My love for Vegas (much like my new found love for Macklemore) is a little over the top. Ryan and I went to Vegas on our Honeymoon simply because we wanted to go somewhere that was (fairly) inexpensive, but we could still have a great time without having to have an agenda. Vegas didn’t let me down then, and it didn’t let me down now. Our friends (who just happened to be our wedding photographers) Aric and Casey were very gracious and took great care of us this week. Ryan and I were so grateful for their help and their support.

For those of you who may not know what WPPI is – it a Wedding and Portrait Photography Conference held in Vegas each year and there are classes taught by successful photogs. We learned so much and are so ready to get to work. We learned about lighting, posing, and all things photography and business. Above all of that, though, I learned something so much greater. I was reminded why I want to be a photographer. It is and always has been my love for people. I was so overwhelmed with how much I enjoy people this week. From the people next to me on the plane, to taxi drivers, to friends. Providing people with images that make them feel beautiful and loved means the world to me.

Here are some of the highlights of the trip.

We’ll get this out of the way… but seriously I have the cutest husband.

Moving on – because I talk about the crush I have him on him for like…ever. I had the chance to meet one of my favorite photographers, Jasmine Star. (I may or may not stalk her like a crazy person) Ryan asked, “So are you going to hug her?” My reply, “Why do you think I’m in line????” When I told Jasmine that, she said we had to get this shot…

Although I don’t have an amazing picture, we went to a class taught by Jeremy Cowart that had me in tears more than I should readily admit to. His talent for taking a picture is breathtaking, his heart for people is inspiring, and his ability to make anything he touches turn to gold would make Midas jealous.

The night before we left we all went out for a shoot with Aric and Casey and played around with some light.

Today, as we were lounging around and catching up on sleep, we played around with some light…

We’re excited about our engagement and Bridal sessions coming up so check back soon!

hugs.

Cait

Maybe it’s because I am a teacher, or maybe it’s because it is indeed what I saw and felt while shooting Stephanie and her beautiful daughters. As I was editing, I thought of the words from the book, Love you Forever….

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be”

You could see in the way that Stephanie looked at her girls, that they are her everything.  It was fun to shoot but even more fun to be a part of!

As I tossed and turned last night with dreams of what the school boards decision would be – I woke up to a wonderful phone call that school was cancelled. It was a wonderful and much needed break. It was a day full of little reminders of how great my life is. So grateful for a husband that laughs with me and a home to keep me warm.

I talked him into getting out of our PJ’s for a minute for a quick shoot in the backyard – we had a blast and I got to play around with my new VSCO actions!

There was at least 12 inches of snow in the backyard!

This was the one shot I wanted, and I loved how it turned out.

Wasn’t sure which one I liked better…

Wasn’t sure with this one either…

We are going to WPPI for Spring Break with some friends of ours and couldn’t be more excited. I’m ready to learn new things for all of our 2013 weddings!

hugs.

-cait

You know how a new pair of shoes (or let’s be honest, any sort of garment with a price tag) can freshen up multiple outfits in the closet you gave up on weeks ago?? Well, that’s what VSCO does for me. It did it with the first set when they released it and now they’ve released set 2 annd set 3!

I am absolutely loving the new VSCO film presets! Allow me to share the beauty that is VSCO…

I love the film look that it gives, and am so excited to learn more about them. I’m way too sleepy to be blogging (yes, I’m old and am trying to convince myself to get up early and run…) sooooooo come back and see me soon!

hugs.

One of the greatest parts of this job is that I get to experience life with people. For one hour at a time, I get to see each chapter of my clients lives. I took Caden’s newborn pictures, and here we are – nine months later – shooting again. With all the crying, silly voices, squeaky toys, and bribing – I do love shooting babies. I love especially when I get to shoot them more than once because I can watch their personalities come to life. I loved shooting Caden again and hope that I get the privilege to do it again in a few months! Hope these make you smile on this Thursday!

A few months ago, I had the privilege of shooting this beautiful woman. Her name is Cathy Landtroop, she owns a successful PR Firm here (Landtroop Strategies) and was wanting some new headshots/pictures. I used to work for Cathy when I was in college, and I learned so much from her. I loved getting to capture what makes her, her. It reminded me why I love to shoot. To share people’s beauty with the rest of the world while quietly showing the person I’m shooting just how great they are.

This is my favorite. She loves taking pictures of her kids and is known for being behind her camera.

I’ve always been the kind of person that is all or nothing. If I am going to like something – I’m going to LOVE it. If I don’t like it – I despise it. Allow me to explain – I avoided the show GLEE, for years. Despite my love for musicals I just didn’t want to like it. Then one day, I’m home sick on the couch browsing Netflix and I see GLEE…I think, “Eh – what the heck?!” Bad. Idea. At the end of season three I’m bawling (**spoiler alert**) because my favorite couple is breaking up…until my sweet husband consoles me by telling me, “Baby, you know they’re dating in real life…right?!” Just like that, I’m okay… see what I mean? I’m a crazy person. And let’s not even get me started on how I despise a certain blonde girl with a guitar that only sings about the dysfunctional relationships that most people would be ashamed to admit to.

So in the later years of my life (23 IS the age you become wise, you know) I’ve learned that I am the definition of passionate. I finally admitted to the fact that I am (just a little) dramatic… but I just call it passion, you can call it whatever you want. I can’t honestly say that I am completely comfortable with finally coming into my own, but I can say that I am learning.

With these life lessons and unavoidable transitions in life also come hard realizations. This photography business was never in my “plan”. I was the most practical child ever (really, I asked for bed spreads and ceiling fans for Christmas) and always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. My dreams never wavered and I accomplished my goal. The business was a true gift that just fell into my lap. I was blessed by many people along the way that taught me and helped me grow so much. I fall more in love with photography with every shoot, and with every new client that I meet.

And here’s where we wrestle. As you know – this is my second year to teach elementary. I used to volunteer at summer school from the time I was in first grade… Something happened on Friday as I sat on my stool in front of my classroom – my heart was filled with pure joy. TThe song, 10,000 reasons was playing on my computer and with every little note muttered from their mouths, I realized that I could never do anything else. I looked at the faces of all the precious kids that I get to be with for eight hours a day, five days a week. I could not imagine doing anything that I loved more. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true.

So what’s the problem, right? Most people live their whole lives looking for that drive and that passion in their work? And here I am complaining about having that feeling with two jobs?! I know, I know…trust me I do. And don’t for a second take my vulnerability as unhappiness – because it’s not. It frustrates me that I can’t devote all of myself to one or the other completely. I hate that I have to be spread between two things. I either feel like I am letting teaching down or I’m letting clients down. When I get overwhelmed – the obvious answer is to let something go, right? The truth is – I can’t. I can’t imagine my life without either one of these.

As I sit here and ponder why I have felt the urge to write this the last few weeks, I can’t really say. I don’t want you to expect less of me as a photographer because I teach. I would never want that – so although I can’t really say the point of this – I guess I just want to say thank you…for understanding that it’s not just a job and always being patient when I am running a little behind on things.

And because no blog is complete without a picture – here is one of my favorites from my trip to Chicago this summer.

xo – Cait

It’s 2013?? I feel a little like Marty McFly running around trying to figure out what year it is and how the heck he ended up there. None the less, I am so grateful. 2012 brought me to wonderful people that turned into beautiful memories, I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year because it is so promising with new resolutions and possibilities. Yet – there is this little piece of me that is full of doubt and remembers the past resolutions and promises that have failed. Being the optimist that I am, I will choose to be full of promises. I have many goals for myself and for the business that I am excited to work towards. Thank you to all of the wonderful clients I got to work with in 2012, may 2013 bring you all happiness your hearts can hold.

-cait

Just wanted to stop in before my two shoots tonight and share a favorite from a recent Christmas session!

I truly adore this family!

I just adore this family! I say that both as a photographer and friend! Ryan and I laughed so much on this shoot, that we were ready to shoot them again within 5 minutes of the shoot being over. I have been spending a lot of time with Megan and have just become quite attached to that girl! They are the definition of family and I loved every second of capturing their story.