my crazy beautiful life in iPhoto...

I had started this really in depth post to explain my absence from the photography world. Only to realize that no one wants to read some sob story, so I'm going to keep this upbeat and fun. Here's the peppy version of why I've been absent...

Mom sends link to property up for auction.

I think "only if I win the lotto", but get curious and check it out.

See potential. For someone else.

What the heck. Go bald getting pre-approved for loan in less than two weeks.

Get a phone call, while headed to a final wedding, that we literally own a new house.

Visit the house.

Have too pee.

Flush.

While washing my hands see "black thing" floating around bowl.

"What the..." I just peed on a snake!!! Can't breath, or pee in house again!

Two days later find snake downstairs sink. Father-in-law kills the beast. Phew!

One of our dogs has to be put down. I feel like I'm writing a country song. Ha!

Find out some things have to be fixed before the loan will be final. Ahem...snakes!

After several trips to home improvement stores, and a new roof we're ready.

Loose ten years off my life getting "actual" approval for the home loan.

Get the keys to the house. Happy dance.

Get in touch with my power tool side. 

Pack and fix up current home for possible rental. 

Move, at which point my brain was so fried, I literally wasn't speaking in coherent sentences.

Immediately get pregnant... Like 4 days after move! 

Love my toilet.

Love my couch.

Save two year old from himself.

Love my toilet.

Love my couch.

Think about unpacking. Eehhh.

Love my toilet.

Love my couch.

Look at my computer, then go love the toilet.

Needless to say the last part of the list has been my life for over 24ish weeks. I'm not looking for pity, because I've been extraordinarily blessed! I realize that!!! I find humor in the fact that sometimes when prayers are answered... you don't get the choice of timing! This all happened on an extremely busy wedding and portrait season. We were blessed to shoot ten weddings back-to-back, and several portrait shoots. No shortage of amazingness! 

However, on a serious note... I do want to apologize to my former brides for not posting their wedding sooner. I take full responsibility for my actions and hope you're all gracious enough to forgive me. I hope I can make it up to all of you in some way! 

So, now that everyone is aware that the only circus I've joined involves trying to keep my two year olds feet on the ground, and living out of boxes... I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things. No pun intended :)

hello world... meet hannah!

i can feel it.

feel too much of me.

the mirrors that all reflect

me back.

the boundaries of myself;

to tightly kept.

if only a key to 

my land; locked

a key to open,

release.

free me to the ocean edge.

the edge where it stops

being me and begins being

the wild open expanse of

everything; nothing,

freedom.

the misty salt breeze of tears

released.

and wind that whips hair 

and hold my breath.

until finally, finally,

the locked door of myself is

opened to the feeling of 

being a part of again.

-hannah stone, landlocked version2

word are something that i struggle with. it's one of the main reasons i struggle blogging. i want perfection, and can rewrite two sentences for hours... it's seriously pathetic!... enter hannah. she's a former bride and dear friend. she has been a source of encouragement through my joys and struggles with motherhood. she is a word master. at one point we had discussed some collaboration projects, but sadly life got in the way. so it was exciting one day when i open up my email to see a sweet message from her, and a poem she thought would be appropriate for one of my couples. that got me thinking. when the perfect images are married with the perfect words... magic happens. so i asked if she would mind if i published some of her works with my weddings.... and she said yes! so over this wedding season you will be treated to beautifully composed words. i hope you enjoy!

about hannah, as told by hannah...

i've always loved to write. i love how simple word are, black and white on a page. and yet they can take you so many places, make you feel so many things. i don't ever set out to write a poem. they just sort of happen. there is always a word or an image, thought or idea, that gets stuck in my head rattles around and won't stop until i write it out. writing is the only way i know how to understand what i am thinking and feeling inside myself. and sometimes when i stop and put down my pen, read what i just wrote, i'm surprised by what i read. the honestly look inside. it's like therapy! read more from and about hannah on her blog at writethelight.com. 

happy easter...

from our family to yours... happy easter!

tell all tuesday...

what is your favorite smell?

j: i've always been amused at how a smell can trigger a memory. because if that there are sooo many smells that i would consider a favorite.... if i was to narrow it down to one, fresh cut alfalfa. it reminds me of my childhood and my incredibly hard working parents.

s: coffee, i could sniff it all day long... the grinds especially!  funny fact about staci... decaf coffee, can keep her up all night!

mountain hideaway or beach house?

j: i'm going to say beach house. there is something so laid back about the ocean. it's the perfect place for long walks, beautiful sunsets, sandcastles and good food. i'm pretty sure it's the laid-back stress-free feeling that appeals to me!

s: oooohhh thats a hard one. i'm going to say mountain hideaway, because during the summer you could enjoy hiking and biking and in the winter, skiing, snowmobiling and sledding...

...and just because i haven't shown a pic of my "super love bug" lately... 

this image cracks me up... hope it makes you smile :)

tell all tuesday...

if you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

j: 28... when i was in high school i remember reading an article in cosmopolitan that said the best age to marry a man was 28. their reason was because he was more mature, established in his job and most likely successful.... (and for all of those thinking it... no, i don't believe everything i read!) from then on, i was enamored with the age 28.  i remember telling my great-grandmother that i was going to get married when i was 28, and she was horrified. she told me i would be an "old maid" .... well grams, i got married at 28 and it was a good, good year!

s: i'm going to say 35, i know i'm not there yet, jonda is close (haha), but you're a little established in life, you're a little wiser, a little smarter, yet still young enough to have fun!

if you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?

j: i honestly wouldn't change my name. my parents created my name by combining their middle names. i love how personal and unique it is! :)   

s: schwanda... just say it out loud, it makes you laugh... ok, in all seriousness i think i would keep staci. i've always loved the name olivia, though... who knows!

i'm feeling some staci love today... this girl makes my world go round! besides being super talented she's the perfect lighting model. i'm so fortunate to work with someone this stinking cool!  hugs lady!

tell all tuesday...

if you were a crayon what color would you be?
j: hummm.... aqua or orange. i know it asks for one color, but who can really just pick one!
s: first of all did you know crayons originated in 1903? random fact of the day. i don't know the technical crayon name but some shade of bright green.

what is the first thing you notice about people?
j: eyes. i have a thing for beautiful eyes. i'm big on eye contact when talking to or listening to people. i'm always amazed by how may beautiful color combinations there are... my personal fav is light eyes combined with dark skin tones!
s: their smile. i like smiling.

just a recent taste of two different angles during lorin and bryan's wedding in spokane... 

love me some staci hoggin' the pic :)

happy birthday jonda...

i am totally going to get into trouble for this one, but it will be worth it. today is jonda's birthday and i just wanted her to know how loved she is!  so happy birthday to one of the most caring, generous, creative, talented, fun loving, sincere, and most awesomeist (which i know isn't a word but it's her birthday which means we can make up words) people i know!  here's a little sneak peek of jonda as a wee one...look how cute she was as a kid...don't worry jonda, the cuteness hasn't worn off with age, you've still got it.  hope you feel the love today and know how special you are to so many people.  from all the blog readers out there and especially your family and me, we love you! 

tell all tuesday...

if you had to spend one year living alone in a remote cabin what would you spend your time doing?

j: reading, baking, hiking, photography, learning how to sew and knit, and possibly writing a children's book. 

s: crafting. anything from taking pictures, sewing, making jewelry, painting to sculpting. how amazing would a year without interruptions be?! do i get to have the internet at my remote cabin? i might miss that.

if you could do something dangerous just once with no risk what would you do?

j: since staci stole my bank robbing answer... hmmm... compete in a demolition derby! smashing cars would be soooo fun! a little redneck coming out in me :)

s: i'll rob a bank and take the police on a high speed chase through a city, down along a stretch of freeway and to one of those brides that lifts up. i would jump the bridge and land on the other side as it's opening up and speed away at sunset. them move to my remote cabin for a year and craft!

we may look funny, but we get the job done :)

tell all tuesday...

what do you wish you were better at saying no to?
j: girl scout cookies. the samoas. if the girl scouts were smart they would stalk my house! i once spent $60 on cookies so that they would last me more than a week. yep, i have issues... and i love them! :) just found out there is a iPhone app for finding girl scout cookies! haha!
s: food. i just love food and it's starting to love my hips!

if you could work as an assistant to anyone for a year who would you choose?
j: stephanie willimas. she is my all time favorite photographer, and i adore her look books for ruche. amazing, amazing!
s: the photographer for anthropology. maybe i'd get some free cloths too.

the shot... and the final product.

tell all tuesday...

if money were no object what kind of party would you throw and where?
j: a masquerade ball complete with costumes, traditional dancing performances and fabulous food. since money is no object... i would buy a castle and hire an coordinator for the whole event. fun times!
s: i would fly all my friends to maldives and rent each of them a little hut out on the water. we would have a giant pig roast on the beach with a live band and lots of dancing.

what would you love to find at a yard sale?
j: a van gogh painting that's worth millions. something that someone else thought was garbage. that would be soooo sweet!
 s: oohh, there are so many thing i want from a yard sale. i would love an old pink kitchen set for a photo shoot. pink fridge, stove and free standing sink. can't you just picture it!

taking the shot... and the final product.

tell all tuesday...

favorite musical group or musician?
j: this is a hard one for me since i love music and listen to everything... but one artist has been my favorite throughout the years... sarah mclachlan.
s: fergie

what are you willing to splurge on while shopping?
j: jewelry, but especially earrings. i never get the urge to ask "do these earrings make my ears look fat?"
s: typically jeans. i love a good pair of jeans.

show me some love... even though you can't feel your toes :)

tell all tuesday...

what's your favorite quotation?

j: "if a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. let him step to the music which he ears however measured or far away." - henry david thoreau

s: "procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

what is your favorite ice cream flavor?

j: during college i worked for the wsu creamery... i have never found another ice cream like their chocolate peanut butter... it could solve all the worlds problems in one bite!

s: pretty much any tillamook ice cream... their mud slide is pretty much thebomb.com but their vanilla bean is a close second.

two unknown facts about us... i'm 6'5" and staci is brawny! haha!

tell all tuesday...

what one question would you ask a psychic about the future?

j: what are the winning lotto numbers for the next mega millions lotto?

s: are they ever going to invent the teleport machine so i can just transport myself places in an instant?

what would you try if you had no fear?

j: scuba diving. i think it would be an incredible experience, but the thought makes me feel claustrophobic. my brain can't wrap its self around breathing under water. just thinking about it makes my heart race...

s: i would sell everything we own and take all the money and travel the world. just be a vagabond for a year, bouncing from country to country, city to city, and document it in photos.

two different views of the same moment in time. i always love going through our photos and seeing images that match up like these two. it always reminds me how much i love working with staci! 

my little distraction...

it's amazing how much trouble i get into for not sharing more pictures of my little man... 

so here is my little drama king, and his baby blues... 

tell all tuesday...

if you were stranded on an island what are three things you would need to survive?

j: fingernail clippers: they're my life force! i can't go anywhere with out a pair. i could build a fire and shelter with them! sun hat: one of those cute-floppy-straw-sun hats. every stranded person should make a fashion statement! and last but not least... matthew mcconaughey: need i saw more... sigh... :)

s: my camera, my laptop and the internet so I could post pretty island pictures for all my friends to see... oh wait, did you say stranded.... well, my husband because he would be like macgyver, plenty of natural ice chap-stick and beef jerky.

dog or cat person?

j: once upon a time i was attacked by a cat. yep, literally all four legs with claws were wrapped around my leg, and it wasn't playing! i'm still traumatized, and avoid cats as much as possible... so yeah, totally a dog person. i love my hounds! 

s: no question here, a dog person. not just any dog, only dogs that are larger than cats!

whenever we get the chance...we like to pose with handsome men. :)

gee i can't wait to post images where i'm not prego... apparently i'm hilarious. haha!

introducing little dane...

i have to apologize for my absence, and it's all because i've been caught up being a first time mom. it's been over two weeks since this tiny man came into my life and turned it upside down... in a good way of course :) he was 7.9 lbs and 21 inches of amazingness. it's hard to describe how exciting and overwhelming this whole experience has been, but i'm looking forward to the adventures of little dane.

so, during the next few months i'm putting myself on maternity leave to enjoy this time we've been given. i will still respond to emails and inquiries, but i ask your forgiveness in advance if my responses are not "immediate" :) thanks for your understanding and i look forward to everything that 2011 will bring. hugs and hearts to all!

it's a big world baby, and you're only little for a little while...

earlier this week i had the privilege of being photographed by the amazingly talented meg borders. i have adored her work for the last year, and instantly knew she was who i wanted to capture this magical time for my growing family. her style has always spoke to me, and i suggest everyone check out her beautiful family, newborn and wedding work! thank you meg for such a wonderful experience, and for letting me be a mom ;) many, many hugs and hearts to you!

cinderella...

it all started with a 1950's wedding dress that i found at a local bridal shop. something about its soft feminine lines reminded me of a childhood fairy tale. i had to own the mounds of ruffles and tulle, so i scooped up my new treasure for a whopping $40 and skipped out the door.

unfortunately, we were in the middle of wedding season with minimal time to day dream... i decided to drop the project into the lap of our good friend and creative genius, emily. my only request being a theme of cinderella and using the color white... after several emails, story boards and dinner we had a direction and shoot date. *please note that all the detail shots of props were supplied and created by emily... the bouquet, streamers, hair piece and mice... yep, emily hand made those! 

the next big project was finding a model who was tiny enough to fit into the dress. believe me when i say a 1950's size 14 is not comparable to a size 14 today. not even by a long shot!!! when i bought the dress the woman who helped me explained that in the early 50's, men would brag about their wives/girlfriends having hat-band waists... meaning their wives/girlfriends waist was the size of the hat-band that went around their head! yep, the dress was that tiny! i begged a former bride to try the dress on, and it fit her like a glove... we had our cinderella!

this is just a small taste of what our weekend. the images below are a album layout, so you're going to have to use your imagination and envision it as a 10x10 leather bound album... ha! :) i'll post  more pictures and images of the album later, but for now... i hope you enjoy a little piece of our cinderella story... happy friday!

art director/ prop creator: emily bartsch

hair and makeup: lindsey lang

model: jill madison

photography: jonda spurbeck, staci faw