Preschool Party Fun!!!

I had the joy of attending the Cherry Lane Preschool end-of-year party on Friday.  What a sweet day!  Hot dogs, playtime, pony rides, perfect weather...except for the downpour at the end (lol) but even that provided a memory :).  It was such a delight to be a part of this memorable day.  I know the moment was special for the children, the parents and their wonderful teacher.  Here are a few samples of the fun had by all!  If you'd like to see more, pleae click on my facebook link on this page.  Lots of wonderful pictures were taken!

 

   

A Mom and Her Boys

"There has never been, nor will there ever be, anything quite so special as the love between a mother and a son" Author Unknown

I love this family.  This was a spontaneous photo shoot, right in their own home and back yard, but we captured so many great moments.  It just excites me to be able to catch the love between these three.  (And I couldn't believe how well the little guy held up since he had been my model for a TON of other photos before we even took these!  Way to go kiddo!)  Big brother had lots of his own ideas for poses too. Aren't kids amazing?  

I just love this shot.  It totally captures the essence of being a boy...grass-stained blue jeans rolled up, bare feet, a Radio Flyer wagon.  But it also shows big brother and little brother.  I even see their personalities reflected!

Love how this one shows a little of their playfulness.

Beautiful Inside and Out

This young lady is such a wonderful young lady.  If I had a daughter, I'd want one just like her.  In just one short hour, we took some amazing shots right in her own neighborhood!  Of course, she made it easy.  Isn't she gorgeous? 

Jumping in with both feet

Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down. 
~ Ray Bradbury

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. 
~T.S. Eliot

So the day I ordered my new camera, my friend, a wonderful and gifted photographer, contacts me to say she had her first wedding to shoot.  "We could DO this!"  she said to me.  Naturally, my first thoughts was..."No way!  I don't even have my camera yet and I'm going to assist at the most special day of someone's life?!"  In fact, funny how God works sometimes, but I had actually made it quite clear I was NOT going to shoot weddings if I started doing this for a living.  Too much pressure.  If you miss the moment, it's gone.  SUCH a special day, I don't want to mess it up.  But, in a manner completely uncharacteristic to my old self, I found myself saying, "Sure, I'm in."

And the experience was a complete joy!  Talk about a rush! :)  I totally felt in my element and loved meeting the bride, the groom, the wedding party, being a part of immortalizing the day for them.  And the beauty...wow.  I was so honored to be let in on the beauty of this day.

If you want to see more of this stunning day, I've posted a larger number of the wedding pictures on my Facebook page.  (Just click on the link above to go there). 

And here's to taking risks!

A New Beginning

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
- C. S. Lewis

Every one of us needs new beginnings.  Sometimes it's just the promise of a new day with a fresh start...and new mercies.  Other times we find ourselves with new and unexpected difficulties and with that comes opportunity to grow and deepen and find fresh paths that we never would have seen otherwise. 

I'm not quite sure how I even ended up here...starting a blog, scheduling photo shoots, being a "photographer"...but nevertheless, here I am and loving the journey.  I didn't set out to start a business, I just wanted to get a new camera and do what makes joy surge through my blood.  To say my life of late has been similar to riding down white water rapids without a life jacket is an understatement.  But while sometimes I find myself feeling like I'm going under and gasping for air, the current has also led me to a place of new and breathtaking scenery and sometimes it is moving me so fast, I wonder how I'll take it all in!!!

I guess I know how easy it is to let life pass by, to miss the moments or just not be fully IN the moment and taking pictures for me is like, well, refusing to let the moment go unnoticed.  It's a way that I can help tell the story, whether it's mine or yours, in a beautiful and timeless way and capture it so that your memory is renewed each time you see the photo and your joy of that moment, event or season remains.

So, thank you for coming along with me.  I look forward to every opportunity to share in your journey and to make it more memorable.

With great expectations,

~ Andrea

P.S.  Here are a few moments I didn't want to let pass of the little joy in my life.  Enjoy!  And please contact me soon to book a photo shoot for June, July or August before all my slots are filled and the beauty of summer passes.

Just out enjoying SUNSHINE!

 

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails

And puppy-dogs' tails,

That's what little boys are made of.



There's nothing like a true cowboy adventure.  I know he's one of the good guys!  :)

We walked across our friend's farm, on a mission to find the spot that holds our sweet dog of 18 years.  Boy do we miss her!



and I love that my son wanted to pick flowers to bring to her

More to come very soon!!!