Photography...Passion vs. a Paycheck

Sorry, it's been quite a while since I have updated this blog.  I have been busy capturing the life of others, enjoying my own, and working on my personal blog.  For some photographers taking pictures may just be a paycheck, but for me it is much more...it's a passion! Granted, I have to charge for what I do, because it takes a lot of time away from my family between shooting and editing....and time with my family is very valuable to me! But there is nothing I love more than taking a special moment in time and making it last forever. I have gotten behind on sharing those moments, but here are some that I've been able to capture over the past few months. It makes my heart smile just to go back and look at these, because they are so much more than just pictures to me.

They show the pure innocence of a newborn baby and the absolute joy that they bring to the home in which God has placed them.

They represent how fast those little newborns grow up and make you want to soak in and enjoy every little moment and milestone.

And speaking of time flying....they represent the time in one's life when they get to go out into the "real world" and begin the journey of discovering who they want to be and what they want to do with their one precious life they've been given.

And then there is LOVE...oh, sweet love! So many ways for it to be represented...

And that, my friends, is why photography is way more that just a job for me...it's a privilege!

Working "Hard" for Their Money! {Louisiana Children's Photographer}

My husband suddenly had the urge to buy the kids a go-kart. He specifically wanted a "fixer-upper" that he and Noah could work on together. He found what he was looking for and surprised Noah with it this week.
(Please excuse this iphone pic)

Part of Dustin's goal was to teach Noah the value of a dollar, and make him earn some of the money to help fix it up. Since then, Noah has been begging to do a lemonade stand. I tried not to shoot down his little hopes and dreams, but we live at the end of a street almost in a cul-de-sac with not much traffic.  However, his dad had a little more faith in him and got them set up on Saturday. Of course, the grandparents, aunts, and uncles got involved and they ended up having numerous "customers" show up for the "big event"! They even picked up a few neighborhood business partners along the way.

The most exciting customers were the ones who showed up on a fire truck. Thanks Uncle Corey! ;)

In the end, these Little Boogers earned $79!!! I was pretty stinkin' impressed, and I'm thinking we need to set up shop more often!

At the end of the day, Anna Grace says, "Momma, can I have a lemonade stand of my own some day?" Noah chimes in and says, "Anna Grace, I'm gonna tell ya it is A LOOOT of work!" I love them! :)

Chelsea is Graduating! {Louisiana Senior Photographer}

I love it when a client is up for anything! From riding old lawn mowers to climbing on cars, we had a blast with this session! Miss Chelsea was such a trooper, because it was FREEZING outside the day we took these, but you would never know it! :)

Taylor & Sarah E-Session

This cute couple will be tying the knot next month. I had fun shooting these engagements and look forward to their big day!

Introducing Julia Kate...

Check out this sweet little face and those adorable lips. Miss Julia Kate is a feisty little Princess! She didn't want to miss any of the action, so we had to work hard to get these precious little sleeping shots.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I've got to admit, I am pretty bummed that Christmas is over. It took several attempts for me to take my tree and decorations down, because I was still enjoying it so much. It didn't help that as I was packing it away, Sister said, "This makes me weally, weally sad!" I love everything about Christmas, but here are some of the things I loved the most this year:

Baking Christmas cookies with the kiddos and decorating the little tree that used to be in my bedroom when I was growing up. It still has all of the original ornaments...brings back so many wonderful memories!

Going to Papa Simpson's farm in Arcadia and playing with the animals, riding horses, visiting Santa, taking a hayride to the middle of the woods where we sat by a bon-fire, roasted marshmallows, and listened to the story of Jesus' birth.

Our Elf, Winkle, who would get really lazy and stay in the same spot for several nights in a row!

Watching Noah and Anna Grace look at their baby brother with sheer joy written all over their little faces!

Getting ready for Santa. This was the first year that Noah was able to write Santa's letter all by himself. I don't know who was prouder...me or him?! And I absolutely love our Christmas morning routine. We all pile up in my bed and read The Christmas Story out of the Bible. This is a tradition that was started by my parents, and we are passing it down to our kids. I always want them to remember the true meaning of Christmas. After that, we go into the living room. My favorite part is watching the looks on their faces as they see what Santa brought and open their gifts.

Almost every year after Christmas we take some kind of trip with my parents. So nothing says Merry Christmas like an indoor Water Park. Although this pasty white chick was not happy about getting in a swimsuit only 6 weeks after having a baby. Who am I kidding...baby or no baby, I despise swimsuit season! But the kids had a blast, and that's what it's all about!

Now it is back to school, doing homework (blah), going to the gym, and all of our other everyday routines! But I look forward seeing what God has in store for us! We have so much to be thankful for as we go into this new year! Bring it on 2012!!!