Page 120 - Polluted Sky

I actually took a better photo today, but this one was my alarm clock going off that I have been neglecting Roxy, my D700.

Look at all those spots! I need to take her in to get cleaned. I don't know what I will do without her for a few days, but I don't have any shoots this week so now is the perfect time.

Oh, and the spot shaped like a plane, is a plane :)

Page 119 - Day with a friend

Today I went to a conference my church has every year just for women. It's a couple days away from the responsibilities of life to go listen to classes and talks on things like raising your kids, communicating, getting through the trials of life, etc.

One of my best friends that lives in Idaho came down and we went together. I love her. She knows me so well and loves me anyway. That is a true friend.

I took this with my Canon SD980 is point and shoot camera (yes, I own a Canon people!). I didn't feel like lugging "Roxy" around with me all day.

Page 118 - Couldn't say NO

Today, I don't feel like taking a picture. I was so close to rebelling against all that is photography and saying, "NO!!!!!!"

Instead, I picked up my camera and just took a picture of whatever was next to me.

I knew I would regret missing a day.

Page 117 - Porcupine

Abby gave her first ever report today in school and it was on porcupines.

Daddy did an amazing job of helping her and we made sure we practiced lots! Here is her picture of a porcupine she drew and daddy added the toothpick spikes.


Click below to see the video:

Page 116 - ATTENTION ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS!!

If you are a photographer, this post is for you.

Please please please, if you are going to trespass on someone's property for a photoshoot and you or your client gets hurt on that property, that is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! Don't turn around and sue whoever owns the property you are trespassing on to begin with. You are ruining it for those of us honest photographers that own up to our own choices and risks of where we shoot. Thank you.

My favorite location that was going to be torn down isn't being torn down anymore but because some photographer asked his client to climb up on the roof of this rickety shed and that client fell off shoulder first onto a nail, the owner of the property is being sued for $100,000. Now they are putting up "No Trespassing" signs and a fence and if anyone is caught on the property, they will be arrested. Thank you photographer who ruined it for all of us.

Page 115 - Keslie

This is my niece whom I love as much as my own children.

We almost lost her a couple of weeks ago when a neighbor girl attached and tried to kill her right in front of her home. She tackled Keslie to the ground and put all of her body weight and strength into her hands which cut off her trachea and kept Keslie from breathing. The only thing that saved her was the acrylic nails I had recently put on her for prom. She was able to scratch and claw the girl off of her and tried to get away, only to have the girl tackle and strangle her again. Keslie clawed at the girl again, got away and ran into the safety of her home.

The thought of losing Keslie still makes me tremble even now as I type. If you knew my niece you would be even more shocked because she is so sweet and loving. She befriended this girl when no one else would and this was the thanks she got.

Every moment I pray she is kept safe from this neighbor girl who was released a day later. She tries to kill my niece and she walks free.

"I pray you'll be my eyes and watch her where she goes.
And help her to be wise.
Help me to let go.
Every mother's (and auntie's) prayer.
Every child knows.
Lead her to a place.
Guide her with your grace.
To a place where she'll be safe."

She spent the weekend shooting with me and I gained so much strength just having her there cheering me on.

I love you Kes, have you ever thrown a handful of glitter in the air? (inside joke!)

Page 114 - Big Break

I was recently approached by the owner of Mikarose clothing line asking me to do a shoot of her latest line of women's dresses. Um, of course I'll do it!

Most amazing opportunity of my photography career to date.

Here's a sneak peak. If you want to see more, you'll just have to wait until I post them on my website!!

Page 113 - Blank Canvas

I am ready to decorate my studio. I've been putting it off because I wanted to wait until I got to a point where I was happy with my photography to make large prints and put them on my wall.

I'm ready to start making prints. Any favs of mine you think I should do?

As you can see I have a HUGE wall to put lots of pictures on.

Page 112 - Cheesy

I had a 4 hour long engagement shoot today that was way too much fun.

For part of it we shot inside a grocery store (that's a story for later) and I took this picture to go with the theme of it.

It was so cheesy but I loved it and so did they! We had a blast.

Page 111 - Don't Cry

Today was cloudy and rainy and Abby was looking out the window. I heard her say,

"Don't cry clouds. You are giving all the plants and flowers the water they need to grow so don't be sad."

{Insert melting heart here}

Page 110 - Sprung has Spring

I know everyone is taking pictures of flowers right now. How could you not after the endless winter we just went through?

I had to take one of the blossoms on the trees which line my neighborhood. This gorgeous sight only lasts a brief time so I wanted to capture it before it's gone. If I could have my way, there would be blossoms on the trees all summer long.

Same picture edited 3 different ways. Oh the power of editing.

Page 109 - Teenagers

Believe it or not, he's been cleaning it for 2 days now.

It's the first time I've seen the orange rug in months.

Page 108 - Privacy Please

First thing you learn when you become a mother is that there is no such thing as privacy - potty breaks included.

Whenever I go into the bathroom, my girls are there at the door sticking their hands under the door, trying to get me to play with them.

Lately, they don't do it so much. Never thought I would miss it but I do. I had to bride them with M&Ms to get this shot.

Page 107 - Bad Habits

Someone is learning very bad habits from their older brother.

Page 106 - Goodbye Too Soon

I recently found the most amazing location. You know, the one with that blue door?

I found out today that it's being torn down and I am so sad I could cry. I had such a vision for this place and I hadn't even begun to tap into it's potential.

I ran my girls over tonight so I could shoot there one last time.

Page 105 - Getting It Together

I am dreading my birthday this year and am feeling really old lately.

I want to look and feel young again so this is my date every morning and I'm loving it. I feel so much better already even if I haven't lost any weight yet!

By the time I hit 35 in 4 months, I want to feel like I'm 25 and then edit my face so I look 25 ;)

Page 104 - Nothing

Today I felt like doing absolutely nothing.

So that is just what I did.

At least I took a picture of all the nothing I did!

Page 103 - Bunk Beds

Last night we went shopping for bunk beds for the girls. They had so much fun and were squealing with delight as they climbed on all the beds.

Of course their favorite was the most expensive playhouse bed. Guess I'm going to have to start looking on KSL Classifieds :)

Page 102 - Work

This is my daily commute to the office and back.

Look easy? Try doing it at least 20 times a day!!!

Page 101 - Between the Sheets

Today Ryan and I are sick so we stayed home from church. Lu and I were in bed playing under the sheets and I instantly was inspired for today's picture.

Abby heard all the fun we were having and had to come play too.

Yes, it's "A" photo a day. I know. I can't pick a fav. These are some of my favorite pictures I've ever taken.

Page 100 - Kristy

Meet my friend Kristy. We have been friends for a while but today, we got to know each other a lot better and I am so glad I have her in my life. She is one of those quirky, amazing people that can make you laugh and is an amazing listener.

It started when I posted on Facebook that I was traveling to Wyoming for an engagement shoot and wanted someone to come keep me company. Kristy was the one who responded.

We left yesterday around noon for the 4 hour drive and we had a blast! On the way home we stopped by this abandoned house and took some pictures. She was crazy enough to pose for me for this shot and I'm so glad she did because I love it.

What do you think Kristy, was it worth standing on the dead animal bones to get this shot? Thank you for coming with me!!!

Page 99 - Fallen Hero

I received an email from someone that follows my 365 blog with a request for my photo of the day.

A friend of his was just killed in Iraq and he wanted me to take a patriotic photo in memory of his friend who was a 20+ year LAPD officer and Sergeant Major killed by an explosive device.

In memory of those fallen heroes that may be gone, but the people of your country will never forget you or your sacrifice.

Thank you.



A special thank you to Lt. Waddell who posed for this photo for me.

Page 98 - I Want It

I want this door for my studio. I love the art deco style of the knob and it inspires me. Is it stealing if I take it from an old abandoned shed?

I am trying to convince my conscience it's okay and am losing the battle with myself.

So if you recognize this door and you are the owner of it please contact me so I can get permission to have it!!!

Page 97 - Laundry Day

My girls love laundry day when I wash my bedding. It's the only time I let them play and jump on my bed.

You shouldn't be wondering why they have no pants on - I said it's laundry day :)

Page 96 - Mom's Ofees

I found this on the door of my office.

It makes me laugh since my 6 year old wrote it. It's funny how as an afterthought she added that it's dad's office too even though mommy is the one who uses it most!

Page 95 - Fort Abby

I find it so amusing how kids can make a fort out of almost anything - foam board backdrop leaning against the sofa included.

Page 94 - Easter Sunday

Even though the snow ruined my Easter pictures, I still had a really great day.

I chose this picture to post for my picture of the day because my son was looking at my blog and said, "Mom, where and I?"

I know, he's hardly ever in my photos so here you go my little man. Mama loves you.

He loved the tie I bought him for Easter.

In case you are wondering, yes, I am going to wait for the next gorgeous, perfect day and have a mock Easter complete with outfits, hair curled, baskets, egg hunt, a grassy field, and real live bunnies. Forget mother nature, I make my own visions come to life regardless!

Page 93 - The True Meaning Of Easter

It is supposed to snow tomorrow on Easter Sunday. Needless to say, I am really angry about it. I had some pretty cool plans for pictures and an egg hunt out in a huge grassy field. Now it will all have to be indoors. Bah, humbug.

I actually considered boycotting Easter for tomorrow and just moving it to next Sunday in hopes it will be warmer but no one in the family is going for it but me.

I know Easter is more about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and not pictures but still!!!

Today warmed up just a tiny bit so I put my girls in their Easter dresses and did their hair to take a couple pictures just in case tomorrow isn't happening.

And don't even get me started on why is it that all Easter dresses have to be short sleeved. Not everyone lives in Arizona or California designer people!!!

Until tomorrow, I will be singing a little song they teach my kids in church, "Scatter sunshine, all along the way..." I want amazing Easter egg hunt pictures in a grassy field with a real live bunny.

Page 92 - Bock Bock Bock Bock...

I did it. I gave in to the call of the Cadbury Easter bunny.

One whole bag of mini eggs, gone. Four more to go :)

Page 91 - Happy April Fools!

I think God has a sense of humor. He wouldn't have created most of us with one if he himself didn't love a laugh now and then.

Today, he played an April Fools joke on the people of Salt Lake City.

Snow - a foot of it. A white wintry wonderland that would bring squeals and giggles on Christmas morning. Not on April 1st though. Enough already! Maybe this is all part of the huge joke of Global Warming and this is his way of saying, "Haha, tricked you!!"