Fun fact: I have a significant amount of Welsh heritage. Random,I know. But hey, this whole series is all about getting to know me, right?
un.
When my husband proposed to me. He knew exactly how to get me. We used to go hiking and off-roading in the Garden of the Gods a lot and the day he proposed, he took me out to dinner and asked if I wanted to go drive Rampart Range Road and check out the reservoir. Of course, I said yes, and so we went on our merry way. We hit the pass at sunset (perfectly) and made it to the reservoir just as night came. We walked down to the water's edge and it couldn't have been more picturesque. Full moon, stars everywhere and the lights from the night fisher's boats made it feel like a fairytale. He then proceeded to tell me that it was awkward for us to be talking about wedding/marriage stuff when we weren't engaged (which we'd been doing the week prior) and I proceeded to argue with him and tell him that we didn't have to do that anymore if it made him uncomfortable. He told me to just hush for a second and then got down on one knee. Even though, he rudely interrupted me after I rudely interrupted him, I said yes. YES!
dau.
Our honeymoon. 30 days of road tripping it to Washington D.C. and Disney World/Universal Studios. So much fun. And the hotels we got to stay in were crazy awesome. newlyweds + sightseeing + rides = bliss.
tri.
Photographing my brother's wedding. Being able to share my talents with them and have the backing of my own family was a huge deal to me. And knowing that the photos I took are on their walls at home...that's pretty awesome.
pedwar.
Winning my first school choir solo. I'd been singing solo's in church
for quite a while beforehand, but being someone who flew under the radar
more often than not in high school, beating out one of the "cool" kids
was quite the victory. :)
pump.
Going to Six Flags every summer as a kid/teen. We'd get up at the crack of dawn so that we could drive out there and get just as they opened and stay the whole day until they closed. Roller coasters, DOTs ice cream, more roller coasters. My favorite time was the time we went right after graduation. Me & four of my best friends having the best time ever. Pretty sure we rode the skateboard ride like ten times.
chwech.
Having all of my hubby's college friends over in my new apartment for a barbecue and a movie night. I love big get-togethers and I LOVE hosting. There's nothing better than friends, food and laughter. It was just FUN.
Being on the spot isn't fun. ;) It was hard to come up with SIX of those. In general, I look back on things fondly so it's difficult to isolate little bits that are my favorite. I've had a good life for the most part and I'm incredibly blessed by that!
{Welcome!}
Thursday, May 24
Seven Things That Cross My Mind A Lot {Albuquerque, New Mexico Photographer}
Now this one is really going to reveal a lot about me. They say that you can tell a lot about people based on their thoughts. Where your thoughts are tell a lot about your heart and your hearts tells what kind of person you are.
Counting in German today (because my hubby like to throw out German phrases every once in a while).
Eins.
Operational status and moving. My husband been in training since I met him. He's been rerouted 4 times. Which means we've moved 4 times. And we've only been married 3 years. So, I'm quite anxious to see the day when they cut our orders and we get to move somewhere and STAY there for longer than 6-12 months. I'll be able to put down roots. I'll be able to really BUILD my photography business. Up until then, it's "take what you get and don't complain." Which is why it's huge having graphic design as a compliment to the photography. Of course, along with the hope of staying put, there's the fear of my hubby deploying. I can handle it, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it.
Zwei.
Work. Getting it done, worrying about it when I'm too tired to do any of it, and wishing I was getting more of it. Lol. I have a steady flow of graphic design that comes in, but the photography work is slim pickin's. Which is just how it is when you move around a lot. You have to work your tail off to get the word out and sometimes it's still not enough. But it's ok. My time will come. :)
Drei.
The purpose in my pain/illness. At first I really...and I mean REALLY...struggled in the why's of getting sick. I felt like I was really just getting started. Things were going great and I was doing really well. Getting diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was like a slap in the face. I didn't understand it. I knew it wasn't curable. And I knew a few people that were just destroyed by it. I was terrified. But the truth is that without suffering, we don't appreciate things as much. You don't appreciate your legs until they don't work anymore (and thankfully, with a massive amount of physical therapy, I'm back to walking like normal again). You don't appreciate your energy until you deal with fatigue. You don't appreciate your doctor's until you need them to figure out what's wrong with you. There is so much that we take for granted. Even in my present condition, I still take things for granted. Going in for physical therapy was a real eye-opener. I was the healthiest patient there. I felt ashamed of myself for being so down about what I can't do. Now, I focus on what I CAN do. And I focus on getting stronger so that when I relapse, it won't knock me down as hard as it did back in October. And I focus on praising God for the blessings I receive. No matter what, there is ALWAYS reason to praise God.
Vier.
How I can be an encouragement to others. Everyone has their own battle that they are fighting. So, if I can brighten their day by sending them a note that says they are an inspiration or send them a five dollar starbucks giftcard - why not do that? I think that our world could be so much happier if we focused on loving each other and showing each other kindness.
Fünf.
How to be more creative. I never want the work I do to become cookie cutter or boring. So, I research techniques and artistic work to look for ways to make my photos stand out. We never "arrive" or become perfect at what we do, so I'm a big pusher for not becoming complacent with our knowledge. I want to try new things and continue to be excited about my own work.
Sechs.
Getting rid of debt. We are big Dave Ramsey fans and are getting so close to being debt-free. Some of my proudest days are the ones when I can cut up credit cards and seeing that zero dollar balance on our statement. Yay for paying for things off and paying for new things with CASH!
Sieben.
Last, but definitely no where near least, is my husband. I have the most loving, loyal, giving, kind, amazing, hard-working, understanding, adventurous, reliable, dependable, handsome, wonderful husband in the world. I'm sure you say the same thing about your spouse if you have one, but I will fight you on this one. LOL. Just kidding. Maybe. ;) The truth is that my hubby is an incredible example of how a spouse should treat their spouse. He is the picture of the verse that talks about how a husband should love his wife as Christ loves the church. No matter how much I screw up, no matter what...he loves me. He works hard to make sure I get the medical care I need. He is everything to me and I am more than grateful that God put him in my life.
At the end of the day, I am incredibly blessed. Sure, I have my fair share of things that I don't like to deal with, but God has a purpose in all of it. Whether blessing or struggle, God brings good out of it. He is good all the time. ALL the time.
Counting in German today (because my hubby like to throw out German phrases every once in a while).
Eins.
Operational status and moving. My husband been in training since I met him. He's been rerouted 4 times. Which means we've moved 4 times. And we've only been married 3 years. So, I'm quite anxious to see the day when they cut our orders and we get to move somewhere and STAY there for longer than 6-12 months. I'll be able to put down roots. I'll be able to really BUILD my photography business. Up until then, it's "take what you get and don't complain." Which is why it's huge having graphic design as a compliment to the photography. Of course, along with the hope of staying put, there's the fear of my hubby deploying. I can handle it, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it.
Zwei.
Work. Getting it done, worrying about it when I'm too tired to do any of it, and wishing I was getting more of it. Lol. I have a steady flow of graphic design that comes in, but the photography work is slim pickin's. Which is just how it is when you move around a lot. You have to work your tail off to get the word out and sometimes it's still not enough. But it's ok. My time will come. :)
Drei.
The purpose in my pain/illness. At first I really...and I mean REALLY...struggled in the why's of getting sick. I felt like I was really just getting started. Things were going great and I was doing really well. Getting diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was like a slap in the face. I didn't understand it. I knew it wasn't curable. And I knew a few people that were just destroyed by it. I was terrified. But the truth is that without suffering, we don't appreciate things as much. You don't appreciate your legs until they don't work anymore (and thankfully, with a massive amount of physical therapy, I'm back to walking like normal again). You don't appreciate your energy until you deal with fatigue. You don't appreciate your doctor's until you need them to figure out what's wrong with you. There is so much that we take for granted. Even in my present condition, I still take things for granted. Going in for physical therapy was a real eye-opener. I was the healthiest patient there. I felt ashamed of myself for being so down about what I can't do. Now, I focus on what I CAN do. And I focus on getting stronger so that when I relapse, it won't knock me down as hard as it did back in October. And I focus on praising God for the blessings I receive. No matter what, there is ALWAYS reason to praise God.
Vier.
How I can be an encouragement to others. Everyone has their own battle that they are fighting. So, if I can brighten their day by sending them a note that says they are an inspiration or send them a five dollar starbucks giftcard - why not do that? I think that our world could be so much happier if we focused on loving each other and showing each other kindness.
Fünf.
How to be more creative. I never want the work I do to become cookie cutter or boring. So, I research techniques and artistic work to look for ways to make my photos stand out. We never "arrive" or become perfect at what we do, so I'm a big pusher for not becoming complacent with our knowledge. I want to try new things and continue to be excited about my own work.
Sechs.
Getting rid of debt. We are big Dave Ramsey fans and are getting so close to being debt-free. Some of my proudest days are the ones when I can cut up credit cards and seeing that zero dollar balance on our statement. Yay for paying for things off and paying for new things with CASH!
Sieben.
Last, but definitely no where near least, is my husband. I have the most loving, loyal, giving, kind, amazing, hard-working, understanding, adventurous, reliable, dependable, handsome, wonderful husband in the world. I'm sure you say the same thing about your spouse if you have one, but I will fight you on this one. LOL. Just kidding. Maybe. ;) The truth is that my hubby is an incredible example of how a spouse should treat their spouse. He is the picture of the verse that talks about how a husband should love his wife as Christ loves the church. No matter how much I screw up, no matter what...he loves me. He works hard to make sure I get the medical care I need. He is everything to me and I am more than grateful that God put him in my life.
At the end of the day, I am incredibly blessed. Sure, I have my fair share of things that I don't like to deal with, but God has a purpose in all of it. Whether blessing or struggle, God brings good out of it. He is good all the time. ALL the time.
Wednesday, May 23
Eight Ways To Win My Heart {Albuquerque, New Mexico Photographer}
Let's be honest here, this one's going to be tough. Sure, it's easy to come up with one or two things that make me melt, BUT coming up with eight? This could get interesting.
Today's language is Japanese (which I took interest in because my brother went there in high school). Enjoy!
Ichi.
Desserts. Cupcakes. Ice Cream. Want to show me you love me? There is NOTHING quite like a gift card to Coldstone or a local bakery that you know has awesome sweets. Or even a box of chocolates. Seriously, that stuff will earn you some serious brownie points.
Ni.
Value what I do and being willing to pay for it. My favorite people are the ones who say, "How much?" and trust that I'm not trying to rip them off. Or they say, "I have this much, what can I get with that?" They trust that I've done my homework and carefully calculated my pricing so that I'm not trying to drain their bank accounts while at the same time valuing myself enough to not work for less than minimum wage.
San.
Respect my time. Don't text me or call me late at night. Know that I'll get back to you during business hours. My personal time is so important to me. That's my time with my husband (which I don't get much of because of his job). That's my time to rest and relax. In general, you'd want to throw something at your boss for bugging you after you went home for the day, right? Same goes for an artist.
Shi.
Tell me (especially ME! I love getting gusher e-mails!) and all your friends how much you love your pictures and send them to me so that they can have pictures they love, too. Share your galleries, send people to my Facebook page and my website. There are very few things Not only is it good for me, but I'll make sure you get a little something-something, too.
Go.
This one might be a little sensitive. And I'm not trying to be a jerk on this one. You know how there's lists of things not to say to different kinds of people? Like, "What Not To Say To A Military Wife" and "What Not To Say To A Photographer"? Well, I have one that's for someone with MS.
Don't tell me about your brother's cousin's uncle's wife who has MS and cured themselves. I get that you're trying to offer me hope. But the fact is that MS is not curable (yet). And it has an incredibly high misdiagnosis rate. If your distant relative or friend does really have MS and they're doing well, that's awesome. But it means that they're in remission. They're not cured.
Along the same lines, keep your assumptions to yourself. For example, don't assume that because I'm having a good day that it's going to be like that the next day. Don't assume that because I'm not doing well, I'll still not be doing well the next day. Don't assume that I can't do my job. Things that are worth doing, get done. I dig deep and push myself through the things that are important. (And be patient. If you're waiting on pictures or designs, etc. give me the time I need to get them done. You CAN assume that if I'm doing well, I am working on your stuff).
Roku.
Spend time with me. I love making new friends. I don't care if it's out to lunch or sitting on my couch (or your couch). Just the chance to chat and talk about the things that make us tick - that's the fun stuff.
Shichi.
Let me help you. Whether it's planning your session or helping you create a timeline for your wedding, let me be the expert. It's not my first rodeo and I'm HAPPY to give you an opinion and work with you to make sure that your pictures come out how they should. And on that note, please listen to me when we're working together. If I tell you that the lighting will be better over here or over there or the shot will be better if I shoot from this angle, I'm not offering you the ideas to hurt you. I want to make things work smoother and make YOU look good.
Hachi.
One more thing....hmmmmmmmm....this is so hard! I don't want all these to be serious....
Oh! Oh! Take me to a chick flick. Trying to convince my hubby to take me to go see The Vow or some other girly movie is like pulling teeth. You really want to earn brownie points? Take me to Coldstone AND a chick flick. I will LOVE you!
And one more for the road (even though I only have to do eight things). I think this one goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway.
Hire me to be your photographer. Let me show you YOU through my eyes. Your family, your wedding, you. Let me make you laugh and help you make memories that can go on your wall.
Today's language is Japanese (which I took interest in because my brother went there in high school). Enjoy!
Ichi.
Desserts. Cupcakes. Ice Cream. Want to show me you love me? There is NOTHING quite like a gift card to Coldstone or a local bakery that you know has awesome sweets. Or even a box of chocolates. Seriously, that stuff will earn you some serious brownie points.
Ni.
Value what I do and being willing to pay for it. My favorite people are the ones who say, "How much?" and trust that I'm not trying to rip them off. Or they say, "I have this much, what can I get with that?" They trust that I've done my homework and carefully calculated my pricing so that I'm not trying to drain their bank accounts while at the same time valuing myself enough to not work for less than minimum wage.
San.
Respect my time. Don't text me or call me late at night. Know that I'll get back to you during business hours. My personal time is so important to me. That's my time with my husband (which I don't get much of because of his job). That's my time to rest and relax. In general, you'd want to throw something at your boss for bugging you after you went home for the day, right? Same goes for an artist.
Shi.
Tell me (especially ME! I love getting gusher e-mails!) and all your friends how much you love your pictures and send them to me so that they can have pictures they love, too. Share your galleries, send people to my Facebook page and my website. There are very few things Not only is it good for me, but I'll make sure you get a little something-something, too.
Go.
This one might be a little sensitive. And I'm not trying to be a jerk on this one. You know how there's lists of things not to say to different kinds of people? Like, "What Not To Say To A Military Wife" and "What Not To Say To A Photographer"? Well, I have one that's for someone with MS.
Don't tell me about your brother's cousin's uncle's wife who has MS and cured themselves. I get that you're trying to offer me hope. But the fact is that MS is not curable (yet). And it has an incredibly high misdiagnosis rate. If your distant relative or friend does really have MS and they're doing well, that's awesome. But it means that they're in remission. They're not cured.
Along the same lines, keep your assumptions to yourself. For example, don't assume that because I'm having a good day that it's going to be like that the next day. Don't assume that because I'm not doing well, I'll still not be doing well the next day. Don't assume that I can't do my job. Things that are worth doing, get done. I dig deep and push myself through the things that are important. (And be patient. If you're waiting on pictures or designs, etc. give me the time I need to get them done. You CAN assume that if I'm doing well, I am working on your stuff).
Roku.
Spend time with me. I love making new friends. I don't care if it's out to lunch or sitting on my couch (or your couch). Just the chance to chat and talk about the things that make us tick - that's the fun stuff.
Shichi.
Let me help you. Whether it's planning your session or helping you create a timeline for your wedding, let me be the expert. It's not my first rodeo and I'm HAPPY to give you an opinion and work with you to make sure that your pictures come out how they should. And on that note, please listen to me when we're working together. If I tell you that the lighting will be better over here or over there or the shot will be better if I shoot from this angle, I'm not offering you the ideas to hurt you. I want to make things work smoother and make YOU look good.
Hachi.
One more thing....hmmmmmmmm....this is so hard! I don't want all these to be serious....
Oh! Oh! Take me to a chick flick. Trying to convince my hubby to take me to go see The Vow or some other girly movie is like pulling teeth. You really want to earn brownie points? Take me to Coldstone AND a chick flick. I will LOVE you!
And one more for the road (even though I only have to do eight things). I think this one goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway.
Hire me to be your photographer. Let me show you YOU through my eyes. Your family, your wedding, you. Let me make you laugh and help you make memories that can go on your wall.
Tuesday, May 22
Nine Things About Myself {Albuquerque, New Mexico Photographer}
So, I'm cheating a little bit. I'm not doing this challenge on a daily basis (it just looks like it), but I AM doing it. That's a plus right?
Well, challenge number two is to write nine things about yourself. This one will be pretty easy, too. ;) I won't cheat with this part, though, lol. You already know I'm a photographer. You already know I'm a graphic designer. You already know I'm a military wife. But, you might not know some of the stuff listed below.
Un.
I'm fascinated by foreign languages. (Hence the last numbers in Spanish and today's numbers in French). I can't speak any of them fluently (and even English is a hit or miss sometimes!), but I know random phrases and the way I talk is peppered with them - in a southern accent which makes it even cooler. ;)
Deux.
I'm obsessed with HGTV and Pinterest. I'm pinning and planning all kinds of things for the day when we build our forever home someday.
Trois.
I can cook & bake like none other. But I hate doing it. That's right. I can whip up a mean batch of cupcakes or perfect a pan of lasagna but it's a rare occasion that you'll find me actually doing it. Gotta make sure I stay appreciated, doncha know? Can't let that hubby of mine get complacent, lol!
Quatre.
I've attended three different colleges and have the equivalent of a college degree, but half of it wasn't accredited, so "it doesn't count." Good news is that I didn't have to have a degree to get hired by my boss because she doesn't care about that stuff. ;)
Cinq.
I can watch any sport LIVE and enjoy it. Put it on TV and all the sudden I don't care anymore. Between commentary and commercials, sports lose their luster. Along the same subject, my favorite sport is baseball. I used to play softball and my nickname was The Clutch. They'd strategically place me in the middle of the batting line-up because I rarely struck out and would be able to push us through to get some runs in. I even won a couple of game balls because of it, too.
Six.
I've shot weddings in 10 different states. One day, I hope to have shot a wedding in all 50 states and maybe even some international ones, too.
Sept.
I love party planning and interior decorating. I'm pretty sure that if this whole photography/graphic design thing wasn't working for me, that's what I'd be doing.
Huit.
I make sure to have our pictures done by a professional every year. Not only does it remind me how uncomfortable it can be to have your picture taken, but it shows that I value photography myself. How can I ask my clients to value it if I don't value it myself?
Neuf.
We have a huge library of movies. Between Damien's love of action movies and my obsession with video (I was going to school to be a movie director at first), we own at least 300 movies. And that doesn't include TV series.
There you have it. A little peak into some things that you wouldn't otherwise know about me. :)
Well, challenge number two is to write nine things about yourself. This one will be pretty easy, too. ;) I won't cheat with this part, though, lol. You already know I'm a photographer. You already know I'm a graphic designer. You already know I'm a military wife. But, you might not know some of the stuff listed below.
Un.
I'm fascinated by foreign languages. (Hence the last numbers in Spanish and today's numbers in French). I can't speak any of them fluently (and even English is a hit or miss sometimes!), but I know random phrases and the way I talk is peppered with them - in a southern accent which makes it even cooler. ;)
Deux.
I'm obsessed with HGTV and Pinterest. I'm pinning and planning all kinds of things for the day when we build our forever home someday.
Trois.
I can cook & bake like none other. But I hate doing it. That's right. I can whip up a mean batch of cupcakes or perfect a pan of lasagna but it's a rare occasion that you'll find me actually doing it. Gotta make sure I stay appreciated, doncha know? Can't let that hubby of mine get complacent, lol!
Quatre.
I've attended three different colleges and have the equivalent of a college degree, but half of it wasn't accredited, so "it doesn't count." Good news is that I didn't have to have a degree to get hired by my boss because she doesn't care about that stuff. ;)
Cinq.
I can watch any sport LIVE and enjoy it. Put it on TV and all the sudden I don't care anymore. Between commentary and commercials, sports lose their luster. Along the same subject, my favorite sport is baseball. I used to play softball and my nickname was The Clutch. They'd strategically place me in the middle of the batting line-up because I rarely struck out and would be able to push us through to get some runs in. I even won a couple of game balls because of it, too.
Six.
I've shot weddings in 10 different states. One day, I hope to have shot a wedding in all 50 states and maybe even some international ones, too.
Sept.
I love party planning and interior decorating. I'm pretty sure that if this whole photography/graphic design thing wasn't working for me, that's what I'd be doing.
Huit.
I make sure to have our pictures done by a professional every year. Not only does it remind me how uncomfortable it can be to have your picture taken, but it shows that I value photography myself. How can I ask my clients to value it if I don't value it myself?
Neuf.
We have a huge library of movies. Between Damien's love of action movies and my obsession with video (I was going to school to be a movie director at first), we own at least 300 movies. And that doesn't include TV series.
There you have it. A little peak into some things that you wouldn't otherwise know about me. :)
Ten Reasons I Love Being A Photographer {Albuquerque, New Mexico Photographer}
Since things are so slow right now (due to moving around and all that jazz), I thought that I'd jump in on some personal projects and challenges so that you can get to know me a little bit better - as a photographer AND as a person. My sweet friend, Wendy Cunningham gave me a ten day blogging challenge to give me something to help this along. Soooooooo, here goes nothing! ;)
Blogging Challenge Day One: Ten Reasons You Love Your Job
I won't lie...this one's going to be easy.
Uno.
The freedom. To express myself, to travel without constraint (which comes in handy as a military wife!), to create, to change lives. I am so blessed by the opportunity to make art that touches hearts. What a privilege!
Dos.
I'm my own boss. Sure I have to be a little more diligent about getting things done, but I get to set my own hours and I get to take as many breaks as I want and have really no one to answer to...unless I'm not getting anything done and then I have to answer to the people that are waiting on me. :)
Tres.
The community. Granted, there's a handful of artists out there that would rather be hermits and not have anything to do with anyone else...BUT, there's also a handful of artists that thrive on working together, helping each other and strive to push each other to be better. That community is wonderful. And having that community to turn to knowing that I'll be lifted up, encouraged and challenged is a blissful thing.
Cuatro.
The clients. I love the people who value artwork and come to me with the confidence that I'll be able to capture them beautifully and artistically in a way that will make them want to put their images everywhere. On Facebook, on their walls, on their computers...everywhere. There's nothing better than getting an e-mail from someone that is just head over heels in love with the pictures I took for them. It's so rewarding!
Cinqo.
The office. I get to work at home. Which means I don't have to deal with traffic. Which means that the roads are safer. ;)
Seis.
The art. Simply creating something beautiful. <---THAT is enough to keep me going.
Siete.
The memories. I could tell you story after story that make my job one of a kind. From the ridiculous to the sweet, from the astonishing to the hilarious...it all makes up a seriously interesting life story.
Ocho.
The legacy. Every photo I take will live much, much longer than I will.
Nueve.
The traveling. One of the benefits of being a military wife is that I never get bored with my scenery. Why? Because it changes every couple of months. I have photos in my portfolio from over 10 states. Everything from the mountains to the beach, fields to downtown can be found in my display of art. Who else gets to do that?
Not only do I get to travel because of my husband's job, but I get to travel as part of MY job. I have weddings across the country from each other and I get to experience all sorts of beautiful people and styles and venues.
Diez.
The knowledge. Knowing what to look for in other artist's work so that my own family portraits are one of a kind pieces of art that I want to put on my own wall makes me so happy. Photographs are such a treasure to me because my husband's job is not one that I can count on to keep him safe. Every image of him and I together is precious to me. Knowing that I provide that for others is so fulfilling. Knowing that I'm using my talents to keep memories alive for other people makes every bit of stress and work worth it. Knowing that what I do it unique and beautiful is bliss. I couldn't ask for a better job.
There it is, folks. A look into my soul. :)
I leave you with a photo that Lavel caught when she helped me out with the Dimmet Newborn session a few weeks ago. I love it!
Blogging Challenge Day One: Ten Reasons You Love Your Job
I won't lie...this one's going to be easy.
Uno.
The freedom. To express myself, to travel without constraint (which comes in handy as a military wife!), to create, to change lives. I am so blessed by the opportunity to make art that touches hearts. What a privilege!
Dos.
I'm my own boss. Sure I have to be a little more diligent about getting things done, but I get to set my own hours and I get to take as many breaks as I want and have really no one to answer to...unless I'm not getting anything done and then I have to answer to the people that are waiting on me. :)
Tres.
The community. Granted, there's a handful of artists out there that would rather be hermits and not have anything to do with anyone else...BUT, there's also a handful of artists that thrive on working together, helping each other and strive to push each other to be better. That community is wonderful. And having that community to turn to knowing that I'll be lifted up, encouraged and challenged is a blissful thing.
Cuatro.
The clients. I love the people who value artwork and come to me with the confidence that I'll be able to capture them beautifully and artistically in a way that will make them want to put their images everywhere. On Facebook, on their walls, on their computers...everywhere. There's nothing better than getting an e-mail from someone that is just head over heels in love with the pictures I took for them. It's so rewarding!
Cinqo.
The office. I get to work at home. Which means I don't have to deal with traffic. Which means that the roads are safer. ;)
Seis.
The art. Simply creating something beautiful. <---THAT is enough to keep me going.
Siete.
The memories. I could tell you story after story that make my job one of a kind. From the ridiculous to the sweet, from the astonishing to the hilarious...it all makes up a seriously interesting life story.
Ocho.
The legacy. Every photo I take will live much, much longer than I will.
Nueve.
The traveling. One of the benefits of being a military wife is that I never get bored with my scenery. Why? Because it changes every couple of months. I have photos in my portfolio from over 10 states. Everything from the mountains to the beach, fields to downtown can be found in my display of art. Who else gets to do that?
Not only do I get to travel because of my husband's job, but I get to travel as part of MY job. I have weddings across the country from each other and I get to experience all sorts of beautiful people and styles and venues.
Diez.
The knowledge. Knowing what to look for in other artist's work so that my own family portraits are one of a kind pieces of art that I want to put on my own wall makes me so happy. Photographs are such a treasure to me because my husband's job is not one that I can count on to keep him safe. Every image of him and I together is precious to me. Knowing that I provide that for others is so fulfilling. Knowing that I'm using my talents to keep memories alive for other people makes every bit of stress and work worth it. Knowing that what I do it unique and beautiful is bliss. I couldn't ask for a better job.
There it is, folks. A look into my soul. :)
I leave you with a photo that Lavel caught when she helped me out with the Dimmet Newborn session a few weeks ago. I love it!
Tuesday, April 3
Dimmett {Newborn & Family - Albuqerque, New Mexico Photography}
Guess what, y'all? I'm starting to see a semblance of my life come back to me! It's slow going, but I'm staying positive and doing my best to do things just like I used to. And how is that, you ask? Well, I think a good way to introduce myself back into the game is by sharing the awesome newborn session that I did today. :)
The Dimmetts are such a sweet family. We're one of those six degrees of separation type of situation. They've been with us in Texas, in Alabama and now here in Albuquerque. We even attended the same church in Texas but never actually met. Although, they'll be leaving ABQ before we do, it's been cool to have another couple that understands the fixed wing community and the rotor community. And now, Sarah & Zeb are starting the next chapter of their lives and have introduced a sweet baby girl to the world.
It was a pleasure to photograph Hadassah Eileen and her parents this morning and I'm so excited at how well the photos turned out. :) Take a look!
I loved every bit of this session. But my absolute most favorite part were the crowns. I made those puppies myself and I heart them oh so very much. Makes me happy. Being crafty saves me moolah. :)
Sarah & Zeb, blessings to you and your sweet baby girl as you start operational soon! Thank you so much for being the family that I jumped back into the photography world with. Y'all are the best!
And special shout out to Lavel from Lavel Photography for backing me up today. Such a huge help! I appreciate you, sweets!
The Dimmetts are such a sweet family. We're one of those six degrees of separation type of situation. They've been with us in Texas, in Alabama and now here in Albuquerque. We even attended the same church in Texas but never actually met. Although, they'll be leaving ABQ before we do, it's been cool to have another couple that understands the fixed wing community and the rotor community. And now, Sarah & Zeb are starting the next chapter of their lives and have introduced a sweet baby girl to the world.
It was a pleasure to photograph Hadassah Eileen and her parents this morning and I'm so excited at how well the photos turned out. :) Take a look!
I loved every bit of this session. But my absolute most favorite part were the crowns. I made those puppies myself and I heart them oh so very much. Makes me happy. Being crafty saves me moolah. :)
Sarah & Zeb, blessings to you and your sweet baby girl as you start operational soon! Thank you so much for being the family that I jumped back into the photography world with. Y'all are the best!
And special shout out to Lavel from Lavel Photography for backing me up today. Such a huge help! I appreciate you, sweets!
Wednesday, March 7
Changes {Albuquerque, New Mexico Photography}
What better time than a new location to change the way things work in your life? I have some big plans coming for Mandolin Productions, complete with a complete design facelift and a new approach to this whole photography thing. What does that mean for you? That means that instead of letting my joy for photography get sucked out of me because of stress, I'll be enjoying what I do again. It means that you'll have a relaxed artist working with you full of fresh new ideas and lots of enthusiasm.
It's important that y'all know that the families and couples and weddings and mentorees that I DO take on from this point forward will be extremely limited. It used to be that I wanted as many gigs as I could get. Now, I simply want things that will challenge me. I want photography to be fun again. So, between Mandolin Productions, the inspiration blogs, design and painting, I'll be pretty busy. But it won't be stress busy. It will be "I love my life" busy.
You'll see me around. :) However, I'm no longer worried about having things done the fastest or being on top of social media. I'm finally in a place where I believe the best things take time. And loving attention. Keep your eye for the changes and let me know what you think! :)
Here's an idea of what I have in mind for this year:
^Those are the things that are going to be important to me this year. My life has been flipped upside down since the diagnosis, but I won't allow MS to rule me or dominate my days. I will make the most of it. I will give of my time and talents in an effort to glorify God and I will see His greatness through the strength I have to do that.
Forgive me for being scattered (I always feel so scattered when I write!), but let me leave you with one more thing. I saw an awesome idea on Pinterest and came up with a solution that incorporated the concept but fit our decorating style and our personalities. As a military family, we move SO much and it's hard to keep track of where we've been and when we were there and what was accomplished while we were there. So, each time we move now, there will be a new white silhouette state on our wall with a sweet little red heart over the city we were stationed in. There's one for Colorado sitting on my desk because it would've made the wall design wonky and uneven, but it'll be up there after we get our next assignment. Yay for decorating!
It's important that y'all know that the families and couples and weddings and mentorees that I DO take on from this point forward will be extremely limited. It used to be that I wanted as many gigs as I could get. Now, I simply want things that will challenge me. I want photography to be fun again. So, between Mandolin Productions, the inspiration blogs, design and painting, I'll be pretty busy. But it won't be stress busy. It will be "I love my life" busy.
You'll see me around. :) However, I'm no longer worried about having things done the fastest or being on top of social media. I'm finally in a place where I believe the best things take time. And loving attention. Keep your eye for the changes and let me know what you think! :)
Here's an idea of what I have in mind for this year:
- Take on three mentorees (if interested, shoot me an e-mail!)
- Run the inspiration blogs with consistency
- Open a design store
- Take on 5 weddings
- Take on 2 sessions per month (stylized or otherwise)
- Get excited about our first operational station
- Blog about my journey with MS at least once a week
- Blog about something I photographed at least once a week
- Find a random person to encourage and love on at least once a month
^Those are the things that are going to be important to me this year. My life has been flipped upside down since the diagnosis, but I won't allow MS to rule me or dominate my days. I will make the most of it. I will give of my time and talents in an effort to glorify God and I will see His greatness through the strength I have to do that.
Forgive me for being scattered (I always feel so scattered when I write!), but let me leave you with one more thing. I saw an awesome idea on Pinterest and came up with a solution that incorporated the concept but fit our decorating style and our personalities. As a military family, we move SO much and it's hard to keep track of where we've been and when we were there and what was accomplished while we were there. So, each time we move now, there will be a new white silhouette state on our wall with a sweet little red heart over the city we were stationed in. There's one for Colorado sitting on my desk because it would've made the wall design wonky and uneven, but it'll be up there after we get our next assignment. Yay for decorating!
Thursday, February 2
Sweet North Carolina {Onward We Go}
Well, North Carolina...it's been real. But duty calls, so we're heading to New Mexico. I'll miss your pretty beaches, the sweet mom and pop island shops and the good friends we've made. And your beautiful sunsets.
Monday, January 30
Dwyer {Family - Sneads Ferry, North Carolina Photography}
To say that things have been crazy around here is a total understatement. I have been so blessed to know some kind hearts out here during our stay in North Carolina and I'm so grateful they let me do family portraits for them. :)
One of the most precious families. Ever. Thank you for being a part of my life!
One of the most precious families. Ever. Thank you for being a part of my life!
Thursday, January 19
Fashion {Surf City, North Carolina Fashion Photography}
I got to have a little fun a few weekends ago. I rarely got to shoot for myself and I'm just excited about the opportunity I had. :)
Huge thanks to Elaine and Tiffaney for bearing the cold! And even bigger thanks to Audra Vogel for the incredible hair and makeup job she did. And thanks to me for the awesome fashion tape/safety pin masterpiece dresses. Lol. Don't they look legit?! Thanks to AnnaMaria & Matt for letting Simon come play (that handsome pup you saw at the top). AND last thanks to all the other photographers who came out for the fun!
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