Why we go BIG at Christmas!

One of my journals that is a very personal one. Nothing business related, but if you are curious to know who I am this is the real me. :)







♫♪♫♪ Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
Throw cares away.
Christmas is here! ♫♫♪

Well, maybe it's not here yet but in our home we celebrate every day the fact that our Savior left lofty heaven to walk the same earth which he created, growing up to fulfill his mission to die a sinners death - the one we deserved, but he chose to spare us all from. THAT is why we sing, "throw cares away- Christmas is here. Bringing good cheer to young and old meek and the bold. Songs of good cheer Christmas is here"

{High School Senior Photographer}

This year I have had the privilege of photographing many more seniors and each time I have come home and stated that they are my absolute favorite subjects to photograph. Don't get me wrong, I love families, children and the work and care that goes into bellies and babies but with seniors I can really let loose.... Try new things. Be very creative and branch out of the norm. With High School seniors, I say "don't smile" and they do it- no questions asked! I LOVE no smile images! They also are willing to climb trees, get in the surf at the beach, mess up their hair. Twist in crazy ways.....I could go on and on.
Tomorrow is thanksgiving and today I am thankful for the young people that enter my life even for just a couple of days.... You keep me young, vibrant and help me explore the boundaries in my trade... THANK YOU!

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

My Grandmother....yeah grandmother sent me this! I am not obsessive compulsive-- just, um... particular.
In my work though I think obsess...I mean "particular" is a good thing! :)

Deliveries

It's thanksgiving week and it's going to be a busy one! Portrait sessions, Thanksgiving, Christmas decorating, with even a sleepover thrown in there with 4 rowdy 9 year old boys =).... Life is good!
Even with this week's busyness I do want to make time to show you some of the images I captured of Operation Christmas Child. For now, though I have to get going and play Santa as I deliver beautiful portraits!!!

Check me out!

Check me out......My work is at your local Sunflower Flats! I know, I know I'm sounding boastful but it's not very often I get a chance to boast so I don't feel too bad about it. hee, hee!

A picture really doesn't do justice to this beautiful Gallery Wrap Cindy ordered of her gorgeous grandkiddos, though! None the less I am very proud that she loved the image I captured enough to want it in a 20x30 canvas wrap. If you are in town and get a chance be sure to stop by the shop and take a look-see. Cindy, being the very proud grandma would love for you to also enjoy the art and the light in her grandkiddos eyes-- as well as her beautiful sunflower!!!

Operation Christmas Child

Here are a couple of the beautiful and generous individuals I photographed at the Operation Christmas Child event. Again, I can't say thank you enough to those that participated. Last count of boxes that came in: 98... only two shy from my 100 goal... not bad for the first year.... hint,hint!

Tillamook on location Photographer

I love it when clients call because they heard that I will come to them. I am getting more and more on location clients- which is great for me since these are by far my favorite type of photo shoots. This summer alone I have photographed at several Dairy Farms, backyards, parks and beaches.
The clients that call for on location work hire me to capture who they really are. They are not interested in backdrops, studio props or set up shots (although we do some posed shots). They want natural portraiture that capture them for who they really are.... no fake smiles here!
I can't say it enough I LOVE what I do. Here are some of the most recent on location shots. Fun stuff!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU for all of you that came out in support of Operation Christmas Child. What a fun night it was! The kids seemed to enjoy the movie, the activities and getting all sugared up! I enjoyed watching the boxes stack up around the Christmas Tree. Together we collected 90 boxes!!! That is 90 LIVES that will be touched by your generocity- not to mention the lesson you taught your children. It is better to give than to receive---In the words of my nine year old son "It's going to be a great Christmas!"

My morning runs

I LOVE running. I have since I started Middle school cross country. I have never been fast- I got nowhere in Cross Country or Track as a matter of fact but to me that is beside the point. Back then I enjoyed keeping my pace to music- in the good old days I carried an old walkman during my weekend runs in the apple orchards right behind my house.
I find that running helps me clear my mind. I still like to run and have become even more commited to it now. Gone is the old walkman so now I load my MP3 with all sorts of loud upbeat music as I find that helps me keep a good pace.
Today I think I beat my record pace-- It was not due to the new downloads rather this guy I found on the side of the road.... yikes!! I turned around and came home to fetch the camera. I'm thinking I need a new route from now on. :)