If only I could place an order…

It’s been rainy and cold around here.  When I glanceed out the window this morning I was completely awed by the beauty of SUNSHINE pouring through winding blankets of fog.  It was so gorgeous…and if I wouldn’t have been so lazy and if I wouldn’t dislike cold so much, I would have definitely run outside with a camera.  I am thoroughly enjoying a bright house today.  After checking accuweather only about 76 times in the last week, I’m beginning to accept that Friday, the day of Katie and Zac’s wedding, will be cold and rainy.  So being creative on a big white porch and in a simple church house…here we come!

The good news–

–My (you know!) bride-to-be is very flexible about taking things as they come

–Michelle is coming to help me, and we make a great team

–the predicted high jumped from 39-40 degrees (yeah, I’m trying pretty hard. )

For all the other summer fans, here’s a splash of refreshment–

Ian l baby

From yesterday:

Yes, hes every bit as sweet as he looks.

Rachel and Carol l Sisters

Logan l newborn

Supposedly I’m not doing any sessions right now.  Welllllll, I can’t say no to a newborn.   And I’m glad I didn’t.

Nine days old, and ready to see the world.    None of this sleepy newborn stuff for him.

Bubble Bath l Lifestyle

Lifestyle photography is becoming a very popular term.  A lot of my portraiture would be classified as lifestyle because it’s not extremely formal, but photography that captures real life–baths, bottles, stories, butterfly kisses?  Yes.  Mixing cookies, licking the beaters, chocolate smeared faces? Yes.  Stomping in puddles, making mud pies, playing in the sprinkler?  Yes, again.  These are the things that comprise our lives.  These are times we will want to remember.  These are the things I really love to photograph.

The  last 2009 session is finished which means I’ve officially launched into winter break.  This is a time for me to regroup, catch up on cleaning corners, organizing the house, purging (Hi, Mom), sewing, catching up on scrapbooking, reading, and hanging out with friends–lots of things I push off when I’m busy with photography.  It also means that I’m dreaming about and planning for next year.  I’m praying about what direction God wants me to take with this business in 2010.  It’s scary to be completely open-handed when I ask God about His plan for this part of my life; but more than anything, I want it to please Him!

[Sweet Dreams]

I have this thing with eyelashes….

The Gift of Quiet l personal

Sometimes God says to me, “You’ve been doing well.  I have a gift for you today.”

The last while it seems that whenever I get up early to get a chunk of work done before the boys start their day,  [z] has this great idea to start his day early as well.  This morning was one of those.  And it was rainy.   And [i] is sick.  And very fussy.

Today was one of those days that from the beginning, can make a stay-at-home mom feel some dread.  Yet, it wasn’t one of those days.  God gave me the gift of quiet.

Quietness in my heart.  I didn’t feel frustrated by the croaky but hopeful, “We can get up even when it’s early.”

Quietness as [z] played exceptionally well, and was sweet-spirited the whole morning.

Quitness as [i] finally slept and even overlapped some sleep time with [z].

I was able to get my list done in record time.  Thank you, God, for this gift today!

Brandon and Lacey l newlyweds

Just married and the first Christmas together merits celebration!  Brandon’s mother thought so, too; and gave them the gift of portraits to memorilize a special season!!!   The challange for us was finding a way to make the pictures look Christmasy when the trees looked like fall and the temperatures were reaching a glorious 70 degrees. 

With a few evergreen elements and happy red accents, I think these definitely say .Merry. Merry.

[This makes me a .little. wistful for our newlywed days.]

Kauffman l family

Last week was one of those weeks filled with gray day after gray day.  I didn’t want to be selfish, but Thursday morning I did pray for at least an hour of sunshine.  Wouldn’t you know, about an hour before this session, God sent this glorious beam of light to wake up the world!!!  It thrills me when God answers those little prayers!

Meet Quentin:

Travis:

Natasha [the only girl, sure, but she doesn't lag behind!]:

Cameron:

[I think this is one of my favorite portraits of the year!]

[album]