For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.




A rekindling experience of love through imagery.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Engagement Story Contest! | Engagement Photography Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

I find myself more and more fascinated with people's stories. Their stories of love, their family traditions and the journeys their lives take with each passing day.

Behind each couple is a story.
The beginning.
The place where their love started...
...and bloomed, then flourished.

I want to hear your engagement story! Whether you got engaged yesterday or 60 years ago, I want to know how your love asked the big question. And how or when you knew this other person was going to be your forever beloved. Your story can be extremely joyful or painted with sadness. It can be very creative or disasterous. It can be over the top extravagant or simply sweet. Or maybe you were blessed with a very romantic sweetie. =]

The Engagement story contest will be accepting submissions between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, 2011.  In 1000 words or less I want you to share how your love asked to walk the aisle with you and share a life full of love and laughter. This contest is open to newly engaged couples, and married couples, whether you just got married yesterday or have been married for 60+ years! Please submit your story and a photo to: monroefilesphotography@gmail.com by August 31, 2011.

The five categories are:
Most Romantic
Most Creative
Most Extravagant
Most Simplistic
Most Disastrous

One entry from each category will be chosen and shared with readers on Monroe Files Photography's website and www.facebook.com/monroefilesphotography page. Readers will then get to vote who they think should win!

Grand Prize:
Full Portrait session with a complimentary 16x20 canvas wrap, ready to hang on your wall!

2nd runner up:
Mini session with complimentary accordian mini album that fits in your purse (think brag book, but cooler!)

3rd runner up:
$75.00 gift certificate to Monroe Files Photography


I can't wait to hear all your love stories! =] =] =]
But first I will share mine with you.

It was August 17, 2007 and Scott and I had been dating for almost 4 years. He went home the prevous day for a funeral and when he came home he found me working at my lap top. He pulled me on to the bed and said, "I have something I need to tell you." I didn't move, not knowing what was coming next. "I know I told you that we'd get engaged between April and August...with me not working my senior year of college I just don't have the money. I am so sorry. But I just can't swing it." After letting it sink in, I preceeded to razz him. "But you said between April and August...and August is almost over!" "You LIED to me!!" "What a bunch of crap!" I ratted on him ALL. DAY. about it.
After the bed scene, I hopped in the shower to get ready for the day. I emerged from the bathroom to find all the bedroom window curtains wide open. I hollered up the stairs, "Thank YOU for opening all the blinds! Like you didn't know I was getting a shower." Hurried up and closed them shaking my head.
We both go to work that night and I end up getting off work first. I head home to change and wind down waiting for Scott to close the kitchen. I get the call, pick him up, we change and head to Champ's for some late night grub while hanging out with friends.
We end up closing the bar. Which is typical for the Roadie bunch. Scott had a few too many and it never hits him until we end up at home. He hops in the shower and maybe 5 minutes later he's standing in the bathroom door way, dripping from head to toe, staring at me. I look up from my lap top, sigh and say "Yes...?"
"Would you like to shower with me?"
"Do YOU want me to shower with you?"
"Yes."

I barely get two feet in the shower and he's out the bathroom door like a shot. I wipe the water out of my eyes and realize he's gone. That's when I peaked my head out of the curtain to find him bent over at the waist, dripping AGAIN, bare butt sticking out of the closet. For a split second I thought to myself, 'I hope he isn't puking in the closet.' Which quickly turned into, 'HE is cleaning it up.'

I am letting the warm water run over my achy body after being on my feet for 6+ hours and I about jump out of my skin when Scott rips the shower curtain open. Water is running every where. I'm looking at him, not quite sure WHAT he is up to. Then he starts talking...
"I know, you wanted it to be all romantic and everything...and I REALLY couldn't think of anything..." He manages to get down on one knee (remember, he is drunk so this is truly an accomplishment!) and says, "Will you marry me??" *Insert super huge drunk grin*

I say, "Yes." (Probably to my better judgement, KIDDING!!) We sealed it with a kiss and then the whole story comes out...

The little stinker went home and bought the ring at Zalno's in Clearfield since he "just happened to pass it" on his way home to Rockton. He then set the scene by throwing me off with the "I'm so sorry I'm completely broke and can't afford a ring." While I was in the shower that morning, he opened all the blinds to see the ring sparkling in the sunlight and then hid the ring in his work boots. He said he was a nervous wreck while I got dressed, TWICE, thinking I'd see it. I was non the wiser!

If anyone knows us, they know we are TER-AH-BOWL with surprises. We can't keep a surprise from each other to save our lives. (Fast forward 3 months after the engagement and I told Scott what his Christmas present was because I was soooo. stickin'. EXCITED. about it! I just had to tell him!) Scott couldn't stand the anticipation of holding on to the ring and waiting for the perfect moment to pop the question that he just did it after I hopped in the shower.

Needless to say, there were only 4 other people that knew our engagement story. Even our parents didn't know until our wedding reception. It certainly isn't the most romantic, but it's "us". And that is what makes it special. 


Circa Nov. 2007, Spring Creek Park, State College, PA.

Taken by Maggie Herrick.




Saturday, July 30, 2011

Ward Wedding Sneak Peak | Wedding Photography Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

I was blindfolded
But now I'm seeing
My mind was closing
Now I'm believing

I finally know just what it means to let someone in
To see the side of me that no one does or ever will

So if your ever lost and find yourself all alone
I'd search forever just to bring you home
Here and now, this I vow


By now you know that,
I'd come for you,
No one but you,
Yes I'd come for you,
But only if you told me to,
And I'd fight for you,
I'd lie its true,
Give my life for you,
You know I'd always come for you,
You know I'd always come for you


No matter what gets in my way,
As long as there's still life in me,
No matter what remember you know
I'd always come for you.






Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Happy Birthday Lily! | Birthday Photographer Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

I can't believe I am posting Lily's one year photos! Where did the time go?? =]

Lily is a Kermit fanatic!

I'm one!

Lily at 8 days, 6 months and 1 year!

Mommy's giggly girl

Rub-a-dub-dub...

...Miss Lily's in the tub!

Cake smashie!

Hmmm...squishy.

Oooooo!

Pffft. =]

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Ryleigh's One! | Birthday Photographer Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

If you are thinking this family looks very fromiliar...it's because they should! I met Megan and Doug at a mutal friend's wedding while we were both pregnant and quickly learned we were about 10 days apart according to our due dates. We became fast friends as we talked about our pregnancies, then births and now we constantly swap stories about our favorite little girls.
Doug and Megan let me share in their second most special day on August 14, 2010. This was the day they said, "I do." and little Miss Ryleigh was baptised during the wedding ceremony!

Love this!!

If you give a mouse a cookie...he's going to want a glass of milk...

But a love squeeze is just as good!

Ryleigh's ONE!

Daddy will be keeping the windows and doors locked, she's going to be trouble! =]

Hehehe Mom's idea and I was in LOVE the whole time!


Yes, those are the CUTEST wings, in zebra print to boot!

Ry decided to taste the sand...

And what first birthday wouldn't be complete with out a CAKE SMASHIE?!

Ok, so Miss Ryleigh didn't really smash the cake, she was actually quite dainty about the whole situation.

She went with the pointer finger method.
Mom didn't think twice about cake flavor. It was lemon and every once in a while Ry would get a
very tart bite and would do a "lemon face". Lol!

Pure Perfection.

Happy first birthday Miss Ryleigh!! I still can't believe you and Lily are no longer babies and creeping into the toddler stage more and more every day. Your mothers will shed many tears over this, haha =]

Ashley CAHS '11 | Senior Photography Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

Ashley's Mom called me in a panic, "I can't believe it, but she's graduating in like 3 weeks (!) and we never got her senior portraits besides the one for the year book done!" I can totally relate because Lily's milestone pictures came second to client sessions and editing. So there were times where I was scrambling to get them in before time swept us away.
Ashley spent the summer prior to her senior year out traveling and when she finally arrived back in Clearfield she was swamped with band. If anyone has been in band or is friends with someone in band or colorguard, you know their schedule is CRAZY! Especially in the late summer and fall. I don't know a lot of seniors that enjoy or want images in the snow, then you wait until the weather breaks. In Pennsylvania that weather may not break until May !!
I fixed Ashley up with her images and had time to spare (I'm just that awesome, what can I say??) =]



Bet you can't guess where we were!



This one is one of my favorites!

Love this dress! Pockets + dress = genius!


Couldn't resist getting a little dirty =]

Ashley, congratulations on graduating from Clearfield Area High School! May your future endeavors at Penn State find you well and be full of learning, self growth and most of all...fun!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Dinner | Food Photography Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

Mommy's favorite. As an adult and child (somethings never change!)

Lily? Not so much. This girl didn't even get the macaroni and cheese in her mouth.
She felt that smashing it was sufficient enough!

Lily 9 months | Watch me grow baby photographer Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

My sweet little girl, just love her so much. This was her first experience with grass. I will tell you that she was NOT a fan! But she humored me and still enjoyed herself. Just don't make her put her hands on the ground!

Pouting.

She's probably trying to figure out why Momma is laying on the ground in the damp grass.

"Eeeeeew...what IS this green stuff?? And why am I sitting in it?"

Lily can sniff out kids from like a mile away. She spotted the neighbor boys across the street...

...and clearly they are HILARIOUS! =]

Don't be fooled! This lasted for all of 5 seconds!

Still laughing at the boys...

Just love this!!

Love you sweetie pea =]

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Ridgway Chainsaw Rendezvous | Event Photography Monroe Files Photography DuBois, PA

I finally made it to the Ridgway Chainsaw Carver's Rendezvous held every February. It's the largest non-competition chainsaw carving event on the east coast. The 'Vous goes on all week and commences with an auction where all proceeds are put back into the organization for the following year. Carvers come from around the world and really enjoy their time here meeting new friends, learning new techniques and teaching others their craft.

 This piece is full size and breath taking. Images don't do it justice!





I think this guy left Jurassic Park to pay Ridgway a visit!


If I had enough muscle (and some where to put these) I would have came home with them both!! I LOOOVE Demdaco figurines and have quite a few around the house.

Love it!!

Even Troy Polamalu came to check it out!

 "It's-a me, Mario!" 

This guy is braver than me! Smoking a cigarette around saw dust, yea I was a little nervous!

=] Perfect!