Photography – Page 7 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Baby July 21, 2014

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8g Lens

I recently signed up for the Photo 101 class with Nicole’s Classes, and my first homework assignment was due yesterday. I absolutely love taking pictures and I have a nice camera (Nikon D5000) that I’ve used on Auto for far too long (i.e. 7 years), and recently decided that I need to learn about all of the features. My friend, Danielle, pointed me to these 4-week online courses and I’m already obsessed. I start my next set of classes in one week – Illustrator 101 – and then will begin Floral Arranging 101 two weeks after that. I can’t wait!

As of last Monday, I only had two lenses, but quickly after starting the courses, I decided that I needed a 50mm lens with a low f-stop number. I did online research, and ended up ordering the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8g lens on Amazon. I am obsessed. Seriously – I don’t know how I’ve been taking pictures without this portrait lens!

I’ve included some of the photos from my homework – which included changing ISO, f stop numbers and doing a ‘day in the life.’ I chose to make Isla my model (no arguments from her) – the day included three outfit changes. She’s a puker!

ASP Wedding July 19, 2014

One Year Anniversary

Today is our one year wedding anniversary, and what a year it has been! Since getting married last July 19 at The Carneros Inn in Napa, California, we have gone to Durango twice (still here), went to the Justin Timberlake/Jay Z concert in Miami, visited friends in Minneapolis, went to Bali and Japan (briefly!) for our honeymoon, celebrated two of our best friend’s engagements and two of our closest friend’s weddings, welcomed multiple sweet babies into the world, and last, but definitely not least, had a baby girl of our own! We are very excited about what year two has in store for us.

For more about our wedding, click here.

Photos by Ryan Ray

Baby July 9, 2014

One Month Milestone

Isla turned one month on Friday, July 4th! Time is flying by – it’s ridiculous. Although I’m very ready for Sasha to get home every day, it seems like we haven’t accomplished much by the time that happens! I love spending my days with Isla and dread going back to work. How will I leave this cute face? We snapped some one month photos in her Wedding Chicks Genny Monthly onesie that is rather large (0-3 months). I imagine she’ll move out of her newborn clothes and into that size soon though! She now weighs 9 lbs 11 oz and is 22 inches long! That’s 89th percentile for height, and no, she didn’t get that from me.

Note: I’m NOT a big bow person, but I had to.

Hope you had the best Fourth of July celebrations! Isla was decked out in Baby Gap (as talked about here) for this festive occasion! No late night fireworks for us this year though!

Personal June 23, 2014

2014 Summer Reading List Part 1

I used to read a lot, but then I graduated college and started working and quickly, reading became a past time suited only for vacations. I read six books during our honeymoon to Bali – my favorites being Da Vince Code and Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Both books were total page turners. Now that Isla has arrived, I do not have a lot of free time; however, I have been reading books on my iPhone while breastfeeding, as page flipping is much easier than texting (unless you one-finger type!). So far, I’ve read four books – The One and Only by Emily Giffin, The Fault in our Stars by John Green, #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso, and Love Does by Bob Goff.

The One and Only by Emily Giffin is an interesting read – especially for a Texas girl, given that the story is based in Texas and mentions The University of Texas at Austin (my alma mater) throughout the entire novel. The story is based on a sports editor, Shea, whose life is changed drastically when her best friend’s mother dies from cancer, her job changes, and she begins dating the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. There is an interesting (yet predictable as the story unfolds) plot twist which really freaked me out – I won’t ruin the plot line, but it’s perhaps the only Emily Giffin book that I wouldn’t recommend reading. I absolutely love her other novels – Baby Proof, Where We Belong, Heart of the Matter, Love the One You’re With, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue.

Cue me sobbing. A lot. The Fault in our Stars by John Green is probably not a good book to read immediately after having your first child. This story is about two teens battling cancer – a beautiful love story – but Sasha walked into the nursery on multiple occasions as I was feeding and found me crying uncontrollably. I kept telling him that Isla cannot get cancer, to which he completely agreed. Besides my hormonal self, the book is beautiful. What a moving read. I am not sure I’m ready to see the movie any time soon, but I would definitely recommend this book and will be buying the hardback book to read again in the future.

I decided to read #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso after Christie (of KiKiMac) recommended it. I flew through it and immediately decided that I need to create my own business. #GIRLBOSS is extremely inspirational – especially for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. The book outlines how Sophia grew Nasty Gal from a small eBay business to a multi-multi million dollar online retailer. #GIRLBOSS should be read by anyone who needs motivation to start doing what you love.

Loves Does by Bob Goff has definitely been my favorite read so far. This amazingly strong Christian lawyer tells a variety of stories about his life – all of which are unbelievable and had me both laughing out loud and sobbing. Love Does is one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read, and Bob does a wonderful job tying his unique tales into God’s love for us. “Simply put, love does.” This novel is a must read.

I’m now reading The Vacationers by Emma Straub – I’m enjoying it so far. Other books I have lined up after include Wild by Cheryl Strayed and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynch. Do you have any good book suggestions?

featured image via

Baby June 18, 2014

Isla’s Two Week Anniversary

I know all parents say, “They grow up too fast!” But wait – they really do. Isla is two weeks old today, and I was looking at all of the pictures in the hospital of her, and she looks so much older already. Cue me panicking! I don’t want her to grow up!! I frantically began my newborn baby photo booking process – ‘we must capture every moment!’, I’m thinking to myself. I know that every phase will be “the cutest!”, but I really do want to remember these special early days. Below are some pictures I’ve taken in the last week to try to remember how teensy tiny she is!

And because it’s not all rainbows and butterflies… an out-take! (ha)