Cait and Talia | Friends

Last week, I took my sister and her friend out for a quick "friend" photoshoot at Danada Equestion Center. I was dressed in a thick winter coat, gloves, a hat, scarf, and my "boots with the fur" - and was still freezing! Just look what these gals were wearing!
I have to give them props for being so tough and braving the cold, with gorgeous smiles and all. I really love how the photos turned out, despite my frozen little hands. Friend shoots are lots of fun!
Oh yes... and we did this in about 20 minutes. ;) I think it took the whole ride home and then some for everyone to thaw out. But it was worth it.

Madison | Christmas Portraits

Here is one of my favorite little girls, a sweet and sharp 3 year old from my church. I've photographed her for fun in the past, but this time her mom hired me for some portraits to put on their family Christmas card. Madison was dressed in a beautiful velvet green dress and bow, and she was all smiles. Well, that is, until she started to get a little impatient and antsy. But, c'mon, she's barely 4! And I think she did wonderful. ;) The photos prove it. I was so happy to get their Christmas card in the mail and see my work collaged all over it.

Thank you, Maddie, for being such a great girl! I absolutely love the last two, and their artsiness. I'm learning that you can take even an upset little child and create a beautiful photo.

UPDATE: Year End 2010

Well well, the year is coming to a close. Just a couple more weeks until we enter the world of 2011, so I figured its time for a quick update on where I've been and what's new in my photography world. First of all, last month I had the excitement of getting a little white package in the mail from WHCC. Thats White House Custom Color, the site I just started using for a couple print jobs. They do a fabulous job with their prints and have a wide range of sizes, styles, and textures to choose from. I finally found some time to design business cards last month, and have them now! Yay.

It was a tough decision choosing the photos for the back of the card, but I finally settled with some of my favorite ones. As a bonus, I added the one of my little brother because he was begging to be on the card. ;) I caved in, naturally, when he flashed those big brown eyes at me haha. Anyway, I love it!

And now for my most exciting news - my acceptance into Harrington College of Design! I requested information one night about two weeks ago, and within a couple days I had an interview set up. My counselor, Dax, was awesome and said the school would be very excited to have me. (Now I realize they're looking for the income, too, but I was really encouraged by his response to my portfolio.)

Harrington is located downtown Chicago in the Loop, and is apparently on the top list of the best photography schools in the nation. I would graduate possibly in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Commercial Photography. This is very exciting for me! Now all I have to do is search for financial aid and then sit down with my advisor to see how it would all work. If all goes well, I might start classes in March. WOW, God is good. I didn't expect this, but I believe its an answer to my prayer and seems to be a clear lead on what I should do. Please keep me in your prayers, though, for the next couple weeks, as I try to sort through the details and see if this is truly possible for me.

In closing, I want to thank all of you who have been so supportive and such an encouragement to me. You guys keep me going and give me confidence in myself and in my work. I'm blessed to have such a faithful crowd of friends, family, and fans.

A very Merry Christmas to you! Remember the Reason for the season.

Love,

Charity