Be still my heart. I cannot even believe this little man of ours is blowing out 4 candles today. He is so full of life and we love every minute of re-discovering the world through his eyes.  We are still coming down from Sunday’s sugar high…We spent the afternoon blasting off to the moon and eating Oreo crater moon cake with all of his preschool friends.  More on how we celebrated here!
xo.

We shared a few words about our experience at the Film Is Not Dead Workshop in the previous post, but I just want to comment on how refreshing it was to be turned loose to spend time making images just for the sake of making images.  These photos were all taken during our free time during the trip, both at the Griffith Observatory & an afternoon at Venice Beach (that place is for real). The FIND experience really impressed upon us the enormous value of shooting personal work, getting back to the heart of photography and capturing things that are beautiful, inspiring, interesting, and simply worth documenting. It is an amazing tool to learn more about ourselves and to define our style and vision as artists. One of our big goals for 2013 is to spend more time shooting for us.  Will you please help hold us accountable!?
xoxo.

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about owning your own business, is packing up and taking a vacation whenever exactly when you need it.  For us, that was last week—something just had to give. Although wedding season is beginning to wind down, lately we’ve been working feverishly, holed up in the office with endless editing, emails, etc.  And as much as we adore what we do and want to deliver everyone beautiful photos as quickly as humanly possible, sometimes we just need to turn off our computers/phones, be a little family, and recharge our creative batteries. I think it is a common misconception that wedding photographers just get to show up for 8 hours on Saturday and then kick up their feet the other 6 days per week. (Kinda like how preachers show up on Sundays and teachers get the “whole” summer off..)  Honestly, we never really get away until we get away.  So last week we took a mini road trip along the shore of Lake Superior to Lutsen & Grand Marais. And wow. Just wow. I think it is the very best part of Minnesota. I can never get through the trip without reciting the Song of Hiawatha to Jeff. Which annoys him.  Anyway, although the fall colors had already peaked, the weather was damp and chilly, and we shared runny noses & sore throats—we had a complete blast. Chasing the sunrise, throwing every rock back into the lake, picnicking, blazing trails, discovering waterfalls, stopping for pie, and racing a small boy in a cozy monkey hat.  Exactly what we needed.
xo.

We shared the trip with Jeff’s cousin & his wife, and CUTE baby which made it doubly awesome! Thanks Dan for planning this trip and for snapping our family pic!

There’s something you should know about me: Crafting keeps me sane.  Creating things with my hands gives me so much joy.  And sharing projects + joy with others, well it’s a no-brainer. It is a dream come true. That’s why my friend Amanda & I love hosting handmade workshops.  They are simple reasons to break away from the daily grind, pick up a new skill, make something pretty, and build community with other girls who love doing the same. Yay! Right now we’re getting ready to host our big GIVE CRAFTY workshop on November 17th—this one’s all about making handmade gifts (like the pretty things below) just in time for the holidays!  Registration opens today and I would L.O.V.E. if you joined us.  More workshop info + projects HERE. Or snap up your spot HERE!
xoxoxo.