a little idea.

I have a lot of thoughts in my head today, some of which are the teensiest bit philosphical. I've been thinking a lot about my photography, especially in regards to how I can improve. And not necessarily technically, which I know I need, but today I care more about bettering myself artistically. Because I believe that pure and sincere artistry makes up for a lack in technique. At least, I would rather have a technically imperfect photo that radiates the love between my family than a perfectly exposed and composed photo that is void of emotion.

So what allows people to open up their emotions and allow them to be so openly captured by someone, especially if that someone is a stranger? It would take a lot of trust on the part of the subject AND the photographer for this to happen. The subject must trust that the photographer will not judge them, exploit them, or make them feel in any way self-conscious about opening up. The photographer must trust that the subject will allow her to peek into their soul just a little. Or for a couple or family, they must let her peek into the essence of their relationship. That is such a personal thing, but isn't it worth the risk of exposure if what you get in return is a beautiful image that speaks the truth of your relationship??

This could be a complex subject, and one that I want to think on a bit more. I want to understand better the role that I play as the photographer (or artist, as I will call myself in this case) in creating situations that allow people to be okay with being a bit vulnerable in order to achieve images that communicate something more important than just a smile and a pose.

So this will be my ongoing project and hopefully if I am the lucky one who takes pictures of YOU then I hope that is what you want too--because if you let me inside the wall we all tend to keep around ourselves for safety, I just might be able to give you important photos that remind you of who you really are and the truth about the relationship we capture.

So there's my thoughts from a Friday afternoon. Was it too much? I hope not. Have a happy weekend! :)

a spring shower.

So... you know how my best friend/older and only sister is having a baby?? Well, a couple work friends and I decided that she needed a baby shower for her first girl. And we also decided that it needed to be a surprise.

After a good six weeks of planning and preparing and scheming, the shower day finally came last Saturday. I told Katie some surprisingly good lies to get her to Alison's house and when we got there, she was SO surprised that she went into labor!

Just kidding. But wouldn't that have been cool??

Anyway. It was so stinkin' fun, both the planning and the actual party. A bunch of people brought really really yummy food and Alison and Megan made the decorations. Look how beautiful:

They made all these paper flowers--the ones on top are out of tissue paper, the ones on bottom out of scrapbook paper.

And Katie got such cute gifts... they might have made me want to have a baby girl just a little bit....

Probably the best shower food I've ever experienced....

And look! My cake pops in the form of rattles! Let's look closer, shall we?

Can you tell they're rattles?? I know Bakerella would have done much better, but at least I came up with the idea all on my own, huh?

Megan's dog also attended:

Okay, and can I brag for JUST A SEC? I didn't think I could do this, but I made the invitations myself and I'm sort of proud of them:



(But want to know a secret? ....It wasn't really that hard.)

Happy baby, Katie! Thanks for being pregnant so we could throw you a really awesome shower. :)

one day.

... I will have a beautiful baby to love and snuggle and raise.

... I will live in a warm climate where coats and boots are never necessary.

... I will have a booming photography business.

... Kenny and I will be able to afford luxuries like new clothes and Oreos.

... I will be a master baker.

... We will have a dishwasher and carpet that is not orange.

... My hair will be eight inches longer.

... Kenny and I will love each other even more than we do today, our 269th day of marriage.

jessica & isaac: wedding.

Today I have a wedding for you! This is Isaac and Jessica, married on a bright and freezing winter day in January. These two have grown up with Kenny and are good friends of ours now--and now they live in the apartment right above us. :)

This next one is my favorite, I think:

No wait, THIS one might actually be my favorite: :)

it's almost here.

I didn't think I'd be able to say it...

...but I think spring is really going to come.

(photos by me in springs gone by)