Max & Deanna

I had the most fun I think I have ever had on a photo shoot tonight! My 16 year old niece, Deanna, asked me to take pictures of her and her date for their Ring Dance. I was super excited! Deanna and her BFF, Max, are so fun! I'm surprised I was able to take any pictures at all because they had me laughing so much. :)

Deanna & Max- Thank you so much for letting me come share in your memories in the making. I had such fun! I hope you enjoy your images. <3

Jackson & Layton

You meet people throughout your life. You meet people at school. You meet people at your workplace. You meet people where you live. You meet people at church. Some people are there just for a season. And others stick around.

Let me just say that I am horrible at keeping up communication. If it weren't for Facebook, I wouldn't have talked to 99% of the people I grew up and went to school with. But I have this friend that I met while we both worked at a local bookstore. We would work together every Saturday night. We had a blast! We would hurry and do all of our work so that we could just sit back and catch up on each others lives. She was in college and I was planning my wedding. So we both always had lots to tell each other. Well, we both moved on to other jobs. But every few months I would get a phone call from my friend and we'd catch up. My friend eventually married and had a baby. I went to see her a couple months after her little boy was born. I had just gotten my first DSLR and carried it with me everywhere I went. I took it out and snapped a few shots. I emailed them to my friend. Next thing I know she is telling me that she wants me to come take pictures of her son every month for the first year of his life. And she wants to pay me!! Holy cow!

I owe a huge thank you to my friend who trusted me and encouraged me. Thank you so much for giving me the push I needed.

And I am thrilled that she has had her second child! So here are some pictures of today's shoot of Jackson (big brother) & Layton (little brother).

I'm on a budget.

The title of this post is not completely accurate. If I were being honest, it should read I should be on a budget. I am a huge fan of Dave Ramsey. And I've just started listening to his Financial Peace University. And I listen to his podcast every chance I get. I know what I need to do I just haven't done it yet. But I will do it. Soon.
Tonight, I had the privilege of celebrating my cousin-in-laws birthday. I wasn't really sure what to do about a gift for him because I really didn't have the funds to put into one. (Because I really need to be on a budget!)So I had to get creative...
A few weeks ago, I had done a photo shoot for him and his family. I am proud to say that he is a member of the United States Navy. Later this year he is being deployed. So... I decided to make a slide show for him that he could watch whenever he got to missing his wife and kids. About half of the photos are ones I shot a few weeks ago and the others I borrowed from my cousin.
*Thank you Mary for recommending the song selections!
In My Life- The Beatles
Better Together- Jack Johnson

Enjoy!

Fun Giveaway!!

Seriously, who does not want to enter to win a super cute and super fun camera strap? Go here for the info!

James Alibi -- Big Noise Concert 2010 --

I have to brag a bit. I have the privilege of being married to a wonderful man of God. And God has blessed him with an incredible talent. He is the lead singer of a band called James Alibi. Last night, a very talented group of musicians came together to worship God. He was pretty cool. :) Three bands played: Beautiful Discord, James Alibi, and Day Of Grace. A fourth band, Zeteo Pneuma, was suppose to play as well. But as I understand it two of the band members are in the Navy and they were called to duty at the last minute. Mike, from Zeteo Pneuma, put the entire evening together and he did a fabulous job.

Okay. So back to my bragging. My incredibly talent husband. Here are some of the pictures I snagged during their set last night...

This is I think one of my favorite captures ever!

I love this one too. With James singing his head off and Wade just loving it!
James Alibi. Curtis, Kevin, James, and Wade.

All the bands gathered on stage to lead everyone in Amazing Love.

It was beautiful.

Thank you to all that were there last night supporting all of the bands. It is amazing to watch each of the bands interact with each other as they all are reaching for a common goal: to share the love of God. Be sure to click on the links for the bands to see info on upcoming shows.

The first of many (I hope)

I have been putting this off for almost a year. I had even set this blog up several months ago. I've just not bothered enough to actually post something. I'm not sure if it was because of my tendency to be a bit lazy. Or was it procrastination? Or was it self-doubt? Why would anyone care to read what I have to write or look at the pictures I've taken? That is what I really struggle with to be quite honest. But I'm going to do it. So sit back and enjoy...