Merry Christmas :0)

Ok, I'll admit it- I'm a blog slacker!

But wait, I have an excuse! My two adorable children keep me happily occupied especially around this time of year. Everything is magical when you have kids this age. I love it!

My daughter (an angel in the school play) and my scruffy husband!!! :0)


My daughter Jacq and her cousin Sammie (another angel, below) are best friends and it is so cool they go to preschool together!
Two of my adorable nieces...


This was one of the Christmas parties we went to this year. A lot of Jacq's preschool friends came and there was even a special visit from Santa! I think I had one too many glasses of wine at this one but I sure had fun!


awww... :0)


Another party. A friend of mine, Kerri Hill holding her little girl Addison. We don't see each other enough but when we do it's great to catch up with each other and our sons who are about the same age are great buddies! Check out her website, Kerri designs the most awesome purses and lamps. She's starting to do furniture too- it's so unique!

Little Addi again...


Jacq around the house...

By the way, each one of these images in this post were taken with ambient light. I avoid flash at all costs! Just turn off the flash on your point and shoot and check out the difference!

And here we are, Christmas morning. Please no making fun- the kids woke us up at an ungodly hour! he he :0)



A hug from big brother... he loved her present!

Everyday things

Just a little post about how important the everyday things are! As a mom, I run around all day and I sometimes forget to take pictures of things besides the kids all dressed up for Christmas. Don't forget the details! It's all those things that make your life what it is.

So take a pic of those awful slippers your husband wears around the house. What about the days when your toddler insists on dressing themselves? Take a close up of the mis-buttoned holes! What better way to remember those tiny fingers!

My son loves to make "contraptions" -there's always something new to be found around our household! While I don't want this in his room for the next 15 years of his life I sure want the memory of it! (And if you're wondering, that's an old cabinet door and my husband helped him saw circles to put the straws in...)


Toothbrush time! :0)


those are the memories I want to keep!

Christmas Lifestyles

Christmas is coming! We just put the tree up and the ornaments too. I love this time of year! It's also the time for Christmas cards! Looking at these pictures remind me more of spring than winter!

Maggie and Jacob...
(My son and Maggie were in the same class at preschool) :0)


No one can argue that those are cute kids! And look at these awesome pics below. We were struggling with getting Nolan to stay with us but I'm thinking this is it- lifestyles! I've heard it a zillion times and I loved the idea! But most people I meet with want the traditional family poses.
Look at what we got below- fun images and real smiles! Who wouldn't want these hanging in their homes?!!



Thanks you guys for a great learning experience and helping me realize what I really want to do with my photography!

I love referrals! :0)

You've heard this 100 times- probably in the last month alone! It's crazy and I usually roll my eyes at things just like this. I see it in mailers or letters and what do I know of these companies? Usually nothing! But you know what?

I love referrals!!!!

It sounds strange to even say it. But everytime I get one I do a little dance inside! It means I've done my job right and I've made my clients happy! I love making people happy- it's a blessing to share and prosper by doing just that! And you know what? Being happy is contagious!!!

So thanks Rodney! & here's a few pics of my... hmmm referees??? :0)


Susan with her husband...


a group shot..


I love moments like this!

The Wilcox Family

Wow what an awesome group! I mean- just look at these images below and you can see how fun and confident all these kids are! We had a great day up at Papago Park- the weather was absolutely perfect and just look at the gorgeous sky.

But nothing is ever perfect- especially with 26 people in a group! And I'm always learning- this time it was... take more pictures!!! I think I took twelve or so and every image had someone blinking- Aack! So I put my photoshop skills to use and now everyone has eyes open and smiles on their faces. :0)

The boys goofing off...

And the girls having some fun!

The whole clan...

Felicia and Hans

This is odd- I always say Hans and Felicia it almost rolls off my tongue by now. But she's the one who gets top billing since she is the mom to be!!!
This is one of the many reasons I love photography- I love watching families grow! I've lived in Arizona most of my life and frequently hear from people I've lost touch with. I was talking with Hans about how often it happens for no good reason- life seems to move so fast sometimes! Felicia is now expecting their first baby and it is so exciting! There were some complications and she was put on bed rest for most of her pregnancy and things are now looking great. :0)

Here is Hans who I met long ago in High School! When we were in college, he asked me to do a shoot for him- he had just grown his hair out...


In time he met Felicia and they asked me to do their engagement shoot. I can't remember if I was pregnant at the time but this was a short hike near Window Rock at Papago Park...


I was invited to their wedding along with my husband and first baby all of 6 months old. (I told you I'd dig one up from your wedding!!!)

And now, still so in love they are expecting their first!!!

The mommy to be...

It's a boy!!! :0)

ShaWing- Susan and Don :0)

I'm such a weirdo when I get all excited! I just knew how happy I'd be with todays shoot even tho I barely had time to look. I gave everyone a hug- Don's dad had this look on his face like oh girl, I don't even know you! hehe

Anywho! The ShaWing is 'cause I got this shot I had in my head right here: I LOVE this one! So fun! :0)


Hmmm.. Maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic. Doesn't this one below have an old photograph look. I love it too!

And here are a few more (just a little bit more traditional!!!) :0)

Breast Cancer Site *Click Here!*

All I hear myself say is I'm so busy- just so busy! So where does my time go? Well, some of it (not enough!!) goes to my very good friend, Renee'. She found out she has breast cancer when her little boy was nearing two months old. Well, down the road a few months and she has just found out that she has done very well with the chemo- her tumors have shrunk and it looks like her surgery is going to be moved up! Houray!!

So here is a link, I've seen it before and you probably have too, but just a second of your time will help to donate at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. Just click on "donating a mammogram" for free (a pink window in the middle).

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

So I've had the the chance to take photographs of her little one- getting bigger everday! & he is so cute I had to share :0)

New Logo!!!

I'm so excited!!! I just got a new logo and I LOVE it!!!

I was posting on OSP (only the most helpful and friendliest forum for wedding photographers on the whole wide net!) and hoping to get some opinions on a logo I had started with a wonderful photographer and start-up designer, Anna Dobos. While getting opinions on her concept John Magnoski whipped me up something that matched my style and my site. I just fell in love with it! I felt awful because Anna was so dedicated to seeing my design through until I was happy with it. She was absolutely understanding and even complimented on how awesome it looked! She's right. And I would recommend either of them! (Thinking about a new line of work Johnny???) :0)

Here it is in action! :0P (from a summer wedding)

Time Out...

Time out for a personal pic! This is my little nephew and godson. It just makes me crack up everytime I see it! Isn't he cute??? hehe
awww....

The Hecker's

Had a little vacation with the family this weekend and had a great time. But I was bad- I took my laptop!!! Would you just look at this cutie!!! Hudson reminds me of a Norman Rockwell painting with those little curls! :0)
Here's a few...

Busy Busy!

I've been so busy I almost forgot to post this week!
I was second shooting for a photographer friend of mine, Bruce Steffine and had a great time! This church was beautiful and the reception at the Arizona Center was awesome too! The bride, Heidi was adorable and has been all over the world with Food for the Hungry. In fact, that's how she met her husband Mark- in Indonesia after the tsunami. They were both so sweet. Here are just a few from Saturday :0)

Jen and Randy

Another great wedding last night!!! Jen and Randy looked awesome and were so laid back and fun! I feel like the luckiest person in the world sometimes! I know Jen and Randy are loved because they have some great friends who bent over backwards to help them out this weekend. Also, I want to say what a big help Karen was! She was my photo wrangler and how great it turned out- she kept everyone moving and we didn't miss a shot :0)
Here's a few for ya!

Diane and David

Wow what a night! Every day of my life I feel more blessed. Diane is one of the sweetest brides out there and her and Dave's family has been so inviting. Dave and his friends kept me smiling the whole time with their good humor attitude- I had a blast! Here are a few of my favorites from yesterday :0)