The Twins are 6 Months!

If you follow my blog, I'm sure you'll recognize these darling baby sisters.  6 months already!!  And as beautiful as ever!!  We managed to get a quick family shot too... I know, picture perfect, right??  I just LOVE these guys!!  :)

Tea Party for Two...

I have been dying to do a super-girlie stylized shoot for my little girl for the past few years; I just have never been able to find the time to do so... until now!  And truly, the timing couldn't have been more perfect, she is at the perfect age where "make believe", and "pretend fun" are pretty much her entire world right now.  :)  So for once, I didn't have to 'twist her arm' to get her to cooperate for these photos.  LOL.  We had her little cousin join in on the fun too. I'm SO pleased with the way these turned out... over-the-top frilly-girliness!!  haha!

And a little extra fun fact:  (Well, fun for me, anyway)  I didn't have to go out of my way to hunt for these props!  I think that's the number one reason why I am so proud of this shoot... My sister and I were on a no-spending-month, so I had to wrack my brain and use only the things I had on hand... banners were made by me from birthdays/ showers in months past, tulle "tent" is what I had on hand (have been planning on incorporating it into Brier's room for 3 years now, STILL haven't gotten around to it), all of the little nick nacks/ cake stands are decorations from my home, and Brier's room, I made the flower halos myself from flowers my sister had on hand, And the tea set is Brier's from a few years back.  The ONLY thing I bought for this shoot was the crown... I simply could NOT resist.  LOL.  Can you blame me?!?

P.S. can you spot the little vintage photograph of my mother as a little girl?  :)  Honestly you'd probably never know that it's even a picture of a person at all, but I still adore the sentiment it has for ME in these photos.  :)

"Everything's a story - You are a story - I am a story"

-Frances Hodgson Burnett,  A Little Princess

"I am a princess.  All girls are.  Even if they live in tiny old attics.  Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young.  They're still princesses."

-Franes Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess

{M} is Two!

This boy needs to model for Baby Gap!  Enough said.  :)

{S} Family...

I decided to share a couple of shots of what most people view to be "not-so-perfect" photos.  I'm sharing them because these kind of shots happen at nearly every photo shoot dealing with children; and I LOVE them!  haha!  It's real life people; these are the memories you'll look back on and laugh at, and wish you could relive again once all your sweet babes have grown and moved out.  ;)

Sweet baby brother {B} wasn't overly thrilled to be having pictures taken, as with 99% of all kids his age.  But he is one lucky little dude, to have two big sisters who love him so much, and want to help out when they can.  So glad I was able to capture those tender moments, along with the silly ones.  This family isn't just gorgeous, they're incredibly sweet and FUN too!  Thanks for the opportunity to let me be a part in your memory-making {S} Family!!  Hope you love the pictures as much as I do.  :)

Darling Baby {P}...

Just wrapping up my last few photoshoots for the year.  What a beautiful journey this has been.  How grateful I am for all the families I've been able to capture, and for all the mommies who've allowed me to love on their precious babes for even but a short moment in time.  As this chapter comes to a close, I am indeed saddened by what I know I will surely miss, but at the same time, am overyjoyed to finally be able to focus on my own little ones completely!  How blessed I truly am!

Enjoy these images of the gorgeous little {P}...

Sweet Blessing Times Two...

While I'm currently still not booking any new photo shoots, I promised I would update this blog still from time to time of my personal photography... I haven't held up to that promise, and I'm sorry!  Life has certainly been busy, but I guess that's not a good excuse is it.  ;)  But this is one event in my life (or I guess my dear friends' lives, I should say) that I could not pass up the opportunity to share with you all!  My dear friends were blessed recently with twin baby girls!!!  As a newborn photographer, this shoot was a dream come true!!  Enjoy!  And congrats once again {G&J}!!  These girls are beyond perfect.

 Sweet, big brother {M} is still adjusting to these tiny sweeties I think... he wasn't too fond of getting his picture taken with them.  Haha!  But we did manage to get one shot at least.  Aren't all three of these children just gorgeous?!

Time to Say Goodbye... For Now

    As of January 2012, I am no longer scheduling any photoshoots.  :(  If you already have something booked with me, no worries, I am still committed to taking your photos that day.

    I knew the moment I found out I was pregnant with my second, that I was wanting to cut back on my time doing photography.   I knew it was going to be a challenge to keep up on my editing, while still being a full time mother and wife.  But I didn't anticipate the challenge being THIS hard!  lol.  Even though I have "cut back"; between my husband working more hours than ever, and my newest little one being so demanding, and trying to work around my daughter's new school schedule, homework, etc... all the stress has started to wear on me.  Now, if you know me well, you'll know that I'm NOT a quitter!  I kept telling myself I can do it all!  And you know what, I probably could keep going on this way... I simply choose not to.  :)
    I think what made me come to the conclusion that I needed to put my photography business on the back burner, was when I heard THIS talk from President Uchtdorf.  If you have a chance to read it, please do.  (click on the word 'this' above to view it)  Even if you are not of the LDS Faith, it is a wonderful talk that helped me put my life into perspective.
     Let me just share this quick quote from Pres. Uchtdorf's talk:  "they “deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the [daily] treadmill of … work.”  Many had lost out on choice memories that come from spending time with family and friends. They missed developing a deep connection with those who meant the most to them."
     You may interpret this talk differently than me, but it reminded me that my family is what means the most to me in my life.  And so even though I have other things in this life that I love, I need to put them first.  I don't want to have the regret of not spending enough time with them.  I realize now, that photography can wait... my children though, can not.  I only have ONE chance to raise them.  To play with them while they're little, to help them grow, and learn.  If you are a mother, you know how fast these precious angels grow.  
     Although I can probably manage the stress that comes with running this small photography business, the fact still remains that I don't have to.  I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to be able to stay home with my children.  I know not every mother can have such an opportunity, and I feel as though I'm throwing this blessing away by holding onto my small business.  
     I know I don't need to explain myself to anyone as to why I'm taking this "long extended break", but you must know how much I LOVE photography!!  I have truly loved meeting each of you, making new friends, and having this wonderful creative outlet!!  Truly, this is a passion of mine!  Which is why I have so many mixed emotions about "leaving".  Hopefully one day I can start back up again, perhaps when the kids are all in school.  Yes, that is a ways off... but not really.  ;)
     I know how disappointed some of you were when I mentioned this news to you.  I'm not 100% sure yet, but I am thinking of doing just a few mini sessions throughout the year, to help me keep up, and learn more photography skills.  I will keep you all updated to this decision when I see how the new year treats me. ;)  Until then, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love, support, and understanding.  I know I've said it a million times, but truly your kind words to me have meant more than you'll ever know!!!  Leaving this business behind has not be an easy decision for me.  You can not simply stop loving something.  :)  
     So there it is, officially announced.  :(  But I look forward to all the extra time I will have with my kiddos... I think.  Bwahahaha!  ;)

Ps.  If you're looking for my 2012 Christmas Card templates, click HERE.

Christmas Cards for 2012

Yes, it's that time of year to start thinking about getting your Christmas Cards!  Can you believe it??  I am SO excited to share with you this years designs by Birdesign!  They are so stinking cute!  A bunch of vintage yumminess, with a few that have a touch of modern color.  :)   I wish I could have one of each printed up for myself!  Haha!  So good luck choosing which one YOU would like to send out this year.  ;)  

Each card posted here have both the front a back of the card design for press printing.  However, these are completely customizable!  If you want to do your cards one sided, just choose which side you like best.  I can even change the colors of most of them.  Please view my pricing page (listed under "details") to see pricing on these pre-made designs, or for custom cards.  Please contact me if you'd like to order, or if you'd like a pricing quote for press printing.  Thanks!  And let the Holiday madness begin!  LOL.