I Heart Play | Madison WI Children’s Photographer

When we bought our home last year, one of the selling points was the large back yard. Actually, if I’m being honest it was THE selling point. I looked at the large yard, surrounded by trees, and envisioned our son being able to run out the back door every day after school to go play. At the time we were living in an apartment, which was nice, but lacked any sort of freedom for my little boy – something I so longed for him to have.

So we bought a yard, with a house on it. Looking back I realize my excitement may have been far greater than his. My idea of him playing in our yard involved bare feet in soft summer grass, building forts in the cedars, swings and pinwheels and balls and sunshine. HIS idea of playing in our yard is this:

Oh well, close enough.

IHF: Wind | Madison WI Children’s Photographer

We just got back from a roadtrip where we drove across the Southwestern US for 10 days. Amazing. In this shot the wind at The Petrified Forest National Park had my little big guy all fluffed up like a baby chick. Love!

Check out more “Wind” photos at I Heart Faces this week!

I Heart Love | Madison WI Engagement Photographer

I Heart Faces: Best Face of 2012 | Madison WI Glamour Photographer

Gosh, it’s impossible to narrow down my impressive catalog of beautiful friends and clients and pick one “best” for the last year. The truth is, there isn’t a best, not in my eyes. Looking through all of my sessions once again gave me an excuse to “ooh” and “aah” over all of my clients one last time before I put the year’s work to bed and start on the 2013 chapter.

I chose this photo that I took of my friend Lulu for this month’s I Heart Faces “Best Face of 2012″ contest, because there could only be one… but I love the focus of her eyes, and the softness of her face, and the elegance of the fabric, and the overall intimacy of the portrait…. and because when I look at it I see my goal for 2013: Intimate Portraits.

To see more great portraits from 2012, or to submit your own check out IHeartFaces.com

The Best 10 Things Of 2012 | Madison WI Photographer

2012 was a banner year for me, both professionally and personally. I had one heck of a time working, playing, connecting… although I look very excitedly forward to what the next year will bring I have to admit I’m skeptical that it could live up to this one, 2013 has some very large shoes to fill. Here’s a top ten of sorts… in no particular order.

10. Making New Friends

My goodness, I made so many new friends this year. From Madison to Dallas and across the globe via the internet, I have had the thrilling pleasure to form so many new friendships this year. My heart is full.

9. Buying Our First House

Oh boy, this has both been a wonderful thing and an incredible challenge. There is still so much work to do, but this milestone brings me a lot of pride in what my little family has been able to accomplish so far.

8. Photographing the President

Regardless of the side you may be on, if you get the chance to go see a sitting president or other world leader speak, you do it. The energy is electric, there is nothing like it. And for me, it’s a point of pride & patriotism to say I’ve stood in the presence of my nation’s leader.

7. The I Heart Faces Conference in Dallas

The thing about opportunities is that you never know which ones will blow your world wide open. As a general rule I tend to not turn down opportunities that present themselves… as a result of spending some spare moments helping others online, I was invited to come to this conference where I made the most wonderful connections with people I admire. Oh, and I lit myself on fire in front of Sue Bryce, that was pretty cool too.

6. Rediscovering My Inner Artist

In terms of image count alone I have shot more this year than any other, and as a result I have created more consistent work than ever before. Mid year I began to feel my inner artist emerging confidently with every new session. I’ve stopped looking at other photographers’ work… not because I don’t want to be inspired or learn something new, but because I’ve realized that I cannot tell the world my own story with other artist’s images in front of my eyes.

5. Reconnecting With Old Friends

Whether it was through finding college friends via facebooth, or following childhood friends’ journeys across the sea on instagram, or having visits from dear friends from far away… I am so thankful for the people who re-entered my life last year.

4. Help-Portrait

The 2012 Madison group of 30 volunteers (14 Photographers) did 139 Sessions this year, for a total of 476 (and 8 dogs and 1 cat). In a single day. To me, this is so inspired and amazing. I am so proud of my team, and so touched by the stories of our guests, and so happy that I live in a community with this kind of heart.

3. My Clients

You guys are wonderful, did you know that? It’s an amazing thing to me that I have met so many great people through this job of mine. I have honestly loved every single assignment this year, which is fairly impressive since there were over 100 client jobs and collaborative projects I worked on in 2012. Thank you for being the fantastic people that you are, and for allowing me to be part of your work, or your family, or your own lives. I hope that 2013 brings us together again.

 

2. Tusa

In August we welcomed a new family member, Tusa the yellow lab. Even now that she’s 6 months old and is not quite so tiny and fluffy anymore (and may have also eaten several of my belongings) she’s still cute and we love her to pieces.

1. These Two:

‘Cause well, you know… ;)