sabbatical... well, sort of.

I don't really know if you could call it a sabbatical.  In my mind a sabbatical entails warm, beachy weather, me slathering myself in tanning oil, my husband (the pool boy of course) catering to my every whim... etc., etc., etc...  No, no.  Instead I've been sleep deprived, pseudo cranky (depending on the hour), and somehow loving every minute of it.  I know, weird. 

My little baby doll was born November 29th, 2011.  She came emergency C-Section which has made the recovery a bit more extensive.  It's all good though.  She's an angel and sleeps fairly well for a little one.  So in answer to the question I've been asked a gazillion times... Yes, I'm still shooting. I'm just taking a little time off to adjust to motherhood.  It's tough.. I'm not going to lie.  But it's great and I feel myself growing everyday.

I'm already booking appointments beginning in February and am planning some stellar Lifestyle Photo Events in the next few months.  Just so you know, while I am still shooting, I am going to be cutting back.  So please don't wait to book... but at the same time, please don't hesitate to call.  I may be able to fit you in. 

With that, I'll just leave you to adore on these pics of my baby girl.

Golden. Love.

I don't really know what else to say but that the lighting during this session made me giddy.  The kind of giddy that makes others within a close proximity feel awkward because I am just so excited.  It just so happens to be one of my absolute favorite times of year to shoot and even though I've struggled through my last few sessions, being 8 months preggo... I've still loved every one.  These last few sessions have just been awesome.

Here are some of my favorites from this particular one.  Just a side note... my favorite pic is of the baby in the bucket.  The lighting just makes me feel cozy.  Enjoy!

Fall.... um... Fa-winter? Fwinter?

It's snowing.  Not just a little.  But snowing, I mean REALLY snowing.  It has been since about 10 o'clock last night and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for it.  My two labs seem to love it, which is odd because my little she-lab didn't love the cold several months ago... but now?  They can't seem to get enough of it.  I, on the otherhand, could definitely wait.  Perhaps it's the impending baby on the way and knowing that my play this winter will be a bit limited... or maybe I just didn't get enough of summer.  Either way, it bodes for a VERY long winter.  Hmmmm.... which gets me thinking that I probably need to work up some really amazing winter photosessions to keep me occupied.  i.e. sledding event, focus photography sessions... family snowman building sessions... I'm pretty sure it will be awesome candid ops.  Anyways.

I've had a number of fabulous fall sessions lately.  Thanks to our spring moisture, the leaves were AMAZING!  These peeps have to be some of my favorite people in the world.  I've known Dustin for a couple of years and he couldn't have married a more fantastic girl.  Here are a few of my favorites from their session.

Marci's Bridal Sneak Peak...

First off, it's important for you to know that

I. Love. Sunsets.

Who doesn't right?  But the fact is that when I think about it, I don't even know why really.  Sure, they are beautiful, everyone knows that...  But even when I was a little girl living in Las Vegas, I would climb up into the tip top of our cottonwood tree in the backyard and watch the sunset.  There was just something about it that captivated me.

As an adult, what's even better than watching the sunset is being able to capture it through my lens.  There are a gazillion things you can do with sillouettes and a fabulous sunset and it thrills me to play around with it.  Here are a few of my favorites from Marci's Bridal Session.  Good golly they turned out great!

One week's worth of sessions... one blog post.

I can't believe it's almost over.  Summer.  *sigh*  I have to admit... pregnancy + summer does not equal a fabulous time.  I've missed wakeboarding, rock climbing, running... wearing cute clothes.. um... feeling remotely slim?  It's true, the list could go on.  And now the chill is settling in the air... the leaves are hinting at change... and here we are.. at the doorstep of Fall.  I've come to accept something though.. Life, just like time operates in seasons.  And it's ok.  While it's been a bit of a challenge to anchor my free spirit to this pregnancy, I think I've really connected with it.  I'm reminded of what I'm going through everytime I work with the families that come through my studio.  I love them for it.... even the toddlers that at times take some sturdy convincing that I really am funny.  So thanks to my families.  Thanks for reminding me of why this season of my life is such a difficult, beautiful thing. 

Here are a few of my favorites from my sessions this past week.  Enjoy!