Sweet, little Allie came in for her 18 month session a few weeks back and, my goodnes, she is a cutie!  She had many expressions to share and was such a delight to photograph.  It is so much fun to watch little ones grow over time.  I have had the opportunity to capture her and her older siblings ever since they were teeny tiny.  It is such an honor to be able to capture a family as it grows...such sweet memories.  

Look at those little, chubby legs...I love them!

She is such a doll...

We are anxious for spring here in the midwest.  We were hoping that dressing for it might bring on change...not there yet.  ;)

And...finally.  I know I teased you with a picture a while back...so sorry.  ;)  This has to be one of my favorite sessions...I am so glad they wanted snow to be a part of their session.  I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to go since it was bitter, bitter outside, but Nate and Amber rolled with it.  We all had hand warmers to keep the numbness from getting the best of us and the light was absolutely perfect.

As for Nate and Amber...we are so happy for them.  We have known Nate for quite some time and knew that he would find the perfect girl at the perfect time.  And I think he did just that.  Congratulations you two...we couldn't be happier for you! Love to you both!

The light was kinda doing its own thing and I loved it!

You two are adorable!!!

This is one of my favorites...love it!

I promise they were sitting on something other than snow.

I could've shot in this light all day...

Wow...wow...wow...

Love the candidness of this one...

Another favorite...

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.     -Annie Dillard

I spent most of my week in Denver for the Living the Dream workshop.  I debated attending this workshop for many reasons, but when it came down to it I knew I needed to go.  Over the past year I have been somewhat convicted with the way our work schedules have been. Running your own business requires a lot of time and energy.  I know there are ways to keep it from intertwining every area of your life...we just haven't mastered it. ;)  For example, I tend to be one of those who thinks, "If I just get this done, then I can relax."  Yet, my checklist never ends thus my wheels are always turning and I find myself unable to step away from my computer.  I knew the content of the workshop along with some reflective time for me would be a positive bonus to the coming year...positives for the business and our family.

Well, I came home enlightened and knew that going was a good decision.  The thoughts and ideas that will be implemented will  enable things to run even more smoothly and as a result give us more time.  In addition to that, I walked away with new friends that have already found a special place in my heart...they alone brought encouragement and inspiration that will remain close to my heart for a long time to come.

As for these pictures, every time I look at them it reminds me that our family relationships are of utmost importance.  I realized that these people will not be in my life forever and that the time I "make" for them now will be memories that I will cherish long after they are gone.  The same holds true for Jeremy's grandma and others who we cherish and love.  The quote mentioned above: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives," sums up my thoughts in this post.  While I can't imagine doing anything else other than photography, I have come to realize that I also don't want to have all of my memories of life found with me sitting in front of the computer.  ;)  I want to live life with those I love without any regret...realizing that it may not be every day, but it will be with a conscious effort that when the work day is done...it's done.  

I have found that taking time for me and my family will enable benefits of being a better mom, wife, friend, daughter and photographer.  I know we are all busy and my hope is that you will also find that time to be with the ones you love...and maybe do something just for yourself.

but this sure is beautiful!!!

I can't wait to share more from Nate & Amber's session with you soon.

Have a wonderful Thursday! 

Over the past year I have had ideas filling my mind with ways that I can help moms take better photos of their own children.  Do I offer a workshop?  Do I offer a series of organized gatherings?  Should I set up a blog?  The list goes on and on.  My mind is one big mess most of the time...lots of ideas to sift through.  It's amazing...  ;)

A few months back as our season was starting to wind down I had a chance to think things through again.  You see it is rather common for me to be asked questions on how to choose/use a camera, lighting, angles, basic editing (b/w, cropping, etc).  While I truly believe there is an obvious need for professional photography and having your family documented is a must, I do realize that a photographer cannot follow your children around day in and day out.  I always have moms tell me that they got a new camera, but have absolutely no idea how to use it...such a waste.  I'm not trying to build a slew of new photographers, just moms who want to document their "every day" better.  This is where my idea finally landed...

I have started a blog just for moms...a place for moms and their cameras.  I will be sharing ideas, tips, answer questions, giving things away, etc. and hope to begin thinking along the lines of some small workshops here and there in the future.  I realize how important it is to document my own children and I hope that as I help other moms, I can also encourage myself to document the "every day" better with Gabe and Claire.  Life is too short to not use a camera.  ;)  There are many times where I will look back at photos of Gabe and Claire and have tears well up.  I miss those first moments, those messy times...and while I do a great job of capturing them in fun locations and all cute I also want to remember the other times when life just happens.  Our business keeps us busy and I am forever thankful, but I don't want to miss the moments in my own life that I will not be able to capture later.  I hope that this blog will be something that we can all hold ourselves accountable to.

So, here it is:  PhotoMommas

I would love for you to go and check it out...bookmark it, add the link to your own family/personal blog, share it with other moms you know...  Feel free to submit questions you may have or things you would like to learn.  Hopefully, together we will capture every day life with our litte ones better.  

xoxoMel