I have been participating in a few online break out sessions for Photography. Eye-opening, soulful, humbling. To be putting my work out for other amazing photographers to see and offer feedback has been awesome.  It has all been about finding opportunities and making connections, with my camera, but also in finding some great new contacts in the photography world. My goal this year is to continue doing this, focusing on finding my style. Hopefully this time next year, I’ll finally be ready to put myself out there a bit further. It is easy to get down, doubting my abilities as a self-taught photographer, but I am determined not to give up in striving for bold images that make people who see them feel something real. I hope you’ll stay tuned. I look forward to your feedback!

Sunday mornings are pretty mellow around here, most of the time. It is the one time when we can all do what feels good. Chris makes egg sandwiches and ice coffee and then reads on the iPad in the living room on the coach. I peruse a mag, sipping my coffee. Tucker and Finn usually play legos. And we listen to Chill on WCLZ. Tucker is fighting a bit of a bug, so was a little more mellow than usual, but still in good spirits, so I ran to grab my camera with my 50mm 1.4 with hopes of getting a good shot or two. I was so happy when Finn hopped into the frame! It is usually impossible to get them together, but not today!

I am so excited about this post. One of my absolute FAVORITE things growing up was jumping in piles of leaves. Chris blew leaves for about 5 hours yesterday afternoon, no exaggeration, so the kids were of course thrilled to go crazy running, sliding, jumping, tumbling, and tossing in a giant leave track. It was FUN, and a treat to practice with my new 70-200mm 1.8 lens. I have a motion shoot coming up so I am taking every chance I get to make sure I am ready!

I love it when I have a sunny day with Finn just hanging out together. When he plays, I can daydream. One day recently, I was very excited when I walked over to the mailbox and pulled out my copy of once wed. BEAUTIFUL photographs and gorgeous inspiration. I relished the time to slowly turn the pages and ooh and ah. Finn was right over my shoulder at times, admiring the fantastic ethereal images taken by Jose Villa and Tec Petaja, among others. As soon as I reached the end, I ran inside to grab my camera. I was so inspired, ready to tackle my sweet little subject – Finn in our front yard. So fun! The simplest little things can be so beautiful when photographed well, at least that is what I aspire to whenever I shoot.

What a day! Despite a little rain, the duck race was a big success! 517 ducks were sold! Over $9400 raised net!!! Here are some of my favorite pics! Oh, and did you hear, the Principal won! But being who she is, she donated her prize (an iPad!) to the school. Her duck tattoo must have been a good luck charm. It’s all good! Talk about ducky!! More photos over here . . .

I can’t believe how long it has been since my last post. It seems to be one thing or another that has prevented me from doing what I really love, Photography and Blogging! I have enjoyed a little downtime post holiday craziness. And I have been working on a couple of projects, more on those later, and then this week came down with a stomach bug and some crazy back pain. Said back pain is definitely putting a priority on my new office studio redesign with some new furniture. I am excited about 2012 and the promise that it brings. I plan to introduce a regular schedule to my blog with different features, like before and after, ideas, and of course photography, styling and design. In addition, I am now showcasing featured lifecomesround content on Tumblr.

For the first time in almost four weeks I picked up my camera and shot a few of Finn having his snack this afternoon. I think I have said this before, but he has really been growing up too fast lately. In good ways and bad. Good: he has made excellent progress in potty training! Bad: He calls us Mom and Dad, even though Tucker still calls us Mama and Daddy! Mahm, Mahm, Dad! Really? Do by myself! There is still a little baby in him. For a little baby who was happy to sit in one place before crawling several months later, he sure likes a fast pace. Voooooh, voooooooh – his baby vroom voice calls as he runs around our house. I was so happy to catch him crawling towards me on the floor today. Don’t grow up to fast Finn – we still like to help oooh!

This summer I had the honor of shooting an event for Maine Home+Design: the Cape Elizabeth Garden Tour, and I can’t resist sharing a few pics of my name and work in print. What a treat! Click here to see more pictures of the tour. This is an issue worth buying as the restored camper is amazing! I want one! Must also mention that this is the first issue designed by the oh-so talented, newly appointed Art Director Heidi Kirn!!!! Congratulations Heidi!

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Tucker and his friend Sabina have quite a time when they get together. They are both quite energetic and imaginative. They have frolicked on the beach, played house, and recently found themselves dancing when I was taking some portraits at their school one afternoon. Tucker gave Sabina a flower, they pretended to get married, and then dance! Before her mother Pam and I knew it, they were in the throws of a first kiss! OMG! Wait til you see! Don’t you love her shy flirtation with her head on her shoulder, the way she kicks her heal up, and they way Tucker lunges in afterwards? And he looks a little bit like a whole new guy afterwards, with a very satisfied smile!