changes…

i know that i could be misunderstood when i constantly write about making sure you make photos a priority. i’ve written many times about the importance of making the time to have your family photos taken. it could be misunderstood coming from me, because it’s what i do for a living. however, i’m saying it to everyone, not just my local people, so please don’t misunderstand! i just encourage you to make having family photos taken a priority, because you never know what the future will hold and if you will have that opportunity again. why is this on my mind? a little over a week ago, i took spencer’s senior photos. i know it wasn’t something that he was really amped up for, but he did it like a good son…for his mom and family. his sister came and helped get him ready (which was awesome!) and he had a good attitude as we walked around downtown snapping away. the next day, i picked up the local paper and there was a photo of a horrible car accident on the cover. i was horrified when i saw spencer’s name. i just started praying, and as i thought of him many times from then until now, i have continued to pray. in less than 24 hours after his session, this happened.  i did receive an email from his mom confirming what had happened and it sounds like he will be okay. i’m sure his recovery will take time, so please pray that he improves and heals quickly! every time someone’s life changes in an instant because of a car accident, it takes me back to my mom’s car accident. our lives were drastically and permanantly changed in an instant. so don’t procrastinate having photos taken. don’t wait to lose weight (i’ve been guilty of this one!), or get your braces off (lol), or for the circumstances to be perfect. if you are young and you’re fighting your parents about having photos taken, don’t. you will bless them and make them happy with such a simple act, don’t miss an opportunity that you may not have again. just do it!

i hope that spencer’s sneak peek photos make him and his family smile.

the one above or the one below are my two faves.

thanks for having me take your senior photos spencer!

a few other items of business/interest that i want to share.

• spark oh how i wish i was going to this event this weekend. i did donate a sweet canvas for the fundraising auction…so i guess a little part of me will be there : ) i’m sure it will be a wonderful experience for everyone attending!
• jared & beth’s wedding sneak peeks are up on cara’s blog. i am so happy that cara was there and that i was so relaxed and able to enjoy the day. the first thing everyone asked me when they heard that jared was engaged, was “are you taking the photos?” i think everyone who knows me, knew it would be a huge deal for me to sit back and not take the photos. doing the location shots with them was the best possible situation, because then i was able to enjoy that and let the rest of the day in cara’s hands (photography-wise) i have to admit that i’m nervous about “part 2″ of the peeks. the photo booth photos. yikes. we did some crazy stuff in there that i think might be best as “what happens in the photo booth stays in the photo booth!” 
• the phone versus email. i highly recommend emailing me in regard to business. i am not the best at returning phone calls. there, i’ve said it. i will try to return a phone call once, but then if it becomes a phone tag thing, i usually give up. i am much more responsive to emails. i think that is partly due to the fact that i can return an email during my main computer times, morning and late night, without worrying about waking someone or bad timing. i love email. seriously. i apologize if i haven’t been as good with phone calls.
• a reminder to my photography clients: if you have a web gallery or print proofs for more than 8 weeks, it’s time to order! also, if you are thinking about Christmas cards, please let me know! it’s time to get them designed and ordered. i’ll be sharing some of my recent designs soon. i am SO excited about Christmas cards! i just need to get my own done soon. with the wedding and tom’s knee surgery, i’m not as on top of things as have been in the past couple of years.
• my friend becca sutton is featured on the SISTV newsletter today! so fun to read about her and see her pretty face!
• my skin issues. every fall, as i’ve gotten older, my skin does this weird peeling thing. last year, i was taking flax seed oil and it didn’t seem to be as bad, so i thought i had solved it. not so. i have been eating flax seeds on everything-yogurt, oatmeal, peanut butter. plus, i’ve been taking a break from wearing makeup (soooo not pretty or easy to do!)….nothing is helping. i think i’m going to have to break down and go back to the dermatologist. ugh. anyone have any miracle cures for issues with aging skin? i’m desperate!
• more thoughts on Christmas: * ”in the midst of making things special, don’t lose the simple” rebecca hayford bauer. *”stick to simple ideas and apply them scrupulously”. pierre pascal (i love this thought SO much!) * ”keep it simple. keep your eyes on Him” joni eareckson tada (if i don’t do this, i am missing the whole concept), “in my quietest moments, God speaks the loudest” unknown “there is no place more delightful than one’s own fireplace” terry willits. all of these quotes are from an older Christmas book called, “simply senseSational Christmas” by terry willits circa 1998 like i wrote a few days ago, i rarely get rid of books, especially Christmas books.

have a great day and God bless!