Shauna is a dear friend of mine, and one of the most supportive. She truly loves photographs. She gets it. And she’s always thinking of fun ideas to incorporate. I love going over to their home and seeing all of the photos I have taken over the years, literally everywhere! It’s one of the most rewarding feelings as a photographer. THAT is what I aspire to give all of my clients- photographs that they cherish so much, they hang them all over the place, and keep coming back for more!!!

I love you guys, and I’m so happy that you keep coming back <3 I hope you enjoy your photos, and here’s to many more in the future! (Corey, you’re a trooper )

It has been a long while since I have shot a newborn baby girl, so when Stephanie called me and set up a session for her new bundle of joy, I was super excited!!

Sydney was a great sport, I’m really happy with the images that we got from her session. I just love how cute her room is, (Great job Stephanie & Scott!) The green is such a pretty color! Sydney was just 9 days old in these photos, congratulations Stephanie and Scott, on your new addition!

Here are a few of my favorites from their session, let me know what you think.

McKenzie is now three years old, and a little firecracker! She has got an opinion of her own and she’s more than happy to share it with you. I just love little personalities! It’s so fun to ask them silly questions and hear their answers. I’m convinced that child logic is amazing.

Then there’s the adorable Brady. He just turned one month, and this was the first time I met him. What. A. Doll. I could eat him up I love him so!! Congrats on the handsome baby boy Bowling family!!!

Sometimes, when I’m lucky, I’m able to get a photo of a child that is almost like a vision into their future. It doesn’t always happen, but it did this day. Maybe it’s just me and my eyes, but when I look at this photo, I see a much older McKenzie than just a three year old little girl. These are some of my favorite moments to capture <3 And isn’t she just gorgeous?? Watch out Steph, this one’s going to be a heartbreaker!!!

And who couldn’t love a face like Brady’s?? Just look at those eyelashes! They would make any girl i know completely jealous. Why is it that the boys are always the ones with the thick, beautiful, long lashes? Thank heavens for mascara!!

Thank you for letting me capture some special moments for you and your family Many more to come!!

<3

i posted about it on my facebook page.. but never said what it was that i splurged on. it took about a month to get to me, but when it arrived from hong kong i couldn’t have been more excited!!! i have been wanting one forever now, so it’s really fun to have one… this is the beauty that i purchased:

a fujifilm instax mini 7s!!!

i also purchased 5 packs of film with it. It produces business card size polaroid photos, and i am in loooooove with them!!! Thank goodness they still make film for this baby, i hope they never quit!!

my first photos i took with it were of quincey and the flowers that mark brought me when he picked me up at the airport from costa rica

Then i took my fabulous friend Tonja out to a newer restaurant here that I’m in love with- Slappycakes for her birthday, and we had some Polaroid fun It’s a super awesome modern style restaraunt that is all about having fun, making pancakes, and enjoying deliciousness!! All of the staff is SUPER nice too! We ended up taking my dad there for his birthday the next weekend, we loved it so much! Oh, and they serve Stumptown coffee <3 win!

Making delicious pancakes!!

Us and our delicious blood orange mimosas! Yay birthday breakfasts!!!

My camera shaped pancake with butterscotch chips <3

The awesome booth decal! This place has STYLE!!!

Can you say “YUM!”?!

They came over and sang “Slappy Birthday” to Tonja, and gave her a deep fried banana with fresh made whipped cream and a candle to blow out

still learning to use the different settings on this polaroid cam… you can set it to indoors, cloudy, sunny, or really sunny…. i forgot to switch it, and it was bright out for these 2. Thanks to the random dude on the street who took these for us!!

And of course I had to get some fun pics of my boys and i

Mark bought me an amazing 7th Heaven bunny butt cupcake from JaCiva’s!!! THAT is LOVE! <3 Quincey wanted some, hahaha i love that pic!

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Needless to say, I’m putting my “splurge” to good use! And hopefully I’ll be able to use it soon on some of my photo shoots!

until the next post!

<3

I met these two darling’s mother Jenn back when we were both working in cosmetics, and I was still in school for graphic design. She was just starting her very own business- a cute, funky-fresh retro themed line of baby apparel, bibs, burp & bum rags, and blankets: Pearly Grey. (Fun Fact Alert!: she was my first “client” for design! I created her logo, hehe) Check out her site and if you know anyone who’s expecting, she makes these awesome little Hospital Take-Out kits that are completely adorable (they even come in a Chinese-style take-out box!)!! I just gave one as a gift at a baby shower I attended, and you should have heard the “oohs” and “aaaahs” it got. Total win.

Jenn and her family are just beautiful. She is such a wonderful person, and her kids are to-die-for gorgeous!!! So of course, when she said she wanted to do newborn photos for her newest addition, little Liam, I was more than excited!!! It’s always fun to work with other artists, and Jen is just so laid back in general, I knew we would get some really great photos!

A lot of people ask me where I shoot, if I have a studio, bring props, etc. I am an on-location natural light photographer. That means that I show up with my camera, a few basic essentials, and my talents. One of the most important things to me is to capture people’s genuine self, which means capturing them in their own element, with things that are special or important to them. When I showed up to Jenn’s house, I was more than thrilled to walk into her completely adorable kitchen!!! These photos were shot in her kitchen right next to a sliding glass door. All natural light. Of course, she has a completely adorable kitchen, I mean, look at the wall color!!! And not to mention the black and white tile floor… my mind is spinning with all of the possibilities that I didn’t take advantage of… well, we’ll just have to do another shoot This woman has got style!!

Now, onto the photos! Welcome to the world little Liam Vincent You are perfect in every sense of the word.

Liam’s older sister Jane Pearl was such a perfect little model for me too! She wanted so badly to be a part of the whole shoot, and I couldn’t have asked for a more cooperative little model. Isn’t she completely gorgeous!? I can hardly believe she’s just 5 years old…

And she just loves being a big sister You can tell she takes so much pride in it. Little Liam, you are in good hands!

These next shots are probably my favorites from the entire shoot. Completely beautiful <3 There were too many good ones. Just look at how peaceful little Liam looks in her arms

Another cute shot of Jane I can’t help it, if only all 5 year olds were this excited to have their photo taken! haha.

Check out those little lips

A few of my faves with mommy, of course!!

I just love his expression in this one, it’s like he’s saying “awww come on mom! geez…” haha, I just had to post it!

And we just had to get a couple of product shots in there for Jenn to use to promote her business!

And of course, the adorable chair shot! (I know, I posted it in the sneak peek, but I just can’t help but post it again I love it so much!)

Thank you Jenn, for being so great, and for choosing me to take Liam’s first photos I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

<3

I find myself extremely well off at this time in my life. This year has been a complete roller coaster for me.

Of course it goes without saying how thankful I am to have such an amazing boyfriend, family, and friends. They all mean the world to me, and I’m so glad that we get to share our stories in this book of life. Without them, life wouldn’t have much meaning to me. They are really the biggest pieces in my puzzle. Also, my little puppy-son Quincey. As he sits here scratching my arm, begging me for attention, I think back to when he was so so tiny. We got him 2 years ago, the day before Christmas eve. He has become such a huge part of me, and is always there to love me unconditionally. A dog’s love is truly remarkable. I am thankful for all of them.

In the beginning of the year, I was working a job I hated, and ultimately quit. I felt frustrated, angry, and just sad in general. After getting out of school 2 years ago, I was still unable to land a good design job. i was forced to go back to the restaurant industry. I know, I know, it isn’t horrible, however it was one of those chapters in my life that while I was happy I had it to fall back on, I thought I wouldn’t have to re-open it. I did that for a while, but things started to slow down and it was hard to get hours. Drama, drama, drama… as luck would have it, my friend recommended me for a job, and I emailed in to apply. A week and another interview later, I got the job!!! Marketing Assistant at a very fast-growing mortgage company! It may not sound exciting, but it was honestly a dream come true, and has turned out to be a completely awesome job. I am so thankful for my job, especially in this economy, and especially since I get to utilize my creative skills (and degree!).

a little over a year ago, Mark and I moved from our tiny one bedroom apartment into a spacious 2 bed, 2 bath apartment. I am thankful for all of the extra space that we enjoy.

I was able to recently upgrade my computer so that I can work faster and more effieciently on my photos. I am thankful for my new computer (and the boyfriend who built it).

My photo business has really grown this year. I am thankful for all of the new clients, and compliments I receive. I am thankful for being able to capture the beauty and love within people.

Gas prices have gone down, my pocketbook is thankful for that.

I am thankful for all of the new people and friends who have come into my life this past year. I thrive on new relationships!

I am thankful for my space heater. I hate being cold.

I am so thankful that I can afford to pay my bills, and that even though I may not have much left over, at least I can live.

I am thankful for music.

I am thankful for delicious foods. And drinks.

I am thankful for the sun, and the blue sky, and clouds. (cumulonimbus clouds especially!)

I am thankful for technology. Without it, so much would not be possible, including my art.

I am thankful for the mentors in my life, you have taught me so much, and most of you don’t even know it!

There are so many more things that I could list, but I don’t want this post to be too lengthy. It’s been a while since I’ve done a ‘personal post’, so this was pretty fun. I’ll do another one with photos soon, but for now since it feels weird to post without a photo, here’s one from our most recent trip to Reno of mark’s cousins

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Be on the lookout for more from these sessions very soon!

<3

A lot of the photographers who inspire me the most are newborn photographers. So to say the least, they are always some of my favorite sessions!
This little bundle of love was 7 days old on the day we had his session. I couldn’t believe all of the hair he had! Such a darling little baby boy. His name is Evan Grey, and I could just eat him up! Congratulations Rachelle and Brenden, your little baby boy is perfect

And my personal favorite from the session… it was a tough call, and the monkey pic is another fave… but this one makes my heart melt…

We decided to shoot at Laurelhurst Park, since it’s one of the most beautiful locations in the Portland area during this time of year. The trees, leaves, and entire setting is just picture perfect! Plus, while Holli and her family have lived here in Portland for a few years now, they are originally from New Orleans– so I thought it would be the perfect landscape to capture some memories!

Holli and her sister Lindsey are so gorgeous, they made my job really easy!! I’m really happy with their photos

(random side note- I got my passport this weekend!!!! AHHH!!! I’m so excited!)

Ok, now onto the photos!!!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, that is partially due to lack of time, and partially to the internal debate of what to post.
I keep arguing with myself over what should and what shouldn’t be included in this blog. Part of me wants to use this as a blog to track my daily happenings, as well as my professional work, while the other part thinks I should keep it strictly business. I find myself contemplating this often, and not posting because of it. However, I have decided that all of my favorite blogs include personal posts, and therefore, mine will too. I want my readers to get to know me, not only as a photographer, but also as a person. I think it will be more entertaining also, as I have some fun/funny stories on occasion that I would love to share!

I ventured out to the Pumpkin Patch with my cousins, and their kids recently. I forgot how many different activities and fun things there are to do at the patch!!! A mini train to ride, hay mazes, corn on the cobb, elephant ears, a mini petting zoo, corn maze, a huge haystack, a flower garden, and of course– PUMPKINS!

I don’t remember any annual pumpkin-getting traditions from when I was a kid… this could be because I was too little to remember… I think we just went to random patches each year… I do remember one year, riding on a hay ride pulled by a tractor… could have been a school feild trip? I remember one year though, we went out to this HUGE field, and it was cold and rainy, and muddy all over, and my dad had a wheelbarrow for us to put our chosen pumpkins in. I believe there is a photo of this trip somewhere at my dad’s house… I should find that… Anyways, it was super fun It makes me wonder if these kids will remember these trips in years to come. Good thing I’m around to capture the memories for them

Some of my favorites from the day and a video at the end!

Here’s a video of all of us trying to get the kids to pose for a shot: exhibit one why I prefer being a “photo-journalistic” photographer, ha! So much more natural… but we got it eventually…

Here is the final shot:

What are you going to be for Halloween?! I still have to get some good pics of Quincey in his costume to post on here! Haha, oh, and for those of you who don’t know, Halloween is Quincey’s birthday! He’ll be two this year I can hardly believe it!!! He will always remain my baby though <3

I think mark and I have figured our costumes out… (yes, we may actually dress up this year!! I know!?) We’ll see…..

until later <3