Our little ones at Christmas

So I decided to share some personal pictures here at this blog. My dear sweet little niece, Ella, turned the big "one" December 23rd. We had her birthday party that weekend before. She had a great time despite being so completely worn out that she didn't get to enjoy her first birthday cake experience, but isn't that how it is for all first-timers? It never seems to go how we hope it will. I think her favorite part of the day was after she finally got in her much-needed nap. She and her cousins, Noah & Maia (my kiddos!), really had a ball when we celebrated Christmas together with O'ma that evening. They all enjoyed their unwrapping of gifts - Ella & Maia enjoying the wrapping itself much more than the gifts themselves, but Noah, being 3 this year, really for the first time enjoyed the presents and their unveilings. Mommy, daddy, Auntie Chel and O'ma all enjoyed watching them have such a grand ol time. I, of course, also enjoyed snapping pictures of them in the mist of their little moments. Hope you enjoy this small glimpse into my personal life with my very favorite people in the entire world on two very special occasions. *smile*

And they decided it would be fun to play dress-up. They had the greatest time ever!

1st on-location sitting

This little girl, Alaxis (they call her "Alax"), is now 4. She has turned into the sweetest little lady. She's also one of my friend's little girls, but still. She's a peach. Here's a couple pictures from my very first on-location sitting. Isn't she just a little princess?

Thanks for having faith in me, Lyn!

Flashback.

Getting sentimental about my weddings (because of the sappy love songs that I've been playing on my ipod, I suppose . . .) I thought I'd post some pictures . . . a collage of some of my past weddings.

I had a family sitting with one of my first wedding couples today. They reminded me that I was pregnant with my first child when I did their wedding. Wow does time fly. What's the best feeling about that moment was the smile I had on my face embraced with the thought that I was so lucky to be having this chance to photograph my brides and grooms but on such a different level . . . as they get older as a couple, as they have children, as they grow as a family. I feel really blessed to have such a great relationship with my couples. I'm sad that we'll be leaving for a couple years, but hopefully when I get back there will be more babies to shoot pictures of, more family sittings, endless more opporunities for me as a photographer and endless opporunities for my couples as my life long friends.

Enjoy my collages; pictures of some of my favorite couples and favorite moments with them in the first 3 years of my business.

Merry Christmas!

My two friends, Nat & Kori, who I designed these composites for never read my blogs - at least I don't think so. I hope to have theses printed and to them in a couple weeks. It's my gift to them for Christmas.

And guys, if you are reading this, sorry for the spoiler! I have gained the impression that you never read my blogs, so if you are now, oops! Ah well . . . hope you still love 'em. (Merry Christmas!)

Back in August . . .

So my friends and I got together back in August and I finally - finally! - got to see the pictures that I shot. I've been so behind for so many reasons, just finished my last major order of the year, and now I can BREATH! So I dove into my personal photographs from this day and these are some of my favorites. What a fun time we had. And what great subjects I had to work with. My favorite days are those that I spend shooting kids. Ahhh, I just love it.

A mother needing to gain her sanity back because of 9 kids running around like crazy + other mommy friends = WINE

Glimpses into Janna & Keith's Day

And then here is me with the bride - I never get my picture taken on wedding days, but the groom asked if he could take a picture of me and Janna - Janna's expression looks like "Um, Keith, be careful with that camera".

Hope you enjoyed!

Brad, Chel and Ella

This is my family! Aren't they cute? It's my brother-in-law, my sister-in-law and their adorable and beautiful baby girl, Ella. This was taken over the summer when she was 6 months old. I ran across this picture while going down memory lane today and thought I would share.

Christmas cards

Two I designed this year. One for myself and one for my mother-in-law. Just thought I would share.

Merry Christmas!!

Katie and David

Some dear friends of mine came down for a visit from Chicago back in the summer. And I finally - finally - got to proofing their pictures! Thank you, Katie and David for a fun afternoon. Can you believe you were ever that big?! (Katie is the smallest - and cutest, I must mention! - person I think I know!) My best to you guys and new baby girl, Rachel. She is so beautiful and I just cannot wait to meet her! I am sure she is a peach. Love you much!

I had so much fun doing wacky angled shots and I think they turned out pretty nifty!