About two weeks ago, I darn near gave my local FedEx man a hug. Why? BECAUSE HE HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY 50 1.2 LENS! People I have coveted this lens for so long actually having it in my possession is probably not unlike how the Grinch felt finally holding all those presents from Whoville in his hands. (Too late on that Xmas reference, was I?)

When BorrowLens.com tweeted about their annual sale of gear, I knew this would be my one chance to snatch up this lens at a discounted price. So I did. What’s that old line, “Think long, think wrong?” I didn’t think, I just clicked and clicked some more and in minutes, I had me a new lens! (and needed a paper bag to hyperventilate in at the cost).

Once in my posession, what did I start taking pictures of first? Miss Daisy of course. The more I fired away, the more I got to thinking about how purchasing some expensive piece of equipment is not unlike adopting a pet.

Consider the cost.

RATIONALIZING A DOG: Can we afford this? Probably not. But she’s so cute! Let’s get her.

RATIONALIZING A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT: Can I afford this? Probably not. But that bokeh..those megapixels..I can’t resist. I’m gonna get it.

Then the anxiety.

FREAKING OUT OVER THE DOG: Are you kidding me? She destroyed 3 coffee table books, a box set of DVDs and had five accidents in the house and was only loose from her cage for FIVE MINUTES? FOR THE LOVE. I think we made a mistake. We DEFINITELY made a mistake. Can we take her back?

FREAKING OUT OVER EQUIPMENT: For real? I worked how many hours to pay for this thing? I mean, it’s really just some plastic and metal right? It’s not REALLY better than what I was using before right? I think I made a mistake. If I send it now, I think I can take it back.

Followed by the good stuff.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH A DOG: Just look at her … seriously, HOW did I live without her?

FALLING IN LOVE WITH A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT: Just look at these images. HOW did I function in my business without this?

So here’s to my new lens and the fond feelings I’m already adopting for it. Before too long, like the way I feel about my pup, I know I’ll wonder how I lived without this baby. In the meantime, it’s gotta start earning her keep (the lens … not the dog, folks).

And if you’ve got a piece of equipment you felt this way about or continue to covet (like me and the 35 1.4 :) ), feel free to chime in on the comments!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Friend Gail on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

It happens every year around this time. My husband, Nick, starts sporting a few days growth. Then I’m all, “Is the beard coming back? Is the beard coming back?!!” and he teases me … “Maybe … let me think about it.”

A few more days pass and I’m suddenly a very happy girl. You see, I’m a gal who LOVES a man with a nice (albeit, well trimmed) beard. Specifically, MY man. It helps he can grow one heck of one (seriously, he shaves and 3 hours later, his stubble could put Dick Nixon’s to shame). But I love it. It’s rugged. Sexy. Manly.

So here’s a shout out to my hot husband and his resplendent facial hair. Here’s to the lumberjack look that’s currently vogue. And here’s to the beard being back :)

Every year it seems like the list of people we send our Christmas card out to gets bigger while the number of cards I order tends to stay the same. And, inevitably, that means a LOT of people that I’d love to share our card with get left out. Well blog readers, that includes ALL of you! So here’s a peek at Nick and I’s holiday greeting to all our friends and family (and you all of course!) Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Day filled with lots of family time, laughter and love (and maybe a few presents from Santa too :) )

God Bless!

When you’re one half of a couple that’s been together for awhile (and will be together for the long haul), you know there are years you don’t make gift-giving magic happen with one another. With Nick and I, at least we still get one another gifts. I know a lot of my friends who, once in a committed relationship, stop doing it all together.

That makes me sad for them. I think it’s because, even though I tell myself material things from him don’t matter, getting a gift from Nick (even if I happen to know what it’ll be) is so awesome. I get to see him smile big when I open it. I get to tell him I love it when he worriedly asks me if he did OK. And somewhere in the process of it, I fall in love with him all over again.

Here are the three best Christmas gifts Nick has given me in our 8 years together. I’m not saying he’s a perfect present-giver (we’ve each had our “Oh crap – I forgot to get you something and there’s only a week left ’til your birthday/Xmas/anniversary” moments for sure), but these three cherished items are proof of how much my husband loves me. And whenever I look at them, I fall in love with him all over again.

MY GUITAR:  When we first got together, I spotted a “Learn How to Play Guitar” book on Nick’s bookshelf and shared with him that I played piano and always wanted to learn guitar. Three years later, we’re opening presents and I open up my last one to discover that old book. “What’s this?” “This is one of your old books, right?” His response: “Well yeah, but your real present is out in the garage.” I ran shrieking outside to spot this beautiful instrument waiting for me. I’ve taken some lessons since then and still can’t play all that well, but I LOVE my guitar and I’ll never forget this Christmas as the one where Nick made me feel like a little kid again.

MY FAVORITE PAINTING: My first visit to Nick’s home in Brown County, Ind., we spent the day hiking and walking around the town of Nashville. For the unfamiliar, Brown County is a mecca for Hoosier artists and so we spent some time at Nashville’s art gallery, buying a print from an Indiana artist named Dean Davis. A few years later, Nick and his dad DROVE TO EVANSVILLE (a six hour drive from Muncie) to visit Dean in person at his home studio, where Nick bought me an original painting of his. My jaw dropped the Christmas he gifted it to me, but it was the story behind the present — how much effort he went to get it for me — that will always make this the piece of art the most valuable in our home.

MY ANTIQUE TYPEWRITERS: Nick gave me these back in ’05. I had mentioned to him that, with us being writers and all (we were both journalists at the time and he still is), it’d be cool to have something antique-y to pay homage to the craft. He snatched two for me on eBay, one of which had a sweet note inside he’d typed using the typewriter. Proof it still worked and, to me, the best part about the whole gift :)

What about you guys? Got a favorite gift from a relative/friend/spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend you want to share about? I’d LOVE to hear all about it in the comments!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Friend Gail on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Coming back to work on Hilary and Tim’s engagement session after all the traveling I’ve been doing as of late was like slipping on a pair of my favorite jeans. It was familiar. Comfortable. FUN. I’ve missed editing sessions and was again reminded of what a great couple I had to end 2009 with!

Hilary and Tim, I apologize for the delay! You guys have been so patient and I REALLY appreciate that! I hope you guys find these worth the wait!! And if you want to see more of their hotness (’cause seriously, they are HOT), check out the SLIDESHOW (I’ve had the song playing in their slideshow stuck in my head since seeing New Moon! I loved it that much (that soundtrack, by the way, is auh-mazing!))

This was one of the first photos I fired off at our session and it looked this good straight out of the camera. Ummm … yeah, these guys are THAT ridiculously good looking! Can you picture ‘em in formal wear? I CAN’T WAIT!!!

Lovely … just ….. lovely

Doesn’t Tim have the BEST dimples?!

I’m failing in coming up with the right adjectives to describe how much I love this photo, but HOLY BEAUTIFUL is a good start! Modelrific

Oh, you know, just two people. Working it. In an abandoned parking lot … that’s all I have to say ’bout this photograph.

Okay, so am I the only one who LOVES the winter GAP ad campaigns? I mean, seriously, that company’s marketing team is GENIUS this time of year. I am still in love with last year’s campaign, and when I asked Hilary and Tim if we could recreate a pose with one of my favorite Hollywood gents, they happily obliged. The results? Perfect!

I love when I take a couple down a back alley and find a goodie like this wall here. To whoever counted down whatever it is you were counting down, I say thank you for giving me a wicked cool background!

“Guys, quick, let’s grab a few shots from behind this mural!” (that’s usually how shots like this happen with me!)

Hellloooo beautiful. Meet gorgeous ;)

Hilary and Tim, thank you again for a fun afternoon! I can’t wait for your wedding this summer and I love having you guys as clients! Thanks for putting up with my silliness! :)

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Friend Gail on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.