Today is an interesting day for me.  It marks 6 years since I lost a huge piece of my heart.  My dad left this world 6 years ago.  As I type that I still can’t really believe it.  Grief is a weird emotion.  It shows up when it wants, shows no mercy, but then leaves you alone for awhile only to show up again to knock you down.  As much as I don’t like this emotion I will say it’s made me a much stronger person.  It’s made me want to be a better person and to not live a life that I don’t want to live.  It’s taught me to be grateful even when I don’t feel like it.  It’s also taught me a huge lesson about life, it goes on.

(Dad and me on my birthday)

Now, I said today is an interesting day for me.  Yes, because it marks a hard anniversary for my family and me, but it also marks the day that I am re-launching my photography website.  I’ve been working as a photographer all along but today my website is back up and I’ll be back to blogging.  I chose this day for a reason.  It’s a symbolic day for me.  You see, my dad, was always one of my biggest supporters.  He would tell anyone who would listen about how I was a photographer.  He’d always be making new friends and sharing this with others.  He even carried around a picture of my daughter, Karlyanne, in his planner and showed it to everyone.  He would proudly showoff his grandbaby and tell them how his daughter was a photographer and took that very picture.  The funny part was that I didn’t actually take that particular photo, my mom did.  That still cracks me up.  I actually have that very picture framed and on the wall of my office.  It reminds me that my dad will always be one of my biggest cheerleaders.  Even when I don’t believe in myself, he always will.

I might be sitting here with tears streaming down my face…but I still have a smile behind those tears.  Today I’m pushing my fears aside so that I can grow.  I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and channeling my dad’s entrepreneurial spirit.  My hope is that I can continue to bless my family and my clients with photographs that will touch their hearts.

Thanks to each on of you that have trusted me to photograph a part of your life.  It’s a honor and I don’t take that honor lightly.  I can say with all my heart that I’m really looking forward to the upcoming years and to see where my photography business will take me.

So, you might be wondering what me re-launching my website means.  Well, I’d be happy to tell you.  It means it will now be A LOT easier for you to find out information about what I offer and how I can serve you.  To break it down, I am a “lifestyle photographer.”  My goal with each session is to first and foremost capture some beautiful moments, and another big goal of mine through blogging, is to help you figure out what to do with your photos and your memories.  I am a sentimentalist at heart and I love everything about “memory-keeping.”  One day I want to hand my grown children their journals, albums and printed photos instead of a hard drive.  If you feel the same way, follow along and I’ll do my best to help you successfully accomplish this goal little by little.  It can be an overwhelming task.  I myself am doing my best at chipping away at these memory-keeping projects.

Anyway, I’m am so excited about this upcoming year and I can’t wait to get to know you!  Please reach out and let me know how I can help you!

As for you, Dad, I know I’m making you proud.  I miss you and  love you, xoxo!  Thanks for teaching us not to take life too seriously.