I haven’t posted recently about my latest philanthropic work because I’ve been ramping up for something big… really really BIG. I’ve feverishly working behind the scenes for several charitable organizations that I feel pretty strongly for, creating event logos, save the dates, posters, event materials, and much more. I have great emotional ties to the organizations I contribute my time for, and am pretty excited to introduce this one to you (if you haven’t heard about it yet).

Chris Hsieh of La Brisa Photography came up with a fantastic concept a couple of years ago :: for the entire month of April, to sell our fine art photographs with profits going to our desired local and national/international non-profits organizations and charities. Photography for a Cause began in 2009 with humble expectations, but the overwhelming support has raised $1,009 (2009) and $1,500 (2010) to contribute to amazing charities. This year, the effort has grown to include several other photographers, including me (hooray!), ericamay photography, Scott Bean Photography, Luke Townsend Photography, and Anobel Odisho. Our goal is to collaboratively raise $3,000 this month.

So. A worthy event like this needs a worthy logo! Chris and I had a few discussions about what he felt like his identification should look like, and he was intrigued by the idea of a rubber stamp. So, ideas flowed and the following identification is the result for the event ::

We would be honored with your support! The event kicks off TOMORROW, April 1 and will run the entire month of April. Tomorrow I’ll be posting a sneak peek of my fine art gallery and the organizations I’m benefiting for the event. In the meantime, you can learn more on our Facebook page!

The last few weeks have been insane. Like, oh-my-god-when-are-we-ever-going-to-catch-our-breath kind of insane. The half marathon is this weekend so I’ve been logging miles like crazy…morning, evening, and anytime I can get a spare hour in between. Little Man has had spring break.  The house is clean. (okay, at least the toys are off the floor.) I’ve been designing some beautiful albums from sessions last fall and a new logo project that I’m excited to share. Working on some of the things I swore I’d accomplish this year.

One of those things I swore we’d do this year is a doozy :: having our own family photographed. The last time I stepped into someone else’s studio for portraits was just shy of five years ago when Little Man was barely weeks old. And since then, it’s been one of those things where I haven’t made it a priority to put my own family in front of someone else’s lens. It’s like the story of the cobbler who has no shoes. And I’m completely embarrassed to admit it. And I recognized that it’s time that we make it a priority. But — who photographs a photographer?

Enter Me Ra Koh. Me Ra has been not only a mentor but a friend and an honest sounding board as I’ve journeyed further into the art and business of owning Cathy Mores Photography. She’s who I owe a lot of credit to for my success over the last couple of years, and is having MAJOR success of her own as a Sony Artisan of Imagery, a regular contributor to the Nate Berkus show, and her beautiful, every-momma-should-own new book release, Your Baby in Pictures. Look up humble in the dictionary…her photograph is next to it.

She had mentioned being in Denver doing mini sessions…and I could not help but shake the feeling that we needed to do this. Mike hadn’t had the chance yet to meet Me Ra, although over the course of several blog comments I think Mike and Brian, Me Ra’s husband, may have possibly been separated at birth (– a claim that I held when I first met Brian and hold steadfast to); so, they could meet, we could have our portraits made, see family in Denver, catch up on business, photography and life…the list went on. So, literally, in a matter of five days, we canceled our plans for the following weekend (Mike gets HUGE props for this) and were on our way to Colorado for a weekend visit.

All of a sudden, I found myself having the thoughts that I’m sure 99.9% of my clients have before I photograph a session::
What do we wear? Will we look okay? Where will we hang them? What will we wear? Does Little Man need a haircut? What if it rains? What will we wear?!

(Sounds OCD, doesn’t it? Admit it…I know you mommas do this too before you see me for a session! )

I’ll let the portraits speak for themselves. I adore how they look…even better than I ever could have imagined. Yes, we even let Blue Bear into the session :: he’s as much a part of our family as Parker is, so it was only fair.

(Photos courtesy Me Ra Koh Photography, Inc.)

After we had finished our session, Parker took a picture of the grownups :: (I’d say he did alright!)

Me Ra, I cannot thank you enough. From the bottom of my heart, I can’t begin to share our gratitude for these beautiful portraits of our family. Next time, we promise it won’t be so long before we get together again. xoxo, Cathy, Mike & P

Yesterday I read a post by a dear friend about holding on as you evolve your passion and dreams — and it me step back and really think. Its timeliness was rather apropros, as I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, challenging myself and pondering what my “impossible” dream really is; and how to squash the negativity, criticism, and (self-inflicted) glass ceilings that are keeping me from attaining that dream. Is it to simply have a delightful photography business? Is it the challenge of creating new, fresh photography that inspires and delights? What’s the one thing that I feel like is the paramount goal that Cathy Mores Photography can do? And how, HOW, do we get there?

I’m not sure. But I know it’s there. Foggy, hidden in a thick soup of gray, low lying clouds, I see my dream on the other side. Its shape I cannot yet discern. And between me, standing on one shore, and it, on the other, lie the passing boats in the harbor, bellowing their deep, low foghorns — the slow-moving obstacles that I must surpass to get to the other side.

A couple of years ago I thought that if I just jumped in the water and started swimming that I’d eventually end up on the other side. Nearly drowned a time or two (figuratively speaking, of course), yet I feel like the waters have shallowed as I’ve evolved. My business acumen has deepend. My heart, my love for photographing and creating has refined. But at the same time there’s a piece of me who feels like I’m back standing ankle deep at the shore as the waves lap around my shivering feet. But my eyes and heart are fixed to the other side. I will get there.

I’ve spoken many times about putting one foot in front of the other. No matter what. (Remember this post? “you can’t stumble on anything when you’re standing still”.) The criticism, the people who snub you for believing in something and having the confidence to go for it. I was told once in a college adviser’s office that I’ll never make a living doing something I love. That I should take the “safe road” and pursue something (aka change my major) to something that would be predictable. To them, I want to say: Really? I believe I’ve proven you wrong. Even though, at the present moment, I’m feeling like my feet are stuck in heavy, wet sand; I can honestly look back at the last several years and say that I’m proud of how far I’ve come. And that, yes, there is much ahead of me. Now, I’m on to the next goal toward my impossible dream, and while the end objective isn’t 100% clear, I know it’s there.

My challenge today: to take one step forward.

Big, small, whatever. ONE STEP is all it takes. I’m going to. Because I believe in it. Small steps lead to really big ones. Silence the critics around you, even the ones within, and pursue a little piece of that dream. Because it’s out there, it deserves to have a voice, and you are worthy of achieving it. Watch, imagine, and share here if you feel so inclined.

Ohhh my, I have some great posts I’m working on for next week. (Thus ending the spring break pause)

Here’s a sneak peek at one post that I cannot. wait. to. share!! Imagine this: a photographer who hasn’t been in front of the lens in FIVE YEARS. (ouch.) I vowed to myself that if I accomplished only one thing in 2011, it was to have new family portraits created. And we were fortunate enough to meet up with dear friend and mentor, Me Ra Koh, in Denver a couple of weeks ago for just the thing. Full story to come next week, but until then ::

(photo courtesy Me Ra Koh)

We are having some lovely spring weather this week! Doesn’t it feel like it’s been a looooong winter? I love spring–its warmer (and longer!) days, the renewal that starts again each year. Spring is a wonderful reminder of one of life’s greatest lessons; that no matter the darkness and cold of winter, there’s always another opportunity to pick yourself up and begin anew. Take a few moments today to reflect on something or someone that you can refresh your relationship with….I’d love to hear about it if you’d like to leave a comment!

We’re attending a benefit this weekend and I had thought it would be fun to bring in a little Old Hollywood sparkle into my ensemble for the evening. I love these selections because they’re delicate, yet so striking.

Wishing you a sparkling, fun weekend! Cheers!

If there is a word for this, darling, it is joy.

She’s filled with exuberance. You see it in everything she touches. Her friends adore her for it. Her parents, too.

When we had first talked about Anna’s senior portraits, she offered up something that brings her joy :: fashion. Urban Outfitters, namely. She loves putting together styles that make her feel good. That share her joy. Shoes, her mom’s cowboy boots, a strand of pearls. Her eye is flawless.

It barely took me the bat of a fluttered eyelash to be fully on board with her concept, my wheels spinning of combining my love for sun-drenched, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters-styling, with her vision for a portrait session that would outshine (quite literally) her expectations for jaw-dropping senior photographs. Prairiewood was our perfect setting, on a fall evening with delicious golden light, the sound of her parents’ nearby laughter as they sat by the pool.

A weathered horse barn on the property was the perfect complement to her attire, including her mom’s boots!

A quick outfit change and we basked in the sunlight ::

This image…sheer joy.

A couple of shots among the prairie. This is one of my favorites of the day (and I have lots!) ::

Another quick outfit change and we brought out an antique chair I brought along. See what I mean about her styling? Flawless…

Anna has done some modeling, and she completely rocked this image. The ring is one of her favorites ::

Anna, your star shines SO bright. I’m excited to see what lies ahead of you, as you discover the limitless joy that comes from following your heart. I’m humbled to have created portraits for you that bring you and your family the same sparkle that you share with others! Cheers!