i cannot believe it has already been two weeks since i traveled to the beautiful state of montana to meet barb uil of jinky art .  my experience can only be described with one word..amazing. it was a chance of a lifetime to be educated by barb…she has a talent that is admired worldwide.  our home for two days was the most wonderful family ranch just outside of hamilton, montana.  it truly was beauty beyond belief and a photographer’s dream…literally.  a beautiful farm house situated at the foot of the mountains…i felt like i was sitting in the midst of country living magazine.  and, the light…the light at dusk was breathtaking and to us photographers light is everything.  for two days barb inspired the 12 of us who were there…we laughed, listened, learned and photographed the most adorable children.  i loved every minute of my time there…and, left with a spinning mind of ideas and excitement to get back to my clients in minnesota.

please take some time to go look at barb’s work…she will draw you in with her lovely, whimsical, soulful photography.  meeting barb was an experience i will cherish forever…she has changed the way i look at my business and for that i will forever be grateful.  jinky art blog

and, below are a few of the little lovelies i had the opportunity to photograph…these were a few of my favorites.

welcome to the world little isla…you are so sweet…i know you did not want to sleep…you really just wanted to see the world for many hours on end.  :)   it allowed me a lot of time to chat with your mommy and i really loved that.  i am glad we managed to capture a few moments of  you in dreamland…you were so at peace.  i look forward to watching you grow.

last week-end i traveled to napa valley, ca to attend a photography retreat with other photographers from around the country.  napcp  (national association of professional child photographers) is an association that i feel so lucky to be a part of.  it was  wonderful time.  i left feeling relaxed, inspired and so blessed to be part of an industry that is filled with so many wonderful individuals.  it is so great to go to a retreat and not only learn, but leave with many new friendships (old and new) which will last forever.  while we were there, we had the opportunity to take photos of what i think were some of the most beautiful children.  i know their parents will never read this post, but i could not get over how sweet and polite these children were. i met such lovely children and families and it only reaffirms why i love my job so much.  i have to admit, i am a bit envious of all you napa photographers who have scenery like you will see below, which you get to use to photograph.  (whine and sigh…)  :)  here are a few of my favorites.

photographers AND parents, please take a peek at the napcp webpage.  http://www.napcp.com/blog.php/

a friend of mine sent me this you tube video last night.  i love it…it is a simple message and beautiful and so so true.

and, you will have tears all over your cheeks.  as my friend said…take 7 quiet minutes to listen to this…it is a good one.

my grace is 4 today and  i am filled with emotion.  i am sad that 4 years could go by so quickly, but excited to see what each new year will bring for her.  my heart bursts with feelings of proudness when i look at her and she is only 4.  i could of course go on and on because i am so in love with this little girl, but i end by saying how lucky i feel to have been given this perfect little being four years ago today.  we were filled with amazement when we looked into her teeny little eyes and i am still filled with amazement every time i look at her. happy birthday my sweet grace. i love you with alllll of my heart.