Happy Easter weekend!
From the outtakes: Attempting the impossible when a photographer works alone with props and dogs...
Lens for Sale
My Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens is now officially for sale! The lens has been a true joy and has captured many of the photos on my website. It is in excellent condition with no signs of wear or scratches. Comes complete with lens pouch, lens hood, and instructions. This lens is a USA model...not grey model. If you want more details about this lens, check out B&H's website HERE. This lens retails for $1150 and I am asking $950. I am willing to take credit cards and/or Paypal but a service fee will be added. If you are interested or have any questions, please email me at sarah@mcgrawphotography.com. Thanks so much!
Emerald Isle Trip
A few weekends ago, I took a much needed break and headed over to Emerald Isle, NC for a few days. On our first full day at the beach, we decided to take a short ferry ride over to Shakleford Banks - a 9-mile long island known for its shelling and wild horses. I wasn't sure what to expect. Were we even going to see the horses? Nine miles is a lot of territory to cover in just a couple hours. Maybe we would just have a picnic on the beach and enjoy the beautiful weather. Either way, it was going to be awesome!
As soon as we arrived, we climbed over the first dune in front of us. Sure enough, off in the distance, a couple wild horses were grazing on the grass. This was already exceeding my expectations!
As we explored the island, we discovered more and more horses. We got as close as we *respectfully* felt comfortable and quickly realized the horses were barely taller than me - they looked more like ponies. They had gorgeous wispy hair and beautiful coloring. I especially liked these two...
Not only did we start the day off with seeing the wild horses, we also got to enjoy a little picnic on the beach. During the off-season, not many people were visiting and it felt like we had the entire island to ourselves.
We were graced with the presence of a wild horse taking a stroll along the beach. He walked right past us. How cool is that?!?
Back at the house, we gave the dogs a chance to explore the beach. This was Sadie's first visit so she had to stay pretty close to us...
The cooler temps didn't stop Eva from going for a dip in the water.
The next couple pics were taken with my iPhone. We had a wicked storm come through on the second day but the clouds parted just before sundown. Foam lined the beach and a gorgeous double rainbow filled the sky.
Next time I go back to Emerald Isle, I am definitely returning to Shakleford Banks. They allow camping and DOGS on the island! Looks like I'll be packing my tent!
"Happy Hour" Sessions
Daylight Savings time is here again and it can only mean two things. 1) I got up waaaaaay too late this morning, and 2) happy hour sessions are back! What is a happy hour session? Well its not really an hour - its a standard length session - just one that takes place after a 9 to 5 work day! Now that the sun goes down later, there is enough time to do pet sessions after normal work hours during the week! Yay! That means Spring is almost here! :)
From the Sea to the Mountains
I know, I know. I have my blog title backward. But that's the direction I traveled the last few weeks! Last week I spent several days relaxing on the beaches of Emerald Isle, NC and this weekend, I hung out in a cabin in the mountains of West Jefferson, NC. Here is a little sneak peek of the blog posts from each of my adventures. Stay tuned...
iPhone Photo of the Day
Rocky is famous! Well, not really...but almost. Here is my new sign featuring the "Hot Rock" that just got installed at Ramsey Creek Dog Park in Cornelius, NC. Check it out next time your up this way! It's located just inside the gate on the big dog side.
Rescue Your Dog
A few nights ago, I was wasting time poking around on the internet and I stumbled across Sadie's old Petfinder.com listing. Known in the shelter as Mackenzie, she spent 3 of her first 4 months of life in the little cage pictured below. Doesn't she look miserable?
If you are looking for a new addition to your family, please consider rescuing a needy dog. Doesn't Sadie look so much healthier and happier?
Ready for the big news?
CALLING ALL SOON TO BE MARRIED COUPLES!!! Are you:
1) A Fun, Fit, Fabulous, Bold, Adventurous couple?
2) Getting hitched in 2011?
3) Looking for some creative, spunky Wedding Photographers?
4) Interested in scoring FREE photography for your Big Day?
5) Wondering why I'm asking these questions??
Because…(drum roll please…)
McGraw Photography and Blue Ruby Photography ~ two established, professional photography businesses ~ are partnering up to create Ruby McGraw Wedding Photography!!
(applause)
To kick off our exciting new venture and to expand our wedding portfolio, we are announcing a super cool contest where one lucky couple will win our photography services for their Big Day!
(more applause)
The contest will run from February 1 to February 22, 2011. Nicole and I will judge all entries and the winner will be announced March 1.
Are you wondering what the winner will receive? Well read on!
1) Pre-wedding consultation. We’ll get to meet in person, have coffee and talk about your Big Day! If the winner is not in the Charlotte area, we can meet up via Skype!
2) Up to (8) eight hours Wedding Day Coverage
3) A 90-day online gallery with all the finished, professionally edited photographs from your Big Day. You can even share the gallery link with all your friends and family!
4) A CD of all the high-res images with printing rights
5) 20% discount on any products you wish to order from us.
All of the above is a $2800.00 value!!
What’s that you say? You can’t wait to enter this super fabulous contest? Well read on!!
Here’s how to enter:
Send an email to the following email address: nicole@bluerubyphotography.com
In the email, we require the following:
1) Up to (5) five photos of the lovely betrothed couple. OR if you want to get totally creative, videos are also accepted! Videos must be uploaded to YouTube with the link included in the email.
2) Tell us what makes YOU a Fun, Fit, Fabulous, Bold, Adventurous couple! We want to know all the cool details!
3) Give us any current Big Day details you may already have, such as the date, location, etc.
That’s it! That’s all you need to do! Get creative! Make us laugh! Make us cry! Make us fall in love with you!
The fine print:
No Purchase Necessary. Contest runs from February 1 thru February 22, 2011. The winner will be announced on March 1, 2011. Valid to US residents only. The wedding must take place in 2011. Each couple may enter contest one time only. The location of the wedding doesn’t matter to us, but travel expenses will apply beyond 50 miles of Charlotte, North Carolina. (Heck YES we’ll shoot your destination wedding!!) Winner will be required to sign our Photography Contract and Model Release. Void where prohibited.
