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Remember my pretty friend Shannon? She is also an attorney who uses her powers for good.  :)

This is her sweet family. We had a great time shooting around the studio. 

Happy weekend! xo

But I digress. What I really wanted to say is that I'm finding that the life I want to live is always much closer than I think. Sometimes it's just as close as the trampoline in the backyard. 

I have more to say on this, but it will have to wait because I'm almost late for a shoot!

Enjoy your day today. Find what's means the most to you, even in the midst of whatever else is masquerading as 'important'.  :) 

*Quick note about photo sessions: 2009 has been booked. That means that even if you are my BFF from the 2nd grade, or my camp counselor that saved me from drowning in junior high (totally made that up but you get the point). There are no more spots left for the year. BUT remember, you can live on the edge and be different than all your friends by sending out New Years or Valentine's cards. And there is still availability in January! (only one more weekend though, so if you need one jump on it!) 

*Note about the camera bags: We are so thrilled with the amazing response! And we are working harder than Santa's elves to get the site up and running very SOON. I'm hoping that it will be within a few weeks. But I can't guarantee that orders will be back in time for Christmas because we changed a few elements on each style which is delaying the process a bit. Know that if you signed up, you WILL BE THE FIRST TO KNOW when they come out. So please don't sign up twice, unless you want duplicates in your inbox. :) We know that you are anxious, and trust me SO ARE WE! 

*Note about the swine flu: We had it. It sucked, but it wasn't worse than the normal flu. Just take your child in at the first sign of a runny nose or fever so you can get the Tamiflu early.

And have fun tonight with your little goblins! Be safe, and save the Almond Joys for me! 

Gorgeous Amy. I know this doesn't mean anything if you don't know my sister. But if you do, don't they almost look like twins?! It was a little twilight zone-ish looking at her through the camera. Felt like Kelly was right there. Only not. (boo) 

These next two are my favorites of her set. She has the most stunning eyes, doesn't she? She brought bazillions of awesome accessories. And our mutual friends Tara and Cara were there to hang out. So it was just fun playing dress up and hanging out together. 

Dell has a fun story behind her shoot. Her husband happened to be watching the last time I was on Living in January. So HE was the one to call me and purchase a session for her (I LOVE WHEN BOYS DO THAT). Then on the day of the shoot he even stopped by with roses for her. So sweet.

Kelly just makes me wish I could love the gym. Such good things can happen to a body when you embrace the pain of that place. 

Remember cutie pattootie Kris? She has so many more amazing shots, but I'm not showing them because they were for her anniversary.  :)

My friend Ranita. These were for her hubbie, and also to celebrate her 40th birthday. I can hear some 40 year olds smashing tomatoes into their computer screen right now. I know I want to do it, and I'm 35!

My friend Shannon. She might be one of the people I admire most on this whole planet. Besides just being a really sweet person, she's a partner at Bridgeway, which is a foundation dedicated to finding ways to end genocide. She is exceedingly brave, with an equally rare depth of compassion. I'm continually in awe of her, and of all that she does in this world. 

It's probably fair to say that the red lipstick was slightly (okay mostly) peer-pressured onto her by me and Robyn. And it was probably a slight (okay major) departure for her. But she was a great sport about it. :)

Thank you to each and every single beautiful lady who joined us for these shoots, and for any of the other ones in the past. If my life ever slows down for more than two seconds, I'm tossing around the idea of putting together a girls' night for anyone who has every done a Glam Session. Wouldn't that be fun?!

It is always so much fun getting to know everyone. And this weekend will be extra special because my friend and fellow photographer, KATE MEFFORD, who I haven't seen since WPPI 08 is coming down to rock her own session out! Can't wait to see her! 

It's so hard to believe this will be my last Glam Session for the rest of the 2009. This year is FLYING.

Like muffin tops. Yep, tops. Because sometimes one needs to edit out the stuff that sucks. And that would includes muffin bottoms.  

My mom has been collecting heart rocks for the last 17 years...so long that she's quite the snob about it if you ask me. Like, she has rules...you can't LOOK for heart rocks. They have to find you. Each one of these symbolizes a particular memory that she can tell you all about. And what's so neat is that they're not all as monumental as an anniversary or birthday. Some of them just say "grow" or "freedom". She's really cute like that.

This shot is blurry because I barely grabbed it. It's Bill dancing with himself spontaneously. And I'm posting it because it so perfectly shows the spirit of who they are. My mom and Bill are like Experts At Enjoying Life. It never matters where they are, who they're with, even in the most dire circumstances...they will find SOME way to make it meaningful, and have fun. I wish I was more like that actually.

I bought this candle for my mom when I was in Canada because it was guava-scented. When we were little in Maui, we used to for walks and pick guavas from the sides of the road. The funny thing was that the candle actually smelled more like a lilikoi. But it was okay because I think it's been 17 years since either one of us had smelled one of those either. 

Us. At one of the most beautiful wineries I'd ever been to. 

Dinner. Where much uninterrupted conversation was enjoyed.  :)

Thank you Mom and Bill. Love you. xo

love this one... :)

Penn's expression cracks me up!
Thanks Kal, Dan, Pilot, Penn, Crash, and Norman the Frenchie.  :)

However, I did look at my files and realize that I have a BAZILLION sessions that I haven't blogged yet. I had no idea how much they'd been stacking up. So here we go...time out from Canada to meet cute Emily and her adorably grown-up little man Charles. So, she found me online (which sounds weird when you put it that way). But their shoot was so much fun that we ended up having lunch afterwards. She's really smart and animated, and tells the best stories. In fact posting this is reminding me that we really need to get together for sushi again, soon!

The only bad thing about her is that she looks like a super model, which always makes me feel like I need to lose 20 pounds, and spray tan, and get my roots done, and also get braces, botox, and a tummy tuck and before we get together.   :)

This is only a partial sampling of Emily's shoe collection which should be displayed in a museum, or at least an art gallery. If it was possible, I would have had her put them all on at the same time. This was the closest I could get. Love little Charles' feet in there too.

More from Canada tomorrow (hopefully).  

We started in her studio. Which when I think about it, was very surreal. I think I've probably written about this before, but I'm going to again. I found Kal's art, before I ever knew anything about her. It was like 6 years ago. We'd just moved, and I was feeling isolated, lonely, homesick. I'd just had a baby, hadn't made friends, wasn't working. So I had lots of time to surf the web. Somehow I stumbled on her Love Life site, and completely fell in love with her work. I think it's because I have a crush on graphic design. And the way she paints feels very graphic to me, in terms of how she crops things and incorporates words with her images. Her WORDS are like an extra dose of magic sprinkled into everything. So I was really taken by her art way before I even knew what a blog was. It was later, maybe two or three years, that I happened onto her blog and found out that the person behind the art was just as amazing. And really, how could you write like that if you weren't? 

So here are a couple we took in her studio.

 And we took these I think before she even knew about her new Wings Gallery Show...how cool is that?

Lashes make the world go round.

I swear, there is never a time that I feel more at home than when I'm playing dress up. Which totally doesn't make sense because I could live in sweats. And I think it's such a chore to even blow dry my hair. But when it comes to shoots like this, I morph straight into a 12 year old. Pink? Yes please.

This one is for my mom because she loves Norman. She calls him "the Frenchy", which goes perfect with his Glam Shot. Go Norman, work it. 

We tried to get one of Norman in my camera bag, but it wasn't quite happening. Next time.

Then we hit the streets. I swear, you Winnipeg photographers are so lucky. There is SUCH great shooting in that city. My camera would be on permanent overload.

There are two new loves that I took away from The Peg:

CANNED CHARDONNAY. Can I get a what what? Perfect for pedicures.

And ETHIPIAN FOOD. It was my first time, and now I'm hooked. I mean what is better than eating dinner with your hands? Anyone know of a place in San Antonio?

Part Three tomorrow: The Kostenchuck Fam

See you then! :)

I'd originally booked my ticket for this whirlwind trip. I had this idea that I wanted to put together some sort of online publication about artists and designers and photographers. At the time it all sounded fun and great. I'd lined up a bunch of really amazing people to interview and photograph. But by the time the trip had arrived, my life was swallowed up by BAGS, and new websites, and the major learning curve that is associated with doing stuff that you've never done. Consequently, my little artsy project had been shoved into the backseat of my priority list.

And that left me in Winnipeg: "Knock knock!" "Who's there?" "Oh, just a random girl from Texas without a purpose". 

So the view from my hotel room which should have made me feel excited about a new adventure, really just made me feel small and embarrassed.

And then this really sweet package was delivered to my room. I'd been so wrapped up in what was going on inside my head. It hadn't even occurred to me that someone might be glad to have me there. 

There were all kinds of Canadian treats inside...even Faux Smarties! I realized that when you're feeling vulnerable, a little welcome goes a long way. Thank you Kal. :)

And we ended up having such a great time. Kal took me all over her adorable neighborhood, which made me a little bit homesick for Sebastopol and the days when we could walk to everything. The bakery, the post office, the pub, the movies. Winnipeg just like that... a really sweet city with so much character. 

We didn't know what to do with our lunch at first. It was tuna fish, surrounded by rice, wrapped up in seaweed. Sounds weird, but it was so good. And I know my mom will read this and make it today, since she pretty much keeps Nori in stock as a staple. I wish I was more like that. I'm lucky to have bread or milk, let alone seaweed in the cabinets.

Kal organized this amazing spa appointment. She wouldn't admit this, but if you ever suspected that she is a total celebrity in Winnipeg, you would be CORRECT. One of the girls that worked in the salon reads her blog (really, who doesn't) and they stayed open just for us (her). I was also lucky enough to meet her super sweet friend Tammy, who came along with us. My only regret was that I was SO TIRED that day. We had just finished doing Kal's shoot, which meant that we'd started drinking wine around...oh maybe noon. I really have no idea but it was too early for my non-day-drinking self. Even in Mexico when people are sipping margaritas all day. If I do that, I want to be in bed by 5. Of course the pedicures didn't help. So it was all I could do to string together a full sentence at dinner.  

Here's what it looked like from her side of the camera. She wrote what might have been the sweetest thing that anyone's ever said about me as a photographer. I feel like if I live up to even half of that, then I was a success at this work.

And there's so much more, no way I could post it all today. So here is a little tease for tomorrow when I post Kal's Studio Tour, and Glam Session (you know I had to bring a little bit of Texas?!), and yes I did get her to agree to HOT PINK lipstick! Stay tuned.  :)