Renee Vanni Images

More Pieces of England

I have more images to share from my recent trip to England. These are more like parts and pieces.

 

I can still smell the lavender.

 

I just loved the aged grave stones. I suppose this may be orangey lichen?

 

 

 

This dock was in Windemere on Bowness. It was a fairly bright, washed out day.

 

I am not one to photograph much wild life, as much as I enjoy seeing all types of wild life. However, when they are posing for you, how can you not point and shoot . . . your camera. I suppose Alaskans do like their hunting rifles.

 

Yes, this was a drive by shooting. I was on the bus and could not resist. Hence, the bus window reflection. But isn’t she beautiful?

 

All of England is storybook land! Look at these perfect skies and wonderful lines in their buildings.

 

All right, I see the pattern here. But I really love grave stones.  I usually shoot church steeples when I travel, but did not seem shoot many this time round, but love those too! Especially throughout New England on our east coast.

 

 

 

I think that I would love to be in here in my final resting place. With a simple grave marker and daisies growing round.

 

 

Adorable little black bird. Reminds me of a nursery rhyme grandma used to say to me. This little guy was begging to be photographed! Any birders know what type of bird this is? Let me know.

 

 

I cannot even imagine how old this wooden bench is. Wish I knew. This was in the town of Hawkshead. My favorite village of all the villages I explored.

 

 

 

 

I don’t really know about my cropping here. Not sure if I captured a subject but I loved the old building, the blue of the window, the moss. The pigeon was just extra good luck! So . . . here you have it.

 

 

Blog Comments

A few days ago, my girlfriend, Sandy and I went to Eklutna flats to see the wild irises in bloom. We were there at the tail end of the blooming season so there could have been many, many more irises. But we enjoyed the day photographing. Sandy photographed the flowers, while I enjoyed photographing her - photographing the flowers . . . something like that. Anyhow, the outing was nice. Her husband was building on their log cabin on the Kenai River and my husband was up North, at Denali Park. So we had the day to ourselves to do what girlfriends do, putz in the flower fields, take in some shopping and have lunch in Eagle River at shines - only THE best sushi spot in all of Alaska.

 

 

Next time in Eagle River, Alaska, stop by: 

Shines sushi

 

One extra note that I have lost some of your valued comments on my blog. I apologize for that. I really appreciate any feedback you leave. However, I found 180 bogus comments from “junk email” on here and in the process of eliminating those, lost some of my valued visits. How do those suckers get through? Someone please tell me!  So please stop by again and feel free to leave your comments at the end of each posting, as often as you like. 

Thank you!

An England Sky

Many of you whom have photographed with me already know that I will photograph families out of doors - come rainstorm or not. Because I do all my sessions on location, using the environment and natural lighting, I am frequently asked this question from new clients: “what if it rains?”  To which I reply, so be it!  I have always felt that inclement weather can make for magical images. Luckily for me, my clients trust me and we get great images. On those rare occasions, when we are weathered out, we simply choose a day to re-shoot. Recently I was in England’s Lakeland District. I was fortunate enough to photograph this beautiful angel and her brother. I share some of them here. But take a look at the brooding sky and how dark and dramatic it is. It actually did not downpour until we were finished. So next time you see the rain, embrace it. I am certain that my neighbors think I am nuts but I garden, quite often, in the rain. I dare you to go out in the rain and jump in the puddles! Use your kids or nieces and nephews as an excuse, if you must, they love jumping in all the puddles . . . and let me tell you, they don’t miss one single one!

 

 

 

This one looks as if the universe is smiling down upon her  . . . don’t you think?

 

Now this little guy is all boy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Last . . .

At last, the image seems to say. I had the honor of photographing  a small Russian Orthodox wedding story. It was fascinating for me, watching the traditional ceremony for this bride and groom.   I am giving you just a glimpse of what I captured. I thought this one image summed up the entire bond between them. 

 

 

 

Room with a view

The view from my room.

Well, it has been quite awhile since I could find the time to blog. I have been busy with changes, challenges and just returned from a trip to England. Gorgeous country and lovely people. Europe always makes me feel so humble - it is so rich in history, culture and architecture. 

I stayed in the gorgeous area of the North - Lakeland District. I was fortunate enough to find this perfect little inn, called the Eagle & Child Inn. The owners, Richard and Denise, are fantastic hosts. Their staff are ever attentive and I loved coming back to my cozy room each evening after very long days, to a comfy bed, tea and sweet treats in my room. The colours of this inn are warm and inviting and it is just so much fun to sit each evening, and watch the goings on in the pub or drink a beer and have a chat with the locals all of whom were very friendly and I adore their wonderful sense of humor. Every one of them is a wickedly funny comedian! Well. . . there was one grumpy one in there. The food is absolutely superb! I made many new friends and though I was not on the winning team, I thoroughly enjoyed quiz night on Thursday night. I only contributed one correct answer for my team -  truth is, the heavy accent of the quiz master, made it difficult for me to understand the questions . . . well, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it! Did I already say that it was great fun drinking beer and hangin’ with my classmates? Each evening I tried a half pint of a different beer. They change kegs frequently so there are so many incredible choices of local brews, how can I not try them all? Well, I gave it a small try, anyhow.

Everyday, I hopped on the bus and took in two villages a day. So I really explored the area extensively. All the photographs below were taken with my Sony instamatic! I love that camera. It goes everywhere with me. Thin and lightweight - fits in a special pocket in my purse. I have not even downloaded my images from my Canon or Nikon yet so if keep checking back. If I get some good ones, I may share them at a later date.

I was attending a photography course and I came back newly inspired and cannot wait to incorporate all I learned into my life and work. 

Keep checking back! I may come up with more images.

Cheers! Thank you for stopping by.

www.eaglechildinn.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Just a little view I chose, this is one of the gardens where you can sit, eat or have yet another beer at Eagle & Child Inn. The panoramic view is 3 times the size but I did not want to photograph all of the people around me, that were enjoying the same space. Plenty of gorgeous countryside.

 

A table for one? Wouldn’t you just love sitting at this inn, eating dinner each night?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just love the colours in this one and that I can see the brilliant blue sky reflecting in the ratty windows of this abandoned building. Aren’t the windows so cool?

 

This day I was in Windemere and stopped for a cool fruit smoothie with strawberry and bananas. 

 

Gawd, I just love park benches . . . benches of any kind. This bench was in a church graveyard that I visited in Grasmere. I visited the gravestones of the poet Wordsworth and his family.

Actually I think I found THE bench to get home for my garden. I discovered this really awesome little garden shop called Myrtle & Mace located in Staveley.

www.myrtleandmace.com

 

 

 

Having tea in Kendal after an intensive day of exploring and shopping! I loved how the lighting came out on this one. It really was a very bright, sunny day and I am sitting right outside in it! 

 

I stopped here again in Kendal for a break, after walking to the ruins of Kendal castle. I had a rest under this tree. Another park bench was calling my name . . . and yes, if you were wondering, those are my knees.

 

. . . and this is the sky I saw just above my head, laying in this park. The air was a dreamy temperature with slight cool breeze under the trees. 

 

So many fun steps and nooks and crannies. I absolutely love the alley ways of the England’s streets. When you walk down them, you can actually envision another time of long ago. 

 

Those Precious Red Boots

Just a short note today. I was recently photographing a family of 3 at my one of my favorite lake spots. The Gregg family turned me onto this small lake when we photographed with them last year.

In a split of a second I saw this shot of this little boy. Quite the serious fisherman, in all his 2 years. The lighting was magical and you can see the water swishing off his line. I snuck the shot, spoke with his mother and now I share this image with you, with her permission. I only wish you could see more of his super cool, red rubber boots! 

 

Enjoy. Life is all full of these moments when you take the time to see.

 

 

 

 

Marry Me, asked he . . . Absolutely, said she.

Congratulations! Mike and Stephanie are engaged! We had a blast with the couple’s engagement creation. Gads, we got quite an incredible variety with them. But hey, when you get crazy-fun like these two - you go for it!

We started off with the usual goofiness to loosen them up. Can’t ya just hear Steppenwolf singing ” get your motor runnin’ . . . lookin’ for adventure! ” . . . wait! I  hear it now. Click on the blue!

\”Born to be Wild\” by Steppenwolf

 

 

All of a sudden Stephanie got this look on her face . . . Gee, Mike is awfully trusting . . .

 

But I could see the writing on the wall . . .

 

 

Gawd, is he just so handsome? . . .  er . . . romantic?

 

 

Mike chose the best location showing our Alaskan mountains.  And yes, we were all chilly. But hey, aren’t they adorable? 

 
 
 

 

Do we need words? These two are deeply and madly in love. 

 

Just one more . . . because we can.

Mike and Stephanie, thank you for choosing me to photograph your engagement. I wish you both the best wedding ever - back on the East Coast.  Cheers, drive safely home and Semper Paratus! 

Be sure to tell all your family and friends about us here, Renee Vanni Images. Feel free to share this link with everyone. Please leave us your comments.

Giddy up

Well, as promised, the images of McKenzie and Brad. This was a fantastic session in a small farm town of Oregon. Very picturesque, high desert area. I enjoyed my weekend there, very much. Now the one thing I could not find, champagne! I love champagne. But they do have the best damn burgers I have EVER had!

This gorgeous couple are both teachers. I am willing to bet that their students really love them.

 

 

Come on Brad, let’s get one serious shot here.

 

Do you recognize this shed?

 

 

I just love the way the setting sun casts that magical glow. It makes for nice warm tones to embellish upon.

 

Stella, their dog, had to be in this story! 

 

Straight colour can still be fun.

 

Now some fun begins. This is the day we shot just McKenzie and her gorgeous baby belly. I had plenty of assistants. Girls just know how to sex things up. We were lucky enough to have the use of this incredible barn.

 

And McKenzie is positively glowing.

 

 

 

 

This is pretty special. We raided gramma’s drawer for her undergarments. Gram’s slips are just the best. Don’t cha just love it?

 

Now this was McKenzie’s special surprise for Brad. She donned his jersey and we grabbed his football. And as luck would have it. They now have a baby boy to play football with.

 

This is truly my personal favorite of the day. The story behind this was there was a an old work truck, broken down, right in my frame so McKenzie’s dad, Jim hooked up a tow and pulled it out of the way so we could get this perfect parting shot. Then we pushed it back, of course. I hope that the property owner, Laura, never knew we did that.

 

And of course, some detail shots. This jersey, I believe, had first belonged to McKenzie’s grandfather and it was then passed down to her father, as a boy and now baby H shall be wearing it. 

 

These boots belonged to McKenzie’s brother, Zack. And when I saw these in the house, I just had to bring them along.

 

And now H has his own pair to beat up.

 

The girls. One last parting shot of mother and daughters. Cheers girls! Best time and cannot wait until we do it again. I do believe we wore McKenzie out but oh, so gorgeous.

 

I wish . . .

I wish for you to be surrounded by creative, caring and giving people! Life is short. Pass it on . . . and I ALWAYS eat dessert first . . . well, almost always.

 

One last garden treasure from Sharon’s garden.

 

Farm Country Party

As some of you know already, I had the good fortune to fly to a very special part of Oregon. My dear friend and client, Tatum, sent me down to photograph her pregnant sister, McKenzie. This was Tatum’s gift for McKenzie and her husband Brad. I was able to spend a few days on the farm & home of the girl’s parents, Jim and Sharon. Both of whom, have also become fast, great friends. I previously spent much time with this beautiful and loving family and their awesome friends, while photographing Tatum’s Wedding Story in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, last year.

While on the farm, I saw works of art in every space of this magical place. I was here to photograph some special images of McKenzie and her belly. Some of those favorite images will appear later. But while there, I was also to photograph the special baby shower the family was throwing in McKenzie and Brad’s honour.

So I am sharing these now. Many of you know that I am quite obsessed with photographing . . . or it possessed? I saw an image in everything, I just could not help myself. I hope that you enjoy these and for those 100 plus people whom were there for the party, many of whom I hung with in Mexico,  I hope that you find this even more enjoyable. Please feel free to leave me your feedback and comments just below this storyline.

 

No girl’s day can begin without a superwoman to ward off negative energy!!

 

One of Sharon’s window treats.

 

I drank my coffee every morning from this very special lady mug, courtesy of Sharon! I really did try to take her home with me. I could drink my coffee every day - for the rest of my life from this mug.

 

It was fun to watch the ladies of this close knit family preparing for the baby shower. There were goodies being home baked in the kitchen. A close friend brought in dozens upon dozens of fresh cut flowers that she artfully arranged in little mason jars, or just about any vessel she could find. This is one creative bunch of gals! 

By the way, there are 3 generations in this shot, hey - 4, when you count baby H, in momma’s tummy! McKenzie is making her famous brownies. Oh gawd, were those good.

 

No coffee bar would be complete without chocolate rolls to dip in your coffee! Mmmmmm. Delish. This image is cross-processed. Sometimes straight colour is just too darn boring.

 

One of those special Jodi-esque arrangements!  

 

Of course, both grams must be in this storyline. Lovely.

 

Okay, gramma Joyce got a little wind blown here, but you should see this babe in a bathing suit.

¡Ay Caramba! Caliente! . . . Hot, hot, hot. 

 

Dear Tatum. Gorgeous creature. She is admiring yet another one of her mother’s garden treasures.

 

This is the punch that I could not stay away from. Little hint, drink spiked punch, after you finish your job.

 

See what I mean about not drinking spiked punch?  Just kidding, you know I love the abstract. Can you guess what this is?

 

Of these images just below, I could not decide which one I liked best. Which do you like best? This is a view from the fantastic kitchen window. I spent much of my time here, watching the goings-on. Can you imagine looking into this field every morning? In fact, we saw deer several times in this field beyond the garden couple. 

 

This really is cute little garden shed. Not what you may think. Believe it or not, we photographed McKenzie and Brad using this shed! Keep watching. You will see.

 

Even the family piano is a work of art. Don’t you agree?

 

The children at this family party were so beautiful and they just could not stay away from Jack. The family dog, who really resembles a big story book bear! But with an Old Yellar Coat.
 

 

 

Let us not forget to include the family cat.

 

 

 

This place has all the special garden treasures that you could possibly dream of. Even old Tonka trucks for the kids to play with. Probably belonged to brother Zack!

Cheers! Until next time. Engagement session coming.