Maddie & Justin

For Maddie and Justin, time together is scarce and precious.  Justin is currently serving our country in Afghanistan, and I was honored to be able to take some photos of them together during his recent R&R time.  You guys are a sweet couple.  Justin, thank you so much for your service and sacrifice.  Maddie, hang in there - one of these days he'll be home for good.

I AM…a student

There is so much inspiration to be found from other photographers. Maybe I’ve just stumbled upon some extra-special people as I’m following photography web-sites and blogs…I don’t know. But I’m finding that they are a really NICE group of people. So giving of themselves – sharing their knowledge, writing honestly about their faults, problems, solutions – and so inspirational to those of us just starting out. Seriously, every time I feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn and that my work is never going to measure up to other professional photographers’, I read a blog post of someone I really admire telling about how they went through those same feelings and made the same mistakes and worked through them and came out better for it. About how it’s okay to dream of things that don’t seem possible right now.

The inspiration for this new “tradition” on my blog – the monthly “I AM” post – came from 2 places. 1) Gail Werner’s blog http://www.gailwernerblog.com/ is one of those that I follow regularly and Gail does a monthly self-portrait post. It’s really fun to get to know her a little better each month through those posts.

2) The Clickin Moms group recently put together a video entitled “I am a photographer”, where the photographers featured in it each showed a word describing an important part of who they are aside from photography.

Soooo…I’ve decide to combine those 2 ideas and do a monthly post describing 1 thing that “I AM” and include a self-portrait. It’s gonna take some courage. I love being behind the camera, but am not so crazy about my own portrait.

Well, on with it…I am a student. No, I didn’t have a middle-age crisis and go back to college, but I do spend a great deal of time drawing from different sources in pursuit of learning. In a few short days I’ll be attending Justin & Mary’s Walk Through a Wedding workshop and I KNOW there will be a lot of learning going on there. And speaking of inspiration?!?! Their blog http://www.justinmarantz.com/ is like a daily dose of inspiration for me. You should check ‘em out.

I’ll be writing about my experience when I get back, so stay tuned!

Oh baby baby!

A photo shoot with 2 babies at the same time!  A little crazy, but they were very good girls and so adorable.  These little cuties are growing up as BFF's because their moms are good friends.  Wonder if they'll have traveling pants when they get older.
Anyway, enjoy the cuteness.

If you haven't already seen the "Sneak Peek" of these 2, scroll down a couple posts and check them out.
Very precious.

Goal post

In honor of the Super Bowl (taking place right here in Indiana!), I thought I'd do a goal post.  Goalpost...get it?  I know, I'm a dork.
But seriously, it has apparently been proven that when people write down their goals, there is a much higher probability they will get done.  And since it's already February (wow, where does the time go?) I'd better get movin'!
So...I have some personal goals:
1. Make a difference in the lives of people who are struggling.  One giant step toward this is a mission trip I'm planning to Nicaragua this summer.
2.  Be more "regular" with bible study and prayer.
3.  Complete some house decorating projects (kitchen and office).
4.  Exercise regularly and lose weight.
5.  Start designing a family tree/ancestor album.

And some photography business goals:
1.  Design or hire designer for website.
2.  Attend photograhy workshop(s) (Justin and Mary Marantz' workshop is coming up soon!!).
3.  Blog more regularly (once or twice a week).
4.  Get more familiar with off-camera lighting.
5.  Get Lightroom and improve workflow / editing process.
6.  Try a new album company.
7.  Take AMAZING photos at my scheduled wedding(s) so my couples LOVE LOVE LOVE their images.
8.  Develop my senior portait business - do a styled shoot, collaborating with hair & makeup professional.

Wish me luck!
Oh, and since getting organized surely helps you accomplish your goals, I got a new bag to help me organize my gear.  It holds a lot of stuff and has wheels!

and wait until you see this cool feature...

When you're done wheeling it around, the inside zips out and BAM, it's a backpack!

Sneak peek - Kaydence and Abigail

Warning!  Cuteness overload!

You'll be seeing more of these little beauties soon.

Congrats Emily!

I had the privilege of doing this photo session with Emily shortly before she graduated from nursing school at Purdue.  It's possible that I'm biased, but I believe anyone who knows Emily would agree that she is one of the sweetest girls ever.  Although we walked...and walked...and walked all over campus to get these photos, it was a fun day. 
Emily, I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished!  You're gonna do great things, girl - I know it.  Well you already have, but you know - more. Love you Pewee.

When you get to photograph someone who is this photogenic and has peachy smooth skin to boot, it makes your job a breeze.

Emily's roommate, Leslie, who also just graduated from Purdue's nursing school, joined us for some "girlfriend" pics.  Another sweetheart.  Treasure those wonderful college memories, girls.

Barn babes

Time spent at the barn with a horse can do wonders for your mood and outlook on life.
I was fortunate to be able to spend some lovely moments like these with my daughter over the last few weeks, while she was home from school.  Really hated to see the break come to an end. :(