Home.

      I know, I am way over due for a new blog post. I keep telling myself that once I finish all the photo editing I have to do I can update my blog..but at this point I don't know if that will ever happen. As I finish some sessions more sessions come and they just pile up. Also, I think the fact that I am so behind on blogging and so much has happened is intimidating to me, so that may be another reason why I have waited so long.
      So where do I start..Oh my.
In my last post I had mentioned that we were looking for a home. Well, we bought one! We looked long and hard and eventually got so discouraged. We had almost given up for a while when this one house kind of fell into our laps last minute. It was meant to be I guess. Remember how I had mentioned before that my dream since I was a little girl was to live by Liberty Park with my dogs? Well, it's right by Liberty and I walk my dogs there often. Thats right..I said dog(s)! I'll get into that in a bit.)
This house we found worked out great for us because it is an old home that has been flipped, so it has the old character that I love with the new updates that Burt loves. It's the most beautiful house. If it were right by a sunny beach it would be my exact dream home.
We have lived here for about 6 months now and it's almost finished being decorated. We just need to fill up a couple walls and we'll be all set! It defiantly feels like home and when we are away I miss it terribly. I don't think I have ever felt homesick for anywhere else I have lived before until recently. Maybe it's because I have been gone a lot more than normal lately it seems like.

      Now, backing up to dogs..we have a new addition in our little family. Burt and I are now outnumbered by animals and I love it that way. We got Wyld (a cute little german shepherd mix) at the same place we got Vater. (Second Chances for Homeless Pets) She was 12 weeks when we got her so we had to go through all the dumb puppy training. I forgot how hard it was to have a puppy. I can honestly say though, Vater is a huge help! Without him I don't think I would of been able to do it. She has too much energy. To be honest, Wyld had to grow on me a bit. She has always been a good dog but the puppy stages are tough. A crazy ball of energy (which she still is) that chewed on everything and peed everywhere. Not fun at all! Now she is about 6 months and is completely potty trained and has finally realized what she can and can't chew on. She has become a really great dog and I love her and Vater both the same, which is a ridiculous amount. Her and Vater are perfect for each other too. They play all day and I can't imagine my life without either of them. Wyld also gets along with Bhoomi and sometimes tries to kiss him..However, Bhoomi doesn't feel the same way about her.

      I recently booked my first (of many I hope) out of state weddings! I got to fly to Washington D.C. to photograph some bridals and a wedding day. It was beautiful there! Since I was out there for a few days I had a chance to go sight seeing a bit. I didn't want to go alone so I signed up for a tour. It ended up being a bus of about 8 old ladies and myself. We became friends instantly as they asked me how to use their iPhone cameras. It was neat to see all the things I have only heard about and seen in movies, but it was lonely at the same time seeing it all by myself, only having random strangers to share those moments with. It was especially tough going back to an empty hotel room every night. The front desk lady had a liking for me and noticed I was going in and out alone so she would give me a cookie every now and then. People say that everyone in Utah is sooo nice, but every single person I met while in DC was amazing! I would sit and have 30 minute conversations with random people I would come across. I want to go back soon. I miss the awesome people and the humidity. Oooohhh, humidity, I love you! But I do not miss driving by myself in that crazy busy city and trying to find places to park! I would not want to live there, but would be happy to visit very often! Good thing I have a couple good friends who live there. That gives me more of an excuse.
      I have been very lucky with all the weddings I was able to photograph this year. They were all so beautiful and I have loved every single bride and groom. I finally had a chance to calculate how many wedding I have done this year and I more than doubled what I did last year! I thought doing this full time would be so scary and hard. I honestly didn't believe in myself and figured I would be job hunting a few months in..now here I am almost an entire year later doing pretty well I think. I have learned a ton and feel that my photography skills have progressed so much in just one year. I cannot wait to see where I am at in another year from now. Don't get me wrong, I doubt myself many times, even still. It's hard to not get discouraged. Maybe it's just how it goes being in such a creative industry. But I found that being in a rut only means I am learning more. I know that when I get out of that rut I will be better than I was before. I say I know this, but it's hard to always keep that in mind.

      One thing I have noticed I need to do to help myself not get discouraged about my work or anything is to keep myself feeling good about myself. I make sure to spent lots of time outdoors hiking or even just taking my dogs out. I also joined a Bikram yoga studio. Changed my life, I swear. I have always done yoga, but bikram really helped me in a lot of ways that regular yoga and working out can't. I also recently got a personal trainer so I have a very strict workout schedule and document everything I eat every day. I'm gonna get feeling my best again! I can't wait! I missed the feeling of being a 'workoutaholic' and I am finally back there again.

Woohoo!

Our home.

Vater in our Kitchen

 Vater in our home on moving day!

 My little Wyld. (she already looks so much bigger!)

By myself at the white house.

Vietnam memorial.

TMI

      I took my dog, Vater, to Liberty park with my sister and her kids today. As I was walking him I thought of this plan I had for myself when I was young. When I was just a little girl Liberty park amazed me. I didn't get to go there often but when I did I always had the time of my life playing in the water area, on the playgrounds and watching fireworks. I would watch people pass me with their furry friends and told myself that when I grew up I was going to live by Liberty park and bring my dog there too. It was a simple dream, I know, but that's how I always saw myself. Now here I am, living in the city, taking my furry best friend to Liberty park...livin' my dream. Ha.
      Today was Vaters first time visiting that park and he loved it. He wasn't too excited about having to stay on his leash, but boy did he looove all the attention he was getting from all the little kids and adults! He is a big, beautiful dog so lots of people stop to ask me what breed he is and will pet him. Sweet Vater just kisses everyone and will roll over on his back to have his belly rubbed. Even the tiniest kids aren't intimidated by his size, he really has a sweetness in him that they can sense.

      I realized today Vater and I have a much stronger connection then I thought. It started this morning when my Aunt Flo came to visit. (Crimson wave, shark week, red tide, redwing, women's trouble, whatever you choose to call it.) Vater seemed a bit worries about me when he saw I was in pain. While at the park I had my sister hold his leash while I ran to the bathroom. He tried to follow me and almost pulled my sister with him, he is so strong! When I came walking back she let go and he came running to me, jumping up to kiss me on the face a few times, acting releaved I had returned and was ok.
      When we returned home later the pain had gotten worse and Vater could definitely see it. I sat down on the bed and did what every girl on her period and in pain does, I cried. I don't think Vater has ever seen my cry, I don't do that often. He hated it. I flopped down on the bed still crying and Vater jumped up,  kissed me a few times on the cheek, then layed his head on my chest and whined. He may not have known exactly what was going on but he didn't like it at all. When I felt  a little better I got my pint of dairy free chocolate ice cream  from the freezer and sat on the couch while Vater followed me the entire time then sat right next to me. He is still right by my while I lay on the couch in wide child's pose because that's the only thing that makes me feel better. I don't mean to give TMI, but it melted my heart how Vater has been today. He was meant to be a part of this little family. I can't imagine that smiley, furry man not being in my life. I'm one lucky girl for sure.

Just look at that face!

       Burt and I recently went to cancun and I couldn't believe how much I missed Vater and Bhoomi! (My bird) We had so much fun though. We definitely needed that little vacation. It was only one week but it seemed so much longer! Maybe because we did so many things. We relaxed on the beach a lot, went to both Tulum and Chichen Itza, and a park called Xplor . It's a real underground cave and we got to swim through while bats flew around above us. We got to ATV and zip line while there as well. We also got to snuba dive at a place called Xelha. Everything was so much fun! We even went to a popular night club called Coco Bongo. It's more of a circus then a night club I think.
      I absolutely fell in love with the beach in Cancun! The sand is soo white and the water is so blue, clear and warm!  I found lots of gorgeous seashells and brought a huge bag of them home. I'm excited to make something out of them. I really miss Cancun and all the people there! I immediately downloaded Spanish lessons when I got home!

      I'm sick of typing, so until next time! 

<3

   

Desert Child.

      Every day I think to myself 'I'm going to write a blog post today.' But every day times seems to fly by and I don't get a chance. A big part of the reason I haven't been posting is because I just don't know what to write about. Even though I know that if I just sit and start typing too many things will come to mind and I won't be able to stop. Thats what always happens. I'm one of those people that thinks way too much. My mind wanders constantly and never stops. It can be a good thing because I am constantly daydreaming and come up with some awesome thoughts and ideas, but a lot of the time thinking too much can turn negative.
      I'm not going to lie, owning my own business and working a lot from home is really hard. The 'owning a business' part is of course a challenge, but the thing that gets me the most is having a lot of time in my head. The weather hasn't helped. I'm not complaining, it's a lot warmer then it should be this early in March, but it's not Summer time either. I thrive on sun.
      I recently went to Moab with a good friend of mine who is also self employed. We figured we would take advantage of that and go on a little trip right in the middle of the week since we can! Moab was amazing. I have been many times before, but it has never been like this. I don't know if my eyes are a lot more open since I last went, but for some reason I saw so much more. The views everywhere are unreal. We went on the perfect days too, right before spring break started, and on the warmest days before the rain clouds came. We hiked in only tank tops and shorts, we got some crazy tan lines. We hiked over 25 miles in the 2 days we were there. It's literally all we did. We would wake up early, eat, then go hike, hike, hike! Only stopping to eat on the trail or stare at the fantastic views. I think I could live like that forever.

Arches National Park- Delicate Arch (Thats me in the center of it)

      The trails in Moab are the best too! It's so much different then your typical mountain trail hike. The trails in Moab are not trails, they are just climbing rock after rock. If it weren't for the cairns (the little piles of rocks to mark trails) you would be completely lost and end up who knows where. We climbed so high you literally feel on top of the world. The birds flying around were even below or at the same level as us. The entire time hiking you could look in any direction and just be in awe. I feel like in the mountains that is not as easy, lots of large trees and hills in your way. Another huge difference that I noticed was the silence. If you just stood and listened you would literally hear nothing. No sound of cars, no birds (except the occasional Raven's caw) not even any wind rustling through leaves.

Arches National Park

      Somehow, even in such silence, my mind was able to stay quiet. Even at times when my mind wasn't completely quiet it was still calm. I think in that environment it is impossible to have a negative thought. I felt as though if I were to feel any more positivity I would start floating up into the air and fly, all I was missing was pixie dust. Ha.

Canyonlands National Park- Murphy's Overlook (My favorite place on the planet!)

      I always thought the desert was ugly, even after being in Moab many times in the past. I thought forests and mountains were my thing. They aren't. For the first time ever I will admit, I am a desert child..the beach is right up there with it, though.

Canyonlands National Park- Murphy's Overlook

Canyonlands National Park- Island in the Sky

Canyolands National Park- Mesa Arch

Canyonlands National Park

(NONE of these photos do the views justice!)

I need to hike more. Weather it be in the desert, forest, snow, whatever, it's the best feeling. It would be so easy for me to take my dog and just go hiking every single morning, however, I am scared to death of going alone. Too many things can happen, you just never know. In fact, a good friend of mine fell off a cliff and died while hiking up in Provo Canyon by himself. The anniversary of his death was yesterday. It has been 4 years.

Crazy.

      Since coming home from Moab I have actually had an idea in my head for a new painting. If I ever get around to painting what is in my head I will show you.

      Speaking of painting, I miss it. I used to paint a lot when I had my own space to do so. A space where I won't be interrupted and can make a mess without having to clean it up right away and not be judged for it. I have always been the kind of artist who, for some reason, likes working on the floor. I had an easel and would never use it. Even sitting at a desk won't work. I like the floor. It's the only place that I have enough space to sprawl out and be surrounded by my paint and brushes. I like to be close to my work, lose myself in it. Living in little apartments it has been very difficult to do that. I have tried, but for some reason not having my own little area completely throws off my groove. Especially in my apartment now with a big dog begging for my attention 24/7.
      Burt is always asking me to paint. He knows it's something I love to do and I think it bothers him that I am not doing what I love and have loved my entire life. But good news! I will soon have my own space. Burt and I are in the process of looking for a home. I am unbelievably excited! Already the process of looking for a home has been so much better then the last! Last time I was in the market for a house I didn't have much say in what I wanted. I ended up buying the third home I looked at and didn't even love it. Burt and I have similar taste when it comes to house style. (mine may be a bit more particular, but he is ok with that.) We have already been looking at many homes online and talk about houses with each other, and of course, watch HGTV too much. We will be going out and looking at homes as soon as this weekend or early next week. I am excited for Burt and I to have our own spaces to create, him with his music and me with my art. I can't wait! I have been getting so much inspiration I know that as soon as I have a space to unleash it I am going to explode.

      Look at that, I always start a post with absolutely nothing to write about and somehow I always end up with way too long of a blog post. I'm sure I could still go on and on but I won't. I'll save the rest for next time, which hopefully will be soon. No promises.

      Oh! ..I finally have a logo for my photography business. I am so happy about it! I told the artist creating it that I need a photography logo and I love happiness and sunshine..she did an excellent job combining the two. It couldn't be any more 'me'.

There it is! A shutter as a sun.

Genius.

(Here is a little video I made from our trip!)

CLICK HERE

RIP- Porter Fisher

This is one of the last photos ever taken of Porter..if not the very last. I took this picture with my old point and shoot digital camera at Kilby Court. This just shows how important a picture can be to someone. He had this photo set as his profile picture on Facebook and still to this day everyone reposts this photo of him. He was so excited about it when I sent it to him. I'm so glad I was able to capture something so special for him to enjoy and now his family and friends to remember him by.

<3