Christmas Collages

These are some of my latest. I have been a collage making machine!! =) The top of course, is my own family =) I traded with a friend-- the family at the bottom-- the husband is a hobbbyist and loves to mess around with my camera-- so I turned him loose. He did a great job-- Thanks so much Shawn!! I then took the pics and edited them-- you know I can't keep my hands off of them! I am pretty happy with them-- and will be using them for my Christmas cards!!

Theirs is at the bottom- it was pretty wild -- we got dressed in about 15 minutes and only had about an hour and a half shooting time for TWO families!! Not to mention reigning in the kids from playing!! It was lots of fun though!!
I became friends with them through teaching their child, too-- a recurring theme!! =)Now our entire family is pretty close-- the men are big buddies- hunt together-- and usually talk more than the 2 of us!! =)

The middle family is also a good friend through my daughter! They met in Pre-k-- and they should look VERY familiar!! They have been repeat clients SEVERAL times!! I love taking their pictures-- Thay are all just beautiful! We had a great time!!

This was my LAST session before the new year-- woo hoo!! (although I do have lots of work left- editing and blogging!)

Promise of Joy:
Always be happy. Never stop praying. Give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This is one of my favorite verses. It gives me comfort. You can't control everything-- but you can have a relationship with the ONE who DOES!! The God of the Universe- AWESOME!!

Christmas

The Christmas famliy... I think I have decided that that is the COOLEST last name ever!! It was so much monogramming CHRISTMAS cards! That is great!

Aren't these 2 beautiful! Wow-- who knew there were so many gorgeous children in the world? I had a great time!! I loved the bright colors and the great scarf! They are sweet and so much fun! Thanks so much for asking me to capture these memories!! It is great to get the opportunity to meet great families like you guys! I look forward to doing it again in the Spring!! =)

By the way-- she was on the "waiting list"-- I had a cancellation and I gave her a call. If you want to be added to that list-- just send me an email and I keep it right by my desk so that I can call you as soon as I know. I think it worked out great! =)

Also-- I am now BOOKED for the ENTIRE 2010 calendar year!!! Can you believe??? If you had told me that a year ago I would NOT have believed you!! When God has His hand on something- He doesn't hold back! WOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!! ♥ I am truly thankful for all that He blessed me with getting this business started and I give Him all the glory! And it has been a tremendous experience getting to meet all the wonderful people that I have!! It has been an awesome journey!!

I am excited-- my OWN family is actually having pictures made tomorrow- woohoo!!! We have NEVER had Christmas pictures made-- isn't that funny? So check back to see how that goes!!

Promise of Joy:
Our only power and success comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5

You know- if we REALLY understood this and lived by it- can you imagine the wonders He'd entrust to us?? I am really working on this and have tried to turn everything over to Him. But sometimes that is so hard when so much rides on your success. The lines get blurred between want and NEED! ♥

**My sweet niece is going on a mission trip to Brazil in the summer-- she needs prayer support and some financial support. Please pray for her- her name is Shelby- and her leaders. They are truly seeking God's will and shining His light into a very dark world.
**If God leads you to contribute financially to this mission, you will receive a free 5x7 print from your session (your choice of pose).

Adorable 'G' Family

You may recognize this gorgeous bunch, too. I had the pleasure of photographing them not too long ago! I am sooo excited that they had so much fun they were willing to come back for more and MORE. We have another session planned in the spring-- I can't wait!!

This little trio is so much fun and so darned cute! The boys go to my school and I teach with their Mom. The younger one comes up to me everyday with his arms stretched up waiting for a big hug! It is so sweet- we really bonded over these pictures- HAHA!!

He started off today pouting and saying "no pictures", but when we left the first site he said "This was so much fun! Are we going to take more?" That was so sweet! So-- I guess that is why these turned out so well. But-- when he decided it was over... it was! =)

Thanks so much for giving me this privilege again. I feel so honored! I am truly looking forward to the next one.
And- I just could not resist creating a collage of her-- she is just beautiful and was so cooperative!


Promise of Joy:
No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don't stay down long.
Proverbs 24:16

This is a new scripture for me-- but how awesome is that? That is so true. With our confidences in Christ-- how could we stay down! This just made me smile all over!!

Sweet Cheerleader

You will recognize this little beauty from an earlier post. We had intended to take cheer pictures then, but just ran out of daylight (and that was BEFORE the time-change) =) So I promised them I would do hers very soon.

It really did not take us long at all and was pretty fun. Again-- the bird-like mosquitos are vicious right now! Wow!! Do NOT go outdoors without some mosquito spray handy! I even captured one with a huge mosquito right in the middle of her fore-head!! It didn't make the blog! HA!

Well, ''M', I hope you love them as much as I do. The one of her turning toward me is my absolute favorite and I turned it BW and vintage-- you can see those in the gallery.

She is beautiful; inside and out!!


Promise of Joy:
It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13

All of the good that we possess comes from Him and Him alone. I am so thankful that He has blessed us with these wonderful children. I thank God for all of these families He has allowed to photograph and pray for everyone of them before each session. I know I can only do what He has given me to do!!

Jones Family

I love getting to meet all sorts of new people in this job! That is half the fun of doing it =)
This family is friends with so many of my other clients. What a wonderful bunch of friends they all have! I am honored to be a small part of that.

This is truly a wonderful and unique family. We had been shooting about 5 minutes with the mom said. "In case you haven't figured it out, we adopted our youngest." I sort of giggled- because I had sort of figured that out by that point, but I would not have mentioned it. But I am so glad she mentioned it-- because those stories are awesome to me and I could listen to them all day.

This family was sent information on several children- but when they saw this adorable little guy, they knew in their hearts he was their son. Wow!!! That is definitely in God's plan. You know that He knows whose loving arms this child will be in-- and I believe that the love they have for him was there before they ever met him-- that is the kind of God we serve!

And of course, the handsom little guy that he is lucky to have for a big brother is son. They are just adorable and you can tell they get along really well.

My family and I had just gone to eat at Cracker Barrell, so I got them these colorful suckers that never fail to make adorable pictures =)

I had a wonderful time!! I can not wait until next year!! Thanks so much for going ahead and booking with me-- I really appreciate you and look forward to seeing you again!!

Oh-- and thanks 'A' for referring yet another WONDERFUL family!! Pick out your 8x10 and let me know!! =)

Promise of Joy:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am so thankful to worship the One True God who truly does have a will and a plan for each of us. This is something that I am truly in awe of, and second guess myself on constantly. To know you are in the Will of God in your life is the most awesome feeling. It is also amazing to think that the God of the Universe is interested in what I am doing with my life! Wow!! He is interested in YOURS too. He wants you to to trust Him as your Savior- then trust him with your life- ALL of it. =)

Beautiful Girls!!

Wow! I am sooo glad we postponed that rainy day! We couldn't have asked for a prettier day! (But man-- those hummingbird sized mosquitos were intimidating!) HA!!

I had never met these little beauties before- but I am so glad I did! =) They were such sweet sisters! I even got sweet hugs and kisses between the 2! They are only 1 year apart and were the best of friends. I had the HARDEST time deciding which ones to post!! There were so many!!!

The fishing pole pics were done especially for Daddy. Aren't those sweet? And as you can see- they will soon be big sisters. =)

Thanks so much for trusting me to capture these memories. They are adorable!!!
Best of luck with that new baby boy!!

Promise of Joy:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
This is my prayer tonight. I need renewal -- physical and spiritual!! =) Especially physical- HA!!! Thank you God for your strength and Grace.

Friends

I have been looking forward to this session for a looong time. I taught the little girl in these photos- and loved taking pictures of her! She is photogenic and a great listener! =)

They came to a session with friends- and we all had a great time. All of the children were so sweet and cooperative. The weather was gorgeous-- it could not have gone any better!

I had tons to choose from-- so I know this is just a "teaser" for these Moms-- I will have more on the gallery site very soon!

Thanks so very much for asking me to take your pictures! It was so much fun!!

Promise of Joy:
Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:8

Happily Ever After...

What a perfect ending to a perfect night!!!

(By the way-- that last picture is my second favorite from the ENTIRE day!! I love it!! They look soooo excited!!)

Everything was so personal and wonderful! Everyone had a great time- relaxing and enjoying friends! The bride and groom took their time visiting with everyone and doing all of the "necessities". It was beautiful.

This will probably be the last post on the blog =( It just takes so long to upload everything- BUT--------- if you want to see a slideshow of the entire event- they will ALL be posted to mt gallery site very soon. All you have to do is click on the "Nielsens Flash" button over to the right on this blog and will take you straight there! There is also a button on the gallery site that will take you straight to the blog. Please take a minute to go see the rest of the portraits and all of the spectacular details of the evening. Just click on the wedding galleries. I will have them separated into "wedding", "reception" and "portraits" to make it a little easier. There is a slideshow button there- click on it and enjoy!

I am will still be working on some "special" touch ups just for fun-- so keep checking back to the gallery.

I have gotten a HUGE response from these posts-- I can not tell you how much I appreciate all of your sweet words of encouragement!!! I have been overwhelmed at everyone's enthusiasm. It has been awesome to have so much fun and consider it a "job"! WOW!!! Thank you all- from the bottom of my heart!! I truly give God the glory for anything you may count as talent. He has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams!

I really do know that this couple has started an incredible journey. Please lift them up in prayer, that God will bless them and strengthen them.

Thanks, S Family-- you are near and dear to my heart. Please let me know if there is ever anything at all I can do =) Love you guys!!


Promise of Joy:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

May there always be 3 in your marriage-- With the Lord being the head of your household. God Bless you.

A Wedding Story

I was so honored to get to photograph this gorgeous bride and her beautiful wedding. I have tons more-- but these sort of tell "the story". Keep scrolling down to see more of the wedding and the bridals. And come back later-- I will still post more =)

Promise of Joy:
For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24

Getting Ready

Ok-- this picture right here is probably my very FAVORITE! (You will see me write that a lot, I think)-- but this one is not really for the great pose, or creativity or anything "special". And I am going to give credit where credit is due-- my sweet and MOST HELPFUL husband captured it!! I absolutely fell in love with it. Here is why-- the bride is in the "Bridal Room" at the church-- she is peeking through the window into the auditorium to see all of her guests. Brandon happened to be standing right there to snap it! He truly captured the light in her eyes! She is just a doll and had that special feeling ALL brides should have!

Well- I am s-l-o-w-l-y getting to the end of the 1st phase of editing the portraits from this gorgeous wedding! I am so ready to "play" with them that getting through this part has been torture =)
The collage is of the Bride getting ready. Her 2 Maids of Honor were helping her with all of those bridal "chores". They were all so laid back and so much fun-- it was truly a pleaseure to be there as a "fly on the wall"!

Promise of Joy:
A glad heart makes a happy face.
Proverbs 15:13

I think I used this verse recently-- but it sooo fits the top picture. A happy and confident bride is the most beautiful. =)