Hey! Guess what I haven't done in a long time??

Wow! This really has turned into my high school diary... I knew it had been a long time, but seriously, over a year?!? My goodness I am a terrible terrible person... *sigh* Well, a lot has happened since I have last posted. Including a lot of photos as you can imagine. (So do I update or just start all over??? Pondering this question...) I am no longer teaching and have moved into the corporate world! Never thought I would but I work for such an AMAZING company combining two of my favorites = shoes and photography!! If you haven't already, be sure to check out DSW. It is such an amazing company and if you don't have it already, be sure to sign up for rewards! The program is the best!

So the weather has finally gotten warm and it feels like Spring! Praise God! And I am itching to get out and take some photos! Last weekend I got to do an engagement session for my darling sister-in-law! Unfortunately nothing started blooming until probably two days after the session but we are both very busy people and we had a great time anyway! Here are just a few of their lovely photos:

The holiday's are just around the corner!

Get inspired with these adorable holiday party ideas.



Invitations
What better way to announce your holiday celebration than with these customizable party invitations. Feature your family portrait, the party details and rsvp information, and a warm holiday greeting.



Theme
With the holiday season, you can choose many themes. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or you are a big fan of Santa, there are plenty of fun ways to enhance your atmosphere based on the theme of your choosing.

Music
It's not a party without some great music. Here are a few of some great holiday party soundtracks:

Hanukkah – http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Hanuk...394253&sr=8-13

Christmas – http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Lounge-C...4394398&sr=1-5

Kwanzaa – http://www.amazon.com/Kwanzaa-Party-...4394359&sr=1-1

If you really want to step it up, add a karaoke machine and let your guests serenade the night away. :)

Drinks
Nothing beats some cold egg nog, but you can also serve some hot chocolate with a stick of peppermint for a fun drink to keep your guests warm.

Turn up the heat even more with this delicious Poinsettia Cocktail by the Food Network's Emeral Lagasse
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/p...ipe/index.html

Food
Have a potluck dinner or keep things light with a few hors d'oevres like shrimp cocktail, a cheese platter, mini sandwhiches or pinwheel wraps.

Treats
A spice cake is a wonderful holiday treat to offer your guests. You can also make a delightful candy table with jars of candy canes, ribbon candy, fudge, peppermint bark and peanut brittle. Add a gingerbread house for a whimsical finishing touch.

Activities
If your party is family friendly, create a fun craft area for kids to color, decorate gingerbread cookies or play a holiday-themed games.

For the adults and children alike, a gift exchange is a great ice breaker to get the party going.

Favors
Offer your guests a parting gift of a scented candle, mini stocking full of treats, or a hand lotion or soap in a holiday scent like peppermint, cinnamon or pine.

September is National Children’s Good Manners Month!

Sit down with your little ones and enjoy these excellent etiquette reads.

The Scallywags
by David Melling


Emily’s Everyday Manners
by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post


The Golden Rule
by Ilene Cooper


Thingumajig Book of Manners
by Irene Keller


Please is a Good Word to Say
by Barbara Joosse


Do Unto Otters
by Laurie Keller


Happy Reading!

My Beautiful Niece!

My brother and sister-in-law had their second child a few weeks ago and I have to admit... they make very cute kids!! When my nephew was born a couple years ago, I was new to the photography business and got a couple of shots, but I used my new studio lights and some other things to get these amazing portraits of my niece! There are many more that I will post soon!

Special Effects for Photographers

After I take pictures, I love spending time with them to enhance them and make them beautiful pieces of art. One of my favorite actions is a Color Pop by NicholeV. She also offers some great educational material that I hope to win :) or at least purchase sometime in the future. She is also an amazing photographer! So my photographer friends, you should definitely check out her stuff for inspiration!

Palmer Wedding

Kelly is a friend of mine from high school and she asked me before I had ever even photographed a wedding to be her photographer. I appreciate to this day her trust and faith in me. I can honestly say it would be very hard for me to hire a wedding photographer for my own wedding who had never shot a wedding... so, I really cannot thank her enough for taking that leap of faith. Fortunately for her, even though she was the first to ask, I was able to shot a few first. =)

The day turned out to be beautiful with a little rain. There was a short sprinkle during the ceremony and it started to pour towards the end of our session before the reception. The reception hall at Elk's Lodge in Chillicothe was beautiful! It had these amazing stain glass windows all along the sides and beautiful hardwood floors. Williams Catering from Waverly did an amazing job with the catering and decorating. SugDog provided the fun music and Hailey Zimmerman did a wonderful job with the hair and makeup.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the day:

The Parks Family

Again, another session of a family from school. I taught Evan Kindergarten Enrichment last year and I have his brother this year. They are such a wonderful and fun family and I enjoyed my Wednesday evening with them at a local park.