Life Thru My Lens

~ Brady ~

2011-12-06T07:51:00.000-06:00

I'm a little tempted to include an old photo I took of Brady during their family session about 3 or 4 years ago. But it would definitely not be embarrassing...Although he may look a little older, he's still as handsome as ever, a great athlete, a hard worker, and I know has a great future ahead of him!

NYC Times Square

2011-11-29T11:56:00.000-06:00

I hear that it was 70 degrees in NY yesterday... here in the midwest, kids all over were getting their tongues stuck to metal poles.
So, in honor of wishing I was visiting NY this week, I thought I'd post another shot from our recent trip there last June. Or was it July? I don't know, it seems like it was a long, long time ago!

How much can happen in one photo? I love this shot, really one of my favorites EVER.

Off to do more editing of all the beautiful people I've photographed recently...

Ellie

2011-10-21T17:17:00.000-05:00

I. Love. This. Girl.
She was my daughter's first friend when we moved out to Rogersville... she accepted the new girl immediately, and they have remained friends all through Middle School and High School. She is faithful. True. and wonderfully grounded in all the right things. I count it a huge joy to photograph Ellie as a beautiful High School Senior. She has so much to look forward to...
Enjoy!

Wedding Joys

2011-10-15T21:59:00.000-05:00

I think I'm just gonna have to make a list, that would express a little about this wedding...

Beautiful bride,
Handsome Groom,
Incredible location,
Great friends,
Once my flower girl in teal taffeta, now wearing her own white dress...
Fun,
Food,
Memories,
Promises...
and even rainy days can sometimes leave you with a full, glorious rainbow.

(Let me be completely clear, I love weddings!)

Back in Time at Betsy's

2011-08-19T23:50:00.000-05:00

Last week we had an amazing, and I mean amazing photo shoot at my friend Betsy's house. Now, if you know Betsy, you are already jealous, aren't you? Seriously, I arrive, ready to jump right in and not waste any time with chit chat, and she has fresh coffee, & banana bread baking in her beautiful kitchen... That was tough enough. But at the end of our session, I find her island spread with goodies for lunch! Wraps, chicken, watermelon, and fresh homemade salsa by the master chef, Mike (husband)! To top it all off, she wouldn't let me leave until I had a homemade brownie sundae. Yes, I shall schedule all future sessions at her house. Having people over, and feeding them lots of yummy, homemade goodness... now that speaks my language.
But I haven't even mentioned her house, yet, have I? Oh, it's just the coolest place you could imagine. Built by hand, in authentic 1800's period style, it just feels completely right. It seems the only appropriate place to hold a senior photo session for a couple of girls whose FAV movie is Pride and Prejudice.
So as a very small token of my gratefulness, I snapped a shot or two of these little cuties, running around and showing only slight curiosity in what I was doing. After all, their cousins were there. And that was much more interesting.
I love the chip in her left hand and the braid in the other. And the little boy, well, he was actually STUCK in that chair. At least it kept him still for a minute...

So, THANK YOU, BETSY!!! Thank you for your hospitality, as always. Thanks for the chips and salsa you sent with me. (My friends were so impressed) Thanks for the brownie and the watermelon... And thank you for letting me invade your home for awhile, just to get those perfect shots I was looking for. I have known you a very long time, now, and you are truly amazing at everything you put your mind to do. I can't wait to show you the pictures of the girls!

NYC FAVS

2011-08-05T18:06:00.000-05:00

Because I have way too many other things to work on in the photography realm, I'm only gonna show you my FAVS from our recent trip to New York City - one at a time. I like to drag on a good story, ya know!? Eventually, I may get through my whole folder of pictures, or not...

Regardless, here's one that tops my list. (Yes, I know it's blurry :))

13 sigh

2011-07-22T15:55:00.000-05:00

It. Is. Not. Possible.

My baby is thirteen... ?!

She had a fun little get together with a few Besties from school... complete with photo session, of course. When you're 13, it's pretty cool that your mom is a "real" photographer. It's when they're older, not so much. :)

BOOK-IT in JULY!

2011-07-21T15:35:00.000-05:00

If you keep forgetting to make your appointment, NOW is the time to do it and take advantage of this great offer. Expires July 31st!

As a celebration of my 2 years in business, I am offering fantastic discount specials! This week is simply called...

"BOOK-IT in JULY!"

For every new session that is booked and on my calendar by July 31st, I will offer 25% OFF the photo package of your choice! This is good for weddings, print packages, Senior packages and family packages, individual prints, Christmas sessions, etc!!
(Spiral bound proof books are excluded)

If you have already had a session with me, place your print order by Midnight, July 31st and receive this great discount! There are already print packages that start as low as $65!

Contact me straight through my website, Facebook, or Twitter, email, or call - hurry, because this offer will end July 31st! Feel free to spread the word - you may just get a special gift for a referral... :)

Cousins!

2011-07-08T17:11:00.000-05:00

Oh, how I love my job!!! I get to go searching for the prettiest places around and take pictures of beautiful people!! Shout out to Tina on getting us into this amazing little haven right here in Rog. As a matter of fact, I have literally run right past the entrance and never noticed it was there! Hopefully we were good visitors and they'll let me come back...And aren't these faces great?!! We had a lot of fun and I think even the guys thought the session was tolerable. :)

ENJOY!!!

Milo!

2011-07-06T10:51:00.000-05:00

peace.

blessing.

joy.

{I look forward to watching this little guy grow up! And although he came a bit early, Mom & Dad say he is doing great! Sorry, but he has no choice but to be as handsome and wonderful as his parents!}

NCL Freestyle Cruising - GOOD for Photographers

2011-07-01T18:11:00.001-05:00

Before going on this cruise I read a post that claimed it was hard to take interesting and pro grade images while on a cruise. "Cruising: Good or Bad for Photographers" via DPS. It was a good article and made me wonder a bit if it was worth even bringing along my camera. I read, and read, and read the many posts of others who said it was too hard because you're locked into the schedule, not in port for those sunset/sunrise images, and so forth. But there were some people who said to just get creative! With those people, I wholeheartedly agree, and took on the challenge. I was there with my family, not on a photo tour, so these images below are my way of seeing the art and beauty in all that was around me. Shots of my family, though, were at the top of the awesome shot list, but I'd like to keep those to myself at this time... maybe later, when I have approval from them!

Cuteness Quota

2011-06-16T23:31:00.000-05:00

Photo sessions at farms can sometimes involve the resident animals. I'm thinking it's good this little sweet thang happened to show up towards the end of our session, or all us kitten lovers... including Gage, would've been toast.

By the way, I'm pretty sure this little sweet thang is needing a good home, along with the other brother and sister kittens... Let me know if you're interested!

A "Fox Trio" Visit

2011-05-20T23:52:00.000-05:00

Timing is everything. And boy, did I need my Mom & Sis with me on this particular weekend! Sandy also brought along her youngest, Bekah, and we all had a really wonderful time together. Late night talks, the SHEM Conference, lots of good food, a trip to silver Dollar City, Mother's Day, worshiping together at church, and Lulu even taught Bekah to swim!!

THANK YOU so much for making this the most meaningful Mother's Day I have ever had. God knew I'd need the support only you can give. He does nothing without purpose. As I grieve the loss of a dear friend, I am daily reminded to love on those that I do have here, even if we are hundreds or even thousands of miles apart. Sandy, I want to publicly say how proud I am to be your little sister. You are beautiful, smart, and so wise. I will always look up to you... And Mom, well, you are a portrait of beauty, strength, wisdom, and honor. You make good decisions, and you are very, very strong. I kinda credit our Great God for that! Although there was very little vocal rehearsal this visit, I am truly blessed to be in this "Fox Trio."

LR Swimming Slideshow for 2010-2011

2011-05-19T13:11:00.000-05:00

This is the slide show that didn't exactly happen last night at the banquet! I compiled the photos from different people and worked more than a few hours getting it together. However, due to file incompatibility, it wasn't meant to be. I was bummed for the moment, but I still want to share these images - especially for all you SWIMMERS, COACHES, and all around SUPPORTERS of the new swim program in Rog.
The video is around 5 minutes and length, so grab a coke and have a smile...

ENJOY!

Sawyer and a really long hat

2011-04-28T23:21:00.001-05:00

Babies. I love em. Last week I got to visit this little guy named Sawyer at his home. And what a cutie he is! Sorry, maybe that wasn't a manly enough statement for all those guys in his family... but he really is adorable! That hair! Seriously, people pay good money for long, thick hair, so this little guy's got it goin on.
And then there's that hat... it was custom made for my sessions by Debbie Kuhn... soon to be on Etsy.com! Well, at least that's what I think she should do. If you would like one of her darling hats custom made for you or a friend, let me know and I can give you her number! :)

About how I got these pictures...
Most of these images are done by a window with that warm sunshine lighting Sawyer's face up. I just think it's amazing to play with the shadows, the light hitting only half the face. It adds so much more interest, I think. Yes, I tote along a nice flash setup, but I never seem to use it that much. It's kinda scary for a newborn!

Enjoy!

Teri

The Wade's!

2011-04-02T20:57:00.000-05:00

How fun this was! I got to take pictures of not only a beautiful, sleepy little girl... but also her 4 older siblings, too! What I liked best was trying to capture everyone just being normal, not overly posed, not totally planned. I know Missy was worried about getting them to all look at me at just the right time, but one of my FAV shots is the one on the couch - Kids looking every direction, one slithering away... it's just real. it's just who they are, and I love it.

By the way, I'm running a SPECIAL where YOU can help Missy and Ryan earn FREE prints!
Just leave a comment - that's it. Say you've been here, TWEET about my page... "Like" the video that's posted on Facebook... Spread the word. I count it all up and the more comments, the more stuff they get!!

Yes, I'm shamelessly trying to get out the word - I love what I do, I'm good at it, and I want to do more! Just Facebook or email me and we can set up a time for your session, too! Don't wait too long - they really do change so fast!

Selling your home?

2011-03-08T12:41:00.001-06:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I kinda know a little about this time of year. I am a liscensed Real Estate Salesperson in the state of Missouri, and I know that great images sell homes fast. The housing market is about to go into it's peak season of the year, and what better way to market your home beautifully than to hit those ads with amazing images.
But whatever you do, if you simply must take the pictures yourself - PLEASE CLOSE THE TOILET LID. :)
I can go to your listing anywhere in the Springfield and surrounding areas and take photos of the home, highlighting its strengths, yet showing it accurately. Please contact me (email is best) for prices and options.

All my secrets, REVEALED. Not really.

2011-03-01T12:49:00.000-06:00

WINTER SESSION PHOTO TIPS

Winter photo sessions can be fun! However, here in the Ozarks, the colors in Jan, Feb, and March can be quite drab. Beautiful, snowy days are a bit rare (unfortunately), so what we usually have is cold, wind, and sometimes... dare I say it... ICE.
But I have found, that sometimes those gorgeous Fall colors, or even the Spring gardens can actually take away from your main subject. I have taken family portraits, seen them above a mantel, and heard people say, "what a beautiful place!" Thank you, but that's not what I was going for...

So you want to take a great picture, but it is the dead of winter. What, really, can we do with all those drab colors? In the spirit of simplicity, here are a few bullet points on how to take amazing winter pictures!

A) Window light is KING. Turn off your in-camera flash!! There is nothing better than natural light. It's absolutely wonderful, and by far the most flattering on people's skin tones.

B) CLOUDS are your FRIENDS. Pray for warm days with mostly cloudy skies. Don't think that because it's overcast, forget going outside! Clouds are like a huge studio soft box that filters light evenly and makes for amazing details!

C) BLACK and WHITE covers a multitude of sins... most people think this is a no brainer, but I'm finding that there is a little more to it, to get it just right. Look for good contrast in brights and darks. Use a simple editing program (FREE ones are even pretty good), and take out the color. Don't just hit "change to black and white," though. Try desaturating the color, throw in a little warmth, brighten it up, and increase the contrast. There. Done. You can have that edgy, studio look almost instantly.

D) TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE! Look for rocks, wood, rust, knubby fabrics, anything that can offer a bit of texture where otherwise there is little color. This is especially important if you want to use the black and white approach.

Don't wait around for the Spring blooms, thaw yourself out and try something new. Play with your camera and experiment with its settings. You may just find out that you love the results, and (oh no, what have I done?!?) you may not need to hire me to do this for you.

Of course, if you need me... my contact information is all over this website!

It's all about the SHOES

2011-02-25T15:18:00.000-06:00

Lately, I've been noticing shoes. This could be due to the coming change of seasons, when I start to think through what horrid capri's and dress barn casuals are in my closet (not that there's anything wrong with dress barn!). But I'm gonna be real honest with you, I'm tired of flats. I've worn flats all my life, only breaking out of the rut about once every 5 years to throw on a pair of toe crunching, arch ripping heels. It's just that if I do, I would be a towering 6'1" or even 6'2" wearing a pair of Christian Louboutin's with the signature red sole.
*sigh*
For those of you who wish they were tall... it really is kinda nice. I can reach for the peanut butter on the top shelf and inadvertently find a stash of someone's chocolate. So, it does have it's benefits.
But, shoes. Oh, those shoes... I've decided to go try on a few new pair tonight. I'll let you know if you should find another hiding spot for your chocolate.

(By the way, these shoes are not my shoes... They were kicked off by a sweet young Mom during her photo session...They just got me to thinking.:))

Winter in the Water

2011-02-23T13:24:00.001-06:00

With all this cold around here, the last thing most people think about is having a little fun in the pool. Well, these girls have spent most of their winter with their face in the water. Pushing each other in when it's just too cold, countless miles of lap after lap, mile after mile of driving to the pool, trading swim meets for time hanging out with their friends, pasta parties, etc... It's all just a glimpse of this brand new Logan-Rogersville Swim program. And it's quite a story. Just one year ago, we didn't even know if there would be an organized team. Last weekend, they took to the starting blocks at the STATE High School Swim meet in St.Peter's, MO! TWO of our swimmer's qualified in individual events, and the relay team qualified in 2 relay's! Not bad for the first year of even having a team. I could go on and on - I am a proud parent, ya know. (My girl was on the relay team) However, I cannot close without a huge, gigantic SHOUT OUT to all of our supporters. This community came together and raised over $30,000 in 5 short months to make this happen!!! With all the budget cuts, there was no way for our school system to fund a new swim team. Hopefully, in the future, the success of the teams will encourage school funding for swimming to be permanent, and this opportunity can be there for all the little girls and boys just now learning to put their face in the water.

NOW ABOUT THESE PICS:

I had to beg, plead, and offer my right arm to go through approval of getting a media pass for MSHSAA winter sports. This allowed me to be right down with the action, on deck to capture all the Springfield and area swim teams. Me being a parent was an automatic kickout. However, I took all these images for a publication called OZARK PREPS ILLUSTRATED. That made it legit for me to be down there, and after the "you are MEDIA not a PARENT" speech from the coordinator, I got my pink tag! YEAH! Sports photography is always such a rush for me! And no, I did not jump up and down when my own daughter dove in the pool. The KC Star, and St. Louis Post Dispatch personnel would've looked at me funny.

THE LENS. WOW> THAT LENS WAS AWESOME. I used a Canon EF L 70-200 f/2.8 zoom lens which weighed more than my car. I think it's totally worth it!

TWINS!

2011-02-11T09:07:00.000-06:00

Awww, the yumminess of a little baby - only DOUBLED! This session went very well, with the lttle girl, Hattie, sound asleep and little Walter wide awake the entire time. Hey, I was just thrilled he was happy! Full tummies just do that.

Thanks to my helpers... Ally, big brother, grandma, Aunt Shannon... Everyone just jumped in and did a little something to make this happen! THANKS GUYS!

Winter Hike

2011-02-09T15:57:00.000-06:00

I have so many, many pics of this snow - and frankly, I think we are all a little tired of them. But it won't be long till the big MELT and it will all be MUD. I say, let's enjoy it while it's so pretty and worry about our nasty cars later.
So last Saturday, I woke up and immediately headed outside with my incredible husband! I love that we both love to do things like this together. We headed out the back door, checked on the horses watering source, and went to our neighbor's house. Armed with the highest snowboots, 2 cameras, extra lenses for fun, a dry towel, and chapstick - we headed off! And let me tell you, it was a work out!!
Enjoy these shots, I know I sure enjoyed the process of going to find them!

At the Piano

2011-02-01T00:43:00.000-06:00

This was what I was born to do. Music, play it, sing it, write it, share it...

If you know me, you know there's always that tune in my head, kinda annoying, really. And a bit distracting, especially if I'm trying to do normal things, like give directions to my house or tell a joke.

So I made a goal to enter a photo contest once a month. This month's challenge was "self portrait." I think every contest out there begins January with a self portrait theme. But honestly, I kinda struggled with this. For one, the time got away from me. No problem, I'm good at procrastinating, and can pressure it right in tonight. Before the snowmageddon11 hits. Before I lose power out here in the sticks. But also, I just seemed to do all these overly posed sets. Yuk. No one really likes a shot of themselves, but especially not one that's slightly blurry and dorky. So, here is my feeble attempt at being creative... while I create. Music, that is. I combined the first thing I ever really loved to do, with my second favorite thing to do (don't worry - FAMILY is still my first love and highest priority!). Hopefully, it's a good rendering. Cause now there's a new song stuck in my head.

Funny Christmas

2011-01-22T00:48:00.000-06:00

All these years, I've been the one to set the tripod, hit the shutter delay and run get into position. Actually, I think Joe has secretly also wanted this task, but I have overcome. And as always, it takes a few tries to get it "right." This year, well, this shot is my absolute FAV...
(This is our annual "Birthday Party for Jesus" - I think HE was enjoying it, too!)

Time to Share

2011-01-18T12:12:00.004-06:00

I love, love, love to take photos.

of everything.

Especially my kids.

But there are sooo many random pics I've hidden from you, my readership, my followers who I know are there but choose to remain comment-free, hidden. That's ok, really. I'm not in big need of affirmation.

I'm currently in the catch up phase with all the Fall 2010 orders for Senior photobooks, so I thought I'd keep you entertained with a few posts of pics taken, but left unseen by anyone but me and MAC.

So check back here for some more image uploads...

baby eyelashes

my dog(s)

a pier

sunsets
great accomplishments

ice crystals on a branch in the dead of winter...

So it's time to share-
a few faces

some familiar

some not.

Enjoy.

Goals are Good

2011-01-07T11:18:00.005-06:00

Yes, I make New Year's resolutions. But, this year I'm calling them goals. My flute professor from MSU, the amazing Dr. Prather, firmly believed in goal setting for life. She sat us down during one rehearsal one day and taught us this planning method. We had to write down our goals for the current week, semester, year, 5 years, and 10 years. I'm sorry to say that I have not always done this. I don't think I got much past my goal of "get an A in conducting." Which I did, by the way.

As of late, I have been recalling her words and finally putting pen to actual paper. NO. I will NOT post them here... I'm not an idiot. Several years ago, I announced that I was starting training for a marathon and got severely laughed at! Truth is, that person knew me to a "T." I always have big ideas, and even great ones, at that. It's the follow through that I have trouble with. There is ONE goal that I will share with you here, well, 2 actually... I will BLOG ONCE A WEEK for 2011.

Alert the media, I know. And I'm not one of those "photo a day" people. Really, I just can't commit to such a lofty endeavor. Not yet, that is. The other goal: I will ENTER a PHOTO CONTEST ONCE A MONTH, complete with specific assignments. This months theme is "Self Portrait." Aw geez. I guess it's time to get creative with that.

So thank you, Dr. Prather, for your inspiration many years ago (obviously!) I definitely learned more than Handel's Sonatas from you.

Viebrock!

2010-11-30T23:13:00.003-06:00

Here's a little sneak preview of a family session with some old/new friends! That makes the second highschool friend reconnection for me this year... and they are my neighbors! I had to drive to Bartlesville for the first reconnection! And by the way, OLD FRIENDSHIPS made my gratefulness list this year. There's nothing like laughing about ridiculous stuff you did when you were 13.
Back to the photos - due to the really chili morning, we pushed back this session until about 10am. That's a little late for getting that nice glowy soft morning light, so we headed for the trees. It is so hard to find a spot where it's solid shade, but I think we did pretty well, regardless. They were such troopers and even hiked across the field to get to the other side of the pond. Let me just say, it was well worth the weeds in your shoes.:)
This is such a great family, and I can't wait to get to know them even better. Thanks for letting me take your family pics this year!!

Dipper Family Picture Time!

2010-11-09T20:25:00.005-06:00

I just love this family! The cutest kids, the most incredible parents! The more I get to know them, the more I enjoy and admire them. Here are a couple of my favorite shots of the whole family-

Hopefully, I'm gonna try to post some shots of the kids next!

Enjoy!!

Willow

2010-11-08T20:33:00.003-06:00

Ok, I know I've said this before, but I think I've found my new favorite thing! NEWBORN baby sessions! Let me just gush for awhile... this little jewel is Willow. A beautiful name for a beautiful little girl! She was exactly 2 weeks old when I shot these images, good and sleepy, a full tummy, all nice and warm. Willow, that is. Not me. There was the issue of that delicate little broken collar bone, and staying wide awake for awhile, but you would never know it by looking at these images. Congratulations to James and Tiffany! You are immensely blessed.

As for the technicalities of the session - read on...

I shot this session with my 50mm lens, 1.4 wide open in the natural light of her own baby room. I lugged in an enormous bean bag, soft black fleece, a reflector, and the sheepskin rug. Seriously, though, the bean bag hardly fits in my little red car! The one thing I love about the newborn session, is that you have to plan, and wait, and be patient, and know how to handle a little one with confidence and care. Also, I took very few frames compared to a family session. I wait, pose, adjust, pat her bottom a little to calm her, and finally snap the picture. MMmmmm. My kind of fun.

Trevor!

2010-10-24T21:56:00.003-05:00

"Livin the John Deere Dream..."
That's what his mom said when we shot this image! :)

And by the way, I have the world's BEST neighbor's! Not only do I get to use their pretty fields, pond, and barn for this photo shoot, but when I casually mentioned wanting a shot by the John Deere, he simply smiled and asked, "well, where would you like it?" He hopped on that tractor, drove it out to the middle of one of his fields, parked it, and watched with pride as I finished out this senior photo session.
Seeing this tractor and remembering his eagerness to help leads me to something totally non-photo related. You see, this is the same tractor - actually, it's beloved owner, Ray - that recently helped Greg out by lifting a massive cow to her feet after a tough delivery. (The cow gave us a fine little bull, but she never recovered) Our neighbor, Ray, has helped us with fences, mowing, emergency plumbing issues, and even picked up my daughter from school one time when I just couldn't get there! He has hiked with us, fished with my son, and his wife, Jo, makes the worlds BEST cherry pie. The world needs more people like our neighbors. We are privileged to live down the lane...

So, the tractor, an old truck, and the barn just made this photo session. The style was so fitting for Trevor and made him feel totally at ease! For time sake I'll just show ya one of my favorite shots...

It's been hard to blog lately. The leaves are starting to fall to the ground now, and these beautiful colors are sadly leaving us. But, it's made for some wonderful photos and I can't wait to share a few more of them here.
More to come!! Keep checking back!

Best Post EVER

2010-10-08T08:15:00.002-05:00

I can't tell you when the last time I had a session with my own kids! I always think that because I don't have to make an appointment with myself, then I can just do it anytime. Wrong. I finally had to "make an appointment" with myself and stick to it. That's not easy with kids' schedules these days!
AND... my own family was harder to do than any client I've had so far! They didn't exactly take it so seriously in the getting ready part, in the urgency to work with the light, in the don't make stupid faces at the photographer - Oh! That is soooo going to be my next post!!
Well, I do love these shots - I love the light, the color, the casual, the glimmer, the wind...I love everything about em! My kids. My JOY.

Change is Good

2010-10-07T07:49:00.007-05:00

It's Fall and the leaves are about to change, and so are a few other things...

It's time to go BIG. Big, meaning the best of quality, service, and unique products to offer. If you have pictures online in my Proofing Gallery, you have UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH to view and order straight from that gallery. This is a great service that I have provided, and I have been happy with that gallery host, but in order to streamline the ordering process and my desire to offer the best product on the market, I have decided to switch to a different gallery host. I can now offer package deals, gallery wraps, proof books, albums, and "press books," all with countless options.

This basically means that anything I do that's new will be accessed through a different link. I will not put that link on my website until NOV 1st. If you are needing to view brand new pics, I will email the link to you. OR Facebook, or whatever...

IF you have images through my "old" gallery, they will be available until Oct. 31st. If your event or photo session was within the last 3 months, I will should be able to move those images to my new gallery for a time period.

Here is the link to my new online proofing gallery:

www.SeeMyPrints.com

My personal thoughts about this - the new gallery is not as "flashy," just to warn you. I cannot attach music to it at this time. Bummer, I know. I also cannot make the images look better with neat backgrounds for each page. You think that means nothing, I know. But it does affect the presentation. I have been weighing what to do for some time, and have decided that if I have to sacrifice the flashy site for a better product that gets in your hands and hangs on your walls, then I'm doing it. There.

Growth means change sometimes. This is a hard step for me to take because I really liked all those bells and whistles. I just know it'll be worth it, though! And by the way, THERE WILL BE NO PRICE INCREASE UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2011. I don't think I have to raise the print prices much at all, but consider yourself warned! :) Just know that I am committed to creating the best possible images and the best possible price, and I will work until you are satisfied. That part won't be changing - it's just who I am.

Keep watching this blog for sneak previews of my photo sessions!

Innocent Bystander

2010-10-05T09:55:00.004-05:00

Ok, I literally took 5 images of this guy, and here is what came out! We were in the middle of a photo session of my own kids, and there just happened to be a couple of friends heckling from the sidelines. My own 3 kids (pics to come) got sick of it, as usual, but I was crazy about this beautiful light and the sky and the water that I just wasn't done snapping. I told him to pose as if he was in a JC Penney catalog - and he did! Ha. THANKS TANNER!

Mercy!

2010-10-03T23:44:00.005-05:00

Have you ever been to Bartlesville, Oklahoma? Well, now I can say that I have. And although it's stuck out there in Oklahoma, and most people whiz on past it on I44 like I always have... I discovered that this is a really cool place! It has an incredible downtown area, perfectly poised for a nice urban revitalization, yummy eating places (I judge a place based on good eats... that's just great), an amazing baseball stadium, very cool lofts, and from what I'm told, approx. 6,000 people come out for Friday night football games!!! Hey, a movie is currently being made there (which could possibly be a secret so I better not say who is in it), and one of only 2 Frank Lloyd Wright skyscrapers is built there. Like I said, it's very cool.
But far better was the fact that I got to reunite with an old friend to do her son's Senior pictures! Although time (alot of it) has passed, and we have lived in completely separate towns, I am amazed at how much we still have in common. Juli - how great it was to just catch up with you! What a wonderful family, what an even better story... Thank you so much for letting me take your sons pictures - I hope you love these images of your incredible guy!

Matt!

2010-09-22T11:05:00.005-05:00

If you know me at all, you know that music is my first and foremost passion, probably not even taking a second to photography. I've noticed, though, that a lot of photographers are also musicians! I could name off several immediately as I write this...
So when this handsome senior pulled out his guitar, I perked up and jumped on the chance to grab some images that highlight one of his favorite things. He handled that instrument much like I handle my cameras (or my flute), not just with caution, but with a genuine knowledge of its valuable place in his life. Not trying to sound all philosophical and deep, but us musicians, we know what I mean.
I so enjoyed taking these senior pics! It was a beautiful evening, and we went to an incredible location. (Thanks Suzanne!) There are so many, many neat places here around Rogersville. The more I peek around corners and drive down these country roads, the more cool places I find.
And Matt, thanks for letting me take your pictures! I hope you love them!

Just Another Day at the Office

2010-09-18T00:33:00.002-05:00

Oh, the mundane, everyday, stuff of life. It's all just work, work, work. So here I go again, another photo shoot...

It's a tough job, being a photographer. Especially when it entails running down to the lake on the day after Labor Day when everyone else is back to laboring and all. I believe it was 4MPH winds that day, about 82 degrees, and perfectly overcast (that's actually a very good thing for photo shoots). This incredible skier is Phyllis, and she also makes a pretty good turkey and mustard sandwich. Her husband, Wade, was the master boat driver, and all I had to do was hang out and take pictures. Hey, I even got to jump in and go for a spin around the cove a bit. I just need to use 2 skiis, and I don't exactly get that pretty wall of water. Yeah, I think I like my job. It may be tough on days like these, but I'll hang in there.

50 YEARS... and counting!

2010-09-05T15:54:00.002-05:00

I sure can't say enough how this couple amazes me! Every time I am with them, I take with me a little something I can apply in my own life, to somehow improve my marriage, or fine tune my parenting. You see, they have raised 3 kids - a girl, a boy, and a girl. We are also raising 3 kids, in that very same order. The boy in the middle thing has turned out pretty good for them, so I am hopeful. But the kicker is this, they have raised some pretty godly kids, and the grandkids are now following in this legacy. So if you think I'm being all serious in this blog post, you might just pick up on how honored I feel to have taken their pictures for their 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! I am thrilled to consider Jim and Nancy, along with their family, lifelong friends.
Favorite recent Nancy quote:
"I am not married to my best friend, I am married to my husband. There is a difference."

I also had the joy of taking their daughter's family pics at the park this past week - Amy, you'll get to see them before the rest of the world, I promise. :)

Tiny Dancer

2010-09-01T22:38:00.002-05:00

Where there's an empty dance floor, there has to be one brave soul who will try to get things started. The music was so pretty, she just couldn't resist. The hands folded across her chest pose... she was actually dancing in her chair with beautiful arm twirls and hand rolls. Oh, to be 2 and completely uninhibited.

ERIC M.!

2010-08-10T23:23:00.002-05:00

As promised, here is a sneak peek from a Senior Session I did while in Oklahoma this past weekend... Eric is my cousin Jana's handsome son. (Sorry if that embarrasses you, Eric, but we moms must gush a bit) As all us midwesterners are aware of, the heat is blistering hot, especially in OK City! I know we hit over 100 that day, so we were really sweating it out. That's nothing for this guy, though, doing 2 a days in football practice makes him tough. Our little session in the evening cool of the day made me melt. It was so much fun, though, in spite of the heat, & I think we got some pretty cool shots. :) Jana - your kids are both amazing, and I am honored to take Eric's Senior Pics for you! THANK YOU and I hope you love these as well as the many others to come... (I saved my favorite just for you!)

Watercolor Twirl

2010-05-11T12:01:00.006-05:00

I walk through old hallways, through creaky doorways of the centuries old church, I listen to the ceremonial toasting of the bride and groom, the joy absolute on peoples faces. Trying to be inconspicuous, with multiple cameras dangling around my neck, I find that incredibly hard to accomplish. In one of those surreal moments, though, I hear the sound of children laughing, playing, and girlish giggles. Creeping in the room as quietly as possible, I crouch low, adjust my camera settings, and do my best to capture one of my all time favorite moments. Sometimes the memory of it all is better than what a lens and camera can do. They are simply tools in the hands of an artist. My eyes, my heart, will remember the beauty of this moment better. Hopefully this rendition, void of actual color or clarity, will simply jog my memory in the future, and bring me back to the darkened room filled with little girls dancing in the shadows, much more interested in the size of the twirl in their dresses than the wedding reception going on nearby.

{By the way, this is my sweet niece, Grace, taken at her brother's wedding in London.}

Shannon

2010-05-02T22:36:00.006-05:00

Can you say windy?! I think the gusts were like 40mph on this nice sunny evening. Now a little breeze is kinda nice, it adds movement and emotion to a shot. But gusty, knock you off the ledge kind of wind is not so desirable in a photo shoot. We worked with it pretty well, though. Fortunately, we had chosen to be in downtown Springfield, where there are lots of alleys and buildings to hide between. Shannon did great and was so flexible with my ideas. The light was yummy,too. So all in all, she made my job easy and now I have the impossible job of narrowing it down to only about 40 images to showcase. You, my faithful, curious blogger friends, get to see my first 3 barely edited images from this session.

Shannon- you are beautiful, inside and out! I had a great time and I hope these images convey a glimpse of who you are. Thanks for letting me be the one to take your senior pictures - and Congratulations!!!

Guess Where I've Been...

2010-04-28T12:38:00.002-05:00

It's CANCUN, MEXICO! The Northern side of Isla Mujeres, to be exact!

I thought about making this a contest, but since most of you have probably seen it on Facebook, via Helter Shelter or one of our kids, I think it wouldn't be a grand idea.

I have some great new images, but I was on vacation, so there were many days when my camera never made it out of the bag!
I may post another one, if I feel like it. Then again, I might not. :)

It's good to be busy...

2010-03-27T10:22:00.003-05:00

Editing, editing, editing. That's what I've been up to every spare moment. Last night those "spare moments" didn't happen until 11pm through 2am. Last week was my busiest week so far in photography, and now I get to sift through the hundreds of images I shot for multiple people. It's good to be busy! I love it! I can't tell you how rewarding it is to create those "WOW" images, and when you get it right - that sigh is amazing.

So, in hopes of getting it right... Here's a few I shot last week.
More to come!

Twins! B & Jaz

2010-03-15T14:18:00.002-05:00

I am learning that with babies, especially when there's more than one... you must work fast.I couldn't wait for this one, though. I was all set up last night, so when they arrived promptly at 9 we were ready to hit it. Everything went really well, and in spite of that middle pic ( I just couldn't resist posting it!), the babies were in a very pleasant mood. I had the set all warmed up with space heaters, all kinds of fluffy blankets, and a cute little rocker. However, the ones that turned out the best are the headshots where the babies just bounced on Mama's knee and followed the rattle with their eyes! So much fun. I hope you love these pics, these precious girls are so fortunate to be in your care and I do hope it's gonna be forever. Foster babies are truly special.
By the way, a big thanks to Sarah and Linda for driving all the way out to do this session! I don't see how you do it, girl.

epiphanie

2010-03-11T22:27:00.005-06:00

I have a really cool camera bag, but this one is even cooler because I am a girl. We like purses, and shoes, and accessories and stuff. So, here I am wanting yet another camera bag, for those days when strapping on a sleek, strap ridden backpack to tote my gear around just isn't goin to cut it. The bag above is an EPIPHANIE camera bag... I want one, so I will shamelessly post this to my blog to earn the right to enter a contest with high hopes of actually winning one, FREE. I'd like a camera, too, by the way. A Canon 5D Mark II... I can't tell you how I think this would catapult my photography into the business of my dreams. I mean the camera, not the bag, although an Epiphanie in red is a pretty good place to start...

Good Friends

2010-03-08T14:44:00.002-06:00

Here's just a few shots of some great tweens! They were so excited to get dressed up and head outside on the first 50 degree day in months! And even though this wasn't an "official session," (I just took a few shots of each) I think they all look BEAUTIFUL!!

A Bit 'O Business

2010-02-26T17:17:00.004-06:00

What? A backdrop?! Artificial lighting?? Well, it seems I am now also doing corporate business portraits. Why? Because everyone just loves to get this done? Let's be honest, it's a CHORE for most people. I know this first hand because my husband, who is a wonderful business man, has not had his picture retaken for the company since 1993, give or take a few years, and a few pounds, and a few pair of glasses.
This is actually quite fun for me. I like the set up and I'm offering a great deal with an extra opportunity to get a FREE PHOTO SESSION.

So, here it is:

**For only $60, I'll come to your office and take corporate business pictures of up to 5 people. $80 for 10 people, $100 for more than 10 people.

**Each person will receive a disc with 3 images to choose from. Images will be completely edited, with choice of background colors.

**Every person who participates will get their name in a drawing for a FREE photo session! Drawing to be held on March 31 - my husbands birthday.

**Every person who participates will receive 30% off any prints if they schedule a regular portrait session that day(Family, couple, kids, senior, etc...).

Now that is a FANTASTIC offer. It's easy for your office, because I COME TO YOU and you can get several people photographed at one time. So quit procrastinating and set up your appointment today (Greg...)!

This offer is good until April 1st. It's a perfect time of year to get a fresh new look for your business cards or brochures. Just contact me and we'll set up a time...

Michelle

2010-02-22T14:03:00.003-06:00

Isn't that the most gorgeous hair you've ever seen!??? Get this, it's real. No fake color... real. I've been thinking as I've looked through her images today, I'm so glad we didn't wait until Spring to take these. By that time, the colors of the season would be here, and I actually think it would compete with the vibrancy in her own unique coloring. Even though we were thinking we could get this in before the snow melted away, we were instead faced with 50 degree warmth and a nice overcast day (great for photos)! Michelle is a special young lady, and I'm so glad I got to take her photos!

CS4 vs iPhoto

2010-02-11T11:11:00.007-06:00

I am learning, learning, learning. After much frustration, I have finally figured out that there are certain photo editing tweeks that I have performed in iPhoto, that look great while editing within iPhoto. But the moment you click "Done" those edits are lost. They don't get transferred to a printed image at all. Basically, iPhoto does not do what it is supposed to do. So, with that, I migrate over to Photoshop CS4 where I belong anyway. There I can reduce all that grainy noise, remove spots, and add a person into a shot because they inadvertantly wandered away during the photoshoot. (How does that happen?)
So here is a before and after image... can you tell the difference? One was done with the iPhoto (free with the purchase of my Mac) and the other was edited with Photoshop CS4 (NOT Free at all)!

{{This is fun, I may have to make a contest out of this...}}

Winter Walk

2010-02-05T09:32:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I miss the convenience of living in town... a quick run for milk, a drop by visit of a friend, and generally less snakes and stuff. But not this day. On Wednesday, we all woke up to a blanket of icy fog, and I was fortunate enough to have a stay-at-home morning to do laundry. And like all good photographers, or otherwise procrastinating homemakers, I opted for a walk among the glorious crisp white trees and fields. Days like this make me never want to get in the car... (especially since it's a Toyota).
The picture in the middle was taken with my new 50mm 1.4 Canon lens. See how the ice crystals on the tip of the branch are clearly in focus, while the rest is all blurry? Well, that's on purpose, folks. It's called "Bokeh." While my composition may be a little off, I love playing with that depth of field. It's so precise, that a pic of my dog's face can have her nose in focus, while the eyes get blurry. We want to avoid that, so it takes practice. Practice. Practice... I do love the results, though. I'm also learning about White Balance, and studio flashed set ups. You have to be a constant learner to make it in this business. It's technical. It's Art. It's people. It's JOY to me. And it's why I'd rather venture outside instead of hopping in the car to go to WalMart. **Sigh**, that's where I'm headed now...

London Wedding... Brad and Sarah

2010-02-03T13:14:00.003-06:00

I can't describe in words, probably because I'm a visual person, how incredible this trip was to London! First of all, it was my sister's eldest boy getting married, second, he married SARAH. They are truly smitten with each other, a pure joy to be around, and I am blessed to have been a part of their big day.

Tournament of Champions!

2010-01-16T10:38:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to take a minute a show off one of my favorite shots from last night. That was serious fun for me. Having played basketball and loved it, I just got a jolt of memories... good calls, bad calls, blood and sweat, yelling coaches, intensity of the game, the stall, the confusion of "who has who?"... love it. Being right there on the sideline and under the basket - truly the BEST seat in the house!!

Reynolds School Pics

2010-01-13T21:32:00.004-06:00

My first photo shoot with my new little lens of wonder... the Canon EF 50mm 1.4. It was my Christmas present to me. And don't roll your eyes, you do it, too. Justify that one special thing because you've worked hard for it, you deserve it, plus, there's a little Christmas cash coming - you hope. So this is it for me. A new lens. It's an INVESTMENT, I say.
I bought that lens, and ran immediately over to take these pics. Technically, these are their school pics for the year, thus the simple background and no outdoorsy stuff. Hopefully we can grab some creative shots at a later date. I just love the expressions, though... Enjoy!

Demers!

2010-01-02T08:36:00.004-06:00

I have too many favorites of this shoot, so I'm sharing several of them here...

Laura had asked that I not post until after Christmas gifts and all had been opened, so FINALLY, I get to share these with the world.

Obviously, we all look a bit cozy warm in these outdoor shots, probably because it was November and it was during that beautiful weather phase here in the Ozarks...

Last night I texted the Demers to see what they were up to, and lo and behold, they were watching the exact same movie our family was watching!! Only they were 13 min ahead of us, texting me improtant lines and such. Now that's friendship. It's OK, though, it was Fellowship of the Ring, and I kinda know how it goes ~ since we watch the Trilogy every winter break. I'm not an orc junkie, I hate 'em, but the themes interwoven throughout the Lord of the Rings are wonderful, and I preach to my kids the whole time. I know they love it.
Sorry, I digress.

I can't say enough good things about this family, other than I've enjoyed getting to know them on a deeper level this year, and I was thrilled to get to take their pictures. It was an easy and fast session, again in my back field which I think is perfect. Although, now there are 2 horses in that field and it's not so perfect anymore, if you know what I mean.

Big news!

2009-12-22T09:56:00.006-06:00

Some of you may already know this, if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, but I have wonderful news! In January, I get to travel with my Mom and Daughter to LONDON to see my nephew, Brad, and his beautiful bride, Sarah get married! How thrilled we all are, for this sweet couple to take this huge step! You can check out their neat little wedding website:

Not only do we get to go to London, but I also get to be the photographer for the wedding! And being family and all, I gotta do an awesome job! So to prepare for this, I called up the best in the business: Dawn Shields. You can see her website here:
She GRACIOUSLY let me tag along for one of her recent weddings, where I got to listen, observe, grab these images, talk equipment, and catch up a bit with my friend. I can't say THANKS to her enough for all her help so far! I am learning more with each step I take, and I find that in this business, there are certain people just committed to helping others make it.
So if you find me standing around fumbling with odd looking equipment, I'm just practicing and figuring out how to do yet one more thing.

THESE PICTURES ARE FROM THE WEDDING, COURTESY DAWN SHIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY!

Sidnei

2009-12-18T23:26:00.002-06:00

Wow, it's been forever since my last post here. I need to do one of those year long photo a day goals, but I know me... I'll make it half way through February and get distracted. So, just in case you wondered if I was taking any pictures at all, well, you know me...

Meet Sidnei. Now this is a young lady who I have enjoyed very much. She was a bit shy to start off with, of course, she didn't know me from Adam. But pull out her favorite guitar, or throw on a bold outfit - and let the fun begin. I really can't decide which ones to post!

Earlier that very same day, I spent some time following around a fantastic, wonderful, experienced, highly skilled, knows-what-she's-doing-kinda-gal at a wedding in Springfield. I learned so much and even got to grab a few great images. So, a HUGE THANK YOU to my friend who has already helped me so much. Words don't do it justice, how grateful I am! :-)

I'm all caught up on print orders, photobooks, and Christmas cards - finally. Now I need to take a photo for my 2009 card. Wonder what it'll be...

The Carroll's!

2009-11-19T11:45:00.004-06:00

So Angie wanted to do this "artsy fartsy" look, and that is a DIRECT quote from her. The place: downtown Springfield, my favorite alley. The time: 11-12 NOON. That is not usually the best time of day for a session, but look how it glows! Turned out so cool, don't ya think?
They were gorgeous. I had fun. What more can I ask?

One word: JOY

2009-11-10T08:18:00.001-06:00

I mean it, this sweet family is full of life, fun, spirit, energy, and JOY. Last week, we got to get outside and grab some shots here in Rogersville, in the deep pile of leaves and beautiful sunshine. Some people have asked if it's still a good time to take outdoor portraits, and with a November like this, I think it's obvious! It has been beautiful! Plus, there are no bugs, critters, or snakes... with the exception of one little field mouse which scampered away from us in the field. The kids totally ignored it, which I think is funny. The tree house was waayyy too interesting!

2009-11-07T22:02:00.003-06:00

So, this bottom photo is obviously not from a "session," but I love it - well, I love THEM. We have been blessed here in the Ozarks to have 2 BEAUTIFUL Saturdays in a row, so we better take advantage of it and go outside!
The next day, I took pictures of a barrel race in Marshfield, which was also great fun. I met a lot of wonderful people who are very good at something I am not... horses. I actually own 2 myself. But I do not do what they do... they ride their horses. A LOT. And to train them to work around the barrel course in about 15 seconds? Pretty cool. I'll just stick to snapping the shutter. Which, by the way, this was probably the most challenging shoot so far for me. LOW LIGHT - FAST ACTION - DUST - LOTS of brown dirt... All part of the job, and I did my best. But next time, I may bring that $4,000 lens along with me. Oh yeah, I don't have it yet... :-)

Ohhh, Brother!

2009-11-03T09:58:00.003-06:00

Here are a couple of shots from the Ray family - there were times during this shoot, that I had to put my camera aside and just laugh at these little guys. Hopefully, I didn't miss a single shot, but I did have fun! It was a gorgeous day in Ozark, leaves still on the trees, and we went to a private, but open to the public property - where I kinda got in trouble with the owner for parking (Greg's monster truck) in the wrong place. Got some great family shots, though... oh well, live and learn!!

I Heart Fall

2009-10-28T14:34:00.004-05:00

This is without a doubt THE prettiest time of year to take outdoor portraits! The trees are gorgeous, of course, and the colors so strong. If it just wasn't for all that nasty weather...
So, meet my Rogersville Senior, Megan. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out, and I honestly had a blast shooting these. She is no stranger to being in front of a camera, so, my goal was to give her something fresh, something completely different than what she's done before. I so hope we did it. THANKS for the opportunity!

{oh, do you like the new look? How awesome is it to have a daughter who keeps me up to date on this blog?! THANKS for the fresh colors, Lauren!}

Beautiful family

2009-10-20T09:56:00.004-05:00

Meet the Dort family... It was the first really cold morning this Fall, and of course, we had a session lined up. Luckily, it had somewhat dried out from the weeks 8+ inches of rain, so we started inside for some warmth, and then headed out for some sun. I love the results, love that girl, love that belly (she's due in November!)...

Barrel Race!

2009-09-30T23:17:00.007-05:00

Meet Abby and her horse! This girl can flat out ride! Check out the concentration on her face... Love it.

So, as a photographer, you get to do a lot of different kinds of things and meet lots of people. And though I have NEVER been to a barrel race, this was right down my alley. I will get to be the photographer for another race coming up in October - a very busy month - so I went to this event in Ozark to get some experience. The 2 things I learned:

1. Wearing boots is a MUST

2. Watch where you step...

Paul Winder

2009-09-22T11:24:00.006-05:00

What a great morning this was for a Senior photo shoot downtown! The weather was slightly overcast and the temp perfect...
These are just a few of my personal favorites, but there were a lot to choose from, if I may say so myself! He did a great job and seemed comfortable with me, AND he even missed a cross country meet for this - I feel so honored! And get this, I almost slipped in the largest pile of dogpoop I've ever seen - AGAIN, it finds it's way into another photo shoot behind the scenes...What's up with that?!?!

Violet

2009-09-14T11:57:00.001-05:00

I just can't resist taking pictures of this sweet little girl! This was just a candid shot of Violet while she was visiting on Labor Day. She's so busy, I was lucky to catch even one image with her eyes looking straight at me! Little kids are so fun! Maybe I'll get one of her little sister, too...

Rain Dance

2009-09-07T09:09:00.003-05:00

Go ahead, you know the tune is in your head...

The Volees

2009-08-29T23:34:00.005-05:00

Finally, some images from the 2nd Annual Volees at HSBC. What a party! Tiffany, you really know how to throw it all together! Those cake balls on a stick were prime. The runway, so fun, and Chad and the photo booth, very cool.

I was one of the designated photographers for this event and struggled a lot with some equipment issues... I know, blame it on the camera, but it's actually the flash I have problems with. By this time next week, it's pro gear for me in the Speedlight realm. Can't wait. Low light banquet halls, no problem. Awful gymnasium fluorescent, I laugh at you. Natural light will always be my first love, but sometimes I have no choice.

2009-08-13T12:46:00.004-05:00

I so love this shot of Ashley... And aren't brothers and sisters great? They thought it was cheesy to cuddle up for this shot, but look how genuine it turned out to be! I had such a great week when they visited from NC, but now I have to work on that extra 5 lbs I put on while they were here. Our fun seems to revolve around where we get to eat, so now I need to hit it hard. Oh, how I wish there was a cookie dough diet!

Still offering a great deal to seniors to get the word out - I've had some response via email, so keep it coming...

FREE SENIOR SESSIONS!

2009-08-10T12:29:00.005-05:00

Attn all SENIORS:

I have a great deal for you! Let me take your senior portraits for FREE (a session fee is normally $75), I will give you 80 wallets FREE, and you will also get 10% off your portrait order! The only thing you have to do is be willing to hand out wallets to your friends that have my contact info printed on the back, and let everyone know that I did a great job! It's that easy. As an added bonus, I will give you $20 CASH for every session that is booked from your referral. I am 100% in this business, I am doing what I love to do, and I will make sure that you are crazy satisfied with the images I produce.

I will only do this for a limited number of seniors, and at this moment, I have 6 slots available. For more information, contact me by email or by phone...

WATCH FOR A NEW WEBSITE TO BE LAUNCHED WITHIN 2 WEEKS. There you will find all kinds of good photo galleries, pricing, awesome music, and more info than you probably want to know...

Teri

A field, a swing, and dog poop.

2009-07-29T23:23:00.001-05:00

...All the makings for a fine portrait session.

This morning, Angie(Little Theatre star)came over with some of her friends from out of town, the Warner family, and we had a portrait session in this beautiful area called my front yard. We all had a great time, with the exception of the Dad (Scott), who made it no secret that he did not like this kind of thing. Greg was my "ladder boy," and Nathan slid in dog poop. A great time was had by all!

We actually did have a great time, they are a beautiful family, and I'm so glad we got to meet up with them while they were here!

Eleven

2009-07-28T11:48:00.002-05:00

She is now a tween, time to get ready for it all to hit... I know you hear this so much, but they really do grow so fast. And she wouldn't say yes to a photo shoot, so here's the best I could do. I'm also playing with shadows, so the bike pic turned out kinda cool, don't you think?

Photowalk 2009

2009-07-21T21:28:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday I met up with 40 other photographers in downtown Springfield to participate in a "World Wide Photo Walk." There is a website, cities do this all over the world, literally. Prizes can be won, and most of all they want you to download a free trial to Lightroom 2 , which I will do. I've been meaning to try it anyway. so here goes. I did learn a lot, some technical stuff, yes, but mainly ideas. Ahh, those alley's and doorways! Great new ideas for portraits, so I can't wait to experiment!
Of the shots I took, I can honestly say I'm not taken with very many. I guess it's because I love faces. But it was good for me to find shadows, lines, and color. So enjoy these, know there is more coming...

The Fourth

2009-07-06T00:27:00.001-05:00

Ahhh, summer. Someone said last week that it's half over now. That's a "glass is half empty" approach to me. Regardless, it's HOT outside, bugbites are a daily nemesis, and kids are unpacking from camp only to get ready for the next adventure. I love this time of year.
Pictured: My son and his precious fireworks, Ruthie, Oh that Molly, and Jeremiah.

2009-07-06T00:24:00.001-05:00

Summer Dresses in a Field

2009-06-15T14:34:00.004-05:00

Got my camera back out, it's time to start shooting again. Pictures, that is. I am in love with the field next to out house! No structures to edit out, just one big lovely, tick ridden field with lots of clover and tall grasses. So fun, really. I think I could've done better with the composition on a lot of the frames, but the girls were constantly moving, so I was just happy to get some without hair covering the face or awkward positioning. I need to find out how to shoot a moving target - pictures, that is...

More in Mexico

2009-06-02T09:42:00.001-05:00

more pics from mexico - I do have more beach pics, but they didn't upload... don't know why.

Mexico Trip

2009-06-02T09:32:00.003-05:00

Poor Blogger, so many are on Facebook and abandoning this creative source. But I don't think I will. Don't get me wrong, I like FB, but personally, I miss the writing. Even if no one reads, I still like to write more than a quick status update. And honestly, creating an album and tagging faces still takes up too much of my time.
So for this step back into blogger world, I'll share with you just a few of my pics from our family vacay to Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. And NO, we did not bring back the swine flu.
Deep thoughts and dissertations on improtant topics will have to come later.

The Old Road that leads to Ozark

2009-04-13T21:36:00.001-05:00

I can't get over the fact that this is right out my back door! So, Lauren took me on a little hike to check things out. Everyone had said how pretty it was behind our land, but I really didn't know what they meant - it is BEAUTIFUL. I always love it when the redbud trees start flowering because I know that Spring is really here. Within 1 week, the trees will have more color and it will all look so different... God's creation is absolutely amazing!

[The path we took is literally the old wagon trail that connected Ozark and Rogersville. I can't imagine having to ride over that bumpy road for a full day or two, when now I just jump in my little red car and zip down to the Tea Room in 15 minutes].

A Boy and His Dog

2009-03-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

...his 4th one. Meet "Opie." He is a stray beagle/brittany spaniel mix, which would explain why he just wandered away from his previous home and showed up at our house last week. He just wouldn't leave, but then again I don't blame him. We're so interesting, what with all the kids, animals of all kinds, food and water just for the taking, yep, he's here to stay. Or at least "hang out" till his nose carries him away to the next family of suckers.

4 Wheelin' Lulu!

2009-03-09T23:36:00.001-05:00

Yes. You are seeing this correctly. That is my mom on the 4 wheeler with Greg: 2 time liver transplant recipient, just 11 months out from her life saving surgery. The doctor told her to get out there and live, I think she's gettin the hang of it now...

Become an organ donor! If the Lord sees fit to bring you on home, you might as well leave parts of that ole body here for people like my Mom to use. I so wish that family whose loved one gave her this liver could read this post, and see the good that came from their loss. I have my Mom still. Words cannot begin to say Thank you.

The Belschner Girls

2009-03-09T23:21:00.000-05:00

Impossible to pick out just 3 or 4 shots from this weekend... I'm sooo glad they got to visit while it was warm enough for a picnic in the treehouse!

Never Say Never,

2009-02-20T09:36:00.001-06:00

but I will NEVER move again.

1. Complete exhaustion
2. Boxes everywhere
3. This is why we love this new place: a great house, lots of outdoor adventures, and friendly neighbors!
4. This is why the kids love this place: zip line

kids kids kids

2009-02-20T09:18:00.000-06:00

This was taken 5 days before we officially closed on this house. I guess we were doing our best to add as many stains on the carpet and scuffs on the walls/woodwork as possible before we left. I thought about printing this pic and leaving it in the house for the new owners... but I'm not sure they would find it so funny. Seriously though, I filled the nail holes and painted over them, cleaned every shelf and even washed above the cabinets! Greg practically took a toothbrush to the barn floor, and all this in about 3 days. We owe some of you BIG TIME for helping us in the move!!! WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU. More on that in the next post...

I LOVE THIS PIC

2009-02-20T09:04:00.001-06:00

Isn't that such a great feeling?? Being the first to tromp through a fresh snow, making tracks even before anything else...

12 years old

2009-02-20T08:22:00.000-06:00

I've been a bit out of touch, so I thought I would just choose a few pics to highlight our busy Jan/Feb.
This was our first big event: Nathan turned 12! That was Jan 21st, and we did celebrate on his actual bday, but we also took a few boys down to Big Cedar for an overnight. We considered it a successful stay with only one complaint from mangment to keep down the noise!

Oh, the Holidays have come and gone...

2009-01-17T11:47:00.000-06:00

It all happened so fast, me blogging about it, not so. I know it's old news, but here are some of my favorite shots from our festivities...

I really don't have any good pics yet of the house we're moving to, just inspection shots of the interior of the furnace and stuff like that. I do hope people will still drive out for pool parties & cookouts... We should be able to have one incredible Fall Fest, too. That's way too far away, though, how 'bout FESTIVUS????

WE"RE MOVING!

2009-01-10T16:12:00.000-06:00

A lot has happened in the 4 years since this shot was taken. ..

I've been absent these few weeks from the blog/facebook/email world completely because I have been blitzing the market to find where we should live next. Almost 2 weeks ago on a Sunday night, the family was enjoying the 3rd annual Lord of the Rings watch party (something it seems only our family enjoys), when the phone rang with an offer on our house. I about choked on my popcorn. After a few days of negotiations, we came to terms and that's when it all began.
With the main search criteria being the Log-Rog school district, I checked out every active, expired, and withdrawn listing fron the last year... That's a lot for this slow computer connection, too!
So finally I came across this beauty that sits on 8 acres a little further out in Rog. Fantastic, AND the current owners are even Sooner fans. It was meant to be. We agreed on terms this morning and now we are under contract to buy their pretty home. Can't wait. I love it!
I'll try to stay current here, but the move is on...

(By the way, it has some georgeous photo spots!)

The Wolfe's

2008-12-14T18:01:00.000-06:00

What a family. I can not think of any couple more "trained in the Faith" than this one. I feel privileged to have them as the leaders of our highschool class at High Street, I'm so glad Lauren is in there. For those of you who don't know, this has been an amazing year for them. In October 2007, Jen (the Mom shown here in the photos)lost her Dad to cancer. One month later, the little boy in these pics was diagnosed with cancer. 8 months ago, she had this beautiful little baby girl. 3 months ago, Jackson was declared cancer free! What a year. What a family. Getting the chance to shoot their Christmas pics was an honor and I hope they are thrilled and blessed with the result of our session.

Swingin' from a Limb

2008-12-09T11:49:00.000-06:00

Whatever your brother says do, by all means do not do. Here is Nathan way up in that tree (the Million $$ Tree I talk about to the right), and he says "now... swing!" If you're the fun loving little sister, you just go for it. Besides it ended up a really cool picture. Here's to you, Nathan, my future camera junkie. DON'T EVER TAKE MY CAMERA UP A TREE AGAIN.

Violet and her Daddy

2008-11-23T09:51:00.000-06:00

Flu Remedy

2008-11-19T23:20:00.001-06:00

Your thinking, "what???" But seriously, after an all-nighter with Nathan hitting the bathroom every 20 minutes - this view was an incredible blessing. I just couldn't pick which shot I liked better, and neither really does it justice... So, you get 2 of them tonight.

November Sunset

2008-11-19T23:17:00.000-06:00

Seriously, did anyone happen to notice that amazing sunset on Monday evening?! The clouds were so wierd, it was like a clean knife cut across the SW sky. Emma saw it first, and it was pretty neat at 3:45 in the afternoon. But later, when the sun fell to just beneath that line of clouds, it threw an amazing array of colors across the whole sky. Even Nathan, who had his head in the toilet 18-20 times that day noticed this display from the window. I jumped in the car with no gas in it, sped down to an open field, and grabbed what I could - so just in case you're head was in the toilet, too... here it is.

Anchor Hill Valley

2008-11-17T15:26:00.000-06:00

So a couple of weeks ago our family had our pic taken by another friend/artist/photographer from Rogersville, then I took their pictures - all in hopes of grabbing something both families can use for our Christmas cards. It was actually a funny event... hurry and gather everyone from school and work, get cleaned up, get to their house before the light was too low. I shoot them, we trade places, and it's our turn. Find another well lit spot in the valley, get set up and try again... trade places... hurry up the hill, it's brighter up there... it's freezing, my eyes are watering, and we were hungry...
Whew! Not the ideal way to have a photo shoot, but it was fun, I think we were successful enough, and I now discovered one of the prettiest valleys in MO. Complete with an abandoned 100 yr old farmhouse the kids say is haunted, horses, and glittering sunlight - if you catch it at just the right time.

Missy, this one's for you...

2008-11-13T10:33:00.000-06:00

Thanks for all your encouraging comments, Missy! So, to say thanks, here's a sweet image of your littlest one.

The 3rd annual chili cook-off was a blast, and I wasn't planning on posting any pics from it, but this was so cute I had to show you. There were tons of little babies there and it was my intention to go around and get a shot of them all, but you know with keeping the activity going and all... I just had to give up and put my camera down.

{ By the way, that song on Sunday was great! Awesome words, too, had to be Indelible Grace? }

Way Beyond Pigtails

2008-11-10T10:05:00.000-06:00

2 Teenage girls + Quirky props + Sparkling sunlight = Fun, quirky, beautiful photos!

These 2 have been good friends since the 3rd grade and realized they really don't have any good pics of themselves together... except for that one video where they presented a summary of MO state info to their class in 4th grade, complete with pointing sticks, a map of MO hanging from the fireplace mantle, and pigtails.

Thanks for letting me practice on both of you!

Gabe

2008-11-08T11:12:00.000-06:00

How fun is it to run around after a 2 yr old at a park and catch the perfect shot?! I forgot to come armed with french fries for bribery purposes, but other than the occasional "all done," from Gabe, he did really great! He's such a cute kid anyway, and smiles came easy, but I still had to be on my toes. You know with water nearby, and untrustworthy geese hissing at us at times, I still think Sequiota Park is a beautiful place. It comes complete with water, stone, trees, and an abundance of "goose noodles."

Brianna

2008-11-07T22:39:00.000-06:00

Sorry if I butchered the spelling of your name... You are a beautiful young lady and I just couldn't post your session without including this shot. I guess I will forever be limited to choosing just 4 images per upload. Oh well, this way you got your very own entry.
:-)

The Brown Trio

2008-11-07T22:33:00.000-06:00

Here are some very sweet girls from our church... It was such a beautiful day at the park, I think they had just as much fun as I did!

Lauren's Turn

2008-11-05T12:05:00.000-06:00

Yet another photo shoot. This time I went to the Springfield Nature Center, with only 20 minutes to run down to the boardwalk and a very low sun. I had to use a slow shutter speed which meant many of our cool shots were a little blurry. Bummer. In spite of the challenges, I think these turned out great! Plus I had a willing subject who happens to be individualistic, creative, playful, and quite beautiful. That's my girl.
:-)

More pics from other photo sessions to come...

VeriTeri

More...

2008-11-04T10:59:00.000-06:00

OOPS, the pics of the girls didn't upload to the post, and I just can't leave them out, so here are 2 more.