Toph was grinning from ear to ear as he joked with his men, happy that the day had finally arrived.  He looked incredibly handsome and cool, in that James Dean sort of way.  He was eager to see his future wife, ready to vow his life and love to her.

Chelsea & Toph, photographing your wedding was such an honor for us.  You two have become more like family to us over the past year and we absolutely love you both.  Your love is perfect, effortless, easy- exactly the way it should be.  :)  Your wedding was absolutely amazing and we loved every last minute of it!  Let me just say, you two know how to throw one heck of a party!  I’m sure your honeymoon in Hawaii was fabulous and we can’t wait to hear all about it!  We hope you love your pictures!!

Chelsea, you are gorgeous!

One of my favorites pictures that Jeff captured of the men!

Details make me happy, so I try to devote a portion of time during the wedding to capture all of the wedding eye-candy.  :)  Rings, in particular, are one of my favorite things to photograph.

This is why you want two photographers at your wedding.  These two pictures were taken at the same time.  Toph’s reaction when he first saw Chelsea coming down the aisle.  Chelsea with her parents as they exchange a few last words before giving their daughter’s hand in marriage.  :)

Okay, I just have to say that I love a wedding party that likes to have a good time!  Chelsea & Toph’s party were hilarious, my cheeks hurt from laughing so much!  :)  I had to post this picture because it makes me smile and it is just so them!

As I mentioned before, Chelsea’s laughter is truly infectious.  I am in love with the next few pictures of their first dance.  They started off slow and romantic and then busted out their dance moves to Michael Jackson.  It. Was. Awesome!

To view more from Chelsea & Toph’s gorgeous wedding at Farmin’ Creek, be sure to watch their slideshow!  Enjoy!

With that said, Elysse & Rodney were on the other spectrum.  :)  They were both very excited about their engagement session, which made working them so much fun for Jeff and I.  I love nothing more than when my clients also do a little homework and familiarize themselves with our work and style of photography.  It adds a level of trust from them that allows them to be less inhibited because they know that while the poses might feel awkward, through the lens it’s a totally different perspective.

Elysse & Rodney, we had the greatest time with you two!  You are so adorable and I absolutely loved seeing how much you two adore and love each other.  :)  Thank you so much for traveling so far to do your session, I hope you loved the location of your shoot as much as we did!  Your trust in us and willingness to jump in with both feet- literally- was pure awesome!  We are so excited for your wedding this October!  Thank you for choosing us!

To view more from Elysse & Rodney’s engagement session, be sure to view their slideshow.  Enjoy!

The photo I chose to enter is of one of our 2010 bride’s, Erin and her dad.  This picture just warms my heart.  :)  Erin’s dad was able to keep his composure right up until it was time to walk his one and only daughter down the aisle.  As they stood in their living room, waiting for the wedding party to make their way down to the altar, he looked at her, she looked at him and they were both overcome with emotion.  They clung to each other as they sobbed.  It was such a beautiful, heartfelt moment to witness.  :)

Despite this, I had to post about this monumental experience.  If you know me, you know that I am in luuuurve with John Mayer.  And I mean luuuuuurve.  :)  I have been a JM fan for over 10 years now and have seen him in concert numerous times.  This, however, was a concert unlike any other.  It was AMAZING!

John & Keith together made for the most moving performances I have ever seen.  The level of respect they had for each other and how honored they were to share the stage with each other was truly unbelievable.  They had the greatest melodic chemistry.  :)  It was a once in a lifetime concert and I was proud to be there and see it live!  :)

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to smuggle my camera in, so my friend Kristi was kind enough to let us use her camera.  :)  We had amazing seats (only 17 rows from the stage) but halfway through the night a woman was so kind and gave me her ticket, which was only 6 rows from the stage!!  :)  I managed to capture some extra pics while there!  And John Mayer managed to rock my world- literally!  Luuuuurve!!  Oh!  And, as Keith was doing his solo set he hopped off the stage and ran down the aisle only a few feet from us!  I ran into the crowd and managed to get within an arm’s reach of him and get some video footage of him, which is posted on my Facebook page!  :)

John & Keith- thank you so much for such an amazing music experience!  You are both true musicians who have mastered your craft.  Your love and passion for what you do is so evident, so raw, and so powerful to watch!  Keep rockin’!  :)  Until next time, Johnny boy!

Okay, so here goes!

Four months ago I left the comfort of my full time job to pursue a full time career in photography.  My passion and love for this industry is so intense and so undeniable that I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.  Bottom line, photography makes me happy.  And I just that if you have to do something that takes time away from your family, you better love it.  And I do.

The transition has been a bit of a whirlwind.  I’ve barely had a moment to think, which is good, because it means that I am busy.  But, I didn’t exactly have the time to focus on how I was going to run a full time business before it actually happened, so I am learning as I go.  Eek!  Right?  Right.  Maybe I am being too honest here, but I’m just trying to keep it real.  I understand photography and my role as a photographer, don’t get me wrong.  I’m simply learning all of the other responsibilities that come with owning your own business.

The past 3 days I have been tuning in to Jasmine Star on CreativeLIVE.  It has been so inspiring!  Jasmine has a way of making me think about my business and life in ways I never imagined.  Something about her really speaks to me.  For that, I feel so indebted to her.  I’ve also had a chance to talk with so many amazing photographers via Twitter, who are  eating up every last but of info via live feed, just like. me.  :)

Branding is a huge facet of Jasmine’s business and I strive to make it a major focus of mine.  With that said, in many ways, I feel that I am still creating my brand, so I intend to bring it to the forefront and really work on it.  I know how I want my business to look to my potential clients, it’s the execution that I am stumbling over.

Internet, I really hope I can figure it out.  :)  I can assure you that there will be a lot of new, fun, cool things happening on the blog in the near future.  Also, I will give you a play-by-play on some of the exciting and terrifying trials and tribulations I will be going through.  Thanks for taking this journey with me.  :)

I had the opportunity to meet up with Emily and her entourage (also known as her family) recently in Brownsville.  Now, if you know me, you know how much I adore Brownsville.  It is the cutest little town and it seriously just makes me happy.  I know I can be persuasive, but apparently not enough to convince my hubby that we need to live there.  Now.  :)

Emily, thank you so much for choosing me to be your senior photographer.  You were so much fun to work with and I simply adore you and your fabulous family!  You are an all-around awesome, awesome girl!!  I hope that you love your pictures and they are everything you hoped for!

To view more pictures from Emily’s session, check out the slideshow!  Also, be sure to view her customized senior site here!

Personally, I feel that when a client takes over part of the creative control, it only adds to the shoot.  You know better than anyone who you are, this should reflect in your portraits.  Have fun when planning your shoot and really think about how you want your portraits to look.  Together, we can collaborate to create a session that is unique, fresh and totally YOU!  :)  Got some ideas?  Bring them on!  I would love to chat with you and design the perfect shoot around what you’re looking for!

Danielle, you were so amazing to work with!  Despite a little wind, you couldn’t have picked a better day- or location- to do your session!  I hope you love your pictures!!

To view more  from Danielle’s session, check out her slideshow!  :)  You can also visit her senior site by clicking here.  Enjoy!

1. Because every senior is unique.  I know, I know- you’ve seen this on every senior photographer site imaginable.  And yes, I am posting it here, too.  :)  Every senior is truly unique and it is my job, as the photographer, to capture the essence of who you are.  Your demeanor, your style and your individuality.

2. Because every session is customized to my client.  My senior’s choose where they want to do their shoot- I don’t choose for them (however, if they need help choosing, I am always happy to do that).  I love when they have a little creative control over the shoot- afterall, the shoot is really all about them.  This is why I DON’T work with a set number of poses, I DON’T work off of lists, I DON’T have specific locations I rotate through and I DON’T shoot in a studio.  Pure customization.

3. Because seniors are fun!!  Seriously.  :)  They are up for anything and without hesitation.  I think that is pure awesome!  I’ve said it a million times and I’ll likely say it another million times: MY CLIENTS ROCK!

Recently I had the opportunity to meet up with Carissa, a senior from Bend.  She was amazing!!  :)  Carissa is a country girl who wasn’t afraid to get a little dirty, sit on a pile of scrap metal, or even walk her entire property barefoot.  That’s right, she was no damsel.  I just have to say this real quick- she totally reminds me of my best friend, Andrea, who you  may have seen on the blog before.  :)

Carissa, thank you so much for such a fabulous shoot!  You were so much fun to work with and I had the best time getting to know you.  :)  I LOVE that you chose to do your session on your property- it was perfect and suited you so well.  Great location choice!!  We hope you LOVE your pictures!!

If you want to see more from Carissa’s fabulous shoot, check out her slideshow.  Also, be sure to view her customized senior site, one of the new benefits we are offering all of our 2011 seniors!

Erin was gorgeous, as always!  Even before the makeup went on and she was standing in her parents living room in a white terry-cloth robe, she was glowing.  She truly radiated happiness.  As Justine and I moved around the room capturing life’s moments, seeking out all the little details of the day, occasionally we’d hear Erin’s infectious laughter from across the room and we’d all stop and smile.  :)  As the dress was laced up the back, Erin transformed from a cute and bubbly girl, to a breathtaking, exquisite bride.  No one could keep their eyes off of her, least of all her adoring groom.

Erin & Kenny, thank you so much for choosing us to share in the love and celebration of your day.  You two are the sweetest, cutest couple on this Earth and we absolutely adore you both.  Your wedding and wedding party were so much fun- our cheeks literally hurt from laughing so much.  :)  It was pure awesome.  We hope you love your pictures and can’t wait to see you both soon!

To view more images from Kenny & Erin’s beautiful wedding, be sure to view the slideshow!  :)  Enjoy!