{thankfulness}

Very thankful this year for having two very loving grandparents host the THANKSGIVING meal once again at their home!  I can not hardly believe all they do.......you would never believe they are in their 80's.  I hope, and pray that I look that good at 80!  Not to mention, have that little beat in my step....that they both seem to have as well.  Ah, the holidays are so very magical spending with family and friends!

Hope everyone had a fantastic time this Thanksgiving!

God Bless, Loveographer xo

{It's beginning to look alot like that time a year again ....}

The yellow bus came rolling up the street, the doors opened and out popped this beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed delightful sight....tagging behind her were two little cuties themselves.  I could hear off in the distance her giggling and laughing....

She started skipping down the winding sidewalk, wavy hair blowing in the wind....

gently looking over her shoulder at her two bus mates

eyes glistening in the sun.

As she approached her home, she slowed down her skip...

and there it was, an abrupt stop

followed by a very anxious but serious......

"Mom, did you know Santa will be here in 38 days?"

This is where I smile, but panic all in one!

38 days......are you kidding me?!?!

I will be adding my 12 favorite things for Christmas this year!

and at some point we will play a little game together.....but not yet!

Stay alert, you never know when I will post something fun :)

But to start off my wish list.......

that's right folks, this is one of my top I want it, I need it, I gotta have it gifts :)

How wonderful to have a special cup of gourmet coffee, tea, or hot cocoa brewed to perfection in your very own kitchen while you anxiously await in your jammies!

I am going to give you a little heads up on this little beauty

* Wal-mart is the cheapest for the regular edition......not the individual one, but regular at $99

* Bed Bath & Beyond has the Special Edition for $129...however, if you use a 20% off

coupon you get it for $104!

That is a steal!  The SPECIAL EDITION is quieter, programable, etc

So it is seriously the best deal out there once you grab your coupon :)

A little birdie told me of this (thanks Becky!)

Anyway, you can even get GLORIA JEANS specialty coffee in pods for this beauty!

Gourmet Chai Tea....yummo!

I sure HoPe, WiSh, and PrAy that I get this one from Santa :)

 

{Why Custom Photography}

Why Custom Photography?

There are literally thousands of photographers right here in my town.....so how or why do you choose?

Well first and foremost you hire a Professional Photographer because they can offer you something that you can not get on your own.  Every soccer mom has a camera and can take great snap shots!  SO many photographers call themselves PROFESSIONAL just because they are member of PPA or WPPI....news flash   ANYONE can pay to be a member......yes it is a couple hundred dollars, but you can do it.  They do not come and check us out to make sure that we are who we say we are!

So pay attention when you are hiring someone!  Are you just seeing their best images or a collection of all?  Ask to see a complete session.......anyone can shoot 100 images a get 10 that are pretty good.  Are their images strong BEORE artistic render.....or does the artistic render make the image?  What kind of education have they had?  Were they self taught?  or did they learn hands on under an educator?  You do not have to go to college to be a photographer, but you do need to be getting education on a regular basis.......that is what your clients are paying for!  You are paying for the added touches, that you can not add yourself.  You are paying for You have to remember that a great photographer can take a great image with almost any camera.  It is not the best camera in the world that takes the best images.....but the man or woman behind the camera with the knowledge of capture!

{In the name of Love}

They arrived at a county park looking as in {love} as ever!  She was beautiful and shining like a star and he was smitten and handsome.  After  sharing a few gentle kisses and gazes, she grabbed her white jacket and uber cute boots and off we went.  They walked hand in hand awaiting the moment when we would start capturing their LOVE...a few tender moments between the two they would soon share.

He laughed, she smiled wildly back at him.  They kissed passionately, as their souls obviously danced together..  their love true and strong...she melted right into his loving arms!

How wonderful love is, when it is with the right person :) How beautiful life is when you get to share it with someone who is deeply, madly, in love with you...

Every once in a great while, I meet two people that are completely in love.

The kind of love that we see in our grandparents.

That kind of love that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.

The kind that inspires you and and fills you with hope and LOVE.

My grandparents have been married for 61 years, and it is a love that is beautiful, magical, wonderful.....a love that we all wish, want, and need!

Well I am so happy, even proud to say that these two reminded me of that kinda LOVE!

It is a once in a lifetime LOVE....

The image shown is styled in our artistic VINTAGE LOVE.

They are designed to be 11x14 or larger canvas wraps!

Each image has added texture, artistic brushes and meaningful phrases.

{LIFE+LOVE}

"Write on your heart that the ones you love are life's most precious gifts!"

I come to you with a heavy heart....

Recently I have come across some pretty sad stories that are lying heavy on my heart. :(

As most of you know, I lost my grandfather St. Patrick's Day this year.

He was a very loving, God fearing, gentleman.

I have learned so much from him over the years, and even through his passing.

If there is one thing that I have learned....it is to live today as it was your last.

Do not have regrets and love completely.

Life is so precious and it truly can be gone in a blink of an eye!

A very close friend of mine,  recently lost a very dear friend.

There are so many specifics, but I will not get into it here.

The total point of this post is LOVE and

LIVE life to the fullest

FORGIVE one another and Laugh often.

For people, we do not know if we will have another day, another moment, another time.

Is it really worth the fight?

The stress?

The hurt and pain?

Let it go, and love one another!

Life is simply too short...choose your battles wisely...you may not get another shot!

Go hug that special someone, tell them how much you love them and how important they truly are in your life.   Take a moment to listen quietly to what is going on around you.

Be there when people need you.

Hold on a little longer, love a little deeper, kiss softly, and believe with all your heart!

God Bless

Loveographer

{Giving is Awesome}

*GIVING IS AWESOME*

There were quite a few photographers all over the world that were involved with the "giving is awesome program" last year.  After much searching, I haven't found a thing for it this year unfortunately.  However, I myself and going to carry on in tradition of this amazing offer.

So here goes.....

Nominate someone awesome that you know, that would LOVE to have and APPRECIATE portrait art!

It needs to be someone that can not attain my sessions and images on their own, due to financial needs and hardships.   Not being able to pay for their "European Vacation Home" does not count! :)

The WINNER will receive:

* a location portrait session

* Five 8x10 portrait prints from our session together

* DVD slideshow of images set to music :)

The NOMINATOR of the WINNER will get a $50 gift card for portrait art!

The rules are as follows:

You will need to send me a personal email telling me the story behind the person you choose to nominate for this "Giving is Awesome" event.  Include their name, email address or means of getting ahold of them please.  All entries MUST be submitted by THANKSGIVING DAY 2009.  The winner will be chosen on December 1, 2009!

The winner will be kept secret until I have permission from them to publish their story as well as their images.  :)  However, the person who nominates them, will in fact find out

 via email from myself on Dec 1, 2009

 SEND IN YOUR NOMINEE of:

* Single moms or dads who are working their hardest for their families

*Someone who totally gives of themselves despite their financial hardships

*Someone who has looked  illness in its ugly face and is an extreme fighter

for themselves or others

*Someone who is truly caring and dedicated to something or someone good in their  life

*Someone who makes this world a better place

I can go on and on here kids, but I am sure that you get the idea :)

I am looking for a genuine, wonderful, warm hearted giving person that is deserving of an awesome portrait session with myself to create wonderful memories to cherish forever!

So let's start PAYING IT FORWARD :)

{Believe & Trust}

For people to trust & believe in you, 

you first have to trust & believe in yourself!

I can't come up with a better saying for today, that rings so true to my feelings...

{TRUST & BELIEVE}

All things are possible when you trust with in your heart and believe in yourself.....

spread your wings and fly

reach out and touch the sky

for the limits are only what you put upon yourself...

{Veteran's Day Give Away}

In honor of Veteran's Day today only,

Send me a message and receive 8 FREE Wallets of your choice from

your HOLIDAY SESSION!

It is that easy.......offer ends tonight at midnight!

We will see how many people are paying attention to this blog ;-)

SOOOO I am still slowly dying, busting at the seams, not being able to post some really cute

images from my recent sessions...but I can keep a SECRET...so I guess

we all just have to WAIT!

I am going to plug another BEAUTIFUL gift idea for a lovely lady in your life....or {yourself} *smile*

How FABULOUS is this hand bag???  I mean seriously?!

Go check out this bag and some others on Etsy!

PeaceLovenPolkadots

I have to admit, I haven't gotten one yet, but I want to pick up a grey one for the Holidays!!!

I also have to admit that I did try.....but someone grabbed the last one before I got to it :(

*smile*

I think it will look fabulous with my new {vintage} slip dress in plum, which I just picked up from Etsy Last week!  Can not wait to wear it for Thanksgiving with my boots and pearls :)

(all images in this post were borrowed from the ETSY website and are not my images)

*HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY*

hugs,

Loveographer

{be your own kind of BEAUTIFUL}

...a phrase that struck me with the truth....

"be your own kind of beautiful"

Those six words speak volumes...

In a world where it seems that so many can be selfish and hurtful, it is so important to remember that each and everyone of us is so beautiful and special in our own unique way.

Everyone has a story

Everyone has a place

Everyone is full of life

Everyone needs to be loved for who they are...

*I have seen so many BEAUTIFUL people lately*

I am bursting at the seams to post images.....yet I can't...

I know, I know, how fair is that you ask?!

Well so many of my clients are like me!~

THEY want to surprise their loved ones with beautiful imagery as Christmas

presents this year....sooooo that means I CAN'T POST any of my favs!!!

It is killing me :)

But I can totally relate and respect their wishes!

SO I am going to post some of my FAVORITE things for the season..inspiration for gift

giving etc...

LATER, I will post some beautiful images!

* the  images in this post are borrowed from the Signature Home Styles website.

you can check out www.signaturehomestyles.biz/br

to see some of the hottest Holiday and Home collections this year....

not to mention, they are super cheap!  These little beauties are around $20 each!

Bonnie Rager is the consultant and can be reached at 219.462.7296

My grandfather always said the prayer phrase, so that one brought back a flood of memories to me!

adorable wine glasses for $20....beautiful for the HOLIDAYS!

One of my all time favorite sayings.....LOVE IT....$24

and of course, a "photographer's gift of choice"  FRAME....and a cool one at that!

I believe this one is around $34 and super cute!

*so get on out of here and check out Bonnie's website!

{Gratitude}

   

November is a peaceful, pretty time of year. The lush greenery of summer has faded to muted shades of nature, and clouds hover above us and speak of the coming winter—not a warning  so much as a word of advice from a trusted friend. The seasons are changing, and the pace of  life moves to a different rhythm. 

We’re entering into the holiday season and are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. This time  of year summons up many warm memories of gathering around the family table (or being  sequestered to the kids’ table) enjoying a special meal surrounded by family and friends.  Thanksgiving is a lovely holiday. It’s marvelous to have a day set apart to be grateful for all  we enjoy. My good fortune overwhelms me with gratitude, and I want you to know that you are 

included in my list of blessings. Your friendship and patronage has warmed my heart. I love  to see my clients’ smiles and hear the laughter of a family posing for a portrait that will be  cherished for decades. Touching the lives of friends and neighbors with my portraiture is my  dream come true. 

I hope your Thanksgiving season is filled with love, sweet moments shared with someone  special, gratitude, and laughter. I hope you make memories to cherish forever.  Have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving and a holiday season filled with goodness and joy.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. I look forward to serving you in the coming year. 

{loveographer}