THE JOURNAL

What’s it like to travel to Mexico with COVID? All travelers age 2 and older must have a negative COVID test taken no more than 3 days before the date of arrival BACK INTO the United States (or proof that they’ve had and recovered from COVID).  Our hotel included testing onsite, so two days before […]

I started marriage not cooking.  The kitchen was for heating leftovers – but the more kids we’ve added, the less convenient it’s been to go out to eat.  Corona definitely put an end to that anyway, and as I’ve increased my time spent in the kitchen, I’ve found myself silently thanking the genetics and influence […]

Ellie waited so patiently during the six weeks between Mina’s birthday and April 1 for her turn to be IT.  Quarantine notwithstanding, we did not disappoint her. I had grand dreams of making the cutest ice cream stand, and it executed good enough for the party, but really, the girls most enjoyed playing with pvc […]

“Where is your living room rug from?” is easily the question I get the most on Instagram, and I feel like it’s well-deserved.  It took me a long time to realize that rugs can absolutely go over carpet.  As much as I LOVE the comfy factor of the brown carpet in our house, the color […]

My girls (ages 2 and 3) love parties just about as much as I do, but since adding our 7-month-old boy to the mix, I am way less motivated to use my spare time (ha) to plan a really cute party, and much more likely to use it curled up on the couch, with a […]

I shot my favorite session ever in a grocery store this month. I’m not even lying.  I’m totally biased because it was my kid I was shooting, but I could. not. stop. laughing.  You guys are welcome to tell me it’s because I’m her mom, but I’m still waiting for SaveMart to reach out and […]

I love a happy wedding.  I mean I’ve never photographed non-happy one (that would be awkward).  But neither Jason or Ashley stopped smiling all day, and the only sad face came from their adorable ring bearer son who just wanted to hang out with mom.  Yep.  It was as cute as it sounds.  His moves […]

I told my husband this year it’s a good thing he married me quick, or the next generation would have beat him to this next stage!  Stephanie is my husband’s oldest (and first!) niece, and I met Stephanie through church (as her youth group leader) before I ever knew Daniel existed.  She suggested I date […]

To the moms: I’ve only been in your circle for 15 months, and I know I was a kid for longer than that.  So I remember kid better than mom. Maybe you do too. I remember tricycle laps on the driveway while mom weeded.  I remember which rocks in my mom’s backyard covered the biggest worms.  I […]

Cut-to-the-chase honesty, coming your way! When you land on the pricing page on my website, you’ll see that a portrait session is $350, and includes about an hour of shooting (as well as all photos, edited, and an online gallery).  Here’s what I want you to know about that “about one hour” comment – because if […]