if you tried to call.......

and couldn't reach me, this is why! After 6 years of loyalty to my incredibly ghetto flip phone i've made the upgrade.

My precious sweet brandon stood in line, outside, in the rain, in his work clothes to get me this little gem. it's like Christmas came early! i was afraid to take off the protective plastic cover and i'm not so sure which side i talk into, but i'm up for the challenge of relenting my zack morris phone and stepping into 2008.  

so all my voice messages are gone and i have no idea who called me today, so if you missed me, i'm sorry about that, call me back!

Lucy Juicy

It's amazing how fast little ones change! I photographed Lucy when she was a tiny munchkin. Now she's 6 months old and too cute for her own good. Lucy loved stripping down to nature, wearing her too-too, and playing outside. I loved her smiles, seriousness, HUGE brown eyes, and that oh so adorable baby chub.

See how much she's changed!
http://meredithgutshall.blogspot.com/2008/03/little-lucy.html

(click images to enlarge)

the best day ever? um yes

not very often is there a day that you stop for a moment and say, this is the best day ever! but driving home yesterday from crown center and thinking back to the night before at the county fair i couldn't help but scream it at the top of my lungs. so now my niece (campbell) and neighbor (jack) think i'm a complete nut job- not so sure they didn't think that before. so i had to post a couple of pictures from a hilarious 24 hours of laughter, rides, art, tons of junk food, and good company.

deacon's first fair ride! loved it








Jack is super focused!


My favorite picture of all time



Food delivered by tiny train, what could be better?!

great self portrait

Campbell dancing "an Irish Jig"

deliciousness

lovebirds

So after the family shoot, carly and her cutie boyfriend nick hung around so i could take a few shots of them. nick has the most beautiful smile. i used to work in the same building as nick and when he walked down the hall and smiled i couldn't help but smile back and blush- no wonder carly fell for him.

(click on images to enlarge)  

funny family

i was so excited for my shoot tonight. i was not disappointed!

i got the chance to sit and visit with some new clients (friends) while we waited for their daughter/sister carly to arrive.  steven, susan, matt, and i hung out eating chocolate chip cookies and talking about a trip planned on the Appalachian trail! 5 months of hiking! YIKES It's amazing to see people really reach out and grab life.

i really love that i had the chance to relax and just talk before shoving my camera in their faces. Sometimes photo shoots seem rushed, and i just don't love that feeling.   if i could have my pick a photo shoot would always be like hanging out with friends, taking some shots and just having fun.

So the shoot was great.  We had a ton of fun, laughed a lot and steven's goofy and somewhat inappropriate comments (awesome), and enjoyed an amazing july night.

ps- thanks nick for holding my lens.  pictures of you and carly coming soon

and then she smiles

life with little ones definitely has its moments! i was photographing baby katie and miss maggie yesterday and was reminded of how life can be turned upside down crazy and then they smile and the thing that seemed so out of control comes back into balance.  

this family has a special place in my heart, enjoy!

i'm loving langley

what a great day for playing at the park! langley played and played until her sweet little curls were soaked with sweat. after chowing on some mulch, climbing up and sliding down a zillion times, listening for the choo choo, and taking a swig of her buddy's juice, the day was complete.