Really? Is it really the 16th!? of 2010?

Time goes by so fast. Life is so busy with activity and deadlines and obligations...and taking pictures of other people's adorable kids. I find that most of the time my own kids don't get their picture taken very often anymore. It's alot more work now that I know all the things about taking a great picture. No more putting them on the couch and snapping a picture quickly that I would have been perfectly happy with. Those days are gone and I miss them. Now I have to put them in sweet little outfits and make a dang Portrait Session out of it! I am sure they hate it. So sure in fact that I used to be able to get genuine sweet smiles out of them but now I've had to resort to the "bribery beans" and pray the bribery works!! That brought me to day 13...the "Bribery Beans". These ARE in fact magic beans and they do work..most of the time. I encourage all moms everywhere to get a bribery bean container and keep it handy at all times. For portrais or snapshots or to avoid the impending tantrum in the Target aisles....it will save your life. ;0)




and that brings me to day 14....when I mention the beans....the little finger presses toward her cheek (the sign for candy) and she promptly went over and sat down in my pile of pettiskirts....see the bribery bean worked..

Pixels in Your Pocket

Some of you who follow my facebook know that I have a "column" of sorts called Pixels In Your Pocket. I like to post helpful tips and hints for everyday people who just need some pointers for taking pictures. I haven't done one in a long time and this will be the first posted on my blog! yay!


I was inspired by a materntity session that I booked today and so I started creating some "what to wear" guides. I started with a maternity couple and then I did a family and a senior girl's outfit as well.
If you know me you know that I like to tell people to think of the couches at Ikea or Pottery Barn and try to visualize how they usually will have 6-7 very different pillows all over them...yet somehow they all go together. So today I thought it would be fun to put the pillows to action!
These pillows can be purchased at Pottery Barn. They are beautiful aren't they? I just want to sit there and read a book.

Another tip when dressing yourself or your family: Try to dress yourself in something that you wouldn't necessarily be able to wear everyday but that in your daydreams...you would. Don't wear something that would be everyday wear. Dream a little! It's fun!

Imagine these colors outside with grassy fields, fallen trees that you could sit on, maybe a bridge or old building and lots of pretty sunlight. It might be cold outside but these colors will bring a warmth to your walls all year long.

This one is LITTLE! ~ I hope you can see it!! I messed up when making it..I'll have to remake it later. :)

365/12

I love the rain. I love the smell of it, the sound of it, the way it cleanses the landscapes. I even love the gentle quiet it provides in my busy life. It forces me to stay inside and be still if even for a moment. It's not raining here. Not outside.
~My faith is a gift. I am ever so grateful that when it rains here and I cannot see that I know without a doubt that He can.

I've had my studio set up to do some newborn sessions and in the meantime I've been enjoying the last light of day with kids. It comes through my windows and creates an amazing light that is perfect. Here is Ava playing with her Gramma-ma's old jewelry. She loved it!

365/11

"It is not a slight thing when they who are so fresh from God, love us" - Charles Dickens

That's all. :)

365/9/10

The last few days have been so busy so I've found it hard to take a photo. BUT..I have to give myself some wiggle room with having 3 kids and a busy photography business so when there are busier times I thought it would be fun to dig up some older photos to use. Kind of like the old saying "make new friends but keep the old"...."take new pics but remember the old"...these are both never seen before...

This is one of my favorite "behind the scenes" photos and I do have alot of them. Here Daddy is sweetly caressing and loving his baby girls to help me get the shot. It's just such a sweet capture. We never were able to get this shot however. The girls just really wanted their Daddy in this one.



This is my first family session ever and they were taken on my D40. This is a friend from way back in Jr. High and we hadn't seen eachother since then. She was brave enough to let me practice on her family and it turned out really well. These were some that we thought would be fun at the end of the session. She's such a fun person and the kids are so cool that these are totally fitting for their family...

365/8

Today I am the mom of a 6 year old. My first child, my little boy. The one who made me a mother after all the tears and heartache and waiting. The little guy who made my dream of being a mommy come true. I could not have imagined the joy that this kid would bring. The laughs and personality he offers are endless. Yesterday was last time he looked at me as a five year old and today marks a whole new year of getting to know him as he grows and being a part of all his adventures. He is amazingly musical and this morning I caught him practicing with his guitar all on his own. Happy Birthday Connor!

365 day 7

I'm so thankful. So so so very thankful...that she is mine. I could not have asked for a more perfect daughter. It's a miracle that she is ours. The road to her was long and wet with tears. There were moments we doubted, moments of great faith, and moments of immense growth in ourselves and the power of God. She. Is. Mine.