Heather, the Contest Winner

Remember back in April when I had my contest? Well, Heather won. A few weeks later, I met up with her --and her darling family-- so she could claim her prize!

Heather is married to her high school sweetheart and has two beautiful twin girls. Alani and Tegan are the first set of twins I've EVER photographed! And I couldn't believe how different they were despite looking exactly alike. (On a radom side note, Heather did give me the inside scoop on how to tell them apart. But for the life of me I couldn't remember which one was which so I had to study her Facebook pictures to make sure I had it right!)

I had an absolute blast with this family and loved the character in the girls. So cute!

Here are a couple of random facts about Heather:

• We used to work at the local newspaper together and had front-lobby conversations about anything...and EVERYTHING!
• We had a system in place of calling each other if we got stuck with an annoying customer.......or co-worker (even though our desks were 4 feet apart!!).
• She loves anything Lisa Frank.
• Her weakness is pens, pencils, and little note pads.
• One year, during our career at the newspaper, she got me a cute little box with an ornament in it for Christmas. I still have that box on my desk in my office. And the ornament still gets hung on my tree.

Hi Tegan!!

Alani and her dimple.

There is just something about a twins' bond that facinates me. Lovelovelovelovelove this!!!

Senior Rep Trey Stewart

Trey is one of my senior reps from Covington High School....the same high school that I graduated from. (Only 15 years ago. But, that's another blog.) Trey is in the band and plays the drums....just like I did in high school. And he is in Chef Training at the JVS. So cool!

Trey, his mom, and I met up a couple weeks ago to get his senior session done. I had scouted out a couple (ok, maybe more than "a couple") of great places and was so stoked to see them in his session. I absolutely love it when my clients are willing to do whatever I ask of them to get a good shot. Trey was at my mercy and, as long as there wasn't any bird poop, was willing to do anything I asked him to do.
Trey and I are pretty much alike on a few things. Not only do we love the drums and the marching band, but we aren't really good at serious looks. It's so hard for me to "go serious" when I want to smile. I just can't do it. I usually end up laughing hysterically. I have to think about my cat dieing, or someone eating the last ice cream sandwich.

I happened to catch him in action....but he still could nail the serious look. Nice work, Trey. Oh, yes. Nailed it.

On a complete random side note, I usually feel bad about showing up for a session in my ball hat and flip-flops. Sometimes I feel like I should look more professional. But then, other times, I realize that I dress down for a reason. I have yet to do a session where I'm not rolling around on the ground, jumping ontop of dumpsters, or sitting in gravel. And during Trey's session I TRIED to miss a huge mud puddle, but missed.

So, don't feel offended when I show up in old clothes...chances are I'm just taking precautionary measures for my coordination and my willingness to get a great shot. =)

To the most amazing father in the WORLD

Written inside of his card:

Today is your day. The day that you get to sit back, relax, and soak up all the love around you. A special day carved out of the year just for you -- for our little family to remind you how loved you are, how much we appreciate ALL you do and how incredibly thankful we are to have such an amazing father (husband) like you.

We do a pretty good job of telling you -- and showing you -- throughout the year how great you are and how loved you are. But today, when you look around at us, I hope you see it...No, I hope you FEEL it. I hope you feel how our worlds would stop if you weren't in them. I hope you are overcome with joy knowing that this family loves you and are so thankful to have a dad as great as you are. You are constant, you are admirable, you are incredible...

...and you are OURS.

I love you with all my heart,
Your Wife

Happy Father's Day.

Briana and Dustin

When Briana called me to set up her session, she knew right where she wanted to go and had it all planned out. I absolutely love it when a client knows just what they want and I love it even more when they share these super-cool locations that I've never been to before.

Dustin and Briana wanted pictures of their tattoo sleeves, which I thought was a great idea. Sounded like something I would totally do.....IF I could talk myself into getting a sleeve done! We started off with something more "traditional"....

...and then, after a quick change of clothes, we met back up for something a little more "edgy". Dustin has this totally bad Chevy truck that he brought along... sooooo cool.

I absolutely love the half-smirks on both of their faces here....and the sassiness of Briana...HOT!

And what's up, Stud Muffin Dustin....who is rockin' the 'serious' look here.

These last two were my favorites of the entire day. There is something about that yellow wall that makes me drool. LOVE it!

Booked!!

For those of you that don't follow me on Facebook, I am fully booked for June.....and July only has a couple of slots remaining open!

My calendar looks like I'm trying to enter the Witness Protection Program, or at least trying to kill myself by splitting myself in two. It's CR-AZEE how hectic my summer got all of a sudden. Family sessions, seniors....and of course wedding season....I'm spreading myself pretty thin.

And that was something I promised myself -- and my husband -- that I wouldn't do. At least not right now.

If I allowed it, my photography business could be out-of-control booming right now. And while that sounds so rewarding (and exactly what I wanted to do with my passion) I simply cannot let it get there. I'm a mom first and foremost. My family -- and everything that comes with our little Half Dozen -- is my top priority. And because of that, I only take on a limited number of sessions each month.

Not only does this allow me to focus on my family, but it allows me to stay fresh with my creativity....for you, my awesome clients. Think of it as creative insurance. Because really, the last thing I want as a photographer is to become stagnant. I want my passion to remain a passion and not a j-o-b.

I absolutely love what I do, and I simply adore my clients. And I really foresee me with a camera in my hands when I'm like 90 years old. So I guess you could say I'm simply pacing myself.

Does this mean I'm famous?

Does having your logo plastered on the side of a vehicle mean that you're now in the Big Leagues?

What? It doesn't? Oh.

Last Friday I got a few texts from one of my most awesome clients ever, Amanda. You might remember her from here, or here, and here. And just a couple months ago I designed her cute, little huband's logo for his newly launched Landscape business.

Anyway, she sent me some pictures of my cool logo on the side of his new dump truck:


How awesome is that!??