I know its been a long while since I posted last. Do you ever have so much going on in your life you have to withdraw for a while. I don’t know how to explain it…yes there has been quite a bit of business in my life, my husband’s finger turned purple, infected and hugely swollen for no reason. Infection is a scary thing, After 4 doctors looking at it and prescribing huge amounts of antibiotics, a friends husband, who is also a nurse along with the Dr he worked for decided to open that baby up…I know nasty….and they said he was days away from bone infection and possibly losing it. (Hope your not having a snack while your reading this) Soooo…he goes back tomorrow and the culture will be back, say a prayer that its not staph.

Moving on, we have also had spring break, business has gotten busy with all the pretty weather, and wedding season has kicked off. My daughter is now a certified lifeguard, passed her driving permit test, and my sweet sister gave birth to her 5th baby, yep #5, no drugs, all natural birth!!! She’s a better woman than me. A healthy baby Boy, James Ellis. So Im not making excuses, but life has been busy.

Even with the business of life, Another reason I haven’t blogged in a while is that my mind has been busy. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes I get so many ideas and projects floating around in my head I sort of withdraw until I can get it all sorted out. At this second Im sitting at home all alone. That never happens!! And it is perfectly still and quiet, and I can hear my thoughts. Does that make any sense? I read somewhere once that Bill Gates takes 30 days at the beginning of each year and goes to a remote location all alone, just to think. Ive always secretly wanted to do that. Maybe not 30 days, maybe just a week?

Im not just ranting today, I also have a share, from the fabulous Deb Schwedhelm’s Blog. Something so pure and honest about these guys, Makes me want to cry for some reason too.

“In order of appearance they were: Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Richard Branson, John Lennon (with Yoko Ono), Buckminster Fuller, Thomas Edison, Muhammad Ali, Ted Turner, Maria Callas, Mahatma Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Alfred Hitchcock, Martha Graham, Jim Henson (with Kermit the Frog), Frank Lloyd Wright and Pablo Picasso. The commercial ends with an image of a young girl (identified as Shaan Sahota) opening her closed eyes, as if to see the possibilities before her.”

Found this Mercedes Ad on Pinterest today. Which are you? Im definately right brained, I think most artistic folks are, but I think the most successful business people are a good combination of both. What do you think?

Left brain: I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am. Right brain: I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feat. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.

If you asked me who my favorite wedding photographer is I would have to say Jose Villa. He has been a huge inspiration to both Josh & I. (Along with most wedding photographers today) I think he has single handedly revived the use of film. Josh and I had the pleasure of having dinner with him and Joel last year in Nashville. He is a nice guy with a ton of talent. Check him out  HERE if you haven’t already.

I thought I would start a Monday tradition of sharing a photographer that I am inspired by, after all on Monday’s we all need a little inspiration, right!? Last week I ran across Ashley Skjaveland’s site, and was instantly drawn to it. So simple, and genuine. Click on the image to give her a visit and see what you think.

Nooo…. not me.  Have you seen this show on CNBC? I saw it for the first time last night. Im hooked!!! I am so interested in entrepreneurs and business, and LOVE a success story. If you have that bug too, take a break and watch this episode HERE. I especially love the Burt’s Bees story. Roxanne Quinby was a single mom, living in a cabin, with no running water, met a bee keeper hippie, and 7 years later sold her company for  177 million.

I ran across this site the other day and thought the idea was so awesome. How beautiful for wedding invitations or a special letter.

So Josh, Erika and my self were having a conversation about our tagline yesterday, “Fine Arts Weddings” & “Fine Art Portraits”. We are in the midst of updating our blog & website and to be honest I brought up that I was a little worried our clients might misunderstand what that means to us. Then… we had one of those conversations that I wished that were recorded for us to share.

What do we mean by “Fine Art?”

A huge priority with us, is that those portraits you hang in your home, will still be amazing in 20 or 30 years. That they can become heirlooms you pass down to your children. Like old family portraits. You know those that are 70-100 years old or older. They are always beautiful, classic, simple and will never go “out of style“. I am always so drawn to those. They  inspire me.

We approach each sessions with the goal of capturing something real. Something timeless. Sometimes that is a sweet somber moment, sometimes that is a big belly laugh. We love images that make you feel something. We want the result of  a session with us to be a selection of precious memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life. Images that can stand as beautiful “Art” in your home. What better to decorate your home with, than those that you love the most.

So to us “Fine Art” simply means beautiful photography that will fill your home and walls with love and memories for generations.

You have to visit my friend’s Blog today. The Lettered Cottage has such an inspirational post. Makes me want to take off on my own motorcycle for the weekend. And if you are one of the few that don’t already follow Layla & Kevin, and their blog, you really should.  It is full of creative inspiration and motivation.