1 Day, 2 Family Photo Shoots

I had two family photo shoots on Wednesday, and let's just say I now have a new appreciation for the enormous reserves of energy required to be a parent! Hats off to all you out there who are constantly changing diapers, bottle feeding, rocking little ones to sleep, chasing toddlers around a room, and all other activities associated with child rearing. You guys rock.

Although I was tired at the end of the day, it was all worth it. When I look through the viewfinder and click the shutter on that PERFECT shot, the one I know will make grandparents coo and mamas cry, then I have this enormous sense of satisfaction, that I am doing what it was that I was created to do. There is nothing like creatively and artistically preserving moments in time that will be gone all too soon.

To see a few of the pics from Wednesday, click the title of this blog.

No Longer A Drain on Society

I am happy to report that I am no longer jobless. I started working at a local camera store about two weeks ago, which is a really good fit for me as I take the next step towards professional photography. They offer major discounts to employees, which will allow me to buy the equipment I will need. I am also working with and learning about new technology as it appears in the store. For awhile now, I had been wanting to network with other photogs to share knowledge and experience and I now have that opportunity on a daily basis. Although the hours are long and standing on my feet all day is an experience that takes some getting used to, I know this is the right place for me to be at this time. God is really preparing me to run my own business and I am patiently waiting for His perfect timing.

A HUGE lesson in faith...

As most of you already know, I was recently laid off from my job due to the slowing economy. Most of the time, I know this is God's way of forcing me out of the comfort zone of a regular paycheck to pursue my dream of a career in photography, something I may have only talked about but never seriously pursued as long as I had a regular job. But every now and then I get really nervous, like when I hear on the news that only 1 in 45 applicants to retail positions will get hired this Christmas season (I have only applied to 5 places; does that mean I need 40 more for a guarenteed job?), and the constant knowledge that my severence payments will stop in exactly 45 days (not that I am counting, or anything). It is only when I see my nervousness for what it really is, an attack against my faith in God's promises, that I am able to return to a state of calm amidst the storm of uncertainty.

Most people wouldn't post all this craziness until they can tangibly see God coming through for them. But I have been assured by Him these last few days that He knows my needs and will take care of me. So even though I have no earthly assurance of having a job when I need one, I am posting with the certainty that in God's perfect timing, I will be able to pass along the knowledge that I have a source of income that will cover my expenses. God hasn't promised me riches, but He has said He will take care of me, and I choose to have faith and ignore those niggling little nervous moments that attempt to destroy my faith.

Congrats Shannon and Randy!

My sister Shannon became engaged to her boyfriend Randy this past weekend. Below is a slideshow of their engagement pics (I could claim that I have mad-fast photography skills, but the photos were actually taken a few weeks ago).

A Saturday Morning Photo Shoot

I had a photo shoot Saturday morning, which was a little chilly, but this family were such good sports! They were so much fun to photograph, and their little boy is downright adorable. Click on the title of this blog to check out his blue, blue eyes.

Cows, Cameras, and Campfire Pizza

This past weekend was my annual fall camping trip. Unfortunately, fall is so late this year that I mostly saw a lot of green. But, Val and I did see and do a lot of fun things to make up for the lack of color. We meandered through the country and found the town of Avon, MO, which is a cluster of 4 farmhouses, a herd of cows, 2 llamas (yes, I smiled!), and a bunch of bison. We saw a lot of abandoned things, which makes for really messy yards, but pretty cool photos. We also learned what a hoo-doo was and that there is in fact such a thing as a farkleberry. Together we perfected the recipe for campfire pizza, giving us the opportunity to move on to campfire popcorn next year. And, no trip is truly complete without breaking the law, which I did in the form of trespassing, as Val looked on and threatened to drive away if the cops came. Good times were had by all. Except for maybe the cows who were not thrilled by my presence or my camera.

Llamas Make Me Smile

I came across a picture of a llama today and it made me smile. Why? I think because llamas just look so darn happy. Take these guys for example:



Don't they look like they were just told some sort of llama joke? It makes me happy just to look at them.

When you feel sad, just look at a llama. I bet you can't help but smile too.