This is why I love photography! It can make me feel better no matter what!

I will be quite honest, I was not looking forward to shooting last weekend. I had 4 shoots scheduled for Sunday and it was going to be a beautiful day. However, I got a call mid week from my best friend that her father had passed away. This was unexpected and desvastaing news. I've known this man since i was in the 4th grade. The funeral was scheduled for Sunday. I had shoots scheduled at 10 am Engagement Shoot, 1pm Senior Shoot, 3pm Senior Shoot, & 5pm Senior Shoot. Well the 3pm was for my best friends daughter, so that was cancelled obviously. I cancelled my 1pm shoot, but didn't want to cancel the other two as they had been scheduled for awhile and I wanted to get them in. But I really wasn't up for shooting, so I thought. I got up Sunday morning, dreading the day that I go to be with my friend as she buries her father. My 10am appointment Carie & Andy show up and my day begins. I had the best time with this couple! They are young, energectic (well sorta, Andy wanted to nap everytime I had them get down on the floor) and just a very cute couple. They have been together for 3 years and they are planning to be married next fall. They just glowed with love for one another. They instantly made my outlook on a gloomy day better. We did some studio shots then headed outside, the day was brisk, but beautiful and the fall colors were perfect.

After Carie & Andy, I had to get ready and headed to the funeral. My next appointment was at 5pm. It was a senior shoot for twin girls! I have been looking forward to this for awhile and after some scheduling conflicts we finally got it together and they were coming. I got a call for their mom on my way back to my house asking if they can bring some friends with them to be in a few of their pictures. What a fabulous idea!!! "Buddy-Pictures!" The girls arrived and the fun began. I had a blast with these girls! I got all 6 of them (yes! I said 6) outside in my front yard and we did a lot of different stuff using the trees, the brick on my house and my front porch. The girls had so much fun they were jumping!

We did some great stuff with all the girls - here is another one:

Then it was time to get down to business with Kasie & Kylie. They came prepared, with their letter jackets and cheerleading outfits to their formal prom dresses. We went to town! They definetly were the highlight of my day!

Occasions! Photography

Hello, welcome to my blog. This is my first venture into blogging so bear with me. I'm sure it will be an adventure.

A little bit about me....I am a 37 year old (am I really that close to 40?!) wife, mother, corporate america peon and Photographer. If that sounds like a lot - it is!!! But I love my life! I love my family! I love my friends! And I love, love, love being behing the camera.

I got serious with photography when my daughter, Lauren, was born. At the time I had the typical point & shoot digital camera and since this was my first biological child, I was very “shutter happy.” Always taking pictures!

After taking my daughter to a children’s photo studio for her first “professional” portraits, $210 later, I left and was stunned at how little I had to take home. I studied the portraits and compared them to snapshots I had done and I realized that this is something I can do and something I love to do.

I invested in a professional digital camera, signed up to take some classes, joined a photography club and began shadowing other photographers to gain knowledge. I began taking pictures, lots of pictures! The best part was the fact that I did them, this was my work, and that was very gratifying. Being able to see that memory on the wall of my child became a point of satisfaction for me.

As friends and family began seeing these photographs of Lauren and JT, they began to request that I take their portraits, their children's portraits and before long, requests were coming from friends of friends.

My primary goal is to do something I enjoyed and at the same time, give my clients affordable, quality portraits. To see the joy that these portraits bring to mothers, fathers and grandparents energizes me to move forward and offer my services to others that desire to capture life’s precious memories...for today, tomorrow and forever.

As my journey into photography moves forward, I have learned so much from so many people and I know I have more to learn. I wil try my best to keep my journey posted here and share the ride.

Thanks to all of you that have supported me in the past, present and future!

Criss :)