body { background: #ffffff; background-image: url(https://drive.google.com/open?id=c1IWZkP_UvP4yD7Nl1P8KBXwO_oZRCSD9U); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-size: cover; width: 100%; margin: 0; }

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!

As I reflect on the past year, I can't help but feel overjoyed at this year's success. I had such an amazing year! I acquired a new studio, shot my first destination wedding, and worked with some amazing new people! I am so thankful to each and every one of you who have supported me since day one and all of the new clients that I met this year as well!

I put together this slide show of each of my sessions and weddings that I shot this year. I look forward to some exciting new things for 2009. I have some exciting studio news as well as additional client services that I can't wait to announce. For now, please enjoy a look back at 2008. It was so fun looking through all of these sessions. Some of them I felt like I shot so long ago. It's funny how time goes so fast, yet can seem long at the same time.

Have a wonderful New Year! Cheers! Click here to view in a full window.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Holiday schedule update...

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday week spending time with your loved ones. We had a great Christmas, but unfortunately since then the nasty stomach flu has moved through our house. We all have it with the exception of Aidan, so it's been a challenging past couple of days with both parents sick and my oldest sick as well. Has everyone had this thing? It seems as if everyone I have talked to has had it recently. Viruses=yuck!

I will have a limited working week this week hoping for a speedy recovery and celebrating New Year's. This definitely isn't what I had in mind for some much needed vacation time but I am also glad I didn't have to cancel any shoots. Thank goodness for the 80's movie weekend marathon on Encore! I've been confined to my bed but am catching some classics such as Ferris Bueller and Dirty Dancing! Yessssss!


I hope to update soon along with a look back at 2008 with a year in photos as well as my exciting new plans for 2009!

Until then...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!


Handmade gifts

I have some incredibly talented friends and wanted to share a couple of awesome gifts I've received this season.

An origami crane mobile... it is said to bring peace wherever it is hung:
A wonderful photo album that I can't wait to fill with photos:
Thanks friends!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Holiday Wish List

I have been doing these for awhile now and just think it's fun! My list is pretty short this year and really only has one photography related item.

The Canon 5D Mark II. I drool over this camera! It just came out and there are waiting lists everywhere... unless you want to pay $1,000 extra on eBay.

We got a Wii this summer and I haven't used it much. I wouldn't mind Guitar Hero either!
Britney is back! I'm not sure why I want this, but I heard it's good and I'm curious I guess.
I've trashed my Swiffer vacuum and need a replacement. I actually asked Andy for a broom vac for Christmas and he said, "I'm not getting you a vacuum for Christmas, that's no fun!" Hey- I'm a practical girl, what can I say?


I *heart* Felicity and Keri Russell!

I saw this book at Target yesterday and couldn't put it down!

To display all of my baked goods!

I've always wanted a nice set of measuring cups...
I'm a pretty simple gal, although my husband claims I am the hardest person to shop for!

I hope that everyone gets what they wish for this holiday season!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Maren

Drew, Dana, and their beautiful daughter Maren were this year's winners of my free Thanksgiving session and were nominated by their best friend (and OWP client) Nicole.

Nicole nominated her best friend Dana on the eve of Thanksgiving. I remember it so clearly. It was late, I was sitting in bed on my laptop, waiting for my bread dough to rise. It was quiet at my house as everyone was asleep. I was feeling the rush and stress of the holidays and I was tired and maybe feeling a little whiny. I read Nicole's nomination for her best friend Dana and I literally sat in my bed SOBBING (I'm tearing up typing this!). I was so touched by their story and Nicole's loving words. At that moment, I felt so completely *THANKFUL*. It just really made me think about life, how precious it is, and God's wonderful miracles. It taught me to *BELIEVE* against all odds that amazing things can happen!

Dana was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the young age of 24. She fought through chemo and radiation, lost her hair, and eventually was given a clean bill of health. Drew and Dana were very excited and wanted nothing more than to start a family. Unfortunately, Dana's Hodgkins came back and she had to battle another stronger round of chemo and radiation. After also undergoing a stem cell transplant and a long recovery, her dreams of starting a family were shattered. She was basically told that she had no chances of ever becoming pregnant. They were devastated and started looking into adoption. Against all odds, they found out that Dana was pregnant and soon delivered a beautiful healthy girl!

(this is an excerpt from Nicole's nomination)
"... Maren Elizabeth was born on April 6 after a beautiful, healthy pregnancy and a drug-free water birth. She is a gorgeous baby and a true miracle. After Dana got pregnant, I couldn't help but jump on the band wagon and be preggo with my best friend. Bridget is 6 weeks 5 days younger than Maren. They'll be best friends...they have no choice.

Long story not so short. I'm nominating my friends Dana, Drew & their beautiful baby girl for photos because they could never afford to do so on their own. Because they have been through more than any young couple should. Because they love each other like crazy. Because Dana is an amazing mother to Maren and loves her daughter to beat the bandits. And because I love them dearly. I hope they win."

Thank you Nicole! Drew and Dana... it was such a pleasure working with you! Your story has truly touched my life and it will never be the same. :)








Thursday, December 11, 2008

Gwyneth and Hope

Gwyn and I now have a lifelong connection! I fell in love with these two, their mom is just the best, and it turns out their dad was friends with my husband in high school! We had such a great session and afterward I was told that Gwyn thought very highly of me and wanted her mom to put little braids in her hair everyday "just like Olivia's." Ohhhh, my heart just melts!






Caiden

I'm slowly (and I mean slowly) getting back to my sessions I shot earlier this fall and never blogged. These were too cute not to share...



It's not too late!

For those of you that have your Christmas cards ordered and even sent out... I applaud you! I wasn't quite on the ball this year. It's quite horrible actually, we don't have our tree up yet, no cards sent out, and definitely no shopping accomplished either! I think I am in denial that Christmas is 2 weeks away!

For those of you that are like me... it's not too late to order Christmas cards! I've gotten a few recent inquiries so I thought I would post this. Just follow the instructions in this link. The turnaround time is roughly 3-4 days upon receipt of payment, so there's still time! I actually just shot the photos for my card yesterday and stayed up late designing them.

I always get tempted to post them here early, but you'll have to wait until I get my cards sent out to see them! Here was our card from last year. I loved it and it was hard to top it but I think it turned out cute!


Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Cousins

My cousin Myra came down to the studio for photos a couple of weeks ago. Her boys are my boys ages and they recently had a baby girl earlier this May. It was great to see them, we'll see them again soon at our Christmas Eve celebration!





Monday, December 08, 2008

Smiley Girl

This girl was all smiles! Although I featured some serious looks, I just thought these were such classic portraits and couldn't resist letting her beautiful eyes speak for themselves. Makayla is going to be a big sister next year! I couldn't think of a more wonderful family deserving of another child!

This is love...



This dress is on its way to becoming a family heirloom...


Go Vikes!

Kasey

Since I am going through blog withdrawal, I just HAD to post some photos...

I am so far behind with blogging my sessions but wanted to post this one because I thought it was so cute and fun! Brianne contacted me for some family photos with her husband and their dog Kasey. What could be better? A fun couples shoot and a beautiful well-behaved dog! Brianne's only request... the green couch!