Christy & Dan: Lifestyle Portraiture

This was such a fun session for me.

Christy and I go way back, and it's hard to believe that it's already been three years since we worked together at the veterinary hospital. Back then, we were both thinking our futures lay in animal science. And now... Well. Not so much.

Amazing how much the trajectory of a life can change in just a few short years, huh?

Christy's life is a whirlwind... She's just about to graduate college and has immediate plans to fly away with the Air Force come summer. Her boyfriend of two years, Dan, has similar aspirations - he's joining up with the Marines in May. Luckily, if things work out, they'll both be stationed near each other in good 'ole California - where their romance can continue to flourish in drier, much sunnier surroundings!

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"But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
To fall down at your door..."
-- The Proclaimers

Sneak Peek: Christy & Dan :)

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"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."
-- Ingrid Bergman

Ashley & Adam: Lifestyle Portraiture

It was obvious from the start that I was going to like Ashley.

Her facebook messages were filled with enthusiasm for her upcoming shoot and I, of course, immediately found myself carried away by her excitement. I mean - excitement about photography?! Excitement about life?!? I'm in!

*Sigh*

I love happy people.

Ashley and Adam are high school sweethearts (insert "awwww" comments here) and are just about the most adorable couple you can find. They made this session easy. None of this affection was staged - with them, what you see is what you get. Two people. In love.

Absolute perfection.

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"Love is friendship set on fire."
-- Jeremy Taylor

Sneak Peek: Ashley & Adam :)

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"We loved with a love that was more than love."
-- Edgar Allan Poe

Music: The Civil Wars

This video made my heart skip a beat.

Simply breathtaking.

*Sigh*

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"Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself."
-- Henry Ward Beecher

Blurred...

This is sort of how I feel lately.

Blurred. Out-of-focus.

Like I'm so close, yet so far away.

It's not altogether a bad thing. And, as I remind myself often, as long as I'm moving in the right direction, it doesn't matter how close or how far away I actually am.

All that matters is that I don't stop. That I keep moving. Forward.

And, most importantly, that I enjoy the ride.

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"Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Life Lately: Craving Color

I don't know if it has anything to do with my cabin fever, but lately I've been craving color.

Bright, bright, vibrant, sunshiny colors...

Sort of like these.

I love that Spring is right around the corner. :)

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"Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn."
-- Quoted by Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

Mini Portrait Session: Dahlia

Dahlia is one of the most beautiful, mature, intelligent, and fun fifth graders I know. Despite the frigid temps and light scattering of snow, she eased into our session with the sort of grace that usually only comes after years and years of experience. Hanging with Dahlia reminded me of my own youth, and I left our shoot with the urge to call every one of my girlfriends over for a slumber party - complete with junk food and old movies like Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Can't Buy Me Love.

Ahhh... Fifth graders have it made. :)

** For more info on my Mini Portrait Sessions, click here! :)

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"Promise me you will always remember – You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
-- Christopher Robin to Pooh

Portrait of a Family Man ;)

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"To change one's life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions."
-- William James

Valentine's Day Wonderland...

Just a peek of what I walked into after coming home from class this afternoon...

Best. Surprise. Ever!

Hope everyone is having an absolutely fantastic Valentine's Day!

** If you're in the mood for a little cheesiness, check out this (old) blurb about how Chris and I met. (Click here if you're feeling extra lovey-dovey.) I could write a whole new post about Chris and how much I love him and how meeting him was the best thing that ever happened to me... La-la-la... But I, uh, have a Valentine to attend to. ;)
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"Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end."
-- Author Unknown

Georgie: Lifestyle Portaiture

Meet Georgie.

She says that she doesn't like to have her picture taken. But... I'm not so sure she's telling the truth. ;)

This little gal loves the camera. And, obviously, the camera absolutely loves her. Spending the afternoon with her and her mom was like a much needed breath of fresh air. Running around outside, playing on the swings, and laughing nonstop was just what I needed to shrug lose of the cabin fever that's been gripping me since December.

I don't think I'm alone with I say... C'mon, Spring!!

But until then, enjoy a few shots from my session with Georgie. It'll most certainly brighten your day...

P.S. Georgie's mom, Joanne, runs Best Friend Rodent Rescue. (Click here for their site.) Make sure to check them out if you're looking to rescue a furry critter!

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"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant."
-- Anne Bradstreet