[prelude]: steve & cristy

salt & pepper and seeing within :)

sometimes I like to challenge myself in sessions...personally.
not sacrificing any of what my client is looking for, just one additional "me" thing to be thinking about.
contrast and light was on my mind for this session.

largely in part because of the time of day and this location that I've grown to love shooting at.
the light has a way of completely changing the makeup of this place.
in broad daylight an old tree appears to have a lot of character and regality...
but when light is dimmed, moodiness appears and shadows show stark beautiful contrast.
put simply, it never disappoints artistically and I love it. :)

but contrast and light were also on my mind in part because of this family I had the pleasure of photographing.
the noticeable contrasting personalities of each of these family members was incredible.
incredible because the contrast absolutely complimented each other.
yes, all the girls had stunning red hair and smiles that could light up a room...and crazy beautiful eyes all around,
but it was their interactions, teasing & laughing at/with each other
was what I particularly loved getting to see through my lens...
as a bonus, I've gotten to know the youngest girl these past couple years
and was terribly excited to get to photograph her. :)
not only do I love getting to watch her serve faithfully and love deeply the people around her, 
but I simply LOVE the transformation of her features when she laughs and smiles...she literally lights up.
you can't help but smile and laugh with her!
a most beautiful thing of beauty! :)

yes, this happy family session was a happy study of contrasts & light...
contrast that goes together like salt & pepper,
and light that continues to always fascinate me...especially when seen from within. :)

a very pinterest-ing obsession :)

ahhhh, pinterest.
wait, what's that?
you've never heard of it?!
if the fact that I am blogging about it isn't proof enough of my obsession,
let me explain a little more why I think it's worth checking out! :)

pinterest is an online pinboard that just became one of the top 10 social networks. (i.e. it's a big deal.)
in my words?
it's an online pinboard that if tumblr, blogger, wordpress & facebook all got together and smooshed together,
they would have re-birthed this seriously AH-mazing site! (did I? yeah, I did just say re-birth...just go with me.) :)
it's a place where bakers, seamstress', photographers, designers, crafters, collectors, fashionistas, dieters, readers & a myriad of other people can get a glimpse of creative inspiration by looking at what their peers are looking at and learning from. (in a most non-creepy, non-stalkerish way, of course!) :)
naysayer's would say it's the biggest time suck because you never actually "do" any of the stuff you pin...
oh contraire, haters :)
I am now the proud owner of homemade angry bird plushies, crayon art & wall art that otherwise would never have been created by spending time doing pinteresting things with my crafty kids! :)
yes, there are some dud recipes I've tried, but overall...some really creative good stuff to try out!
some might even say it's the creative type's answer to fantasy football. ;)
but whatever you say or have heard about, I'm telling you I love it!
if you're on there let me know to follow you...I LOVE new inspiration!
or if you want a glimpse into my crazy-town mind follow me here! :)
here's a few of my latest favorite pins...

happy pin-ning! :)

liars and kindred spirits :)

funny fact:
almost all of you who I have had the privelage to call clients have ALL said at one point
that you don't take good pictures and don't like the camera.
conclusion:
I have the biggest liars of all time for clients. :)
why do I think this?
because there is beauty in everything...in everyone.
I 100% believe that.
it's a reason of why I LOVE what I get to do...
I get to go treasure hunting to find the beauty in what you declare has none. :)
and this girl?  yup, lumped in with the rest of you liars :)
this girl not only has easily identitfiable beauty on the outside, but she sparkles from the inside out.
especially the longer you hang out with her...her shyness is a thing of beauty to watch slowly melt away.
her eyes are the first to give her away...and then her b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. smile! :)
sassy, colorful, intelligent, determined AND a kindred spirit of books.
(yup, total anne of green gables reference there) :)
in high school I used to love, love, LOVE reading the Christy Miller book series...yup, I SO did.  judge away.
come to find out I'm not the only one!  she. does. TOO!
yes, I'm 34.
and yes, I totally squealed like a junior high girl at finding out this fact and having the ability to talk about Todd, Christy & Katie with my new book friend! :)
yup, a most memorable happy session for me to have gotten the privilege to share with this beautiful girl. :)

scenic overlook

it's friday...and I'm finally smiling on the inside. :)

I posted this record on sunday that was painted by an artist that I like.
beautiful, hand-painted records...not going to lie, I wish I had that kind of art in me.
I posted his art because I kept hearing this song.
the song resonated in my heart all week.
all week, in every uphill conversation...in every message...He is making me new.
me.
last night was the tipping point and I couldn't help but smile knowing that God was laughing at me.
laughing because I couldn't escape what He was continuously whispering to me.
He was reminding me that it's worth it to reach the peak of an uphill week.
whispering encouragement to me that there is an unbelievable view that makes your heart swell and where peace resides.
and reminding me that this journey
is.
so.
worth.
it.

I have a feeling that twentytwelve is going to be an uphill year and that I haven't even come close to reaching a peak.
this friday, at the close of an uphill week the reality is that this is probably only a "scenic overlook". :)
and that's okay.
in fact, it's good.
good because when He makes things new, they're better.
the journey is painful...growth always is.
growing pains remind me of physically growing as a little kid...your legs ache for days on end.
but IN the end you're stronger...taller even.
and so much more fit for walking on the journey.

I feel like this week was a gift of reminding me that on this journey to focus, dependence on Him is essential.
I can be creative.
I can be me.
but dependence on Him is essential.
and in the end if I slow down to pause and listen to His whispers amidst an unphill week...
the scenic overlook is simply breathtaking.