Time to do the work...

We all do it. We dream.

We have these goals to be something fabulous, different, successful, and extraordinary.

We get inspired and pretend to be on that new path to everything we think we've ever hoped for....and then somewhere along the road, it slips by and just becomes another one of those silly failed attempts at silly dreams.

Who are we to have such outlandish expectations? It's ridiculous, right?! We should just listen to our family and friends and get our heads out of the clouds, right?!

Hell no. HELL NO.

Raise your hand if you're over it and you want to be a crazy ridiculous dreamer anyway...
*raises hand*

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson

If any of you reading this blog know me, you know how stubborn I am. But I'm human and I have blocks, fears, and stupid excuses for not doing what I want or should do. I know what I want now ("now" being the operative word...because I'm also a woman and we always change our minds anyway), and after spending some extra me time lately on figuring out where I want to go and how I want to get there, its starting to feel a little bit more clear. It's going to be great. I could elaborate more but seriously, who wants to sit at their computer getting a numb butt reading a novel about my recent enlightenment. You know I will blog more about it soon anyway ;)

Until then, please take the time to listen to this video below of my most recent photog obsession, Sue Bryce. You don't have to watch it, just listen. It's long I know...but just shut up and LISTEN. You don't have to be a photographer to take something away from this. Now, its time to pull up the big girl panties and do the work!

-Baby Madilynn-

As you all know after graduating from college last December I decided to go on a break from booking sessions so I could focus on family and getting a grip on what direction I wanted to take my work.

I couldn't help but say yes, however, to my Zumba instructor Megan when she asked if I could take her ADORABLE new baby girl's photos in March. What can I say...I have a huge weakness for brand new baby girly-ness. It's just too good to pass up. ;)

We decided to meet at in their home and do a relaxed lifestyle shoot, focusing on baby Madilynn and her loving family around her. I've come to the conclusion, that the best and most real moments come from lifestyle shoots with the subject in their natural home environment. Real moments happen at home, not in a studio. A mothers touch, a brothers grin, the family gathered on mommy and daddy's bed, and bare feet. It just seems right!

Here is a little peek at our session together.

Megan decorated Miss Madilynn's room in a perfectly cute mixture of pink, teal, polka dots, paisley, and chevron. Big Brother Mason even wrote a letter to baby sister letting her know just how much he loves her. *Awwww!*




Those little fingers and cheeks! I die.

Thank you Megan, Jamie, Mason, and Madilynn for welcoming me into your home to take photos of your newly expanded family. I hope you enjoy your images!

Better late than never, right?

As you may know I'm still working on my personal photos while I'm on a little hiatus from booking sessions, this task has proven to become a long slow one after I got my new and fabulous Markiii. Maybe I should have read up some info prior to purchasing, but HEY, I didn't and we all learn better the hard way anyway right??

Well it came to my attention upon attempting to upload my first round of images from the Markiii that I would need to buy a card reader rather than the good ol' USB cable that came in the box. (I know I know it's easier that way anyhow, shush!) After solving my uploading issue and even talking on the phone with Canon about the lack of communication between my camera and computer, I then discovered that my current Lightroom Software (LR3) will not be compatible with this beautiful, beastly piece of camera I now own. *Sigh* So until I finally breakdown and install the update to Lightroom 4, I am currently working at an extremely slow pace because that major component to my workflow is not available at this time. Grrr.

Anywho, enough with the complaining, because that can be easily taken care of. What I'm REALLY here to blog about today is my adorable images from Easter time with my girls Diem and Ryanne. I may be biased, but my girls are just so downright gorgeous and their personalities are out of this world! I hope you can fully appreciate them through their images as much as I do. :)

2013 Neewollah Logo Contest

Well folks the winner of the 2013 Neewollah logo contest was chosen last night by a qualified, serious, and well versed group of ITSO professionals (*chuckles* due to this groups fun and laid back nature hehe!)...and the winner... was not I.

Awwww.

Oh well maybe next year! It was fun regardless and I absolutely can not wait for more of the Neewollah festivities to begin. If you are not familiar with this small town festival, I encourage you to check it out on www.neewollah.com and come down at Halloween time! I hope you enjoy seeing my entry for the contest below. This was my graphic minimalist style approach to this year's theme "It's Alive!" which goes along with the selected musical "Young Frankenstein".

Thanks for the support and Happy Monday all!

The Markiii is finally getting some action!

See those adorable "Jazz Hands" there?! These are my two gorgeous and amazing girls running up hill Easter weekend. My oldest in the pink is Diem (3yrs) and my youngest in the yellow is Ryanne (20mos). They are the typical pair of little ladies filled with drama, love of makeup, admiration of all things Princess, and beauty of course.

I'm not biased or anything, they are just that awesome.

Still playing with my first round of images from the new 5D Markiii and loving every minute of it! I avoided an upgrade as long as I could but the old camera was beginning to hold me back. More images to come as I edit and drink in the absolute adorableness.

Welcome to my new blog!

Welcome to my new blog! I'm currently attempting to become a better blogger after a couple of failed attempts. So, bare with me as I build on for my fellow photographers, graphic designers, and clients! If you already know me you know well I've got the Facebook side of things figured out so it has just been a matter of time before I move over to this outlet! Keep visiting and feel free to comment or message to your hearts content.

Just remember to be respectful and open minded, and we will get along just fine. ;)

- Shelby Demo