52 fridays 33 | 52 monochromatic

if you knew how my week had gone, you wouldn't be surprised that i pulled from the archives for this week's monochromatic theme. 

is this even really considered monochromatic?  tell me it works... everything is pretty much in the same neutral color family...that's monochromatic, right??



now check out dana cubbage | lifestyle pet photographer for her interesting take on the theme.

52 fridays 32 | 52 shallow depth of field

it's no secret...given the choice, i will always always choose to shoot wide open.  i love bokeh and blurred backgrounds.

this week i took a shot of the only plant we haven't killed...

love this broad theme and can't wait to see what the other ladies came up with for this week.  you too, right?  first visit dana cubbage | modern lifestyle pet photographer  - love her shot!

Mandi for Lee Jeans

If you are like me you didn't know that Lee was still making jeans.  Well they are...and this skinny black pair looks amazing on Miss Mandi.

I loved working with Mandi to make this session happen.  Mandi is so super gorgeous and seriously as sweet as can be.  I don't think she knows just how beautiful she is!  And her eyes?? AHmazing.

Mandi was a real sport and 100% trusted my vision. She pulled off this look so well!

Mandi for Lee by hope4ou

When we were done, and long home, I sent her text telling her how much I enjoyed shooting her and she responded that she had so much fun!  That makes my heart swoon!  Then, seeing her face light up when I showed them to her and seeing that she genuinely loved what we got, makes the late night more than worth it!


Thanks Mandi -

52 fridays 31 | 52 summertime

the friend that mackenzie calls her best...they met at the age of three in preschool and were inseparable.  they have so much in common.  both are extremely bright and talented kids.  people always ask if they are twins.   a few years ago mia moved to chicago.  somehow we've managed to make sure they always have a summertime reunion.  this year was no different.  we met in st. louis and had some great times.  we brought mia and her family along to the st. louis bloom meetup.  here is one of the few shots (bummer...i left my camera battery)  i captured. 

these girls... indeed forever friends.



now visit dana cubbage | modern lifestyle pet photographer to see her take on the summer summer summertime theme :)

happy friday and i hope you enjoy the rest of your summer...gosh...it went by way too fast for this mama.

Our Project Ten

i am pretty passionate about documenting life - i generally have my dear canon with me everywhere i go.  so, this should have been easy...

i was beyond thrilled to have been asked to join in a new project ten group led by val springs of the red balloon photography.  you see, i kinda love val.  seriously, she's genuinely sweet and so very talented.  but then, life happened.  family, summer vacations, a little portfolio building, and oh yeah...my real job...

so, what's here is not exactly what i envision for my ten this year.  i envision seeing life a little differently a year from now.  an opportunity to purposefully shoot for me and my family, nuggets of a full day each month an image every hour (or close to it) with no theme or structure...and no "setup"...just the real.

on the 10th of every month, joined by10 other photographers, i'll post 10 images that tell the story of our day.

these shots are from the last day of a mini vacation in st. louis.  a just me and mackie trip.  we met up with her friend mia, her little brother, and mom.  so...does that i mean i doubly failed if these aren't even my kids??

i promise...more effort...and more purposeful shooting next month...

until then...

a frozen documentation of how we tried to cram  as much as we could into that very last day before saying goodbye.  proof that the ipad still gets play even when you meet up with a friend you haven't seen in a year; that right now at 4, myles loves mackenzi and so wants to keep up with girls;  that you never can squish too close to a best friend for pictures, and that because of this project, finally, i made it into a vacation shot.

now, go and be inspired by the work of jobrina hofleit | jobrina hofleit photography.  i love her work and especially love the connection between her lens, her, and her handsome little boy.

52 fridays 30 | 52 nature

seriously?? 30 weeks in already??

sometimes nature is the perfect backdrop...



and more from this from this practice shoot with this gorgeous girl, mom and sister.



i've got major love for this mommy and me shot...




i used to work with mom.  i've always told told her that i want to be like her when i grow up...for many many reasons.  i admire her a lot...and well...she's one hot mama!


thanks beth and girls for spending the evening with me! seriously, what a lovely trio!

now hop over to see  dana cubbage | modern lifestyle pet photographer .  i'm sure you'll love her fresh take on the nature theme.

happy friday!