Happy New Year!

I know I haven't posted much lately, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!

It's amazing to think about everything that's happen this year and even crazier to think about what's happened this past decade. I was 13 years old at the start of this past decade and a bratty junior high girl. Today I'm packing/moving to start my first real job this coming week. What an incredible long way I've come. My ten year plan at that time was to finish high school and get married and stay in Sharon Springs. Somehow that did not work out, and I've never been so thankful it didn't! God had a bigger and better plan for me, and I couldn't be more thankful for the people and situations he's blessed me with.

I'm so excited to start this new year and decade with a fresh new start. My new job, new house, new town, new car, and new attitude! I'm going to leave you with the top 10 things that stick out to me and my life this past decade:

(In no particular order)
1. 9/11/01 - a day I will never forget.
2. Graduating College and becoming a teacher.
3. Sports: Colorado Avalanche win Stanley Cup in 2001, Jimmie Johnson win 4 straight cup titles, and the Rockies win 14 straight games to make playoffs and eventually play in the World Series.
4. My photography
5. My 1 year old cousin who passed away and the strength of his parents to rise above it because of their never ending faith in God.
6. The support of my family to encourage me and believe in me even when I didn't believe in myself.
7. The amazing friends I've made and their support.
8. The growth of my relationship with Jesus Christ.
9. My two nieces and nephew. They bring so much joy to my life! :)
10. All of the weddings I've attended! Between my family and close friends, I counted over 30 weddings I've witnessed and been to. I can't wait for the many more there are to come! (possibly 5 more this year!!!)

What are the things you will remember from the past decade? Anyone have new years resolutions?

Good luck in this next year and God Bless!!!

My BIG Announcement!!!!

To make a long story short, I've accepted a full time teaching position at North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit!!!!! I start right after Christmas and I'll be teaching 6 computer classes. It's going to be a challenge and it's going to be a huge change from the high school, but I couldn't be more excited!

I'll graduate this weekend, hopefully find somewhere to live in Beloit next week, and then move as soon as possible! I'll be doing a lot of planning and preparation in the next few weeks before school gets started again.

I knew God had a big plan for me, I just didn't know it was going to come so fast! However, I will still continue with my interview for Teach for America in Febuary and see where that road leads as well.

If anyone knows anyone or has any connections to Beloit, let me know! I'll be posting more later with some photography sessions I've done lately! :) So stay tuned for more.....

Happy Halloween!!!

In case you haven't heard....................


I had the best Halloween costume this year!! ;)

The Future Mrs. Tim Tebow! :)

Coming Soon!!

Here's a small preview of what I've been doing the past few weekends! More to come soon!

Tammy and Jed's Topeka Wedding


Sara and Jamey's Mankato, KS Wedding

Here's to you Chris Hsieh!

As many of you know, Chris Hsieh from LaBrisa Photography over the past year has been THE reason for my breakout of photography. Because of his great personality and kind natured personality, he has taken me in and taught me everything I know about photography. Seriously, how do you ever say thank you to someone who's given you everything?!?! Well I don't have the answer to that question, so I've decided to write a blog post in dedication to him. :) I had to say goodbye last night and this morning to him because he'll be moving to Brooklyn, New York on Sunday!! :(

Not only has Chris helped me with my photography and my business, he's also always been there to help me other aspects of my life as well. Especially in the boy department :) He always offered great advice and encouraged me no matter what! He believes in me and sees things in me I don't even see, which is crazy! He's become an awesome friend and mentor, and I can't imagine where I'd be without him.

There have even been times when I've thought he couldn't take any more of me. As most of you know, I can be a little dtizy. But for some reason when I'm around Chris, my blondness comes out even more! I've found myself telling Chris on a number of occasions, "Seriously Chris, these stupid moments only happen around you!" and Chris replies, "For some reason I don't believe that's true." Whether I'm right or he's right, I have definitely had my share of bad moments around Chris. So I've come up with a list of blond moments, embarrassing questions I've asked/done, and fun memories we've encountered. Even though most of you won't find these hilarious, I know Chris will be busting out his good hearty laugh as he reads them :)

• Just last night we met up to say our goodbyes and talk photography, and I was on a mission to get to our meeting place. I ended up walking right past him standing there waiting for me.
• The first time we met, I was so nervous and talking a million miles per hour (surprise surprise!) he had to tell me slow down and take a deep breath and that we weren't in a rush. I was so embarrassed...
• We're at our 2nd wedding together and my camera wouldn't work and it was showing pure black when I looked through the eye hole. So I show Chris, and he proceeds to take the lens cap off! Who would've thought of such a thing :) And at that exact moment an older man walks by and just busted out laughing, and yet again I was so embarrassed.
• We had just arrived at a salon here in Manhattan to start the day, and I was walking in first and I tried to open the glass door. The same door that had a sign that said "please use other door." Since the door was locked, I ran my head right into the glass and everyone at the salon looked to see what the big "THUD" was at the door.
• We had finished up a photo shoot on campus and Chris offered to give me a ride to my car. I had him drive me to this big parking lot in the middle of campus, but I couldn't find my car! Then I remembered I parked there day before, so we had to drive around until I could remember where I had parked that afternoon.
  
• Our road trip home from Topeka this summer discussing whether I should marry up or down and how it has snowballed into a huge discussion with everyone we know!
• The time Chris told me his theory on Midwest girls and guys. Come to find out he's right!
• My first experience eating at the restaurant 5 Guys.
• His blog posts and texts that have the words AH-MAZ-ING, Yuppers, and Totally in them. :)
  

Chris, I hope you enjoyed my walk through memory lane as much as I did! I'm sure you can add a few more that I'm "forgetting" about.

I'll never forget all our road trips to and from weddings, my remarks about Californians, your obsession with food, your advice about guys, and all the embarrassing representations of myself under LaBrisa Photography. I've become a better photographer through your training and advice, but more than anything you've helped me become a better person.

Thanks for everything you've done and for all the things I'm sure you'll do for me in the future. You're definitely irreplaceable. You will be missed by many Kansans :)

Can't wait to see you in Western Kansas at my wedding in 2015!!!!! haha :)

I'll leave you with a picture of us at our first wedding together! Look how young we were ;)

Preston's 3rd Birthday!

Preston turned 3 about a month ago and his mom wanted some birthday pictures! He is sooo cute and full of energy :) Once he got used to the camera, he was all smiles.

I love this one :)

My favorite one! How adorable is that?!?!




Thanks Sierra and Preston for allowing me to take his pictures! Happy 3rd Birthday!

Summer Fun!

Here's a picture of my secret hiding place for the next 5 days :) I'll be spending a lot of time getting some sun and enjoying a break from work and school!




Hope you're enjoying your summer! I know I am! :)

How will you be remembered?

This morning I was sad to hear about the murder of Iowa football coach, Ed Thomas. I'm still in shock of how it happened and my heart goes out to all the family and friends. ESPN posted an article with more details here.

NFL player Aaron Kampman of the Green Bay Packers said this today about his High School Coach: "His legacy for many will be associated with his tremendous success as a football coach. However, I believe his greatest legacy comes not in how many football games he won or lost but in the fact that he was a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He lived his life trying to exemplify this faith and convey those values to those under his influence."

Wow. Could there be any better way to be remembered? I don't think so.

How will you be remembered? and What will your legacy be?

Ashleigh and Alex - Maternity

I'm always telling people "it's all about who you know" and this photo shoot proves my point! Chris from LaBrisa Photography works with Ashleigh and knew she was wanting to take some maternity photos. However, Chris also knew that I was looking for a graphic design artist to make me a logo. So Ashleigh and I decided to make a trade for our talents! I take her maternity pictures and she makes my logo. It's a win win situation and...... it's all about who ya know! :) Thanks Chris for the behind the scenes work! I'll of course post my logo when it's done, but until then here are some pics from Ashleigh and Alex's maternity session.

Christina and James - Wedding

My first official solo wedding is finally finished! :) Now onto the good stuff!!!
Christina and James definitely knew how to rock out a small town Kansas wedding! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Christina looked absolutely gorgeous on her big day. She was patiently waiting for the wedding to get started.

The bride and bridesmaids sharing a prayer before the ceremony.

Their flower girl was adorable! I love her reaction to the bubbles :)

James, Christina, and their son Braden. What a sweet family!

I love when a bride and groom set time aside to take pictures that reflects their personality. Christina and James chose to go out to their farm and take some fun pictures with their awesome wedding party!

Definitely my favorite shot of the day! They nailed the romantic dip and the weather was perfect!

At first you may think this is beer on ice, but it's actually a cake! The bottom of it is all cake, and the bottles and ice are hard candy. How cool is that!?!

Their first dance and the start to a fun night.

A bridesmaid and groomsman tearin' up the dance floor!

The maid of honor and best man pose for a fun shot!

The DJ, Earl Webster from Complete Music, leading everyone in the "Cupid Shuffle."

Congratulations Christina and James! Thank you so much for being great clients! Your family, friends, and of course, awesome wedding party, were great to work with as well! :)

To view all of Christina and James wedding pictures, click here.