Christmastime

Christmas is here! I love this season. The traditions, the songs, the gift giving, the lights, everything! My favorite holiday of the entire year is Christmas Eve though. It's something about the day before Christmas that I just love. All the excitement is in full swing on this day. 

Project 365 >> NOVEMBER

it was november, the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind song in the pines. l.m. montgomery

#10 → the summer series.

#9 → the summer series.

#8 → the summer series.

#7 → the summer series.

 Colorado trip

#6 → the summer series.

 Colorado vacation 

#5 → the summer series.

Project 365>> October

Fall is such a beautiful time, full of so many pretty things. Pretty leaves, pretty skies, pretty clothes, pretty accessories, and so on. Here are a few pretty things from the month :) 

#4 → the summer series.

life lately.

I'm still here though it looks like I've left this place for good! As you can tell from the pictures above, I've been enjoying this beautiful fall season, but there's so much more I've been up to! Let me catch you all up!

home sweet ever-changing home.

"It's fascinating how we're taught that 'home' is this tangible place, the most simply defined of terms- 

it's a house,

a postcode,

a country,

And yet sometimes home cannot be explained by a street number;

sometimes it's a face, a voice,

a laugh more honest and familiar

than any truth you have ever known.

We're taught that in it's most literal sense, home is where we live and grow. 

But one day, in the silence that follows nostalgic stories and subsequent laughter, you may realize that you never did more living or growing than when you had certain people by your side.

And suddenly,

you are home."

#3→ the summer series.

Memorial Day Picnic

#2→ the summer series.

riding in RED SANDS, EL PASO, TEXAS 

Project 365>> SEPTEMBER

This is month ended the Colorado trip, begins the new season, and starts the final month of this abode we call home. September is one of my favorite months!! 

#1 → the summer series.

 camping in CLOUDCROFT, NEW MEXICO → april 14-16

Micah [eastern state newborn photography]

such a big <<miracle>> in such a little boy. 

You may remember seeing another newborn session here on my blog. That little girl became a big sister just a few short weeks ago and I was able to capture some pictures of this little one. The more I do photography the more that I think newborn sessions are my favorite! Let me know which ones are your favorite! 

→ the summer series.

What a crazy summer this has been! From the month of April until now I have been gone for 19 weeks and have been in 18 different states! There have been so many trips and things going on this summer that I have neglected to share about so I've decided to create a series on the blog and let you have a glimpse of what's been going on.

The Timmy Post

 It all happened 15 months ago. My mom, eldest sister, and I went on a road trip to Prince Edward Island, Canada...

Project 365>> AUGUST

I have a good excuse for August's pictures being late... I was mid-vacation in Colorado during the end of August beginning of September. August started in Texas, stationed in Pennsylvania for a few days, and then ended in Colorado.

summers ending...

It's hard to believe summer is practically over. It feels as though it came like a whirlwind- fast, full, and ending quickly... but that's life isn't it? So many things have happened in the past 4 months it's almost all hard to believe.

Sweitzer Family [northeast family session]

Matthew and Koreena [eastern state wedding august 2016]

As stated by the bride I don't need a night in shining armor. A sweet boy in blue jeans will do just fine.

S. family [southwest family session]

If you think my hands are full you should see my heart.

current events

Summers coming to an end already. Where do I even start? I have so many pictures and things to share with you all. There's been so many good things going on over the past couple months. Let me catch you up a little bit.

Project 365>> JULY

I'm finally posting July pictures, now that it's mid-August. I have so many pictures to share with you from over the past summer and I've done a few photoshoots that I have yet to share, beyond that I am hoping to post about what has been going on in my life and what exciting things are coming up. I hope you all are enjoying your last weeks of summer! Where has the time gone?

Project 365 >> JUNE

Summer has definitely been busy and it seems most of the pictures I've taken have been just a quick shot here and there- nothing too thought out, however creating this post reminded me of some real gems that I'll keep looking back on through the years. What's your favorite? I think mine is number 20 ;) 

{the story of us} part V

pc: Daniel J.

And this is where my man puts a ring on it...

{the story of us} part IV

pc: mrs. olivia lynn 

This is the last post about our story until I share about our engagement! Be sure to read all four parts about our story before next week!

{the story of us} part III

pc: mrs. olivia lynn 

{the story of us} part II

pc: mrs. olivia lynn 

Here's part II! If you missed part I go back to last week and catch up! =)

{the story of us} part I

Hey y'all! I'm finally here to tell how Diego and I got engaged, but instead of just jumping right to that, I thought I'd share our story from the start. And so, here is the story of my man and I. 

adventure: Prince Edward Island

A year ago today, my mom, sister, and I stepped foot on Prince Edward Island. This is by far one of the prettiest places my eyes have ever beheld. In memory of that trip {and because of the yearning to go back} I've decided to share some of my favorite things about the Island and some things that you MUST see if you go visit.

Project 365>> MAY

Texas, a ring, a quick stop home, another year older, and Texas again. May has been a good month.

David and Emily [Eastern State Wedding May 2016]

And all I see is him and me...

Forever

and 

Forever.

You may remember seeing these two a few months back on my blog. I did their engagement pictures in the fall and this spring I was able to take their wedding pictures! Here are some of my favorite shots from the day.

Kevin and Samantha [Eastern State Wedding April 2016]

Project 365 >> APRIL

Get ready for lots of sunshine, babies, and a man who loves to be a grandpa! :) Enjoy!

He Went To Jared's!

" I've loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. What would be more reasonable than to marry you?" -Little Women

Project 365 >> MARCH

I am finally getting around to posting the pictures from March, now that it's almost May. Better late than never, right? Anyways, here is March.

Prayer Cards { for her }

 Good morning, friends! Prayer Cards { for her } are hitting the blog just one week after Prayer Cards [ for him ] were posted! I hope these posts are encouraging you or inspiring you in one way or another.

Prayer Cards [ for him ]

Good Morning! Today's topic is prayer cards. More specifically prayer cards for the man in your life. Three months ago Diego + I started a relationship. These prayer cards have been a big deal for my part in our relationship. Let me explain more. 

life → UPDATE

Happy Spring, lovely readers! I hope you are enjoying the beginning of the spring season and making plans for the summer to come. Here is a glimpse of my life lately.

Joshua & Shantel [West State Wedding January 2016]

I never wish to be parted from you from this day on. 

Mr. Darcy

A month and a half ago my bestie married the man of her dreams. I was lucky enough to not only witness the day, not only be a bridesmaid in her wedding, but I was also able to second shoot some of the details of her big day. (Since I was in the wedding and only second shooting there weren't too many pictures taken and obviously there are none of the ceremony). It was a wonderful day and I hope this pictures give you a glimpse of that! 

be still.

still. peace. quiet. calm. is it just me or does it sometimes seem like these words are a non-existent thing in life? 

Project 365 >> F E B R U A R Y

It's hard to believe February has already come and gone. Just like every month it was full of blessings, lessons, and trials. I'll admit that this month was harder than last as far as pictures go. It was also very busy... and yes, I missed a day getting a picture. Lots of the pictures are rushed and the ISO is high- resulting in grainy pictures, but without saying more...

 this is FEBRUARY

Project 365 >> J A N U A R Y

One of my goals in the new year was to do the project 365. The challenge is to take one picture every day for a year. Technically this is a 366 project because of the leap year, but for the sake of name, I'm calling it project 365. I had thought about doing this challenge for several years, but never did it. Probably the top three things that motivated me to do it this year are these... 1. It is a recommend project for those working on improving their photography 2. This blog. Wow. Yeah this lady is an inspiration. 3. My sister is doing it too.

Sweitzer Siblings [northeast sibling session]

2016 Photography started out with my annual sibling shoot of some of my very dear friends. We were rushed for time and the sun was not in our favor, but my favorite thing about these pictures is the connection between these siblings...also their love for trucks, plaid, and country things ;) 

currently

Here I sit on this cold snowy, January night wrapped in a blanket on my bed, wearing my pajamas, listening to soft piano music playing, watching the snow fall outside, and eating dark chocolate from my favorite, and I wonder about several things... I wonder what the rest of 2016 will be like and if it will be as fast as it's beginning has been. I wonder if I should even consider myself a blogger or if I should even have a blog seeing as how it's become tossed aside lately. But mainly I sit here and I wonder why I have life so good? Why I am so blessed? Why the very God of heaven bestows on me so many earthly goods and delights the heart of my soul over and over again? I may never be able to fully comprehend it, but this one thing I know, that my praise will continually be to my Maker for this masterpiece of a life He's given me. So friend, here's an update on my {abundantly blessed} life currently.

two-thousand and fifteen

Dear 2015,

I can't believe you are gone already. It feels that yesterday you just got here and now you are gone. You were full of adventures, filled with memories, scattered with trials, and overflowing with blessings. I will always remember you. So much happened in your time. So many unforgettable things. So often writing the best pages of my life. You were wonderful and I'll recall you to mind often.

{here's some of the best of my 2015}