The close of a calendar year is always bittersweet for me. This year is no different. Looking back I’ve enjoyed documenting the growth of families, the accomplishment of a young lady, and the celebration of love – both young and old. I’ve met some amazing people, many of which I look forward to seeing again over the years. Thank you to all my clients for making this year special and inviting me out to document your life.

Now let’s chat about 2012. Not toooooooo many changes with the business side of my life, but personally there are some BIG changes. For starters, this April we are expecting a new addition to our family! I’m pretty sure my daughter hasn’t fully grasped what this means quite yet, but she’s pretty excited to be a big sister. So of course this means I will be on maternity leave for most of April and all of May. If you’re planning to book a session please contact me before April. After that, openings will be very limited. I will also book a few weddings this summer, but not nearly as many as this last year. In fact, July is already booked, with only a couple of openings in June and August. Then…in September my little family of four, will be making a temporary move all the way across the country to Augusta, Georgia so my husband can finish some school. Considering I’ve lived in Nevada my entire life, I’m both excited and completely terrified about this move. In the very slim chance someone from Georgia is reading this or knows someone out there, don’t be afraid to shoot me a message. I won’t know a single soul. Eeek!

This will be my last post of the year, so I’m leaving you with my top most cherished images from this last year. Thank you all for your support. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I wish you a happy new year!

I bought my first digital SLR camera, after graduating college. A Canon 20D. I didn’t buy it with the intent to pursue a career in photography. It was more out of fear. Fear that I would drop photography all together if I didn’t have something new to challenge me. Then a few friends asked me to take their portraits. And another trusted me to capture her wedding. Then I was hooked. Since that point I’ve fully embraced digital, but sadly enough haven’t done much with film. I always accepted the idea that the only way to run a photography business this day in age was as a digital photographer. At least until I started following photographers like Ash Imagery, Jose Villa and a new convert to film – Becky Earl. They’ve completely changed my way of thinking and have pushed me to shoot more film. I’ve missed the way it forces you to slow down and think about the shot. I’ve missed the beautiful range of tones it has to offer. I’ve missed the overall look that film has. And most of all, I’ve missed the amount of time I don’t have to spend behind the computer screen to get the results I want.

So what does all of this mean? It simply means I will integrate the part of photography that got me started in the first place. I will slow down and spend more time creating the photograph in the camera rather than on my computer screen. Most importantly, I will stop relying on my iPhone to capture my daughter’s life and start documenting it with a medium that will last a little longer! By incorporating more film, I hope to be able to give my business and my life a little more balance that it’s been desperately needing.

Now, if you’re sitting there trying to relate to these ramblings and wonder why on earth I would resort back to a medium that has died – or so most people think – I challenge you to pick up a disposable camera. One that has the least amount of exposures as possible, preferably 12. Take those shots and try to make every.single.one.count! It wasn’t that long ago when this was the norm. Before depressing that button check your composition. You won’t have the option to view the image you just took to realize there’s a tree sprouting out of Madison’s head. Sound familiar?! If you’re photographing your kids, sit there for a minute. Watch them through the camera and wait for that moment that you want to remember. Once you get those images back in your hand the whole process becomes invigorating! You’ll see…

Whew!

Thanks for sifting through all these thoughts of mine. I’ve been needing to spill these beans for a while…well at least publicly. My poor husband will now get a short break from my photo ramblings and we can go back to talking about more important things like Hawaii, Elliette’s new room and Charlie Sheen. Haha! Kidding. About that last part.

Oh and in case you’re wondering about the stunningly beautiful girl at the top of this post? Her name is Gabriella and while taking her senior portraits, I took a few shots with my film camera and I just got the scans back, so I had to share!

See you around,

There is nothing more refreshing than working with high school seniors. They are on the verge of a life changing event and they couldn’t have more ambition and hope for what is to come. And Miss Gabriella is no exception. She has BIG plans for her future, let.me.tell.you! This fall she’ll attend school in southern California, studying music and theatre, where ultimately she’ll make it all the way to Broadway! One day I’ll be able to say I photographed a Broadway star. Eeeek!

Now, this session has been in the works for quite some time. I was contacted late last year about doing some senior portraits for Gabriella; however, with holidays, sicknesses and busy schedules, we just recently were able to meet up and make it happen. I was highly anticipating this session, because I knew there wouldn’t be anything ordinary about it. When discussing location options, her mother replied with, “she likes an unusual background, like city restrooms or a greasy diner kitchen”. We opted for an empty parking garage, garbage dumpsters and a few other gems we found along the way. I completely love this girl’s style. So much so, I’ve considered persuading her to help me give my wardrobe a makeover. Or at least tell me where she got those killer boots! Check her out…

Gaby, thank you again for allowing me to document such an important chapter in your life. Congrats to you and I wish you the best of luck with everything your future has to offer!

High school seniors – it’s not too late to have your senior portraits taken!
As you approach the end of one chapter and the beginning of another,
you’ll be glad you took the time to document this part of your life.
Congratulations to the class of 2011!

Graduating in 2012? Contact me about special pricing and incentives!

Ashley – Thanks again for an amazing afternoon! I had a lot of fun and think you’re such an amazing person. I can’t wait to see where this next chapter of your life takes you!!