Welcome to my blog!

I love having a blog - it's a great way to share recent sessions and share a bit more of my personality!  

If you are looking for your "Sneak-Peek" and don't see it right away, scroll down the page.  It may be because I have posted another "Sneak-Peek" already.

Please feel free to browse the archives.  Oh yea - I LOVE COMMENTS!!!  

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Lavea & Wade's Sneak-Peek

What a beautiful ceremony I attended and shot at on Saturday. It was full of love, devotion, commitment...








Two people who have obviously found their soul-mates gave me the privilege of witnessing and capturing their wedding. It was a small ceremony held in the garden of Lavea's Mother's beautiful turn of the century colonial house (at least that's what I think it is...correct me if I'm wrong, Ladwina!). There was not much adornment needed for the ceremony as the garden is kept up immaculately! The house (inside and out was full of character. This is where Lavea got ready for the ceremony.






There were two red, white and blue ribbons on the front of the home. They were there to honor Lavea's brother who just returned to the United States from a long mission in Iraq where he was serving our country. Unfortunately, he was unable to make it back to Idaho for the wedding, but he did call his sister to tell her congratulations before her walk down the aisle.



As Lavea walked down the stone-paved aisle with her father, there was nothing but love radiating from her lovely smile. She was such a classic, sophisticated bride. She has such a natural beauty to her - her personality matches :).



Lavea & Wade had written vows for eachother. I just love it when brides and grooms do this. Perhaps it's because my own hubby and I wrote our own vows as well...or perhaps it's because it makes the ceremony that much more personal. Whatever the reason, it was magic to watch them read what they wrote from their hearts. It was so touching.





The groom had a beautiful thing to say to Lavea's parents. He thanked them for setting a great example of a good relationship. He mentioned one of the many times her parents showed affection for one another. And this after almost 30 years of marriage...pure poetry.



Wade's children were special additions to the wedding. Todd's son is a dashing young man who, how shall I say it...is MUCH taller than me :).




His daughter is the cutest little blond, blue-eyed muse! She tried stealing her Daddy's moment with Lavea during the ceremony by making funny faces. But - for every funny face, there was a beautiful, little innocent face that showed us all that life is good.





The rest of the evening was spent with friends, old and new, reminiscing about good times and talking about future plans. There was such wonderful support of everyone there. Every single guest beamed about the bride and groom...there probably could have been a contest of who was most proud of who...




Thank you, Lavea & Wade, for allowing me to celebrate your union together. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Timberline Spokesmodel - Part II

This is my second day with Brenna from Timberline! She is Timberline's 2009 Senior Spokesmodel. Just an FYI for all my Juniors (seniors for 2010) - Spokesmodels get TWO sessions. Be thinking about becoming a spokesmodel EARLY!

Brenna is so easy going and fun to photograph. We (my camera and I) love her!

We spent some time with her cousin Erin as well - since they have been great buds since they were little. I love to see this kind of cousin-hood-love :D. We had to make sure that Erin was included in Brenna's Senior Photographs.

Enjoy your Sneak-Peek, Ladies, and thanks for helping me "break the rules"!











Thursday, July 31, 2008

My Third Session for St. Al's

What an experience these last two weeks have been! I have had the amazing opportunity to meet many families from the Treasure Valley. Each of these families brought a beautiful perspective to me and I am excited to be able to have their photographs displayed at the Family Center at St. Alphonsus.

The families I photographed on Monday were refugees. Some were from Burma, some from Burundi, some from Congo. Although our languages were different, I could see their story in their eyes. Such beautiful colors God has made - such beautiful spirits!!! I really loved shooting this session. It was a challenge because of mismatched clothing, children with dirt still on their faces and the language barrier, but it was a session that I would gladly do again. It was such a wonderful experience.

Here are some of my favorite shots from that evening.






Sunday, July 27, 2008

More St. Als Models

Here are the remaining models I shot for St. Alphonsus last week. I am completing another shoot tomorrow with some refugee families. I am super excited about that!!!







These photographs were done last weekend. Baby Girl was already 2 weeks old and we wanted to make sure we got the squishy newborn shots :).



Thursday, July 24, 2008

Okay - here's what I did on my birthday...

I was able to work with the families whose faces will grace the Saint Alphonsus' Family Center. It was a mad rush to get each family done in only 30 minutes, but we managed to do well. There were a few things that didn't go as planned (like me forgetting my CF cards at home...yes...you read that right!!!), but the end results were beautiful. Here are a few of the photographs that were taken on my birthday.







Here is one little guy that stole my heart. Meet "O". His parents were told that they would become his parents only 12 short hours before he met them. It must have been love at first sight, because the bond among the three of them, only 6 weeks after O's birth, is indescribably strong. I was not expecting typical "squishy" newborn shots because of his age, but as soon as he had some secure time with Mama, he dozed off and let me "arrange" him with his parents, getting these amazing images...





I'll post more by this weekend :).

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I'm now 31...yes...it's true.

Monday, I turned 31. Humph. Okay - so, I thought 30 would be crazy hard. Nope. It came and went. No big deal. 31, on the other hand, now that one is hard. I can't believe I am creeping further and further away from my 20s. I am ALWAYS the youngest in a crowd. Not anymore, Folks. Don't get me wrong - I am sooo happy with what's happened between birth and now. I've acquired my bachelor's degree, I've married an amazing gentleman, I've had the most gorgeous baby in the world...I am super happy with life, but it is weird to think that I am actually getting to an age where I am no longer considered "young". Well - perhaps to some of my older audience, I AM young, but you know what I mean!!

However - all that to say -

I have tried to buy a bottle of wine the last two times at the grocery. BOTH TIMES I GOT CARDED!!! Normally, I'd love that, but I've lost my license, so both times, I've been unable to take home my cooking wine. I would like some cheese with my w(h)ine, please...

I'll share a little later what I did on my birthday. And in 7-10 business days, I'll share with you what I got for my birthday from my hubby.