And if they look familiar...

It is because you have seen some of their wedding photos from last year.  

My sweet friend met me at the park with her kids all dressed up so I could keep practicing.  We went at 10 o'clock in the morning, and I learned  A LOT! 

I find now, that I have become more critical of my work.   I show it here so that I may know my starting point, because on this day I did shoot completely manual, which is a new step for me as I continue to learn.  I am just thrilled to be making baby steps!

Switcheroo

The following shots are my favorites of the day because I finally figured out how to make my camera "blur" the background by setting my f-stop correctly!

And if you haven't guessed from the earlier photos, my dear friend is expecting a new addition!  Yea!  

Can't wait to meet Baby "S", knowing you have such beautiful children, 

 I want to photograph this one as well!  

Pretty please?

Congratulations, my beautiful, sweet friend!  

Thanks for fighting the heat, and bearing with me.  You juggle it all so well!

Location:  Smith Gardens, July 2009

Family Session

Before we left for Pennsylvania, I had the opportunity to capture this family for little Owen's first birthday.  You guys were so fun to work with and I can't wait to do it again!

Playing around with some post-processing...

Mom thinks she will frame these all together for a wall at home... 

I have a picture of my oldest very similar to this...Love it!

Thanks "H" family!  

Location: Wegerzyn Garden, June 2009

Wedding "Intern"

My friends at Heart and Light Photography allowed me to tag along at a recent wedding as their intern.  It just so happens that the bride was one of our favorite babysitters from a few years ago!

Although I never did make the coffee run that Lori kept requesting, I busied myself trying to absorb ALL that I still need to learn about this business.

Staci and Jonathon, I had a blast sharing your day with you.  Thank you for allowing me the privilege to "peek in" on your special moments together with your family and friends.  

I wish you all God's blessings for many, many happy years together!

The Bride and her Father

Seconds before seeing her Groom for the 1st time

The ring bearers paying close attention during the ceremony

The newly married couple

Baby Joel

I had the opportunity last weekend to photograph this newborn!  I absolutely adored holding him and feeling that baby mold right into me.

Big Brother returned home about halfway through and I just had to capture those eyes-isn't he gorgeous?

Joel sums up how we were all feeling 2 hours later...

Thank you G and E for allowing me to intrude on your precious family moments. Congratulations!  He is just scrumptious!

Brrrr.....

Well, I finally got to do another shoot and it was so much fun! It was about 27 degrees outside this day and I got to practice my tolerance for the cold (which happens to give out at about 50 degrees). We were all freezing but you guys were such great sports and I think we got some great shots.

Practicing my layouts seems easier with PS than with blogger....

Can't wait to show you the rest!

My first feeble attempts at photography...

You know that dream that we all keep inside, close to our hearts? I am about to share mine...

I made the choice before I was even married that I would stay home and raise any babies that God blessed me with. I was lucky enough to grab a guy who placed the same priority on that.

Well, here I am almost 10 years later,
and next year my youngest baby will go to school, everyday.

I have had the opportunity to work from home almost the entire time. I have been thinking that pretty soon I will have a new opportunity to work outside of the home.

My first priority will always be to my family, but I also want the freedom to nurture a small dream that has been growing. I want to start laying the groundwork for something that has been close to my heart for as long as I can remember.

Capturing on film, a moment, a giggle, an emotion...

Preserving life's memories as we walk through this lifetime.

So, here I will post my latest attempts at "perfecting" my craft. I welcome your comments and critiques. The following are friends that were kind enough to let me practice on them or their children. Thank you to all!

The lovely Wilson gals...

Can't forget big sis...

One of my favorite shots of the day...

The very dashing Mr. and Mrs. Smith

The Sandpearl, Clearwater Beach, FL

My beautiful friend, Annie and her family

(And to Pritchie, my mentor-Thank you for sharing your wisdom and expertise. You have been incredibly gracious to share with me what you have learned, it has been invaluable! I know I have a long ways to go, hoping you will continue to walk me through it!)