Where I Stand

It was supposed to be a day of celebration.  It was supposed to be a day where I had one on one time with my daughter and actually non guilty time to myself.  It was supposed to be the day my son went back to school.

Unfortunately, his father gave him his unrelenting cough and unfortunately mixed with my son's weak gag reflux, it caused him to vomit multiple times on that very morning.  We know the drill and have sent him to school in the past if there was no fever but 3rd time was the charm and in bed he stayed.

My daughter insisted she should get up before her body felt ready and therefore was insisting she be held.  I found the irony in the situation, grabbed my camera, and was able to get this shot of my son behind the door throwing up, and my daughter clinging to my leg.  Oh the life of a mom.

6/365 Where I Stand

Ensemble x2

CY365 5/365 Ensemble

Best Friends, Star Wars, and Legos. Is there a better ensemble for a 5 year olds day?

Pearls, faux fur, and a paci are the most essential accessories for every 1 year old fashionista

A Reflection of Me

CY365 4/365 A Reflection of Me

I had envisioned this photo differently.  If I had 100% control over my life, I would have taken the a beautiful brushed nickle with hints of gold mirror from our powder room wall, propped it up against one the trees at my favorite photo location, and had my 2 beautiful, perfectly posed children snuggled up against me as I captured the three of us looking in the mirror with beautiful nature surrounding us and the golden hour sun lighting the scene.  

Well, life as we know, isn't like that.  I came home from a great service at church, my son anxious to go to a friends house, and my daughter ready for a nap.  I knew I wouldn't be able to get the image I had in mind so I tried my hand at photographing me solo in front of my mirror.  It was then I noticed my daughter laying in the background where I had the idea to place my son next to her.  Still hoping for their "angelic" forms, it was anything but.  My son struggles to hold my tired/cranky daughter while he is asking over and over if he's done yet.  In the end, I like this image more.  I think it best represents the post I wrote a couple of days ago struggling with the work life balance.  It's not perfect but it works.  I hope to take the image I had in mind in the near future as I think it would be a beautiful image  but for now, I truly believe this is "A Reflection of Me"

Open Possibilities

Where will your life lead you today?

CY365 3/365  Open Possiblities

Good Morning 2015!

CY365 1/365 Good Morning 2015

2015.  A new year, a fresh start, and an opportunity to improve oneself.  

I spent the majority 2014 learning how to juggle a new business with a new baby, support my husband and his business ventures, as well as adapt to the demands of a growing family.  On top of that, I had a calling to serve the Lord in Panama and used my photography as a way to raise money to help send me there.  All of these changes and demands helped me to have a better understanding of myself, the world around me, as well as grow in a relationship with God.

For 2015 my goal is to continue to improve myself.  Just like any working parent, I often have the struggle between committing to much to one thing while the other falls short.  In my life this is my photography and my children.  It's a personal struggle to give equally and effectively to the two.  I'm still learning this trick as I'm sure many can relate.  

There are many times I beat myself up over this.  Why isn't my business growing quicker?  Why are my children always demanding my attention?  How is so and so succeeding at this and I'm struggling?  Maybe if I just commit to once a week, once a month, not at all.  My children need me.  My husband needs me.  My church needs me.  I need time to myself.  

It's exhausting and honestly, at this stage in my life, pointless.  I am fortunate that I have a supportive husband and we have this opportunity for me to stay at home with our children as well as take the time to figure out my career path what ever it may be.  

Jude will be in Kindergarten next year and these years with Emma will go quickly.  I want to be present with them but not lose myself either.  

So, my friends, my resolution if you will, is simple.  I want to be more present and more positive in my life.  I want to cherish the time with my children, enjoy when I have the opportunity to photograph you and your family (as well as some fun creative sessions), and most importantly, not stress when I can't do it all.  

In an effort to help stay in the present with myself, my family, and my photography, I signed up for CaptureYour365.  This is a site that has a topic of the day and you simply take a photo of what it means to you.  I'm using this as a platform to express my creativity, get inspired, share insights with other photographers, and venture outside my box.  

2015 will continue to have it's ups and downs like life always does.  I will learn, grow, create, stumble, get into deep, but hopefully stand back up and keep on going.  I hope you will take the time and join me as I share this year with you.  It should be a wonderful journey.

CY365 2/365 Think Over

A Session built for a Little Man

After a good break from blogging, I'm happy to get back into the "sphere" and introduce to you this super adorable baby boy I got to spend some time with a couple of weeks ago.

Little Man Jake was born over Memorial Day weekend so I got to meet him when he was just over a month old.  He has the most precious expressions and he even came up with his own poses for the pictures.  I let him run the show since he clearly has a knack for modeling.

Mom, Jessica, was super sweet and looks stunning for just having a baby.

She's an A&M alumn so of course we had to incorporate some Aggie paraphernalia into the shots.  I'm big into lifestyle so I don't carry too many props since I like to add more personal touches to my photos.  This cushy pillow pet and of course the ring were perfect additions.

Dad, Erik, could seriously pass for a Val Kilmer double (pre weight gaining days of course) and was very attentive to his families' needs.  While prepping for another shot, Dad was soothing Little Man and I came back into his nursery to capture this

So sweet!

The red door is from an old barn on a family property and Erik and his friend re-purposed it to create a beautiful rustic pallet wall and closet doors.  Charlotte's Web was a favorite of Jessica's growing up so there is even a spider web with the phrase, Little Man, written in it.

Both Mom & Dad are from the country so while they settled on living in the 'burbs to be closer to work, they back up to a gorgeous park so Jake certainly won't be lacking in space to run around and burn off that little boy energy.

Thanks for letting me spend time with you and your beautiful family Erik and Jessica.  Let me know if Jake ever needs head shots for his future modeling career, I would be happy to help ;)

Tending to My Nest III

Little Miss will have been in our lives for 7 months tomorrow.  While it was a tough transition with this precious little stranger, she brings a balance to our family that completes us.  She is by far, the most mellow and inquisitive baby.  She can entertain herself while we go out to eat by studying her surroundings or being mesmerized by whatever item I've given her. When she's bored of that, she's perfectly content just sitting on your lap. She reminds me of Jude when he was a year old and had such a stoic personality, the photographer that inspired me to get back in the game, took note of his disposition on her blog.  It will be fun to see how she evolves over the years.

I took a quick snapshot with my IPhone but I thought this was such a great representation of Little Miss.

Her room seems to compliment her personality.  It's soft, delicate, and cheery.  There are also subtle touches that encourage you to take in your surroundings while not overwhelming you.    

I've added a couple of touches to her nursery, one for practical reasons, the other for aesthetics.  I am currently looking for a jewelry box that I can store her flower head bands that I swore I would never have her wear.  I'll continue to add more elements as she grows and take away some as her hands and feet catch up with her inquisitive mind.

I found these Pottery Barn black out curtains above on a buy/sell/trade site on FB.  While I got them for a quarter of the price, you can find similar ones at Pottery Barn Kids

 

I believe this element was the missing piece to her nursery decor.  I originally envisioned the branches alone framing the crib but adding this custom made mobile from TinyGoldenArrows brought it all together.

For more angles and details about Little Miss' room, read about it here.

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