When I was a kid we would go to the Festival of Trees every holiday season and I would admire all of the perfectly decorated trees with their specific color themes and not one light or ornament mismatched or out of place.  I would think to myself "When I am an adult and I have my own tree it will look like one of these."  Not this mismatched hodgepodge of a tree that always adorned one of my parents' homes.  But then something happened as I grew up.  I learned that every mismatched hodgepodge of an ornament has a special place in your heart, and on the tree...  if you do it right.  When my grandparents passed away, the only physical things I wanted of theirs were some of the precious ornaments that I grew up placing on their tree year after year.  No tree could have had a more extensive or eclectic mix of ornaments.  And none felt as much like home.  The traditions that tied me to that tree were rich and deep.  My grandparents' tree was much like my relationship with them. Something I grew to appreciate more and more as years went by.  All of this is not to say that our tree doesn't have its share of generic Target ornaments.  Or that I don't still insist on white lights over colored.  But there are those ornaments that I take out of the box so carefully and with great delight.  Feeling like I am reuniting with something truly special each time I do.    

One of the newer ornaments... I co-created this with Grant when he was about 6 months old.

My favorites of my grandmother's ornaments. This is one of 4 that clip in the branches over the tiny lightbulbs.

Another from my grandparents. I know this one is very juvenile. It was my absolute favorite to hang when I was a kid. I refused to let anyone else touch it.

And one more from Grandma's collection. One of her many many antiques. I fish you a Merry Christmas. ;)

May your tree also be merry and bright and full of a lifetime of ever-growing happy memories.

Check it out!  We're in a short film!  Kind of a "day in the life of" look at us.  Only not the day where I'm in old jeans editing in front of my computer all day.  (That wouldn't make for very good cinema at all now would it?)  No, this is our ideal sort of day where we get to shoot awesome clients (thank you Lindsay and Butch!), spend time together and with close friends...  We hope you enjoy the show!  

Amazing and talented people who helped us put this together:  

Bryan and Tracey Coward of Tampa Wonderworks,  Jim Morey of The Jim Morey Band

Good news!  We'll be in the KC area with appointment times available February 18 and February 20.  It will be the perfect time to meet us in person if you're considering commissioning us to photograph your KC wedding.  Did you know there are no travel fees with our Kansas City weddings?  We'll also have portrait sessions and boudoir sessions available those days.  Call or email to reserve your time.  We're looking forward to being back, catching up with family and old friends and meeting some new friends too!  See you soon, KC!

We saw this film tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The characters were well developed, cast, played.  The script was smooth and witty.  It took us to another time and place which is always fun.  And it was sooo pretty.  Just beautifully shot. Definitely worth checking out!

I found this video on one of my favorite blogs (Garance Dore) quite some time ago and just felt like sharing it. The singer reminds me of my beautiful mom. :)

"Every flower about a house certifies to the refinement of somebody. Every vine climbing and blossoming tells of love and joy" - Robert G. Ingersoll

Last week I celebrated a birthday.  This week when I came across this picture of a beautiful old piece Michael and I stumbled upon in our travels, I had to think "Some things really do get better with age."  I am just hoping I can prove to be one of those things. And perhaps as I age become: a better mom.  a better mate.  a better friend. a better photographer. a better pet keeper,  a better house keeper.  a better me.  And one day when I am old and weathered, see all the would be imperfections as the perfect, unique patina that will show off my years of motherhood, my time in the sun and the rain, those times I laughed til my belly hurt, those times I loved, cried, healed, and learned. Sometimes a little age is all something (or someone) needs to go from good to wonderful.  In the meantime...  I'm still applying the lifting eye cream before bed.  ;) Really though- isn't this lovely?

And then I saw this quite funny picture of our reflection in a mirrorball in the same store.  I'm kissing Michael's cheek (looks like I'm kissing the camera).  I do love them both!

One of the best things about parenthood is the perspective and peace it allows me.  Life presents hurdles in some of the toughest ways and sometimes at the most inopportune times, but when I look at my baby, all is as it should be.  He is happy, healthy, and safe, and there is nothing more I could ask for.  

After a bit of bribing with his favorite mint Oreos, he let me snap a few shots for the archives.  What I wouldn't give to have eyes like his!

Jack and Grant adore each other.

Grant's shoe laces are always untied!

His infectious giggle is the sweetest sound.

Here's to long days filled with sunshine, laughter, and the occasional tiki bar!  

This spring, to our pleasant surprise we discovered we have a fruit tree in our front yard.  One I had never heard of before the neighbors informed us of the sweetness in store.  A lychee tree.  Within their coarse red rinds is the sweetest, silkiest flesh. Somewhat grape-like but larger and smoother with an equally smooth seed inside.

The lychees have been a treat to feast on and share with our neighbors.  The old man on the bicycle, the little girls in pigtails jumping at the branches.  Thank you for the sweet gifts, lychee tree.  You are a simple joy magnet.  

Every frame of this short film for Chanel No. 5 is graceful, rich in style and emotion. I find it great inspiration for my photography. You may find it inspiring too. Couples: Don't be afraid to play in front of the camera. No need to feel silly. After all, you are the stars on your wedding day. Act out your love as if in your own short film and I promise you will love the resulting images. Ladies who boudoir: Same goes for you! Bring out your inner actress with thoughts of your love. Play around with dreamy poses, far away stares, imagine with every step you take your love is dreaming of you too. Bring on the romance!!

Our own wedding planning has been put on the back burner until we get through this wedding season, but this much I know: I will be wearing one of these lovely fascinators (still deciding the exact feather combo) with a black birdcage veil on my wedding day. I love them. I think they would be beautiful for a boudoir shoot too.

In April my baby turned 7!!  (Truly doesn't seem possible.  The phrase "They grow up so fast" is a vast understatement.)  His dad arranged an adorable birthday bash at a local bowling alley.  Thank God for bumpers!  

And earlier this month, Michael walked in FGCU's graduation ceremony. He actually graduated in December, but that ceremony took place while we were in Cape Cod, so he walked in May instead. I felt so much pride watching him in cap and gown, celebrating his achievement. Way to go, love!

And on a much less significant note, I just realized one of my very favorite artists, Tori Amos, released a new CD yesterday which I am enjoying as I type. :D New music from favorite artists is such a treat.

Here's to life's sweet moments and simple pleasures!

Last week one of my new clients sent me the most scrumptious goodies from her very own line of bath and body products, JenniBaby.  (A must try- go check it out.)  It was such a fun surprise to receive in the mail.  I love the whimsical touch of the flirty little rubber ducky she included and I LOVE these products!  The sugar scrub was my fave, a dense scrub that exfoliates and then turns into a soapy lather.  Everything was light and fresh, not greasy at all.  And I smell like a creamsicle.  Yummmm.  I think I'm hooked.  What delicious scent to try next?  Thank you so much Jennifer!!  

He's got all my love love love.  And a grin like a vampire thanks to those new teeth coming in.  Too bad Halloween is so far away.