LIFE: Update

+ I have had a huge wave of people interested in things I do. I've had people inquire about booking me as a photographer, about ordering my french macarons for a party or event, about throwing a bridal shower for their soon-to-be daughter in law... and you know what? It feels really good to have my talents noticed. It's just nice. I didn't take photographs of my sweet little niece because I wanted to start a photography business. I didn't try a french macaron recipe because I wanted to make a profit from it, if I succeeded. And I certainly never thought my ideas and love for crafting and planning would turn me into a party planner - but aren't all of those sort of dream jobs? It's just awesome to be recognized for things you are good at. And I don't think it's bad to be proud of it, either! 

+ Devin and I are at such a WEIRD time in our lives right now. SO MUCH is up in the air. It's the weirdest feeling, we're floating around in this limbo stage just waiting for decisions to be made in other parts of the world, so we can figure out which direction we need to go next, and just where our feet will touch the ground. We are moving in September when our lease is up, and have already started looking for a new place to live. We wanted to get familiar with the market, even though it could be different by then, but we don't even know where we are going to be living yet. It could be anywhere from American Fork to Salt Lake City at this point, an it seems to change constantly. Every day of our lives is a new plot twist, it's so interesting. I would be lying if I said it wasn't a little stressful and frustrating to be walking into the dark, not sure which direction we'll be going, but it's also refreshing and a little fun to be surprised by what will happen next. I don't know why, but I've so enjoyed the spontaneity of our life lately, and our marriage, and our friendship. It's been a really fun couple of months, for no specific reason. Our 3 year anniversary is coming up in a few months, and I feel like we've really hit our stride this year as husband and wife. Things are flowing so perfectly and we've been in such a good groove lately, even though we're working more than ever before, poorer than ever before, and seeing each other less than before. How does that work? It just does. I'm loving it. 

+ Speaking of being busy... my weekends for the next 2 months are pretty much packed. And I'm excited about it. Work marathon plus family parties this last weekend, a party plus conference plus a wedding this weekend, another wedding plus a camping trip the weekend after that, a bridal shower the weekend after that, a ton of family birthdays plus babysitting scarlett for a few days the weekend after that, and the list goes on! I haven't been busy in this way for a few months, and i'm looking forward to it! 

PINTEREST | 10 Photos That Make Me Want to Go on an Adventure

i think we could all use a little pinspiration every once in awhile.

instead of listing individual links to each photo, know they are all sourced on my pinterest account here, and i am all sorts of grateful for whoever put them on the internet. none of these photos are my own.

Scarlett at Home

I was so, so glad that Zac and McKayla let me come over to take some photos of them and baby Scarlett in their home. I have always loved babies, especially those brand new ones, and as I learn more about photography, I know that newborn photography is the route I would want to take it. These moments are so small and simple, but so fleeting. Everyone says that kids grow up so fast, and it's so true. What I love about newborn photography is that they allow you to never forget even the small stuff. Scarlett was pretty fussy (for the first time ever) on the day we did these photos, which is why she's asleep in most of them, but every shot still turned out so beautiful.

I've said it before, but watching my younger sister become a mother has been so beautiful. She has grown so much as a person and as a woman and as a mother, and she is so incredible. I look up to her so much in this role. She has so much intuition and I am so impressed by the beauty and grace that radiate from a new mom. I'm so honored to have had a peek into motherhood, though my sister. It is truly an everyday miracle - one I can't wait to experience some day.

These photos make me so emotional - partially because they are the product of one of my very first sessions, and honestly, i'm proud of this work and i think i did a really great job, and partially because just look at this beautiful little family, soaking up all this love together. I am so happy I could capture these tiny moments. 

Also, I chose to share all these photos in black and white. I think they were meant to be colorless, in the best way. I think black and white photos are so powerful and beautiful. As I edited each photo, and changed it to black and white, it became so much more aesthetically pleasing, but the color versions are just as pretty!