New Year's Resolution...

Fact is, I'm pretty good at writing in my journal everyday. Perhaps it's come from years of habit, but I am really consistent at it. As far as blogging everyday goes, I stink at it. But I want to do better.

I've realized lately that I need to start challenging myself everyday to look at things a little bit differently. Maybe it was an epiphany I received from watching the latest episode of Survivorman (of all places) and taking a tidbit of his good wisdom to heart. "By challenging yourself to look at things a little bit differently, and little bit of ingenuity, the possibilities are endless." This is the challenge I'm giving to myself this new year. Everyday I want to find subject matter to photograph. From things that are simple, to those that are wonderfully complex, and intricately beautiful. Everyday something different.

For me, it starts by stopping myself in my busy life to breathe, then challenging myself to see beyond what I saw at first glance to see how line, balance, texture and form work together to create art. It requires effort on my part. But I love being in that place where I see the world differently. It truly makes me happy.

Tell me, what things do you do to help yourself look at things differently? What do you do to stretch your mind creatively? I'd love to hear your responses...

Kracht Family Sneak Peak...

Whelp...I'm back in Texas. Let's just say the weather has been....well, gross. It's been a bit of a contrast coming from a place where it's VERY winter right now to 70 degrees and much like unto if I were living inside someone's mouth. I don't mean to be gross, but that's the only way I can think to describe it. Warm and wet. Sick. It was about the third day I was here and the weather had been consistently funky when my friends from up north left a fun message notifying me that they were all going to hit the 12 and 1/2 inches of new powder on the slopes. *sigh* At least I'm with family, getting fat off of all sorts of Christmas goodness.

While I've been here I took pictures of the Kracht family. Heather's family has been good friends with mine for years, and it was a blast hanging out with them. It's so fun to see all of us grown-up (Although I do have to say that she does seem so much more grown-up than I do....perhaps it's the THREE kids! Where did the time go anyways....sheesh!) Anyhow, they are all fantastic and absolutely adorable. Here are a few of my favorites!

Chelsea's Bridal Sneak Peak...

Hmmmm....let's see. How do you pick a favorite star in the sky? I don't know to tell the truth. It's a difficult task that's for sure. The fact is, I love them all. I feel the same way about Anthropologie's fall line, spicy molasses cookies, micro-fleece pajamas, and Chelsea's bridals to tell you the truth. I've stewed and stewed about it and couldn't quite narrow it down. Which is, tragic on one hand considering that I still haven't packed for my two week trip to Texas tomorrow morning. It's gonna be a late night for me. Eh...oh well, what do you do?

We shot Chelsea's bridals at a funky little hotel downtown. Loved it. She couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. It was one of those where everything just seemed to work out perfectly. It had been snowing all morning long, but stopped just in time for us to get some fun snow shots outside. Snaps to Chelsea for being brave enough to take her pictures in the snow!

Courtney & Matt's Wedding Day Sneak Peak...

I absolutely LOVED shooting this wedding! It was one of those that was just so much fun. My abs seriously got such a workout from laughing so hard. Matt and Courtney were so much fun to shoot. The most difficult part of the day was getting them to stop kissing for one minute so that they could hear my cues! It's always so great to see people so happy together and to be a part of their day. It's kind of weird to tell you the truth. As a photographer, you work at establishing a relationship with your clients so that they feel more natural and relaxed in front of the camera. Then, after you do, and the wedding is over you say goodbye. It's kind of sad to tell you the truth. I miss my friends. Regardless, I'm grateful to have gotten to know so many great people over the past few years. Here are a few of my favorites from the wedding day...

Warren Family Sneak Peak...

I love reflecting back on my college years. Although I would do some things differently, there is much I wouldn't have changed. I, for sure, wouldn't change many of the adventures I had while living with my sister. Rappelling off the roof of our apartment complex, Saturday morning pajama rides in my jeep wrangler, and other mischief (that can't be named here :) are some of my most favorite memories. Next, I wouldn't change my career path. Although it isn't what I do any more, I met some of the most killer-amazing kids, and I learned so much about myself. Lastly, I wouldn't change all of the places I lived. I moved around quite a bit, but consequently met some of the most stellar people.

Lauren lived in the first apartment complex I moved to from Texas in college. She has always seemed like she had it all together to me. It's hard to believe that enough years have gone by for her to have two kids of her own, but they have. Yet another testimony of "my personal worm-hole" I mentioned a few entries earlier. Her family is ADORABLE! We did their pictures at Wheeler Farm and it was FREEZING! But her kids were such troopers. Here are a few of my favorites!

Okay so....Day 5

I admit. I'm terrible. But just like everyone else I have an excuse. Not a great one, but nevertheless an excuse. I've just been SO busy. It's not something I can complain about, but as far as posting everyday like I've meant to....well, let's just say things got in the way. In any case....here is my Day #5 image. I love the colors during this season....they are just so rich.

Day 2...December Photo Challenge

It always seems like this time of year I'm fascinated by the leaves. I'm fascinated by their brilliance and color, by their persistence in holding on until they can't hold on to their branches any longer, but more than anything I'm fascinated by the fact that they just seem to I know what to do year after year. They live, and then they die, just to turn around and live again. To me they represent so much of what this season is all about.... I'm going to stop there before I start getting too philosophical. But it's really something to think about. Amazing really. Here is Day #2.

Tyson's Sneak Peak...

I've been keeping secrets. Not because I don't feel like we're close enough for me to let you in on them. It's just that I've been waiting for the right amount of clarity to be able to articulate what it is that I'm on the verge of doing. But I think I've FINALLY figured it out and I am so incredibly excited. However....I'm not quite ready to give them all away....yet. That, my friends will have to come in the next couple of weeks. I've given you a clue though in these next set of images.

This strapping young man is Tyson. I met Tyson a few years ago when we were both working for a church youth camp. Our first adventure together took us on a 13 hour drive in a 15 passenger van to Eager, Arizona. I was the only girl. It was such a great time! Tyson is about to start his own company doing consulting for businesses and needed some pictures for his website. Here are a few of my favorites!

December Photography Challenge...

So this week I enlisted in a little photography challenge that I'm SO incredibly excited about. Basically you capture the holiday season through your camera. http://www.tredways.org/2008/11/25/december-photo-project-2008/ I've gotten a little bit of a late start, but didn't want to wait until tomorrow to make my first post. So I was sitting in my living room contemplating what I was going to take pictures of. As I was staring into the warm glow of the Christmas tree, I was reminded how much I love white christmas lights. I heart them with all of my soul. If I could hang white christmas lights up all year round I would. I would stream them across my bedroom ceiling and sleep under a canopy of warm glowiness. That was it! I whipped out my camera and started taking pictures. I got a little crazy...I'm sure my roommates think I'm so weird.

Over the next few weeks I'd love to see some of the photos you take that capture the season as you see it. Feel free to post your links with mine. This is Day 2, so you'd better get snapping!