Holiday Sweethearts!

I've been lucky to photograph some very cute kids this Holiday season, I wanted to share a few of my fav's:

Life is Crazy!

I know I promised more blogs, but life is very busy... in the midst of teaching English at the local high school, I have been trying to keep up with photo editing and building my photog business... the balancing act has been difficult! Teaching and photography make me so happy... I only wish there were more hours in the day to fully accommodate both!

I thought I would share a few thoughts while I am uploading photos for a client.

I Love…………… my family, my husband (my inspiration and favorite!!)
I Also Love…… my moose.

I Believe……… in God.
I Also Believe… in forgiveness.

I Need…………… my husband.
I Also Need……… a job with benefits.

I Want…………… more time for reflection and generosity.
I Also Want……… a baby.

I Hate…………… hate is a strong word.
I Also Hate……… I strongly dislike when people are deceitful to themselves and others.

I Wish………… to stop wishing and to be more "present"
I Also Wish…… for health, happiness and wealth for all that i know and love.

I Keep………… falling in love with my husband.
I Also Keep…… worrying about things i can't control.

I Save………… cool rocks for paperweights. because our house is sooo windy... (??)
I Also Save……… every book i've ever read. in case i ever get my own english classroom! (which probably will never happen if an administrator ever sees how i type on blogs!!)

I Covet......... to live like Grandma Rita
I Also Covet.... the desire to exercise regularly ;)

I Regret..... the days that i've overlooked.
I Also Regret.... nothing else!

I Have...... everything i need.
I Also Have... a suspenseful, wonderful, crazy, full and happy life

-kayla

Believing

If you know me well, you might have picked up on the fact that I don't really like to watch sports. It's not that I don't WANT to like sports, I just CAN'T watch! I have sports-induced ADD and I just can't focus. Example -my husband plays softball and I couldn't tell you the last time I actually saw him bat and run bases... not because he hasn't, but because I am too busy TALKING to friends and family in the stands! I really don't want to say it's boring. But when sports is going on, I tune out pretty fast.



To my surprise, the Beijing Olympics have just fascinated me. I think it's because most of the events are short, sweet, and suspenseful. Or maybe it's just Michael Phelps. I am amazed by his achievements, and inspired by him. After he won his 8th gold medal this year, he was asked how he does it. He said it's about "believing in yourself, and believing you can do it all along." Wow.



People have been telling me this since I was in grade school. I remember our motto at school was "believe, achieve, succeed." It's easy enough to understand, and say "yeah, yeah," and brush it off.... but sometimes I think it is important to really think about it.



So all along, I have been missing one of the key elements that make sports so great - the ability to believe in oneself and achieve great success.



Can we say that our job(s) have brought us great success? Happiness? Worth? What do we really do on a daily basis that makes us happy? Or are we stuck in the grind?



Do you believe in yourself?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-08/20/content_6951860.htm

Before and After

So after many hours of editing this week, I am reflecting on where I stood with Photoshop just 1 year before. Finally, the blood, sweat and tears I have spent on learning the program are starting to pay off, and it is coming so much easier!

When shooting senior pics for Katelyn, I wanted her to smile so her dimples showed (they are soo cute!)... and when I finally caught her, the photo was wayyy underexposed. I considered deleting the picture right off my camera, and I thought... maybe I can save it. Here are the results:


















;) I'm going to aim for at least 3 posts a week, so be sure to check back frequently!!

Memory Boards

I just love looking at old photos from high school and going through my memory box of little trinkets I've kept to remind me of the great times I had with friends, and I was thinking... what a fun idea to create digital Memory Boards that showcase photos, quotes, and little scrapbook-like items for decoration?? These are a great way to pull together Senior and Wedding photos, and they make excellent conversation pieces ;) Check it out:

Call and reserve a session before August 31 and receive a 10x20 memory board for only $49!

Photo Design

I want to thank my good friend Kristy of Kristy Hausmann Photography (http://www.kristyhausmann.com/) for a new set of photography design software ;) I just received it all in the mail, and it is very classy, elegant and fun! Here is a design I just made this morning...






















Schedule a session by July 25 and receive a FREE 8x10 photo design! Minimum $85 print order.

Godparents

The Salogar twins have arrived, and Casey and I are so proud that we are godparents to Maggie! She and her brother, J.P., are just wonderful, and they love to be held and cuddled! Here is a peek:

FIRST 5 = FREE SESSION!

Hey there, just checking to see who is reading my blog ;) I am sending out another round of marketing letters, and the first FIVE 2009 Seniors to book will receive a FREE 1 HOUR SESSION! So, whether you read my blog or have received a campaign letter, all you have to do is call and book an appointment to earn a free session... it's THAT easy!

ALSO,

I am offering a new option - TRAVELING STUDIO! I will pack up my studio equipment and bring it to you, please visit my website and click on the Travel Studio tab for more info. Here are some photos that I took last week during a travel session:

Marlee and the Bear Hunt

This morning, I was graced by the presence of Marlee - who is a wonderfully photogenic 2 1/2 year old from West Branch. Marlee loved the songs Casey downloaded JUST for her - Hot Potato by the Wiggles, Disney favorites, the Alphabet Song and Wheels on the Bus just to name a few. If left to her own devices, I'm sure she would have danced and bopped around for hours, but then it was time to get down to business! We were able to get many wonderful shots of Marlee, in between begging for another "Bear Hunt" and bubble gum! BTW - if you haven't gone on a Bear Hunt yet, you are definitely missing out!

Here are a couple fav's:











































And then it was nap time. For Marlee AND me :)

Stay tuned for a posting from our day-long diva shoot....

moose the guinea pig

I have been in the process of re-formatting my computer the past few days, and I'm consolidating photos on my laptop. I can't even tell you how many photos I have of my poor dog! Whenever I learn something new, Moose will patiently pose and endure lengthy flash sessions without ever complaining (or blinking!). This is my ode to Moose (and his desperate plea for me to find new clientele).


weekend with teddy.

making up.

lensbaby. fun camera attachment!

another lensbaby.

*kayla

Vote on a Business Card!

Everyone:

I designed a few business cards, and I need help choosing one or two to print! Vote on your favorites by adding a comment to this post!!

Design 1

Design 2

Design 3

Design 4

Design 5

Design 6

Can't wait to see what you think!!

-Kayla

First Post :)

Everyone, welcome to my website and blog! Our amazingly talented web techie friend (the bad boy of IT), Jay Kent created my site and taught me how to make changes... so I wanted to be sure to thank him for all of his hard work (and patience)!! I am really excited to start posting photos and meeting new people who will allow me the honor of photographing them at different stages and events in their life!

My latest project is creating business cards, and I want to have a slogan to put on them. Not to toot my own horn... but even though I'm an English Education major, I have difficulties writing without being cheesy. I also have difficulties writing without plagairizing, but don't we all?? It's embarassing. I need help.... and not just the creative writing kind. We'll see what I can come up with, but in the meantime... shoot me some ideas!