I am realizing that sometimes things have to die in order to make space for life.. I need to give up things or relationships, and release my control of them so that other things can grow freely. It's scary to let go, and let relationships die, but once you do the most beautiful things can be re-birthed. It's much like pruning an apple tree. As you chop off the old branches, one by one, the tree begins to look painfully awkward and vulnerable, but just give it time and before you know it will be the most brilliant and fruitful tree in the whole orchard. And who, in their right mind, doesn't like a crisp, delicious apple? Ahhhh soooo goood! Makes me want to dance!p.s. Thank-you to my dear friend Kaserie for manning the camera for me and getting up at 7am on a Sunday!! to appease my self-portrait madness. And I pray to the Lord above that my little Korean dry cleaners can do magic on that dress!....p.p.s. Don't forget to look at Mandolyn's Fairytale Saga! She did 2 self portraits this week. Rock on lady! :)p.p.p.s. My skin is actually this white. No photoshop magic needed. Yes, I know! ridiculous. Thank goodness I'll be in the land of sunshine soon!view my portfolio here 
Emmy + Josh - Part 2
So.... breakfast was delicious - I even have a food baby to show for it, Sammy, my food baby, was totally worth it -- Yes I named him; he is going to be just darling I can already tell - he's going to look just like his mother, Mrs. Butterworth and father, Sir Side of Bacon.I still cannot believe that Emmy is married. I thought we'd never do it. I was counting on all six of us girls never marrying, getting lots of cats and then scaring little kids at an old age. sigh. I guess such dreams well never come to fruition - thanks Emmy, you're a real pal.
Vanessa + Daniel
So Mandy and I were at it again, and this time I dragged my aunt along for another adventure. This time to photograph the wedding of Vanessa and Daniel. Where to? Omaha, Nebraska. A 13+ hour drive! Yes I'm crazy. I have a doctor's note that attests to it. The note even has that extra hideous doctor handwriting to prove the legitimacy of my decrepit mental state. But this trip was a grand adventure and one that I'll never forget. Well, I may forget the 1000001 barn I saw driving there, however the 1000002 barn was a show stopper. literally. I almost wrecked the car after seeing it. don't ask. you don't want to know. The back seat driver And the peanut gallery were stunned speechless. It was perfect. :)
The wedding day was a day overflowing with emotion and excitement. It took the meticulously planning of Vanessa for all the details to come together. The ceremony was filled with tearful guests. I almost cried, and I never cry (my heartless state is so bad that I am often referred to as an ice queen and accused of having tears of stone). So my almost tearful experience is evidence that this was a unique day in so many ways. Thank-you Daniel and Vanessa for inviting me to be a part of your big day.
But before the pictures I can't forget to thank Mandy McConaha for coming to photograph with me. It is never the same without you (check at her beautiful work here --> http://mandolynm.blogspot.com ). And a huge shout out to my aunt for dealing with me and my oddities for 13 hours straight, twice, there and back.
This wedding had such a classic feel to it that I felt that it needed to be edited in black and white. I just had to edit it that way because when the photography gods in my head say black and white, I obey. You never question them. It is blasphemy. (it's like throwing a party in the South and not serving Sweet Iced Tea. You DON'T do it. Or you'll be exiled to New Jersey or, or....Indiana..shudder)
After that ridiculous introduction, here are just a few of the favorite images we captured. Congratulations Daniel and Vanessa!
Introducing Ashley + Jeff Sorce
Mandy and I had wonderful weekend in Florida spending time with Ashley and Jeff's family and photographing their wedding. The rain scared us a bit, but in the end it was just perfect! Thanks guys for allowing me to photograph your wedding. It was a beautiful affair. And Thank-you, thank-you Mandy McConaha for coming down to Florida with me and photographing the wedding with me. I had an awesome time. Here are just a few of the photographs we captured.
