Keep on Dreaming

We tell our kids to dream big, but
what about us? We shouldn't have to stop dreaming at a certain age.  I've always been a dreamer. I've been told to get my head out of the clouds a
time or two.  Bryan likes to tell me I am always scheming.  Scheming
about where life will take us next.  I love thinking about life as an open
book and the fact that we continually add chapters throughout life.  







I've always loved taking pictures(this has to be pretty obvious with my picture taking frenzies on facebook and instagram).  From my very own Olan Mills studio made out
of cardboard for my barbies to waiting for my film to get developed after an entertaining
weekend with my girlfriends. I always made sure I had a camera. Obnoxious to
some people I suppose. Bryan gifted me my first DSLR for our first Christmas
together. I couldn't wait to take pictures with a "real" camera that
made a snap sound each time I took a picture. My brother, who is now a
videographer but a photographer at heart, always told me to learn how to use my
camera. He even bought me a book on my Nikon for Christmas one year. Not sure
where that is?! Sorry brother! At this point we didn't live near each other so
for him to teach me would have been challenge. Anyway I had other things to do!
I was too busy being a new wife and teaching elementary school. I was getting
better pictures than I got with my old camera by using auto mode so what was
the big deal ?! 7 years, 6 moves, 2 babies, and 1 puppy later I started to get
an itch. I came up with a few ideas I wanted to do after feeling settled in DC
for a year. Maybe get into some tutoring, start getting crafty and adding items
to my mom's (we started it together) business Homesweetcoast on etsy(check it
out bc she is awesome!!) , or take up Photography. Bryan didn't take me
seriously with the photography talk at first. I became distracted with our new puppy and newly mobile baby and let that go. I had enough on my plate. It kept tugging at me though and I
knew I wasn’t going to be able to let it go.  I brought the photography talk up with Bryan again and that’s
when he knew I was serious.  He's all for me taking pictures, especially because they won't be of him.  I decided it was time to take a photography class and I have been in love since!!   I've always loved capturing
those candid moments but even more so now. Everyday at least once a day I play a little with my
camera adjusting all the settings to the different lightings.  Once I decided on taking the next step I decided to upgrade since it had been 7 years and my megapixels were quite low. A big investment yes, but I couldn't love a "thing" anymore than I love this camera.  My boys have been
so good with the mommarazzi following them around. Did I just make up a word?!!  Surely someone else has thought of that before.  I love the fact that my gears have switched and I'm not into capturing the
perfect moment but instead looking for the meaningful moments. Posed pictures
are beautiful but those candid shots are simply the best.  Capturing all emotions, not just happy! The creative aspect of getting a good picture thrills me.  It feels so good to
do something just for me.  I've been craving knowledge and there is plenty
to learn about photography.  So here I go, this is where my next chapter
begins.  I have many baby steps and big steps to take in order to get
where I need to go.  It's going to be a challenge but I feel ready for it.
 I am going to give this a shot and take a leap of faith.  Family lifestyle photography and a day in the life photography is
where I would love to be in the (possibly near) future.  I definitely need the support
from my tribe along the way!  That's why I am sharing this. Thank you to those of you that have already joined me in my excitement in the last month or so as I became extremely excited about a new endeavor.   Even paying me a simple compliment has given me the courage to
step outside my comfort zone! I have a long way to go and much to learn but I am learning and that feels very good. My next big step is to get photoshop and learn that monster of a program. 

Eraser Man













Blue Eyed Baby






Morning Light












Ball.....mud....Ball













Mirror Play 









Smoothie Dilemmana








Our treasured Saturday mornings











Zoned






















 Rainy Day Beauty
























Play time is the best time









 Mess













 That moment












PJ love









 Baby, book, and teddy













 You are still squishy



Brothers first read along 












 Wild Thing












 Swing me high
















Angel baby













The Smile









  The Eyes












Bath Time Fun











Family




A boy being a boy





The Other Woman






































 These pictures were taken 6 days apart!