{Children}

    One of the many reasons I love photographing children is the fact that they are themselves.  They are able to ignore the camera and just go about playing. They are natural, playful, and carefree; something that is so authentically beautiful. 

 

Europe {Personal}

  It is so hard to believe that my Junior year of college has come to an end. It has been an unbelievable year full of many adventures and lots of memories! I never did get around to posting my pictures from my month abroad in January. So here are just a few pictures from my time in Europe .

Paris

Venice

Rome

Florence

Siena

Pisa

Nice

Do What Makes You Happy {Personal}

"If one advances confidently in the direction of their dreams, and endeavors to lead a life they have imagined thy will meet with a success expected in uncommon hours."
                                                                                         -Henry David Thoreau


What do you dream about? What lights a fire underneath you? What makes you happy? These are questions I ask you to ponder because they matter. They help you determine the things that make you, YOU!

 Everyday I ask myself what it is that makes me happy. The things that always stay constant include: my love for my family, friends, my everlasting faith, and photography. These wonderful elements are essential to who I am. My family, friends, and faith continue to challenge me and they help me explore who I am and what I want out of life.

I think as individuals we are often our own worst critic.  Why is that? We need to learn to be graceful with ourselves. We don't have to be perfect, we don't have to be the cookie cutter example, we just need to be the best version of ourselves.  Everyone has something wonderful to offer and each gift is unique and our own. Attempting to see the uniqueness in everything around us, we can expand our sensitivity and response to art. My love for photography stems from beautiful, authentic,creative individuals. That's what inspires me and keeps me searching for more in life.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is, do what makes you happy. For me photography is what lights a fire underneath me, it's what I dream about, it is an outlet for finding meaning and purpose in all I do. I plan to pursue my dream as scary as it is, but I know the risk will be worth it. I'd rather do something I love then wonder what would've, couldv'e been.  

Go out and live your dream; boldly,confidently and do it courageously!

Baby Shower and Anika

   Well, lets just say this blog post is LONG overdue. Of course I wasn't with it enough to get the baby shower pictures posted before Anika was born. That would have been way too logical for my liking. So lucky you get to see the whole thing from the beginning until now! Since we had no idea if Kirstin would be having a boy or girl, it made it very exciting the day miss Anika arrived.
  I'm a very proud aunt to this beautiful little girl. She changes everyday and continues to get cuter! Anika Kaye Johnson welcome to the family. You are one lucky girl to have such amazing parents. (But if you ever get sick of them you can always come hang out with your cool aunts!)

Mackenzie and Collin {Engagement}

I had such a fun time this past summer photographing Collin and Mackenzie for a couple photo shoot. So when they approached me about taking their engagement pictures I was thrilled. Both Collin and Mackenzie are sincere, genuine people who are a joy to be around. Thanks for letting me photograph you and I look forward to your wedding this Summer!