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Summer days with my daughter Adriah!

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No one gets photographed more then Adriah and it's mostly because her mom is a photographer and she's so stinkin' cute! It rained this past week and she stood at the door and said "Get wet outside...swim suit?" I thought it was a great idea! So, she went out on the deck in the rain, splashed in puddles and had a great ol' time! I got some great photos of her opening and closing the door and just being cute! img_3790-640×480.jpg

This is Adriah being 2!

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Emotions change by the second!

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I think it prep for when she's a teenager!

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This is proof that kids can have fun anywhere, anytime!

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Can you believe it's the end of August?

Is it just me or did the end of the summer come way too quickly? I'm trying to enjoy every minute outside! I remember when I worked full-time in an office I totally reveled in my 15 minutes and lunch hour outside...vowing that if I was a stay-at-home-mom I'd always be outside enjoying the perfect Minnesota summers. We don't have perfect weather for long but boy, is it great here in the summer! Well, normal life and small business responsibilities don't let me tan all day...but I'm going to make time for a walk every day! I used to make a list every summer that helped me enjoyed everything the summer offers...and I'm the kind of person that like to make lists and check things off!

Here's some of my favorites:

-must lay in the grass at night and stare at the stars!

-must tan/freckle and read magazines...with Eva Cassidy as background music! (Check her out! All of her albums are amazing!)

-must get the family together for laughs!

-must go a picnic outing!

-must write to friends I've lost touch with!

-must go on vacation!

-must have a dairy queen dipped cone on a really hot day!

-must go see a late movie about a summer romance.

-must take a romantic summer walk, holding hands, and ending in a sweet good night kiss!

-must have fun with water outside!

-must take a road trip and eat lots of junk food!

What's on your list? My advice for today...do something on your "summer to do list" before it's too late!

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The Sun is Out!

When I woke up today and saw the sun for the first time in what feels like weeks...I was so happy I felt like I was on vacation! So, Adriah picked out a pretty pink dress and we walked to the park. I breathed deeply and relished every moment! I love the sun! As I was walking, I started thinking about all the incredible places I've been! I traveled tons before I got married and it's still one of our favorite things to do together!

Here's a question for ya..."What was your favorite vacation? And what made it incredible?"

I know mine without too much thought:

1. (inside the US) - This past summer we went to South Carolina to visit family and we did a ton of fun "outdoorsy" stuff, got great pictures and more than anything else...it was the first vacation I felt like share with Adriah instead of just having her along! It was different, she had fun and came away with memories of her own! I LOVED THAT! Check out past personal blogs for pictures.

2. (inside North America) - This one's easy! A few years ago we were given an incredible gift at a private resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was gorgeous...beyond gorgeous! It's the place stars go to get away from normal folk like us! When we were there...we felt like royalty and loved faking it! We stayed at the Esperanza and yeah...the pictures on the website say it all!

3. (inside Central America) - 2 weeks in Costa Rica! Our honeymoon...Matt planned the whole thing and it was a surprise! We rented a car and saw both oceans, rain-forests, amazing animals, cities, little towns and we even did canopy tours. We had a blast!

4. (inside Europe) - Tour of France, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia! Another vacation planned to perfection by my husband! 2 weeks traveling the countryside, seeing new things together but also getting to see Europe through his eyes. Matt lived there for a year and he got to take me to all his old favorite hangouts! We bonded!

OKAY! I'm ready! Let's hear all the places you've been and want me (or my family) to travel to!

www.noemiphotography.com

What's the deal with all the Rain?

Seriously, I've just shot 3 weddings in a row with rain and one was in a different state! I'm starting to think it's me! On top of dealing with rain for weddings...I haven't even seen the sun for 5 days! I think overcast effects everyone the same way...little to none motivation to do anything. Which, by the way, isn't really an option with a toddler! I took her out for a bike ride in the rain today! Desperate times call for desperate measures. It was either biking or shopping...I'm leaving shopping for tomorrow!

Anyways, at least the grass is green.

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From movies to books...

I got several great suggestions for movies to watch this summer. Most I've already seen and some I can't wait to rent! Now we're moving on into the book category! My favorite author: Francine Rivers...I love that she write about real things in made up stories! (divorce, abortion, generations and so much more) I've read all of her books, I think!

My favorite series: The Mark of the Lion Series...It makes you won't to go to Rome! It was because of this book that Matt and I traveled through Italy in 2001. I still remember walking around the Collesium late at night (when the tourists were gone!) and picturing the scenes from this book!

Alright...here's the question. What's your favorite author and book? Not that I have time to read right now but some day I'll look back on this list and love to curl up with some of your favorites!

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Portland Pictures!

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After the wedding on Sunday, I went to Portland with a couple of the bridesmaids (Gloria and Mindy)...we had a blast together! I thought I'd share a couple of fun moments with you! This was taken at a sculpture outside the main theatre...I thought it was so cool that their heads look like eyeballs!! Can you see it?

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This is Gloria and she's having a baby in 6 weeks. I thought it would be great to contrast the precious maternity posed moment with the guy and the mattress sale sign in the background!

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Mindy hated getting her picture taken and normal Noemi fashion I kept taking more shots and peppering with questions about why she didn't like it! She gorgeous and I kinda made it my personal challenge to take a portrait even she would like!

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Thank you girls for being my subjects for the day! I'd loved our day walking in downtown Portland.

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I'm home!

It's so wonderful to be back...even though I had the best weekend! Flying in to Portland is absolutely gorgeous! The plane flies right past Mount Hood. Incredible, isn't it? (and no I didn't take this picture...got it from Wikipedia.com) 755px-mthood_trilliumlake.jpg

Since I was shooting a wedding of an old friend of mine, I went a little early and spent some time with the bride! Later, we met up with the wedding party for the rehearsal dinner. I knew a bunch of the group and it was great to reconnect!

It was 85 degrees on Saturday and 85 degrees on Monday but Sunday (the day of the wedding) was cold and rainy. How is it possible that I had two cold, rainy weddings in 2 weekends in August? Crazy! I need to bring a change of warm clothes from now on. Anyways, the weather didn't matter because the pictures turned out beautiful. I'll have them up in the next few days. I can't wait to work on them!

Monday was icing on the cake...a couple of bridesmaids and I went downtown Portland, shopped, eat great food, and took pictures! I loved it. Wish you were there!

www.noemiphotography.com

My thoughts...

I spend a lot of time at the computer. More than most "stay-at-home" moms, I'd say. My simple pleasure is watching movies in the background as I type, edit, print, burn discs, etc... As far back as I can remember, my family has delighted in movies. We weren't so much a T.V. family but ohh did we love our movies and still do! This week I watched/listened to the whole trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings." It amazes me, despite watching it several times, how I still love the grandeur. What I love most is the incredible order and detail given to the battle scenes; the lines, wide-angles, powerful sound track, perfect synchronization...it's the same stuff I love about "Star Wars." I love epic movies! The bigger the better.

Another confession, I'm a superhero lover! I've seen them all and love'em! Matt's not a big fan but he's a great husband and pretends to like them when watching them with me! Somehow they empower me to think I can do anything! I know, it's ridiculous and it's ok...you can laugh out loud!

Anyways, after an incredibly emotional season of life...it's nice to be able to get lost in pictures and movies! What's your favorite movie? Got one that's so great you could watch it over and over and never tire of it? I want to know...I'll add it to my things to watch this summer!

:)

www.noemiphotography.com

35W Pictures after the fall!

Sorry I didn't blog these earlier but I was trying to track down the origin of these pictures...I'm sorry to whoever took them I'd would've gladly given you credit! When I heard about the collapse part of me wanted to get in the car and go to the sight myself; wanting to see it with my own eyes and capture it with my camera. I didn't because I couldn't, we already had plans for the night...I'm glad for that when I see these pictures. If you know the origin of these pictures please leave a comment...and I'll feel better! I still can't believe this happened so close to home and that it could've been me 24 hours earlier.

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Amazingly awful.

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Portland...here I come!

I'm packing this week and getting ready to spend Saturday through Monday in Portland, OR! I've been there on a layover to California once but, never just to visit! This time I'm going on business and pleasure! A really good friend of mine is getting married and I'm going as a friend and hired vendor! Can't wait to capture Julia and Peter's precious moments during their "long awaited" wedding day! I'm shooting more weddings every year and I don't get to shoot people I know really well very often...when it's a good friend it's double blessing!

Also, I wanted to let you know that since I'll be out of town I'll not able to blog! Even though it breaks my heart! I'll be back with new photos early next week!

www.noemiphotography.com

35W Collapsed?

Can you believe it? One of our major highways? Just collapsing? Here's the story! The weird part is...I was on the highway 24 hours before it fell! That fact really shook me up. Looking at the pictures, hearing the news reports and letting my thoughts wonder...it really hits close to home! It's different then 9-11 when I can picture myself in the middle of the tragedy.

My heart and prayers go out to all the families who have lost loved one and for those who are waiting to hear...I'll keep praying!

My sister-in-law called last night and said, "You alright? Just wanted to make sure. Cause we don't need any more crisis this year!" She's right, we've been in a season of dealing with hard stuff over and over again. It's definitely brought me closer to everyone around me. It makes me want to get everyone together, look them in the eyes, tell them everything I love about them and how much they mean to me!

I know some of you reading are more directly effected by this shocking news and I want you to know I'm sorry for your loss/pain.

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My thoughts on clients...

My "faithful" friends read my blog every day. It's fun and a little bit of pressure! One of my friends commented on how much she loves the little comments I write on every blog that makes her feel like she's knows the people in the pictures too! I didn't think twice about my comments before now...now I feel like I gotta be insightful and original to capture the client! I don't mind a little pressure. Every one of my clients captures my heart in a different way and taking the time to tell you how is my pleasure! On a side note...I just realized that I've written 110 blogs! In-cre-di-ble! When I started, I remember thinking that I would write every week or so and now I love it so much I write daily! What's even more amazing people read what I write! I can't wait to break 200! Keep those comments coming.

www.noemiphotography.com

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Getting busy...slowing down.

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I know I'm going into one of the busiest seasons of my life and I'm really excited. Well, If you would've asked me last night my answer would have been more along the lines of being overwhelmed but today, I really felt like something has changed in me. It's been an intense couple of months. My friends Ryan and Brianna Morrison had sextuplets! Six beautiful babies that grabbed a hold of my heart from the moment I laid eyes on them. It's been so painful to let 5 go. My heart and love for Ryan, Brianna and Sylas grows every day. I desperately want to help them and I wish I could do more. On top of that, so much has happened in my own family and crisis with some of my closest friends...nothing could have prepared me. AND truthfully, I wasn't prepared. Photography has boomed on top of everything else and as thankful as I am, it's been overwhelming...until today. I went out last night with some close girlfriends and they spend the whole evening listening, encouraging me and speaking truth into my life. Today I feel lighter; ready to jump into the exciting season of weddings ahead of me.

I love what I do and I know I'm good at what I do..now I'm excited do it! You get to enjoy the ride and watch every week as more pictures appear capturing families, love affairs, emotions and more! I love blogging for that very reason...immediate gratification!

So, I think the moral of the story is: I'm getting busier but inside, I'm slowing down. Taking long, deep breaths, rolling on the floor laughing with Adriah, going on dates with Matt, spending time with friends and stopping work to take needed breaks...even when I have so much more to do.

Life is good! Sometimes we just need friends to remind us just how good it is. Thanks girls!

www.noemiphotography.com

Out of Control...

You know what's amazing? The last 3 times I've left the country crisis happens at home. I don't know why, but it's been a really hard year and there's so much I'm still processing. This past week my best friends dad died, a friend miscarried, and Lucia Rae Morrison went to be with the Lord. I'm torn with grief yet, I have a two year that doesn't let me stop to think for even a minute. Is that the Lord's grace?

I don't know why bad things happen to good people...it's a tough one. Even more so, I don't know why I think everything should be fair. It's not fair that I have good health and someone else doesn't or that I'm married to an amazing man and someone else isn't. But I think it's healthy to ask the questions and talk things out with those closest to me...or to the whole world through my blog :) 

I really needed good news this week and I got some. Another friend is expecting...and I'm reminded that there's a miracle in our midst again. I'm smiling.

Blogging is a funny thing. I guess I just needed to write for a minute. Everyone has hard weeks...this was one of mine. Thanks for listening.

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