Don't Fall Off Your Chair

Two posts in one day?! I know. Seriously, don't let your ticker stop. I just had to go on about my wonderful little children. They cleaned the house for me. Not my kind of cleaning, but better. They cleaned because they love me and they wanted me to be able to spend more time with me (although they just left me because they wanted to go to the neighbor boy's house). Does it get any better than that?!




(This is my bed that they made for me. The poor bed so rarely gets made, it was probably wondering what was happening!)


They also "wrapped" a box of chocolates that has been re-gifted by Jamie 3x's - but I suppose that is beside the point. My heart is swelling with love and gratitude:)




Enjoy!

Beauty Is NOT In The Eye Of The Beholder.

Did a little session the other day with my dear little Jenny - AKA my apprentice. Don't ask me why anyone would let me influence this poor girl, but they do, and I love that she keeps me sane in quite a few INsane situations. Anyway, the point is that she rocked it out like I knew she would. The best part about it? I had her leave her hair natural. She calls it frizzy - I call it uniquely GORGEOUS. I cannot get enough of this photo of her in the antique shop. So awesome! But the problem with being a photographer and dealing with all of these insanely stunning girls is that one begins to feel a little self conscious about themselves.




In addition to doing some great shots with her, I had her take a couple of me. What does that mean? That means I have gone through all of them and done nothing short of nitpick every single one. No, I'm not saying that Jenny took bad pictures. In fact, quite the contrary. What I'm saying is that I am, in my husbands words, ridiculous. I know, I know. This may look like I'm fishing for compliments, but I swear to you, that is not the case. I'm merely trying to explain the revelation that I had after reading my own comments on my own pictures. Really, I annoyed myself. Now I think I kind of understand where my husband is coming from. Never a time when a compliment from him wasn't met with a derogatory statement from my mouth. Poor guy. And here is a sampling from my FB comments to myself.








Jenny's comment about my head shot she did: "YAYYYY my photography :) i love it!"
My comment back: "Good work my friend. You did the best with what you were given. A girl with a large nose and a giraffe neck."

Seriously? How obnoxious am I?!

And this goes on and on for numerous pictures. The solution? Taking all the negativity off and replacing it with positive comments. Let me know if you run across any that I miss...

But that wasn't the revelation. No, the revelation was much bigger than that. I started to think about what really makes me beautiful. Sure, I can do a pretty good make-up job and I do pretty well keeping up with the trends, but at the end of the day, that isn't what fulfills me. Here I've been preaching to my 7 year-old daughter that it's the inside beauty that matters, but not leading by example. So what is my true beauty? It's the beauty in the everyday. It's taking the time with my kids to play Lincoln Logs and Guess Who. It's changing my babies diaper when it's wet and being just as happy as she is when I know she's comfortable. It's even in scrubbing the toilet because I want my house to be clean for my favorite little family. Beauty is what is behind your intentions. Beauty is my compassion for people and how I can serve them. So, next time my husband tells me that I look pretty when I haven't done my hair or make-up and I'm hanging out in my scrubby clothes, I'm merely going to look at him and say, "Thank you".

Sealed Expressions

One of the best things about being in the business that I'm in is that I have reunited with a bunch of people that I have known over the years. One of the best people I have rediscovered is my former classmate Sarah. We joined forces for business, but have found a wonderful friendship in it all and she truly is one of my dear friends.

Not only an amazing person, but an even more amazing artist. She designs anything from wedding invites to baby announcements to promotional items. Seriously jealous of this girls talents! You can look her up on Facebook or check her website: http://www.sealedimpressions.com/. You'll be blown away! I could rant and rave about her all day, but you can just check her out yourself and know that she's pretty much fabulous.

Here we are at our "networking" meeting today (code for an excuse to get together, get hyped up on caffeine and be the most obnoxious people at the Harvest Coffee House. No, seriously, I'm pretty sure the next county heard our entire conversation and the entire state heard my insanely loud laugh). Keep in mind that my 5 year-old took the picture so Sarah isn't really wearing a t-shirt, that's a prom dress. And I don't always look ratty in pictures, I usually look like a supermodel. We'll have to work on his photography skills...

Nate & Lindsay Engagement

Had such a fun time with Lindsay and Nate. They are such fun people and were up for anything! Even their dog was incredibly sweet! I can only hope that these pictures do them justice for what wonderful people they are. Can't wait for the wedding!

Bogging = Failure

Ok. So, to anyone who even still checks this and doesn't have Facebook and actually cares what I'm up to - I apologize. But, unlike the rest of the times that I have come begging my blog for mercy, I am NOT going to pretend that I'm going to get better at this. I'll try, but if you know me like my husband does, you're snorting to yourself and rolling your eyes. Some things I'm okay at failing at however and blogging is one of them. Not because I don't think that it's important for my business to have an updated log on what is going on, but because it means that I've been so blamin' busy that I just haven't had the time or the energy. No time when you're a photographer is the best thing that can happen to you! So, here are the last what, 9 months? in a nut shell...

I have a baby baking, which has preoccupied me. Such little creatures and they can control every aspect of your life! Baby is due in 6 days.

Maternity and baby sessions are becoming a big part of my career and I'm LOVING it. Babies are quite a challenge, but well worth it. Here is some of my recent work!

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Well, July was the 1 year anniversary since I took the leap of faith and started attempting photography. It's been quite and journey and a learning experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I want to take this time to thank everyone from friends, family and clients (that were strangers and quickly became friends). Because of your faith in me I have learned that God has given me a specific talent and you have helped me learn and develop it. Trust me, it's still a work in progress! I have never taken a photography class in my life, so everything has been trial and error. But through your patience and encouragement, I have grown. Every person has a story and if I can take that brief moment in time and share that story, then I have done my job. I can only hope to further this gift to be able to give back.

Thank you again to everyone and enjoy the past year in pictures...

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Renee & Nitin

I have to say, I'm a huge fan of courthouse weddings. Nothing against people that have the whole-to-do, but my husband and I got hitched at the courthouse, so I guess it holds a special little place in my heart. So, when my mother-in-law announced that she was tying the knot at the courthouse it seemed pleasant and full of fond memories.

Getting to know Nitin has been a pleasure. Not only is he intelligent and shares a common hobby (can you guess what that might be? ;) ), but he is warm and friendly. We look forward to getting to know him even more as the years go by.

Congratulations to you both!

Sarah & Craig

My favorite weddings to attend are the ones where you can look at the bride and groom and just know that God created the both of them for each other. The wedding isn't an event, just a stepping stone so everyone can celebrate.

That is exactly how I feel about Sarah and Craig. I met Sarah at my little sister's bachelorette party a few years back. I remember thinking that she was incredibly quiet. Boy was I wrong! The more that I got to know Sarah, the more I realized that she is one of the happiest most outgoing and outrageous people (in the best sense of course!) I have ever met. Instantaneously you are welcomed into her little world of living life to the fullest and even though I have not been able to spend very much time with her, she has impacted my life with her love of it and her love for Jesus.

I met Craig 5 days before the wedding. I had no idea what he was like, but I figured if he loved Sarah, he must be pretty darn smart. I expected Craig to be reserved and slightly stand-offish seeing as he was dining with 3 giggling girls, but he joined right in and I knew I had a friend for life!

So, congratulations to you both and thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me be able to share in your beautiful day!

Jolene & Jamie

Jolene and Jamie's wedding was amazing! Everything about it was just beautiful. This was my very first official wedding and there were definitely some nerves there. I think that if Jolene hadn't been so cool and calm, my nerves would have been shot! She was a wonderful bride and I thank both her and her husband for giving me such an extraordinary opportunity. Many days of happiness ahead for them!

Where in the world have I been?

So, if you only follow my blog and have no interest in Facebook, then you're probably wondering if I have thrown in the towel completely on my photography. The answer is.... (drum roll please!)... NO! Of course not! Quite the contrary actually. I have been so busy, I just haven't had a spare moment to post!

I will take a solemn vow to never leave you with another cliffhanger like that again! I was starting to wonder myself, "where in the world I have been?".

Are we all bracing ourselves and ready for a marathon posting? I know I am! So, hold on tight and prepare to be amazed!