Friday, March 23, 2012

{ENJOY} Workshop with Erin Johnson Photography

As I'd mentioned in my previous post, I've deemed 2012 to be a year I'm dedicating to both personal and professional growth.  I am super excited to be registered for several workshops this year to help me focus my business and fuel my creative fire.  Earlier this month, I attended the one-day info packed extravaganza known as the {ENJOY} Workshop, hosted by wedding photographer Erin Johnson at her Minneapolis studio.  Erin offered up so much helpful insight on how she's built a successful photography business as well as critiqued our work and helped us determine our style.  I left her workshop feeling more confident, inspired, motivated and full of ideas that I am so excited to incorporate into my own business!  Thanks Erin, for sharing your talents in both photography and mentoring, and to the group of photographers with whom I was able to share the experience.  And last but not least, to newlyweds Dan and Kendra, who brought the fun and the sexy and were SO much fun to shoot! 










Thursday, March 22, 2012

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know I'm a little late to the party wishing everyone a happy new year in mid-March.  Instead of repeated apologies for my lazy blogging I will just dive right into getting you caught up...

The year 2012 began just as every year before it had for me...with my birthday.  Last year I celebrated my big 3-0.  "Celebrated" may not be the best word choice.  I vaguely recall being curled up in the fetal position under the covers in bed, waiting for my AARP card to arrive in the mail.  Dramatic, I know.  As my days as a twenty something were fleeting I focused on all of the things that I wanted to accomplish before the 30 year roadblock but hadn't done so.  In my head I had this chore list that had met its deadline and I'd ultimately came up short on.  I did not welcome my 30s with open arms.

This year though, I met 31 with a fresh perspective.  I've decided to make this a year of growth, both personally and professionally.  There are areas in my life where I need to get off the bench and start playing.  I'm ready to get off the bench.  I'm ready to challenge myself more, trust myself more, and pick on  myself less.  Oh, and pick up a racquet and play tennis again (because that one's still on the chore list).  So, cheers to my 30s!  I will do my best to make sure they rock.  We will reconvene again in nine years when I'm staring down 40.

Now on to the pictures...In January we spent a week in Arizona on a family vacation with my in-laws.  It was a fantastic trip for two reasons, 1) it just was, and 2) we missed that ONE week of cold weather back in Minnesota that actually made it feel like winter this year.  Here are some pictures from our trip, which included hiking in the desert, horseback riding, rodeos, a trip to Tombstone, cowboy hats, whips, and shootouts with cap guns.  And thanks to my husband's uncle and aunt for their generous hospitality.  They invited eleven of us into their home for a week and didn't even threaten to kick us out once!

Enjoy!