Getaway pics

I had a fabulous time with The Pickles! A weekend of beautiful scenery, hiking through the Aspen trees, boating on Shadow Mountain Lake, great food, shopping, movies, and lots and lots of talking!!!

Pickles Retreat

It's Friday! I'm so excited to be going on my second excursion into the mountains this month. First, for my wonderful, pampering birthday trip; and now a weekend away with the Pickles. I know you are all wondering who or what the Pickles are. The Pickles, as we like to call ourselves, are my fellow bookclub bunch. A group of us started a bookclub almost two years ago. One of the first books we read together was called, The Persian Pickle Club. That is where the name emerged, and you'd really have to read it to find out why.

I head out tonight around 6pm with all the girls! We will be staying in a friends cabin and enjoying some girl time all weekend long. I'll be bringing my camera, of course. The mountain colors are changing and it is a sight to behold.

As for stuff around the house. My son is well on his way to being fully, yes....fully potty trained. I'm so excited! What is it about seeing those little cheeks in cute Spiderman undies! I just love to squeeze em'!

The girls are off track as of yesterday, so I'll have to find some fun things to do for the next 3 weeks to keep them occupied. Peyton's birthday is just around the corner so you know I'll be on that real soon. Actually, I already am on it. Designed and ordered the invites and made each girl attending her own press ID badge. So cute!

Next week is a busy week. I have lunch plans with a girlfriend of mine from middle school. She just had baby, and she has agreed to let me practice some newborn photo shoot ideas on her sweet little one. I'm really excited to catch up with her and meet both of her sweet girls.

Between that, two Brownie meetings, Bible study, and a follow-up Mary Kay purchase appointment I will be meeting another friend of mine to look at and learn how her studio lighting equipment works. She is a fabulous photographer that inspires me in so many ways! She is moving to NY in the late fall and is leaving behind a lot of her equipment. She has generously offered to hook me up with some stuff. I'm so excited to finally learn how to use and put together a little studio area in my house. Thanks so much K! I love ya girl!

Pampering, Parties and Poo!

So, I've been slacking on posting. I've been really busy. Last week was my 30th birthday, so there was lots to celebrate. My wonderful husband took me away for the weekend up to Beaver Creek's Ritz Carlton. Yes, I just wasted away up there. It was so awful!!! :)

We spent the weekend relaxing in our gorgeous two-room suite and dining out at some great restaurants. He also pampered me with a couple's massage and vanilla bourbon milk bath. It was the first time ever I had enjoyed a massage, and I hope it was not my last! Also, sunday morning he surprised me with an early morning hot air balloon ride. It was absolutely gorgeous, and so much fun! I'll never forget it!

When we arrived back home on sunday night he had planned another surprise for me. A party! I love parties! It was the perfect ending to a perfect birthday. I felt like a princess all week!

The bummer part was that night, sunday, I got sick and have spent the entire week trying to shake it off. I hate being sick!

Oh, other big news! My son is finally succeeding in the potty training area. We've got two good (accident free) days under our belt! Yay!!!!

More gorgeous children

Beautiful girls

Today I set up a practice shoot with a few of my friend's kids. OMG! What beautiful kids they have! I had found some really cool locations that I wanted to shoot at, and my kids are about done with my using them as models....so, I borrowed some others! Here are some of my favorites. I couldn't post them all, but I also had trouble narrowing them down. Sorry!

Location, Location, Location!

Lately, I've been in search of shooting locations around town. I notice myself swerving a little while driving because I want to get a better look at a certain spot, or make a mental note of the cross streets. Scary, huh? Who knew photogpraphy was so dangerous.

I took the kids out the other day to scope out a few spots. I had a few ideas of where I wanted to go, and the look I was in search of; but really, I was just wandering around like a crazy person.

I found some great spots. I'm really excited. Still though, I need to find some that are a little closer to where I'm located. The red door/alley location is probably about 40 minutes from my house. Not cool. I would love to be able to know numerous locations all over town so that I can meet my clients at those certain spots, based on the look or feel they are going for. Wish me luck! I'm still on the lookout!

Oh, also...I have my first senior portrait session tomorrow. Ahhhh! I'm a little nervous.

Here are some favorites from my little location scoping shoot the other day. Enjoy!