I did it! I ran the distance of a 15k (plus a little). I plan on running the Gate River Run in March and have made more progress on that than I ever though possible. I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of my running partners (and the running shoes my mommy bought me).
I felt such a sense of accomplishment-I had to document it. I AM strong. and yes my green pants are HOTT (with a DOUBLE T)
Archive for 2009
milestone
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009chelsea and tony | emporia, ks
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009Yet another wedding with a fellow Northern Heights (high school in the middle of a cow pasture) alum. Chelsea was a grade ahead of me (her super hot cross-country, personal trainer bod is part of what has inspired my recent running spree) and was dating Tony even back then. Seeing them interact on the day of the wedding- I can see why. They compliment each other so well.
Chelsea’s dress had beautiful beading and lace detail.
I love ring shots
.
Shield your eyes for the next series-because Chelsea is just too hot to handle! I was super excited when Chelsea asked me to take a few pictures for Tony before the wedding and was even more excited when she said I could share a select few. P90X body in da house.
.
Tony is such a sweetheart. He left gifts for Chelsea, her mom and his own mother. I quickly captured a few shots of Chelsea opening her lovely necklace.
I couldn’t resist another ring shot before heading out the door
Chelsea and Tony opted for a “first look”- so we headed to the Emporia State University campus.
From the beginning, Chelsea talked of her beautiful veil and how she wanted a shot of it blowing in the wind. Here’s my take on it. I think this one is over-the-fireplace canvas worthy.
Gorgeous colors, yes?
.
These pictures aren’t technically anything wonderful, but they just crack me up. The bitty chair, the naked baby on the floor-and goofy Tony. The “first look” definitely helps to ease nerves.
Perspective
.
I love Chelsea’s face
and the bubbles too
Tony is a firefighter, so after the ceremony we headed to the station for some shots with the fire engines. I love when clients give me ideas for pictures that have meaning to them.
.
I love these two!
.
.
It was THIS big. Yes, I am a 5th grader.
Aww how sweet, the first dance- and then BAM return of the P90X body. Just look at her back, shoulders and arms!
The image on the left is probably one of my favorite wedding dance images. It may not be all the way in focus-but the grain, the movement and the feeling to this one just moves me.
Chelsea’s brother gave the sweetest speech that brought tears to my eyes- and everyone else’s.
The most dancing I’ve witnessed of all the weddings I’ve shot to date.
Love it! Especially Sarah’s (gal on the far right) expression.
and finally, I leave you with this. The chick who caught the bouquet (just look at her fly) and Sarah’s disappointment.
Thank you Chelsea and Tony for flying me all the way to Kansas to photograph your day. Your relationship is beautiful.
she dreams with her whole soul
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Oh..how this can cause such heartache, but so much joy.
No matter the outcome, she’d do it all the same.
healthy train
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009I have 3 sessions to post on here and 4 more to edit. I have much more important things to be doing than writing a personal blog post-but I had to. I’m sure everyone in my daily life is tired of hearing me talking about it, so I had to get it out somewhere else.
Tonight, I ran the FURTHEST DISTANCE I HAVE EVER RUN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m not quite sure how I did it, and its nothing amazing compared to a marathon runner. But, for me, it’s one of my greatest accomplishments. For someone who started out in May of 2008 not even able to run the distance of more than 2 light poles lining the sidewalk-I have worked up to 5.5 miles! I meant to train and actually run in Jacksonville’s Gate River Run (15k) last year, and got close to this point-but way later in the game and then I quit. Not this year. I’m nearly to a 10k and that makes me want to jump for joy.
I was inspired earlier this year by one of my favorite photographers: Bobbi of Bobbie and Mike. She started posting “healthy train” posts and I was hooked-going to her blog often to check in and see her progress. This post really made me want to get moving.
And so I have. Here’s my track record:
You can see I started out really well at the beginning of the year and tapered WAY off. I started again in the summer. In August I was running just over 2 miles at an 11:00 minute mile.
In October I went from nearly 3 miles to 5 miles in just a few days AND decreased my time. I think Friday’s time was a 10:15 min mile pace.
And tonight I ran 5.52 miles at a 9.34 minute mile pace. Big difference in a short amount of time. (btw that time stamp is lying. NO WAY did I run at 3 am)
To illustrate the point further:
I really can’t believe how far I’ve come. I’ve always ALWAYS struggled with my weight (what I felt to be ideal) and self-esteem. Lately, I’ve made it my goal to concentrate on being the healthiest I can be-and not just my appearance. I eat whole grains and try every day to get 5 servings of fruits and vegetables (and it is HARD) and no more soda (not even diet).
For the first time, I’m learning to love myself and what my body can do. It has made ALL the difference in SO many aspects of my life. I’m truly happy, for the first time in a very long time. 
I know my writing is not very eloquent-but I hope this post inspires you to take even one step toward being a healthier person.
happy halloween!
Saturday, October 31st, 2009Just had to share cutie Caroline from my session with her earlier this month. She flew to me all the way from Tennessee and I just had to get a few of her in her peacock costume.
Hope your day is filled with happiness and yummy treats! More posts coming soon.
happy autumn from kansas!
Saturday, October 24th, 2009Short post from my room in Kansas. I forgot how much I miss having fall colors and sweater weather! I also forgot how unforgiving the Kansas wind is. Seeing as have lived in Florida the last 4.5 years, I haven’t had a proper cold-weather coat. It was absolutely freezing the morning after I arrived and getting a coat was the second thing on the agenda (the first being my friend Jodi’s maternity pictures.. I’ll post those as soon as I get caught up!)
I wanted to share a few pictures showing the gorgeous fall colors here in my home state.
These 2 were taken in Riverside Park in Wichita- just down the road from where my friend Jenna was married today (Congrats Jenna and Tim!)
That’d be me and my BIG little brother. He’s only 6ft 5.5in. I think every time I see him, he’s grown another inch-or two.
And here’s the whole gang!
syd the kid | 11 days
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009I lied about doing better with posting. Here it is over a week since my last post….I have 3 sessions and a wedding still in my que of photos to edit, with more on the way! (I’m definitely not complaining!) No excuses though…I was informed today that I have more people looking at this blog than I even realized (YA’LL ARE HIDING-not leaving me any comments- stop by and say HELLO!). So here it is midnight before I have to serve a full day at AmeriCorps and hop on a plane for another trip to Kansas.
Jacque and I served together during the 2008-2009 AmeriCorps term. I was so excited to learn about her pregnancy-and secretly hoped she would schedule me to do newborn photos of the new baby. She did! Sydney Rebekeh arrived 3 weeks early at a tiny 4 lbs, 13oz. By the time I get my hands/camera on her she was at 5 pounds- still so tiny compared to my 7 and 8 lb-ers!
This session was only Jacque and Sydney, as daddy-Joe is serving overseas with the Navy. Keep him in our thoughts for a safe and timely return.
Sydney slept the entire first half of her very first photo session. She went from position to position with ease-oh how she makes my ovaries do flip-flops. She just may do the same for you (women)! Meet Syd the kid… she’s not a squid..(I’ll have to post the cute little limerick that Jacque made up to sing to her)
This little hat was so big on her that we had to use a binder clip in the back to keep it ON her head instead of covering her head. I think we pulled it off very well!
Little baby folds…
Daddy’s baby blanket. I absolutely love the deep red and the smile on her face. Another one of my favorite newborn photos to date.
Another one for Dad..
Mom’s baby blanket. I love when clients incorporate meaningful items into their sessions!
Sydney Bean (kidney bean)
.
.
.
2 of my favorites from the session
.
gabriel | 6 days
Monday, October 12th, 2009So behind, I am. Baby Gabe’s session was over a month ago! He made his first appearance this summer with his mom and dad
Gabe didn’t much like me messing with him-but between fusses, we got some sweet sleeping shots!
.
I love this series of three
ohhh so kissable!
.
My favorite from this session-I’ve been waiting to find a little baby to fit in my twiggy basket for so long! Until then it only held magazines 
Just look at those lips.
