Grateful: XI

I've always enjoyed the turning of seasons and the holidays that accompany these seasons. But now that we have children, holidays hold a bit more expectancy and fun.  We love sharing old traditions with our little ones and creating new ones.  Making and decorating sugar cookies has topped that list for L and me.  I'm so grateful for this new season in our lives.  To display my gratitude, I chose the only presentable pumpkin cookies to photograph; the rest were, well, unique;).    Have a safe and happy Halloween! 

Troy, Marsha & Girls | Grove City, PA Family Photography

One of the best parts about working as a photographer is the chance to meet people through all sorts of different paths--be it through my blog, a referral, friendship, Facebook, or--most recently--a charity auction.  Back in April, I had the opportunity to donate a family session to an auction event for the local Christian school. This kind family bid on the session and won.

We met at the park for some family portraits and had a wonderful time. Their girls have such sweet and fun personalities. Thank you, guys! Have a wonderful weekend, friends. Let's hope it's snowless!

The Joys in Business: Disc Packaging

During the first year of my photography business, I placed most of my energy into honing my skills and developing my photographic eye--and rightly so.  Don't get me wrong--I'm not suggesting that I don't continue to place a lot of my focus on improving my eye. I still have SO MUCH to learn. I've only scratched the surface, really. Having said that though, I've quickly realized that there's a lot more to running a photography business than just taking pictures.  And since my business is very part-time, I sometimes have difficulty squeezing it all in.  There's communication, website design, blogging, scheduling, print fulfillment, marketing, taxes, licenses, and branding. The list could go on.    

I'm not great at a lot of these areas, but a couple of them have actually become really enjoyable for me. And the first is branding. I'm excited to put a lot more energy into my brand this Winter, but I've started a bit this season by improving my packaging. I had gotten so tired of jewel cases and generic DVDs. My photographer friend Lizzy suggested revamping my packaging and I'm really excited with a result that reflects my style and personal aesthetic. I found these great hemp CD cases from Loktah. They're just want I've wanted and I have finally kissed jewel cases goodbye forever! 

Ethan, Monique & Girls | Grove City, PA Family Photography

Fall is fading fast here in Western PA! We have a few more weeks of falling leaves, I suppose. But the forecast is already threatening us with snow, and the winds are getting colder. You know, why do I always talk about weather on my blog?  It's as if I don't have better things to mention. Well, I do...

When we first moved back to Pennsylvania, these kind people were the first to welcome us into their home for a warm meal. They were the first to offer moving help. And their sweet little 3 year old was L's first friend here.  Lots of firsts!  Ethan is the pastor at our church and we are blessed each week by his faithful preaching. And Monique? This gal has the friendliest, most gracious personality...and a really infectious laugh. Needless to say, we are very grateful for this sweet family's life, ministry, and friendship. Here are a few (very autumnal) photos. Have a great Wednesday, everybody! 

Grateful: X

I lost my car key in this field this past weekend during a shoot, which leads me to another installment of Grateful.  Despite scavenging this field for quite some time, the key is still missing. But, even this frustrating set of circumstances has a silver lining.  The silver lining today is Jake.  I am so very thankful for a husband who accepts me and loves me despite my tendency to lose important items--like children's birth certificates, wallets with lots of hundred dollar bills, and very expensive bayonet car keys.  But it doesn't stop there. This husband also rescues me out of these situations and cleans up the messes I've created. Thank you, Jake. I love you and am incredibly grateful for you. Yours, Emily

Grateful: IX

I'm grateful that little L and I are already learning the value of compromise;). Happy Monday!

Rosann, Faith & Abby | Grove City, PA Photography

Meet Rosann.  She's a wife, a mother, a writer, a runner, and an inspiration to a lot of women in our community and beyond.  We met a few days ago, right as the sun was setting, to create some images for her blog header.  Little did I know that she had run a half-marathon only two days before our shoot. Poor girl--I was asking her to move all over the place! But she didn't complain one bit--that's just the kind of person Rosann is.  Have a wonderful week, everybody. Thanks for looking:).

Grateful: VIII

I am unspeakably grateful for music in our home--including toddler pounding.  And even more, I'm grateful for wonderful in-laws who gave us this gorgeous piano! Enjoy your weekend.

Grateful: VII

I am grateful for wildflowers that stick around into late October.  The warmer seasons aren't quite as long up here in Western Pennsylvania. Winter comes rushing in a bit faster and then takes its time exiting.  And the cloud cover? It makes a permanent home up here much of the year. So any little reminder of summer and sun brings me joy. Happy Thursday! 

Grateful: VI

I am grateful for my perfume shelf. But before you judge, let me explain.  My mother loves to give gifts. No, you don't understand. She LOVES to give gifts. This is one of the ways she shows affection and care. Giving gifts, to borrow Gary Chapman's phrase, is her love language.  Now my mother loves to shop as much as the next gal, so she of course enjoys buying new things to give as gifts.  But, possibly more, she enjoys giving her own things away. So much so that I must be careful when complimenting a dish in her kitchen, a necklace she's wearing, or a new set of stationary on her desk. Ask my sisters; they'll tell you the same.  Well I'm not always as careful as I should be, and I complimented a new scent she was wearing a few years back.  She instantly insisted that I become the new owner of her brand new Lavin Rumeur perfume.  So when I look at my perfume shelf, I don't just see perfume. I think of a woman who is giving and kind.  I see my mother, who is possibly the most selfless person I know. That's what I see every morning when I glance at my perfume shelf.  And, for that, I'm grateful. 

Ashley & Dave {Grove City, PA Engagement Photography}

After meeting with Ashley to discuss her wedding over coffee a couple months ago, I came home and told Jake that I had just met one of the kindest, most gracious people. "Oh yeah, I know Ashley. She is a really great person," he was quick to respond. "I went to high school with her."  Then I mentioned her fiance's name and apparently Jake knew Dave 'back in the day' as well.  In fact, Dave was Jake's childhood hero--the toughest guy he knew. What!?  I'm still getting used to this small-town, everybody-knows-everybody-else lifestyle.  But really, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The people here are incredibly gracious, and these two are no exception. 

Ashley, you are gorgeous.  Honestly.  Your eyes are just incredible and I'm not sure I've photographed clearer skin.  And Dave, it's not everyday I get to photograph a head football coach. Thank you for humoring me and your lovely fiancee, especially considering I told you "just one more" about fifty times. You guys make Harmony look good. Really good.  Great location choice, Ashley!  I'm very much looking forward to your wedding in July!

Happy Tuesday and much love, everyone. 

Grateful: V

During my first few months of pregnancy with baby W, I remember wondering whether or not I could love another child as much as I love my sweet L.  My mother, who has five children, assured me my heart would only expand, my love only multiply, with our growing family.  She was right.  When I saw my little baby boy for the first time in that hospital bed, I loved him every bit as much my little girl. I can't express how very grateful I am that God blessed us with this sweet little guy. 

Grateful: IV

Today, I'm grateful for homemade shortbread--warm and fresh from the oven. It's the small things--especially the small things that involve butter and sugar. Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for stopping by;).

Here's the simple recipe I use for Classic Shortbread from Brown Bag Cookie Art:

1/2 cup butter at room temperature
1/3 cup powdered sugar (unsifted)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour (unsifted)

Cream the butter until it is light. Cream in the powdered sugar, then the vanilla. Now work in the flour. Knead the dough on an unfloured board until nice and smooth. Spray the shortbread pan very lightly with a non-stick vegetable oil spray. (My shortbread pan is an 8 inch stone octagon, but I think an 8 inch cake pan would work well, too). Firmly press the dough into the shortbread pan. Prick the entire surface with a fork, and bake the shortbread right in the pan at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Let the shortbread cool in its pan for about 10 minutes before you loosen the edges with a knife and flip the pan over onto a wooden cutting board. If the shortbread does not come right out, tap one edge of the pan. Cut the shortbread into serving pieces while it is still warm.

Grateful: III

I am grateful that I'm just about caught up with editing, which means that I can use today's naptime to curl up on the couch with a dear old friend. 

Role Models { Grove City, PA Photography}

The longer I live, the more I realize how little I know and how much I have to learn from others. I think that parenting has only deepened and further unearthed these feelings of inadequacy. But our God is so good and gracious to bless us with role models. People a little further down the road.  Friends who are wiser and can encourage, mentor, and show us what they've learned along their journey.  These incredible parents you'll see below unknowingly serve as role models for Jake and me. We've known them for less than a year, but we've quickly grown to admire their strong and godly family life. We frequently say to each other "gosh, what do they do? How have they raised such incredible, wholesome children? What is their secret?"

Take their eldest daughter Cami. When asked by her mother to bring a few props to express her personality, she brings along books. Yes, books! Love that! And Grace, their middle daughter--she has such a sweet spirit and showers affection on our children every week. She's our little L's favorite person at church. By a long shot. In fact, she makes it into our family prayer every evening. And their youngest, Mac. This little guy is a little firecracker with tons of personality and character.  I think I captured fifty completely different facial expressions from this guy in under an hour.  

Jake and I still don't know their secret. I doubt there is "a secret," a magic formula to follow.  But we'll continue to watch and observe, hoping to learn from them along the way.  Thank you guys for giving me the chance to document your sweet family! Happy Wednesday, everyone. Thanks for looking.