project 26 | challenge 1 | 13 | faceless portrait

this is our first challenge week for our project 26.  we have 13 carefully thought out themes that i am very excited about.  and...we know them advance...so why oh why oh why was i left shoooting last night right before i got my kiddos in bed...

this is what you get for faceless portrait when you wait til the last minute.  so not my vision that i had when the theme was suggested by delaware photographer, celeste jones...

but...i do think that these little footsies here are revealing of the girls personality.  nia is definitely more confident in "i am who i am"  upright feet and nala is more reserved, yet playful and i feel like i can kinda see that here...of course, i know them well though...

but this image below would probably be my favorite interpretation  (of my own) ever of a faceless portrait...

excited to see what my friend gail has this week.  check her out:  gail pomare | san jose, california lifestyle photographer.

yes!!!!!

gotta love when you ask a client to bring lots of clothes and they show up with a suitcase...that exactly what elena did...i knew we would work well together ;) i love her style that's all her own...and yeah...it doesn't hurt that she's to die for gorgeous. thanks for being the perfect model!

for this session i teamed with makeup artist, elizabeth hughes of amaranth collection again as well as taneisha hunt of tyson family salon. those girls work magic!

our project ten | january edition

this month's ten was shot on january 8. my oldest daughter's birthday. we had a surprise party for her after a day and afternoon at home of the ordinary and lunch at her favorite spot. we surprised her with a limo ride scavenger hunt with her friends from school and cousins. she was extremely surprised and grateful...yikes! i have an 11 yr old... i never get good birthday pics...it's just too hard to host and shoot...

now head over to see breeze floyd | love resembles.

52 fridays 52 | 52 self portrait

it doesn't seem real. i.can.not. believe it's been 52 weeks and that this journey has indeed come to an end. i owe so much to this project and the many talented ladies that have journeyed alongside me. i have so so so much love for you ladies and am forever indebted to you. i am humbled to have been able to grow with all of you this year. each and everyone of you...amazing amazing photographers. i can't wait to continue to follow you all! i started this project on a whim, with minimal talent, scared to death, & full of insecurities. i walk away a more creative and confident woman. and after 52 weeks, i am finally confident in saying that i am indeed a photographer. i walk away having made so many friends that i will no doubt keep in touch with. i walk away with a sense of pride, commitment, and completion. this was indeed one of the absolute best things i could have ever done for "me". it was exactly what i needed and right on time.

on our final day...another selfie... this should be a lot more cheerful but what do you do when the monitor is your only available light? ;) but the truth this...this is me too many nights a week.

as this new year has come, i'm excited about a couple of different projects - a project 26 with a group of friends documenting both a creative journey as well as "me and mine" and a instagram 365 366.

thanks for following along...and have a happy new year!

now head over to see gorgeous laurie!

project 26 | me and mine 1 | 13

a new year is here and this week marks the completion of my 52 fridays project that has been super special to me, but more on that tomorrow. today, i'm excited to share a new project that is near to my heart and that i couldn't be more excited about. i've made a commitment with some of my absolutely favorite photographers to a new project 26. this project will be equal parts "me and mine" and creative challenging themes. we'll be posting every other thursday in 2012. you have no idea how excited i am about the talent and creativity of the 14 other ladies who are sharing in this commitment with me. to those special ladies...thank you! thank you ! thank you! again for journeying with me this year. it's gonna be good girls! we are kicking off project 26 with our first me and mine post for 2012.

me and mine...

everyone was "ready" on that one except maybe nia, who had a bit too much fun, "messing up" so we'd have to have a redo

one of the funnier bloopers...she got up right when the camera went off...although,i admittedly kinda love that i'm hidden here ;)

also wanted to cheat a bit and post a couple taken by the fab lora swinson who is joining me in the project...she was kind enough to come to tulsa to shoot me and mine last month...couple of many faves...

can't thank her enough for this! if only i could get her to do this every month...ha!

this year i've resolved and am inspired to make a place in my girls' childhood memories and to slow down to allow for real creative growth...this project is absolutely what i need this season.

meet me here again in two weeks for an introduction to our first theme challenge week...but first, head over to check out the absolutely gorgeous tamsen donker | niagara newborn photographer for her first me and mine post of 2012. she and her family are so stinkin cute!! then, continue the circle to see all of the fabulous talent. you won't be disappointed.

happy new year!