Ahhhh….a hot cup of cider on this cold and bitter day.  In Minnesota we are -15 but the windchill brings it much colder.  I actually had to break out my coat for my commute two days in a row.  I am speechless right now as I have completed ALL orders that have been placed through today!  Most arrived here and Alisha and Kelly will package in the next 2 days for pick up.  I have a few more sessions for the year but officially believe I SURVIVED!!!! It’s such an amazing feeling to have worked so hard and after 6 months straight look around my desk in search of something I must have missed as being “caught up” is not something that happens.  I will spend tomorrow preparing my OWN heart and home for the coming of the BIGGEST birthday of the year. 

My niece joined me “helping me out” through the busy times as all my hired help headed off to school/college/sports and a life.  Today she came to me to help me one last day before heading home for the holidays.  What a blessing it has been to share these past few weeks with her- a time I will treasure forever.  You see as she was entering in this world- I was getting married.  Yep literally!  She was born 3 hours before my wedding and her mother was my Matron of Honor.  Born with a very special place in my heart, she became my niece, then my goddaughter and now my friend!  I never had this time with her before as they live 3 hours away so it was a few days here and a day there but never 2 days a week.  I hope and pray that in 2010 she will continue to bless my business and life with her presence but if not these are days that I will never forget.  Love you Sar!

Last week I had the joy of many sessions and am in awe always at the love my clients give to me. I was able to photograph this couple as they said their vows and then they shared their first born with me.  It was such a wonderful day for me.
  

 I often am asked to photograph events at the school/ community.  This week I watched my daughters both get awards for Volleyball and was so proud of both of them.  When they announced that Mariah would be a tri-captain next year it hit me hard- she will be a SENIOR next year.  Oh dear- what will I do without her in my day every day.  I sat in the corner and cried (although no one new but Paul who rolled his eyes at me).  Kelly put together a slideshow of their year together as a team and what an honor to be the one to capture their season in those images that these kids will treasure forever.  I am truly blessed in life!

Babies and Families and Holiday Cheer!  As I look back at an amazing year!  Oh dear- Aren’t you glad I gave up poetry in grade school with Roses are Red letters to my mom… Last week I photographed another 14 sessions and see just how blessed this world is.  As I watch the newborn babies calm to their mother’s touch and the new daddies in the world sit silently in calm observation, I think of another birth so many years ago and it brings tears to my eyes to think of our King and his birth.  I wonder if there is any chance had I been alive if I would have wished for a camera to photograph such an amazing event.  I can’t wait for our Birthday Party on the 25th and hope that HE will celebrate with us. 

The end is near as I see 2 more 60+ hour weeks and then ahhhh!!!!!  I’m so blessed to have my health to keep up this pace for yet another 6 months.  There have been days in the past 3 weeks where I feel myself running thin and then I am touched by yet another family or child and I am refueled for another day.  I’m not going to deny that instead of putting my toes under my desk and my ass in the chair ( as the song goes) I’m soooo looking forward to my toes in the water and my ass in the sand in January with the ladies week in Mazatlan.  But for now, in the next few days I wish to share with you my family, my staff and my many blessings in life!

                                    
 Some days seem like there’s just more than I can take- Today is one of them.  I’m on my way to the Ashby School Career fair and today I wonder if I’ll be able to  encourage any of them to walk this road of such joy and fun combined with such moments of angst and panic.  It’s kind of like a drug where you get the high from what you love to do the most followed by the let down.    Then you get a little phone call message from that mom that just puts it all back at you thanking you for capturing what non-other have ever done.  And it keeps you going and you hide the rest of the feelings and frustrations for another day.  From the moment I picked up my camera and looked through my lense, I have been true to myself.  At the end of the day- that’s what matters.  I’m so blessed by the families who have remained loyal to me and my vision and to each of you- thank you from the bottom of my [sometimes cynical]  little heart!

My newest Greeting Card options.  Pricing is based on quantity.  Please contact me directly for pricing and ordering information. 

Gone Fishin’  What an amazing week!  I had the most fun and the images we captured are unbelievable. Thanks to my constant customers who continue to support me in my endeavors and to the many many first time clients- I hope that you are thrilled with what we captured here at Dawn’s Photography.  To say the least- Limits were caught and no one was rained out!  The INDOOR pond was a hit and the fish along with the “gooslings” (Caleb)/”ducklings” were a blast.  I’ve been working night and day to get the first of the proofs completed but in the average shoot of 20 minutes each client had over 60 images for me to edit out.  Some with over 150….OVERSHOOTERS ANONYMOUS- here I come!  These are just my first days customers.  More to follow as I complete them.  If your image is here but you can’t access your online gallery please contact me!
    

    Want to see more Ashby Prom images- Slideshow DVD available with all images.  Call Dawn to purchase today.  Individual portraits in addition to packages already purchased are available upon request.  Go to www.dawnsphotography.com and contact me via the website.  Thanks to the AMAZING Juniors/Seniors and dates of Ashby for making it a FABULOUS place to photograph! 

I sit here today and realize it’s already Wednesday and just wonder how I could get the Lord or father time to give me just a few extra hours that no one else gets.  I’ve hired Alisha who now comes in everyday after school and  which has made my working environment much more pleasant.  Although yesterday, she came in and boldly stated “Holy crap!  What happened it looks like a tornado went through your office!”  Yeah that would be me frantically searching for the kind of Geese I need to purchase for my pond theme to make them look bigger than ducks!  I knew I had it written and I could visualize the book it was in but could I find the book- NO!  I think having someone else organize you is great but it would be nice if they were here ALL the time to show me where it went!  Can’t wait til summer when I have my girls here all the time to keep me where I need to be!  I realize that I’ve now hired 2 VERY organized teens and am THRILLED!  I swear that way I can just remain creative!    Perhaps it’s a sign that no matter how organized I am I still    feel a bit disorganized!   We found the notebook in a PERFECT place where it should be but not without the tornado first. 
       Earlier today, I spoke with my mom on the phone, whom I have always perceived as a successful AND organized woman only to realize that she too would like more time to “catch up”so I realize that my problem is not only mine and perhaps I can just blame or thank her for how I am!  That’s what mom’s are for after all isn’t it?  I’m finding that out more now that I’m the mother of TWO teenagers!  Hmmmm…. hug your babies twice today and leave the organizing for later- MUCH later!  I did and I’m so very glad that I cherished all those days and didn’t worry about the spotless/organized life I so thought a “good mom/woman” could do. 
       My mind though and my creativity is VERY organized and I can remember/find any image of days gone by and I know immediately what it looked like so… you take the good, you take the bad, you take them all and there you have….The facts of life!!! (Loved that show- does that date me as much as I think it does?)
      Had a little “show and tell” yesterday with this weeks images.  Yes that is what I love most-  Taking the pictures and then creating my vision is totally so self rewarding.  Paul get’s frustrated with “Show and Tell” as he’s all about “business” and time management (yawn….)  But now that I have the girls after school he’s no longer tortured too much and I can’t WAIT for school to let out so I can have my time. 

The Week just keeps getting better.  These are the granddaughters of my seamstress!  My first TU TU’s of the week after the storm.  Again Pink is the hit but wait til you see the blues-  I just sit and laugh as I proof all your beautiful images.  Thanks to those who joined me in my play time.  If you’re not here yet please be patient… I’m soooo sorry!  I’ll get a few peaks for everyone by weeks end.  Dawn

Life has a way of throwing curve balls in our best laid game plans and this week was one of them.  The week of our TU TU Cute promotion brought yet another snowstorm of 2008-2009 winter.  I guess it’s spring but one could never tell by looking out the window.  All the scheduled promotions for Monday through Wednesday were rescheduled due to weather and boy were there some disappointed little girls and one very disappointed BIG girl!  I live to play and especially in this weather the playing is what keeps me alive!  But…we survived the disappointment and for the rest of the week we were able to dance away!  What a fun promotion and Rita…thanks for the BEAUTIFUL tu tu’s you created for me.  PINK was the FAV amongst all the girls and mom’s.  We were able to get a couple colors in on some but most just wanted to play in the pink. 
This is Hope… I first met hope when she was a “little” girl (smile) and now she’s a “big” girl.  What a beauty and her smile and eyes are just captivating.  As I photographed her, I turned to see her mom and auntie watching this little beauty and I knew right then that in about 20 years, I could turn on her wedding day and see the same look in their eyes…Where has the time gone and what a beautiful young lady she has become.  The love and sentiment in both of their eyes brought tears to mine.     

It’s so touching for me to be able to capture those first years with a child.  And then to watch them grow into being the “Big Brother” who adores his little baby!  I can always tell that it’s so hard to get that whole family together for their first big outing and have everyone looking like their happy and ready for pictures.  I pray that what I capture is something that will be treasured by my clients for generations to come.  That one day these boys will look back at these pictures with their families and know just how much they were loved.  How could there be any doubt when you see the love in these parents eyes as they look at their most precious gifts.