LIFE is what's happening when you are busy making other plans...

so today was just a regular day. kids off from school. plans to meet friends. snacks packed. sunscreen applied. camera bag in tow.

a regular day of kids playing and moms chatting.
a regular early fall day.

nobody is dressed up. nobody hired me to take their portraits. nobody is feeling pressure. we are just being in the moment.

those are the most powerful moments because those are the moments when we are just living our lives. those are the moments we'll remember most when we look back.

a friend who attended our fun play date asked me if i get tired of taking the camera...tired of always 'working'. my answer was quite simple...the moments like today are where my passion for photography shines. i believe in the power of NOW.

i love the friends in our lives and i love documenting our time together.

'the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time'...james taylor

sunshine, the color pink and an old rustic chair.

i am so behind on blogging...probably 6 sessions behind (which is a lot for me). but no matter how busy i am i HAD to find time to post these images.

i see this little gal every day (and sometimes several times a day) while dropping off my kids to school. over the past year the family and i have developed a friendship and so have our kids. when the summer came and everyone's schedules got busy i was so sad to not see and get to hold lily every day. i missed her smile. i missed her sweet smell. i missed those dimples.

secretly i have been hoping for the chance to photograph her and when her mom asked i was so excited.

this morning we headed out to enjoy this early fall day in colorado. we had two hours to play and capture some moments together with mother and daughter.

but lilly was onto our scheme. she KNEW she was going to be put on the spot. she protested for a bit...but we chatted and played and soon she was smiling away as she always does.

this family has a sweet love and light about them. each of the children are beautiful(three total) and adorable-- as are the mom and dad. i love being around them.

and today i got my fill of lilly's sweet smell and her sweet sweet smile.

i joke about creating a facebook page for her...she has so many fans at school that all want to hold her and hang out with her. so i am far from alone in my admiration of this sweetie pie.

happy belated birthday lilly grace.

holiday cards...DONE!

there is something about sending and receiving cards for the holidays. something about listening to holiday music while addressing them and adding personal notes inside. there is something about the feel of the paper, the look of your photo and your names on the cards--looking so official and festive. something about the wonder and joy you feel when you open your mailbox and see a personal, hand-written note with a picture of loved ones on it. i LOVE sending and receiving cards every year. i wish we did it more often.

so so many thanks to my dear friend sally for this amazing family photo she provided to us for our holiday card this year.

her work is THE BEST.
http://www.sallyclarkphotography.com/

i use shutterfly every year for our holiday cards--they are professional, affordable and just very cool. i highly recommend them!

whew--i feel such a relief having this done already! thanks sally. thanks shutterfly.





Holiday Berries Christmas 5x7 folded card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

DETAILS workshop: Mile High Photographers

...not many words needed for this one. ok well just a few. i'll start with how much fun i had and how wonderful it was to have these amazing models, flowers and tables set so beautifully for us. and finish with my deepest thanks to all of the instructors, volunteers and vendors for such a spectacular day of learning and hanging out.

(and for me--thanks tiff for taking such good care of the boys so that i could enjoy a day away! you are the best!)

here are some of my favorite images from the day.



































































Vendor List:

Vintage Farm Table:
Perfect Petal
Sapphire Celebrations
Event Rents
Chair Covers & Linens
Bella Bridesmaids


Rock and Roll Bride Table:
Swank Stems
Gabby with Save the Date Events
Event Rents
Chair Covers & Linens

Visions of Sugar Plums Table:
AKHaydon Designs (flowers)
Emily Lenich, Particulars
Chair Covers & Linens

Models:
Wilhelmina Denver

Wedding Dresses:
Priscilla of Boston

Tux's:
Al's Formal Wear

Cake:
Intricate Icings

Styling:
Worthwhile style, Tina Gill
Makeup: Makeup by Janine
Hair and Makeup Girls and Curls
Hair: Jewels Grey