Happy Thanksgiving to you!  As the holidays approach, I like to take some quiet time to reflect on my life and life in general.  And to use my blog as a means of recording my reflections.  I’ve had such a great year, and so this Thanksgiving, I’m making it a point to be extra thankful.  For my amazing husband.  Reggie, you are my rock, my best friend, my everything.  You push me to grow and learn in ways that I never thought of.  For my family, who supports me, loves me, and encourages me to be the best that I can be.  For the health of all those around me.  For my friends, who are always there with a hug, a smile, and tons of laughs.  For my clients.  I have the best clients!  I have met sooo many wonderful people this past year, and to be able to get a glimpse of your lives means so much to me, whether it be at a wedding, engagement, family, maternity, newborn, or senior session.  I love seeing my clients being themselves, enjoying some time in front of my lens.  Each and every one of you is beautiful, not just because of gorgeous eyes, sparkling smiles, warm embraces…but because you allow yourself to let go, to be in the moment, to make someone laugh, to just be. That is when the magic happens.  And it doesn’t end there.  As I go through images, I’m drawn to those moments, and can hardly wait to share them with you, so that you can see what I see.  Not only do I love capturing those moments, I love sharing them, which is a huge part of what I do.  For love. For nature.  For coffee, chocolate, and reality tv.  For all of this I am so very thankful.  Well, I really could do without reality tv, but isn’t it entertaining?? Oh, and of course, I am extra thankful for Lola.  I can’t forget about sweet little Lola!  😉

Because a blog post is always better with a picture, here’s one that sort of captures how I feel: sparkly and extra thankful.

And I can’t resist a Sneak Peek of what’s coming soon on the blog…

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It’s November…I can hardly believe how fast this year has gone!  I wanted to share some images of fall.  You may have already seen some of them on my Facebook fan page, but I’m throwing in some others too!  I have really enjoyed fall this year.  It seems that in years past I didn’t really pay that much attention to the changing leaves, to the smell of crisp air, to the seasonal blooms on various trees.  This year, I vowed to really see fall for the beautiful season that it is.  And I’m so glad I did!  Here is my small collection of fall images.  Please enjoy! 

 

Today I feel happy.  I am happy.  There’s no other reason for this post than to declare how content I am feeling on this day, at this moment. I write this so I can remember this feeling.  Today isn’t the only day I’ve felt this way, quite the contrary, this is just the only day I decided to put it in writing. On my blog.  And I’m in the mood to make a list of a few reasons for my happiness!

*It’s Friday!
*It’s yet another gorgeous fall day!  I’ve never loved fall so much!
*The sun is shining, the air is crisp, and everyone seems to have a little extra zip in their step.
*My husband suggested Chick-fil-A for breakfast…a yummy way to start the day!
*I’m still wearing sandals!  I wish I could wear them year-round…without socks, of course.
*Pandora Internet Radio!  Love a song or an artist?  Type it in, and get instant access to a custom  playlist with all of your favorite tunes!  Love it!
*I have the best family and friends in the world.  They support and encourage me.  Without them, I would not be where I am today. 
*And because I find things like this to capture with my camera.  Such beauty, fragility, grace. I wish I had a garden full of blooms just like these.

Remember that song “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands [clap, clap!]?”  Well, I’m clapping.  And I hope you are too!  Have a wonderful day!

It’s hard to believe that 9 years ago, our country was shocked to its core.  I remember getting to work that morning, just like any other morning.  I turned on my computer, and turned on the radio, expecting to hear a song to get me going.  Instead, I heard the radio announcers, and they didn’t sound like their normal, cheery selves…attack, Twin Towers, smoke…what?! I turned up the radio a bit louder, and didn’t know if what I was hearing was for real.  Surely this couldn’t be real…could it?  I quickly opened the internet, but it was a bit slow in connecting.  I called my mom, she had just heard the same thing.  This was not just like any other morning. 

I remember thinking of some of my high school friends who lived in New York, one of them was working on Wall Street at the time.  How were they doing?  How must their families feel at this moment?  Luckily, my friends were accounted for. The rest of that day felt odd.  How could it not? Several of my co-workers and I went to lunch near the office, to a place with tv’s.  The mood was somber, you could feel it, you could see it in everyone’s eyes.  Shock, disbelief, uncertainty.  After lunch, I was encouraged to go fill up with gas, you know, just in case.  So I took the advice.  The gas station I filled up at regularly was only a few blocks from the office.  There was a line of cars just to get into the station.  At that moment, I felt a sense of panic.  So many questions swirled through my head.  Being in my apartment later that evening, I sat on the couch watching the news, terrified.  Over the next several days and weeks, I was glued to the news and to the findings from that day, that one day that changed our lives and changed our world. 

One year later, I got up early to go running on September 11, 2002.  The sky was clear, the air was crisp. I had a good run that morning.  I remember feeling thankful, so thankful to be able to get outside, to run freely, to not be afraid of planes flying overhead.  Just like any other morning.

For all those who lost their lives that day, for all those who fought to save lives that day, for all those who miss someone they lost that day, my heart goes out to you.  Thank you to all who fight for our freedom every day. 

It’s August!  And you know what that means…time for the Indiana State Fair!  Each year they have a photography contest, where hundreds of photographers of all ages with all levels of experience, submit their work for others to see.  Each year, I browse the photography entries and promise myself that ‘next year’ I’ll have the courage to enter the contest.  Well, I did it!  So wish me luck!  And if you happen to go to the Fair this year, take a look through all of the amazing work – not only photography, but arts and crafts of all kinds – that fills the Home and Family Arts building.  Antiques, painting, fibers, sewing, cakes, and more!  So inspirational!  There is so much talent here in the State of Indiana!  I can’t wait to go soak up some inspiration and see all the beautiful work that fills the halls…and enjoy some fair food too, of course!