Happy Mother's Day!

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I'm officially celebrating my first Mother's Day this weekend, and I'm so excited!  A year ago this weekend, we were getting ready host a dinner to announce our little one's gender to our family and friends, when we had to adjust everything due to a house fire.  I'm happy to say that this May has been great so far!  I cannot believe it has been a year since first hearing that our little baby was going to be a boy!  And now he is almost 8 months old...which reminds me I need to take some photos and post some as well!  This week, my Mom came to watch Remington while I was on-location for a portrait session.  She brought me some lovely lilacs from my childhood home!  Their sweet fragrance filled the room.  Remington has been smiling at the blooms, and I just wonder what he thinks as we both smell them in their vase on the counter top.  He gently closes his eyes and smiles to himself, it is the sweetest thing!  Then he grabs for the petals with a wide-mouth grin and squeal!  Fleeting moments like this are what I always want to remember.  Becoming a mom has been such a gift, if only for moments just like this one.  I am truly blessed with a sweet son, an amazing hubby, and awesome family and friends.

To my Mom...Thank you so much for this life you (and Dad!) have given to me.  I am so blessed to have grown up in a warm home with such a sweet, generous, loving mother.  I hope I can be half as wonderful to Remington.  I love you so much!

And to my mother-in-law, Patti!  I continue to love your handsome son more and more each day.  Reggie is so great with Remington, a true reflection of your love for him.  Watching the two of them play and snuggle melts my heart.  I miss you so much and can't wait to see you!

Happy Mother's Day!

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Happy Leap Year Day!

Pin It Just a quick note to say hello and to wish you a Happy Leap Year Day!

I received these beautiful white orchids from my sweet husband on Valentine's Day, and had some fun photographing them recently.

Happy Wednesday!Pin It

Inspiration: A Summer in Provence

Pin It One of my goals for 2010 was to work on a personal project.  While I love, love, LOVE photographing weddings, engagements, families, seniors, and kiddos, I wanted to take on something a little different.  What was my inspiration for this project?  Summer in Provence, a beautiful region in the south of France.  I studied French for 4 years in high school, and hosted an exchange student, who is still one of my great friends.  Hi Karine!  The following year, I was fortunate enough to travel to France to visit Paris and then to stay with Karine's family.  They took me on adventures to many places along France's southern coast.  It was such an amazing experience!  I majored in French in college, continuing my love for and study of the language, history, and art.  Although I haven't been back to France...yet!...I continue to be inspired by all that I've learned about the French culture, their language, their people, and the wonderful family who opened their doors and hearts to me.  I pulled together some things I've collected to incorporate into my concept: an old typewriter, some fabric from my trip, some vintage cameras, some French poems from my college text books, and some items from some new friends who helped make this project come alive, Union Street Flowers & Gifts and Beauchamp Antiques. 

My favorite prop - thanks to my hubby for finding me the perfect bicycle! - worked perfectly 

with my theme.  I can't wait to use this for an engagement session! 

These gorgeous blooms were arranged by Becky at Union Street. I told her my ideas, and she exceeded my expectations!  Thank you, Becky!

This trunk is the real deal. Genuine. Vintage. Louis Vuitton.  

Merci beaucoup, Mr. Beauchamp!

 

I just love this bicycle...I can imagine riding it to flea markets, to the bakery, 

just about anywhere really. And the basket is perfect for carrying some lovely flowers.

 

 

A huge thank you to Union Street Flowers & Gifts and Beauchamp Antiques for their generosity in making my vision for this project come to fruition!  It was so much fun!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Pin It

Fall, Internet Radio + Clapping

Pin It Today I feel happy.  I am happy.  There's no other reason for this post than to declare how content I am feeling on this day, at this moment. I write this so I can remember this feeling.  Today isn't the only day I've felt this way, quite the contrary, this is just the only day I decided to put it in writing. On my blog.  And I'm in the mood to make a list of a few reasons for my happiness!

*It's Friday!
*It's yet another gorgeous fall day!  I've never loved fall so much!
*The sun is shining, the air is crisp, and everyone seems to have a little extra zip in their step.
*My husband suggested Chick-fil-A for breakfast...a yummy way to start the day!
*I'm still wearing sandals!  I wish I could wear them year-round...without socks, of course.
*Pandora Internet Radio!  Love a song or an artist?  Type it in, and get instant access to a custom  playlist with all of your favorite tunes!  Love it!
*I have the best family and friends in the world.  They support and encourage me.  Without them, I would not be where I am today. 
*And because I find things like this to capture with my camera.  Such beauty, fragility, grace. I wish I had a garden full of blooms just like these.

Remember that song "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands [clap, clap!]?"  Well, I'm clapping.  And I hope you are too!  Have a wonderful day!Pin It

In a beautiful light

Pin It Two years ago, one of my best friends lost her very best friend...her mom.  I've known Ashley for several years, after meeting her thanks to mutual friends, we just clicked.  Maybe it was because we're both Pisces, or because we both have dark hair, or that we both love being near water.  Her fun-loving, positive spirit was contagious.  She had just recovered from a horrible bout with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and was regaining strength every day.  Her family and friends had helped her make it through the sickness, the pain, the nightmare.  And then a few years later, she called me...that dreaded phone call...it was back.  The cancer was back.  My heart sank.  She was losing hope.  I couldn't let that happen.  So her other friends and I visited her in the hospital.  Although she barely remembers us being there, staying behind the plastic wall that protected her from all the outside germs, we smiled at her through tears.  We knew, we just knew, she was going to beat this thing!  She had to.  After all, her mom had made her hospital room the most vibrant, beautiful, calming room ever...photos, swatches of color, hand-made paper designs hanging from the ceiling.  And she did it, she made it through for a second time.  I'm so happy to say that she has celebrated over 5 years of being cancer free.  Her mom's story is a bit different though.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer, fought a tough battle while keeping hopeful, and she passed away two years ago.  Ashley had learned her positive, courageous spirit from her mom, who loved life and adventure.  She lived life to the fullest, and shared it with her family, her friends, and those who would quickly become her friends after just meeting her.  Her family held a celebration of life, complete with family photos on tables, flowers, her journals of travels to India while she was fighting the battle of her life.  Under a tent and rainy skies, we celebrated her love for life.  For that's what she would have wanted.  The family asked those who attended to write letters to her...in my letter, I promised I would be there for Ashley no matter what.  And I had the honor of doing just that a few days ago.  After all, she's kind of like a sister to me, along with our friend, Audrey.  A small impromptu gathering was planned to honor Ashley's mom, in the very place where we had all gathered 2 years ago.  But on this day, no rain drops fell.  Only dappled, sparkling, beautiful sunlight streamed through the tall trees in the garden - her garden - the very garden that she had helped maintain, as her daughter and friends shared stories and remembered her radiant and colorful spirit. The flowers in the garden couldn't have been more beautiful and perfect. Dear Ashley's mom, you are loved and missed! 

The owners of this beautiful property were some of Ashley's mom's dear friends.  In addition to the beautiful gardens, they had two of the cutest and sweetest dogs...Rudy was not camera shy at all! 

Despite the tough times my friend's family has endured, they have grown in strength, love, and hope - together.  Much love to you all. Pin It

Photography Outing

Pin It I met up with my photography friends for another outing. After having a gorgeous blue sky filled with perfectly puffy clouds all day long...the gray skies took over. So much for our plan to get some sunset photos. I found these cute flowers, and I think they made up for the sunshine that had disappeared.

Even in black and white, these flowers are cheery!

Which one is your favorite?

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Photography Outing: Holliday Park

Pin It May 11, 2009
Indianapolis, IN

I had the pleasure of coordinating a photography outing this week. We ventured to Holliday Park. The weather was beautiful, as well as the surroundings. So many great sources of inspiration! Trails perfect for hiking and exploring, streams and ponds, a rock garden nestled in a curved path, a wide overpass complete with graffiti, and, of course, some wildlife. Here are are few of my favorites from the evening.

The Welcoming Committee!

I don't know what kind of flowers these are, but I just love their whimsy!

Here are 3 different takes...

This one is my favorite, I just like how the light filtered through the wispy petals.

Where the path curves...

This was taken under the wide overpass...I then tried my own hand at some "graffiti," only withouth using spray paint in a can.

Self-portrait time!

Leave a comment to let me know your favorite - I love comments! Thank you!

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