I am FINALLY doing my “new year’s” post, though we are now well into the month of January.  2009 was a year that I won’t forget… for so many people I love, there was a mix of joys and sorrows, blessings and hardships.  As I watched the slideshow that I put together from the year, I cried.  Thankful to be able to do something I really love and be able to freeze pieces of time that are so precious.  But also knowing many of the stories of those I photograph… some of them experienced the greatest joys of their lives this year and some of them the greatest sorrows.  Life is a journey.

There’s a certain phrase that has been on my heart as of late.  I am convinced that when we are blessed, it is not solely for our benefit… it’s so that we can be a blessing to someone else.  So the phrase I want to live out in 2010 is “Choose to be a Blessing.”  The new year is always a reminder to me of ways I would like to grow, improve, be challenged.  But to simplify all of my resolutions, it really comes down to wanting to live beyond myself.  I think we are essentially selfish creatures, but think about how different life would be if we were thinking of others more than ourselves and our actions showed it!  Honestly, that’s a big challenge, but one truly worth pursuing in my opinion.  I know there will be days that I totally fail at this, but that’s the beauty of the sun setting and rising… a new day is a new chance.

The song that is playing with the slideshow is called “Keep You Safe” by JJ Heller.  I am totally in love with her music!  I was editing a newborn session when I first heard this song play and I had tears running down my cheeks!  The words embrace the heart of a parent’s love for their child.  I have officially obtained permission to also use this song on my website for Bellies/Babies/Children, so I am so excited about that!  You might also recognize her hit song “Your Hands.”  It too hits the heart strings!  You can hear this song set with some stunning photos over on You Tube.  Then skip on over to iTunes and buy it!  :)

Ok, I’m going to stop writing for a sec so you can see the slideshow and hear the beautiful vocals of Ms. JJ Heller.  Then finish reading after the show cuz I have some more good stuff to share!!  It takes a couple seconds to load, so be patient!  If you are having trouble viewing it below, you can also see it here.  Enjoy!

And I can’t end my New Year’s post without listing a few favs from the year past.  And since I can barely remember 10 minutes ago, much less 10 months ago, most of these favs are recent finds!

My sister Lori is an avid reader and has an awesome site where she reviews many of the books she reads.   Many of the books that are now on my list of forever favs came from her recommendation, so if there someone’s opinion I trust when it comes to literature, it’s hers!  I received “Just Between You and Me” by Jenny B. Jones at Christmas and ate it up … witty and heart warming!  I laughed out loud a lot with this one!

Really digging Over the Rhine… especially their songs “Born” and “Fireflies” and “Drunkard’s Prayer”

Love me a little vintage, so thanks to my sister Jeni, I’ve been doing some shoppin’ at Not Too Shabby.  Shay is way over due for a big girl bed and recently found that + some great new photography props for my upcoming newborns at this oh so fabulous shop!

And even though I have a mile long list of photographer’s I love, there’s just something magical and whimsical in the way that Barb Uil of Jinky Art captures childhood in her photos!  And she has the coolest promo video that you can see when you visit her site!

I have visuals below for the last two favs I have to share for the moment… I’m not sure what types of flowers these are (chime in the comments if you know their name please!!), but they are sitting in my kitchen and by my bathroom sink making me feel all warm and fuzzy every time I pass by them.

And finally, my girly girl is very into wearing mommy’s shoes right now… I guess this fav is more of a “fav memory” that I hope doesn’t slip away too fast.  I love seeing her little feet in my shoes that are much too big for her

Hope this new year is off to a great start for everyone!  If you have a second, leave me a comment so I can say hi back!  Google analytics is telling me a few more peeps than just my mom and sisters are coming around here and I love making new friends.  Also, I’ll be getting a Photography Tips post up soon.  Disclaimer:  not an expert here, just enjoy sharing what I’ve learned in my own photographic journey!  Oh yeah, and just a reminder if you would like to receive my newsletter (that I’m hoping to get better at sending out!) you can sign up for it at the top of my site page under “Newsletter.”

Joyfully, Erin

I have known Mike since he was like 10.  Our families have been practically like family to each other over the years and he and my youngest brother were roomies in college, so I sorta can’t believe he’s getting married!!  He certainly couldn’t have found a better gal though!  It’s easy to see you two are in luuuuuvvvve!  Megan, your sweet personality shines through even as a first impression!  And Michael, I couldn’t help but see how your lovely lady was able to pull out the real Mike I know in the photos.  Those that know you well will see what I mean.  And thanks M&M (that’s now your official hollywood nickname) for trusting my vision for your images… i love the juxtaposition of it all!

This is so Mike right here…

And so is this.  Buddy, I think you found your match!  And she’s got guns, so don’t mess

Thanks Mike and Megan for inviting me to photograph the two of you as you celebrate your engagement!  Congratulations!!

Joyfully, Erin

This preview is going to be a little long because Claire and I go way back to HER high school days… not to mention she looks super cute pregnant!

When I was in college, I had the privilege of being a small group leader to a group of sophomore girls at my church.  These girls were so fun to be around and I think we did as much laughing as we did Bible study.  Every week we would pile into my Toyota Camry and head over to the Starbucks at Kierland, sometimes even blasting a Kirk Franklin tune with all the windows down.  And the was probably the extent of our menacing cuz I would never take a group of young, impressionable girls tee-peeing or anything

One thing I didn’t expect being a small group leader was how much these girls would teach me!  They had always had awesome questions about whatever we were studying and well, I didn’t always have the answers.  So that got me doing a lot of my own studying.  I also got engaged that year and believe me, you want a group of high school aged girls in your life when that happens!  They were so excited and even put together a little surprise for me on the day of the wedding… I know Claire is thinking right now- NO!  Don’t tell!  But I loved it so much I have to.  At our reception, the DJ said my friends had a little surprise for me.  They sat me in a chair and my 5 sophomore girls were posed on the dance floor ready to do something.  The music from the opening song to My Best Friend’s Wedding began to play, ya know, “wishin’ and hopin’ and thinkin’ and prayin’” and they had the whole thing choreographed and lip synced!  Let me tell ya, this took guts to do in front of an audience of more than 300 people!  If I knew how to get the footage off the VHS it’s recorded on, I would totally post it on You Tube… it would go viral for sure!  That was definitely the icing on the cake for my memories on my wedding day and I am so glad they were a part of it!

And now C is happily married to her Prince Charming and they are expecting a baby boy!  I am so excited to meet your little guy and photograph that next awesome stage of your lives!  Alright, now on to the photos:

Love ya C!  Thanks for inviting me to photograph this precious time for you guys!