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THE JOURNAL

I'm a hopeless romantic who finds great joy in creating and capturing connection and beauty wherever I go.

welome to my blog

Welcome to the blog, a highlight journal about our photo sessions, our home wedding venue and gardens, and favorite kid’s clothing. Stay a while and say hello!

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kid birthday party lauren westra

Ellie’s Third Birthday

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 […]

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The Day I Looked Insane at SaveMart

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 […]

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Hire for the photos, not the hour(s)

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 […]

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The Strangest 6 Months

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 […]

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The bachelorette party where I forgot to buy a sash

I think as the maid of honor, the first thing you KNOW you need to do is buy a white, bedazzled “BACHELORETTE” sash for the bachelorette party.  You shouldn’t need theKnot to tell you that. Well.  I’m my sister’s maid (matron, technically, but I don’t like that word) of honor and I forgot to buy […]

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The first year I mailed a timely Christmas card

merry Christmas // happy new year In 2014… We got married. And it was awesome. We cleaned out an old barn on our property/dairy, Daniel built a bridge and the ceremony arbor and we found out we love doing projects and hosting parties together. It did come with a side of learning how to work […]

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