Memories by Julie Photo Blog

bring on fall

2011-10-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

The Fall leaves are beautiful! The perfect time to take some photos. Check out some of the photos a few of the great people we've met here in Wisconsin. Enjoy!

Here's a cute family photo session:

And a few fun senior photos:

Welcome to Wisconsin!

2011-09-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

Wisconsin is so green and beautiful. I don't think I have see so much green. Emma was actually excited to see a dirt lot the other day. It must be that Arizona is ingrained in me - I like to see a little bit of the brown stuff. So, when it was time to take Austin's 7 year old pix - is he really that old?!? - I went for the sand. Which happen to be the lovely shores of Lake Michigan. We'll celebrate the Wiconsin trees later. For now, enjoy the amazing contrast of sky, sand, water, and plants - with my cute kiddos in the mix.

Good bye Arizona

2011-09-01T18:47:00.002-07:00

How appropriate - one of the last few days in Arizona, I spent it taking photos of our dear friends. The smiles are adorable, and the "other" expressions are just as cute. It is so fun to see the personalities coming through - The girls rocking the cute outfits, the toddler doing only what they had to before he tried to run away again, and the baby so cute and loved by his family. We miss you guys!

kid photos

2011-05-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

Things are warming up. Summer is on it's way and there is nothing like a barefoot walk in the park. Check out the slideshow of these two cute kids.

engagement photos

2011-05-10T00:27:00.000-07:00

My credibility with at least a couple 1st graders just went up - I got to take photos of their teacher and her fiance. :) These two are too cute! We took a stroll in downtown Casa Grande and then when we got closer to sunset, we made our way over to the golf course where he proposed. Join in on the fun and check out some of the favorites.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas....

2011-01-02T20:46:00.003-07:00

It seems like just yesterday we enjoyed the Drama Club's production of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Now three week and one busy Christmas Break later I finally posted the pictures!! We (I think I can speak for everyone there) had a lot of fun attending the performance and want to thank the faculty, staff and students for all their hard work. And a special thanks is due for Ms. Parkinson and Fix, you girls did an awesome job!! Enjoy...

happy birthday!

2010-12-20T11:24:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday, Papa! We love you!

new baby

2010-12-16T10:28:00.002-07:00

Babies are so fun - especially when they are brand new. This baby is getting lots of love from brother (now if he survives all the love :) ).

Check out some of his first photos:

family photos

2010-12-15T10:56:00.002-07:00

During Thanksgiving we got together with most of my family - it was great to see the brothers and their families/potential families (we missed you Hollie). This gave me the chance to take some photos of my cute, cute nieces (and my brothers and significant others didn't look too bad either :) ).

Here are the slideshows - enjoy!

Big Brother and his family:

(Not so) Little Brother and his girlfriend/soon-to-be fiance:

through the fields

2010-12-13T21:55:00.003-07:00

Living in Arizona, I have seen cottonfields - as I drive by. :) Last week, the experience was a little more up close and personal - a family photoshoot in the fields. The cotton was so beaustiful - almost like little bunches of snow or white flowers. Such a nice change from the non-luciousness that winter brings.

This family grew up with cottonfields, farming and playing in the fields. Don't they look great?

family photos

2010-12-10T15:14:00.003-07:00

It's Christmas time and that means getting the family together for photos. Here is the first of many. It was so fun hanging out at the park with this family. There were lots of smiles and laughs.

Check out their photos in the slideshow:

Another Year Older Times 2

2010-11-16T06:10:00.014-07:00

The kiddos are getting older. Here are Austin's birthday photos (can you tell it took a little convincing to smile?)

And here are Emma's - she loves the silly faces.

2010-11-14T19:15:00.005-07:00

Austin's been going to a City Basketball Camp on Saturdays. We had the chance to go and take some pictures of all the action.

family photos

2010-06-03T00:31:00.004-07:00

Families are just wonderful - and especially this family! These are great friends from the college days. We went to visit them this past weekend. Talk about too much fun and too little sleep. Thank you guys for letting us be a part of such a special weekend!

Here is the slideshow of my favorites:

family photos

2010-05-21T20:25:00.002-07:00

Family photo sessions for me are a blessed experience and this session was no exception. For that hour, I got to be a part of their family. I find out which child is the climber, who loves to run from the camera, and how much they love each other - even if everything isn't as perfect as it should be.

Getting your photos taken are a stressful experience - between making sure everyone's clothes, hair and smiles are perfect - I mean adaquate - for one hour, it makes for some craziness. There is messed up hair, holes in the jeans, and the spit up on shirts. But with all that comes kisses, smiles, funny faces . . . Each moment frozen in time to remember.

The other day I found an old cell phone and I looked through the photos before I got rid of it. Honestly, I didn't remember using the camera on that phone excessivey. After all, it was old and a cellphone - why use that when I had a choice of 2 DLSR's and a decent point and shoot? Let's just say my expectations for these photos weren't high. Then I saw the photos - all of moments when I was either bored, or getting a shot that wasn't expected (so I didn't have a better camera option). There were photos of my kids hanging outside in their swimsuits, one of my daughter's sweet smile and a fake grouchy face from my son (I'm sure I had asked him to smile) - all moments that I want to remember. Photos of who my kids really are; real expressions, real life. And that is what I try to do for each of the families I get to have a photo session with - just with the better camera. Create photos of who they are right now - holey jeans and all.

Enjoy the slideshow.

family photos

2010-04-30T15:00:00.002-07:00

There is nothing like getting the whole family together for photos (takes a lot of coordinating and coaxing). The kids were promised treats and tacos for cooperating and smiling big. There is nothing like a great bribe. Can I come too? :)

Here's a few of my favorites. Just push play to view the slideshow.

Growing up

2010-03-30T10:43:00.005-07:00

This cutie is getting so big! At 1 year old he is crawling, standing, and climbing everywhere. You just can't help but smile when you see him (even if he kept me running). Check out the fun in the slideshow:

senior portraits

2010-03-23T01:23:00.002-07:00

What a fun senior portrait session. The weather was beautiful (yeah, Arizona sun), lovely green grass, and of course an adorable subject all make for the perfect senior photo session. It was absolutely perfect!

Here are the some of my favorites!

senior portraits

2010-03-13T23:23:00.004-07:00

What a beautiful day to have a senior portrait session! Here is a senior that loves horses and his mom enough to get photos taken. :) He was a good sport and a great rider! What a fun way to get photos taken - doing something that you love. The slideshow has a few of the many photos that were taken (just couldn't help myself).

cuteness times 2

2010-01-30T08:29:00.005-07:00

What do you get when you combine 2 parents, a set of twin girls, 5 more kids, a set of grandparents, an aunt, a cousin, and even a few dogs in the backyard? A whole lot of chaos and FUN!

When I told my 4-year-old where I was going - she was soo jeaslous and would have come along if she could have figured out a way to stow away. How can you blame her? These 2 month old girls are adorable!

Each of the older kids got a turn holding the girls and getting photos with them as well as Mom and Dad - there was so much love and happiness (may be a litte lack of sleep and lots of tolerance for the camera in the face, but happy still the same). And, these girls knew they were loved. They snuggled into each family member and especially into mom and dad and each other (they couldn't stop looking up at mom when she held them). What a wonderful experience! Thank you for letting be a part of it all for those couple of hours.

Enjoy the photos:

Family photos

2009-12-15T22:03:00.008-07:00

Family photos are a lot of fun, but what makes this one extra fun is this family wanted to get photos in the desert. They introduced me to this awesome place. The sun was setting and the desert just looked gorgeous!

Check out the favorites!

family photos

2009-12-14T23:37:00.003-07:00

'tis the season to get the family photos taken. :) Here is a family photo session for just the kids. I forgot how easy it is to take photos when the subject knows how to sit or stand long enough for me to get the photos (unlike preschools and toddlers who insist on running away - which gives me about 2 seconds to get the photo. Good thing my camera is fast).

So, check out my favorites in the slideshow!

Family Photos

2009-11-19T23:04:00.003-07:00

This family is too cute! It took the kiddos a little bit to warm up, but by the end it was playtime more than anything else - the best way! Hanging out with mom and dad, jumping off rocks, laughing at dad's silly faces - nothing could be better. Check out all the fun:

Birthdays

2009-10-08T11:18:00.003-07:00

Here they are - our birthday events of the last couple of months (look how I generalize - I'm in my 20s, slacker? yeah, sometimes :)). So, here it is - a slideshow for Emma's birthday and a slideshow for Austin's birthday (thanks Katie for taking pictures or I would have had 10 from the party. You're awesome).

Austin had so much fun getting the attention - he is the I'll stand in the back, or play upstairs with the toys by myself, and I rate my friends by what kind of toys they have - forget the social interaction - and be good to go. His 5 year old photo shoot was anything but easy - he was more interested in goofy faces and not being there. Well, good memories, right?

Here is a little something to keep in mind for Emma - she aged fast. Because she had 3 parties (friend, family breakfast and dinner with her Uncle Chris and his friend, Winnie) she was 6, not 4 - "I've already been 4!!" (add a couple of tantrums with those exclamation points and, ahhh more good memories.) But she is a cutie and I don't have to worry about her getting walked on ever - she was bossing around 7 and 8 year olds at the doctors last month - "Be nice to the lizards."

and growing

2009-09-02T21:13:00.002-07:00

This cutie is 4 months old and cute as anything. He is getting good at rolling and looks like he will be on the move much sooner than mom and dad are ready for it.

This morning we had some fun playtime. One of his sisters couldn't help but be part of the fun - and if the other was home, she would have been in there too. Next time.

Play the slideshow for some of my favorites -

1 year old

2009-08-21T15:44:00.006-07:00

The energy of a one year older. The fun and excitement - and running. Anything to capture that adorable face.

Check out the fun!

cute, cute

2009-04-27T20:39:00.002-07:00

Newborn babies are so cute and utterly unpredictable. Awake at times they should be sleeping, content and crying all in a matter of an hour. Each new look, snuggle, stretch and movement is all wonderous because it is unique for that baby.

This cute boy did great on his back - loved it. But, when it came time to get some shots on his belly, he did all he could to turn over on his back. He is a tough boy - and he is going to need it with his two older sisters. :) They give him so much love! So much in fact, Dad took them to Grandma's during the photo session so Jace could could get some calm baby portraits. We'll have to make sure they get in on his next session. :)

These are some of my favorites from the session:

kids and smiles

2009-04-15T17:49:00.002-07:00

I love kid photo sessions! It is all about having fun - and trying to see the world through their eyes. The 2 year old girl kept me on my toes! :) Her bright blues eyes and adorable smile made it all worth it. Her brother was calm and ready and willing to do what I asked him to do (awesome)! We started out with some portraits on the move. The toddler led and we followed - it is all about giving them control. Then, we found some water and rocks, and ended the session with a trip over to the ponds to feed the ducks.

Here are some of my favorites from the session.

growing up

2009-04-07T17:43:00.005-07:00

7 months ago, me and this adorable boy got together for his first photo session. He wasn't such a fan. He was more interested in mom and food than the crazy lady witht he camera. Now he is bigger - still loves his mom and food, but know he didn't mind the camera - he actually gave me some fun smiles and lots of adorable baby poses. I can't believe how much he is growing up!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Katie & Micah part 2

2009-03-10T22:45:00.003-07:00

Drum roll, please - here is the slideshow. Such a beautiful family - we love you all. Thank you for letting us make the VIP list! ;)

Katie & Micah

2009-03-04T21:06:00.005-07:00

This last weekend the sun followed us up to the Utah to see our family and most importantly be there for marriage of two families - my brother and his two gorgeous girls to his beautiful bride and adorable daughter. I have a new sister-in-law and niece! Here are a couple of my favorite photos from the wedding day. Here is a teaser until the rest of the photos are done.

Katie and Micah looked so cute together and couldn't keep their eyes off of each other. :)

Too good not to blog about...

2009-02-23T17:08:00.006-07:00

So picture this - I'm snuggled in bed, very comfortable, trying to catch up on some sleep from this weekend. When I hear my 3 1/2 year old tip toe into my room (yes, she and her brother are supposed to be having a nap as well). "Mom, I'm a boy!" I open my blurry eyes and see Emma standing there and she does look different, but it takes me a moment - here is what I saw:

And this is what I sent to Todd's phone...

What!?! The hair cut is compliments of our residence barber - Austin. This hair cut was very thorough - the whole head of hair was cut to about an inch long.

And this is the leftovers - is it a bush? a small mammal? no, it's what use to be Emma's hair.

My Little Pony wasn't even safe from the Austin and his "child friendly" scissors.

It has taken over 3 years of only trims to get Emma's hair the length it use to be.

You don't know how many times I heard, "what cute boys you have" when she was younger and had less hair. I guess there will be a lot more of those comments for the next while. How long does it take to grow hair out? 1 year? 2? 3? Is she going to go to kindergarten looking like a boy? :)

Here are my "2 boys." I told them now I wouldn't be able to tell which one was Emma and which was Austin.

So, let's take a vote. How do you think I should style her hair, now that she has none?

A mohawk?

spikey?

Slicked down?

Or should I just revert back to the little pink bow glued into her hair?!?!?

A big thank you to Miss Kristen who encouraged perfection in cutting at the Funshine preschool. It wouldn't have been as amazing without you! lol

And remember - if you need a hair cut I know a barber - and he is cheap. :)

Wow!

2009-01-08T22:38:00.004-07:00

I woke up to a wonderful surprise this morning! This photo is a finalist in a contest on one of my favorite blogs - Me Ra Koh Photography.

This is my "inspirational object" - my place to find inspiration and peace.

So, please if you feel so inclined - go vote (all you have to do is leave a comment, I'm picture #1 - hint, hint) and while you are at it check out Me Ra's blog - voting ends this Monday and there are prizes for those that vote as well.

Merry Christmas Part 2

2009-01-08T21:22:00.006-07:00

Well, we finally made it to visit our family for Christmas - we still have coughs that refuse to go away, but we braved the quick trip. Not quick in that it takes 20 minutes to get there, but quick in that once we got there we had 2 days to spend with family before we had to go back home. But it was well worth the trip!

We got to see lots of family, open presents, go to a cool pirate pizza place, watch movies, went to a few family dinners, and even got to play in the snow. When we were traveling home in the snow, Austin and Emma insisted that "It's Christmas!" No matter that it is a week and a half past December 25th. We live in the wrong place for my kids to think that they need to have snow on Christmas. It was a perfect ending to our 2008 Christmas (it stretched into 2009 - but who doesn't like having the holidays stretch a few extra days? :)).

So, be prepared for a few photos:

On the way up we went through Jacob's Lake and stopped so Todd could run out in 18 inches of snow to get some in a cup for Emma and (Austin was sleeping so he missed out this time).

It was could, but not too cold to throw a couple of snowballs at me in the truck.

Emma liked here snow enough to give it a hug.

And then there were presents to open.

It is good thing there are cousins that can help open the presents :).

Here are some of the cutest little pirates that we happened to ran into - there only demand was more tokens for the games.

On the way home we hit a snow storm in Flagstaff. The kids were way excited to see the snow and really wanted to play in it. That meant we could finally use the coats and hats that have been hanging in their closet for 2 months now. So, we stopped off an Aren't they cute?

Oops. I forgot to buy the mittens.

After about 2 minutes of "playing" in the 2 1/2 feet of snow, we asked Emma if she wanted to play some more, or go back to the truck. 5 guesses what she said. lol

I think they like their snow in little doses. :)

It's good to be back in good ole Casa Grande - where 50 degrees is way too cold. lol

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T20:51:00.004-07:00

December has been quite eventful - new pets, some Christmas festivities, a crunched bumper (no, I am not going to talk about this), a little sickness, and a new backyard. What a month and ending to 2008.

So, we got new pets - yes, one for Austin, one for Emma. So, is it a crazy dog with slobbery kisses? A hairy cat, mom is allergic to? Lizards like the ones at the doctor? fish? All exciting choices, but we got some baby turtles. The one that is bigger is Tickly and the one with more polka dots on the back is Sarafena. They are fun and have their own little personalities. Plus we got the turtles that have skills - they ride in carts and hide in boxes. :)

We went to zoolights this year - I've never been, so it was fun to go. The kids had fun. The highlights were being with friends, riding the merry-go-round, touching the sting rays and sharks, and getting cool glow light toys.

Then there was Christmas - which wasn't what we expected or planned on, but it was fun anyways (it is amazing how things can turn out fun even when things go differently than expected).
We were suppose to spend Christmas in Utah with family and see my "little brother" come home after 2 years on a mission in South Africa; however, we didn't make it. Good 'ole cough and cold found its way to our home at exactly the wrong time. I guess this was a blessing in disguise because we really had some great family time here at home.

here are the kids putting the finishing touches on the cake for Jesus' birthday.

And sprinkling some reindeer dust to so Santa would find them.

And the big day arrived. Austin ran downstairs (as mom and dad are half asleep) and started counting the presents and ran to get Emma. Finally we all made it downstairs and started opening the presents. Emma wasn't sure about opening presents at first - she tried to get Todd to open it for her and finally resorted to using her teeth. lol There's got to be a better way.

So here is a glimpse of Christmas:

The kids already decided what they are going to be for Halloween - a doctor and a princess. Let's see how many times that changes before October. :)

So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's. I hope everyone had some fun while also remembering the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. As New Year's approaches and resolutions are fresh in our minds, may we remember to be a little better and dedicate a little more of our lives to Him.

Family Photo Session

2008-12-09T21:46:00.003-07:00

Here is a another great family photo session. It is really a pleasure to hang out with these wonderful families. This family was no exception. It is amazing spend time with these families - to get a glimpse of their lives - the pouts, the smiles, refusal to be in the photo, running around and getting dirty, playing spiderman and of course, laughs and smiles too.

It shouldn't be surprising that this requires a lot of running for me - exercise is good for you. :)

Check out the fun photos in the slideshow:

Family Photo Session

2008-11-19T21:48:00.004-07:00

Here is another famiy photo session - cute, cute kids (they kept me on my toes. lol), and a fun family. The weather was just perfect (november and december is why you live in the Phoenix area.

A few smiles . . .

A few goofy faces . . .

Where it all began . . .

The cute family . . .

And the slideshow . . .

Family Photo Session

2008-11-04T00:34:00.006-07:00

The weather here in Arizona is getting beautiful! Everything is green and blooming (does that ever change? :) ). Well, I had the opportunity to take some friends' photos. Check out their photos:

And, here are the cute kids. They loved climbing, picking the flowers and eating the rocks. lol

And, a little romance ;)

And, here's the slideshow for more favorites:

Baby Session

2008-11-02T13:44:00.006-07:00

I love baby sessions! And, taking photos of this big guy was no exception. :)

"Mom, who is this lady and when is she going home?"

He had so many fun, cute expressions even if he thought a nap would be more fun. lol

He even had a cool talent - look he can raise his right eyebrow.

We even got some fun photos with Dad in his Air Force uniform.

Here's the slideshow full of more cute photos.

Family Photo Session

2008-10-09T00:37:00.008-07:00

Check out this beyond cute family!

We really had a great time - lots of exploring, hanging out and being silly. The girls helped me chose the best places to take the photos. Didn't they do great? Rumor has it, they weren't very happy before they came to the photo session, but who knew? They totally had their model faces on. :)

Here is one of the most angelic photos I've seen - and my favorite from the photo session.

Don't forget to view the slideshow for some more great photos!

Sweet Ava

2008-10-02T22:27:00.007-07:00

Here is the oh so sweet Ava. I headed out to her home last weekend (and the weekend before, but that is another story for another time). For babies especially, home is an awesome place to be to get photos taken- it's comfortable and familar, and besides if you need a diaper change or a little Norah Jones to calm down with, no problem. Another great thing about home as the backdrop is that all of the things that she loves as a baby will be in the photos to remember as she grows.

All in all this was a fun photo session - lots of playing, smiles and cute looks. This is probably my favorite photo of the day:

Okay here is another one. :)

What a cute family!

This is what happens when you have kids - your house (and life) just isn't the same. :)

We had so much fun - Ava needed a little Norah Jones and her swing. Before long she was out. lol

I'll leave you with another one of my favorites - cute baby toes.

Check out more photos in the slideshow.

My favorite kids

2008-09-26T20:46:00.010-07:00

It has been a little bit since I've posted about my favorite kids/models. :) So, here's what you get with 2 kids and 30 minutes at the park. They really didn't want their pictures taken, but hey, I needed some cute pictures of them as they keep growing. I knew if I waited any longer, they would probably be driving or something like that.

Here are some big smiles! They thought it was sooo funny that I wanted them to put their heads together - and they were pretty literal about it.

Austin liked to make goofy faces for the camera (or was it because he knew that I wanted happy faces? - too bad for him, I still think they are cute. :) )

Emma loved the flowers! She is soooo into pretty things.

And a little bit of love.

Check out the rest of my faves in the slideshow:

Our new arrival

2008-09-20T12:58:00.009-07:00

This morning we had a new arrival to our home . . . a baby grand. I've always wanted a piano. I remember always having a piano growing up. I've had a keyboard, but there isn't anything like the real thing.

We've searched ebay and craigslist for a little bit trying to find the perfect (ie. affordable and not ugly) piano and Todd stumbled upon this one.

Isn't she beautiful?

Yes, it's a girl. :)

It will be loved, maybe we should name it. :)

It's a little out of tune and I'm a little rusty, but here is a lovely preview.

Breakfast of Champions

2008-09-16T07:40:00.004-07:00

This is what happens when you don't get your kids their breakfast quick enough. :)

Have a great day!

September Special

2008-09-05T10:06:00.006-07:00

The hopes of cooler weather is in the air - 100 degree weather will be gone soon, right? Until that time, here is a little ssomething to make those sunny days a little less hot. Here is the September special - If you book your photo shoot for sometime in 2008 by the end of September, then you get the sitting fee for half off. Whether you need some great family photos, some of the kids before they grow up and change too much, or you have a high school senior. It is really a great deal, so take advantage of it while there are still photo sessions available. Call me or email me to make an appintment. In order to insure the date you want, pay for you session fee up front and then that date and time is yours. Happy Fall!

Where in the world . . .

2008-09-02T16:40:00.004-07:00

Where in the world have I been for a month? Well, we've been here and there and trying to keep up with life. One big highlight was our yearly family vacation this summer - lots of driving, fun, family, water, and a lot of dirt.

We traveled to Utah to spend time with our families and attend the annual Brinkerhoff reunion - that's where the dirt comes in. I think my kids stayed "clean" for a total of 30 seconds after they left the truck. No, it was really fun hanging out with family you don't get to see very much. Plus, we got to go on some nature hikes and four-wheeler rides. Austin got to catch his first bugs and Emma loved every minute of camping.

The rest of the week was spent in the water - yes it's hot up in Utah too, and some cousin fun. A little water park fun, a ride down the slip and slide, and short trip to the city pool (which we got kicked out of) - now there's a story. We had been at the pool for about 30 minutes when Austin choked on the water. Stuff went in the water and the life guard saw it. A blow of the whistle and the whole pool was evacuated and out came a whole team of lifeguards to shock the pool. And that's not the best part. We were waiting to dry off on a metal bench screwed to the wall - 3 adults and 4 kids when boom, we hit the ground. (watch the slideshow for some fun pix). Moral of the story - wear a disguise when going to the Hurricane city pool.

All in all - we made some great memories. We certaintly won't forget it. :)

Little M.J.

2008-08-05T18:05:00.006-07:00

Here is cute M.J.'s photo shoot. What a cutie! He was not a fan of the beeps and flash, but luckily mom and dad were there to cuddle and make things all better. Check out all of the newborn cuteness.

For more cute photos, check out the slideshow.

Happy Birthday John Wyatt!

2008-08-04T19:32:00.003-07:00

Last week we went to over to our good friend's house for their son, John Wyatt's birthday. 3 is a big age to turn! He is such an adorable kid - such a boy, passing up cake for a few more minutes of throwing his new baseball around. The weather was great, the food delicious and the fun awesome! Thanks for all the fun and Happy Birthday, John Wyatt!

"What do you do in the summertime?"

2008-07-13T22:25:00.008-07:00

So, what do you do in the summertime when the temps reach insane levels?

1. Find some water

2. Make crafts out of available materials at home - it's too hot to go to the store. And, yes, for all of you inquiring minds out there - those are corn pads Austin found in the bathroom cupboard.

3. Hang out at home - just don't move too fast, the temp is set at 82 degrees (while dad works in a cool 72 degree office- thanks).

Hanging out on the tile is nice and cool.

4. When cabin fever really gets to you - go to the zoo. There is some shade for the parents and a splash pad for the kids (although there was a scary shirtless man wandering around the splash pad . . . ewwww). No pictures of the actual splash pad - I was doing good just being there at that point of the trip.

Notice - Austin is still in the stroller - and he pretty much stayed there the whole time.

Look at this poor girl. We weren't moving very fast.

Most of the animals were hiding anyways. But we did see some turtles.

5. When all else fails - take a vacation. Anyone travelling? May be I can hitchhike.

The heat is brutal, but at least it isn't 7 feet of snow. :)

Special Hamburgers

2008-06-29T09:43:00.009-07:00

A friend recently convinced me to try a food co-op, Bountiful Baskets . That means I had to leave my house dressed somewhat decently and be at a park before 8:15am on a Saturday. Whew. I did make it and I wasn't even late! :) As I was lugging my 100lbs of fruits and veggies (OK, maybe more like 20lbs) back to my car, I took a quick inventory - some bananas, squash (yea!), cantaloupe, grapes, eggplant . . . EGGPLANT?!?! Okay, the only reason why I knew what it was was because I have read the baby book about colors and eggplant is on the purple page - and that was because they couldn't think of any more purple items to put on the purple page. What am I going to do with an eggplant?

I decided that it was better to use it right away, then if we didn't like it, we would know. So, I pulled out a trusted cookbook, and found their sole eggplant recipe and decided to give it a shot. I placed the eggplant patties - or "special hamburgers" to our unsuspecting kids to diguise that it might be some funky, wierd vegetable - with some trepidation on the table and we dug in - isn't it beautiful alongside the plums and lettuce that were also in the basket?

So, how did it fair? I ate 1 pattie - it was pretty good and that's saying something for someone who doesn't like anything to distrube her palate. My husband ate 2, Emma ate 1 1/2 and Austin, well Austin ate like I starve him. For lunch he ate 2 1/2 and dinner he had 2 more - that is 5 1/2 patties in a day! So, where can I buy more eggplant?

Austin's Big Step

2008-06-27T19:03:00.008-07:00

Since Austin has been little he has hated water on his face. In the bath he would freak out if any microscopic drop of water got on his face. And then there was the time last year when we all went to a splash pad. Emma is running through the water with no fear. Then, Austin backs up to the water and got 3 drops of water on his back and ran away from the water because he was " all wet." Well, times have changed.

He now is a swimmer. He has been taking swim lessons and has an awesome swim teacher who somehow encourages Austin out of his comfort zone while still keeping it fun. A big thank you to Braden and Gold Medal Swim School for the transformation! The video I posted is just a small portion of what he did today for the first time. He also decided it was OK to swim from the middle of the pool back to the step by himself (it was some amazing doggie paddling!!) and with dad's help, swim down to the bottom of the pool to get the rings.

Check out today's swim:

Creating photo opportunities

2008-06-26T15:04:00.006-07:00

If you have young kids, here is a way to get some great shots of them. Sometimes my preschoolers are just too fast for me. So, I'll sit them down with something fun and special - painting, coloring, or a new toy. Just something that will keep their attention and then snap fast.

After Emma got back from the hospital last week, she got some fun presents. Hayley and Kirsten (and Katie) colored some get well pictures for her, and Tyler and Ethan (and Andrea) made her some cards and got her "eggs" that turned into dinosaurs (Thanks!) - perfect for a quick photo shoot.

I set the kids up facing the windows, no direct sunlight, just a soft light from the open windows. Then, I opened up my apperature to f/1.6 and started shooting. It was great fun to get their fun expressions. They were so interested in the dinosaurs. They were cool.

Give it a try with your kids! Good luck and let me know how it goes.

My Sweet Emma

2008-06-25T16:58:00.007-07:00

Okay, I admit it - I am a procrastinator and many lapses in my posts were due to my lack of sitting at the computer and typing. This time, however, procrastination was not the reason. I was acting more on shock and unbelief. Something huge, something crazy, something that changed my whole perspective on life. Emma became a statistic. Let me start from the beginning.

Last Thursday had a swimming play date at our house. Too many kids, too much fun and not enough watching, and your life changes in a moment. After playing in the pool for about an hour, a thought came into my head - "Where is Emma?" After a quick scan, I still couldn't see her. Then I saw her ridiculously bright swimsuit - a couple of feet under the water. From that moment on, life stopped.

There are things that I remember - pulling my limp child out of the water, her blue lips, pounding her back to get the water out, and holding her like I could never let her go. Luckily, there were friends there that could tell me to pound her back, get the other kids out of the pool, call 911, and help me get some things together for the hospital. - things that are all fuzzy. And then there is the question of how I got from point A to point B - that I have no idea how that happened. It's weird how when the stress is high, your vision is so selective. Simple things like swimming to your child, or walking along the pool are lost, not important enough to remember. Only thoughts of how to make awful better, and doing what your child needs in only what is important.

Emma was a champ. She held still while the firefighters and paramedics gave her oxygen and worked to get her vitals. She even went in the ambulance without going crazy.

Once we got to the hospital, they took chest x-rays, and took a blood sample. The diagnosis was a near drowning. As they were taking the sample, Emma turned to me and said, "They are poking me, Mommy. They broke me." Needless to say, she held still.

An hour later, Emma went from cuddling in my arms, to wanting to go home. Yes, the ER on a Thursday afternoon is not the most exciting place to be.

Luckily, I have a mom purse - a few fruit leathers and a few cards and the toddler is entertained!

Before long, Dad came to keep us company.

3 hours later, we left the hospital with our beautiful girl. She was fine. It could have turned out so different, but she only had a few owies.

We are so blessed that Emma is okay. I can't believe how much the Lord blessed us. We have our sweet Emma. So many cliches fit this situation. Your life changes in a moment, put your family first, be there for your friends, etc. All of them apply. It feels like each moment of life is sooo important - who knows when it might be your last one? Do those little things really matter? Anything that keeps you away from your family - physically, spiritually, or emotionally is not worth it. And, it just amazed me that when it was rough, there were friends and family there for me - thank you! I won't be able to tell you how much I appreciated everything you did for me and my family. And to my family - I love and am so blessed to spend this life with you.

A smile, a scowl and a few tears

2008-06-12T01:45:00.005-07:00

I thought it was about time to get some photos of Austin and Emma and I decided to try something different. So, we went downtown and took a few urban style photos. Just a few suggestions for all those thinking about taking pictures of your own kids.

1. Make sure they get enough sleep and not fall asleep on the way to the photo shoot.

2. Food in the bellies keep the kids happier.

3. Contain your kids to one spot at a time.

4. Above all, smiles are always better than tears. :)

Needless to say, everything went wrong. Grumpy looks, a couple of break aways, a few tears, and fast asleep before we got to Florence Blvd. It was still fun. I loved all the textures and colors down there. Besides, the kids are cute - even with the scowls. :)

Here's the slideshow:

What were you doing at 2am?

2008-05-29T02:01:00.007-07:00

So,what were you doing at 2:00 this morning? Well, this is what we were up to:

A little strawberry jam. Okay a lot. 18 pints and 12 4oz jars of strawberry jam.

Okay - I didn't really do the leg work. That was the cute man in my kitchen brewing up sweet culinary creations.

And thank you Janelle for bringing strawberry jam into our canning repertoire. :)

Marquez Family

2008-05-24T22:53:00.004-07:00

Check out this cute family!

The younger girls weren't quite sure what to think of me. This look says it all - "Who are you and what do you think you are doing?" :):

There were lots of smiles and laughs. Here's the slideshow for more cute photos!

Coxon photo shoot

2008-05-10T18:00:00.003-07:00

Last weekend, the awesome Coxon family came up from Tucson to get their pictures taken. They are family to a friend I have here in Casa Grande. This photo shoot was a blast! We were scaling the rocks on the waterfall and trying lots of different places, and even had an outfit change in the middle. They were ready to try anything - and they wanted their pictures taken. Near the end of the photo shoot, the rest of the family came along and even helped block the sun! What a great family. :) Below is a slideshow of some of the favorites.

Schmitz Family

2008-05-06T19:46:00.004-07:00

This last weekend the Schmitz family went out to have a little fun and get some family photos. They are such an adorable family.

The kids were so cute, running (and walking) around being kids. That always makes the best pictures.

Here is the slideshow of some of my favorites:

A Toddler's Mind

2008-04-23T19:41:00.006-07:00

I have always wondered what goes through my kids' minds. What are they thinking about all day? Well, I no longer have to wonder because I can look through the pictures Austin takes and get a look into his life as a 3 year old boy. Well, here they are:

Dad talking on the phone mid-wrestle time.

He loves to watch the house being built next door.

And, last but not least, a picture of the toilet being flushed. What a boy.

Now that I know what he thinks about, maybe I didn't really want to know. :)

A New Obsession

2008-04-23T19:02:00.005-07:00

My boy has a new passion in life. He loves taking pictures. A while back when we were at Wal-mart, he insisted that he needed a kid camera. So, Todd took him to look at the cameras while I was waiting to check out, and I made a mental note that that will make a great birthday present a few months down the road. A few days later, he started grabbing for our point and shoot, so I let him take a couple of pictures with it and put up out of reach. Then, he started eyeing my DSLR, uh, no.
It is time to rememdy the situation. After searching to the bottom of a rather large tub, I found our old point and shoot, put in an old CF card, and handed it over to Austin with the understanding that he "be careful."

After about 30 seconds, he demanded that I fix the camera. Okay, not only was it an old CF card, but it was also a small CF card. I had to change the settings to small, small photos and not very sharp and pretty photos. That's okay, he now has over 300 pictures that he can take instead of 32. First hurdle conquered.

The next one came when the camera wouldn't take any pictures at all. Hmmm. The battery needed charging. After the battery is all charged up, it only lasts for 3 or 4 hours of constant shooting, but at least he is having fun. :)

He has some photograpy skills. Check out his composition. :)

Work is fun

2008-04-19T06:16:00.005-07:00

Emma loves the plants around the house. . . she picks off the leaves and flowers which doesn't really help out the landscaping any. Well, she was in the backyard and comes to us with a guilty look and a plant in her hand.

Since the backyard landscaping consists of dirt and weeds right now, we indulged her. We gave her a plastic bag and let her at it.

Picking weeds were never this fun when I was a kid.

Austin even wanted in on the fun (for a little bit at least).

Party time!

2008-04-18T21:48:00.002-07:00

We went to a birthday party at a friend's house tonight. The kids had fun playing with the bikes, backyard, and . . . the fire engine (only a couple of kids got ran over - no worries). The BBQ was great Bryan and Amanda made the cutest cake that looked like a tractor and a dirt pile. All the boys wanted the tractor piece of cake (but it was more for looks than eating). There was even a pinata, one serious pinata. The kids took some good whacks with it, but it didn't do a thing to it. Friends, a little dirt, some good food topped off with some sugar makes for some great times. Thanks guys!

Zoo Trip

2008-04-18T14:31:00.002-07:00

Here is another "catch up" post. A few weeks ago me and the kids went with some Friends to the zoo. It was a little crazy . . . spring break is not the time to go to the zoo. It seems it is the thing to do in Phoenix. There were a ton of people. We got to see some animals, play at the kid's farm, eat some lunch, and have some fun.
Sometimes it was a little hard to see the animals. "Honey it's the brown blob in the back. See it? That is so cool that we saw a (fill in the blank)." We still go to see the lions and tiger. I guess we will have to get to the zoo early to make sure the animals aren't "taking naps."

Here is the slideshow of the highlights of the trip.

Easter

2008-04-17T07:34:00.004-07:00

We had a fun little Easter here at home. the kids were more excited about the eggs, the stuff inside was just an extra bonus. Emma was up bright and early, it took a little prodding to get Austin awake.

Once he saw Emma running around with her Easter basket, he was up.

The chapstick("lips")was a hit.

There was lots smiles, toys and even a princess moment.

Utah trip

2008-04-16T22:01:00.015-07:00

Well, I am going to be playing catch up for the next couple of posts. Things have been busy for for us. A while back we took a trip up to Utah to see family. With moving, we haven't had the chance to get up there for a few months. The drive up is always fun. :) We found some beautiful desert scenery.

Some of the best scenery can be found on the side of the road during the short notice potty breaks.

The previous picture may look nice and sunny, but that was before we actually got to utah. A lot of wind and cold and there was actually snow one morning. A couple of the mornings Todd and I got up early to get a landscape for his grandparents. It got so cold (Yes, my blood has thinned out quite well since Nebraska), we ended up in the truck until the sun came up a little bit more.

The kids had fun seeing grandparents, cousins, and playing in the outdoors. It was so good to see family and hang out with them for the weekend. Check out the fun in the slideshow below.

Welker photo shoot

2008-04-12T21:30:00.005-07:00

This week our friends came by to get some family photos taken before they head back to New Mexico. They are a great family and their kids are adorable. The toddler is all about hamming it up for the camera at home, but not during the shots on the black background. It took a lot of convincing to get a couple cute smiles, but we got them. Then, once we got outside, he was all personality. Toddlers are so fun - unpredictable, but fun.

I'm so glad they came by for some photos and to hang out. Check out the slideshow for a few of my favorites.

Working hard

2008-02-19T15:41:00.008-07:00

Here at Memories by Julie Photography we have been busy. Look at my good help, aren't they cute?

We are in a new location, trying to get the business up and going for Casa Grande and a new promotion.

That's right - a sitting fee and free prints just for trying out Memories by Julie Photography. So take advantage of this incredible deal! Also, I am going to extend that deal, you can substitue the free 8x10s for a 16x20. Big pictures are so awesome! So, call or email for an appointment before the photo sessions fill up. Only one appointment per week (I love my hubby and kids too much and I like to be around them). I hope to hear from you soon!

A fever, a fat lip, and a popsicle

2008-02-16T22:33:00.023-07:00

Today was quite a day for Emma. Her fever from yesterday was still here. My little monkey preferred laying down in bed to playing and running around. That is a red flag that she isn't feeling well. So, I gave her some medicine to help with the fever and cough and she started acting more like her self. Her and Austin were running around and climbing on the furniture (a big no-no, but I guess that's half the fun), and she got hurt. Here is the scenario - little sister on the foot rest of the recliner, big brother decides to put the foot rest down, and little sister falls head first into the tile. Here are the battle wounds:

There is no surer way to get a popsicle than with a fever and a fat lip. Let's see if Emma can survive Austin. :)

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-13T21:43:00.004-07:00

This afternoon we had a fun Valentine surprise from Grandpa Gardner. The kids and I got flowers, balloons and candy. My flowers are very beautiful!

And the kids LOVED the balloons and candy. Can you tell from the picture?

This was Emma this afternoon while taking her nap. There was no letting go of it. It is so fun seeing the excitement and joy of life that comes from the simplelist things in life. So innocent. Austin and Emma ran around the house the whole day playing with their ballons (which frequently meant hitting the other person with the balloon). I told them that they could have their candy after they finished their lunch. Austin finished first and thought he was "so cool" when I handed him the whole bag of fun-size m&ms - a first for him. He would take a few and then save them in the fridge for later. Then a couple minutes later he was back getting more.
We had a lot of fun yesterday! Thanks Grandpa!
So hold on to the joy even your during a nap. Happy Valentine's Day

Scouting Out the New Locations

2008-02-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

As you know, we have moved, so it was time for me to stake at some of the local parks. I took the kids out a couple of days ago. They are pretty good at humoring me (as long as I bring along a bribe or two - Bee Movie friut snacks were the weapon of choice this time). One park we went to has some awesome lakes, with ducks, bridges, and waterfalls. Great backdrops and things to interest the kids - just don't let them fall in. :) Here are some of my favorites:

Cute Smiles!

Time for a break.

Feeding the Ducks

2008-01-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

We have moved into our new house in Casa Grande, AZ. The kids love the parks and the lakes with the ducks. A couple of weeks ago (I mentioned it in a past post) we met Dad for lunch and fed the ducks. What an adventure. I have never had to chase down ducks this much before. My goodness! The kids would run after them, throwing whole slices of bread into the lake and the ducks would just swim away and get out on the opposite shore. Come now, Austin and Emma can't be that scary. :)

Austin still had his cast on for this excursion (no he didn't just lose a shoe). One sweet moment was when they were walking over some rocks and Austin was having a hard time, so Emma came back and helped him - they do love each other. :)

We have heard that the ducks on the another pond aren't quite as snobby and will actually eat your bread. It's worth a shot. What's the use of having ducks close if they can't even provide entertainment for your kids. :)

Taylor Family

2007-12-22T21:11:00.001-07:00

Today was the Taylor Family's Christmas portrait session. This was my first big family photo shoot, and it went so well - must have been the family :). They are such a nice family and they were so great to work with! I think the promise of Peter Piper Pizza kept the kids going.

This past summer I took family portraits for one of the daughters and now she brought back her whole family. I really appreciate the chance to photograph her and her family again. Thanks!

Enjoy the slideshow!

A Day to Play

2007-12-21T23:01:00.000-07:00

We are moving! Next week we close on our house down in Casa Grande, AZ. My husband took a job there. So, that means no more moving around (at least for a while) and a place to call home. This will also give me the chance to grow my photography business. Austin and Emma are excited about Casa Grande too.

The kids were so excited when they saw all the playgrounds, and the ducks in the pond by our house. We bought bread so they could feed the ducks. They chased them around the pond. Wait till you see some pictures from that day. Too funny. I'll post them later this week. Maybe tomorrow if I am looking for something to distract me from moving. :)

A distraction was just what I needed today - too much to think about doing. I took the kids outside so they could play - on grass, not just rocks like our backyard. This gave me the chance to pull out my camera and play around myself. We all had a blast! The kids because they could run away from mom and me because I could chase them down and catch some cute pictures (a little bribery doesn't hurt either). Austin didn't let his broken leg stop him from having fun - or torturing Emma, and Emma had fun running away and looking for rocks.

Well, here's a slideshow of our half hour of fun - that's all we could do. It was too windy and cold to stay out there any longer.

Enjoy!

Let it Snow!

2007-12-06T13:34:00.002-07:00

In an area where snow is basically fiction, or at best a long lost memory, we thought we would bring a little snow cheer to our home. :) We pulled out the paper, scissors, glue, and glitter. We made snow!

I cut out the snowflakes and A and E made them shine, putting glitter everywhere! The table, E's hair, fingers, toes, clothes, the floor . . . Lots of mess and lots of fun.

Merry Christmas!

A Little Bit of Christmas

2007-12-04T17:37:00.001-07:00

Okay. I totally broke down and bought some lights. I even put them up today. It's not like I am a scrooge and didn't want any Christmas decorations - our family will be moving anytime between now and the middle of January. So, packing boxes and putting decorations down at the same time just isn't that exciting. We've been on the move each Christmas for the last few years. So, enough is enough. We will have some Christmas cheer in our home this year! :)

Christmas is such a special time of year. The twinkling lights, the giving, the happiness, and most importantly the remembering of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas everyone, and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

What a Weekend!

2007-11-27T16:07:00.001-07:00

We had a great weekend. Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. The kids had fun getting attention from the grandparents. We did a lot of playing, hanging out and eating (hey, it was Thanksgiving:) ).

Then, Sunday night the excitement began. We went down to Casa Grande, AZ to check out how our house was coming along (stucco and texture are on). We stopped by the local park so the kids could get some energy out before we started the long trek home. I took A down a high, "crazy slide" (A's words). It is seriously a slide of death. You go up 3 ladders just to get to the slide. I put Austin on my lap and started down. We were banging up against the slide and each other. It was truly a "crazy slide." We'll A got hurt. He said his knee hurt and he wouldn't walk on his left leg. We had to carry him everywhere. Even Emma's teasings wouldn't get him to use his leg - something was definitely wrong! Well, we took him to the ER the next morning. Pose for a picture. :) We had to find the fun in the situation.

They took a picture of his bones and this is what we saw- a spiral fracture on the shin bone.

So, they splint it up (he'll get a cast on in a couple of days).

A is taking it all in stride. He likes the babying, but still insists on "Doing it myself!" Looks like a lot of movies and walks in the stroller are on the agenda.

Winter is Here!

2007-11-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Winter has finally come to the Valley of the Sun. This morning it was a chilly 59 degrees. It's cold enough to pull out the jackets. Hope we can survive this winter. :)

Let's put things into perspective. This was yesterday:

Happy change of seasons! :)

A Few of my Favorite Things

2007-11-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

Life with 2 toddlers 14 months apart gets crazy. Lots of toys, lots of messes, and lots of noises. Along with that comes the extra hugs, kisses, and "I love you, mom's." Every morning they get up and find me to give me hugs before they go off to play. I am so blessed. I am the one they come to to kiss thier owies better, to look at their pictures, and to compliment their latest fashion statements. I can't think of a better way to spend my day.

I am very grateful that my husband works so hard so that I can be home each day enjoying the craziness of life. He supports me so many facets of my life. Thank you, sweetheart. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! Remember your blessings (and even those blessings in disguise). Bring on the messes. :)

Courtney & Steven's Wedding

2007-11-06T10:06:00.001-07:00

This last Saturday, Courtney and Steven got married in a beautiful outdoor wedding. There was such excitement and anticipation before the wedding and happiness and fun afterwards. They are so adorable and so in love. Thank you for letting me be a part of your incredible day!
Thank you Dad and Todd for all your help!

Courtney & Steven e-session

2007-10-31T16:01:00.001-07:00

Courtney and Steven's engagement session was a couple of weeks ago, but since I am trying to get this blog up and going and their wedding is this weekend, I thought I would put up a slideshow their e-session. Courtney and Steven are such a cute couple. You can really see how in love they are. I can't wait to for their wedding this weekend!

Trying Out the New 40D

2007-10-31T13:02:00.001-07:00

I have upgraded from the Canon Digital xti to the Canon 40D. Love it! It is so much more responsive and faster! The 40D is a gift from my hubby (thanks, baby). I guess the way to my heart is a camera, lens, or cool software.

Well, here are some more pictures of the kids. I needed to try out the new camera, so dress them up, bribe them (you can go the park afterward), get them in the car and find a place to start photographing.

Photos to watch for: running away from mom is fun, find the only puddle and jump in it, the dogs are more interesting than taking pictures, and E is A’s "backpack." They were good sports. Well, enjoy the slideshow!

Day at the Park

2007-10-30T14:41:00.001-07:00

Being the mom of 2 adorable kids, spending the day at the park is always a highlight. :) We are so blessed to have such wonderful weather right now. It's the end of October and we still have 90 degree weather. :) Let summer last all year long! :)

Arizona Fun

2007-04-25T13:52:00.001-07:00

We recently moved back to Arizona after a year in Nebraska. I forgot how amazing the winter weather is here. There is a lot that has kept us busy here: hanging out together as a family, hobbies, photography (or course :) ), volunteering at church, trips home, etc. Sometimes I'll have a day that is just pure fun. Our two kids help me remember that there is fun even in the simplest things. My boy is curious about everything! He especially loves his cars. He will line them up every where in the house. My girl can't get enough with life. She has to try everything out, and that includes everything big brother is doing. They are wonderful! According to my son, he has the "best dad in the whole wide world." I would have to agree. He is so supportive of me and all I try to do. He loves his family and does amazing things for them.

Sorry about all of the mushy stuff. :) My family has been my focus. Life is so much better with them!

Until next time,
Julie

New Collages

2006-10-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have been working on some new collages for the upcoming holiday season. Each collage is customizable and there are more to come. You can view more collages at my website http://www.memoriesbyjulie.com/ under the portfolio section. It is a flash site so you will need to have a faster connection than dial-up. Have a great day!

Fall Photo Shoot

2006-10-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

My latest photo shoot was with two young children. It is a great time to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. The grass was green and the leaves were colorful. The children were also wearing vibrant colors. The ironic thing? I love the color photos, but I think the pictures were just as pretty in black and white. Even my husband, who usually prefers the color photos, commented on how much he liked the black and white ones.

Taking pictures with children can be a lot of fun. Some of the best and truest expressions (and then pictures) come out just as the children play and interact with their environment.

On Location

2006-09-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

A while ago, I had the opportunity to do an on location photo-shoot in Southern Utah (Hurricane, UT) where the red rock and open spaces are standard. The pictures turned out so beautiful. The lighting was perfect and the "male model" (my father-in-law) took directions well. :) It is always fun and challenging to take pictures in a new location and in a different way. That was what this photo shoot was about. I had mostly taken candids and family pictures (mine) before this. My husband and I did this shoot together. It was awesome!

'til next time. :)

Children Photography

2006-09-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Children make the most innocent and honest subjects. I love it! Sometimes it takes a little longer to get that "picture perfect smile" but it is always worth the effort and usually more genuine than you expect. No matter what expression they have on their faces, it reflects what is in their souls.

Weddings

2006-09-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have been gathering photos for my portfolio and I found some photos from weddings I helped assist. I was a 2nd photographer for a friend, Jamelle Kelly, in Arizona. It really helped watching another photographer work and learn from what they do.

Taking pictures for a wedding is tons of pressure, but great opportunity to take lots of pictures and to get creative. Weddings are long days - especially in the AZ heat. :) But - I had so much fun and gained so much knowledge and satisfaction from the event. Who would have thought that something so hard would be so much fun?

Starting Out

2006-08-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

I've started this blog simultaneously with the creation of a photography website. I am in the middle of creating the website and it won't be up until later this week or next week.

Photography is a passion of mine. I like to capture those fleeting moments in time. I have seen how much time flies as I watch my 2 kids grow up. The cute things that they do just don't seem to last. They are always on to bigger and better things. I love looking back on the photographs that I have captured of them and remembering those times that make my child into who they are today. I think that everyone should be able to have their memories recorded to have and remember from as well. So, I want to transition from a hobbyist photographer to a part-time professional photographer (part-time so that it doesn't take away from my full-time job - mom).

Well, here we go.

Julie