for bludomain’s photographer of the year!!!! WOOT WOOT WOOOOOOT!!!!!!
Uhm… yeah, I don’t even know what to say about that other than we’re SOOOO honored/excited!
I got an email about a 1.5 weeks ago informing us of our nomination. In that email Kailee (Blu’s famous blogger) requested a black and white photo of us holding a sign that said “VOTE FOR US.” Immediately we started brainstorming… (Mike actually tells me that while he’s having a ‘brain storm’ mine is a ‘brain drizzle.’ jerk). After about 30 minutes of tossing around ideas Mike exclaims, “BOBBI, WE JUST SENT ALLLLLLLL OF OUR CAMERAS TO CANON!!!!!” (we didn’t schedule any shoots for two weeks so that we could get our cameras serviced before season really got kicked into high gear)
“Oh my gosh… what are we going to do?!” I sent an email to Kailee… she said, “No big deal… a few days wait isn’t a problem.” 😀 THEN… we find out that Canon is short staffed and their usual 3 day turn around time is now more like a week. WHAT?!!???!! I called Shelly Valentine… who also happens to use the 5D. By the time we were able to coordinate our schedules, our 5Ds were in the mail to be returned. So, we got them on THURSDAY morning. Hmm… think back to Thursday… POURING DOWN RAIN IN INDIANAPOLIS!!!!! I was leaving for Kansas City THAT evening so we HAD to do it that day.
Mike and I again… start brainstorming… “how are we going to make this work?” Off we went to the park with 2 5Ds in hand, a tripod, an umbrella, wash cloths, an eyebrow pencil, a gerbera daisy and a plastic storage container. WE LOOKED RIDICULOUS!!!!!! We found the perfect spot to take it. Mikey tied the umbrella to the playground equipment, I placed the camera on a tripod and strategically set it under the umrella… wrapped the lens with dry wash cloths… Mike jumped up, hung upside down… I got the camera in focus… set the timer… RAN underneath him and SNAP… DONEZO! The one that we picked turned out was our first try… we both kept getting wetter and wetter, colder and colder and well you get the idea.
We then ran home, got me packed… threw the memory cards in my luggage and I sent it off to BluDomain that night. DONE AND DONE!
Whew… what an ordeal THAT was! But, let me tell you… SO worth it! WE’RE SOOOOOOOOO EXCIIIIIITED! As if I haven’t already mentioned that 🙂 This is the third year for the contest… TWO AMAAAAAAZING photographers have since held the title: Jessica Claire and Jasmine Star. See… told you they were amazing!
Be sure to head on over there and give some blog comment love. YEAHYEAHYEAHYEAH!!!!!
Here we are… out in the rain. Notice the tub on the left… yeah, that’s how we kept our gear dry. And if you look closely on the playground equipment, you might even see the phrase “you b**ch” Hey… only the best for bobbi+mike!
Here’s our Mikey getting it all set up. See the wash rag holding the umbrella up? Yeah… maybe we should have brought something more substantial. Whateva… it worked.
SNAP!!!!! 😀
A little confession… I wrote on my forehead in the passenger seat on the way over to the classy park shown above. Mikey was in the back of the FJ getting the cameras all squared away when I turned around and said, “HOW DOES IT LOOK?!” His eyes got really big… “Uhm, Bobbi… you wrote it in reverse.” HAHAHA! Hmm… maybe I shouldn’t have done the writing in the mirror. I immediately said, “DUH! I KNOW… WE’RE GOING TO FLIP THE PHOTO!!!!” Quick thinkin’ huh?! 🙂 Oh, see the belt buckle? More on that soon! 😀 There is NO shame in shameless self promotion 😀 HA!
How flipping cute is my husband in this photo?! I LOVE HIM SOOOOO MUCH!!!!
See the rain droplets in this shot?
And just for fun, Blu also requested a photo of our car. Mike insisted on the FJ… I wanted my Bug… and we weren’t willing to budge, so we compromised and took both! Oh and Fred Egan… that’s a custom sunroof 😀
Blu also sent some interview questions… so, for your reading enjoyment, here are our responses:
my name: –
bobbi+mike
where i hail from
bobbi+: I’m a military brat… I’ve called a LOT of places home. Most of my life I lived in Kansas City, Missouri. I moved to Indiana for college and fell in love with a perfect person named Mike… now, I’m a Hoosier 🙂
+mike:originally Fort Wayne, Indiana. Now we call Indianapolis home.
most weeks i just need …
bobbi+: an 8th day
+mike: more time!
I easily fall in love with ….
bobbi+: people in love.
+mike: red headed girls and shiny things. 🙂
don’t count on me to ….
bobbi+: be fake. I’m always 100% real.
+mike: Get up the first time the alarm goes off
this spring i need ….
bobbi+: a good old fashioned bicycle. Doesn’t that sound fun?
+mike: Two extra stops from Canon! Come on already! Give it up!
sunday mornings you will find me ….
bobbi+: EXHAUSTED!!! I’ve usually WORKED IT OUT at a wedding the day before 😀 Mikey sometimes surprises me with an out to eat breakfast… those are my favorite Sundays. Hey, diet or not…. I’ve earned it! 😀
+mike: Asleep and drooling on my desk after triple backing up Saturday’s wedding photos
I am most difficult when ….
bobbi+: I don’t get my way. Clearly, I’m an only child!
+mike: You wake me up early Sunday morning
why i need your vote ….
bobbi+: I’ve ALWAYS wanted to thank the Academy!
+mike: Karma damn it! I think we’ve made a few deposits over the years 🙂
if I am typically craving something it is ….
bobbi+: chocolate chip cookies and SUPER cold milk. MMMMMM!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Be right back, I’m gonna go get me some!
+mike: Low in vitamins and minerals and high in fat and carbs!
the reason i love what i do …
bobbi+mike: We get to hang out with people in love, every week, on the best day of their lives! Does life get better than that?
the best piece of advice I have ever received with regards to photography ….
bobbi+: be genuine.
+mike: lens choice, camera settings, light…mastering all that stuff is great. But, it doesn’t make you a real photographer. It’s how you interact with people!
the other photographer who i find to be inspiring ….
bobbi+: Jesh de Rox.
+mike: There’s this wacky, out-there redhead who I’m inspired by daily 🙂
bobbi+: uhm… can I change my answer?
a piece of equipment that is a reliable standby ….
bobbi+: uhm… my 85mm 1.2
+mike: 70-200 2.8L IS
one mistake I have made in my photography career ….
bobbi+mike: not making enough personal time. (we’re still working on correcting that…)
what I can give you ….
bobbi+: a good laugh, fun experiences and genuine friendship.
+mike: stories and images of real people being themselves.
bobbi+: wow, we’re cheeseballs! Oh well, that’s us!
I adore you guys! And a HUUUUUUUGE thanks to all of our OH SO loyal blog readers, you guys ROCK! duh….
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!
~ ❗ + ❓
I’m SO excited for you guys. I already left a comment on the bludomain blog before you even announced it here…because I’m you’re #1 stalkah! Really, I just have that blog in my feed. But I DO love you guys!
And I JUST noticed Mike’s belt….how friggin cool, and where did you guys get that?!?!?
Bob, I’m so proud of you. I know I’ve said it before but you all do amazing work…maybe I’m being a bit partial. Seriously though, congratulations on the nomination. I know how important it is to you. G-double O-D LUCK! Lus You
so fun! congrats!
OH MY GOD!!!! This is THE coolest thing ever! Congrats! I’m so excited that a fellow Indiana photographer was nominated—-take that California! 🙂
there’s not a photographer I’d rather vote for! You guys are terrific, I hope you win HUGE!
Yeah!!! Congratulations! You guys totally deserve it!! I would love to vote for you!
i always thought you were deserving of such praise and honor but after reading the story of how you created your picture…well there should be no contest! and way to represent the midwest!!!
one of your many adoring fans…
That is fabulous!! LOVE the photo! Congrats!
I hope you guys win! You totally deserve too!
It’s in the bag! At least in my opinion it is! Congrats to you both! You are so stinkin’ good! No, original. No, fabulous. No, brilliant. No, sharp. No, shall I go on?
You guys are soooooooo dang cute!!!
Congrats!!!
U soo have my vote!! RIDICULOUS!! Rock out like a purple band outfit 😉
Rock. It. Out. This is fabulous, guys!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
By the way, bobbs, how do you stand it? MIKEY IS SO CUTE!!!!!! You’re cute too,but, well YOUKNOWWHATIMEAN!!! 🙂 LOVE YA!!!!!!
It’s official: I have a crush on BOTH of you!! 🙂
Congrats on the nomination..it’s well deserved!
xoxo…
Congrats you two!
You will always be #1 in my book…if that counts for anything!
Good luck!
Love you!
go bobbi + mike!! that’s awesome. and the belt buckle!!
You guys are adorable. I LOVE the belt buckle!! That “rig” of a set up is awesome!!!
🙂
I already left ya some Blu love. You guys so deserve this!!!!
I guarantee that sunroof was installed on a car that isn’t normally made for sunroofs just because you guys can’t live without the option of someday being able to take the obligatory trailing-the-limo-from-the-church sunroof shot, lol. Dorks <3
how awesome! CONGRATS!!!! I hope you win!!!!!
Long live that belt buckle – you rock it MPE! You’ve got my vote – counting down the days until we meet again 🙂 Missing you…
yay congrats! I’m gonna go leave a comment on the blu blog now!
YaY!!! I’m so happy for you guys. Well deserved:o)
i’ve said it before i will say it again. we will sing the praises of bobbi + mike on a mountain top and there will be a band of flutists with plumeria leis and they’ll be handing out chocolate chip cookies and ice cold milk!!! you guys are rockin the suburbs baby!!!!!
Congrats you guys! You deserve it! Can’t wait for August 2nd!!!
congratulations you two!!! that’s so awesome! kick some booty girlfriend!
meg
Yay – congrats you two!! Lurve the vote for you pic 🙂
Congrats! What a fun picture of the two of you! I enjoy coming to your page everyday! Amazing pictures, love the stories, and you two really are great!! You guys ROCK! Hope you win.
SUPERCOOL!!!!!!!!!
Way awesome! Congrats! I love the cool pic! It is perfect.
CONGRATS!!!! yaaaaay for you guys!!!! 🙂
am i allowed to vote twice because there are two of you??
Congrats guys! That’s such a great honor. I’m heading over to bludomain as we speak!!! You two are the best!
MIss you,
Cheryl
Congrats and good luck! You two definitely deserve to win!
Mike, the belt buckle. LOVE IT! Good luck you two!!
How clever is that belt buckle?! You guys are so stinkin cute! Oh I hope you win!
Good Luck! 🙂
Yay Bobbi&Mike!
I want you guys to win 🙂 I saw your nomination on Blu’s blog yesterday and I was so excited for you!! I LOVE the pictures you took in the rain, how awesome are you guys?!
Congratulations and goooooood LUCK!
Hi you goofballs! I can almost hear you going through the Q & A, sorry I missed those moments. I, as always, am extremely proud of you. By the way, I checked out the website for that Jesh; they’ve got nothing on you two. I am truly inspired by the two of you!!!
Yeah for you!!! I am so excited for you guys! You totally deserve it a million times over!!!
xoxo
Yea!!! That’s so exciting. So how do I vote?
Oh, and your pic is totally the best!
Thats awesome….CONGRATS!!!!
CONGRATS!!! You guys deserve it- your photos are amazing and fun!!
PS. Michael Blanchard… you’re 100% right. HA! BUSTED 😀
~ ❗ +
THIS IS AWESOME! Congrats!!!!!! :)))
Your nomination as well as your possible win will be much deserved. 🙂
Your pictures bring much joy to my life. *hugs*
-Jen
Bob and Hubba Hubba!!!~
Do we get to vote for you?
OH I HOPE SO!! I’ll vote everyday if so!
Congrats loves!
Hi Bobbi & Mike,
I just wanted to let you guys know how much of an inspiration you’ve been to my husband and I since we found your blog. We are beginning photographers and have always had a passion for it.
I stumbled across your blog from a message board that I go to often and I’m so glad that I did. I love how you can just tell how much you love each other and what you do. I also love that you take pictures of each other doing what you love.
Keep up the Awesome work and you totally deserve this award!
Love,
Melissa (in NC)
Too freakin cool!!! I posted the bludomain site to give my love…you go!
Huzzah! i’m doing the happy shuffle from the confines of my cube 🙂
You are one of my TOP THREE blogs i visit daily, and have inspired me soooooo much to just be myself when i’m shooting my clients and have provided so much great advice (like, um, what shoes to wear to my first wedding!)!
You guys ROCK! Congrats on a well-deserved nod!
Yaaaaay! Very well deserved! I loved reading the interview as well, and that belt totally kicks booty. 🙂
My Mom says How do I vote for them? I want them to win!
So happy for you guys and more than deserving! Love to you!!!!
Congrats, Bobbi+Mike!
You guys SO deserve this. I’m so happy for you! Oh and that photo of you guys is like the cutest thing I’ve EVER seen!
congrats you two – You deserve it!
OMG you guys are kickin tale and taking names. As of now your totally way in the lead! Me and Denise voted, and im gonna post the link on my blog for people to vote for you too!
Awsome job you two!
shain
CONGRATS GUYS!! you guys deserve it, you are AMAZING! and holy crap is that the CUTEST picture ever?!?!? you guys are so fun and creative!!!! theres nobody better to vote for in my eyes, i hope you guys win!!! xoxo
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!! You guys totally deserve it!!!! So very cool and so happy for you 🙂
Hey Bobbi and Mike,
It’s Momba finally. So sorry for the delay in posting. I have been working too much.
Congratulations.
I am once again the proudest Mom in the whole world. You two are the “Bomba”!!! You deserve to win this nation-wide contest. You both have worked incredibly hard to get where you are today.
How do I vote “Little Love”?
Love you more than ever,
Momba
I SO hope you guys win! You totally deserve it! Hugs, Stacy
Btw…the belt buckle…he’s very good friend of ours. His stuff is amazing, isn’t it?! He told me that he was doing that for you guys…very cool. Congrats, again!
I found your site through blu! Congrats on the nomination… I’m so glad I found you – you guys are so down to earth and your work is incredible. Just thought I’d show you some love from Alabama!
I had no doubts about you two being the best! Congrats!!! ….And after showing our engagement pics to some friends, I expect that you’ll be getting a few more phone calls….oh, and by the way, they are now addicted to checking out your blog daily to see your latest and greatest photos!
🙂
Umm… yippee!!! I love you guys! This is definitely deserved 😀
I am SO proud of you two! You deserve every award out there. And I know it’s been mentioned before, but seriously? Mike’s belt buckle is tight. HA! LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE IT!
Dear Bobbi and Mikey,
I have notified the “blu headquarters” of who will be the best photographers of the year. I am positive that my input will hold a lot of clout. There is no question. You go team BobbiandMike.com.
Love you both,
Momba
Congrats on the nomination– I told you, the both of you have an art that is very contagious…I wish you the best
Miss you guys,
Bev