Prairie Girls {2014}: Why personal projects are so important · CORVALLIS, OREGON {Corvallis, Oregon FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER}

As I write this it has been almost 3 whole months since I last blogged.  Wow!

I guess you can say life has just gotten away from me, but it’s more than that.  To be honest, I just haven’t FELT like it.  I haven’t had the moral fortitude to put something intelligible and mildly inspiring down on paper.  And really, that’s ok.  We don’t have to be “on” 100% of the time.  For me it has been an even deeper struggle.

This has been an incredibly difficult year with the loss of two people very dear to me and the depression that often accompanies this circumstance.  I have not felt creative.  I have not felt inspirational. I have not felt myself. For months.

I still don’t, but… this is where I am plunging forward.  Besides the client sessions I have to edit I am going to be putting forth some of my personal projects.  I actually shoot little projects frequently but because of my business workload don’t take the time to edit them very often.  I plan on changing that.

There is a freedom in shooting just for yourself; in pleasing only your eye, your color palette, and chasing the visions of your own imagination.

If you have an idea you have been dreaming of, go for it!  Take a half a day and shoot something totally random in that gorgeous location you have been eyeing, or plan a full stylized session just for the fun of it.  Let your creativity flow and see how quickly your spirit is refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.

Here is a recent personal project with my girls and I.  Declan was away at his Grandma’s so we had a girls’ outing and picnic at one of our favorite places.  Of course we had to put on frilly dresses, even though we were in the middle of a wildlife refuge. 🙂

Someday I plan to take this concept all the way with aprons, sunbonnets, and lunch pails, but for now, this is my vision of some sweet little girls enjoying an afternoon on “the prairie”.

Session date:  July 10, 2014

Venue:  William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge

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Rebecca & Stuart: Married, pt. 3 {2012} · JUNCTION CITY, OREGON {JUNCTION CITY, OREGON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER}

Here are the rest of my favorite shots from Rebecca & Stuart’s wedding.  As I said before, the hardest part of the whole day for me (sister of the groom) was to not cry during the ceremony.  I managed to hold off until everyone was down the aisle and in the receiving line before shedding a tear or two!  I was just so happy that my “baby” brother had found the love of his life and was starting his journey with the very sweet and lovely Becca.  Thank you so much for letting me document your special day!

PS:  I forgot to mention something special about Becca’s wedding dress.  It was passed down from her grandmother and mother, who both wore it on their wedding days!

Date: April 14, 2012

Venue:  First Baptist Church, Junction City

Flowers: The Wedding Jeanni / Jeanni’s Garden  

Second shooter:  Angela Wicks of Angela Dawn Studios (my lovely sister-in-law)

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