Transparent navigation bar over gallery & customizing summary block

Site URL: http://www.laurenannephoto.com/home-2

Hello! I have a few questions for the newest site I am working on for anyone that can help!

1) Creating a transparent navigation header - normally I achieve this by setting the navigation and branding to the "bottom" but this isn't working for the home & about page (will link below). These both have a gallery slideshow banner at the top.
2) Having a thumbnail on summary block appear to the left rather than above - Trying to achieve this look for a testimonial slider, by having the testimonial to the right and an image to the left. I think the image may need to decrease in size too. However, I want to target this specific summary block so it doesn't mess with the blog preview.

Website: http://www.laurenannephoto.com/home-2
Password: construction