Giving is Awesome!!

Once again, I'm taking part of the Giving is Awesome photography giveaway. What is that, you ask? Well, pull up a chair, let me tell you all about it. :)

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $300 worth, to be exact. Whether it's albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $50 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Central Oregon. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve this photography gift. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story to Jinkseemail@yahoo.com

* Deadline to nominate is December 15th

The winner will be announced on December 22nd -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Pretty darn cool, I'd say! SO, let's here it. Nominate, nominate, nominate. :D

Until next time...

Complete Angel..

This post..I've been wanting to post for WEEKS, but had to wait because they were surprise photos for her mom as a birthday gift. Let me just say, I love this little girl! I met her first when she was 8 months, and such a sweet thing then, and now look at her..all grown up! :) We had such a fun morning playing, swinging, being a princess..great day. :)

This was the FIRST photo of the morning. I could tell right away it was going to be a perfect photo shoot, and it was. :)


Love me some cute feet. :)


One of her more serious shots. Look at her eyes..isn't she just beautiful! :)


Playing princess, and what a perfect princess she is. :D


Thank you for a great morning, and I'm SO glad to finally be able to post these. :D Lovely little girl..
Until next time...

A....B...or C....

I love to edit. Not as much as I like taking photos, but there's just something about editing that I really enjoy. Colors, for one, are fun things to work with. They can set the mood to photos in amazing ways. Here is just one example. Which one do you like better?

Black and White..


A hint of sepia..


Natural color..


See what I mean? One picture, three different ways to use color in it. I think my favorite is A. What about you? What do you like? Color? Black and white? Hints of color? Do tell. :)

Until next time..

Senior....or movie star....

I took these pictures a few weeks ago. I had heard a lot about this young man before the session, and he was absolutely fantastic to work with. Now, it's up to you to decide..was it a Senior session...or is he a movie star!? Take a look..







So, what's your guess?? Well, if you guessed Movie Star...you're.....wrong. :( But I can see him getting a role in the near future. :) This young man is a Senior this year and he has such a promising future. :)
Thanks for a great afternoon! :D

Until next time...

Last look at Fall...

The other day we took a walk around the neighborhood. It's been raining here so much, which I LOVE, but knew that with all the rain, it would make the crunchy fall leaves, soggy and well..mushy. So before all that..we took a walk. Here are some of the findings. Enjoy, and Happy Fall!!





Imagine waking up to this bad boy!!










Are you ready for this cooler weather? The crisp air? Apple pie? Hot chocolate in the morning or late at night by the fire? I sure am. This is the time of year I love! :)
Show me your fall..I'd love to see..

Until next time...

Just for now...

Final glimpse of fall from yesterday..



And today:
It's 1:30 in the afternoon.
The sky is gray and full of big, dark rain clouds.
Raindrops are falling on the street, the stairs, the pumpkins on the porch..
I'm sitting inside, cozy and warm.
Drinking hot chocolate
Watching Miracle on 34th Street
My baby is sleeping and dreaming of something happy because he's smiling...
The other kids are at school, learning, growing, and having fun with their new friends..
We're all healthy, well, and together..
For this moment, in this instant,
Life
is
perfect

What is your perfect ordinary day?
Until next time...

Won't you be my neighbor?

It's so fun to take photos of families that you don't know because you get to know them through out your session. However, it's also just as fun to take photos of families that you do know..and in this case..my neighbors! :D I was so excited to do these photos. I knew from the moment I walked over to their house this was going to be a great and FUN session. Jokes started, laughing followed, and boy was a time had! :) Here's a little peek of your photos. Hope you like them, and thanks for this great opportunity! Oh..and I'll be borrowing your ice cream maker again, soon. :D











Until next time..

Senior!!!

I love, LOVE senior photos. Just my favorite because they are so full of zest! (And I don't mean lemon zest.) Anyway, I had the fun opportunity to photograph this super fun, super cute, and super talented senior this week. If you don't believe me, take a look below..











See what I mean? She's awesome!! :D Thanks for such a great time. Glad I could do this for you! And congrats to your last year in High School! :D

Until next time..

Presenting the "R" Family

This family is one of my favorites! :D Oh they were so fun and ready to show their stuff. Loved it! :D And just to prove it..look at this little man!



Mercy! Isn't he just the cutest? Hmmm..I wonder if I can adopt him? I'm pretty sure his parents want to keep him. ;) Anyway, shall we get started? Yes, I think so. :D Presenting my awesome friends..The R Family!



Nothing wrong with a little goofiness. :)








There's a whole bunch of this couple in love. I LOVED watching them interact and be together. so cute!


I could post ALL of them..they are such a great family. But I'll stop now. I'm sure there's other things to do besides look at photos...oh..you want more?? Ok. Here's one more for ya! (hey, it's Monday..why not make it a great Monday!?)



Thank you R family. I loved this afternoon. :)
Until next time..

New...

I woke up this morning and realized that it was the first day of Fall. How exciting am I for Fall?!? Ohh, so very excited!! It's warmth, and apples baking, and amazing colors everywhere. It's crispy leaves and cozy fireplaces. It's new.

It's new. And then it hit me. Last fall my life changed. Unimaginable. I have MS. And I've had it for almost a whole year. Along with the changes in the seasons..I'm understanding the changes within myself. What's changed? Well...

Did my first 5k
Lost 60+ pounds
Watched 2 of my babies head off to school
Climbed Monkey Face ( see Here )
But then, I...
Read more
Thought more
Learned how to cook
Played more with my kids
Watched the fireworks on a lazy summer night
Went to baseball games and ate hot dogs
Laughed at myself more then once
Lit Christmas candles in the middle of summer, just because
Rocked my babies to sleep
Had late night talks with my hubby
Called my friends
Took pictures of my parents
Wrote letters
Decided it was more important to be happy
Learned who I was...

It's been an amazing year. It never fails to remind me that no matter what happens in life, it could always be worse. Always. And we can choose to live, to accept the things in our way..good and bad..and take it with stride. I think that's what I love the most. The choice to choose..

What are you choosing today? What is standing in your way? Grab it by the horns and go. You can do it!! :)

Until next time..