Things I adore
December 22, 2009
December 17, 2009
The Story of a Christmas Past.
This year has been a growing and a learning season. We grow by leaps and bounds, and I continue to grow as a photographer and a person, but I often ask myself, "What is the goal, or purpose, of my work?" My heart always answers back, "To create something that families will love and cherish always." And that's not a generic answer, but really how I feel. There is often more emotional energy involved in photography than most people would ever know. To see, in an instant, what expression or action will best characterize the person you photograph, means you forever record in that moment how others will reflect on them later. If you do it right, it is not merely snapping away with the camera.
I look back at images of my grandmother and all the Christmases past that we had together as a family. An image of her washing dishes at the sink, turned halfway to the camera and smiling. An image of her carrying a stack of wood in, with snow drifted to her knees, wearing her usual red flannel coat. Small details of a person I love so dearly that don't fade with time, but remain there for me to grasp as I need. Other images of her with my grandfather and mother, as a baby, in their home in a coal mining town. All three of them sitting on an iron bed together one December, it is a rather sobering image. I know they worked much harder than I'll ever know, and yet they made it. A gift of my mother's handprint hangs on the wall. Christmas was about the little things, like oranges, apples, or rather fruits not of the iPod kind. The picture creates a story in my head about a time and a place that I would have never known. By the time I was born the picture had changed greatly.
We spend a lot of time and money on things that pile up in our homes. And the truth is and I am sure it holds true for most people, if you could trade all that for a Christmas past, you would in a heartbeat. It is the SIMPLE GRACES that get us thru life. Take a moment over the holiday to look around, look at all the details of your loved ones. Take out that camera, whatever it may be, and keep those memories, because on December 26, they then become a Christmas past.
December 11, 2009
A thousand words...
You know the old saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words", well this one gets an award for most original expression ever. His little baby lips pulled in are so sweet. I have a million images of him, but this one, well it was just,"original". 
December 07, 2009
Good Cheer...
I know this time of year is full of events, both with joy and a tiny bit of hurriedness for most people. I feel it some days, and it seems the fun stuff sometimes gets pushed further down the, "to do list." I try to remind myself that if it doesn't get done, i.e the folded clothes and other things, that it doesn't matter. I made up my mind that I would not worry about it all till after Christmas, and instead of cleaning I am just going to enjoy the moment. That means, making those cookies and that gingerbread house with my daughter instead of perfecting everything around me.
And last week, I got my very first christmas card of the season, which is so much fun. It was even better since it was from one of my hometown friends, who now lives far away.
She does the most amazing and decorative cards, with a super sweet image of her family on it. Getting her card is like opening a nice present in itself. My daughter has come to recognize her over the years for the cards, and calls her, "the pretty paper girl."
Then, I am surrounded by images that I am wrapping up for clients. I am thrilled with each and ever package the UPS guy brings. And it warms my heart to be a part of so many people's important moments.
December 02, 2009
Pretty as a Picture
Nothing to say other than, she is gorgeous. A child I could photograph all day!! 
November 20, 2009
November 16, 2009
The Bella and Edward Inspired Photo Shoot
I did not think I was going to get "hooked' on this Twilight saga, however its like an epidemic and I have come down with "it". I am throwing a party at the Old Historic Jail on Saturday, and it should be so much fun!!
This past week, I took a dear friend of mine's daughter and went out to re-created the Bella and Edward vibe. Her sweet little boyfriend was kind of enough to let us borrow his person for the shoot. We wanted to focus on the lost feeling and situation in the New Moon book. I think we accomplished it very well, and it was so much fun!
You can view the rest by going to : www.simplegrace.smugmug.com and looking for the gallery its open
right now!
November 13, 2009
The 3/50 project
I came across this project, and wanted to share. You know that old saying, "change starts with yourself", and if we are going to rebound as a country it takes small important steps to do so. The concept is so simple, just shop local, and help the small businesses in your community.
Here's the flyer and below it I put up a clip from "You've Got Mail". I love this movie, I think I blogged that a few years ago. But the theme and the story is so true, I think about all the little shop owners I love and places I like to visit. How would it be if they just weren't around the corner anymore? I am thankful that I've had such great support from my clients and that they truly love what I do for them. I plan on paying that forward every chance I get, by shopping local for Christmas.
November 11, 2009
Roy Rogers...
Well, I have a thing for cowboys. Seriously, in college my roommates and I hauled it to Texas one spring break. Sorry Denise if your parents read this, as I am sure they still don't know we took their car there. I'll spare you the whole story and the crazy details of the trip. But one thing I noticed was how everyone tipped their hats and pulled their trucks to the side if you needed to pass them. I just thought it was the coolest thing, not to mention all the cowboy hats and boots!! Truly, it was so much fun and I still harbor the dream of going to a dude ranch / SPA one day, although my dear friend Sarah in Texas tells me she has yet to see a dude ranch that has a spa. I know there has to be one out there!! And why am I rambling on? Well, there is something so romantic about the idea of cowboys and the Old West. It's a story that draws us to a time in life where people were near to the land and working hard to survive. And when these two little cowboys showed up, I knew I was going to fall head over heels for them. I could not have been more right, as they are completely all about being cowboys. Mom said everything from the boots to their love of Roy Rodgers, makes these two kids true little cowboys. They are into all the old Western type stuff, which is so cute. I so enjoyed photographing them, and it was too much fun when I told them they could rope a tree near by. Oh the excitement at the idea of lassoing that tree, which I might add they did a great job of. I can only imaging mom having had to unrope a brother a time or two! Thanks for a wonderful day boys!
Today they're making pictures that I wouldn't want Trigger to see.
November 10, 2009
Every little moment..
Toddlers amaze me, with their sense of wonder. Everything is something to be touched or examined when your a small child. It makes me think about how we could all use a bit more of this kind of magic in our lives. How would it be if we got up every day and decided to really LOOK at our surroundings. Is it possible we would notice more about our loved ones, and think more about things like how the air touches our face. During this session at one point I was changing some settings and I looked up to see him catching the wind. There he was both arms open, and just totally absorbed in the wind, which had picked up and sent a pile of leaves his direction. I almost didn't catch it because I was so touched by it. So I thought I would include it even if it's not technically perfect, the moment still is.
May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing
