Kaylei 2012 Freeburg High School Senior

Kaylei is a senior at Freeburg Community High School, home of the Mighty Midgets!

We couldn't have picked a nicer day to do her yearbook photographs (her full blown senior session will be done later this fall). When we first discussed her senior session and what she wanted to do, a waterfall was in the mix. With the Midwest feeling more like Fall and less like Summer, we changed the plans quickly.

Kaylei, here is your sneak peek. I do hope you enjoy it.

Go Vols!

So I have been out of the action for a bit, for personal reasons, and I thought I would start posting again.

Yesterday I took some time out to photograph a beautiful flower that reminded me to the Tennessee Volunteers. But I will let you be the judge of that one.

Hope you enjoy.

I Think This Is One Of My Favorites

I had the pleasure of photographing Lauren and Jared's big day. What came out of it, besides an amazing couple being united, is one of my new favorite images. I just love this.

What do you think?

Sneak Peek: Amy and Tony

What happens when you have a fun and stylish couple that plans a wedding in the beginning of January, outside photo locations that last no longer than 10 minutes...max!  Laugh.

I throughly enjoyed your day and hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

Wedding Planning - Shoes

This one is all about one of my favorite things...SHOES! If you ask Mr. S I have too many, if you ask me, I don't have enough.

So one of the first things that came to mind when Mr. S popped the question with e beautiful sapphire ring, I HAVE to have blue shoes! Now granted, I do already own a pair of kick butt blue heels, but I needed something new and girly...after all these are my wedding shoes. But I did want to be able to wear them again...that was a MUST.

So after setting a budget, let's face it, Mr. S. told me you aren't spending more than X amount on shows for the weding (because he knows I LUST after THE pair of Manolo Blahniks. But spending almost $1,000 on a pair of shoes, I would be afraid to wear them honestly...and crushed when something happened to them, so what was the point?

So my mom and I set out Saturday with two things in mind...to find THE dress (which I placed the order this past Saturday for) and to find THE shoes. Honestly, I knew the shoes were going to be harder than then dress. Off to Norstrom's we went. I came across these beauties:

They are a bit brighter in person which is the perfect colour that I was going for. Plus they are fun. How can you not love a fun shoe? I think I will wear them again, at least I hope I will. And after finding those with a 4 1/4" heel, I knew I would have to have flats for the reception. Even though Mr. S. is a dashing 6'5" tall, my feet would be dead after ALL day in those beauties no matter how comfy they are. So as I looked around again I found these cuties:

Can I just say that I love the rose on these.  So perfect.  Plus the grey has a blue sheen coming off of them which makes them even more to die for and I know that I will wear these again.

Feeling proud of myself that I cam under budget for my dress, and BOTH pairs of my shoes my mom and I left Nordstroms happily and drifted off to find something yummy...oh look a candy kisok.  YAY!

Client Question: Why Do I Post About Personal Things?

i was emailed recently (actually today) and a client asked me why I post about personal things. They did not give a certain post or something that I had said, which is fine, just an in general question.

I am very happy to answer this one. I post about more then my photogaphy on here because that is just me. My clients do deserve a look into my life, because they invite me into some of the most important occasions and days that they will ever experience.

I am thrilled to share my life with my clients, just as they share their lives with me. Photography is so much more then showing up with a camera and taking pictures.

I have cried and laughed with these people. One of the most amazing feelings I have ever had is when I walked into a bridal room recently with camera in tow and the bride giggled with excitement and ran over to give me a hug. It is a very personal experience for me to photograph a wedding, I hope for myself and my clients.

A maid of honor said it best in her toast (see how personal this stuff gets for me):

As you sit side by side through the roller coaster of life, remember to:
Scream from the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loop-de-loops, and enjoy every twist and turn - - for the ride is better because you share it together.

This is me opening up to you just as you have opened up to me. I knwo I am FAR from perfect. That is one thing I will NEVER claim to be. But this is me. I can't change that and I hope none of my clients would want me to.

Big Blog Give Away!

Alright followers here it is.

My BIG BLOG GIVE AWAY for reaching 500 followers on Facebook! I love you guys.

What am I giving away? Well here is just the list...again photo to come later tonite. Hey I have been a busy girl.

Photo Frame
The Original Silver Lingerie, Wedding Dress Hanger by liliafrances on Etsy ~ the hanger has the word always with a heart on either side.
Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods body lotion, shower gel and mositure cream
$200 off a 2011 Wedding
$50 Print Credit towards 2011 wedding

So what do you have to do to win this? Easy, the ONLY thing you have to do is comment on this post, what you are passionate about. Don't hold back!

I will start. I will give an obivious one first. I am passionate about photography. That is the main reason that I am cutting back my weddings this year...to be more creative and do more city/landscapes. To me my photography needs to be more then making money, it needs to be keeping my vision alive.

My other passion is my zest for life. I demand to live it to the fullest. Take those risks that others may not take, strive everyday to improve yourself and laugh 100 times more than you will ever think of crying. It doesn't matter what others think...all that matters is when it is all said and done, you aren't sitting there asking yourself, what if...because no matter if you failed or achieved beyond your wildest dreams you know you did it. This doesn't mean that I live an extreme and wild life, but I don't take one second, one choice, one decision for granted because all of those can be life changing.

This contest is open until February 7, 2011! You can only enter once. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on my blog and Facebook page.

Good luck!