Today is your birthday…and I have been thinking of you almost constantly since last night. Although we’ve never met, your life has significantly impacted my own. Today…your birthday…I watched your son swim with his children…your grandchildren. I watched him laugh with them…play with them…love them. And I asked myself lots of questions…questions that I may never know the answers to. I don’t pretend to understand the decision you made 27 years ago…if I try I get angry…so instead I just tell myself that you did it because you had to…but, I know that’s not really the truth…I’m not even sure the truth matters…27 years later.

I sat at my computer last night finishing up editing a beautiful wedding…the house was silent except for the music…and as my playlist ran on and on…I grew more and more reflective about what matters in life. Sacrifices we make…sacrifices of ourselves…sacrifices for ourselves…life is full of all kinds of sacrifices. I thought of my children and the sacrifices that I’ve made for them…as well as the ways that I’ve sacrificed for myself…and I visited my regrets…and I do have them. I wish I didn’t.

The playlist ran on and on…“I’ve got a good mother, and her voice is what keeps me here…feet on ground, heart in hand, facing forward…be yourself…I’ve never wanted anything…I’ve got a good father…and his strength is what makes me cry…feet on ground, heart in hand, facing forward…be yourself…I’ve never wanted anything…” I wish that T had the same kind of childhood that I had…stable, secure, sacrificed for…I don’t pretend to understand. But, I do know that he is a man who is uniquely aware of what matters in life. I wish you had known what mattered. For his sake. For C & S’s sakes. Maybe you did know…maybe sacrificing of yourself was just too complicated…I don’t pretend to understand.

And, the playlist ran on and on…“Give me these moments…back. Give them back…to me. All the things we should have said, that we never said. All the things we should have done that we never did. All the things that you needed from me. All the things that you wanted for me…make it go away…just make it go away.” Surely your life has been filled to overflowing with the crushing weight of regret. Surely? I don’t pretend to understand. But, I do know that it won’t ever go away. I wonder if the things that we regret sacrificing for ourselves ever really do.

You have 14 grandchildren…I wish you knew them. But, when you left your children’s bags on the doorstep of your home, and sent their step-father to say goodbye on your behalf, you sacrificed the very thing that matters most in life. Yet…I’m ever so thankful that T learned it along the way in spite of what wasn’t sacrificed for him. Somehow, he got it right anyway. And the playlist ran on and on…”Sing Alleluia, sing alleluia, praise the Father above…sing alleluia…sing alleluia…for His infinite love…sing alleluia…”

Happy Birthday Sarah. We celebrated today.

‘Til Next Time,
S 

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For the most patient parents on earth…who haven’t even so much as peeped about the fact that I have not put up a sneak peek of their precious newborn twins! This is LONG overdue! These babies were so sweet to work with…and so tiny! They just snuggled on up to each other so sweetly…hardly even a peep out of them the whole session. I’ve always wanted twins…my Grandpa was a twin…so I always kind of thought I might have twins, and I always thought it would be so much fun to have boy/girl twins…this is one extra blessed family…with two of the sweetest little peas in a pod that I’ve ever laid eyes on! A boy…and a girl!

 

Thank you “S” family, for inviting me into your home to photograph your newest additions! It was so nice to spend the afternoon with you all…your babies are just precious!

This has been a whirlwind week for me. I actually took a vacation! I haven’t taken a sincere vacation in over a year…you know the kind where you don’t work?!?! Every trip I’ve gone on, every weekend away, every. single. day. of the past year and a half, I’ve worked in some capacity or another. BUT…not this weekend! (Well…mostly…I did respond to a couple of emails and I answered my phone a couple of times…but for the most part…I took a break…and IT. WAS. GLORIOUS!) My mom took me to Palm Springs for my birthday this year and we did very little more than nothing…and it was WONDERFUL! I got to rest, spend lots of time with my mom, shop, eat, read, breathe in the beautiful 72 degree weather, and relax. It was much needed. Thank you Mom (I know you’re reading this!)! You blessed me this weekend in more ways than you know!

So…today I was officially back to work and I’ve been busy all day long. I know that I am behind on responding to emails, so if you’ve got an email in to me and I haven’t gotten back with you…just give me through tomorrow…I’m getting caught up!!!

‘Til Next Time!
S 

 

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I’m heading out of town for a girly road trip with my mom for the weekend…it’s my birthday on Sunday. There are still 2 full shopping days left! I like sparkly things! ;o) So…I’ll be responding to email and phone calls when I return on Tuesday. I expect to be all caught up on galleries by Wednesday of next week as well, if you’re one of several people who are waiting ever so patiently for your gallery. I have a new gallery viewing platform that I’ve been trying to get set up…which has put some galleries a few days behind. But, in the meantime…here is a precious quick peek at one of the most beautiful newborn baby girls I’ve ever photographed. Isn’t she just heavenly? You’ll see more of her next week. Have a FANTASTIC holiday weekend ya’ll!

There are also still a couple of spots left for the FOCUS 2009 Photography Workshop in August. If you are interested in attending, please see the post below. Thanks!

 

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I’m so excited to announce that there will be a second FOCUS 2009 Photography Workshop in August this year! Pre-registration for those on the waiting list began last week so there are only a few spots left. The April workshop was a huge success…however, after re-evaluating the flow of the workshop I’ve decided to make the August workshop a 2 DAY workshop rather than 1 day! All the details are below…please EMAIL ME for the registration link. 

Workshop FAQs:

Will you be covering your complete workflow?
Yes, yes, YES! You will be given every bit of info regarding my processing from start to finish. That includes my complete workflow from capture through post processing.

If I am just starting out in my business will this be a good workshop for me?
Absolutely! You are in the BEST position for making decisions regarding starting out on the right foot and moving forward in your business and I will be sharing with you everything that has worked well for me…everything I wish I had known when I started…and every mistake I’ve made along the way. (And…yes, I’ve made mistakes!)

I’ve been in business for a while…will this be a good workshop for me?
Absolutely! ;o) Learning is ongoing…always. If there are things that you see in my work or in my business that you want to know about…you will learn it. If you have any questions about whether this would be a good workshop for you to attend based on where you are at in your business…please email me with your questions and I will be happy to answer them. My intention is to be an open book at this workshop!

Why are you limiting the attendance?
Because…My intention is to be an open book at this workshop. ;o) And because I really feel that it’s important to be able to interact with everyone there and allow plenty of time for all questions to be covered.

Will you be holding other workshops later in the year?
No, not in 2009. My shooting schedule gets a little manic beginning in September.

Do you need models for your workshop?
Yes…I will be doing a specific model call closer to the workshop date. If you are interested in having your child or teen model for the workshop, please continue to watch the blog for updates. 

Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes, I accept all major credit cards as well as Paypal.

I live in AZ, can I still attend the workshop?
The workshop is limited to those who reside and conduct their business outside of a 90 mile radius from the 85297 zip code.

What is the link to register?
Please EMAIL ME for the Registration Link

 

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Hello loyal and faithful blog readers…who have been terribly neglected this week! Goodness sakes…I’ve been so busy this week that I literally have not had time to blog. I know…I know…no excuses. So…instead, I shall make this “Short & Sweet”. All the fun details are below for the May Mini Sessions.

I offer mini sessions only twice a year. There are only 3 spots left for the mini sessions (6pm, 6:30pm and 7pm), and since they are the PERFECT Father’s Day Gift…be sure to book quickly! You must email me in order to confirm that your selected time is available prior to booking. Once I receive your email I will confirm your time and reply with a link to the Short & Sweet Mini Session booking form as well as a link to my credit card payment form. For your convenience…all major credit cards are accepted.

I am also currently booking Out-of-State and Northern Arizona sessions for July and August. Newborn Sessions are also currently being booked for July through September. If you are expecting a baby during those months, please book your session now in order to guarantee my availability. Newborn sessions are booked based on your due date. No outdoor sessions will be offered in the Phoenix metro area during the months of July and August. Please email me for availability if you are wanting to book a summer travel session. Travel sessions will be offered on a very limited basis.

I have several sneak peeks to post as well…I’ve just been strapped for blog-love-time this week…but, coming up quickly are a beautiful senior, newborn sweet pea twins, a gorgeous 6 month old, and a wedding sneak peek. They’re a coming! ;o)

‘Til Next Time!
S 

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