Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!  This morning at our house, everyone got heart shaped breakfasts.  I didn't get pictures of those that ate early... but did snap a few of Conner's breakfast of heart shaped eggs and waffles :) All three kids were thought I was pretty cool... I guess all it takes is a cookie cutter to make the cool list these days.  I hope you all have a great day, take a minute to tell someone how much you care for them today!!!

52 on Friday: Week 1

I am SO excited to be starting a 52 week project today!!!  I am joining with 12 other photographers in a year long photography challenge.  Each week has a theme and we will each share a photograph of our interpretation of that theme on our blog.  You as a follower of my blog will be able to click the link at the bottom of my post to the next blog and eventually make a full circle right back here :)



This week's theme is Self Portrait.  This was extremely difficult for me!  I truly dislike being in front of the camera... I'm much more at home on the other side of the lens!  But, this is a great way for you to meet each of us.  So, here are a few fun, random facts about me- and you'll read some more randomness from each of us as you make the circle! 

1. What is the first thing you see in the mornings?
My pillow- (I sleep on my stomach) followed by my phone- (Which doubles as my alarm clock).

2. Three words that describe your personality-
Bubbly, Sentimental, Opinionated... but my husband said Whiny, Childish, and Argumentative. 

3.  One thing you wish you could do, but can't-
Travel.  I would so love to travel and see the world, but 3 kids definitely make that difficult!

4. First song that pops into your head.........NOW!!!
Smooth Criminal, Michael Jackson... the kids are playing Michael Jackson: The Experience for the Wii across the hall  :)

5. What got you started in photography?
My sister always was the one we called the Photographer- she had a good camera and was very artistic and creative.  I loved to see the pictures she took, and wanted to learn more about light and my own camera- mainly just to photograph my own 3 kids.  But, the more I read and learned the more I fell in love with light and capturing moments.

6. What do you love most about photography?
I am probably the most sentimental fool you'll ever meet.  I am the kind of person that given the choice to relive my life from the beginning until now or live from now until the
end, I would choose to relive all of my memories.  Pictures are the way we can relive our
memories, looking at a photograph you can recall that exact moment- the conversations,
your surroundings, the emotions- it can bring you back to that place.  I love being able to
capture those moments for others- for them to treasure the way I treasure my photographs.

7. What do you hope to learn/accomplish from this project?I am hoping to challenge myself to be more creative- definitely my weakness- and to just
get the camera out for myself more than I have been.
So, now that you all know a little bit about me here is my Self Portrait.

Like I said earlier, be sure to follow through the circle and see everyone's Self Portrait.  You can start here is a great friend of mine, Sheri Hopfensperger of Sheri Lynn Photography!

I can never get a moment alone in this house... no sooner did I set the timer and Conner came bounding in.

And when word got out that Conner was in the picture... here came everyone else too. :)

Cinnamon, spice and everything nice...

Cinnamon, spice, and everything nice, that's what this little girl is made of!  She is the SWEETEST little thing ever!!!  And her little voice... oh my... she is precious. :)  I was so excited to take her 3 year old pictures, and she is such a natural in front of the camera. :) I love her and her sweet family, here are my favorites from our session.

i heart faces- People's Choice

I haven't blogged in a while... life sometimes gets "crazy busy" and that's how I've felt for the last couple of weeks.  But, thankfully things seem to be slowing down... at least a little bit!  So, while I have a few free minutes this morning I'm going to share a picture from my most recent session for the iheartfaces photo contest this morning.   I love this picture of this handsome little guy! Such a cutie! Hope his happy face starts your week off right. :) Happy Monday!!!

Rainy days and Mondays

Well... I chose the title Rainy days and Mondays thinking that today was Monday... Three day weekends always get me confused!  But, it was a rainy day when I met up with the winner of our Sweetness Contest from back in February.  We had tried to set a date many times, but between my work schedule, her school schedule, and summer being so hot, we couldn't work anything out.  Then, when we finally did pick a date IT RAINED!!! So, rather than just call it off, we postponed and I watched the radar like a hawk.  Once it seemed that the rain... and lightning... had moved past our county, we raced over and got our session in before the next set of storms moved in.  It was a fun hour, and I am so happy with the pictures of this beautiful mom and son.  I hope you enjoy them, and have a happy Monday... um... Tuesday!!!

i heart faces- Beautiful Eyes

I usually get my entry for the weekly challenge on i heart faces ready on Monday morning, but with yesterday being the first day of school around here, it didn't happen.  This week's challenge is Beautiful Eyes.  I have a set of beautiful blue eyes right here in my house... but he and I didn't get outside to snap any pictures like I'd planned... so, I went straight to this pic I took of this gorgeous little girl.  Her eyes are so unique!  I have had the opportunity to work with this family several times, and am always drawn to her eyes.  I hope you enjoy this image, and have a wonderful week!

i heart faces- Water

Happy Monday everyone!!!  It's been several weeks since I've entered any pictures in the iheartfaces photo challenge, and since I've got this cute one of my little Conner, I thought I'd send it on over!  My little guys sure love going to the beach at my mom's house! Just wish we lived closer so we could be there more often! Hope you all have a great week!