I don’t really have anything great to say.  How did that happen?

But I don’t have much to say.  But I couldn’t let the day pass and not share something.

Sunday it was unseasonably warm, and my kids were sure they would melt if they couldn’t cool off.  They put on their swimsuits and played in the front yard.  And remember how I am trying to document my kids life more?  I decided this was a perfect time.  And snapped some shots of my kids, being them.  Have I mentioned how much I love them?  Because I do.  They melt my heart.

And then Dallin came out.  Do you see his new hair cut?  He is bald.. like bic bald.  And the crazy kid loves it.  He is beyond thrilled to have no hair and would like it to be shaved every day.  I am not so sure I am down with that.  At least he has a round head?

And they finished their fun with a major water fight.  They laughed, screamed, giggled, ran and had more fun just being kids.

That’s about it.  But stay tuned there will be lots of great shoots on the blog soon!  :)

Meet the adorable Sophie.  She is the first of my Senior’s for 2013.  And she is having a two-part shoot.  She cut her hair off right after this shoot, and donated it to locks of love!  She’s such a great girl.  But she wasn’t sure how she wanted her senior pictures so we opted to shoot both!  The short hair will be captured later.

I am sitting here shivering.. You know how after you workout at the gym, and then if you don’t get showered your body cools off with the sweat and it dries and you are cold?  I learn this stupid lesson everyday.  And yet I do it again and again.  The idea of moving to the shower is often more energy than I have left.  Lazy.

My running shoes glow.. my husband’s don’t.  My shoes are totally RAD huh?

(you can follow me on Instagram)

I mentioned before I have a goal to run a half marathon this year.  It sounds glamorous in a painful sort of way.  And once I say my goals.. I like to accomplish my goals.  I try really hard to never say anything that I can’t do.  I don’t really like to fail.  But really who does?  I was running last night with my husband and were talking.. or I was talking to him while he listened.  And my knee, my right knee hurt almost the whole run.  And I told him I am not sure I can do this.  I don’t know that I can run a half marathon this year and not destroy my knee.  And he looked at me and said, well then don’t do it.  I was dumbfounded.  How can I not do it?  I said I was going to do it.  And you just told me not to do it.  WHAT??  And then I thought.. maybe he’s right.  This goal is great, but not if I have to sacrifice my body over the long term.  I was only born with two knees.  I probably should take care of them.

But I will be honest the idea of not doing it makes me sad.  But it also seems right to me.  And so I am going to roll with it.  I will run, and continue to run.  Because somehow I went from hating every.single.step last fall when I started to looking forward to the methodical beat of pounding the pavement.  There is something therapeutic about it.  And I can’t say I won’t ever run that far, but my knee has to be a lot better.

And then I started thinking about life.  Life.. it never goes the way you plan.  Because to be honest, I never dreamed of owning my own business.  I was going to have 6 kids and be Mom.  I wasn’t going to move all over the country I was going to embrace where I was and just live my quiet little life.  And you know what?  The life I planned was good.  But the life I have is better.  I didn’t plan it. I rolled with the changes that came our way.  I learned that when you feel comfy life is just going to come back at you and teach you something else.  And so running.. I am going to keep on doing it.  The way I can.

Do you remember back to the time when you were 12.  I do.  I was a completely obnoxious tween.  Looking back I pity those adults who had to deal with the knowitallandknowitbetter me.  And one of these adults was the lovely Katrina, she was my Young Women’s leader at Church, newly married, with a new baby.  And I was her royal pain.  Somehow she loved me anyway.

Well her little girl grew up.. and Katrina forgave my obnoxious 12 year old behavior and asked me to capture her daughter’s (who was a baby when I was 12) wedding day.

Kramer and Casandra were married April 10, 2012 in the beautiful LDS Columbia River Temple.  I don’t think they could have asked for more beautiful weather.  And they had a nice afternoon wedding and we had beautiful light, no wind and the nice spring warmth we have been craving.  I was so honored to capture their love and the start of their life together.  They were beaming when they walked out of the temple together and it was so amazing to see this newly married couple together.  You could feel their immense love for one another.

Congratulations on starting your forever.

Meet Kramer+Casandra

Thank you for getting married on such a perfect day!  :)  And for allowing me to capture your love.  Congratulations!

Spring is finally here.  Are you as giddy as me?  I am so ready for the warmth, the sunshine, and the world to be full of color again.  That makes me happy.  And it is refreshing after winter, when everything is brown and drab.

I was super excited to meet up with Matt and Katie in delightful Walla Walla, Washington on Saturday.  We started early in the morning before people were out and about.  I actually really love shooting in the early morning light, it is so pretty and refreshing.  I was really excited they were up for an early shoot.

Matt and Katie, met at Katie’s work.  She works at a credit union.. he happened to go there and the rest is history.  These two are joining their lives together in July, and I cannot wait to capture their wedding.  We had several great locations to shoot at.  Old barns, train bridges.. they learned about my severe fear of heights.  And we shot at a gorgeous winery that Matt works at, Basel Cellars.  These two are so in love.  Matt has a hard time taking his eyes off of Katie.  He is smitten and it shows.  They have so much fun together and I loved every minute capturing their love.

Thank you for getting up early in the morning to hang out with me.  I am so excited for your wedding day and cannot wait to capture more of your love!

These two kids.

Dallin & Ainslee

This picture is a true to who they are.  They are best friends most of the time.  Ainslee relies on her big brother for guidance.  For help and to lean on.  And while Dallin doesn’t always want to admit it, he will protect his sister and is fiercely loyal to her.  They miss each other when one is gone.  They are my biggest blessing.  They make me laugh, cry, and want to pull my hair out all in the same day.

Our little family has lots of fun.

 And sometimes I want to share what matters most to me.

April is here and this blog will hopefully become a lot more busy!  More posts from me, and more shoots to showcase.  Wedding season is in full swing and I am thrilled!

This week I had the opportunity to capture Kevin and April’s love.  These two are getting married at the end of this month and I am so excited to capture their wedding.  They have a great love for one another and it just radiates.

Meet Kevin and April.

Thank you for allowing me to capture your love!  I cannot wait for your wedding in just a few weeks!

It’s early in the morning.  But I stayed up late working on something I wanted done.  I was in Spokane yesterday and went to visit a friend and her sweet daughter, Queen Elisabeth who is in the hospital.  I felt strongly I should take my camera and document the day.  Lisa didn’t ask.. but it turns out she was hoping my camera would join me on my visit.  I am thankful for promptings from the Spirit to take my camera.  To be able to capture a few moments.  Elisabeth is struggling right now, and she could use all of our prayers, good thoughts, or whatever you do when you know someone is in great need.  You can learn all about Elisabeth here, and keep up on the updates.  You will want to.  Elisabeth is a very special little girl.  She is 4 1/2 and in great pain.  And the doctors have yet to find the cause.  This started last Friday.

My Mom and I met up with Lisa in her room.  I have to say I walked in and noticed an overwhelming Spirit.  Elisabeth is a very loved little girl.  And the Spirit was there.  And I was in awe as I watched Lisa care for her daughter.  As I sat down tonight and looked at the images and remembered what I had felt and witnessed today.  I am not sure I can adequately express my feelings.  But I left that hospital room a better person.  I left knowing that my Heavenly Father is so very aware of each and everyone of us, and that He loves us.  He is so very aware, and it is constantly being shown to me.

Lisa and Elisabeth.

Elisabeth slept while we were there.  She is absolutely beautiful.

At times Elisabeth would start to wake and hurt, it was heart wrenching.  But Lisa would quietly calm her and she would go back to sleep.

Elisabeth has quite the collection of sock monkeys and other adorable stuffed creatures in her room.  They are delightfully colorful, and while I typically love color images, this called for black and white to me.

Lisa you are the type of Mother that we all should follow.  Your dedication and love radiates from you. 

Dear sweet Queen Elisabeth, get well soon.  We are praying for you at our home.

Love,

Lee Ann

Jeanie and Vince were married March 17, 2012.

I had the pleasure of capturing their small intimate wedding.  It was beautiful and full of love.

Congratulations on starting your life together.

Thank you for letting me capture your love.  Congratulations on starting your life together!

I have read on Facebook a lot of drama amongst photographers, and people in the industry.  I have attended workshops and classes.  I have listened to people tell me what to, be how to be successful, and I have thought long and hard on it.  I talked to my clients.  I talked to friends, I talked to peers.  I talked to anyone who would listen.  You know you heard me.  And then I started to get my answers.

The photography industry is an interesting one.  We are a group of creative people.  Trying to be creative, be the best and hone the craft even more.  Trying to find where you fit, if you are good enough, if you are going to be the next “rockstar” photographer.  You can hear people tell you how to do it.  Change your brand, change your image, project this certain look, blog more, show more images, show less images.  Do all of these things and you will be it.

And I learned a lesson along this journey.  And recently it really fell right into my lap.  I need to be me.  I don’t need to change everything because I am told that it will make me the rockstar.  Because, let’s face it.  I am Lee Ann.  A small town girl, who dreams of the big city.  But I love raising chickens in my backyard, and letting my kids swing on the tire swing in my front yard.  I don’t want to be a rockstar.  I want to be the photographer who becomes your friend.  I want to attend your baby showers, your children’s baptisms.  I want to enjoy a lunch date, or sit at Starbucks and just laugh.  I want to touch your life, just a tiny bit as much as you have touched mine.  Each client leaves as a friend.  They let me into their life.  I am there for the start of a marriage.  For the moments where you don’t want to forget anything.  I want to be friends when it is all said and done.

I believe in doing what my heart loves.  And not doing what I am told I should do to market myself better.  Or to make me more edgier and appealing to someone.  I want people to come to me for me.  Not for any other reason.  I don’t know how to be anyone else but me.  It’s who I have always been.  I want to laugh with you.  Cry with you.  I cry at weddings, I didn’t cry at my own, but I cry at everyone else’s.  I was just thankful Randy actually went through with marrying crazy me.  The point is.. I am not coming to be anyone more than me.  A girl who is grateful to be blessed to do what I love, and capture people who love each other.  This isn’t about me.  It’s about you.

And check out what my 8 year daughter captured.  Think I can start hiring her?  Or is that considered Child Labor?

And if you didn’t know.. that’s me.. and my awesome husband, Randy.