a few things

I started my day the way I usually do, by writing and reflecting and planning. And I felt guilty. Then I walked the dog. And I felt guilty. Do you ever feel guilty for doing things that you know are good for you, but you feel like you should be doing a million other things? Like feeding orphans or teaching our kids how to compost or making a pie for a neighbor? Or doing laundry. I have many times (like right now while I'm writing this) that I cannot stand chitter-chatter and I have to lock myself in my office. The interruptions and fragmented thoughts are too much to bare (bear?). Ever feel like that?
What am I thinking about today?...I'm thinking about the look on my husband's face last night...he was trying to figure me out (apparently I was acting oddly). And then he said "I think you need to do something creative tomorrow".

Bingo.

Yup. That's it. But isn't that so funny? Cuz I'm creative for a living. I work on photography and art and jewelry all day long. What do you do as an artist to "unwind" or center yourself or to just play and relax?

(-----hear the long blank pause here-----)


But I'm going to do something. I don't know what, but I will do something. My heart has been longing to do more collage...perhaps today is the day when I will do some. Not for sale. Not for high art's sake. Not for marketability. But just to do. For my soul.

And I'm gonna try not to feel guilty about it.

If you are an artist reading this, what do you do to get out of "business" mode and just play? I'd love to hear suggestions.

Sneak Peek Monday!

Okay, it was HOT on this shoot. I think it was only in the high 70's, but here in Colorado, I like to say that we are closer to the sun...and therefore 70 feels hotter. Can I have an "amen"!?






Thanks for hiking with me all over and not complaining once about melting. :)Enjoy!

I'm in a treasury!!!!

Oh my gosh, I am so excited! I was finally featured in a treasury on Etsy! Go here to check it out!
I have been waiting 6 months for this day. I have tons of new items to list...all I need to do is take pics of everything and upload them. Sounds like no big deal, but I haven't streamlined the process (don't know if there's any way to do that anyway), so it takes me all day. Lovely. I think I will get a latte and listen to something dreamy and try to enjoy the process.

Friday sneak peek!

I am always amazed at how awesome my clients are...great awesome-ness includes walking through a field of weeds (and then sitting in them!), doing poop patrol (lest I step in something horrible while I try to get the best angle), holding my ladder, and risking being attacked by giant amounts of lady bugs. ((happy sigh)) I just love what I do! :)

Thursday random stuff

*slept until 9am
*I'm still sleepy
*thinking about Farrah Fawcett and how she died with more dignity and respect than she had most of her life.
*grateful for Yoga Download. For the price of a latte, you get a yoga class on your mp3 player to do as much as you like.
*happy that my next few photo shoots are in the morning...seems like we have an endless supply of afternoon thundershowers.
*wishing my friend, Libby, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
*listening to Sondre Lerche...might need to switch to something more up-tempo
*need to get on with my proofing
*hating the sound of the constant hum of the air conditioner...but wouldn't trade it in for the world.
*grateful that our kids are so independent
*missing how small they used to be
*need to pull out my camera and document more of our summer before it's over.

Okay, time to get on with things. And trust that I will get into a good working groove this afternoon. :)

Cloudy...overcast...slightly rainy...

In California, it's called "June-Gloom". In Colorado, it's a freak thing on a Saturday summer morning! I could've lived without the rain, but the cloud cover...dreamy! And the dreamy weather totally matched the dreamy love in this family. :)

E-Session :)

Oh, how I love doing engagement shoots! I love getting to know the couple before the big day. Seeing them interact, hearing their story, seeing the love. :) It's just wonderful.





For this one, I wanted it to look like their love has been around a long time. :)


Thanks for hanging with me last night! I can't wait to shoot your wedding!

Warp speed

I just got done shooting pics at VBS, now I need to clean my house (or at least make it dog-hair-free and smell sorta good and not have anything growing in our toilets), and do a sneak peek from yesterday's engagement shoot.
Do you ever wish that you could get things done faster?
Okay, here I go! (and look for another post in a few hours!)

Thursday randomness

Here are a few pics from our little family vaca. I love playing with my camera. But there is a balance. Of living in the moment. Enjoying the present. Of doing vs. documenting. I love my camera. But it's nice to put it down sometimes and just BE. So here are some images...not very Colorado-y, but the images that came out none-the-less. :)



Despite my 2 giant cups of coffee, I feel very calm today. I cleaned my office/studio yesterday and boy did that make a difference in my mental health. Today, I'm going to proof, and then maybe go through some things to give away.

Happy slow summer day.

Sneakity peekity

Had an awesome head shot session yesterday! I LOVE doing head shot work! (I can't believe I didn't do this while living in LA. Sheesh! and Oh Well.) But anyway, she rocked it out completely. What a joy. And a trooper, cuz it was stinkin' bright. Full sun. And shiny cars all around us reflecting blinding glare. No big deal, she was a pro. :)






Now, I'm back to proofing, family movie night, and maybe a shower. Showers are good.

Back

And working my bootie off trying to get some proofing done.
Later blog people! :)

I'm going to be...

Hiking with the fam
Eating Smores
Swimming like fish
Playing cards
Doing puzzles
Breathing
Looking at amazing views
With my amazing family
Forever and ever amen. :)

Well, til the 6th. See you later wonderful blog readers!

Love times six

I love getting to know an entire family after previously doing a high school senior session. LOVE IT! :) And I love this family. I could've wrapped them all up and taken them home.







Oh, and something that I don't really advertise, but that came up in this session...if you are in the military and are deployed after a photo shoot with me, please let me know. I will either leave up your online slideshow or re-upload it for no added fee. Until you come home. :)