THE JOURNAL

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 […]

Thank you for 2016. This was the year I took the leap from working for someone to working for myself. The year photography took the spotlight instead of “side job” title. The year I first shot film – and bought a film camera! The year I got to have my first mentoring session – and with […]

So you know how parents of young children keep a book on their first year of life?  Each month, they note the things that baby is loving and/or hating and/or learning that month.  I think it’s a great way to remember what that time was like. (I saw a meme that said “If my memory was […]

To be clear, I did follow a few of these.  It’s pretty much just numbers 1 and 2 I maybe should have calmed down on 🙂 Pick three of your favorite ideas from Pinterest and do those.  If you try to do more than that, you’ll end up stressed and won’t be able to execute […]

SAND DUNES.  That’s almost all I have to say. If you’re looking for a unique location for your photos – family photos, wedding photos, engagement photos, maternity photos, whatever! – the sand dunes in Pismo are THE PLACE to go.  Just over a year ago, I shot out there with Tanya from Tenth & Grace […]

Six months ago, I pulled on a one-piece bathing suit that only stretched up to my belly button and after a HEARTY laugh, put on a bikini and prayed I wouldn’t see anyone I knew at the pool in Huntington Beach.  Just a few short days later, a nurse was handing me a teeny tiny little baby […]

As it turns out, if you lack discipline, it’s hard to be a good blogger but regardless, I’ve always enjoyed writing (even college papers!  I do not lie.  Actually really truly loved it.), so my plan is to include a small writing snippet before each photo blog post.  I’ll try to keep it to relevant thoughts. […]

Two revelations this week: Someone said (about me): “Oh I didn’t know she did wedding photos.  She doesn’t post very much?” I haven’t blogged in one whole year. I think the two are related.  So – for your viewing pleasure – high school sweethearts, Rachel and Byron VanderWeide! Rachel parents house is GOALS.  Like crazy. […]