Married : Chris & Joanne

I was photographing what was supposed to be my last wedding of the year when I received a message from Chris. I'm getting married in three weeks. I know it's short notice, but I was wondering if you were available? The next day, Chris and I spoke over the phone and made arrangements for me to photograph their upcoming wedding.

It's not often that I don't meet the bride and groom until the wedding day, but because of our short timeline, such was the case. However Joanne was warm and welcoming the minute I entered her hotel room to take some getting ready photos. By the end of the evening I felt like Chris and Joanne had been friends of mine for years. I truly have the most amazing clients and am so blessed to be allowed into their lives to capture their milestones.

Chris & Joanne's wedding took place at the beautiful St. Stephen's in Portland and the reception took place at Gracie's.

Lauren : Portland Senior

Today, I met up with Lauren and her father for Lauren's senior portraits, and what a gorgeous day it was! I forgot how much I love working with seniors and it was so refreshing to spend the afternoon with the beautiful Lauren.

Broach bouquet

Britnee : 2011 Senior

I'm a bit behind on my blogging...

Okay, maybe that's an understatement. I think I could blog every day until 2012 and still not be caught up. At least I'll have something to keep me busy during the slower time. :)

Britnee is another one of my beautiful class of 2011 seniors, and like many of the others, the camera loved her! See for yourself...

7 day old Knox : Portland Oregon Newborn Photography

I love it when my clients know what they want, and Knox's mom did not disappoint. We planned most of what we were going to do for her newborn session during our maternity shoot, then I (we) eagerly waited for little Knox's arrival.

Knox was a photographer's dream in every way. He pretty much slept through the entire session, didn't fight my poses too much, and was cute as can be!

I love how mom and dad brought some items from home to really personalize their session. The white chair and blanket are from Knox's nursery. :)

So I never forget

It wasn't even a month ago that I sat here on my couch, laptop perched on my legs, and swore I'd never see it. Of course, deep down, I knew the light was there somewhere, but I was too buried in work to see it. My heart broke as time after time I sent my kids upstairs to entertain each other instead of taking the time to play a game, build with legos, or paint a picture as they had asked. It broke even more when they just stopped asking. I know that they are not going to stop growing while I sit at my computer all day editing this session or that wedding. I know that too soon, the day will come when they no longer want to play, snuggle and read with me. I know that next fall, my youngest will start kindergarten and my home will be empty and lonely, even if for just 2 1/2 hours a day.

I worry that I will look back and have regrets. Regrets about not enough zoo trips. Regrets of replying too often with "just a minute." Regrets about missed opportunities to turn a bad experience at school into a valuable life lesson.

I also want to make sure I'm absolutely clear on one thing.

Without a doubt, I love my job. LOVE.

I realize what a blessing it is to have people pay me to do something I love so much. I realize what a blessing it is that I am able to provide extra money for my family from the comfort of my home. I realize what a blessing it is to have my children home with me while I work instead of a stranger's home. Whole heartedly, I get it.

And today, sitting on my couch, laptop perched on my legs, I can see the light. I am trying so hard to be caught up by Thanksgiving, and it's going to be close. I may have few things carry over. You know what? I'm okay with that. What I'm not okay with is getting up from this couch to find my children have grown up and I've missed it.

So I'm taking today off. Instead of working, my daughter and I went to church, had a lunch date in my car, and talked. We snuggled on the couch, had hot chocolate and played a game on my iPhone. This afternoon, I'm going to spend some one on one time with my son. I think we'll go out for a Starbucks and I'll turn that bad thing that happened at school today into what will hopefully be a life lesson about how to deal with disappointment.

I took these pictures of Addison playing on my iPhone so I never forget. How little she was. How she curls her toes. How she smiles.

2010 Susan G Komen Race for the Cure

Yesterday, Team Nadine hit the pavement for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, along with nearly 40,000 other participants. This was the first year Team Nadine registered as an official team and we raised over $900 combined for the Susan G Komen Foundation.

We started the day with a quick stop at our local Starbucks, then headed to Washington Square to wait for our shuttle.



We found a nice gentleman to take a few pictures of our team.



Our team consisted of my best friend Misty, my mom Sandy..



..My son Brady and my cousin Amy..



We lost my mom's mother to breast cancer over 6 years ago. This was my mom's first year participating in the race and I'm excited to have her on my team.



This was Brady's second year racing with me. He did a wonderful job and managed to find a sucker to carry him so his legs could have a little rest..



My beautiful mother..



I can't say how special it was to have my mom at my side this year. The girls came up the night before the race and we toasted to our team and my grandmother. Then, we stayed up way too late sharing memories of our beloved Nadine.



Team Nadine at the finish line!



Brady 2010



Brady 2009