I've started to write a blog post several times now.  I think of great ideas when I'm nowhere near my computer -- in the car, at the barn, grocery shopping.  But somehow, when I sit down to write, none of it comes out right.  So while I work on those blog posts, just wanted to let this big bad world of the internet know that I'm still here... and I appreciate that you're reading!

And because I can't blog without a photo, here's one of my favorites from a shoot with Sara and Megan (aka Bunny) last year at the Thomas Center in Gainesville:

Confession #2

Okay, not so much a confession. More of a statement, and certainly not a shocking one to anyone that knows me.  I tend to be a perfectionist. SURPRISE! Like I said, to those that know me, that's old news. But it does explain why it takes me awhile to edit photos, and put them up for all to see. Because, well, I don't want anyone else to see the shots that are slightly out of focus, or the light is wrong, or....  So when the light wasn't quite what I wanted for Sara's Just for Fun shoot on Thursday, I was a bit peeved.  I was really looking for that strong sunlight for yellow-ish light and some good sun flare. When it stayed cloudy and threatened to rain, I started to get slightly grumpy with the weather man. But when Sara showed up, my mood got better. Quite simply, the girl is amazing. And she showed up in just the right outfit (after just a brief discussion of doing a "vintage" shoot), all the right accessories, and her ever cheerful attitude.  We had a great shoot (in my backyard!!) with a short trip to a flowery field (kudos to Jared for scoping that one out for me!). 

Lookin' fierce!

Sara had on a gorgeous necklace...

One of my favorites...

The rest are on my website, feel free to take a look!

Me

I'm a blog-stalker. Not just photography blogs, but science blogs and other random blogs I like. My favorite blogs are the ones where you really feel as though you know the blogger -- really see how they work, feel their emotions. Some of the blogs I read are hilarious. Some are serious. Others are a realistic account of everyday life. Most are a mix. But what really gets me is that each of them evokes a reaction -- a laugh, a thought, an understanding -- because each of them gives something of the blogger to the reader. And I realize that I haven't been as personal as I should be here. See, I've been telling you about my photography -- the places I've been, the people I've taken photos of. But my photography is part of ME, of the way I see the world. And so for you to truly understand my work, I feel that you need to understand a little more of me. So bear with me these next few weeks as I try to put more of me into my posts, so that you can see the world a little clearer through my lens. Because I LOVE photography, and I want my passion to come through as clearly in my blog as I hope it does in my photographs.


So, that all being said:

Getting to Know Sarah, Part 1: Why I Take Portraits

I texted Sara, one of my best friends, the other day and asked if she wanted to "escape reality" for a little while and have a "Just for Fun" photoshoot. She quickly agreed and we set up our ideas, times, location, etc. Thinking back on the conversation, it really hit me that THAT is why I take photos -- to escape reality. In photos, we can be anything and anyone we want to be. Jasmine Star posted the other day on "The Permission to Feel Beautiful" and it really struck home with me. My favorite part of every photoshoot is when the person (Friend! By this time, you're a friend!) loosens up and starts FEELING beautiful and acting beautiful and all of the inner beauty shines through. This is when I get the absolute best pictures. Later, when clients are viewing the photos, it's the "OOOH, I LIKE that one!" that makes everything feel right. I love being able to show to individuals that they ARE beautiful and it's okay to feel that way!

And as a prime example of one of those shots, here is Ella and Tig:

Now that you've seen into a little corner of my brain, I'm going to go match socks and catch up on Grey's Anatomy (there -- the realistic account of my life part!).

HITS

The HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun) circuit is finishing up it's six week run in Ocala (this week was week five) at PostTime Farms. These shows attract top level hunter/jumpers from all over the nation.  Jared and I went down for a few hours Sunday afternoon to watch some of the jumpers and we certainly weren't disappointed!  We didn't stay for the Grand Prix this weekend, but did see the National Junior and Amateur Owner Jumper Classic. For those of you non-horsey types, the fences in this class are 4'3" - 4'6" and the class is "judged" on how fast the horse/rider go over a course of fences without knocking down any of the rails. Here are a few photos:

This cute little pug was "guarding" the announcer's stand.

Fun with Family

As you've probably noticed, I've had family visiting the past few weeks. The end of February, Jared's family was here with our niece, Emma.  This past week, my best friend was visiting, along with her boyfriend and daughter (our god daughter), Ceci.  We've made several trips to the farm to ride the horses (which both girls were thrilled with and did AWESOME riding the big horses!) and to Disney -- Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and MGM.  So in short, I got to take lots of pictures of little girls that I don't get to see NEARLY enough... and oh, how I love hearing "Aunt Sarah!" :) 

Emma got to visit the sheep in the petting zoo at Animal Kingdom.

My absolute favorite shot of Emma from the day...

Ceci is a CHAMP at hula-hooping!!

Inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Ceci and GodFather

Jess & Justin

The last few weeks have been pretty busy, with family and friends visiting and trips to Orlando for a wedding and Disney. We spent the weekend with Jared's family in Orlando for Jessica and Justin's wedding where I (of course) snapped a few shots.  The day started off rainy, but the weather cleared up in time for a late afternoon wedding outside.  Following the ceremony, we all gathered in and around the house for the reception.  Jess made an absolutely beautiful bride, and Justin cleaned up well, too!!  Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day.

Jacob did an awesome job as the "Ring Bear"  -- and who could be cuter!

I love the arbor where Jess and Justin performed the ceremony.

Mr. & Mrs!

First dance

Playing with the sun...

My dogs have pretty much figured out that if I get the camera out, grab dog treats, and put their collars on, that yes, they will have to sit pretty (or do whatever else I want) for a few minutes, but that they'll also get good treats and lots of love. I have a feeling my kids will some day feel that way too, but as they have yet to come along, Annie and Bella are my guinea pig models. Today was such a pretty day and as we were coming home from feeding horses, the sun was shining through the trees just right. So I grabbed the camera, the carrots, and the dogs (and Jared as an extra dog holder) and traipsed out through one of the fields to grab these photos. I haven't gotten great at controlling my lens flare yet, but it's fun to play with. Here are some of the better photos:

She's such a happy dog... even when mom makes her pose.

Bella, looking regal as always, can't be bothered to smile at the camera.

Don't have to get quite so low to the ground to get lens flare on someone as tall as Jared. :)

The act of giving

It started selfishly. I had been wanting to get out with my camera when I got an email that my church was hosting a "Spa Day" for IHN, complete with massages, hair cuts, manicures, and make-up. What better to add to that than some family photos? So I contacted the organizer and planned to take individual and family photos of the families involved. The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is a nonprofit organization created to provide shelter and comprehensive support for homeless families with children. The families are housed at local churches whose members provide meals, transportation, etc.  I expected to show up on a Friday night and take a few photos, working on my ability to interact with models.  What I got instead, was a gift of my own. 

Jared went with me and the first thing we did when we arrived at the church was to set up an area for the photos.  This was definitely a case of making the best of the situation at hand. Unfortunately, it was dark so we couldn't use the beautifully landscaped areas around the church. Instead, we used a seaside mural painted on the wall of a Sunday School class room as the background.  We pulled items from various rooms to create a small cafe feel. Finally, we were ready for our first victims.... 

The openness and warmth of the families was inspiring. Their love for each other was evident.  D and G have three lovely girls, although only two were with them this evening, and have a relationship full of smiles and laughter. K works with young girls to help them become proper young ladies. SK named her youngest son Reese because that's what she craved during her pregnancy. From H with her four sons (two of whom are twins!) to B and her lovely daughter, these families were loving and inspiring. It was a blessing to me to be a part of this wonderful ministry.  Below are a few of the photos.

J decided that I didn't really need to take his picture. :)