Wednesday, May 30, 2012

baby emma

I shot these photos of our neighbor baby Emma, on Saturday, and I just love them. Because, well, I love her! I remember when she was so teeny, and now, she's getting so big. I love holding her and having her put her hands, as big as my thumb, in my palms. I love her tiny fingernails and her dark hair and her long eyelashes. She's just the sweetest little baby and fits perfectly in your arms. Since she lives next door (or, more accurately, behind us), and her family is some of our closest friends, we luck out and get to see her a lot. Looking at her sweet face makes me smile and watching her yawn makes me laugh.













Monday, May 28, 2012

"you make me happy when skies are grey..."


After many months of saving, hard work, and so much prayer, I was able to purchase my camera on Saturday. Rain splattered the sky with streaks of grey on Saturday, and my mom and I headed to Mall of America. We maneuvered through the crowds of people like professionals, and it makes me laugh at how we instagrammed photos of pretty much everything. "Mom, we look like tourists...and we live here!" She laughed it off while snapping a shot of the Ferris Wheel.

The blue and yellow of Best Buy called my name, and I had excited jitters. We walked out of Best Buy and I felt considerably light-headed and my stomach was tangled in butterfly knots. No flip-flopping flutters, but full out belly butterflies. My mom laughed at how I cradled the Best Buy bag like my baby, but I was ready to pull out some kung fu if someone jostled us. We didn't even stop for a cup of Caribou coffee on the way out -- and we're hardcore coffee lovers here.

I've been in a blur of excitement and a haze of surrealism this weekend, and have constantly been reminded of God's faithfulness and goodness. I've been praying about this camera since last year, and not only that, but praying for where I am right now, and looking back, this journey blessed me. In the midst of the many months that I was stressed, upset, and discouraged, when choosing to believe was a daily thing, the Lord worked on my heart. I have verses scribbled in my journal and pages of words on my heart that fill my moleskine, and I love looking back to see what the Lord was doing in my life. He is more good and faithful than I can say.

So, for my first day with my camera, here's my Sunday in photos. Let me just say that I've been smiling like crazy all weekend.




























Friday, May 25, 2012

Olivia // Preview






I told myself I wasn't going to do previews.

But I couldn't resist.

Forgive me?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Kiley // Portraits

There are some people that you just instantly connect with. C.S. Lewis said friendship is born the minute someone says, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one!" And I couldn't agree more.

Madeline, Kiley, and I were long overdue for a meetup. I'll admit it. I was freaked out. It's one thing building friendships online, but it's another thing meeting the friends you've been talking and laughing with in person. I sat in Starbucks nervously looking over my shoulder waiting for them to show up. What if they don't like me? What if I'm awkward? I should have worn a different shirt. Why on earth didn't I do something different with my hair?! In the midst of my inner dialogue, boom. There they were.

My nerves vanished instantly. We hugged and started chatting and I felt as if I had known them for ever (cheesy but completely honest). I've got to say...it's so much more fun laughing with friends face to face. Since Kiley's camera is broken, we booted her to the front of the camera, and of course, she killed it. Sharing some of my favorite shots from the night. We ended our photo excursion grabbing some fro-yo and instagramming our little hearts away. Perfect start to the summer? I think so.





>> see more here <<

And some behind the scenes action, courtesy of Mads and Ki. We're pretty cute. and awkward. and fun.




Happy Wednesday!