I love this family! I have known them since high school and have taken their pictures since they were expecting this cutie pie.

This family is one of the reasons I love what I do...working...er playing with them is too fun!

Smile Like You Mean It

For the last few months I have been running. My friend and I recently up'd our run to 4 miles...one mile warm up followed by a non-stop 4 mile run. I have to say I'm pretty dang proud of us. This is quite an accomplishment for both of us, and it feels sooo good!

Today we started at 5:30 am...well, 5:35 actually because I have to be five minutes late every morning ;)

It started like all the other days, I was feeling good and listening to some good music on Pandora.

It didn't take long before I was talking myself out of it (as always)

I was thinking of what I could say to Megan so I could walk a bit.

Does my leg hurt? Maybe I swallowed a fly....man seriously? four miles? UGHHHHH how am I going to do this??

I basically have to talk myself into continuing on for quite some time, then I sort of go numb after awhile. Today was a little different though, after I went numb I was actually able to think! and I mean process something other than "stop body, stop!!!!! just walk!!"

I can see how running turns therapeutic for people. I certainly didn't understand that before!

We were on our last mile and the song playing right now (should be anyways) came on....Smile like you mean it by The Killers.

I instantly thought of my job as a photographer, mommy, and wife. I was pushing myself, sun in my eyes, my legs wanting to stop, sweat beading up on my lower back, my chest....

I got goosebumps.

I tapped Megan and showed her my arms, unable to tell her why, I just wanted proof that I had the chills while sweating!

I can't explain exactly what I felt, I find it hard sometimes to get it out and onto this blog.

I had a moment.

We pile on task after task forgetting to take in what we have, or even what we once had.

I feel that my days consist of cleaning...dishes, laundry, bathrooms, cooking, planning, preparing, mothering, pleasing, sacrificing, editing. I focus too often on just doing those things....going through the motions.

I need to take it in, I need to re-center myself from time to time, I need to listen to the stories my kids tell, I need to tell my clients to just play...you have one hour to focus on your kids only(or each other)THOSE are the memories you want on your walls, I need to clean my house and know that I have a roof over my head, I need to cook and be happy that I am able to feed my babies, I need to look at my husband when I kiss him, I need to

smile.

This is what life is.

what it's all about.....

... so smile like you mean it :)

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hang in there with me... =)

GIVE A WAY =)

I have been feeling truly blessed these days :)

I have reached my goal of 200 fans on my facebook photography page. May seem like a small accomplishment to some, but to me it is a big deal. I am so honored to have the support and love that I do in my life and with photography. Just knowing that I have at least 208 people that like to follow my work from time to time makes me happy!

So...

because of that, I want to pay it forward, I want someone to have a moment of joy like I did when I reached 200 fans.

Give a way time!

I have seen so many of these going on and who doesn't want something free in this economy?! So here is the deal:

Become a fan (or "like") my facebook photography page....(link on the right side of my blog) this scores you your first point. If you are already a fan you get a point also, post something in your fb status or on your blog about this give a way including a link to my blog or fb page gain one more point, refer your friends to "like" my page for TWO more points.

Then either comment on here or go to my facebook page and comment....or send me an email including your name and how many points you have (a max of 4) Points are how many "entries" you will have. I will be selecting a winner (via random number generator) two weeks from today on May 6th. I will then let the winner choose between a $50 gift card to Anthropologie or J Crew =) two of my faves!

I know I say it a lot, but THANKS for checking in from time to time and for all the wonderful comments and emails I receive =)

xo katie

I can't wait to post more pics from these two sessions. I have posted sneak peek's on my facebook page. So now I am doing the same here =)

I have a lot of family on the east coast so this is mainly for them :) Love you Grammie!!

Noah and Khloie (remember her from here)...my brother's beautiful kids

Lola and Bodhi.....my sister's adorable twins.

One of the things I learned in Vegas is that I need to try my best to keep up on this blog. This is something I struggle with....but lately, I am trying to do my best by keeping this blog "sticky" and not only sticky, but diverse. I want to include pieces of me. pieces of my life.

So this is Guinness. Our great dane. He is 6 years old

as of March 17th...born on St Patrick's Day...hence the name.

He is actually really old for his breed. While doing this post I googled "great dane life expectancy" I already knew what I would find...the first link said 6-8 years.

I took this picture yesterday and as I sat and made some tweaks I couldn't get over his salt and peppered face. Once all black with the white nose and strip up his forehead.

He has definitely caused some moments of frustration leaving us thinking "why did we get a great dane" ....see HERE

But ultimately, he has been here since the beginning of us...

Here's to beating the average and praying for a few more years with him!!

Oh my gosh, I have the INTERNET again!!!

I have been without it for about a week and let me tell you...

checking stuff out on my little blackberry is just NOT the same :)

...And I have a million and one things to blog about.

I attended WPPI in Las Vegas in March. I had so much fun and learned a ton, very inspiring and met some AMAZING photographers! I roomed with Jessica Kettle, who I love...ahem ;)

I need to sit and take the time to write about my experience but right now I just want to show some images from a really fun shoot that Julie Parker put together. Check out her blog, she explains the story behind this shoot. Go HERE I was not at the daytime shoot, but I was at the evening shoot and shot all these images without a flash!! It was sooo good to meet you Julie! And you too Brooke, we have to get together again!!

My absolute fave image of the evening...couldn't decide between black and white or vintage

Thanks for looking :)