Life is good. I woke up late because I didn't want to leave Eddie's side. He sleeps so peaceful. It reminds me of an infant that just can't fight off the need to close their eyes. It makes sleep time oh so good. I then grabbed a snack, sat out on my front porch and read the good book. From my perch I can see all of my neighbors scurring around trying to get here and there while my life sits at a quiet stand still. In a good way I might add.
Today I am thankful for so much. I am thankful that I have a sweet moment of peace in the morning. I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who loves me very much. And 9,732 other things that would just be a bore to mention.

Here is a photo from a wedding I'll introduce shortly.

I love baby portraits. I love their little fingers and their tiny little nails. Their wrinkly toes and chunky legs.
Photographing babies is like having a beautiful little master piece that you are being asked to capture just as it is. Perfect. It isn't an easy job trying to capture perfect. But, it's really really fun trying.

These are some shots from Chara's 2 month photo shoot.

I brushed the hair out of my face with the back of my wrist so the dishsoap wouldn't get everywhere. I took a deep breath and thought to myself...."How did I get this busy." I remember a time when I could take a walk in the morning. I could sit and ponder the world, stroll home and then take my time eating a good breakfast. Now, I find that I am cutting corners and avoiding my walk because it just takes too much time.
It must be wedding season. My list of things to do goes onto several 3 x 5 cards and the things that I do for sanity are not present. It didn't really hit me until Jane wrote us and said, "You must be really busy by the looks of your blog." Oi! My blog. I completely forgot about my blog! I forgot a lot of things that are for ME. Like my walks, my books and my blog. I need my time to write.

So...I have decided to try and get back the ME time to help with our business time. I think there needs to be a healthy balance! So, thank you Jane for bringing back reality....I appreciate it!

Here are a few shots from our trip to Yellowstone.

It kind of works like a puzzle.
They love the ska punk band the Supervillains. A clue.
She loves sexy high heels. A clue.
They never stop laughing. Yet another clue.

From the moment I hear their voice on the phone or see them in person I start to put together what makes them who they are. As I chit chat and begin to imagine the images I want I think to myself, "what's their story? What am I trying to capture?" As a photographer I feel that our jobs are more than recording how you look at that exact moment. It's capturing a moment that says who you are, what your feeling, and why you matter.
When we first met Erika she came alone. It was plain as day that she was an organized, self assured, bright and beautiful firecracker. It wasn't until I met them as a couple that I got the full picture. Their were no more clues, but a complete puzzle that spelled out that they were the funnest, craziest, go with the flow, laugh out loud and have a party kind of couple. I didn't need clues to discover who they are. I didn't have to help them pose or work to gain their trust. They put themselves out there with every ounce of creativity they had.
Eddie and I weaved and bobbed through downtown with our cameras clicking as they danced, twirled, dipped, and made strange faces at each other. It was easy. We just captured them being them. I said it so many times that they were perfect for each other. I cannot wait to do their wedding because I am sure that it will be quite an event. Thank you for making the shoot so fun!!





The shoot started off innocent enough....



That's when I realized that they are a lot more fun when they are just themselves.



















Proof that they have a softer romantic side.

There I was standing just outside the circle wishing I could get inside it. In some ways it's like the tight circle you formed at high school dances. The circle functioned like a protective ring so that no one would focus on just you and your horrible dancing. Only the closest of friends were included inside and you just hoped and wished that your secret crush wasn't watching you. This circle functioned the same as the "safety circle" in high school, but everyone was included. And I wasn't dying to get inside to be cool or hide from anyone watching me dance. Instead I was planning my route to get inside of this circle for the best shot. Everyone was so expressive, completely rock'n the air guitar and screaming the song "You shook me all night long" by ACDC. It was a fine site to be seen and I needed to get some pictures of it.
Much like high school Renee + Andrew were surrounded by their closest friends who were serious about having a good time. Their wedding day went without a hitch, Renee looked gorgeous and Andrew had a grin on his face all evening. While standing there just outside of the circle I realized something. I realized that I had a grin on my face and that I was having an incredible time. I love doing what we do and it's weddings like these that really help me realize that. I love seeing people in love, I love capturing the emotions and I love being on the outside of the circle trying to get in. It's the best.

Oh sweet little baby Chara. Our pastor and his wife just had a new baby girl. You might have seen the pictures that we took just hours after she was born. We took one month pictures of this precious little baby and I just love them. She is so gorgeous! Congratulations Mike & Catherine and thank you for letting us be a part of her life story.
We love you guys!

After two weeks in the weeds of southern Illinois we are back. We had a wedding that we shot just a few minutes from Eddie's home town which gave us the excuse to visit family, see a few Cubs games and catch fireflies as the sun set on the horizon. As always it was great to be around the family. I love sitting with his dad and seeing the starting point of Eddie's personality. It's as if I am experiencing Eddie's past one visit at a time. As we travel through each small town I get a chance to witness where Eddie hit his last home run, where his aunt got pulled over and where his great aunt Ruth lives next to the sugar shack.
Just as quickly as our lives slowed down to a sitting on the front porch pace we sped up to the pace we are used to. We had a rehearsal dinner that we covered with Audrey + James on Friday. We had their wedding all day Saturday until the wee hours. We then came home and drove to St.Louis. Slept for 2 hours and then caught a flight to Seattle. From there we had another wedding with Nicki + Kyle. We got to bed late had a trash the dress session the next day and then drove back to Portland. We then had an engagement session the very next day! I guess it's officially wedding season and I must say...it is so great to be back.