This past weekend I was granted one of my wishes. To visit and shoot at a Ranch in Wyoming. It was like dream, just as you'd imagine a ranch to be. Mountains, open range, cabins, old tractors and chicken coops. My lovely client, Gennell, has a beautiful soul and allowed us (me & my 2 babes, dustin and nora) to explore and enjoy her family's Ranch. I could have stayed for days on end; just walking around, hiking, camping, taking photos and fishing. Amazing day. Amazing family. Amazing ranch.
**If you get the chance, you should check out Gennell's Arbonne Website. Full of awesome all natural products!
Almost to the Ranch...
On the Ranch. 'Balance Rock'.
Wyoming Boy
Wyoming Boys
The only way to ride in a truck
Growing up
Shoes to fill
A man and his sons
Running with Grandpa
Pulling on Grandpa
the little sister
wide open
wyoming girl
childhood
moments
wyoming mom
beauty
inside the old cabin
days gone by
grandpa
momma
time
love
always
wyoming dad
tough
Confident
wild
tougher
memories
sweetness
moments
wyoming
wyoming deer
gotta love texture
explore
family
timeless
on our way back from the Ranch, completely untouched photo. Wyoming sunset = beautiful.
There are many reason why I have kept these photos to myself. One, and let's just face it, I was a bigger version of me. Swollen and puffy. I see my face in these photos and my eyes bulge out along with a gasp and, "Nobody told me I looked so swollen!" Two, I dunno, they just seemed sacred. And should be kept private. Three, it's a little personal. I mean, I'm giving birth.
Then I decided, last night (after a glass of wine), that 'what the heck'. What it was was beautiful, amazing, and should be shared. This will be a very personal post, and so what and good for me. I usually pride myself on being an open book. I show my ugly along side of my pretty, I tell the truth and I try not to judge. Because we are all the same, with the same insecurities and embarrassments. Life shouldn't be about presenting your best self, but presenting your true self. We should leave room for all to feel the same. So you have a crazy family member? We all do. So you have a roll somewhere you'd rather not say, we all do. So you've made some bad choices, we all have. Who are we too judge. We are all equal. And we all are a part of this amazing circle of life.
Speaking of circle of life, I hope you enjoy the following video montage of my experience giving birth. And I hope you realize how important and special it is to have a birthing photographer. I mean, we all have wedding photographers, it's a must, heck even a rule. And if you ask me, having a birthing photographer should be an even bigger rule! The photos are priceless. I would pay an arm and a leg for photos like this over a million Sears Studio looking shots of my baby the next week.
My birthing photographer was the amazing, Meg Fenton. Who I became great friends with in the Photojournalism program at WKU. Thanks Meg, for the photos and enduring the insane experience alongside of me.
*P.S. I know that being all swollen at the end of your pregnancy is not ugly, it's beautiful. I know this. I mean, I believe it to be true. With everyone else, but not me. ;) Kidding...ish.
**And yes, I do shoot births. Had to say that somewhere. :)
Last weekend I was privileged to shoot a wonderful family here in Gillette. It was a bit cold, so we only spent a little bit of time outside, then took a few in the studio. I can't wait for warm weather, lush fields and pretty wildflowers. :) Oh, & I have a Ranch shoot coming up next weekend, I couldn't be more excited!
Btw, I'm trying a new 'stamp' for my photos, what do you think? Go back to just the logo or keep the banner?
So I consider this a bit of a fail. But, Dustin and I took Nora to the studio last night and well, she didn't cooperate as well as we'd hoped. And Momma forgot to bring the bubbles to entertain her. Plus it was almost her bedtime, yadda yadda. Mommy woes. :)
We were trying to get some photos of her in this awesome hand-sewn shirt and headband that my good friend, Leah, made. Check her out at Etsy here: Mimi Loves Sookie. She's uber talented and cute to boot.
So I thought I'd share a couple photos with you, even if I'm not ridiculously proud of them. But hey, that's what a blog is for! The good, the bad, and the ugly!
P.S. I have a lot of catching up to do on here of some recent shoots, only if Dustin could stop hijacking our hard drive. What are guys good for.... (oh, I know...nevermind). :)
Today we lost a great man. Matthias Hanson. With his icy blue eyes, shy ways and sweet manner, he won the hearts of everyone he met. Matt became part of my family thru the years, and will always remain. I will never forget the Christmas' shared, all the memories at Megan's, and every moment of laughter and love. It's a tragedy to lose a dear friend, especially at such a young age. We love and miss you, Matt. You will forever be remembered. I honor you for your bravery in the Marines and the War. May you rest in peace. We love you!
I will never forget this day, I was shooting Megan and Alex and Matt had to hold Nora, and she was screaming/crying the entire time. He was so sweet with her and patient.
Matt with his sister, bro-in-law, brother and sis-in-law.
Matt with his sister, Megan.
Matt with his brother and sister.
"When tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart."
If I could live in a moment of time forever, it would be *ahem, let me set the scene for you: rolling green hills, sweet forest filled with honeysuckle, clothes on the line, babies running wild, barefoot and long dress, 70 degrees with nice breeze, folk/bluegrass band serenading me as I do nothing but watch the birds sing. --One day :)
