Happy Holidays!

So you might have noticed that I haven't blogged much this month, and that is because I am completely caught up on editing and shooting for the year.  I actually have been for about a week, and it has been so nice to have a few days away from my computer.  Last weekend we headed to Three Forks for an early Christmas with our family there, and this weekend we will be out at the ranch for Christmas Eve, and then back in Miles City for Christmas day.  This is the first Christmas that I will not be in Three Forks, and although I will miss my parents, sister, cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles a ton, I am also very excited to be spending the holiday with Kevin's side of the family.  I know how incredibly blessed we are to have such amazing families, and we are very lucky to live close enough to our families that we can rotate where we spend Christmas every year.  There is never a shortage of love regardless of where we go, and that is something I am very thankful for.

So what else have I been up to? Hmmm....  Well I haven't had much of chance to share what is new with me since most of my recent posts have been client sneak peeks.  I love being able to share personal part of my life on my blog, but honestly, so many sneak peeks means I have been really busy, and that just makes me so grateful.  December has been such a wonderful month.  I had a lot of print orders to fill, holiday cards to design, and I even took Santa photos.  The Santa photo experience was a first, and I LOVED it.  Some little kids screamed SANTA in excitement while others bawled.  Either way, it was such a fun time, and the girls at Studio Ten (where the photos where taken) and I where thrilled to be doing it for the Mile City Foster Care Project.  It is such a great cause, and I was so honored to be part of the fundraising.  

Anyways...now that you are caught up I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!  I will be working on marketing stuff next week, and am shooting a New Year's Eve wedding so I will be starting the new year off with a fun winter wedding to share! 

 These photos were taken in October.  I didn't want to share them until after our Christmas cards went out.  My sister and parents were in town so I had Carley take the photos, and then we passed the camera around and did a few other fun ones as well.

 I'm pretty lucky that my husband is such a trooper.  He thought I was a little crazy at the time, but I really wanted our cards done before the ordering rush, and I thought we had to take advantage of the fall weather so he went along with it.  Plus we didn't have any photos of the both of us with miss Penny so it was a must :)  (and yes I will always be the person who has her pup in the family photos)

 Love you my beautiful sis!

 This was not a planned family photo but we were together and there was a camera.  Reason enough to take a family photo.  Kev couldn't be in it because he actually took this photo and it is the first time he has ever used my camera.  Not bad babe.  

 And here is the Christmas card we sent out.  It was a 5x7 front and back and I actually had them printed in an ornate shape.

Snow Day {Bozeman, MT Engagement Photographer}

I don't personally usually have very good luck when it comes to weather, so it is a good thing that my couples seem to.  This shoot was originally planned for Big Sky because this couple wanted fresh white snow, and Bozeman was just didn't have any.  However, we all awoke on Sunday morning to perfect powder, and our plans changed.  There wasn't the need to travel to Big Sky so we stayed in Bozeman, and then later in the day headed to the Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks to finish up the shoot.  

Even though it was chilly, I had a great time with this couple, and their little guy.  The focus of the shoot remained on Ben and Caitlin, but we did sneak in a few family photos as well.  

Caitlin and Ben you make such a wonderful couple and made my job so easy.  I love when couple just interact in front of the camera, and don't need much posing, and that's exactly how these two were.  So in love and so wonderful to photograph! 

I LOVE this next photo.  So contrasty and dramatic. Very romantic.  

Mr. and Mrs. Love Bird {Miles City, MT Wedding Photographer}

This day was originally set to happen in June, but Jeff and Kelsey decided they couldn't wait to be married, and so they had a lovely November wedding.  

Jeff is my brother-in-law and now Kelsey is my sister-in-law, and I could not be happier to have her join the family.  Actually she has always felt like part of the Bird family.  I think we could both say that the Birds welcomed us into their family long before we ever married Kevin and Jeff.  We are both very lucky girls to have married into such an amazing family, but just take one look at Kels, and you will agree that Jeff just might be the lucky one.  

As a wedding photographer I get to witness a lot of wedding ceremonies, and there are usually bits and pieces from each that I remember fondly.  During Jeff and Kelsey's ceremony a reference to the movie "Up" was made.  I loved this movie!  Of course I cried during this movie, and I have seen it several times now.  Anyways, the gist of the sermon was that these two would spend the rest of their lives sharing adventures together.  I have no doubts about this as these two have already shared countless adventures.  They truly enjoy spending time together whether that be feeding cows, playing cards, or watching Jeff's favorite sports team.  They not only enjoy the big adventures together, but they equally enjoy the small ones as well.  You two are such perfect couple, and I look forward to witnessing and taking part in some of your upcoming adventures.  

These first three photos are exactly why I love "first looks."  We didn't really have another option since it would have been too dark to do photos outdoors after the ceremony, and we didn't have many options for indoor photos.   

 The bridesmaids were troopers...it was chilly out but they still rocked those black dresses.

Adventurous Aaron {Miles City, Senior Photographer}

The next few days are reserved mainly for print orders, and designing holiday cards.  However, I did want to make sure I got Aaron's sneak peek up as well.  Aaron loves hockey and snowboarding, and just like most boys, doesn't really care for having his photo taken.  I however thought Aaron was great in front of the camera.  He is the type of guy that takes awesome smiling photos, and can also rock a serious face.  Plus he was a genuinely nice guy, and was so easy to be around. 

Thanks Aaron for being such a great subject!  Enjoy your sneak peek!

Adventurous Aaron {Miles City, Senior Photographer}

The next few days are reserved mainly for print orders, and designing holiday cards.  However, I did want to make sure I got Aaron's sneak peek up as well.  Aaron loves hockey and snowboarding, and just like most boys, doesn't really care for having his photo taken.  I however thought Aaron was great in front of the camera.  He is the type of guy that takes awesome smiling photos, and can also rock a serious face.  Plus he was a genuinely nice guy, and was so easy to be around. 

Thanks Aaron for being such a great subject!  Enjoy your sneak peek!