Feed my brain!!!

Tonight I was wondering,
"If I went back to school, would I get another degree? A Masters? And in what?"
What would YOU go back to school for?

I graduated from Bethel University in May of 2006 with a BA in Communication (I also had a minor in Psychology). I loved my classes, and I think I had a fantastic education, overall. Almost everyday, I use the knowledge I attained from both areas of study. I'm reading books and blogs to learn more about wedding photography and business... I have great mentors... And I'm learning a lot from Freedom Club and Open Source Photo forum (OSP)...and I'll be going to my first WPPI convention in March!

I'm continually learning! Sometimes it's overwhelming how much information there is to soak up. But most of the time it's exciting, because who doesn't love learning about things they love? Or learning things that will help you succeed with what you love! (For example, "Statistics"... A class that Psych majors have to take and do not always love... but it helps them on the journey to do what they love.)

I find it funny that I'm even thinking about school. With all that I'm learning these days, you'd think I'd have no need or desire to go back to school! Perhaps it's the structure of school. No, I never really enjoyed the actual writing of the papers, or taking the tests, or studying... But I enjoyed what i was learning about (most of the time:)). I think I miss the human interaction-- the unique opinions and viewpoints of my fellow students and instructors... it helped my viewpoints expand and develop.
I think I get a level of the interaction with blogging and OSP, but there's nothing like that face-to-face discussion. I LOVE meeting with prospective clients at coffee shops... It's a chance to talk face to face with people!

I love talking with people about things they are passionate about.
I love when people offer helpful advice to me.
I love giving advice to others-- even if it is not helpful, I only want to offer it
in order to be helpful, and if that person doesn't believe it's helpful,
then that's ok!
I love photography, art, and anything visual.
I love communication and psychology (which is why I studied them at Bethel!)

So I did some google searches for programs I might be interested in...
If I went back to school right NOW, I think it would be for one of two things:
1) MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) in Design Criticsm. It was a difficult program
to find... because I couldn't put my finger on what it was I was interested in doing, specifically... But then I found this program. Here's a bit of the description:
".... providing the tools for researching, analyzing, evaluating and chronicling all aspects of design, students will prepare for careers as design critics, journalists, editors, curators, educators and design managers."
The unfortunate thing: This program is only offered in New York at the School of Visual arts, and would cost roughly $55k for the two year program.
2) MFA Visual Communications...
In college, I tried to choose a few classes that focused on the visual aspect of communication or I did my research projects on certain visual communications... photography and business, have a lot to do with visual communication... and Visual Communications has a bit to do with Psychology. So really, I feel that in a way, I was studying Visual Communication for the most part... even though my emphasis was on "Human Communication." It was a VERY broad major, so las year, Bethel split it up into three different areas:
Organizationalt Communication
Relational Communication
Rhetorical Communication
(And they still have Media Communication... an area in which I almost had a 2nd minor!)
3)MFA in Photography
... you can teach at some colleges with an MFA... I think that would be very fun.

On a related note, I found this website very intriguing...
The Photography Criticsm CyberArchive
Call me boring....:)


While I would enjoy going back to school, I don't think I have the money for that...(I'll be paying off loans from my beloved university for quite some time),
AND I don't know if I have it in me right NOW to go through 2 years of school... I'm still exhausted after 4 years of college that were really tough. Well worth it, but tough.

And so, I will continue to learn in the ways aforementioned--
unless it is made obvious by God that I should do otherwise!


In my next post, I will share some photos from my last day of working at my other job. I am officially "on my own" as of last Friday. (I still have tremendous support from many people, so I cannot exactly say I am "on my own" :)

A portrait of sweetness...

Ryan and Michelle... one of my favorite weddings of 2007...because of the entire beauty of the day.
Love was everywhere.
Kissing, hugging, laughing, dancing, crying...both tears of joy, and of saddness...

Their families knew that Ryan and Michelle would be leaving soon.
Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Thailand, where they are currently
teaching English in a refugee camp. Please pray for them, as it is not always
an easy task, and is sometimes dangerous. HERE is their blog... so well written by Ryan.

Ryan is an INCREDIBLE photographer (It was a complete honor that they chose me
to shoot their wedding!). He hopes to have an exhibit or gallery of his photos when he returns.
He does not post the majority of his images, for sake of security (for the
refugees). I cannot wait to see more of his images when they return.

You can see more photos from their wedding HERE.

What makes a good day? (A post with photos always helps!)

Today is a good day. Went downstairs to make breakfast. Turned up the heat (not sure how the heck it got down to 63 degrees!! Turned it up to 70). I was greeted by Sparty. He was immediately at my feet and rubbing against my legs and continued to do so the entire time I was in the kitchen. (Lately, everytime we're in the kitchen, he thinks he's getting food too...?)

And, if I start the day off with a good breakfast, the day is then, almost always, just as good.
*Eggs, over-easy(Close to perfect! I've been practicing), with ample amount of ground black pepper on top.
*1 cup of crushed pinapple.
*Earl Grey tea.

The things that make me the most happy, in no particular order:
1) Tastey food or beverage = happy.
2) Being warm = happy (this includes things like sleeping in, wearing sweatpants(Aaron surprised me with two AMAZINGLY comfy pairs for Christmas!!), taking a hot shower, and cuddling under a blanket).
3) Massages/touch = happy (even if it's just a hand massage..or fingertip, even! I just melt! haha!:))
4) Making people laugh and being with people who make me laugh = happy.
5) Candles = happy.
6) Getting inspired (About life, photography, love, church... anything!)= happy.

I'm not a morning person (getting up means getting out of my warm bed!!!) and I feel more relaxed and in the evening.

My perfect evening alone: Cuddled up with a blanket on the couch, wearing sweatpants, Sparty cuddled up next to me (purring), scented candle burning, lights dimmed, reading a book about something I'm passionate about, or journaling about something I'm passionate about, drinking a good red wine, tea, or chai tea latte.
Perfect evening with my husband: Just being with him... doing anything!
Perfect evening with friends: Good food, beverage, and laughs (may include playing a game or doing some fun activity. Talking is always fun too... as long as it involves laughter:)
Perfect evening with family: Good food, relaxing, catching up, laughing.
Perfect day of work: Quick blog update, read other friend photographers' blogs, get editing done, sending the images to clients via online gallery, hear their excitement about how much they love the images!, finish drinking tastey warm beverage and change out of sweatpants, drop DVD of images in mail on the way to meet with prospective clients at a local coffee shop (I love meetings!)

I'm about to get some photos finished today! yay! I have a VERY full two weeks of editing, due to being behind because of my old computer's harddrive failing (but as I've mentioned before, no worries-- I had pics backed up) and having to wait on new computer to come via UPS truck and the Christmas season, and being sick as well! But I'm thrilled for these next two weeks. I'm really enjoying editing right now, and I can't wait to hand over all of these images! Everyone has been very patient and understanding, which I am so grateful for. If you think of it, please pray that my computer continues to run smoothly, and that I stay healthy so I can get this all done! Thanks!

Slipping a CD of Louis' photos in the mail today! Here are a few from his 2-year old session! He was the cutest little boy! :

A new year!!!!

Happy New Year, everyone!!

I can not even tell you how excited I am for this year.
Lots of changes, fun, and new things!
One new thing... a new website! I bought it today!
I'll let you know when it's up and runnin, of course!
A change.... I will no longer be a photographer with First Day Photo.
It makes me very sad, because it was a fun job, and I loved the people I worked for.
I was fortunate to have such a great job. But the time has come where I have become
so busy with my business, that I need to focus more on my own business. Jessica (my boss and friend) totally understood this and is so supportive of my decision. Of course if they are ever in a pinch, and I can help out, I ceratainly will. I've never posted any photos I've taken from First Day Photo because I'd have to ask the parents for permission to do that. Perhaps I'll ask this week. I think this will be my last week. As I said, very sad, but very exciting as well... We'll see what God has in store!

Aaron and I threw a party last night. I usually host a few parties a year,
but this year was too busy for that because it was my first full year in business!
I will post photos from weddings this year on my next post, hopefully. But I have a lot of catch-up to do! So I'll do my best. Here are some photos from the New Year's Party!

(((PLEASE NOTE: All photos were taken with a point and shoot. Not my professional camera:)))

Playin some games:


New Year's was about 10 minutes out, and I put out the hats and noise makers. Marie was one of the first to choose...

Then the others came....They got a little carried away with testing the noise makers. My husband came upstairs and goes, "It hasn't happened yet!"

The after-celebration traditional new year party photos:





6 years with this guy! Crazy! 2nd New Year's as a married couple!:


Marie, Jason, Nimmy(aka Dan), Greg and I stayed up until almost 4am playing Scattagories. It was rather entertaining. It was sad after everyone left...


Sparty was tuckered out! It was his first party... he was a bit confused why everyone was staying up! So he took ay morning nap today.


I didn't take any photos when I was celebrating Christmas "back home." (at my parents' place.) I've been taking most the week off from that. Here's a photo from Thanksgiving, though, that might give you an idea of the warmth I expereience when I go over to "my old house" :)

Here's one more photo... this was from thanksgiving as well... With my Grandma. She's a favorite:)


I feel renewed after this holiday. I'll admit that it was tough, starting out this holiday... it pretty much forced me to take a breather that I didn't want to take. But I realy needed it, and I'm ready for this next year... Bring it on!
I hope you were all able to take a breath this season, and were able to enjoy God's peace.

I have an engagement session and a few weddings to finish editing soon. So you'll see some more photos comin, even though it's the "off season!"