Starting something new.

I love pictures of my family. I love having pictures displayed on my walls, on my computer and in my wallet. I love to see the people I love and remember the moments I loved as I look at my pictures.

I wanted "good" pictures of my kids and didn't feel like my meesly efforts were worth hanging up. So dutifully, I went to a studio and handed over money. I hated paying the overcharged prices for subpar pictures at overcrowded studios where after my kids have waited so long they are overtired, they push a bunch of products that I don't even want.

So then I tried looking for a great photographer.....but I can't afford the wonderful pictures that they showed me...not at the prices they charge!

I figured that the only thing to do would be to do it myself! I practiced on my kids and anyone else who would hold still. I took classes, read books and finally, one day someone paid me to take some pictures.

Someone else saw them and the next thing I know, it snowballed into a pretty decent side job.

I realized that not only do I love having photographs, but I love taking pictures, I love capturing the connection between two people. I just love doing this.

I decided that I wanted to do what I love and keep it affordable so that people can get something better than just one overpriced, stiffly-posed, picture. I want people to buy pictures that showcase their child's personality. I don't need a bunch of pictures sitting around on my hard drive. I want to see the smile on someone's face.

So I take pictures in my tiny little studio and (my favorite) outside with natural light. I'm learning as I go that I know WHY photographers charge so much! It's time consuming but I love it and I'm finessing my workflow so that I am much faster now.

My friend, Tresa is amazing. She heard that I didn't have a website, so in 3 days she got my beta website up and running. There are more things I need to do and I'll have to adjust some stuff.....but here it is!

www.photosoftheheart.org

Who knows? Maybe this really will turn into something great. I don't feel like I'm fantastic, but I love what I'm doing and people seem to like it.

So let me know what you think!

Brothers!

I took these pictures last week and I have to admit that the boys were adorable! They have such great personality and they did a great job. It was a joy to shoot them!

I loved this shot!

Trapeze!

Layout, originally uploaded by Life Happens.

Matt was kind enough to try and get some cool shots of me at Trapeze. I only did one front-end (2 part) splits as a demo before i got down to work on my layouts.

I'm getting to the point where I am working on finessing my swing and technique.....but today I got to try my very first back double. (That would be a double somersault!) Woo Hoo!!!

CTR

CTR, originally uploaded by Life Happens.

For all those wondering, CTR stands for Choose the Right (similar to WWJD)

This was a happy accident. I usually try to get a shot of newborns with the mom and dad's wedding ring on their toes. Mom's hands were still a bit puffy so we used her CTR ring instead.

I love how this turned out and I love how their faith in God and hope for their son's future is emphasized.

The sneaky one

Handmade Dresses, originally uploaded by Life Happens.
So when I was painting Maddy's room, I took the doorknob off and I never got around to putting it back on. I had realized that it made a GREAT child lock.

This simple bought of laziness solved the problem of my daughter changing clothes 9 times a day. Suddenly, she couldn't get to them and her original outfit stayed on! Plus it gave me a place to put toys that were too messy or not played with anymore.

Her room was so much cleaner with the excess tucked into a childproof closet.....but not for long!

She discovered that she could stack the stepstools on top of each other and reach the doorknob that sits on top of her dresser, then using the same stepstools, she could turn on the closet light and open the door! (So much for it being too complicated to figure out!)

I found out about her new ability when she started bringing me baby toys and wearing too small outfits! Crazy child!

I have been pleading....

I have been pleading...., originally uploaded by Life Happens.

...with every pregnant chick I know to let me try this!

Thank you Leila for being brave and trusting me. Thank you Tony for not dropping Adam!

Congrats to both of you!

EDIT EDIT EDIT

Adam is only a few inches above a couch cushion....you can't see it because it's covered with the same black fabric that is in the background.

I can't believe I'm THAT big!!

I can't believe I'm THAT big!!, originally uploaded by Life Happens.

Gina was so much fun! I loved doing these pictures! The crazy thing was that her tummy REALLY DIDN'T look big at all!

I had to get really creative to get her tiny 8 month belly to LOOK like she was that far along!

Heart Breaker

ChalkRidgeFalls_Girly Girl, originally uploaded by Life Happens.

Yeah, I'm not above a bit of bragging.....my little girl is a doll. I love how her hair shines in the light and how she gets a satisfied little smile when she is happy. I love watching her as she grows and develops....

Mostly, I can't believe that she is already 3. When did my baby grow up?


PS Dad, want an 8x10 of this one?

Welcome home!

So I had the chance to welcome some soldiers home yesterday....and it looks like I will be doing it again today. I''m just counting down the days till it's my turn. Even though it isn't my reunion, I'm filled with so much emotion....everything reminds me of Matt's last return so of course, I need to go buy some waterproof mascara!

This is a very visual reminder of how long the soldiers have been gone.... this little guy was born just a few weeks after they left......Fall 2006

20 things

20 Things

Nadine posted this and since I think she is so cool...I'm going to post 20 Facts you may or may not know about me...just 20 random things. If you have your own blog, I challenge you to post 20 facts too and then comment to me to go read and learn more about you!

My 20 Things

1. I have two middle names....and one is actually two squished together. I spelled it wrong for years until I saw my birth certificate.
2. I thought about having a home birth with my daughter...decided not too and almost didn't make it to the hospital.
3. I can't touch a dead mouse. Just the thought creeps me out.
4. I love to watch tv...but I rarely pay attention becuase I'm usually doing something else at the same time.
5. I teach Sunday School to 3 year olds
6. I fly on the trapeze
7. I can't sleep unless I read a book first...sometimes just holding a book is enough.
8. My closet is full of workout clothes and t-shirts but I can never find "adult" nice clothes.
9. Socks are overrated
10. I can read a book, no matter how long or big it is in a matter of hours (if it's good)
11. I probably check my email over a dozen times a day
12. I love to organize, but I can't stay organized.
13. I look really confident but I get overwhelmed easily.
14. I love to craft, but I don't feel like I am truely creative or unique.
15. I hate pie crust.
16. I love chocolote....I have a serious addiction.
17. I was a soldier as a way to waste time until I got to do what I really wanted (be a wife and mom)
18. Now that I'm a mom, I worry what I'm going to do with my life when my kids are in school.

19. I love to tickle my kids.
20. I hate the fact I have a son for only one reason. I have to stop walking around the house in my underwear.
20. I really do love my kids with all my heart and I couldn't imagine doing anything but being a wife and mom.