Jarod & Erica: Engaged!

Sigh. I could go on and on and on about this couple. They are both so incredibly sweet and at our first meeting, I knew we would be the perfect match. I am photographing their weeding next weekend and am so so excited and blessed to be working with such a laid-back and caring couple.

We took these engagement pictures just about two weeks ago, and although their proofing gallery has been posted for quite some time, I am just finding time to post their session on my blog! It's very busy around here. We took these photos in Downtown Glendale, and for once, it was a very cloudy and cold Arizona day. The sun was no where to be found, and I was a little bummed because I was excited to work with some sun flare and use it in their photos. But, we managed to have a great time, even with the thick clouds!









They were totally up for doing anything, which of course made me super happy.





The ring!









They are both so cute. This session had a couple of good stories actually! First, as we were walking through downtown there was a fellow that was in desperate need of food. Erica is so so sweet and offered him money as there was no restaurant near by, but he didn't want to take the money, he just wanted food. So, Erica being the sweet lady that she is walked a few blocks and bought him a meal at Subway :) so nice. It made his day. Then, as we were walking by a few downtown houses, there was an absolutely adorable historic home for sale. It was an open house, and we decided to take a peek inside. It was so lovely! The character of the house was outstanding, and it had those amazing wood floors, molding, and a claw tub: it was so charming! So, needless to say, this session was full of a lot of adventure and was kind of a 'mini-session,' but it worked out great!



Just as it started to get very dark, we snapped a few more. I love the playfulness in this next one





Jarod and Erica, thanks so much for a great session and being such a great couple to work with. I am so excited for your wedding next week!

Check back for their wedding photographs! Also, if you are not aware, I am offering wedding photography beginning in January of 2009. If you'd like more information, just send me an email at: liz@elizabethkimball.net - hope to hear from you!

Provost Family

Oh, this day was some what close to any photographers dream! The lighting was beautiful, the grass was luscious, and the family was incredibly sweet and patient. This is the adorable Provost Family. We met at a little green patch by Westwing, and the location worked out wonderfully. There was plenty of room to photograph, and lots of space for little Riley and their dog Emma to play.



I loved the colors and texture in this wall!



The lighting was ideal. I love the sun in these! So warm and yummy.







I love the natural-ness is this next one! This is my favorite part of my job- capturing those sweet moments as they happen!





Riley. I love that name and have always told myself if I ever had a little girl I would want to name her Riley. She is so cute! She wasn't too into sitting and posing with the family, so we let her run in the grass and be herself. I love letting the little ones 'do their thing' and follow them along with my camera. The results are always the best!









This next one is one of my favorites- something about the colors just really hit me! And it's just so...natural!



I'll finish off the post with their cute dog, Emma! She was such a sweet dog and did great, even though she was full of energy and egged Riley on! ;)



Thank you so much for allowing me to do your family portraits! You all did so great, and were so wonderful to work with! :)

Still looking for that perfect gift?

That's right! Just think of how many memories will be created with a gift certificate :)

Pictured is my adorable nephew. If you haven't visited in a few days, scroll down for recent session posts! And, stay tuned! Two sessions will be posted in the next few days: The Provost family, and Erica & Jarod's engagement session!

Megan

Ah, yes the days of being a senior! Meet Megan, a cute, sweet, and spunky senior (wow, alliteration!). When she first contacted me and told me about her bubbly personality, I knew we'd be a great match! She loves the outdoors and I knew of no place better than Anthem Community Park: one of my regular locations for seniors and families!







This next one is my favorite! I loved the look on her face, and love how creamy it came out in black & white. Classic!









I also love this next one: one of my favorite things to do is take non-traditional pictures that seem really natural and unique.




Flashback to a few weeks ago: Some of you may remember Desirea, a senior that had her session at this same location. While on the photoshoot, she stepped in a giant cactus, so as Megan and I were walking around that area, I warned her of the looming cactus. I didn't think we'd run into that problem again, but I felt i need to warn her just in case. Surprise surprise! A few seconds later, there is a piece of cactus piercing her flip-flop! Now, let me tell you, I was also on the lookout for cactus, and this thing came out of the blue. So we talked about how it's rare that she was hit by the cactus, and we talked about how scary cactus can be. Fast forward a few minutes, we move to a different rock in a complete different area, and Megan goes to sit down. She screams! I freak out and wonder what was wrong, and it happens Megan sat on a cactus piece. I felt so bad, but Megan just smiled and took it like a champ! Good memories.

Thanks so much, Megan! You did an awesome job and I had a lot of fun with you!

That Seed of Faith

Everyday as I envision my business, I see it soaring to new heights. I am a big dreamer and often get caught in thinking ahead by dreaming of where I would like to be someday. What do I see? I see myself with a successful career in portrait and wedding photography. I see myself in a wonderful in-home studio where the walls are painted in a delicious soft gray complete with white molding, chocolate brown wood floors, beautiful canvas gallery wraps decorating the walls, and thick wedding albums arranged on a black wooden coffee table. I dream of this scenario everyday, and hope and pray for it to someday become true.

But, then reality kicks in. That's not where I am right now. Yes, I am building my way there and am trying to learn and grow as best I can in the process, but do I know this is where my path will lead? No. Sometimes I tell myself to stop dreaming and face reality. What if this dream of mine is nothing more than a fantasy?

Just when doubt begins to creep into my mind, the Lord sheds his light on me in a direct way. As I try to tell myself not to get too far ahead of myself, I open my daily devotional book just as I do every night before I go to sleep, and read works the speak directly to my heart. Every day of the year is a complete new topic; all placed in random order. Here is what today's book says, which I read just after questioning my dreams:

[[excerpt from: New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. You can find it here]]

December 13: Don't Despise Small Beginnings

Who [with reason] despises the day of small things? -Zechariah 4:10

Probably most of us who are believing God for something can find evidence of a small beginning: a little seed, a cloud the size of a man's hand (see 1 Kings 18:44). Rejoice over that seed. It is a sign of greater things to come. Don't curse our seed by complaining over it. God gives us seed, something that causes us to hope- a little thing perhaps, but something is better than nothing. We should say, "Lord, this is only a little thing, but thank You for giving me some hope, something to hold on to. Thank You, Lord, for a beginning."
Take that seed and plant it by believing over it. The Holy Spirit showed me that I was throwing away a lot of my seed. When we despise something, we regard it lightly. We take no notice of it and count it as nothing. We do not take care of it. If we don't take care of what God gives us, we lose it. If we lose the seed, we ill never see the harvest. Part of Hebrews 13:5 says, in essence, be content with what you have. The scripture goes on the say, "For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way...let [you] down." That is why we can be content -by faith- during the small beginning. We know that the Lord is the Author and the Finisher (see Hebrews 12:2). What He begins, He completes (see Philippians 1:6). He will do that for us- if we hold our faith firm until the end.

After reading this, I couldn't help but smile and thank God. Not only for his blessings and beginnings, but for putting these small things in my path to remind me that with faith, I can move mountains. The timing of my doubtful thoughts and reading this book are not coincidence; everything happens for a reason, lead by my amazing God. Sure, my dreams may be a few years away, but with this seed of my small growing business, I can move to new heights. And do I have the faith to move those mountains? You bet your bottom dollar.

Werly Family

Meet the awesome and cute Werly Family! I've known this family for quite some time, and was very excited when they contacted me to do their family photographs. We did these photos at Anthem Community Park and had lots of fun! There was a huge crowd that day from some big event, and there were also lots of other photographers there, so it was hard to find good spots to take photos, but we managed to score some great locations, and I am so happy with the results!







This is such a cute family! It is crazy how similar they all look!



I really like this next one- it reminds me of some type of TV series photograph!



They are all so fun-loving and were all making each other laugh the entire time. It was so fun to watch and capture!





And, here are the siblings!





Thanks so much! I had such a blast!