February 15, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Homestead

When I stumble upon a scene like this, I wonder at the stories that are part of the creation of such a place. There must be hundreds of untold stories that either start or end here at this exact place. I find myself trying to imagine what this spot looked like 100 years ago, what it took to complete this unique and beautiful farm house, how many children and cats have played in these barns?


I'm guessing that this old farm has been around for decades, it certainly shows the signs that a family has loved and cared for it. Unfortunately, this is one of those times when a photo just doesn't do it justice.

Family Fun

Check out this beautiful family! I met Kelly about 4 years ago when Hope was a baby, and we've had a lot of fun together. Now Avery is a young man, Hope is a big girl, and we have Austin to bring up the rear as the baby of the family. He's a year old now. I tried to tell Kelly that it was time to talk to Brian about trying for #4, but she yelled at me. Oh well. I tried.

One of the best parts of my profession is getting to watch families as they grow and change. It's a real mix of emotions, so much fun to see the way kids grow and become such unique little people, but kinda sad as they grow out of their babyhood. Plus as they get older, I recognize that they're not the only ones having birthdays. But we don't need to focus on that.

You'll be seeing more of Austin as we get the new web site going. We have a really adorable shot of him a few months ago that will have to go on the site! And no, I don't really know when that will be--too many irons in the fire around here. Maybe before the end of the year.

Feelin' like a Teenager!

OK, I'm not sure I believe this myself, but I just hosted a slumber party. Yep, a real honest-to-goodness slumber party. Food, girlfriends, staying up late, gossip...and a bit of work thrown in.

Two of my best photographer girlfriends (part of the group we call the ShutterChicks) came and we camped out in the studio on Wednesday night to work on some exciting new products. These are going to be very sentimental items, with a lot of personalization, and we wanted to spend some time brainstorming about how to get it just right. We worked/played/burned candles/ate until about 2:00 in the morning, and then I couldn't sleep because my brain was whirling.

The three of us had been to a seminar over the weekend (which was wonderful) and got these ideas from a wonderful photographer from Boston. They are called "Love Letters" and "Love Stories." The Love Letters is a special folio presentation that includes a portrait and a hand-written letter to the recipient sealed in an envelope. There will be a guide to writing the letter included with each one.

I'm really excited about this! I am going to make one of myself for my husband and I'm planning to photograph each of my sisters and my brother and ask them to write a letter to each of their children. This is going to be my Christmas gift to my nieces and nephews. (I hope they're not reading this....guess that might ruin the surprise.)

The Love Stories is a whole different idea, with a multi-media presentation included. It's all about couples in love, from young to old. Can't wait to get this ready either, it's gonna be super cool!

First Post: Welcome to the Family

Hello out there!!!

Wow, I can't believe it. After hearing about blogging for a long time, and deciding ages ago that I wanted to have one of my very own, I finally have found my long-lost "round tuit" and here it is.

Honestly, I'm not sure what kind of stuff will end up in here. I know there are things I want to share with you, and this will let me do that even in the wee hours (when I often find myself in front of a blinking screen). The content I expect to share most often are new ideas and inspirations, what's going on at the studio and in my life, and some cool shots I got that I just wanted to share with the world. Oh, and some funny stories along the way...you wouldn't believe some of the things I hear and see.

For this first post, I want to share the two happy new additions to my family.

First, I have a brand-spankin' new great-nephew, Jacob. Yes, that makes me a Great-Aunt--of course my nieces and nephews will all tell you that I was already a great aunt. ;-) Despite the fact that he is making me feel old, I think he's completely adorable. Born on Sept 18th, and weighing in at only 4lbs, 13.5 oz, he was a tiny little thing but full-term and healthy. He's packin' on the pounds already!


Jacob certainly wins a prize for being photographed before he even got home, these were taken at the hospital when he was only 2 days old. Like most of my family he lives in Virginia, so I wont get to see him nearly enough, but I'm anxious to get back "home" and capture new photos! After Thanksgiving you will probably see him here again.

Our second addition to the family is a new sister-in-law. My brother Randy, (not to be confused with my husband Randy) married a beautiful woman named Evelyn in a small outdoor ceremony at his vacation cabin. Both of them are nature lovers so having the wedding at the cabin surrounded by national forest and close friends and family was the perfect way to start their new life as a couple. I'm so happy for them!

I will say, it's not a typical day when I stop by the hospital to photograph a newborn on my way to shoot a wedding. Yep, big stuff happening around here.