FYI

Effective immediately, I will be doing a very reduced amount of photography. I'm not sure how long this decreased amount will last, but I'm planning to just 'play it by ear'. I need to focus more on my priorities-God, my family, Jonathan, and nursing! I love, love photography, but I am finding myself spending way too much time looking on pinterest and other blogs for ideas, making props, editing, driving all over doing the country with my camera, spending time away from home, etc. I have decided to limit my photography to family and friends...this being said, if you want pictures done, feel free to ask-and I'll let you know what I decide. If you have a pre-planned shoot with me, I will definately still be doing it! 

Another reason I am really trying to cut back on my photography, is because I am so, SO behind on scrapbooking! My goal is to be caught up on my own scrapbooks before I get married, whenever that may be. And I have a long ways to go! I have most of my school years scrapbooked, but I still need to finish my grad scrapbook, and haven't scrapbooked 2010, 2011, and now its already 2/3 way through 2012! :/ So hopefully with less photography I'll have more time for scrapbooking and enjoying my pictures : )

{I want to thank my brother Jacey for helping me make my awesome DIY pallet board backdrop! FYI to all  pinterest lovers out there-all those cute ideas involving pallets? They're not as simple and easy as they look. Most boards crack and split when you take apart a pallet. And most pallets are full of spiders, slivers, and well, aren't that attractive or strong. And making anything with them gets really heavy! But if you feel creative and want to try the pallet ideas anyways-go for it! (= Consider yourself warned!}

Anyways, I still have a lot of editing to catch up on (Q: who takes 1000 pictures at a 40th Wedding Anniversary? A: me! I wanted to make sure I had enough good shots! I do-I also have a lot of editing to do now!) More pictures to come from another sweet newborn as well as my sisters! :)

{Newborn: Logan}

Meet Logan! Every time I get to see him and cuddle him, he makes my day! He is such a lil cutie!

Derek & Leanna, congratulations with the birth of your firstborn son! Enjoy him :) Also, congratulations to the first time grandparents, aunts and uncles! 

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23.

{Baby Sneak Peak!}

Pictures of this sweet lil man to come soon! ;)

{VanEedenPetersman Family}

Meet the VanEedenPetersman family! They were celebrating a 40th Wedding Anniversary! Wow! What a beautiful family, lots of very happy, well-behaved kids (not to mention very cute kids!), and very obviously, lots of love amongst everybody! These are some of my very most favourite images that I have ever taken of families! Enjoy! :)

 (I included a few extra pictures of the couples, because I really want to do more couples/engagement shoots in the future!)

     

 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD. Psalm 127:3a

Wishing you both many more happy, healthy years together with your kids and grandkids! It was a pleasure to meet you and your family; thank you for allowing me to capture your special day! 

{Sweet Baby Timothy}

Meet sweet little Timothy! He is a very cuddle-able (if that's a word?!) cute lil guy! Henrietta is a good friend of mine, and it is very special to see her and her husband blessed with two little boys! God is very good! 

{The name Timothy means 'venerating or worshipping God,' which is a very special name to have!}

Henrietta and family, thanks for putting up with me and my camera and all my 'props!' Hope you like the pictures! Enjoy your new lil man! :)

{Baby-on-the-Way!}

I think that pregnancy is so absolutely amazing and beautiful and miraculous! My heart breaks for those ladies who are trying so hard to conceive and can't....

Anyways, enjoy these photos of my good friend who is, well.. ready to pop! :)

Hmmm... is baby a boy or a girl??! I'm so curious ;)

{Vanderspek Kiddos!}

Amy asked me to take a few pictures of her kids, especially portrait shots that she could hang on her wall. She warned me that Kyle and Natalie probably wouldn't sit still, and were hard to photograph

 (Aren't most kids? lol  ) Lucky for me, Kyle is super photogenic, and just plunked himself down and said 'cheese.' That only lasted for about 10 seconds, but I managed to grab a few shots in that time! :) I also got some very cute shots of Natalie, which were more casual! 

Most photographers probably would cringe if they saw the last picture of Natalie....I didn't capture the lighting very well and there's some harsh shadow lines.... But I love the picture, anyway! I think it really captures Natalie's free, playful character and shows just how precious little girls can be ;) 

As a (hobbyist) photographer, I aim for perfection. And sometimes, I think I go too far. Not all pictures have to be perfect, with perfect lighting and perfect props and perfect colours and perfect people. The main idea behind photography is capturing memories, and I want to make sure that I never lose sight of that! If all people remember after their photoshoot with me was the stiff posing and awkward positions, than I failed. I want them to remember laughter and special moments and love. 

So for all you moms (and others) out there who keep thinking 'I wish I had a better camera so I could take better pictures of my kids, and I wish I was more creative...' just remember to take lots of pictures and treasure the love, emotions, and people in each photograph. It's the people around you that matter, not the perfect pictures that you have or don't have. (But that being said, beautiful pictures are worth aLOT!)