Showing Martha the Ropes...

O.k., so anyone who has met me at least once knows that I taught Martha Stewart everything she knows... Man, you write one book for someone and BAM! next thing you know they get alllll the credit and you just look like a stalker. So anyway, it just goes without saying that Molly and I are going to win a trip to NYC to meet her and let her know just how many of my ideas she has used... (A lot of my friends think I am really crafty and creative but really it's just the Martha in me. Every now and then I think of a few things on my own.) Seriously, I am a fan of anything ingenious and fun that doesn't cost very much money (or TIME) to create. So when Martha Stewart announced that there was a contest for my winning design, we sprang into action. Well, really it was more like the leisurely stroll of a cat who wants to be petted, but none the less, we used an idea that I came up with for my friend Tracy's wedding and I really would like to see NYC- as I have never been and have always wanted to. Can't you just picture me an Molly in New York!! And you thought the Japanese tourist looked silly with cameras. Ahhh man, just wait! New York City HERE WE COME! (well, with everyone's prayers that we win we'll be on a plane.) Here is the winning entry: ~S.

Thank You!

As this year closes out, I have been looking back over how busy and thoroughly blessed this year has been. For everyone who has touched my life (and hopefully my images yours) I thank you for helping me as I learn and grow. I can honestly look back and I know that I have come so far this year. That could not have been possible without you having believed in me. So for your time and trust that, I say "Thank You!" I am looking forward to an even better and very successful 2009. May you be blessed beyond your wildest imagination! ~S.

The Kennedy Family...

Meet Steve, Shannon, Madison & Cameron. We set out this am at the new Arboretum... Yes, I love shooting here. The trails are simple and easy to walk and with such dense forestry in areas you have some play room with lighting if it is too sunny for shooting. What is funny is normally my favorite shots come at the end of a session but today was a little different because my favorite shots were closer to the beginning as well as the end. Ayden got to tag along with me today and I have to say it was such a bitter sweet... The kids got along so well that I think Ayden may have been more of a distraction at times. (so sorry guys!) But they just really seemed to hit it off and I hope that they can get together again soon to play. Enjoy. ~S.

The Sessions Family...

I met Dr. Amy Sessions a couple of months ago because I thought (in that all-knowing self diagnosing sort of way) that I may have had a pinched nerve or something going on in my neck. (o.k. that just felt like a good excuse for my being a little "off".) But since then she has introduced other theories and possibilities of this crazy roller coaster of a life I have seemed to be stuck on over the last year. And as funny as it may sound, I have learned more from her in these months than all of the other 5 doctors combined I have been seeing for more than a year. I cannot tell you how glad I am that I met her. She really has been such a blessing to me. So needless to say, it was an honor to spend some time with her family photographing them. Her boys are just the sweetest and their home really is a haven. It is as warm and inviting as they are. I hope you enjoy and we'll see you again soon. ~S.

Samantha ~ Senior '09

Miss Samantha will be graduating this year and what better way to celebrate 13 years of hard work but with fab fotos! She totally rocked out her images as we bounced around and dodged the sun at the new Arboretum today. Like any shoot she was a little reserved in the beginning and I could tell some of my ideas were sounding a little kooky (just like me) until she was able to see that they were amazing after all.. (just like me!) Just kidding (not really)... but we love Miss Samantha and send you out into the world just like you came in it: Kicking and screaming- "good bye!" that is to all those pesky tests and teachers but "Helllloooo" to so many new and exciting things in store for you. Enjoy the rest of the year. You will look back on it someday and miss it. ~S.

Hanna & Sam... Turning 2

What I love most about kids is that usually they act first then say, "Please...." (or "Sorry!"if you are in my house.) They aren't afraid to get their feet wet.. or their whole body in our case. And they are so easy to spend time with because there are no pretenses. All children want is to play and explore. There is something to be said, in my opinion, for letting go and looking for all of the joy in life. And Hanna and Sam knew just where to find that joy. For Sam it was a well that sprang forth with lots of life every time his little hands went into it. And for Hanna it was all those squirrels scurrying about. She would spread her hands out wide and ask, "Where'd they go?" Too much fun. And what can I say about Sarah except she is absolutely brilliant with them. I have three words for you: Twins Turing Two =oP I have a lot of respect for Sarah and Reggie and they are both wonderful and very loving parents. Thanks again for letting me share the afternoon with you. ~S.

Ladies & Gentlemen....

May I present Mr. & Mrs. Jeff St. Amant...

It has been such a pleasure getting to know Jeff and Andrea and I am happy to share their slide show with everyone. This wedding was so much fun because 1.I had the opportunity to meet many of their friends and family involved with or attending the wedding before the actual day. So not only were they a little more at ease with having to look at me all day, but I was able to relax a little myself- o.k. so that is a little white lie as I don't really.... relax until I have the slide show completed... & 2. I had my good friend Wes Lester working with me. I have to say that he added so much to the evening and I could not have done it without him (thank you, thank you & thank you...) so all that said- I sincerely hope you enjoy it and I wish you only the very best and look forward to seeing everyone soon! ~S.

P.S. I love this image. I love that with everyone in the room watching them, they are the only ones in the room.

A Cup of Hot Chocolate...

This fits perfectly into an email I sent out inviting photographers to come together and enjoy a cup of coffee so we might all pray over each others businesses as we prepare to close out this year and ready ourselves for a new fresh start! The gist of my email was that we are so busy wondering how to market, meet new people, edit- come up with new ideas, etc. for our business. Often we forget to stop and pray for each other- no matter your profession- we should always bless each other before ourselves. If we put everyone's needs before our own wouldn't our needs always be taken care of? Anyway- I am just at a time personally where I want to put God first in everything I do- my family, my friends- but especially my journey as a relatively new photographer. So enjoy this story that was sent to me... (And by the way, if you would like to join us next Tues, Dec 9th- please do- I will post the place as soon as we decide on a Starbucks that holds more than 3 people in one sitting...=oD)

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.

During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:

'Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.

While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

The cup that you 're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups.

And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this:

Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups.

They are just tools to hold and contain life.

The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us.

God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate!!