She's Rocking the Urban Vibe - Tucson Senior Photographer

I had a blast working with Kjersten last weekend. When we spoke during her senior portraits consultation she said she would be up for any type of location. I love downtown Tucson for senior pictures...urban but not too many people (plus the fact that I can get great coffee and good eats after the shoot).  I had been eying this particular spot every time I drove through downtown, so I described the urban and rustic feel to her. She was easily convinced, and I was excited. Without further ado, here are Kjersten's senior pictures.

So teach us to number our day - A personal post

So teach us to number our days 

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Psalm 90 has been one of my favorite chapters in the Bible since I was in college. I don't know what it is exactly that draws me to it...maybe its melancholy tone, maybe the truth of the toil and heartache we feel in this life, or maybe its the fact that it sounds so desperate and hopeless for much of the psalm. The part that really gets me is that the "[years of our life] are soon gone, and we fly away."

There's something in this that really resonates with me. I'm not a depressed, pessimistic or too emotional person. But I often feel like this life is slipping away too fast and our toil and troubles are all too real. There's something in me that jumps up and wants to rebel against this heartache. I desperately search for more. 

And that's when it happens.The most lovely thing takes place in the last stanza of this psalm. There's a huge juxtaposition between the toil/trouble reality and how the psalmist deals with the sad aforementioned truths of life.  After going on and on about how short and hard life is he says, 

"Satisfy us in the morning with your steafast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil."  

I'm so thankful that we don't have to be stuck in the mire. My heart leaps for joy that I can have peace and hope because of what Christ has done. I know that all things will be made right one day.

And I think this all plays into why I love photography. I am reminded over and over again how short life is. I know that these moments are fleeting and I think that's why I can't put my camera down...I want to keep recording life as long as I can. I know I can't relieve the moments, and I know that taking pictures doesn't make me live any longer, and I know that it doesn't change the heartache and toil that is intertwined with this life, but photography helps me to record some of the goodness that God has allowed us to experience, as a sort of foreshadowing of what is to come. 

Learning to Shoot - Tucson Photographer

I've decided to finally do it! After lots of inquiries about doing a photography 101 class I've decided to hold my first "Learning to Shoot" workshop. This class will be perfect for you if you're a photography newbie or if you love photography but haven't quite grasped the concept of "going manual". We'll be learning about your camera, different modes, lighting, composition, and technique. Here's the details...
 

And I'm super excited to say that anyone who books their registration before September 1st will receive $20 off their registration, after that the normal class fee of $100 resumes.

I can't wait to see some of you at my first Learning to Shoot class!

Adorable Little Miss is Turning Two! - Tucson Child Photographer

Blond hair, blue eyes, an adorable personality, and an upcoming second birthday = a great reason for a photo shoot in downtown Tucson. Little Miss came dressed for the occasion in a great black and white checkered dress and awesome red converse (I'm so happy they have these in kid sizes...I've got to get my little girl a pair!). We headed to one of my favorite downtown locations for this family photo shoot and had fun trying to keep Little Miss from pointing out every bus and train that went by. I can't believe how well this little girl could work the camera...a million smiles all around :) Happy birthday sweet girl!

Beautiful Sarah- Tucson Senior Photographer

It was so much fun photographing Sarah. I had this crazy idea for her senior photo shoot. I told Sarah the pictures would be gorgeous, but that she'd have to trust me. I told her no one would believe she took the pictures in Tucson...it would look like we'd driven all the way to Iowa for such gorgeous tall grass. She was up for it...and I'm so glad she wasn't scared to follow me into a random wash not too far from my house. Her courage + her beauty + overrun grass in a random wash = AMAZING senior pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Reprioritizing has it's benefits - Tucson Family Photographer

You may (or may not) have noticed that things have been a bit quiet around here lately. There's a reason for that. A few months ago I was in meltdown mode. In reality, my daughter was the one having the meltdown, but I was not far from it. She was having a tantrum and was not wanting to go to bed, and all that I had playing in my mind was "I don't have time for this!" I had several photo shoots to edit, emails to return, calls to make...and, oh yeah, I hadn't spent an evening hanging out with my husband in who knows how long.


At times I'm able to handle the constant screaming (and boy can my daughter belt it out!). When I've allow Him to, God has used these hard times to remind me of His tremendous love for us...even when we're in the midst of acting like a tantrum-prone two year old. At other times He's allowed me the patience to stay calm through the screams and to be able to talk to her about what's going on her heart (rebellion, defying my authority, selfishness) after she's calmed down. But that night I too was having a tantrum, wanting to scream at the top of my lungs, "I just want some time for myself!"

In that moment of desperation God graciously spoke to me. After thinking the words, "I just can't do this" it dawned on me that I really couldn't do it. I had to slow down. I couldn't work endlessly to build my photography business while working as a part-time physical therapist, being in the Reserves, being a pastor's wife, and attempting to be a good mother and wife. I just couldn't do it. (I know at this point you're thinking- no kidding, that's too much for one person to handle-- but I tend to think I'm superwoman at times and sometimes just need to crash and burn before I realize my folly.) I needed to enjoy the precious moments of my kids being little, and I needed to spend time with my wonderful husband. Bottom line- I needed to re prioritize.

So I did it. I re prioritized. I took a month or so completely off from photography (the business side at least...I was still taking way too many pictures of my kids and family :) ). God comes first. My family is next. Work is last.

At first it pained me to do this. I love photography. I'm addicted to photography. So purposefully stepping back from photography and the business I was creating was hard...but in a way really wonderful and freeing. I needed a reminder that I'm not superwoman and that our time on this planet is short. I'm thankful God is gracious in reminding me.

So all of this to say I've decided to only take a few sessions a month to make sure that I'm still able to provide wonderful, full, and gorgeous photos for clients without feeling like I'm taking too much time from my family. I feel lighter and free-er than I have in a long time.

I'm still in love with photography. I'm still addicted to it. But now in a more healthy way.

One of the benefits of re prioritizing and taking some time off was that I was able to take a family vacation with my family. Here are a few pics of my nephew, my brother, and my incredible sister-in-law from our time.