An Opportunity to SOAR! {contest}

A few weeks back I saw a blog post from one of my favorite photographers, Me Ra Koh.    This woman is amazing in her craft, as well as her person.  She is always striving to give back, teach and share her love of people and photography any way she can.

She came up with the SOAR scholarship program.  With the help of her partners, including, Sony, (Did I mention she is one of their spokes people) and many, many others, they have donated an amazing opportunity to (3) Three woman to succeed.  (If you want more information, please visit her website, www.soarwithmera.com)

There will be prize after prize, to insure we are able to fulfill our dreams of becoming a photographer, and the tools to accomplish the world.  The three deserving women will be flown around the country to attend (4) of Me Ra's workshops, amongst many other chance of a lifetime opportunities. 

I usually don't enter contests.  In the past the odds have been stacked against me, and life takes over, my insecurities start working over my mind, and before I know it the deadline has past, and I think, "well....it wasn't meant to be"

This time, however, this was not the case.  NOTHING was getting in my way.  The MOMENT I saw this opportunity in front of me I went for it. I struggled with entering a video presentation of myself.  I hate being in front of a camera, and a motion picture camera...even worse.  I knew I had to do this.  The last time I felt this strongly about an opportunity is when I heard about Habitat for Humanity, and that did fall in my favor.  Besides, a little sleep, some extra time on the computer....it's all I had to loose, and I have so much to potentially gain.

The contest deadline is December 21st, my birthday.  What a better omen then that.  The three woman will find out on Januray 1st, 2010, that their lives will change forever.  I hope I'm on that list.

I'm going to open myself up for the world, and do it!  I will Soar!

Here is my video submission....

is it REALLY almost 2010?? {personal}

Happy New Year everyone.  I know...New Years cards.  This time a year is a busy one for me, getting everyone's Christmas photos and cards off to the printer.  I barely find time to do any shopping.  So, New Years cards...it's what I do.

From our family to yours!  Happy 2010!  This going to be ONE FABULOUS year!  I can feel it!

For the love of a build {event}

One of my very best girls, Miss Sophie P, is the director at the Restore. If you have not heard of the amazing place, it is a recycled building materials and furniture store that benefits one of my favorite organizations, Habitat for Humanity. This year the Restore is sponsoring one of the new builds off of Empire Dr, in Parkway Village.

Sophie asked if I would come out this past Saturday and help build. The Saturday builds are always a blast and with a big group of our friends heading out, I knew it was going to be a fun day. It was fun, but the COLD weather had set in that week, and the group got smaller and smaller.

I did make it out, and while it didn't take long to loose the feeling in my legs, and hands, we did have the best time. I snapped a few photos and hoped no one would care I was taking a break from the hard work. I was out there swinging a hammer, and lifting walls.

If any of you get the volunteer bug you should definitely check out Habitat. They are a great organization and one very dear to my heart.

Miss Sophie, the "Big Boss" of the day

...and her hubby

A little lovin' on the jobsite....you don't see this very often

Robin, swingin' a hammer

One cold and VERY snowy morning {portrait]

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing and visiting with a former employer.  I braved the snowstorm outside, and slowely worked my way over to the Kuhn house.  I worked in this couples office last year around this time, just before deciding to do my photography more full-time.  They were great!  I had a fun time, while they expected professionalism, it was a lighthearted and laughter filled work place. (except on billing days, but having Brandi in there with me, made the hair-pulling experience a bit more tolerable)

Our Christmas party last year is one I'll remember fondly.  Literally the BEST food I've had in a long time...these two know how to cook!  Homemade beer, and tons of fun.

Every once in awhile the little one's would come in to say hello, pick us a few strawberries from the office garden and always make anyone around them smile..how can you not with those big grins and chubby cheeks.

I'm so glad even though I no longer work there, ( oh, and they did find the BEST office gal in town to replace me) that I can still keep in touch and see these little cuties grow up.  Thanks for thinking of me for your family photos, Kuhn family.  I'm so glad you FINALLY used that Christmas gift I gave you last year!

Everyone with a toddler in the house needs a set of photos like these...It's real life!

Everything is always better with candy!

A rule during a Tambi Lane session..."you must ALWAYS end on a fun note...cupcake eyeballs included!

The Christensen Clan {portrait}

While I was home for Thanksgiving this year, my mom asked me to take our family photo.  I guess the saying of the cobblers kids not having any shoes applies here.  We have not had a family photo in years.  I think I was in 8th grade, now I'm grown with kids of my own, and my mom said it's time.

We thought out our color scheme, one my brothers would approve of.  We were fairly limited since the younger of the two will ONLY wear black, and sometimes a little white.  My mom was so excited...and then it rained.  My vision of our family in the field next to our house, the greenery of the Valley quickly died when it poured ALL day.  I did bring one of my backgrounds in case the weather was bad, but hoped I wouldn't have to use it.  This "boring" type of photography is just not my thing.  I wanted my mom to have the beautiful photos she dreamed of.  Plan B, was set into action, and as always, the boys can't be serious for one minute.  If they were cooperating, one of my unruly  children was making a face.

I've been asked by a few people to post these, to show off my family, since I show off all of yours, so here goes nothing....

The unruly Christensen Clan....

And the best one that went on this years Christmas cards from my mother.....

The world works in mysterious ways {portrait}

I was scouring town a few weeks back for some new fabric. I wanted a great piece of something...I just had to find it.   My first stop...Hancocks.

I wandered around for awhile, they were fairly busy.  I had a few questions and patiently waited for someone, anyone to help me.  Finally a woman came by.  Cute little red head, with her very friendly smile, answered all of my questions and was eager to help in any way she can.  I have to say, I love finding someone so willing in a customer service position.

We got talking, she asked what I was making.  She was curious about the photography so I gave her my card and was on my way.  It had to have been later that week, I get an email from this same "customer service extraordinaire"  asking about family photos.

She had a great idea to incorporate their family plane, this is a "prop" I have never used.  (Ok...bad joke, but you get it....right?"

Last night was the night.  I met Darin and her rambunctious family down at the Bend airport for their session.  We picked the perfect time of day, which Darin loves...Sunset.  Her boys have the best names in the world, I just love it!  (Auto and Jet)  They were so fun, and the older of the two was a little stubborn giving me his award winning smile.  But in the end I think I got and I had a great time.   I'm so excited for them to see their sneak peek, I hope she LOVES them.  I do!   Boys, you are great!  That little Jet is a ham.  Thanks again Darin for the call.  I'm so glad I wandered into Hancocks that day.  You have an awesome family!

And my absolute favorites....