What a Ride!

I just read this online and it really reminded me of why I chose to do something I'm passionate about for my career rather than stick with my predictable, well-paid, awesome benefits job as a structural engineer.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!! What a ride!"Are you living or simply existing? Are you watching life go by and having a "near life experience" - Step out of your comfort zone! you don't have to start big but do something different - something scary - something where you can't control the outcome.

At the end of my life, I want to look back and be grateful for the courage to follow my heart and do something I'm passionate about

Pregnant? I'm Looking for You!

I would really like to expand my maternity portfolio and my past brides just don't seem to be getting very busy on the baby-making end of things:), so I decided to put this post out there in case anyone who reads this might know someone who would be interested. The shoot would be entirely complimentary, including a CD of final images. If you meet the below criteria, please contact me via email and let me know your interested. I might do more than one (I haven't really decided yet).

Here are the requirements:

• Must not be shy in front of the camera!
• Must be comfortable baring at least a modest amount of skin (the beautiful belly must be seen).
• Spousal participation is strongly encouraged.
• Like my portraits, these will almost all be within the preggie's home, with maybe a side session taken in a field or other natural location.
• Preferable should be available during the week, during peak daylight hours.
• Live with 10-15 minutes from Ballwin (I'll give on this one a little, but I won't drive to Illinois for a free shoot:)

Depending on this session, I may also offer the same proposition regarding in-hospital newborn photography. I had this done by a photographer friend and I could just kick myself for not doing it for the first two kiddos.

Just Like Daddy

My husband comes from a long line of mechanics, so obviously, we do our own car maintenance. My two year old, Clyde, loves, loves, loves tools. So, he got into it too! When I saw the amazing light in our garage, I ran for my camera and snapped a few. I loved these.

When I get back to work, I'll post more "business" stuff. But it's nice to work on my own pictures for a change:)

Sleeping "Booty" Cookies

A close friend of mine pointed out that I hadn't blogged in awhile (Hi Katie!). Besides christmas and new year's, I also had a birthday and had my parents in from Cali, so I've been very busy. But I have some photos that I really wanted to share.

A couple of weekends ago, the boys went out to the lake to visit grandma and grandpa. So, Emma and I (and Nolan since he's too little for me to part with for a whole weekend yet), stayed and had a girls weekend. We went shopping and to the coffee shop. I took her swimming at the Pointe in Ballwin. We also made cookies. She is also in a huge Princess phase and rarely do I see her out of one of her dresses - unless it's to change into another one.

She had a blast pouring and mixing everything.

She had to wear the Sleeping "Booty" (I will never tire of hearing my children's humorous pronunciation of certain words - too bad the word "no" comes out so clear) dress to make cookies.Apparently, Sleeping Booty makes cookies with chocolate peanut butter cups in them (now that's my kind of girl!)What kind of chefs would we be if we didn't sample the goods before serving them to our guests (Ladybug and Bumblebee who are her favorite stuffed animals that she sleeps with)?Time to put them in the oven. I didn't know this, but Sleeping Booty doesn't reduce herself to the work of actually putting the batter on the pan. So, there was a quick change into the red Power Rangers outfit that belongs to Clyde for this duty.Sadly, the weekend had to end eventually. But it was nice to hear, "Mommy, when can we do girl's weekend again?" It breaks my heart to know that she probably won't remember most of this once she grows up. I guess that's why I take these pictures.