Monday, May 2, 2011

mommy | monday. teacher appreciation gift ideas.

The school year is wrapping up, and it would be ever so thoughtful to give a little "thank you" to your child's teacher(s). These are some fun, inexpensive, and creative ways to say "thank you". Your children would even have fun making them! CLICK HERE to see more fun ideas!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

wedding | wednesday. all white inspiration.

All white and sparkly and beautiful... and I love it! :) They used burlap for the chair backs. I love the candles on different levels, and the mirrors add dimension and sparkle. Hope this inspires you! :)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

tiffany + alyssa

It was such a pleasure to meet these two lovely ladies! Their laughter is contagious! It's so true that these ladies look close enough in age that they could be sisters... much to Tiffany's delight! :) I'm so glad we were really able to capture their personalities and mother/daughter relationship. BEAUTIFUL.






Monday, April 25, 2011

teresa + heidi

Mother and daughter duo, Teresa and Heidi, showed up for photos on what we would have expected to be a warm, spring day. Quite the contrary! :) It was windy and so cold. But, these ladies showed up with smiles on their faces and completely rocked this session! It was extra special to do the shoot on this day, because it was Teresa's birthday... with Heidi's birthday just three days later.

Heidi- you are such a lovely young lady! :)
Oh I love the laughter! :)




Teresa- what beautiful lady you are... so graceful.






Always stay close- you have a treasure in each other!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

wedding | wednesday. honey wedding favor.

Just a little wedding inspiration for you. Great favor idea for a wedding, brunch, or shower... honey dipper and honey sticks topped with a vintage brooch. Very creative! :)

Monday, April 18, 2011

mommy | monday. peep pops.

Now this is how a marshmallow peep should be eaten! Well, in my opinion. ;) These would be fun to make with the kids or as a GIFT for the kids. CLICK HERE to see how you can make them! Super cute!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

wedding | wednesday. door monograms.

These wooden letters can add a lovely, personal touch to your wedding day. You can buy these letters inexpensively at a local craft store. You can even paint them your color of choice and pair them with lovely ribbon or fabric.

Monday, April 11, 2011

mommy | monday. discovery bottles.

This is such a great recycled craft/toy for your little one. All you need is a plastic bottle, hot glue, and lots of odds and ends that you may have around the house. FUN! :) CLICK HERE for more details and photos!

Monday, April 4, 2011

mommy | monday. little boy bowties.

Whether you make one or buy one, the little man in your life would look just adorable in a bowtie! And it's just in time for Easter! :) Check out this TUTORIAL if you are up for making one on your own!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

wedding | wednesday. DIY coffee bean favors.

If you love coffee as much as I do... then you will think this is a perfect wedding favor too! :) I'm pretty sure your guests would enjoy a cute little burlap sack with fresh coffee beans. CLICK HERE to see how you can make these for your own wedding!

Monday, March 28, 2011

mommy | monday. no sew pillow covers.

You mean that I can make beautiful pillow covers... and I don't have to sew?! :) That's what I'm talking about. Take your pick of colorful cloth napkins, and you can make these inexpensive pillow covers to add a splash of color to your living room or bedroom. CLICK HERE for the tutorial.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

wedding | wednesday. (not so typical) bachelorette party ideas.

I have been to a handful of bachelorette parties in my lifetime... and I'm honestly not a fan! :) But, I would completely be up for one of these creative outings with girlfriends! (minus the wine tasting one) You might want to choose one of these fun alternatives! CLICK HERE for fun ideas and to keep it classy. :)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

wedding | wednesday. getting in bridal shape.

I'm posting something a little different today... (and I think this photo is adorable!) Check out this BLOG POST for some tips to help you get started on your way to health and fitness!
(image cosmopolitan.com/au)

Monday, March 14, 2011

mommy | monday. fabric playhouse.

This is the cutest! It's like a permanent fort for a little girl. I would have loved to have one of these when I was little. And they are a super cute addition to a room. I can imagine countless tea parties, storytimes, and play times in this adorable little house. Check out the ETSY store to see more of the beautiful little houses and to buy one of your own. If you are crafty, you might even be able to make one yourself! LOVE! :) Let me know so that I can take photos of your little girl with her playhouse!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

wedding | wednesday. all things doily.

I love doilies! I think it's because they look like lace and have this awesome way of making most anything look feminine. :) CLICK HERE for lots of ways (that you probably haven't thought of) to include doilies into your wedding shower or wedding day!

Monday, March 7, 2011

mommy | monday. raspberry cakes for two.

The coming of Spring makes me think of fresh and fruity treats. This raspberry cake would be perfect for a date night or to share with the family. Best part? No baking required! :) And it still looks fancy. CLICK HERE for the recipe as well as some more lovely spring desserts.

Monday, February 28, 2011

mommy | monday. hennie rose accessories.

My friend, Krystal, makes these adorable hair accessories for your little girl or for you! :) I especially love the crocheted flowers... I saw them for the first time when I took photos of her little girl Keeley... photo above. The shop is named after Krystal's grandma, an avid crafter. I was so excited to see that Hennie Rose now has a FACEBOOK page and ETSY page for you to purchase these fun pieces.

Monday, February 21, 2011

mommy | monday. girls' spring fashions.

Spring is coming. And your little girl will most likely need a new outfit or two or three. :) There will be Easter, birthday parties, graduations, Mother's Day, weddings, etc. Beauty and the Beast Fashions has some great new arrivals for spring! Check out the new arrivals on FACEBOOK and pricing on their WEBSITE. I think you will see something that you can't seem to live without! :) While you are at it- check out the awesome outdoor tree houses and nursery furniture!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

wedding | wednesday. BHLDN {anthropologie}

So, I know that this has been topping the charts in wedding news this week... but, in case you haven't heard... Anthropologie now has a bridal shop {launched February 14}! It's full of dresses, hair accessaries, jewelry, and shoes... with the same Anthropologie style that we know and love. :) Check it out for yourself! It's all kinds of beautiful.


Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine Hug {WINNER ANNOUNCED}

I'm so excited to announce the recipient of this year's Valentine Hug. Oh the tears I have cried and prayers I have prayed over these incredible moms. Thank you for giving me a glimpse into your world. This was a very difficult decision. For those of you who submitted your story but did not win the session/package... you will be receiving an e-mail with a special opportunity! :) And here she is....


Meet the lovely Amanda Scott.
Billy (5), David (2), and Molly (10 months) call her mom. :)
Whether they are dinosaur hunting, going on a walk, coloring, reading (one of their favorite activities, or the boys are wrestling... they just love spending time together. Billy especially loves reading his Boy's Devotional Book. :) In the midst of healing from her divorce, they found out in November that Billy (5) was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia. FA is a rare progressive neuromuscular disorder. FA takes the ability to walk and causes heart disease among many other health complications. The only part of the body it does not affect is the brain. This genetic disorder has no treatment. They took Billy to a Pediatric Cardiologist to find he already has the heart condition (Cardiomyopathy) that is associated with FA. This was devastating and also has no treatment. They don't know how long it took for his heart to progress to where it is or how long it will take to get worse. For now, they have him on an experimental drug that has been shown to protect the heart. With him having FA, the end result is the always same. They just don't know how long it will take. With the expenses of medication and visits to specialists, family portraits have not been at the top of the list. Amanda's wish was to have photos of her precious little family just the way things are now. Amanda- you are incredibly strong... we will be praying that God does a miracle in Billy's body. We will take some awesome photos to document this time in your lives. Much Love and Happy Valentine's Day. :) Here is a BIG HUG for you. :)


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Your Photographer. {getting to know me.}

You asked the questions. Here are my answers. :) ENJOY!

1) I want to see a picture of your bedroom. You always have such cute style…
I’m guessing it’s gorgeous? ;) [well, thank you!!]

I would say that the style of my bedroom is eclectic… the perfect combination of old and new… just the way I love it. It inspires me. I love how I can incorporate all of my favorite colors and patterns, and it is still light and happy. I love the tall ceilings that let in lots of light. I use cake plates and tea cups to organize my jewelry. Here is a mini-tour for you.



2) Coffee or Tea?

Coffee in the morning and afternoon. Tea at night.


3) What is your favorite Bible verse and why you like it?

I would say that currently my favorite Bible verse is Colossians 1:16-17. It reminds me of how big God is and gives me great peace in knowing that He is in control of all things… holding everything together.

For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.” (message version)


4) What is something that you collect?

I collect hats! :) fedoras, knit hats, vintage-like hats. They are fun to wear… rain or shine… and the perfect fix for a bad hair day. People who know me well would probably say that I have more collections than this!

5) What is your favorite color?

I love so many beautiful colors, but my current favorite color is what I would describe as a fuschia-ish, pink-purple-ish, raspberry-ish color. You can decide what it’s called. :)


6) Do you enjoy reading?

I enjoy reading fictional stories. But, I know that reading is so crucial for personal growth… so I continue to push myself to read more than would come naturally for me. My sister and dad are huge inspiration.

7) How has photography led you to grow in your relationship with God?

I have learned that He is the ultimate source of creativity- the creator…. I find that I am more dependent on Him in order to be the most creative person that I can be. I am also in more awe than ever of the beautiful people and world He has created… and I have the opportunity to capture it and show the world the way I see it.

8) Mountains or ocean?

I love warm weather, sand, ocean, and sun… but, can I have some mountains too? Maybe off in the distance? :)

9) Where has your favorite wedding location been?

I have photographed weddings in so many beautiful locations… but, the first wedding I photographed was for a dear friend on the beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. There is nothing like it- barefoot on the beach with the sand between my toes, cool ocean breeze, at sunset, mariachi band… I could do that any day. :)

10) When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was in elementary and middle school, I always wanted to be a school teacher. Then, when I was in high school… I wanted to be everything. :) florist (even job shadowed a florist), wedding planner, or a family practice doctor to be a medical missionary (was in medical explorers). But, God had a different plan- at least for now. I still get to be involved in the wedding industry… and I get to travel… and to bless people and show them Jesus in a different kind of way. :)

11) What lenses/camera do you like to use?

I shoot with a Canon 5D… my current favorite lens that I tend to use most is my 50mm. But, I have a new 85mm 1.8 that I’m really starting to love… and the ever-faithful 70-200mm 2.8 can do no wrong. :)

12) Pencil or ink pen?

Ink pen…. I want the things I write to be permanent… or I can always mark it out or use white-out. I get too concerned that my writing in pencil will fade someday.

13) What is your goal when you take a picture/do a photo session?

I want to create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable enough to be themselves… so that I can capture it. I want people to see how fun they are, how beautiful they are, how in love they are… and I want them to feel it in the process of me capturing it… even better when they get lost in the moment and forget I’m there. :) I get to be a part of a lot of special moments and memories. And I do not take that lightly. My sessions are not stressful, and there is no pressure for perfection… You get to have fun being you… and I get to have fun being me… just the way it should be. :)


Thank you for all of the questions! This was fun… I hope you feel like you know me a little better now. :)