I’ve been excited to share some of the images of the beautiful couple I had the pleasure of photographing last week in California!  Again, the workshop was incredible and it was such a pleasure to learn from Jessica Claire.  I really feel like I learned so much and I can’t wait to put all the knowledge to good use.  =)  A word to prospective wedding clients: the details, ever-so-small, can make all the difference in your photographs.  Investing in the details and creating an overall look to your wedding, whether that be a Hollywood vibe, a vintage look, or a “theme” that shows who you are as a couple - as a family - will create photographs that you will swoon over for years to come.  The other most important detail is the timing of your event so that I can put you in the best light (literally) and create artwork from your images.  At your pre-wedding consult, we will discuss all these things and more!

I wanted to thank Gena and Jeff Patten again for being so incredible to work with!!!  You could tell that they were soooo in love and were so sweet on each other.  So fun!  Here is a “small” sampling:

Gena Getting Ready:

Some of my favorites of the two of them:

Thanks for looking, and please feel free to leave a note!

And in other exciting news, a new logo is just about ready.  New branding, new marketing materials, a fresh beginning for 2010!  =)

I have so much to blog about in the next week that I feel like I’m having heart palpitations.  My best friend and I ventured out to the beautiful state of CA last Tuesday and not surprisingly had the BEST time of our lives.  The laughter, beauty, warmth, sunshine, company and of course the Jessica Claire Workshop, provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that neither one of us will soon forget.  Back to the laughter - I will have a blog post dedicated entirely to the hilarious mentions from our excursion, including some moments that could ultimately win America’s Funniest Home Videos had we only caught them on film.  Let’s just suffice it to say that we were anything but short on entertainment from our own lack of grace - also not surprising.  =)  BUT, until that post, I wanted to elaborate on the main attraction: Jessica Claire’s Workshop!

I must say that it far surpassed my expectations!!!  Jessica turned out to be such a genuinely beautiful person and I’m really lucky to have met her and been given the opportunity to learn from her.  She most of all, inspired me to continue to carve out my own niche and allowed me a sneak peek into the wedding industry!  And I’m drooling.  I cannot wait to work with my beautiful brides next year and to produce images that exude romance, warmth, vintagy-goodness and all kinds of beauty!!!  The full-day workshop included some INCREDIBLE photographers from all over the states, all of which were so down-to-earth and willing to share their experiences.  Jessica was even better in person in all respects - her work straight-out-of camera blew me away and her genuine desire to simply treat others well in the industry was refreshing.   I am so glad to have been able to share some insights and to grow as an artist.  Onto the images.  We had the privilege of photographing a beautiful couple, ceremony and little reception site full of the most exquisite details I’ve ever laid eyes on.  The couple was fun, beautiful and oh-so-patient with all of us stalking them for the day!!  =)

Vendor Listings:

A big thank you to our couple, Jeff and Gena Patten

Event & Photo Stylist: Grey Likes Weddings

Floral Design: Lauryl Lane

Hair & Makeup: Vivian Tran: All Made Up

Wedding Stationary, Favors, and Paper Suite: MaeMae Paperie

Printing of Paper Products: Czar Press

Fabric Rosettes, Shoe Clips and “Just Married” banner over cake: B. Poetic

Cake: Cheryl Stewart of Cake My Day

Awesome photographers who attended…

Kamee June <http://www.kameejune.com> 
Jenny Liu <http://www.jennyliu.com> 
Clary Pheiffer <http://www.claryphoto.com> 
Kari Sikorski <http://www.karisikorskiphotography.com> 
Paula Leme <http://www.paulaleme.com> 
Fola Adewole  <http://www.folaadewole.com>
Natalie Watson <http://www.watson-studios.com> 
Lauren M. Killian <http://www.personkillianblog.com>
Vanesssa Zimmer <http://www.hiddenpixelsphoto.com>

For now, I wanted to share some amazing details, and will be back with more of the beautiful couple in a few days!  =)And the beautiful Jessica herself:And one sneak peek of the gorgeous bride, which so happens to be one of my favorite images from the day:

I’ll be back!  Have a great weekend!!!  =)

Well, I am at a point with these images that only an album would do them justice!  I am swimming in so many stunning images of this gal - how in the world do you choose??   I guess that goes back to my indecisive nature - usually involving small, insignificant decisions - and it makes me crazy!!  lol.  And so, I selected a *handful* at random to show here.  As mentioned, I will be designing an album in the coming weeks and will share the layout with you as it comes together!  =)  But first is my girlie’s first day of preschool tomorrow - FUN!  =) 

I think this an official record for me to 1), blog every day for 3 straight days and 2), do three sessions in three days!  =)  I do love my job though, so other than lack of sleep, life is good.  I will admit that balancing life as a full-time mommy and photographer can have its challenges, and I must constantly remind myself of what is most important.  My children.  And as much as I’d love to dive off the starting block full steam ahead and do this full time (passions are hard to bridle), my loyalty is to my sweet little babies who I am blessed to spend every day with.  I admire women who work full time and those who choose other options in their working world (more than you know!), but for our family, my being at home really is best.  With a husband who is gone half the year, stability and consistency are paramount in their little worlds.  Not to mention, I have days when the possibility of a third baby is quite alluring.  And of course, there are those when I wonder if I’ve gone mad?? 

I do look ahead to days when my kids are in school and realize it will come more quickly than I’d like it to, and then will come the time to work full time and pour my heart into this passion of mine.  My husband keeps reminding me that time is fleeting and to keep perspective.  He is so wise.  =)  And so, as I look ahead at my future, I see many more sessions like these:

This sweet lady was the winner of my free bridal session and we had a blast tonight roaming around, looking for spectacular little nooks.  She was so much fun, so easy and absolutely gorgeous!!!!  There was a hollywood vibe about her look that was right up my alley - I am a vintage FANATIC (if you couldn’t tell by much of my processing) and when she wanted a vintage, edgy, adventurous feel to her images, I knew we were a good fit.  =)  I am wading in beautiful images and will be sharing many more in the coming days.  For tonight, I’m off.  Tomorrow will be all about catching up while the kids are napping: placing orders, finishing up a CD, updating my books and the like.  I’m also getting ready for my trip to California to attend Jessica Claire’s workshop in just a few weeks!!  I am sooooo excited, I can hardly believe it’s really going to happen. 

Yesterday’s family session also included shots of the newest family member, all wrapped up in this cute package.  =)  Seriously, this must be the time for babies and beautiful pregnant women!  This mama is due in just a few weeks - isn’t she beautiful?   Feel free to leave a comment - I’d love to know which is your favorite!  =)

Today’s session was a little more fun than usual - when you combine an incredibly windy and surprisingly cold September morning, a busy toddler, shifting light and not much shade, you get a sweating photographer!  lol.  Actually, it all worked out for the best and we accomplished a very candid, raw and beautiful set of images of this lovely little family.  I was lucky enough to photograph this little guy earlier this year and will be gracing this blog with pictures of his baby sister in just a few weeks!  I really had a hard time choosing what to post…as always, lol…so please forgive me.  That’s what happens when I work late at night, am indecisive to begin with and love my clients!  =)

I will be posting a few of her belly from our little session tomorrow, so stay tuned!  =)  And thank you to this super sweet family - can’t wait to meet your little girl!

As promised, I wanted to post more images from my session yesterday - a session for a colleague (that sounds way too formal, lol) and friend of mine who is due to have her second baby in 7 short weeks!  They don’t know whether they’re having a boy or a girl, which kinda adds to the excitement of the event.  =)  I enjoyed the beautiful light, her adorable bump and the thoughts of that precious little person all tucked inside - just waiting to make a grand entrance!!  And so, here a *few* more from her session.  If you would like to see all the images, please log on to my website and go to the “Featured” gallery within my portfolio.  My website is due for its annual update (I really only have the time to do that once a year) but I wanted to add these to my featured gallery.  Thanks for looking, and congratulations to this mama and her hubby!!!

I have a family session tomorrow, and a gorgeous bride to photograph on Saturday!  Now if I can just get my arm to stop aching, life would be wonderful.  I’m off for the night!  =)

I had a beautiful maternity session tonight and have SO MANY more beautiful images to share in the next few days from this shoot.  In the mean time, I’m off to Billings tomorrow for a deeper biopsy on my arm - so not fun, but when you’ve had melanoma several times, I suppose it’s a small price to pay.  When I get home, it’s back to creating with a family session Friday and a Bridal session on Saturday!!  So many exciting things, not to mention my little Sophie is starting preschool next week.  She’s ecstatic!!!  =) 

Have a great week!

I had posted about a litte drawing for a bridal session a month or so ago, and today was the day of the drawing!!  I have a winner!!!…….

***Laura Effling***

She is getting married in CA in 3 weeks, and while her sister is photographing the wedding, I get to do this exciting bridal session with her!  She’s looking for anything vintage, edgy and fun - all right up my alley!!  =)  CONGRATULATIONS, LAURA!!  I can’t wait to meet you!!