Casey and I have been back from vacation for about 5 days now and we had a great time full of perilous adventures, haha. From almost driving off snow covered ravines to nearly running out of food... it was, well, an experience! Luckily, on the third day we were there it started to warm up and on our last day it was 58 degrees out! We actually got to drive around and explore the mountains with the top down on the convertible. That was pretty amazing. (although "beware of falling rock" signs have a greater significance with nothing between your head and said rocks :)

We made the drive to Cade's Cove and I have never seen so many deer in my life! (On a side note, it takes 3 Tennessee deer to equal 1 Illinois deer!) We must have spotted 50 of them or so. On our way out of the mountains we saw a bear and a cub up in a tree. It was too dark to get any good pictures though. I never got the opportunity to wrestle a bear with my bear hands which was my goal for the trip (but I did eat a bear claw... donut.)

Anyway, enough jibba-jabba fool! Here are a few more pictures from our trip!

Conquering mountains/acting like a tool.

The light above this waterfall was amazing.

This one is of Cade's Cove

Smokin' hot in the Smokies!

I love photoshop :)

I trained a bear to take this shot for us

Four shots in a row left justified, haha. Here is a little insight to how I get "self portraits." I take the shots of Casey how I want them taken, set the focal point, and have her try to match what I did. I did the same thing with the tourist, I mean bear, that took the shot of us together. That is why those are all the same and boring :(

I'll post some more photos after I get them loaded into my computer! (assuming some of them are good, haha.)

Well, if you have been following my vacation on my blog or twitter you probably know that it isn't really going according to plan.  We are up in the Smokey Mountains and we got about 6 inches of snow in the past two days.  Back home, driving in 6 inches of snow isn't too big of a deal because everything is flat!  Here, our cabin sits at the top of this mountain and there are some extremely steep hills to climb.  We only brought a little bit of food because we planned on going to Wal-Mart and stocking up for the week.  Unfortunately, the snow started right when we got here.  So this morning we only had 4 pieces of turkey, bread, and a few slices of cheese.  Casey was getting pretty tired of turkey sandwiches and, against my better judgement, I decided to go ahead and try to drive down to Gatlinburg.  Within about 2 minutes I realized that we were screwed and that it was a horrible idea.  The first hill is about a 70 degree angle and even though I locked up the brakes from the top, we slid almost all the way down.  Luckily I pulled it back straight and got us on the right path again.  I knew that we wouldn't be able to get back up but decided to press on.  Another half mile away we saw a truck with snow tires and chains on it just sliding down a hill... so at that point I turned us around and headed back to the cabin.  I just parked at a cabin at the base of the hill and we had to walk back up.  Our neighbors saw us and invited us in.  Once again, Randy and Betty are awesome.  They gave us some food and we sat and talked with them for about an hour.  Now we are just sitting here in our cabin waiting for the snow to clear so we can go have some fun!  We really want to play mini golf and laser tag!  Hopefully tomorrow we will be able to!  If everyone goes outside and sprays aerosol cans maybe we can cause some global warming that will clear the roads for us ;)

I'm about to turn into Jack Nicholson from The Shinning, haha.

I'm posting this blog in good spirits although the text might read differently ;)

When Casey and I woke up this morning it was snowing and was quite beautiful.  We sat in the outdoor jacuzzi and just enjoyed the mountain view.  Today was set to be a relaxing day for us and we had back massages scheduled.  When I went out to start the car, much to my dismay, the battery was dead...  I had turned the overhead lights on so I could read the directions last night and when I got Casey out of the car to unveil where we were (she was blindfolded) I forgot to turn them back off!  So I was bummed about that and decided to try alternative methods of getting it running.  Casey and I tried to push the car from the driveway back to the hill, thinking that if we could put it in neutral and drive down the hill the battery could charge and we would be able to start it.  If nothing else, we would be closer for a service vehicle to come up and give us a jump.  Well, we pushed the car about 30 feet and then got to a point where we couldn't get anymore traction to push.  So I swallowed my pride and we decided to ask the nearest neighbors to give us a jump.  Luckily they were cool and completely willing to come try and help, even offering us some bloody marys to drink, haha.  I told her we didn't drink but if there was ever a time we were going to start it would be then!  Once we finally got the car started we decided to make our way down the mountain to hopefully make it to our appointment...  Here is where this story gets even more interesting.  

I drove up this mountain at night and it seemed pretty easy to find our cabin.  They gave us directions to it but not a map of the area.  Well, as we made our way down, nothing looked familiar at all.  There seemed to be 20 more splits in the road than when I came up!  To make matters worse, the snow was getting higher and higher.  I made a wrong turn or two and we ended up at a dead end and the only way to get turned around was to go up a snow covered hill, back up, and then try to turn around.  Well, I started up the hill, got halfway, and the car started to slide back down.  I locked up the brakes but the car kept going.  I couldn't see out the back but the car finally stopped.  Casey stepped out and said "Brett, we are hanging off a cliff."  I thought she was joking so I pulled the e-brake to get out and look at it... she wasn't really exaggerating.  The back right tire wasn't touching anything and was hanging off the side of a ravine.  I really wish now we would have taken a picture to and some impact to this story but that was the last thing on our mind at the time.  It took awhile to get out of that predicament.  We had to use the ice scraper to shovel snow and I had to shove trash under the tires for traction.  Once we finally got out of there we headed out only to find other cars stranded along the road and while I was helping someone else get out of the ditch, they told me they are expecting 6 inches of snow here!  I decided to turn us back around because I'd rather be stuck in the cabin than have to stay in a hotel because we can't get back up here.  So now Casey and I are just hanging out up here watching tv and occasionally hopping in the jacuzzi.  Here is a picture we took of us!  The background is snow and mountains but you can't really tell, haha.  

I'll be sure to post more pictures and keep you updated on this vacation.  Hopefully things start working out!  We have to get down to get food within the next day or two or we might starve to death!  We only have turkey and cheese, haha.  Keep your fingers crossed for us!

P.S.  Yes we have swim suits on so you can save your comments ;)

After an amazing (and very busy year) I decided to take January off. I won't be taking any sessions for January or February so I can develop new products, lay the groundwork for new ideas, and meet with brides all over the place that would like to book me for their weddings!

As many of you know, I have been planning a secret vacation for several months. I never told Casey where we would be going because I like to surprise her with things like that. So early yesterday morning we left for some, undisclosed location. Some of you followed my twitter and sent me emails with your guesses of where we were going. I had fun dropping hints all day. The final (and most obvious was) a type of fever, a famous bear, and my favorite drink. We are in a cabin in the Smokey Mountains! It is really beautiful here! Casey actually cried when she saw it... It has a loft with a pool table, 3 big screen tvs, an outdoor jacuzzi, an amazing view of the mountains, and everything else a house has. Last night we just laid around and relaxed. We actually went to bed at like 10:30 which was the earliest I've gone to sleep in years, haha. Right now, we are getting ready to go sit in the jacuzzi in the snow! Later we are going to a spa to get massages and then we're just going to explore the town!

I'll keep you posted ;)

Here are a few pictures I took of the cabin last night!

Okay, so I don't really have too much to blog about at the moment but it has been awhile since my last one! Sorry about that! Before anyone has withdraws I figured I should post something to give you a "fix." haha

I can't even explain how excited I am about 2009! One of the first big changes will be a new blog that is going to knock your socks off! I can't wait for you to see it. It is going to make this boring, white little blog look terrible, haha. I'm also going to be unleashing some amazing products both for my clients and for other photographers! More on that in the upcoming weeks ;)

Of course, I am always trying to elevate my brand, services, and photography to new levels but I really think the amount of growth you will see this year is going to blow you away. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve!

Since everyone had differing opinions on which of my top 20 was actually the best I thought I would post some more amazing images that just didn't "make the cut" for one reason or another. It's almost 5 a.m. now so no in depth stories about these! I need to get to sleep!

NOTE: Some of these might not display because the site which hosts them is currently undergoing maintenance! Sorry!

Yes. It's real!

Here is a self portrait I took in Lafayette, IN before I wedding. I have never been so frustrated by an iron!

There is a tear there but it is hard to see in this small image

As cliche as it sounds, 2008 has been a wild ride and the most amazing year of my life! This year, my photography really took off like I never could have imagined. I shot tons of weddings across several states, met lots of incredible people and made some really amazing friends, bought a commercial building for my studio, moved out, turned 21, (practically) graduated college, launched a new logo, website, and blog, rebranded my business, developed a signature style of my images, realized the power of videography, started doing video for little kids, senior sessions, and engagement sessions, and took some really amazing photographs along the way.

I don't want to get nostalgic about 2008 because I'm already looking forward to everything 2009 will bring. My New Year's Resolution is to blow your mind!

Here is a look back on my best 20 photos of 2008. When I was trying to put this list together (originally for a top ten) I ended up with 87 images! It was so incredibly difficult to narrow these down but all these images are either my all time favorites or have a great story behind them. I'll try to give a brief insight to each of them.

So here we go!

Number 20 This shot of TJ is one of my favorite silhouette photos of the year. Whenever I'm asked to do sports pictures I try and find a different way to tell the story than the basic, "here is me holding a football" kind of shot. We were actually out in a field shooting with the last light of the day when I turned around and saw the sunset. We actually had to run over to this open field to get the shot before the sun set. I barely did any photoshop to this one. It just looked incredible.

Number 19

The expression on this little girl's face is just priceless. I love taking baby pictures because their expressions change from one second to the next. Here, Madalyn was just looked put out with the picture taking process. It wasn't until after I took the shot that I realized her middle finger was slightly up! I still laugh every time I see this one. She is smiling really big in the next picture too which makes it even more comical.

Number 18 This shot of Julia is just a simple headshot but it is simply beautiful. Her eyes, her hair, her smile... it is the kind of shot that melts a mother's heart, haha!

Number 17 Does she look familiar? Madalyn was also the baby flipping off the camera! I told you their expressions change fast! She was the first baby I ever got to photograph in the studio and her face is just adorable. I got a ton of amazing baby pictures this year and I'm hoping to do a lot more next year!

Number 16 This shot is from Jamie and Garrett's wedding this summer. These guys just cracked me up... especially Jared McClain who is definitely the most likely guy to be at your wedding. For a couple months he was at almost every wedding I shot! He gets the wedding crasher of the year award, as well as the best ninja kick in a photograph. Jared - your trophies are in the mail.

Number 15 Megan was one of many seniors that I had a BLAST photographing this summer! I was lucky to have so many amazing seniors come to me for their pictures. They all got something totally unique and I'm really looking forward to next year because my little sister will be a senior! Oh, they grow up so fast, haha. Anyway, I usually ask my clients to do something strange for a shot and just tell them to trust me that it will be worth it (it always is.) I had found this old couch and when we got their to shoot it was still kind of wet and pretty much just gross. Megan, being really cool and laid back, seemed totally fine with sitting on it for a few minutes. Told you it would be worth it! (P.S. To whoever took this couch or threw it away... BRING IT BACK PLEASE!)

Number 14 This photo was taken just a few weeks ago in St. Charles' Ameristar Casino and Hotel. I had an amazing time with this group at Katie and Andrew's wedding and we got some amazing photos at this location. I told the guys I wanted to do a Godfather style picture of all them and it came out exactly like I wanted it to.

Number 13 I love this shot for so many reasons. I think the biggest one is that I just love Emalie and Shannon. They were just so much fun to work with and were totally willing to do anything I asked! When we took their wedding pictures it was like thirty some degrees outside. It was really cold! Emalie didn't complain once! It was really windy when we were taking pictures along this wall and Emalie's shawl kept blowing with the wind. I was hoping it would blow over Shannon's face but that moment didn't happen so we faked it! I like it because it looks like he is blindly being lead into the marriage and completely at her mercy, haha.

Number12 I love this family. You never know what to expect when you are taking family photos, especially with such a wide range of ages. Usually you have some older kids or dad not wanting to cooperate but this (big red) family was just amazing! He had a ton of fun and after the session they invited me over for pizza. Unfortunately, I had some other things going on but if the offer is "still on the table" (pun intended) I'd love to pig out with you guys sometime!

Number 11 Hugh and Alida are one of the most fun couples I have ever had the chance to photograph. They are both goofy and off the wall (sound familiar) and are always cracking each other up (as well as everyone around them.) During their engagement session we came in this church and I found out that Hugh used to play piano for Alida there and he actually proposed through song. He sat down and started playing and I was blown away. We went back there on the wedding day and I got this great shot of them. I love it because it shows their beautiful laughs, connection, and ties in with the proposal that brought them there.

Ok, TOP TEN! HERE WE GO!

Number 10 This is another shot from Katie and Andrew's wedding from a couple weeks back. There isn't really a great story behind it, I just snagged her shoes and flowers while everyone was waiting for the wedding to start and got this shot. It has to be my favorite details shot to date.

Number 9 This is another shot from Emalie and Shannon's wedding. I mentioned it was freezing, right? Does she look cold to you? I just love this one because Emalie is obviously gorgeous but she has such a beautiful laugh and smile. This is one of the first bridal portraits we took in Vandalia. I had them follow me to some old, run down wal-mart looking place and told them, "I know this looks like a stupid background but it will look great in your photos." Of course, it did! There were 8 other shots that could easily have been in the top 20 but if you go through my old blogs you can find them!

Number 8 (get prepared for a lot of kissing in the top 8!) This is an engagement shot of Ashley and Bart's. It was definitely one of the best engagement shots I've ever had and I had to choose between 3 other pictures of theirs to put here! I just love the color, the kiss, the composition... all of it!

Number 7 I think this photo pretty much encapsulates the Jarnagin Photography experience. It is fun, laid back, goofy, and you never really know what to expect! Lindsay was one of my many super hot brides of 08 (hope Casey isn't reading this!) She was up for anything and we had SO many incredible pictures of her. 1,000 gold stars for you Mrs. Adams!

Number 6

Kelly and Pete were a really fun couple. This was a really lucky shot because the "sun" looking thing is this picture is actually the sun reflecting off of a street sign. You literally had to be standing in one particular spot to see it and it just caught my eye. It feels like a really "spiritual" photograph for me (if that makes sense.) Their outward expressions are calm smiles and the light above them just symbolizes the powerful connection between them.

Number 5 Kendra and Zach are just amazing. (I know, I know... I keep saying that about everyone! The truth is, I think all my clients are amazing and I find things to love about all of them!) Anyway, getting back on track here... ehem... When I got into video I knew we would need a really fun couple to work with and Kendra and Zach immediately came to mind. I enjoyed sitting down and meeting with them so much and we just clicked. Plus I get along with everyone who loves the office, haha! During the session we had so much fun and I think we easily shot for 3 hours or so! This was one of the last shots where I just told them to hang out while I "adjust some settings" on my camera. I think that just gave them a moment to take it all in and watch the beautiful sunset. I snapped this shot and knew we had a great one. I wish I could post 20x30 inch images on here for you to see! They got a print that size and it looks incredible! Everyone do yourself a favor in 2009 and get a 20x30. You won't regret it!

Number 4 Rainy days usually mean rescheduling sessions. However, on this particular day I told Gabby we should go ahead and do the session. If we didn't like the results we would do another one for free. I always feel like creating art but some days it is just like a burning desire to go out and do something completely different. So we went to some strange indoor locations, including this laundry mat. Like I said, I always tell my clients they have to trust me! People looked at us like we were crazy as we moved chairs around and started taking pictures. That always makes it more entertaining anyway. The second I took this image I knew we had something completely unique. It is so much fun to take people to such random and seemingly stupid locations and then to just stun them with beautiful images that they never would have expected. This session would probably have to be the best senior session of the year because all the images were just totally original. Right after we left the laundry mat it started to rain really hard and get pretty bad out. I decided we should hang it up for the day but as I was driving away I saw a glimpse of a rainbow over the lake. We rushed over to a spot I knew would work, hopped out, I threw Gabby an umbrella, and we got a shot that I know no other senior got in 08! People still think that the rainbow is fake but trust me, it is quite real!

Number 3

This shot of Kelly and Andrew was taken on a surprisingly cold October day. We met up at Starbucks for the first time to talk about all the wedding details and get to know each other. We immediately hit it off and I felt such a warmth from both of them. They are just so genuine and kind. When we started taking pictures they seemed so comfortable in front of the camera and were sneaking kisses in between shots (which is always adorable.) We shot for quite awhile and when we probably could have called it a day I asked if they would be willing to drive to T-Town (which was like 10 miles away maybe?) Way back in April, when I was scouting locations for Lindsay and Kent's wedding I found this amazing valley that didn't look like it belonged in Illinois at all. I never got a chance to take them there but figured I shouldn't waste the opportunity with such a great couple so we made the drive and I was really excited when we got there. The clouds were amazing, the light was perfect, and Kelly and Andrew were totally willing to do anything I asked. The sun was getting ready so we had to work really fast and I had to yell really loud to them because it was so incredibly windy! I think we shot for 30 minutes in this location and it has to be the most exciting 30 minutes of shooting in my life. We just kept getting one amazing image after another. Although this image is much more simple than the others, it is definitely my favorite. Click "October" up to the right to see more of the amazing shots I got of them! (you might have to scroll down a bit.)

Number 2 I don't even know what to say about this shot. I just love it. Congrats to Lindsay and Kent for having 2 images in the top 10! Of all the weddings I have shot, this would probably have to be number 1. There are just so many incredible shots. I tried out a lot of new things for this wedding and it paid off and made me a better photographer for it. I always take an umbrella with me just in case it is raining or will work for a shot and was really glad I had it! I'm definitely going to get a huge print of this for the studio!

NUMBER 1

This is my all-time favorite shot and one of the greatest couples I've ever met! I made the drive down to St. Charles, MO to meet up with Phil and Louise and it was an incredible experience. One of the first things Louise said to me was, "I feel like I'm talking to a celebrity because I always stalk your blog." Well Louise... who's the celebrity now? Haha! These two are just so much fun and we had a great time just walking around taking random pictures (like 600 total I think!) I kept saying, "okay I think we have enough. We can probably head back to the car." And then a minute later we would be taking more pictures. The one above is just... well it is the background on my cell phone if that tells you how much I love it! We were "done" shooting when I noticed how cool the clouds looked. I just told them to stand in the middle of the road while I laid there and shot up at them. We literally stopped traffic for this shot even though I would have been willing to get run over for it, haha. (Maybe just a toe or something!) The photoshop that went into this is what really makes it such a unique image but Louise's perfectly placed foot is what makes it amazing. I know that sounds really cheesy but it is the small things that make all the difference!

Typically when couples live so far away I only get to see them when we do the engagement pictures and on the wedding day. I was lucky enough to get to hang out with them all day again at Katie and Andrew's wedding (and the night before!) It just reinforced the fact that they are two truly amazing people. Phil is always the life of the party. If you scroll down you'll see a shot of him rocking the reception by singing some Journey! I'm so thankful to have them as my clients and my friends because they advertise me more than I do! They were going around telling people about me and they are always trying to get me more weddings.

I have so many clients that actually go out of their way to try and help my business grow and I could never thank them enough! I truly appreciate all of you and want to thank you all for making 2008 such an incredible year for me! I can't wait to make 2009 even better!

Happy New Year!

Love, Brett