It’s been a while since I’ve been able to update the blog, and hopefully I can get caught up eventually! Today, I wanted to show you guys the beautiful senior portrait session I had with Arielle Turner; a star volleyball player with an awesome personality. We were able to fit it in just a few days before I left for WSU. I was really excited to capture Arielle for obvious reasons: she’s gorgeous. The sun was out and we were able to hit up a few local places with some beautiful background scenery to capture her pictures. We even attempted a picture with a bull…but I decided I’d rather not pay for Arielle’s injuries from goring, so we skipped that and ran into a few snakes instead. I can’t thank Arielle enough for allowing me to take her pictures and for going on an adventure with me! Have a fantastic senior year Arielle. 
Knox Wedding
I was so excited to photograph Caitlin and Jordan’s wedding this July- these two are probably one of the most relaxed and fun couples I’ll ever have the pleasure of photographing. The wedding was a blast to shoot, even in the wonderful, sunny 100 Degree weather God gave us for the day. Congratulations to Jordan and Caitlin- I know your marriage will be full of happiness, lots of laughter, and all of God’s love.
Shakoshi Bags!
Today I had a wonderful opportunity to help with an amazing non-profit organization. Shakoshi, Swahili for purse, back-pack, satchel, or any thing that carries your things, is a project that is really taking off. The disabled women who make these bags live in harsh conditions in the Congo and make the bags in order to support their families. Sarah Butler, a wonderful woman living in my area, contacted me asking if I could help to re-vamp their website to benefit these women even further. We also had a little help from some beautiful girls in the Plain valley. Here are just a few pictures from the shoot today. I LOVE these colorful, fun bags and have a few myself. Check back to www.shakoshi.com in a few weeks to see the new and improved website and order a bag for yourself to support these amazing women!
NOW GO GET YOURSELF A SHAKOSHI!!
Katie’s Graduation from WSU
What an absolutely beautiful woman I got to photograph today. Katie is the epitome of beauty- she is by far one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever had the opportunity to spend time with. I had a great time taking photographs with her today as we talked about the excitement that awaits her after graduation from WSU in just over a week. Here are just a few from today. 
I LOVE THIS ONE.
Israel & Amanda -August 2011
Your wedding day is a VERY special day. That’s why when Amanda contacted me and asked if I would photograph their wedding I felt so lucky. I’m not one to exaggerate about my photography experience. I’ve only been at this for two years and the truth is that before Amanda’s wedding I had been an assistant at only one wedding for Heidi Michelle Photography (Heidi is amazingly talented!) and had never been the soul photographer for a wedding. It was an honor to have Amanda trust me to capture Israel and her’s wedding. On the day I felt like the winner of the Mega Millions lottery that everyone has been talking about so much lately- I absolutely loved every moment of my job that day and I had SO much fun with the couple. Their wedding was beautiful…they are beautiful! Here are a handful of my favorites from their day.
I love my job…
Taylor and Carla
I’ve been missing the sunshine SO much lately. Today, we got a nice glimpse of it here in Pullman and it made me antsy with anticipation for summertime. Last year I spent a summer day with one of my favorite couples: Taylor and Carla. I absolutely loved this shoot. It’s impossible to watch these two together and not smile- their happiness is contagious. We went to my FAVORITE place to take pictures- an old barn on a good friends property (thanks Bev!). The place is full of every prop imaginable and it makes photos a blast. So, here is Taylor and Carla on what turned out be one of my favorite summer memories of 2011. Can’t wait to see what summer 2012 has in store. 
The Timeless Image
Jacques- Henri Lartigue once said, “I take photographs with love, so I try to make them art objects. But I make them for myself first and foremost- that is important.”
As I begin my photography business, I think it’s important to remember this quote. Like Lartigue, I take my photographs with love for the subjects inside the frame- I want to capture them in a way that they will cherish forever, but I also take the photograph for me. I take it to smile; to feel like nothing else matters in the world…because when I’m behind the camera and I’m working, nothing else in the world matters. That being said, today, I find myself revisiting the image that sums up my love for photography. My favorite image of all time: a piano and a necklace. The necklace is one I wear everyday to remind me the type of person I should strive to be- the pendant belonged to my Papa. To me the image is timeless, one that will always matter, and it will always remind me why I love what I do. So….although I should be writing a research paper…I thought I’d share the image with you guys today.
For Papa.
Some Senior Favorites
Hello blogging world! I’ve finally created myself a blog and feel this will be a great way to share my photography with all of you. I’m very excited to be able to share my work on this page and hope that you will enjoy it. You’ll have to bear with me as I get used to this whole blogging thing. For starters, I thought I’d share some of my favorite senior portraits I’ve taken- since that is what I first started taking pictures of. Hope you enjoy!
One of my favorite shoots, bracing the cold with Audra to get some GORGEOUS shots in the snow at Sleeping Lady Resort.
I felt honored to capture Ethan’s passion for football and basketball at this shoot
I am all about the country girl and wheat-field look which is why I love this picture of Staci.
Ben is by far one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and I so enjoyed capturing his senior pictures. Even better, he chose one of my favorite spots, the famous “Rock” in Plain.
I enjoyed every single second of this shoot with Jordie. The best pictures are captured when the person in front of the camera just wants to have a good time, and that is exactly what Jordie and I did when we went out to take pictures that day.
Last, but definitely not least, this picture of Omar from a special spot up on the Icicle will always be a favorite- bridge, river, fallen leaves, and a guy with a great smile: perfect.
