November 04, 2008

Dear Twix, Please leave me alone.

I'm finally coming off my week-long, self-induced sugar high.  Darn Twix and Whoppers.  They call my name from the Halloween bowl.  After a few pieces I tell the girls they've had enough.  But my mother doesn't live here, so there's no one to tell me when I've had enough.  What a fun Halloween we had!  The girls loved trick-or-treating.  They ran through the neighborhood, yelling hi to everyone, and eating candy as they bounced from house to house. 

I MADE these costumes.  I amazed myself that they actually looked like they were supposed to.  And i only had to rip out seams a couple of times ;-)  Kira has thanked me over and over for her Snow White costume.  The other day she told me to lay on the bed, covered me up, rubbed my back, turned out the light, and brought me her stuffed animals to snuggle with.  She said "Mommy, you worked so hard on my costume and I love it so much and you should take a rest". 

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October 23, 2008

Good-bye summer

The weather has turned cold (yes 60 degrees feels cold to me) and I'm beginning to work on Halloween costumes for the girls.  So I must face the ugly truth.  Summer is gone.  I'll sadly pack away my flip-flops and bug spray until next year but not without a look back at some of my favorite moments this summer.  Most of them are simple things really but to me they are what summer is all about.

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Kira tubing with Lily for the first time.  The laughs and screams to "go faster, FASTER!" made watching more fun than riding.

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Don't we all shoot off fireworks in a swimsuit, crown, and fairy wings? 

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One of my favorites.  Another simple moment.  But our daily walks always feel like a big adventure. 

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This stupid kids ride made me nauseous.  That's a sign of old age isn't it?  But you know how when you're laughing so hard you can barely breath?  And when you try to talk all you can do is gasp and laugh.  To hear them do that makes the next 30 minutes trying not to hurl worth it. 

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Ok, now this was just humiliating.  Won't be doing that one again.

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Tire swing rides at Uncle Chris'

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And, finally, this..

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Maybe it's because we first met when he was in Forestry School so the smell of chainsaw fumes and sawdust brings me back but when he puts on chaps, revs the chainsaw, and then fells a tree in the precise spot he marked I fall in love all over again ;-) 

October 07, 2008

big tree + big love = happy me

I can't keep the smile off my face as I work on these wedding pictures.  Just one of so many I am in love with...

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October 03, 2008

Yay Megan and Travis!

Check out this hott (with two t's) couple whose wedding I'll be shooting in December.  Megan and Travis (and Hayden), I cannot wait to work with you guys! 

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September 30, 2008

Note...

A quick note to all my clients...

Unexpectedly, I have had to leave town for a few days.  I will return all emails by Wednesday evening.  Thanks for your patience!

September 26, 2008

Gordon2 Look-alike Meter



MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Gordon1 Look-alike Meter



MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

September 10, 2008

Josh + Amy

Amy and Josh were married a few months ago.  After their engagement session I knew we'd have fun together at their wedding.  I have so many images from this wedding but here's my all-time favorite...a shot I've wanted to get perfect for a long time now.

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This was also the first time I got to accompany the bride with her posse to the restroom.  Usually that's a 3 or 4 person job.  Two girls to hold the dress, one to make sure nothing's touching the floor, one to watch the veil.  And then everyone to help re-adjust.  It's no small job for a bride to go to the bathroom.  Even the most modest girl will accept help rather than have her gown dip into the toilet.  Can you blame her?!  I remember myself what a fun adventure this can be so I was excited as Amy rushed past me to the bathroom with her girls and motioned for me to come along.  So many funny shots but I'd better just share this one...

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Their friends and family were funny too at the bouquet and garter toss. 

The girls, all fighting for the bouquet...

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The guys, diving away from the garter...

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One of the most touching moments to me was during Amy and Josh's first dance.  Josh's daughter was involved with the wedding from the very first moment.  Amy and Josh very clearly saw that this wasn't just a day about them but about their family as a whole.  I almost couldn't hold back the waterworks when their daughter joined them for their first dance...

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Finally, one last shot to share for now.  Amy with her father.  Do you think that she has had him wrapped around her little finger all these years?  I look at this picture and it's like I can almost hear her saying "Daddy, can I please borrow the car."

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August 31, 2008

Dates for Jeff City/Columbia sessions

As an on-location photographer I get to travel all over the state meeting new people and keeping in touch with many clients that now feel like friends.  Many of these clients live in the Jeff City and Columbia area.  I love these people.  After all, I met some of them in my first year or two of business and I give huge thanks to them for spreading my name to all their friends.  So it's hard for me to let go of clients in mid-Missouri even though I live down in the Ozarks now.  Who would have thought during all those college years spent floating the Ozarks rivers that I'd actually be living here one day?  I'm developing a wonderful list of clients - also through word of mouth - in the St. James and Rolla area.  New friends.  But I still love my old friends in mid-mo.  What I'm trying to say is... life is busy but in a very good way.  I can no longer spend the better part of a day traveling to a session, taking portraits, and driving back home.  It worked out great for a while but now, with 2 young children and many weekends spent on weddings, I just don't have that time. 

So... in an effort to still see my beloved mid-mo clients I am going to periodically announce weekends that I'll be in the area for portraits.  Of course, anyone is still welcome to visit St. James for a session.  There are so many beautiful and interesting locations here!  The first weekend that I'll be doing this is in September.  But that's already booked so now I'm looking towards November. 

November 14, 15, and 16th I will be in Jefferson City/Columbia for portraits.  This will be the only weekend until 2009 that I'll be dedicating to sessions in the area.  It should work out great for people interested in Christmas portrait sessions. 

If you're interested just contact me to set up a date and time. 

In other news, I've got a whole LOT of wedding images from this past year that I haven't even blogged.  So check back soon for some wedding pictures that will make you "ooooh" and "aaaah".

August 26, 2008

cool mom #2

Bless this cool mom who, after looking at me like I was crazy, allowed me to place her newborn on the ground in the weedy overgrowth next to their backyard creek.  I have had this image in my mind for years and it all finally fell into place thanks to this little man's cool parents who trusted me.  I call this image "Babe in the Woods" and it feels beautiful, calm, serene, and speaks to my environmental soul.  Thanks Beth!  Your little guy is precious and I could have held him for hours.

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He still had his umbilical cord.  *sigh*

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By the way, cool mom #1 from below and cool mom #2 are sisters thereby proving that coolness is genetic.