"I don't do...."

Remember a while back when I said that my "I never's" always come back on me? Well....I don't know how many times I have heard myself tell people that "I don't do weddings!" Now how do I tell you all... that I just did a wedding...and I liked it;) It's a long story, but I was asked to second shoot a wedding for a fellow photographer, Missy Desgrosellier from Take 5 Photography. The man I was hired to shoot along side is Greg Pierce. He usually has Darcie Radtke from Truth in Light Photography second shoot with him. She was busy with her own wedding and Missy thought of little ol' me:) Now you see how we are all connected in this crazy web;) I met Missy and Patrick and fell in love, and it was great to work with Greg and watch him in action. All that being said...I still think that wedding photography is one of the most physically and mentally demanding types of photography out there, and I don't know when I will ever be ready to jump on that train! I am literally still feeling the effects and what I like to call the "wedding hangover". I went into it with a "birthing plan", no..a "wedding plan". I printed off page upon page of inspiring photos. I scouted the joint before hand and plotted out locations for desired shots. Do you think I used any of this on the actual day.....the answer here is a big, fat, NO! What I did get out of the day was a huge lesson in the fact that I don't have control and sometimes that's the beauty of it all. I think I could go on and on...and I will in other posts, but for now I just wanted to share a couple reasons why the day was so amazing for me. I know that I am not suppose to cry as the "professional" behind the camera...but, the father/daughter dance was like a direct hit right on my heart. It was the most beautiful moment watching her lose all control of the tears as she danced safely in her father's embrace (most little girl's dream). I will treasure being a witness to that moment for years to come. I remembered in an instant my dance, just 10 years ago and a RUSH of emotions poured over me. I would like to say thank you to Missy and Patrick for allowing me to have such a beautiful connection with their whole family on that amazing day and I can't wait to share my story that I was honored to capture. I leave you with the "Always the photographer...now the Bride" picture:)

Prosource ROCKS!

Many of you know that I don't do any marketing other then word of mouth...and you also know I have a BIG mouth:) Well, my dear friend over at Prosource Mortgage Marketing put my first promotion together for the holidays and I love it. O.K. in case you don't know my dear friend, it's Jake and you have to go check out his website (wwwprosourcemm.com). He is marketing to the mortgage industry for now, but he is expanding soon and he also does jobs on the side for special people like me;) He designed this piece for me and plugged my contacts into his system and just like that I am a testimony for Prosource...yay!! So if you didn't get the e-mail...here you go and give me a call if you want to get a shoot in before the holidays. Hurry up because it just started to rain:)

Taking it back...

"Expressed affection is the best of all methods to use when you want to light a glow in someone's heart and to feel it in your own." Ruth Stafford Peale
I found these pictures going through some of my old pictures that are trapped in the computer world. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I believe that the picture of Jamie and I below reflects exactly what was in my heart in that moment. I felt beautiful because I was a mom of 3 amazing kids. We were in a beautiful place exploring as a family. I remember the smell of the air. I remember the smell of Jamison's hair lotion. I remember that I was happy, content, and in love. This is why I am addicted to pictures and why I need them in my life! Go take a picture today!

Awe

I went to an Amy Seeley concert months ago. Right in the middle of the song Beloved I get the overwhelming desire to journal. I wished that Jake was sitting right next to me and instead I grabbed a piece of scratch paper and a pencil and let it flow.....

To be in awe.
Respect...adoring eyes and proudness.
I got you:) I have you...I don't have you...
I am part of you
I am part of you now....and yet I found me.
I found my safe place to bare my ego, my soul...and once I saw what I saw...
I was aware. I like who I see. I am truly aware of whom really stands before me in that reflection.
Breathe...what do I hear around me? What do I see? Smell?
I'm in the moment and I feel....I am
I love you Jake Carlisle!

I know it will take days, maybe weeks for him to see this...but I have butterflies in my heart thinking about him reading it and the smile it will bring to his face. His smile lights up my soul. Thank you Amy for your beautiful music and your beautiful friendship that adds to our hearts. "I know how hard you try";)

Teens in Natural habitat

I caught these teens in their natural habitat in AK. You've seen my nieces on here before, but I thought I would share a couple more. I was in the middle of a deep thought post and I started a sneeze attach. I decided to save that one for another day when my 24th sneeze interrupted it:( So here is to sneezing about 30 times....I think I better go get the dusting materials for up here in this dungeon!

Remember the post I did not to long ago about girlfriends? Well, this is just a confirmation about all that good stuff that comes along with great friendships. Courtney and I went to college together for a semester at Fresno State. We hit it off in an instant and hung out constantly until I injured my ankle and ended up back in Alaska. The last time we saw each other was at my wedding....10 YEARS AGO!!! Life just got in the way and we went different ways. Well, we never stopped thinking about each other and she tracked me down just a couple months ago (thanks Google!). She decided to make a spur of the moment decision to come see me. I can't even begin to tell you how full my heart is right now. Like most amazing friendships, we didn't skip a beat. So much has happened in our lives, but we went right back into that beautiful place in our hearts and we talked about our lives with eager ears and non-judgemental eyes. We laughed and squealed the night she came in as we caught each other up and remembered old times. We woke up the next day with laughing hangovers! I got to shoot her a little in the short while that she was here and we snagged these shots as I was testing the lights and getting her comfy in front of the camera. I miss you dearly Court, and there are so many words that come to mind when I think about our 3 short days together.....refreshing, hysterical, and just what the doctor ordered:) Your visit meant the world to me and my family and I am glad that my kids had a chance to meet one of my friends that had a hand in shaping me into the Mom, friend and wife that I am:) Thank you! K

Lil' Man

I know that we are past the whole "back to school" thing....but this one is about more than that. This is my baby. Yes, I cried because this is his first year of school because that's just what I do...but they are tears of sheer proudness. Jalena went in with him just like she did for Tré the first day that he walked into the same school and breathed confidence into him. He walked into that school as my little toddler and he came out of there literally looking different to me. I wasn't thinking about anything before he walked out besides the fact that I missed him and I wondered if he would hug me. Well, as I saw him standing in his first line, emotions overcame me and the tears came out without my permission. He walked out of there as a Little Boy...my Lil' man. I called my mom right after my big day and she said that she still remembers "first days" like they were yesterday. She can smell the day and feels all the emotions that overcame her 7 times over...wait 7 kids and about a million "first days":) 33 years later, I am still on my Independant journey with all the tools that her and Dad equipped me with. They are with me everyday and I pray that Jake and I are giving our kids the same gift.

This picture is profound to me. I will remember this day because of this this picture below...this one moment when he turned around, looked me straight into my eyes (lens) and then he was off onto his own path for his first journey of independence. Life is good isn't it. I think I am extra sentimental today because it September 11th. I remember.....I feel....we are blessed...I love!

Boob Tube

See...I think this thing is going to get funny! Or maybe that's as funny as it gets. This is Aaron above and I will have to introduce him in another post. For now you get to know him as the "Funniest Boob Tube Man", yet...he wants to ass you a few questions:) LOL! And this is "angry Boob-Tube Man" below:)

Girlfriends

What is it about going out with girlfriends and laughing harder than any other time in your life. I mean I have had some good laughs over people slipping on ice (after I know their o.k. of course), and I laugh absolutely everyday with or at Jake:) But there is just something about going out with girlfriends that is so hysterical. I mean you don't even have to be laughing about anything really, it could be the slightest facial expression or something we see out the window. Going out with girlfriends gives you the right to be silly and there is no judgment. It's dang funny is what it is and speaking of fun....these are a couple photobooth shots of us out for Amy's birthday last weekend. I love these girls!

I feel

I met this beautiful girl this summer and I thought I would share this series of shots that touches my heart to the core! About 1 month prior to these pictures she lost her older brother suddenly. I loved this series of her dancing in the rain feeling the raindrops on her skin with the most beautiful smile on her face. Her brother's spirit is in her and very alive and I pray that her and her family find the strength the push on. You are very strong Maggie. Keep taking one day at a time, one moment at a time, and continue to keep your brother's spirit alive. I love finding the perfect poem.

My Brother

Written by Claytia Doran

With a burdened heart and a troubled mind, I kneel by the side of his grave And I cry for my brother, I love so much, For no longer can I be brave. I know he'd hate to see me cry. But, everything's gone wrong And I need to tell him I love him. I haven't told him in so long. He used to dry my tears away And put a smile in their place. Oh God, I'd be so happy If I could only see his face. You see, I miss him terribly. We were close, him and I. He taught me so many things, Lord. He took the time to answer why. Why did he have to leave me? I feel so all alone. I long to hear his voice again, To call him on the phone. Oh Lord, please give me strength To bear this awful pain. Tell him that I love him, Lord. Slow these tears that fall like rain. Assure me that we'll meet again, Upon your Golden Shore, And once more he'll be my brother In Heaven, forever more.

Back to School

Meeting the bus at school. I couldn't resist showing up at the school after putting her on the bus even though she told me she didn't need me too:(
Yes I was weepy all last week because we had some "firsts". Jalena started her Kindergarten and Jamison started preschool. Let me begin with Jalena's first day. Keep in mind that we call Jalena the "Icebreaker". She is always the first to do everything if there is hesitation by the boys. She was the one that helped Tré be brave for his 1st day of K. She is a lot more confident in life and she and Tré are the perfect salt and pepper to each other:) Below is a shot of her trying to not smile. She was so excited and this picture will help me remember the emotions of that day for years to come:)


This was a note that I left in Tré's lunch because he had anxiety the night before the first day and he felt like he didn't do enough over summer to keep him smart. He got through the day beautifully and he felt like a million bucks coming home. They brought home the best story ever that I documented on video but I didn't size it yet!!! Tré said that when he saw Jalena in the hallway during school. He ran up to her and hugged her as hard as he could and told her, "I love you and have a good lunch". Is that the sweetest moment ever?!!!!! I heart my kids. I will have Jamison pictures soon of his first day.

Small Gifts

A friend of mine came over today and it was her birthday. I didn't have anything to give her, but it didn't take me long to know exactly what to do when she brought her little niece with her. This little girl means the world to her family and she keeps them on their toes and full of life. She is so spicy and I love when I get to hear "Annika stories". Well, I met the legend today and she let me take a couple secret shots of her for her Auntie's b-day. I can just see it in her eyes that she is wise beyond her years and that she is very strong for a little 4 year old. Jamison and her were playing together and it was like he was playing with a teen:) Almieda and her Mom have touched my life in so many ways and I wanted to thank them from the bottom of my heart...straight to theirs, and I know the fastest way to theirs is through this little face:)
I will be using this t.v. in all my shoots just for fun and to see what my subjects and I can come up with...I've had a lot of fun with it so far:)

Tweens

Why is God's name does this Blogger mute my pictures!!!!!The one above is the most vibrant green ever! Whatever....
Meet Keaton. I took her out the other day to shoot with a couple newbies and it was so fun to think outloud. I went into the shoot with total relaxation and as a result I think we got some really great shots. She has a beautiful little spirit. She is an independent little thing and it was a sheer joy to capture her for the moment.






This one is for you Mindcastle and Shannon! Arg...give up the booty! It's going to rock the photo-world:) Just remember world...you saw it here first:)

Carlisle's in 3D

Just incase you haven't been to the movies lately and you were wondering how much it is for a family to go together...here you go!

Movie tickets for 2 adults and 3 children.......$$50.00
Popcorn, drinks and licrice......$21.00
Gas for driving to theatre....$10.00
The laughs that we got from wearing some of the coolest 3D glasses....PRICELESS!!!!
So $71.00 (81.00 if we count the gas) later..we were a little stunned, but it was all worth it because we had the best time and I was in hysterics for most of the day. Fun times!About halfway through the movie, fatigue was setting in on our ocular cavities:)Making out in our new looks....it was like kissing a new person...so smart:)