Ashley Brokop Photography Blog

09. 3.2011

So one of my best friends in the WORLD, just happened to marry an Italian she met while vacationing in Sarajevo. Quite kidding about the vacation, but an Italian she did meet, marry and mate with. And for this I thank my lucky stars. She met her husband while stationed with Combat Camera, the unit we were assigned to together.

Beth and I met in Tech School...photography school, when you used to have like 3 months of darkroom and film shooting, and butt chewing.

Beth was fiery and talkative and loud. I loved her from the moment I met her. I was sort of intimidated by her, because she was a few years older, few months ahead of me...and had HER OWN ROOM, and HER OWN BATHROOM. I had to share a room, and had to use community showers.

Anyway, I loved Beth, and loved watching Beth, and then poof...she was gone.

I lost her for a long time and then to my amazement I got selected for an assignment to Combat Camera, where she was also stationed!!! I arrived and saw her immediately, in the parking lot!!! (and boy was she pregnant.) I was so happy to see her, and she barely recognized me!! I had lost some weight; I was sort of in that chubby, not sure of who I am or what I am supposed to eat out of basic training mode, when we had first met.

Beth and I became fast friends and spent a lot of time together. My boyfriend (soon to be husband) was in New Mexico and her husband was out of town/aka out of the country on an assignment. He was part of the Italian military.

I think it is so funny, so many people are married to Italians...but these are usually like 4th gen Italians that don't speak Italian, never been to Italy..that sort of thing.

Beth's husband didn't speak much English when they met, and their love story is one of which books are written. She learned to speak Italian, and he learned more English...She learned to cook Italian meals. Real ones, not Olive Garden...and that is what lead me to this post. Beth has a fantastic blog where she shares fantastic recipes. Real Italian recipes, taught by her Mother in Law and her husband.

I don't love to cook, but i really like to. It is sort of a chore and only because my children are at funny ages and taste levels. Like the baby is allergic to everything, Betsy hates meat, Wesley will eat anything if I convince him his best friends love it...don't judge.

But the kids are almost force fed the meals we create and it takes the joy out of it. If I was merely cooking for Billy, I would be more creative, more inspired and more passionate about it for sure. But I have three other picky, feisty toddler/youngsters to please and it squeezes the passion right outta my body.

Now Beth's recipes are a real crowd pleaser with my family. She makes pizza from scratch, the best pasta I have ever tasted and created guacamole lovers out of Bill and myself.

Beth's philosophy is simple...simple is better. You don't need all that extra stuff. Test out some recipes and you will be a believer.

I write all of this with some sadness. She is moving in about a month back to Italy where they own a home. I don't know when she will be back and it makes me really sad. Lucky for me, her parents live in SC so I will always be close to the ones she HAS to see ;)

We are planning a trip to Italy for next summer. I am really excited to visit the place she fell in love with and the home that her sweet husband is from. I am not sharing his name & info because he loves his privacy and I respect him a great deal. He is a wonderful man, husband and father (and wildly creative to boot). Did I mention Beth is also a photographer? She is also a teacher!! She also edits a great deal of my work. I send her work via FTP and she is an amazing editor. She always had an amazing eye. Back at Combat Camera I would listen to her edit someone's work, mine too, and think "I never would have thought of that". She just sees things that not everyone sees. After I have a long shoot, I put my heart and soul into it, coming back to edit something isn't the easiest thing to do. Sending it to someone with fresh eyes, is something I am very happy that I can do. She ends my photographic sentences. Beth is that friend you pick up with the second you speak or text. She is the first one that knew I was going into labor after Bill knew, when my water broke with Betsy. Bill told me to get online and get a number for the ER at the hospital, and of course I was on ichat with Beth. She called me immediatly. We've been pregnant together, sad together, happy together...she is someone I love and hate to debate with, someone I know will support me when I need it. A great listener, great advice...and a great Mom, Wife, teacher, cook, singer, and friend.

Here is the world's best pizza crust recipe, and sauce recipe at the bottom. I use this sauce for everything!!! It's amazing!

Beth's Test Kitchen: The Link

The photographer: Beth Caporaletti

btw, I have way better pics that this, but I am so unorganized. I swear I will post more when I find em. I love you beth.

4 comments so far

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Scott Reed says:

Two beautiful ladies. Glad you both have found peace and happiness in your lives!

(09.03.11 @ 01:09 PM)

Scott Reed says:

Two beautiful ladies. Glad you both have found peace and happiness in your lives!

(09.03.11 @ 01:09 PM)

Kristin Barwick Williams says:

Best friends are truely a gift from God!! Best wishes to Beth & her family..

(09.04.11 @ 02:48 PM)

Beth Caporaletti says:

Ashley, there are seriously no words that will sum up how amazing you are. It was one of the best days of my life when you walked into Combat Camera. We have laughed, cried, grown up and been sounding boards for life, politics and religion. I love you more that a friend, you are my sister. You are my soul mate and one of my very best friends. We are just starting on this journey together. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. And thank you for always being there when I need you. You rock!

(09.11.11 @ 08:23 PM)

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Emma {bridal session}

09. 3.2011

Emma, and my sister, were the two people that helped me stay motivated while Bill was deployed last year. Emma got me into spinning (spin class), and I just loved it!!! I had tried it before, many years ago, but when you go with a friend and have that encouragement, it makes a huge difference.

Emma is super kind and supportive, and just an amazing person. She was a beautiful bride and a blast to make pictures with.

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Emma says:

Ashley you mean so much to me! I will think of you for as long as I look at these wedding and bridal portraits. I could not have asked for a better photographer and for such a person as you who made me feel so special and beautiful! You and Em are so talented and I am so proud of my pictures! A very sincere (teary eyed) and heart felt thank you to you two for making our day so precious and wonderful!

(10.01.11 @ 01:10 AM)

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lately

08.25.2011

I have lots to blog, but first I wanted to share some iphone pics of the fam. The girls love to have tea parties, duh ;) There is one creative shot of Wesley in "time out" on the stairs, and a walk we took, dinner out, a DIY project (refinishing table/chairs) and the always-an-adventure Sumter Mall kiddie rides. Also, I promise to blog more. I hate going to a blog and it's the same post that I have read, and maybe it has been a week or two...well guilty. It makes you feel like it has wasted 30 valuable seconds of your life. no more time wasted.

Also, Ashley Brokop Photography is now visible on the iphone/ipad/most any mobile device!! I have lots of stuff to add, and more pictures to upload, but hey at least you don't get the stupid flash message that makes you wanna scream. boo-yah!! you're welcome ;) love to you on this late thurs.

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