December 1st, 2014

Oh my gosh, where did November go?!

I can't believe it is already December, and I sit here looking at the naked Christmas tree, waiting to be decorated.

I like the holidays, but I think that I am not alone in that there is also a certain amount of stress and pressure to get things done that come along with them. It is always this time of year that I try and slow things down and remember what the season is really all about. NOT giving and giving gifts, but LOVE.

So take a deep breath and hug someone. :)

I am STILL working on finishing up the audiobook for Bloodline,  but I can see the finish line. I will cross it this week and then it should be available the following week. I'm excited to get it out there!

I am also excited about my next book: The Secret of Camp Whispering Pine (Book #2 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries) I just got the proof for the book cover and I LOVE it! I will be planning a reveal for it in a week or so.  I'm still hoping to get the book out by the end of the year, but we'll see. While I always try and keep the deadlines that I set for myself, it will never be at the cost of the story quality. I'm behind on it as of now, due to the audiobooks taking me longer than anticipated, but it will just depend on how fast the writing goes these next few weeks. Either way, it will be soon and I think readers will like this next installment!

I've had a blast doing senior pictures these past couple of months and I just completed a really fun shoot yesterday. It flooded this past week on our street, and then froze. So we took advantage of this unique setting and literally went out on the ice! The pictures turned out great, and I always feel privileged to be a part of such an important time in their lives. I continue to charge just $50 for everything (including copies of all the pictures), because I can't stand to take more. My son just graduated two  years ago, and I know that the going rate for a professional photographer starts at around $250. These kids already have so many expenses, and there are a lot that can't afford the pictures. (I also do some free ones each year)  I will end up doing about eight senior portraits this year, and I hope to continue it!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Nov 16th, 2014

I did another fun, senior photo shoot yesterday in the COLD sunshine! I have a few more coming up, which will make seven senior pictures I have the privilege of doing this year. I have seen a lot of my kids friends grow up and reach this milestone over the past few years, and it's an honor to be a part of it.

Yesterday, while getting my camera ready, my daughter asked if she could use my old camera. Of course! (maybe she'll let me post one of her pictures here. She is quite good!)  While going through it, and making sure it was in working order and had a memory card for her, I discovered that the old card still in it, had some images on it from our vacation at Flathead Lake a couple of years ago.

I was a bit surprised when I saw one of the images. It immediately jumped out at me as an instant favorite, but for whatever reason, hadn't done so when I took it over two years ago. Granted, there were a few others on the same card that I was drawn to back then and they are quite popular, and I believe I had close to 1,000 pictures originally taken that week...so maybe it isn't so surprising that this one got over-looked. Whatever the reason, I am SO glad to have found it. I absolutely love this picture. It immediately takes me back to those precious, treasured days as a child, when I spent time with my own dad. The world was such a simple place. (I don't know who the people in the picture are, this was a totally spontaneous moment, which kind of makes it even more...honest.)