wedding (at least I do. I don’t know… maybe no one else feels that way).
3. They are a lot of moo-lah. NOT all of them!! But the ones that are… shoo dang. You have to save for a year to go to one!  Worth it, but a lot of money regardless.
4. You have to drive forever if you want to re-shoot at those awesome locations.
5. I’m not the most hard core photographer, so when everyone is “kindly fighting” for the best angle… I’m usually the one in the back thinking, “Daaaang it!!”
6. Which a lot of times leaves me feeling frustrated. I get it, don’t get me wrong, there isn’t enough time for everyone to get “the perfect shot,” so you have to work what your momma gave ya… your brain.
7. You’re liable to be “put on the spot.” I.Hate.That. But again, if we aren’t drawn out of our comfort zones, how will we ever GROW as artists? (See pro #5).

Maybe if I was more out going.
Maybe if I had better equipment.
Maybe if I could just speak up.
Maybe if I could get the “best angle.”
Maybe if I knew just ONE person who was there too.

Maybe. Maybe, Maybe…
What if, What if, What if…
I wish, I wish, I wish…

Words of death.

It’s not about the maybe’s, what-if’s, or the could be’s… it’s about growth. And if it takes a Workshop to continue to grow me as an artist, and for me to lean more on Jesus as I continue to learn who I am as an artist, then that is what I will continue to do. We are supposed to be thankful in all things, right? Well then… I’m thankful for the growth. I’m thankful for the photog friends who I do have, the money well spent, the stretching that continues to grow me, and the fact that Jesus teaches me patience, love and kindness… even at a workshop.

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Ashley Nacke Winter Wonderland Shoot-Out
(You have GOT to check out Ashley… she is Da BOMB!!) This shoot-out wasn’t a workshop, just a bunch of great photographers getting together to shoot together, share ideas, and just be cool BIG thanks to Ashley for making this happen… it’s stuff like this that push me to the “love it” side

You can’t help but over shoot when those eyes look into your lens!!
Paparazzi!
His Ray Bans… The.Real.Deal.
After freezing in the wind, we thought it couldn’t get worse. Open field + more wind = worse But check out that awesome PINK barn
Our next couple was an adorable couple whose style was vintage inspired.
work it!
Then right before their hands froze off, we headed inside, and I’m SO happy we did. LOVE it in here!!
Our first couple, changed into a more traditional wedding attire and let us photograph them again.
oh, hi… pretty <3
BIG thanks to our models for freezing their booties for US You guys were AH-MAZING!!
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you…” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Well, Sunday was my very first Bridal Show and let me tell you, I’m still recovering! haha The girls at the White Iris told me I would be mentally drained, and I thought, “ya, sure. What’s so draining about talking constantly for 4 hours, smiling until your cheeks hurt, and wearing heals on hardwood where your feet feel they are going to bleed?” I understood what they were trying to tell me about 5:00 that day.

So, it was only a four hour show, and it was the perfect show to get my feet wet and practice my networking skills. Which, still need LOTS of help. I got called a kid by one photographer… “alright, kid… good luck to you.” I about asked him if he saw my silver highlights, but thought… “I like him about as much as the fed-ex guy who asked if my parents were home to sign for a package.” So I said thanks and walked away with my head held high. I think I may have offended another photographer because instead of saying, “Oh my gosh! You are da booooooomb!!!” I said, “Oh hi. Where are you located?” Wrong thing to say. I’ll stick with You da bomb from now on

While I didn’t make the best impression on some, I did however meet some AMAZING photographers who I feel lucky to have gotten to meet! Grant Thompson Photography, a hubby/wife team who just moved here from Florida (No, they aren’t crazy. Their family is here.) I adore them though. They love Jesus and take awesome photos. My kind of photographers!! Then I met Sarah Parent who I’ve been secretly stalking for some time now. She is quite possibly the sweetest, nicest photographer to date. You could wrap her up and sell her at a candy store, that is how sweet she is. I now understand, her photos exude love… duh, they are an extension of her! And then I met Brian Powell and he is seriously so cool. He is da bomb (and I mean that seriously) at off-camera lighting, and I’ll be honest, I’m jealous of his work. There I said it.

So, while I’m not the best at networking, it wasn’t a total bust

Okay, okay… I’m sure you want to see my booth. Well, you should have come then. ha. kidding

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January 22. Bridal Expo-Lafayette, IN

Here it is… My very first Bridal Show booth! (And the crowd goes wild!!!!) Okay, that may not have actually happened, but my hubby did give an audible Go Toni.

So I do want to thank my best friend and assistant, Jentry for helping me SOOOO much. She was with me until 10:00 on Sat. night for a practice run and loading of the van. She was with me at 7:00 am for set up and with me all through the show and then stayed for tear down and finally dinner at Panda. Thaaaaaaaaaaaank YOU! Love you LOTS!!
My favorite part of the entire booth. Destination Weddings <3
 I was really proud of how the booth turned out However, I’m about to show you some photos of the White Iris and Mammaw’s Sweet Shoppe’s booth that will make my booth pale in comparison.  I’m okay, I’ve already come to terms with it

Lets start with the White Iris. You’re going to be blown away. And the photos don’t even do them justice. Listen, if you’re looking for a florist that is not only going to give you literally one of a kind, custom wedding arrangements, but also an amazing customer experience where you will want to hug them by the time your wedding is over (and possibly before it’s even began) you NEED to check out the White Iris!

Oh, and I took way more photos of their booth. But you’ll understand why when you see these babies. I couldn’t STOP myself!!

Everything in this bird cage is real. The flowers, and yes… even the bird. Okay, not the bird.
See that super sweeeet bouquet on the left? Yep. It’s sitting on my desk right now as we speak. Am I not the luckiest gal ever!?
Be still my heart. Adore this!!
ps. this flower below… it’s real. Real life beauty right there!
So I’ve already told them they will be doing my wedding flowers when Kev and I do a 10 year vowel renewal. This little number below… it’s going to be there.
If you wonder how they do this? Starbucks. Well, and creativity… but yes, powered by Starbucks. And shiny lips
This photo is a perfect seg-way into Mammaw’s.

Let me quickly urge you to have Mammaw’s make your wedding cake. 2 words. Pancakes and Bacon. Yes. I just said pancakes and bacon. They make this unbelievable pancakes and bacon cupcake that I will FOR SURE be ordering for my vowel renewal. (ya, so who cares if it’s still 5 years out, that’s how sure I am about Mammaw’s!!). But regardless of their ah-mazing cake design, and their to-die-for vanilla cake, their superb customer service will be sure to give you the best sugar high. (Was that corny? I’m sure it was… but it’s TRUE!)
Cupcakes in birdcages. Who comes up with this amazingness!?!
Okay, if I’m the lucky photographer to photograph this cake at a wedding… I’ll freak out. Plain and simple.
My favorite thing! Candy bar!!
This is what I’m talking about in how the White Iris’s flowers compliment Mammaw’s sweets and like-wise! Oh, perfection!
There it is folks. Of course there were like 60 some other vendors that I should have maybe got out there and taken some photos of. Told you- my networking skills need some help

Thanks to everyone who came and saw the booth, aka my rents and my hubs! AND of course all the sweet brides I got to meet! I’m SO stoked that some of you have already emailed me! eeek Hugs are on the way!!