Look how cool my Christmas tree is.

Seriously, I've seen a lot of pictures lately of Christmas trees fully decked out in Hobby Lobby matching bulbs and other store bought nonsense. So I decided to fully "thrift out" my tree. Don't get my wrong, I love Hobby Lobby and visit it almost daily. But I also think it's cheating if you buy all of you supplies there and "craft" your way to the top. I love it a whole lot, and I'm not bias at all, but my tree is better than yours and everyone else you know.  Why? Because my fixins' cost a total of $2.79. I win. But I also lose because I spent 9 hours this weekend making them sweet. Want me to do one of those Mastercard commercial lists? Ok, I will. Meet me below this picture.

              The tree itself-free, thanks mommy

              Pine cones,brightly painted-free, thanks nature

              Nautical Ribbon-free, thanks Joann's fabric coupon

              Clear Glass Bulbs-$1.29 for 9 (just had to empty out the fake snow from the previous owner)

              Bulb Fillers-Free, scraps from months of creating other junk

              That sweet "8"-$1.50 from the old Fort Theater

             Everything Else was taken from somewhere else in my house, probably serving no purpose whatsoever. 

              Custom tree just for me?=Priceless 

I really channeled my inner kindergartner with those pine cones. Pom Pom's yes please. And the bulbs were spin coated on the inside with paint. Don't ask for my technique, I don't remember it or I just don't want to share. 

I decided to show what it looks like with the lights on and off because I care about you as a reader. Also, I always see picture of peoples Christmas trees with only the lights on or off and I'm left to wonder, "well what's it look like the other way?"
"How inconsiderate of the picture-taker to not give me the option of viewing their tree both ways" 
"Why did he get to decided which way his tree looks best?"
"Bet it looks better with the lights off"
"Should have given me both options, I probably make better choices than you anyway"
"Sucker"
Also, I labeled the lights on and lights off versions. Not because I think you are dumb but because I am kind. Also, I thinks I've gone too far. 

Failed Family Photos

I always try to loosen the nerves of those being photographed by telling them their pictures can not possibly turn out any worse than an O'Brien family photo. They laugh and assume I'm kidding because, hello, we are incredibly good looking. Truth is, I've never quite figured out how to smile correctly. Over the past few years I've also acquired a few extra acres on my cheeks, therefore shoving my eyes into what can only be describes as Asian. My brother and sister haven't figured it out either, I bet if even one us could have figured it out we would all follow suit.  These were all shot with a self timer and a tripod, which if you know anything about anything, you know that spells disaster, or mediocre family photos in this case. The dogs couldn't figure it out either.

 This one is really good, I'm talking award winning. This was before I thought to lengthen the self shutter time. Five seconds is not long enough to run in. Noted. 

It's really hard to avoid face canceling light when you're not actually behind the camera, not an excuse, simply a fact. Sorry Dad, I guess you don't exist. 

Ahhh. Soo Good! I'm so glad my place is behind the camera, I like it better there. A smart old photographer once told me not to trust a photographer who likes to be photographed or uses their pictures as proof. I agree. I hate. Now trust me. 

Bridal Session

 I know what you're thinking. No one reads this blog. And you're probably right, but then who are you? And why are you reading this blog? Now take your left hand off your face and close your mouth. Reboot.
 I know what you're thinking. Erin! This will be blog post #4 for the day. I know this, but I have some time on my hands and an abundance of caffeine in my system. 
These are from my very first bridal session. I must say I absolutely loved this!  I want more bridal sessions. What is the point of buying the big expensive dress if you only wear it once and shove it in a box for the rest of eternity? No no. Wear it twice and photograph the hell(sorry mom) out of it! 

Did my rambling detract from the beauty that is Jessica? Sorry. Scroll to the top, Skip the words and look through them again. 

Little Baby Mikey

This is Micah. I choose my friends based solely on how they look, and lucky for Mikey, he made the cut.  I think what I love most about Micah is that he looks good in black and white. I'm about to talk real talk so listen closely.  I love black and white photography, mainly because of it's raw quality. When you eliminate the color, which pulls your eye every which way, your are forced to focus on what really matters. It doesn't attract or distract you with it's display of colors or tell you it's going call you back and conveniently  "forget" or "call your friend instead". It's real.  The lines, shape and texture of the subject are your only focal point and I like that, I like that a lot. So here he is, in all black and white because it's my blog and I do what I want. 

Oh hey JFK

There are a few we snapped earlier in the year. You should pick your jaw up off the ground. 

Aww Mikey.

An O'Brien First

This boy's and girls was an O'Brien first, our first wedding! Weddings are a lot more work than any photographer never warned me about but I'm extremely happy with the results!  Thank god for Mama O'Brien and her great organizational skills, without her I would have curled up in the fetal position 20 minutes into shooting. Art minds don't function in any particular order, we have no rhyme or reason so I'm glad I have her to keep me in check and on schedule.  A beautiful wedding and a beautiful couple, I hope the photographs did them justice.  Love Erin

Baby Addison

I just typed 15 different first sentences and deleted them all, so lets start by stating the obvious: How pretty is this baby? Answer: Very pretty. I'd also like to say thank you to her parents Shannon and Joe for choosing to spell their daughters name with out that "trendy" but dated "Y in place of an I". And thank you to my parents for that same reason, I don't think I would be the same person if I were an "Eryn". If I were Eryn I would have shoulder length black hair with red streaks and an affinity for Green Day and the Twilight series. But I'm not Eryn, I'm Erin. Erin with the curly brown hair and the freckles that just won't stop! (I still hold out hope that one day my freckles will unite and create the tan every Irish girl has prayed for) Now back to the pretty baby Addison. 

Dear Photograph

I've become a huge fan of the website Dear Photograph. So today when my mom gave me the task of organizing old pictures, I decided to shuck my responsibilities and start a new project. However, after 5 minutes of me "not getting it right", she stepped in and took over. Sorry about the nail polish. Did you know that anti-bacterial hand goo removes black polish? Me neither, but your welcome for that little tid bit of knowledge. 

Dear Photograph,  

This picture is very funny, if only you could see Patrick O'Brien now.  Thank the good Lord that stache is gone! And the wallpaper...woof. 

Dear Photograph, 

Mama O'Brien knew how to throw one heck of a birthday party. Birthdays are a huge deal in the O'Brien house. I guess I didn't realize how great she makes our birthdays until I met people who said it's just another day. 

Dear Photograph, 

Does this strike you as weird? No? Me neither. Shea and I are still piling up bodies to this day. 

Dear Photograph, 
This is still a signature photo spot in our house. We love Uncle Scrooby's chair, however now only one of us can fit in it at a time.

Dear Photograph, 
If only you could see the super sweet, newly painted barn you are covering up. Some of the greatest days of my life were spent brushing out my horses tails, cuddling with newborn kittens and goofing around inside those walls. Still smells the same, if you were wondering.