These littles grow up too fast. I feel very honored to be able to freeze that moment in time.  I feel blessed to capture a great memory and be able to give that gift to the parents.

Although, I remind myself that it isn’t me that makes this a great moment.

It’s them.

This was another great shoot from back home. She and I were in school together starting in elementary school.  I always mention that to people. I think it’s because it was a special time in my childhood. Those school days were awesome.

That’s boring stuff. Geeky stuff.

Here is a bit of non-boring stuff:  My friends.

If you ever get the chance to hang with them, they will make you laugh until you have to pee.  And they instill that same great smile and laughter in their kids. All of them..FUN!

I googled and pinned everything I could find on top house plants you can’t kill. Cross your fingers, hopefully it will work. All I can say is that it has really made a difference inside. Not to mention the fire has been burning in the Firecracker ever since she started her garden last year. I think I am raising a little gardener. She is very focused on making sure they are happy, watered, she blows kisses to them. She names them. She talks to them.  It’s all very cute.

This year’s new garden is off to a great start. Seedlings planted, onions, lettuce, strawberries in raised beds, some annuals in, spring perennials bulbs are happily buried in the dirt, and the Fall bulbs from last year are in full bloom.  Indoors we have succulents, topiaries, porthos, come clippings from a friend, and we even tried our hands at a terrarium! I was hoping to take a Master’s Gardeners course (as suggested by Nici), but it just didn’t make the priority list.  We will have another learn as we go year. Last year it was grow lights. This year it’s throw some seedlings in a pot, germinate, throw them in a window, and pray for the best. That’s our do what we can for this year mentality.

Luckily, I have my little green thumb here to remind me when it’s time to tend to them. I am pretty sure at this rate she will be my master gardener before I ever find time to take that class.

But I had to find time to share the Princess’s Cowgirl Art Party.

It was a collaborative effort with the Princess, Miss “L”, Kori from Paper and Pigtails, and myself.  Let’s just say that the 4 of us make a great team and we knocked it out of the park.

Not to mention that the party was a great success and fun was had by all.  I planned on writing and detailing much more about this but alas I have NO time.  So enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks MISS L. The biggest HUGS and kisses to you, one day we will make up that dream job we both hope and pray for.

Thanks KORI of PAPER AND PIGTAILS. You are truly the most talented gem I know. Seriously everyone, go order from her. Now!

And finally thanks to the Princess, for you and your sister are truly my inspiration with everything in my life.

Happy 5th Birthday.

But I have never had quite the experience as I had with Cycle For Survival.

A good friend of mine, JR, was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer this past year.  She set forth with determination, stayed focus, and by 2012 was cancer free.  She is a rock star.  I didn’t bat an eye when Jen asked me and some of her friends to participate in the Cycle for Survival event.  I also didn’t think much about it. It’s a fundraiser, I am always glad to be a part of them, happy to help, and I try be supportive as best as I can.

But what happened this day of the event was something I didn’t expect. Pure and raw emotion.  I walked into a giant room filled with cycles and cyclists.  Many, many, many faces I knew.  They were of acquaintances, coworkers, and great friends and I immediately burst into tears. The energy of the room was unlike anything I have ever experienced.  I was so overwhelmed with emotion I immediately wanted to start cycling. Unfortnately, you have teams and you have schedules so you have to wait your turn. I did the next best thing that I could. I started photographing. It was unbelievable.

Cry. Click. Cry. Click.

I really can’t do it justice with words so instead I will share with photos.

One behalf of everyone who was involved with Cycle for Survival, thank you for doing what you do and the putting on such a great event!

Thank you so much to all of my family and friends who donated.  This is an unbelievable event and cause and I encourage everyone to join part in it next year!!

Classes, old friends who are amazing MENTORS–michaelemo.com,one on one workshops, VIDEOS, online tutorials, STUDYING.  YOU name it. I stay as busy as possible learning my craft.

As a latecomer in the photography game or MWAC (mom with a camera), as some people like to jokingly refer to us as, it’s all been a crazy road.  And the most difficult part of the this whole process has been how to convert this crazy/obsession or hobby into something more professional.

I love it, but can I make a business at it?

Am I good enough?

Will people pay?

Is the pay what I want?

Or is it a hobby that I love and that is as far as I take it?

I am feeling pretty grateful that the business side of has been growing organically, pretty simply I might add. I am so thankful for that.  Cause’ I got a lot to learn and I don’t want to go too fast.   I also have other priorities in my life so finding the balance of it all is the main objective.

But I also knew that if I were going to try and do this, I needed a little more help. I need to talk to someone who has done it, I need my images to be sharper, I need to master my equipment. I have a TO DO list a mile long.  I realized early on that a workshop was exactly what I was looking for.  I knew instantly when I read this post here with Meg,  that this was the way to go.

Blue Lily

Are you feeling good about how your are doing with your camera but you want to take it a step further?

Blue Lily

Do you want to spend quality time with 2 people who know this craft like the back of their hand?

Blue Lily

You want to laugh? A lot? And then some more? (Cause’ Wendy is very funny…)

Blue Lily

You want to learn to master your Nikon and or Canon (cause they know both!)?

Blue Lily

You want to learn about a duo that has grown their business organically, ethically, creatively, and simply? And they are rock stars at it?

Blue Lily

You want an ocean view?

Blue Lily

You want to be surrounded by people who are just like you (the workshop attendees)? A group that is full of good people (cause that’s the only kind Blue Lily attracts)?

Blue Lily

You want to walk away knowing that Wendy and Tyler poured knowledge out and shared amazing and helpful information?

Blue Lily

You want to build a ridiculous portfolio with the best models? And ask Tyler 20 questions all in the span of about 10 minutes about that exact shoot you are working on?

Blue Lily

You want to walk away with a vivacious and charged up support group and a bunch of new friends?

Blue Lily

You want to learn about taxes or just debate Tyler (cause that sounds like fun)?

Not Blue Lily

It was a life changing experience for me.  They were amazing. Simple and perfect!

My goal now is to keep things simple and hope that in return I can increase productivity and longevity.

Thank you Wendy and Tyler, for showing me that just that.

Oh and meet all of my new friends.

Anne

Jamie

Ashley

Stacey

Misty—coming soon!

Taylor

Jenny

Tiffany

Christine

Pat and Candy–coming soon!!

If you live local to them, you should book them for a session. They are awesome!

If not, just wait till Blue Lily comes to your town. They have a World Tour.

My goal now is to keep things simple and hope that in return I can increase productivity and longevity.

Here are some behind the scenes shots from the workshop.

I know, I know Tyler…..too many pictures. You really left me no choice, too much good stuff to share!

Many thanks to all of our fantastic models, most of which are photographers too!

Well she is sorta my cousin.

Not really my cousin.

Well actually, kinda my cousin.

That’s pretty much how my life back home is, I have a lot of sorta cousins.

Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I have known her my entire life.

All that matters was that she was the winner of my last giveaway. We had so much fun on her shoot.

Her family is sweet and perfect. They are exactly why I love my hometown.

Don’t forget to enter the new giveaway.

Thanks, (sorta cousin Jo) for the great time with the photos!  xoxo, Me

Geez, I hope I don’t jinx myself.

And because it’s just fun to do giveaways and because I am in search of even more locations while I am back out….I will do another one JUST for my Cali peeps.

The Rules:

• The giveaway is open to anyone but the shoot will either be in Madera County or the City of Fresno, CA.
• One entry per person.
• The shoot must take place one day between Friday, March 2nd through Sunday, March 4th.
• My availability for the shoot is limited so you MUST BE flexible on the date and time of one of those days.
• The shoot will last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Expect a 4 week turn around time on your photos.
• Winner will receive a DVD copy of all edited images (of my choosing).
• Winner will be picked via random generator at random.org.
• You can tell all of your friends but then less chances for you, so you might want keep this one on the DL.
• The family must be limited to immediate family members only. Sorry, but just not enough time on this one to be bringing in multiple families so tell your brother’s, brother’s, cousin’s, sister…that I just don’t have time for that on this trip.
• And finally, the only thing you have to do to enter is to tell me a FABULOUS photographic location that you know of in either Madera or Fresno Counties!

I have so much to share…

California Adventures

Blue Lily

Princess’s 5 year  birthday bonanza

Pinterest

Tons of Photo Shoots from California

Tutorials

Giveaways

Ack, my to do list is too long!!!!

Hopefully it won’t be another month before I get back to sharing those things, right now it’s been just family time and lots of editing.

In the meantime, here are some photos of a recent trip I took with 2 of my favorite people, my mom and sister.

Warning, photo overload.  This is from the 9/11 Memorial in Jersey City, NJ. The two walls line up directly in the view of where the Twin Towers used to stand. The walls are meant to mimic the towers on their side. Inscribed on the walls are all of the victims of 9/11 who were from New Jersey. It was very moving and a must visit.  We were lucky to get there at a time when there was no one around and the fog had just rolled in.

I had soooo many. But in the end, I love the emotion of this little guy.

So here is my pick!!

For more great photos from 2011 go here and check them out!