The 30 Day Photography Challenge

As an artist, I have found the easiest rut to fall into is simply not practicing your art.

Sure, I love doing shoots.  Sure, I snap most chance I get.  

But how often do I actually challenge and stretch myself, as an artist?

Well, recently via Pinterest (once again Pinterest, thank you!) I discovered this 30 Day Photography Challenge.  I had seen it here and there before and never thought much of it.  This time, I actually did think.  And after some thinking (and pondering, and self doubt, and self pep talks), I decided it was about time I buckle down and try it.

Why?

1.  It will be fun.

2.  It will force me to set a goal each day, and reach that goal.

3.  It will work my creativity muscles to figure out how to complete each daily challenge.

4.  It is something different.

5.  ...Have I mentioned it will be fun?

Starting tomorrow, I aim to post at least one image a day.  I will also share these photos on my Facebook page.  

April has 30 days, this challenge is 30 days along, and I am ready to go!  Let's see how this goes.

Feel like stretching yourself and discovering something new?  Join me!

Who I Am in 20 Facts

I promised a post about who I am.  Since then, I have been trying to decide how I will go about this post.  Believe it or not, that can be a very tricky job.

Do I want to tell you who I am as an artist?  As a normal human being?  Do I want to tell you my favorite dessert, or stick to my favorite lens?  While some of you may be fellow photographers who totally understand this obsession, others of you are just here for the photo viewing, moral support, and/or simply cruising by.  So what do I do?

Yes, I over think everything to this extent.

So today, I decided to start simple.
Here are 20 facts about who I am.  Ready?

1.  I am the youngest of three children.  My two older brothers, no matter how much we bash sibling heads, are two of my favorite people ever.

2.  I married my love 2 months after I graduated from High School.  This August we will be celebrating our 7 year anniversary.  And yes, I am still completely heads over heels for this nut of a man.

3.  I have two little boys.  One is almost 4, the other almost 2.  They are the light of my life.  And my final drive to complete insanity.  I couldn't live without them.

4.  I eat my Mac and Cheese with ketchup.  It tastes like spaghettios.

5.  I am a scifi nut.  Set me down to watch Stargate SG-1, Supernatural, Star Trek... and you have lost me for the next fifty-plus episodes.

6.  I one time threw and caught 50 juicy pear jelly beans into my mouth.  And kept them all there.  I was proud of the win, even the next day as the jelly beans made their second encore performance.

7.  I grew up on the stage.  Since I was 8 I have been obsessed with theatre, and have been in well over 25 plays.  Though it has been a few years since I last felt the limelight, I still adore the stage.

8.  Speaking of growing up, I was born and raised on a little island in the Puget Sound off of Washington state.  If you haven't heard of San Juan Island:  It is gorgeous, everyone knows your business, and it is impossible to not fall in love with.

9.  I took singing lessons pretty much all growing up.  I was a 1st soprano, and once happily hit the high E.

10.  Along with snapping photos, I am a self-published author.  I have been writing since I was 3, and always knew someday I would see my words in print.  If you want to know more about my work, click here.  (Hey, shameless promoting never hurt anyone...)

11.  I have a deep obsession with clicky pens.  At one point in high school, I carried around well over 30 in my backpack at all times.

12.  Chocolate.

13.  One of my biggest dreams is to someday ride a zebra.

14.  I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS... "mormon"...)  I truly do believe in my faith, and am proud of it.

15.  I can't swim.  Yup.  Can't.

16.  Though I do cherish serious, deep moments, I believe life is meant to be enjoyed and will never hesitate to crack a joke.  Even if it is a horrible joke.  That only I get.

17.  I am pretty much blind.  Take away my glasses and contacts, and you will have the most amazing complexion ever (including lack of nose and most of your eyes) from only three feet away.

18.  I can't drive stick.  And don't ask me to.  The answer is no.

19.  I more than adore Mt. Dew.  It is my drink of choice, and I am mighty sure that a good portion of my blood is made of the green goodness.

20.  Last year I fell down a flight of stairs while on a photo shoot.  The first thing out of my mouth after landing was "Is my camera okay?"  It was.  My knee wasn't.  But I survived, photos in tow.  I am dedicated.

There you go.  I am not sure how much of that you truly wanted to know, but I am here to share.  And share I will.  It has been a pleasure to talk about myself (though at about number 15 I really was struggling to think of anything worth mentioning...)  Feel free to tell me about who you are as well!

Kelsey's Maternity Mini Session | August 2011

While visiting family and friends in Washington, I couldn't resist the chance to take a few shots of this gorgeous belly.  Kelsey was about 6 months along with her first.  And she looked amazing!  It was a quick shoot, done between lots of catching up and gabbing.

Here are a few of my more favorites from the session.

We ran over to a nearby park and enjoyed the sun... and the baby bump!

After heading home, we snapped a few with ribbons then headed inside.

They still hadn't settled on a name yet for the little man, so "Baby" it was!

After some convincing, we even got Daddy to jump in for a few.

Congratulations Kelsey and Josh!  Drake was born November 17th and couldn't be any cuter!  I can't wait for more chances to smother that baby with kisses (and photos!) in the future.

Joujan Family | August 2011

While visiting the island last summer, I had the pleasure of photographing this adorable family.  Jessie is a very close friend of mine, going all the way back to elementary school memories.  So far, we have been pregnant together twice.  My little boys are just months older than her little girls, and let me tell you: Those little girls of are just priceless.

After a rain check, we headed to the beach on a nice Saturday morning.  Taking photos of this family was an absolute treat.  I cannot wait until the next time I can capture them and their cuteness.  Here are a few of my more favorite shots from the session.

We started out on the road.  Little Gwen had too much fun walking!

Collages of each of the girls.  Gwen is such a hoot, and Theresa just couldn't be sweeter.

Sisters and best of friends.

The grass looked great against this little family.  And the girls loved exploring in it!

After exploring the grass some more, we headed down to the beach.  Look at those gorgeous faces!

Jessie's little sister Katie was along for the day, so of course I had to throw in her in a few photos!

These two are so in love, I loved capturing each and every photo of them together.  Throw in those girls, and I had too much fun for that day.  Thank you so much for the opportunity to spend this time with your family!


  

Sarah and Kevin's Wedding | August 2011 (2nd Shooter)

In August of last year, I was given the opportunity to second shoot for this wedding.  Amazing photographer and awesome friend, Vince James Photography, pulled me along and showed me how much fun shooting a wedding could be.  And what an experience it was!

It was an all day event, all outdoors, and if I remember correctly it ended up hitting well in the 90s.  Hot!  Of course, we were all in black snapping away.  Regardless, I couldn't have asked for a better wedding to start off my obsession.  

Below are a few examples of how gorgeous the entire wedding was.  Being as I was the 2nd shooter, I can only show off a small handful of images from the day.  You will just have to take my word for it: Sarah made a stunning bride, the weather couldn't have been better, and the entire day was more than picture perfect.

Her stunning gown , a few getting ready shots, and her vibrant bouquet. 

Sarah and Kevin chose to do a Reveal before the actual ceremony.  It was such a touching moment. 

What a day.  Weddings like this make me remember why I love my job so much.  Being able to capture this kind of beauty and memories is what makes photography so worth it.  

It might be almost a year later, but Sarah and Kevin, if you are out there reading this:

Congratulations! 

A Blog is Born

Hello Hello Blogging world!

After some time of deliberation, I have finally decided to create a blog specifically for my photography.  As some of you know, I keep a fairly active writing blog.  I love writing.  Understatement.  I adore it.  I have one self-published book out there, along with two other works in progress waiting editing time, and many more ideas growing.

But know what else I love?
(The answer should be easy...)

That's right.  Photography.  So why doesn't it deserve a blog of its own?  My thoughts exactly.

So here I am, starting this blog up.  I have already been revamping my photography website.  I have been cooing to my new photography gear (No lies, ask my husband.  My gear is my baby.)  I have been scheduling upcoming shoots and weddings.  And from here on out, I plan to share more of my photography journey than ever before.

Because you know... Being an active writing blogger, an independant author, a growing photographer, book reviewer, and full time stay-at-home mommy just isn't enough.  I just need something else on my platter.

I really do.  That wasn't sarcastic.  Mostly.

Ready to join me?  I have things planned.  Fun things.  What kind of things you ask?

• Soon I will share a post about who I am.  Exciting, yes?
• I will share some of my past favorite sessions.
• I will share future sessions, commentary and all.
• Maybe, just maybe, I will pass along new found knowledge.  (Okay, I will.  No maybe.)
• There are challenges I have in store as well.  Fun ones.  The first one starts April 1st.  Stay tuned.

Are you excited?  I know I am!
And so, until next time: Have a great day, check back soon, do something fun.

And remember... Just Smile