I love what I do...

Beyond a Smile Photography by Leah

I think one of my favorite things about photography is getting to know my clients a little better through my camera lens.  It is funny how you think you know someone pretty well and then you head out for a session and you see them in a whole different light.  I have known this senior for several years now and she has the most amazing eye for photography.  I am always blown away by her work and love how she sees the little things that I usually miss.  I am not too much of a nature photographer but she has inspired me to take a different look at things, I am getting better but I am pretty sure I will stick with what I know and LOVE... which is people.  Anyway, photographing a photographer is usually intimidating to me but last night was different.  I was having so much fun watching her and her friend interact with each other that I think I just forgot about it.  I shouldn't be surprised that best friends just have a way of putting each other at ease.  The pictures I had taken prior to her "bestie" arriving have a totally different feel to them.  Once her "bestie" arrived things were just different.  There was a lot of giggling, belly laughing, climbing trees, pure silliness, karate moves, and some serious funny faces.  This quiet girl I thought I knew so well is super silly and absolutely adorable!  I loved seeing these girls really having a ball together and I got some GREAT pictures when they thought I wasn't looking.  Oh how I love my job... it just doesn't seem like work sometimes but that is just fine with me.  

I just love this one...

and another...

uncontrollable laughter at times...

karate moves...

but this is usually how I see her...behind her camera!

I love what I do...

I think one of my favorite things about photography is getting to know my clients a little better through my camera lens.  It is funny how you think you know someone pretty well and then you head out for a session and you see them in a whole different light.  I have know this senior for several years now and she has the most amazing eye for photography.  I am always blown away by her work and love how she sees the little things that I usually miss.  I am not too much of a nature photographer but she has inspired me to take a different look at things, I am getting better but I am pretty sure I will stick with what I know and LOVE... which is people.  Anyway, photographing a photographer is usually intimidating to me but last night was different.  I was having so much fun watching her and her friend interact with each other that I think I just forgot about it.  I shouldn't be surprised that best friends just have a way of putting each other at ease.  The pictures I had taken prior to her "bestie" arriving have a totally different feel to them.  Once her "bestie" arrived things were just different.  There was a lot of giggling, belly laughing, climbing trees, pure silliness, karate moves, and some serious funny faces.  This quiet girl I thought I knew so well is super silly and absolutely adorable!  I loved seeing these girls really having a ball together and I got some GREAT pictures when they thought I wasn't looking.  Oh how I love my job... it just doesn't seem like work sometimes but that is just fine with me.

Wedding of the year.......all in His timing!

Well I did something I never thought I would do.....shoot a wedding!  I was very hesitant but since they were such good friends of ours I thought I would give it a go.  I was super nervous, I didn't want to mess anything up of course and since it was my first one I had no idea how much I hadn't thought about until I had a little chat with a fellow friend and photographer.  So, I asked her to help me with the wedding and it was definitely a good decision.  I couldn't have done it without her....thanks again Shawna Peto Photography.  Throughout the day I kept telling my husband "I will never do this again" but by the end of the night I finally figured out that it wasn't that bad and I "might" consider doing it again.   The key word is "might"  There is ALOT I need to work on if I do decide to do another....flash & indoor lighting to name a few.  Different lighting situations around every corner was definitely a challenge but overall I think the pictures turned out well.  I will probably be doing some editing for a while yet but I am really enjoying going through them.

I have known Tim and Staci for a while now.  Tim pretty much my whole life and Staci for about 10 years now I think.  It is funny how things come about.  Some things overnight others seem to take a lifetime.  What we need to remember is Gods timing is perfect...and we have to remember that He is the one in control not us.  We all definitely waited a long time for this wedding and it was well worth the wait.  Tim & Staci had a beautiful Christ centered wedding.  I think so many of us don't even consider that we are vowing before GOD to Love, Honor and Cherish each other FOREVER.  It is not easy, I struggle every day to keep God in the equation of every little thing.  One thing that makes it easier for me is to just look around and realize everyday that He is the reason for my existence, everything that happens to me He is in control of and has a purpose for.  Yep, that is hard sometimes especially when the tough times come, but through it all even when we don't get it and are questioning everything, I take comfort in the fact that it is all for His glory and that alone is enough. 

Congratulations Tim and Staci.....we all are sooooooo extremely happy for guys and can't wait to see what God has in store for you.  It was a joy to be part of your special day!

Just another day...

Not my baby anymore...

Well Carlie turned nine yesterday.  Time does seem like it has flown by...it seems the older you get the faster the time passes.  Carlie and I kinda had a bit of a different relationship than my other kids in the fact that she had me all to herself for awhile.  I have to admit it was nice to just have that one on one time with her.  She has always been kind of a homebody....we used to go places and when we came home and pulled in the driveway she would clap her hands and scream "we're home, we're home."  Things really haven't changed much, she still would rather be home more than out and sometimes I can just tell she doesn't want to share me with anyone.  I can't tell you how amazing it is to have your nine year old tell you she had the best day ever..."thanks mom...I love you."  

Carlie just wanted to spend the day with her family....we decided to head to the mall since she had no idea what she wanted.  I let her pick out whatever she wanted....she did a great job!  She picked out a hat and purse, a dress for church, necklace & earrings and a webkinz puppy.  We took photos in a photo booth and then with the Chick-fla cow and oh, Justin Bieber (cardboard cutout).  We finished the day by having dinner with all the grandparents at our new favorite restaurant Chi-nnati's.  It didn't take long for her to pull me aside and ask when we could leave.  So things haven't changed much, just the fact that she is no longer a little girl.  She is growing up and even though I don't necessarily like the fact that she is no longer my little girl, I can hold on to the fact that she is turning out to be the most amazing young lady  that I am so proud of.  I love you Carlie.....don't tell anyone, but you will always be my baby! 

Alright already.....

So the past couple days I have spent in bed....it has been kinda nice minus the flu.  I like to hang out and do absolutely nothing, in my jammies with no shower sitting in the dark with NO responsibilities.  I only had to leave my heavenly haven to use the bathroom and raid the fridge.  I am not sure why I am sharing this picture with you....I probably will regret it later just like I did when I let my cousins watch my children's birth video.  I know....what the heck was I thinking.  Who does that.....ME!  So anyway I can be pretty scary when I wake up in the morning, lets face it....its not Days of our Lives or anything, we all could be gorgeous if we had a hair and makeup crew every morning.  Anyway I am going to give you just a glance of me after 3 days of no shower....why?  Because it is just funny.....I am not proud.  If I can loan out my kids birth video I can do just about anything.  It is really kinda hard to see but trust me my hair was so dirty and every which way, I knew when Mike came home and commented on my hair that "that" would be the picture of today.  Have a good laugh.....it will make you feel better and laughter is the best medicine.   (did you honestly think I was going to show you my face....NOT....you only get the hair! lol)

I thought it was funny....

I am not really sure if anyone is even reading these posts but I sure am having fun writing them.  I wanted to try something new but was concerned that I wouldn't have enough "material".  Most days I have some idea of what I am going to do but today it didn't hit me until lunch time.   This is our lunch.....pizza rolls...yummy!  I started them and of course forgot about them, so I yelled into Brandi to check on them and this is the funny part (at least to me).  She opens the oven and yells out "They're done.....they pooped!"  I lost it...."really mom, it's not that funny." Well, I had to grab my camera, this was definitely my "material" for today and I needed a picture.  Then she yells out "they are going to have diarrhea before you get your camera."  I don't know, it just struck me funny and I really don't care if no one else thinks its funny.... it made me laugh!  I always have said it's the little things in life that bring me joy.....and today was one of those little things.