TONS of new photographs from recent sessions coming soon!!!

Many of you know that my wonderful hubby and I have tried to sell our house a couple of times in the last couple of years.  We used a fantastic Realtor, Kori Merlino, but thanks to the market, we were unable to sell for the amount we wanted/needed.  We like our home. I built it when I was only 25 years old, so it has some sentimental value to me.  However – when I built it, I didn’t have a thriving photography business.  Now that I have a successful photography business, we would LOVE to build another house that would be conducive to running the business out of my home.  I would love to have an area that is EXCLUSIVELY for the studio.  But like I said, we haven’t been able to sell our home.

It is IMPERATIVE that I continue to keep my business running from home.  As crazy as it makes me, it is what allows me to solely support my family while still allowing me to be a mommy to my babies.  I work around naptimes, bedtimes, school times (for hubby) and Grandma/Grandpa times (when I can get the most done!!!).  Anyway – for awhile, we have felt as though we are running out of house and home.  My packaging area is in my laundry room.  My studio/office area is in the bonus room.  My ordering area is my living room.  I have been at my wit’s end for awhile, thinking that we were stuck in this never-ending doom of losing space.

Then, the Hallelujah Chorus sang.

Emerging from the clouds was a long-time acquaintance of mine, Patti.  We recently reconnected over Facebook and she indicated that she wanted photography lessons.  Well…in a round-about way, I found out that she is the ORGANIZING QUEEN!!!  I asked her for a trade and the Hallelujah Chorus sang for her too.

Patti and I have spent the last couple of weeks organizing my home, room to room, closet to closet, workspace to workspace.  And wouldn’t you know it?  We actually HAVE space!!!  I purged about 5 car loads of crap (excuse me if that word seems naughty to you…).  I received amazing tips on organizing my home and on keeping it organized.  I went to a few stores (including a quick spontaneous trip to IKEA in SLC last Tuesday) to purchase bins.  Lots and lots and lots of bins.  Maybe over 50 of them?  Oh – I’m sure it’s over 50.  Maybe even 100???  Sure – it cost me money.  But you know what costs more?  Prime Real Estate, People.  That costs a lot more than a few bins.  I discovered over the last couple of weeks that we would love to have more space, but we don’t NEED more space.

Someday, we’ll have a studio in our home that will be all for you, My Wonderful Clients, but until then, don’t be concerned if you hear children screaming on the phone when you call for a session.  Don’t be surprised if you smell dinner on the stove.  Don’t be alarmed if our Studio Mascot, Harley the Cat, comes to greet you.  It’s  all part of owning an at-home business and I am dang proud of that.

I love my husband.  Sure.  We have the everyday struggles of ANYONE who is married (don’t let ‘em fool ya if they tell you otherwise!).  Sometimes, he puts on a pair of holey underwear (don’t tell him I told you that).  Sometimes, he leaves the dishes in the sink.  Sometimes, he spends all night studying.  But – ALL THE TIME – I am thankful to be married to him.

My love for him started out as a bit of an immature love.  I was attracted to him.  I loved how he spoke to me.  I loved his skin color.  I loved his accent.  I even loved the fact that he was from a different country.  Amongst the surfaced attraction, however, there was a deeper attraction as well.  An attraction to his character.  We had differing ideas on a few things before we got married .  I knew each of our views would change as we grew as human beings, so it wasn’t vital that he and I agreed on EVERYTHING.  It was vital that I trusted his character enough to know that he would seek the truth in every matter and that he would do the right thing.

After six years, he has not disappointed me.  The things that may have been an original “deal-breaker” in my single days, have become so unimportant.  What matters now is how FANTASTIC of  a father he is; of how much of an incredible example of Christ’s love he is to our family; of how he unconditionally supports me; of how he balances me out.

So, Baby (yes, that’s what I call him), here’s to you.  May we have another 50+ birthdays to celebrate together.  I love you with all my being…

We are so excited to get our first official newsletter sent out!  It was sent out just now, but I wanted to give my bloggers a chance to see it as well.  You may view our newsletter HERE.

Be sure to sign up for our BFF Sessions – it’s a great way to get amazing portraits at a fantastic savings!!!

**ALSO** Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter.  You can do that HERE.

What a beautiful little boy.  Just look at his soft silky hair, his beautiful lips, his amazing skin.  *sigh*  I love babies.  I love them because they bring a new life into a woman.  A life full of purpose, meaning and motivation.  When a child is born to a woman, she can think of no one else but that precious little person.  It’s a miracle to think that such a tiny thing could bring so much value into a person’s life.  But they do.  And they will continue to do so, time and time again.  That is just one of the millions of benefits of becoming a mama.

Congratulations, Mama.  Enjoy your Feature and Consider Yourselves Loved…

Love to see Grandpa's hands in this detailed shot.

So – I am FINALLY going to be sending out my very first newsletter.  I am soooo excited!!!  These newsletters will contain information on Studio Promotions, Photography Tips, Information on Giveaways amongst other things.  I will be sending the first newsletter out on Tuesday, so if you haven’t signed up yet, do it now!  You’ll be glad you did!

Sign up HERE.

Just look at this gorgeous family – what style, too!  Do you see how fantastically Mom coordinated their outfits?  She didn’t make her family all matchy-matchy, but she coordinated a few different colors.  I especially love the aqua blue that she has in her necklace and shoes.  It’s the perfect way to add a little feminine “pop” to her outfit.  Congrats, Mom, on a FANTASTIC look!!!

Check out this little guy’s eyes?  Aren’t they  beautiful?  He was such a cutie with such personality.  He was helping me out so much by letting me know what poses he wanted to try, where he wanted to try them.  I think he may be after my job in just a few short years…

BTW – this amazing Mom is also an Etsy seller.  She has some super cute fabric items that you can check out right HERE!

Thanks, “D” Family, for letting me photograph you.  You are such a lovely family.  Enjoy your feature and Consider Yourselves Loved…

I ran across THIS site and fell in love with some of their stuff!  I especially love the embossing tools…I may just have to get one for my own logo!  Sooo cool!

Anyway – I thought THESE would be such adorable gifts for your bridesmaids.  What do you think?

Man – I could have just eaten this little guy up!  He was so stinkin’ cute .  His beautiful blond hair, his curiosity, his playful behavior, his loving nature – he reminds me so much of my own son – minus the blond hair of course .  He was just a delight to photograph.  And mom?  Well, could she be any more beautiful???  She was not “planning” on being in the photographs, but we (my mentoree and I) had other plans for her .  I just loved photographing these two and their interaction.  So very very sweet.

Thanks, “W” Family, for letting me photograph you and yours.  Enjoy your Feature and Consider Yourselves Loved…

And...

Peek-a-boo!!!

Now jump!!!

Sweet Smiles

Me and My Truck

This was the second of three photography sessions my mentoree and I had last Thursday (sorry – been busy – need to update my blog quicker!).  The first was the maternity session you saw a couple of days ago.  This session was of a sweet little girl who was born quite early and who did not come easily.  I’d first heard about this mom through a friend on Facebook.  I was told that this mama was in the hospital with her baby girl still inside – I was asked to pray for her and I did!  Lo and behold a few weeks later, I was blessed to photograph her newborn images!  I may have a small softspot for preemies, as my little guy was born at 31 weeks after being in pre-term labor for 8 weeks prior.  This little girl just stole my heart – what a little miracle, she is.

God bless you, “W” Family!!!  Enjoy your Feature and Consider Yourselves Loved…

I had the wonderful privilege of photographing a high school classmate’s wedding this Saturday, February 13th at The Bishop’s House.  I say “privilege” because they are such an amazing couple.  You can see the love and respect they have for each other in these photographs.  In person, it was even more beautiful.  Another thing that really made for such a fun wedding is Leah’s carefree attitude.  She is so laid-back and personable, it would have been difficult to not have fun at their wedding!  It was so neat to witness the love and support both Leah and Tim had from their family and friends.  I really do consider it a privilege to have been hired for their wedding.

Thank you, Leah and Tim, for allowing me to spend the day with you.  You both are wonderful people.  Enjoy your Feature and Consider Yourselves Loved…

Little Bit o'Giggle

Does this not crack you up???

The Dance