Just before our family trip to Central Europe, my lovely neighbor came over for a portrait session. She is a beautiful and inspiring woman who I feel very fortunate to know and become friends with, so naturally the shoot went very well and the images looked fantastic. The day after our return, I wanted to drop off some chocolates from Poland, a thank-you-for-taking-care-of-our-house-and-kitten gift. She had a rough day and I felt that I should have picked a better moment to pounce with chocolates, but I gave her a hug and offered anything to make her feel better. The very next day I was struck with a case of the blues, caused by jet lag among other things. I was leaving my home to run some errands, feeling down, and Crystal walked up with her husband. A bit of a role reversal, this time I was the one with the blues in need of some neighborly distraction (and some kind of sweets). We talked for a few minutes and before I knew it, my mood had lifted. I needed the distraction and to be reminded that we all have bad days, but the way we handle them is what determines our character and level of grace. The rest of the day went much better and I felt so grateful for this encounter with my wonderful neighbors.

We are so fortunate to be living such a beautiful life and to share it with the ones we love. I could hardly believe how blind I was to everything other than my case of the blues. Instead of giving myself a hard time for seeing things in such a muddled way, I decided to simply acknowledge that even beauties get the blues. Sometime we just need a little help or time to get back to center and see things clearly. Until then, we have chocolates, yoga and wonderful neighbors to help us get there.

My beautiful neighbor Crystal

I can’t wait to shoot more portraits with this wonderful woman, especially now that she has announced that she and her husband have a bun in the oven! All the more reason to celebrate!! Congratulations Gene and Crystal!!

My favorite photo of my Mom, taken by my grandfather.

As I think of where my life has taken me, I can’t help but think of my Mom and the role she has played in my success. When I was nine years old she enrolled me in a film photography class at our local JCC. I was told that I was very lucky to be in the class, the cut off age was ten, and that I might have to work harder to keep up with the older kids. As it turns out I fell in love with photography and everything about it. I love the smell of the darkroom in the morning! I still have several of the photos from that summer, reminding me of where I got my start.

It was a privilege to return to the JCC last year to display my own photographs as a part of their permanent collection, hanging next to my grandfather and John Fielder.

My Mom may not have known how much that class would influence me as a future photographer but she had no doubt when I told her I wanted to attend Brooks Institute of Photography. I graduated in 2006 as President of the Student Association and delivered a speech in front of our entire class and their families. I wanted her to see how far I had come in only a few years.

There is an old Jewish proverb that reminds me of her, “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.” I am filled with gratitude and love every time I think of her.

I feel so blessed and want nothing more than to wish my Mom a very happy birthday!!

I like to joke about my love of baking and how much I love a great apron. The funny thing is I started to love baking when I decided to eat healthier and avoid dairy, but no matter how healthy the ingredients, baked goodies are best enjoyed on special occasions or as a gift. I realized that I would need to either break up with my oven, or start baking for other people in my life. I decided to bring this into my business by gifting baked goodies to my clients and I couldn’t be happier! Everyone wins! I finished two packages yesterday before shipping them to people who I wished I could celebrate with in person, so instead, I’ve sent cookies and lots of love. Everyone loves a care package, I just want to be the one sending them.

After 750 miles I’m finally home from Las Vegas and WPPI, a massive convention for wedding and portrait photographers. I had the pleasure of traveling with fellow shooters I’ve known for years as well as the pleasant surprise of meeting many new creative friends, and even better, seeing my favorite photographers speak and share ideas. After one week in Las Vegas (thank goodness it’s February) I left feeling inspired and ready for all that 2012 has to offer. This wedding season will be very exciting, traveling to Italy is only one of the many highlights, but I’m also eager to continue creating portraits of the men and women who inspire me most, while meeting new people who push me to be more creative each day, in and out of the studio.

An Inspiring Woman and Friend

It was almost surreal to hear Sue Bryce and Elizabeth Messina share their stories in success and life in such a genuine and beautiful way, raising the bar of what women are capable of, photographers or not. That said, I’m ready to share my own stories and inspiration with you and plan to use this blog to do so. Wrapping up February with portrait sessions will not only further develop my own artistic style, but it will also help distract from the almost unbearable anticipation leading up to my trip to Eastern Europe. My fiance and I are meeting my parents and siblings for a tour of Budapest, Prague, Krakow and Warsaw, and of course I will have my camera with me every step of the way. Traveling somewhere new is always an adventure and meeting the locals is my goal. Shooting portraits while breaking language barriers intimidated me in the past, but now I’m anxious to get there and hit the ground running.

2012, this is going to be a beautiful year!

2012 is shaping up to be an amazing year. I will be traveling to Italy to shoot the wedding of two of my best friends this June, not long before my own wedding in Colorado. There are more travels coming this spring and WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) in just a few days. I’m so excited about the upcoming wedding season! More soon.