(a special message for my friends birthday celebration – today is the day!)

I have been meaning to take on this challenge for a few years now…and every year, January comes and goes, and I realize by the end of February that I forgot and didn’t make the time for it.  Well, enough was enough…it’s time 2012.  Sometimes, I know exactly what I want to remember as the events of the day unfold, but most times, it’s a little bit of a struggle trying to decide what to photograph..what I want to remember.  I also go back and forth with photographing something ordinary, just to have it, or trying something new.  There’s a little bit of both in here, but I’m only 28 days in…so hopefully throughout the year, I will make the time to push myself more.

This is just a handful of the images I’ve taken so far…I will do random blog posts throughout the year so you can see what I’ve been up to.
I’m excited to see this little window into my world at the end of the year, and reminisce all my 365 images ~ maybe I’ll make a canvas collage!

(The weather felt like October, so I thought I’d make it look like Halloween)

(My sweet Buddy boy…waiting patiently for his walk)

(Attended a beautiful bridal show for Well Wed magazine at the Memorial Art Gallery. )

(Playing with my baby girl in the snow!)

(This pottery was a gift from my dad brought back from Ireland.  I still can’t believe he found a smiling bowl
and knew how much I would love it ♥)

(Beautiful January Wedding, beautiful Bride)

(I see this every morning as I get my little girl out of her crib to start the day)

(I follow an internationally famous photographer, Jasmine Star, and found out this day that she would soon be in NYC.
I bought my tickets immediately and wrote it down in my planner.)

(Attended an all day seminar through my pro photography group, www.grpp.org, hosted by an awarded photographer
Walter Van Dusen.
One of the many topics discussed was using lighting to bring something new to your photos.  After coming home, I practiced with my s’mores.
They’ve never looked so cute)

(This was the last day our holiday decorations were on the house…I loved coming home to these on the porch and missed them immediately)

(My little girls butterfly mobile.  I hope it always hangs in her room…so when she comes home from college to visit,
she can look forward to seeing them)

(If you don’t know this about me already, I LOVE Winter and snow.  I have been having a really difficult time with getting used
to our warmer winters.  It’s teaching me to appreciate the things you love every day…because they might not be there the next.)

That’s it for now ~ I’ll post another handful at the end of February…if you’d like to see something, or have any ideas, I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for being here with me

I met with Shannon’s parents only a few months ago.  They could tell from the style of my photography that I would be easy for her daughter, the Bride, to work with.  Shannon and Chris only wanted a few pictures of themselves, and didn’t want to spend very long in front of the camera.  The couple lives out of town so I didn’t get to meet them ahead of time either, but from the descriptions her parents gave me of their relationship, and the details for their celebration, I couldn’t wait to see everything in person.  They had me at ‘Winter’,  ‘birch chuppah’ and ‘door knob bouquet’.

The Church, Ogden Baptist, was country Wedding picture perfect, and the invitations were created by hand complete with pockets and a decorative band.
Incredible detail and beautiful.

Mother of the Bride gently placing her heirloom pearls around her daughters neck ♥

Smart phones to the rescue…time for a little music pick me up!

Shannon’s dress was absolutely beautiful, perfect for her, and I adored this detail around the middle.

Starting to smile and dance around a little bit

She even had a white winter cape to wear as they made their way outside to the front of the church.

And white gloves too!

Off to take a quick peak at the guys!  SO funny, I knew right away we were gonna have some FUN!

This was something I’d never seen done before.  A blind folded Groom!  They had to so that the Bride could wait in the same room before the ceremony too!  LOL

So beautiful…LOVE the sunlight pouring through the stained glass ♥

If I can share at least one thing with you, it’s not to be too nervous as your Wedding begins.  Stop, and really look at your Bride/Groom, and remember this moment.

Congratulations!!
As they were taking a quick break during the receiving line, I noticed they were both fidgeting with their new rings at the same time, so cute!

Incredible DIY vintage door knob bouquet

Watching these two interact together was so comforting.  It was like they were the same person, but with their own individuality.
Completely understanding and appreciative of each other.

I am in love with the stained glass picture…Shannon’s tulle dress reflects the light so beautifully ♥

Off to the Senators Mansion!  Beautifully decorated with twinkling branches, warm smiles, and a delectable brunch!

mmmmm!

This guys got the right idea, dig in!

SO sweet, Shannon’s mom knew she wouldn’t be able to talk during her video message, so she wrote it down in advance ♥

I loved this bridal party…what a fun group!

Chris, I will never forget you

After a few ‘formals’ (sort of), I asked the guys to get closer and interact with Chris…so one of the guys, literally just put his hand on him. 

Beautiful girls!

We took just a few photos inside the mansion, and I wanted to make sure we captured their shoes too, ballerina slippers!

I’m going to end on this funny group shot…as soon as we started, they instantly covered up and didn’t look at the camera, too funny.
Congratulations Shannon and Steve!!  Your Wedding was beautiful, and so creative!!

Wishing you a lifetime of wonderlands,
♥
~Sue

As I sit down at my desk to write this post, I am flooded with visions of smiles, beautiful details, tiny toes, amazing locations, and more hugs than I could ever imagine getting used to.  I am so incredibly thankful for the life I have been given, for the path I have chosen, and for the future full of hope that I foresee for myself and my family.

Celebrating the beginning of a new year brings all sorts of emotions…usually starting with excitement…and soon afterwards, a sense of failure…before even beginning.  New Years resolutions are evil.  They’re supposed to help us, but they usually just make us feel bad because it’s almost impossible to commit to something…just because of a new date on the calendar.

I’ve decided to focus on what I didn’t accomplish the prior year and to make a point to incorporate some of that into my every day behaviors.  Even if it’s as simple as eating one less cookie a week…it’s something

One thing I wanted to do all year and didn’t, was to purchase a new lens for my camera.  I bought a flash, but only because I had to…and it’s no fun when it’s because you have to.  I’m already looking forward to the images I can produce with it.  Still me, still my style…just more variety.

If I’m really lucky, I will purchase a camera body that allows me to take video too.  I really really really want to be able to do that.   I will figure something out.

Most importantly, I want to focus on what I didn’t do last year for YOU, the amazing people who choose me for their memories, and those that support me and my business with recommendations.  I would not be able to sustain my path without your love and praise and thanking you will be my top priority.

As the snow (finally) falls outside my window, I am filled with peace.  A quiet calm that I will harness and save to bring with me for everything I do.  May you find peace this year as you make your choices, and always, share a little love and laughter.  ♥

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things.”  ~John Burroughs

Happy New Year!!