Wind wind go away...

Despite 40 mph wind and a storm that threatened to open it's clouds on us, today's photoshoot was a blast. First, it was the first time in a long time that I did an afternoon session (I don't do afternoon sessions til fall begins, so there are no chances of thundershowers). And second, this family is absolutely wonderful. I thought they might think I was crazy when I suggested this location, but they were up for anything. Love that. And thank you.:)

Thanks for hanging out with me and enjoy your sneak peek!

2 posts in one day!

I haven't even put out my autumn decor yet, but I am so excited about christmas! :) Here are more card examples. I HAVE to get these up on my website soon! Dreamy, yes?

My way of unwinding

My son was in a foul mood this morning...so my way of shaking that off after dropping him off at school is playing in photoshop. So, I thought I'd show you an example of how I can customize christmas cards. :) Today, it's just a color change, but it makes a big difference.
example 1...this is the original...very nice, but I felt that with the busy backgrounds in the various pictures, the pictures got lost in the card.



example 2...better...the focus is on the pictures now. see? better? yes.

There is stuff out there just waiting to become the perfect background in a photo! My quest for new locations was awesome...need to do THAT more often.

LOVE this corrugated side of this building!

And more traditional, this is a wooden bridge over a creek...it leads to someone's house, but I'm sure they won't mind us taking a few pictures there. :)

I'm happy to announce that after a very long week, I can now upload onto my website! If you've been waiting for your online album, it's back up. For my latest clients, they will be up soon.

Today I am going location hunting. Check back later for some killer photos of locations.

today is a special day. I love you cutiepie. the world is a sweeter place with you in it.

More christmas cards!!!!

I am so excited! Here is one of my new christmas cards I will be offering. Isn't it completely dreamy! :)

I should have the rest of them up on my website in the Christmas card section of my Portfolio by the end of this week, so take a look. :)
(edit: This is also a sneaky way of getting more sneak peeks in from my family session yesterday. :) )

Today's sneak peek...

what a wonderful family! and seriously, one of the most beautiful little girls!...dreamy hair and skin! Thanks for hanging out with me this morning and enjoy your sneak peek! :)

I have been defeated...

by my computer.

I am going to chuck it out the window soon. Look out below. I think this thing must be pure evil.

If you are having a hard time viewing your online album, I am so sorry. After I cry my way through a box of tissues, I will contact more support people from India (nothing against India...)

I'm pretty sure my computer is actually laughing at me. evil.

Even my dog is tired of getting her picture taken.

I'm pretty sure this is the same face I get from my kids.

good things...

this morning...
my daughter asked for donuts, saying "they are so good, they fill my mouth with joy."

this afternoon...
my daughter's soccer team won...and they played incredible as a team...so proud of them. I swear, I got goosebumps twice during the game cuz they were doing so good.

tonight (right now)...
my son and daughter are having a "sleepover" in one of their rooms, and my son is reading out loud to my daughter. I could just cry, it's so beautiful.

I know life is good...but tonight, it FEELS SO GOOD. ((heart melting, tears welling)) :)

Ever had an "aha" moment? Yah, me too. Here was yesterday's (while sitting in the carpool lane at the kid's school)...

I'm doing a new bible study at church on the book "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow. I should start this off with the fact that I don't like book studies...I am a very stubborn person. I don't want to be put in a box, I don't want "christian-ize" in my language, and I don't like regurgitating answers in a workbook. Limiting to myself?...yes. But I digress...

I'm in this bible study, and so far (one week), it's awesome. Here's my aha moment...Ms. Dillow talks about a missionary named Ella that lived with the pygmies in Africa for 52 years...easy?...I'm sure not. Here is her prescription for contentment (found in one of her journals after she died).
1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything--not even the weather.
2. Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
3. Never compare your lot with another's.
4. Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
5. Never dwell on tomorrow--remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours.

wow. Talk about living in the moment. I love "aha" moments. It's instantly inspiring and energizing. The trick is to not forget them.

So I don't do weddings...but maybe just this one. :) They are our neighbors and in the middle of their engagement party, they announced to all their guests that they would be getting married that night. I knew what was coming, so I was prepared, but it was pretty exciting. It was at their house...good friends, good food, and lots of love. pretty cool.
It was a luau theme.



Always the sign of a good party...a beer bottle in the cat house.

Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys! Happy Honeymoon!

a Flashy kind of Love

So, for the most part, I'm a natural light girl...but I am determined to love my flash. I got a giant one that weighs as much as my camera...it's a monster. But I really want to master this...to push myself past my comfort zone.

This was taken at night...too flashy?

happy doggy thursday!

Today, I have had most of the day to do some catching up...some breathing, some work, and our phone is working again...yup, we were out of phone power agian for a day because our house got a DIRECT hit from lightning yesterday! Can you believe that?!...crazy.
I think our Lily is hot...what do you think? (or high). hehe! she's like "hey, what's up."

It's really hard to take a good picture of Lily...not much contrast.

I was proofing this morning and came across this picture from a shoot the other day...love it! :)

I'm off to get soccer uniforms, camera gear, volunteer in the classroom, and hopefully return tons of phone calls I got today. If you called me, you're on my list! :) Ta ta!

a billion and one things

Sometimes all I need is a day to catch up...to do the grocery shopping, clean the house so that we don't see black doggie hair everywhere, laundry, tidying, etc. Sometimes all it takes is a day to catch your breath and air out the house to feel good in your space.

Today is NOT that day for me...

Sometimes it's just good to KNOW what you need, even if it's not possible for a while. Delayed gratification (and one more day of take-out)...turns out it's not that bad. :)


I've been practicing using my enormous flash, and my mom and son were the models de jour...aren't they so cute...I love belly laughs...you can almost hear them laughing. :)

My senior today has the most awesome lips and soulful eyes...loved shooting her this morning! I had a great time!...noxious weeds and all! lol! oh, and thanks for the starbucks treat! Nothing's happier than starting the day with an iced latte. yum. Enjoy your sneak peek!


I love how moody this one is...reminds me of a russian model. :)

This is the first Sat that I haven't worked in a long time, so I slept in and laid in bed and did a lot of happy sighing...I feel like I've been on a week's vacation. It's amazing what a little relaxing will do to a soul. :)

This long weekend includes some gardening with the hubby, cooking with my girl, a party with friends, maybe a bit of shopping, lots of sun, and a happy high school senior shoot...good things...happy things...I feel so blessed.

Have a great weekend all! and if you're checking in today, leave some comment-love. :)