We’re celebrating moms today! These smiling, beautiful, fabulous women are the crazy glue of our lives — they keep us together and stick to us when we need it the most. (Think about it. She does, doesn’t she?!) I admire so many amazing women and moms in my life for their incredible multitasking and ability to laugh in this journey we’re all on.

So often moms are caught behind the camera as the ones who document our families but are rarely seen in front of the lens. If you’re a mom yourself, and took a quick count of portraits you had taken in the last twelve months, could you count them on your two hands? Instagram doesn’t count! (I fall into the group of people who can barely count them on one hand… let alone two!)

Let’s honor our amazing moms this year with a short and sweet mini session for her and the kiddos. There are only a handful of these sessions and they will sell out crazy fast! You’ll receive a lovely gift certificate just in time for giving this Sunday, and we’ll schedule her mini session in the next few weeks. These sessions are only for mom and the kids; family fine art portrait sessions are available year-round.

Here’s the details:

20 minute session on location / 10-15 images in preview gallery / 5 printable images to 5×7 / 1 gift portrait (8×10 or 5×7) :: $250 (session must be paid at time of booking and scheduled before August 1, 2013)

Use the contact form to reserve your session because these will be gone in a snap!

Jokes are over…. bring back my spring.

Oh, goodie…  it’s Friday again! It’s been a crazy whirlwind of a fun last few days, and I’m so grateful the weekend is almost upon us. Which leads me right in to my first segment of this week’s Friday Favorites!

Favorite stressbuster:  I love getting the ol’ ticker pumping and working up a major sweat. Yoga, running, cross training… you got it. Yes, I’m one of (hit me with your air quotes!) “those” people who counts running stairs at Old Stadium as a good time, and dare I say, social activity. Tomorrow morning you’ll find me along with several thousand other dedicated pavement-pounders on Ward Parkway at Rock the Parkway in Kansas City. This race holds a special place in my heart—this was the race that got me addicted to half marathons two years ago. This year marks our third consecutive appearance among my tribe of running peeps. It’s always a good time!

Favorite pay it forward:  I just discovered Charity Miles and am super pumped to donate to a charity while we’re running on Saturday. Any votes on who I should donate to? Majority wins!

Favorite home find: I’m having a meltdown worthy of a four-year-old over this 26-drawer chest on the Foundary. Oh em gee.  I want. (Who would like an invite? I have some to share!)

Favorite sign of spring: I planted pansies. And spinach. Digging in the dirt made my soul happy.

Favorite truth: This.    Every single day… this. Cherry on top? Doing great work for people I admire.

Happy weekend!

I’m thrilled to be featured today for portraits of Nosara, Costa Rica on Brides without Borders — a lovely blog for planning the ultimate destination wedding. Check out the feature here! Huge thanks to Kirsten and her editorial team for including me and allowing me to share more about this beautiful country!

If you’re planning a destination wedding, let’s talk about photographing your day!

It’s been waaaay too long since I’ve posted a Friday Favorites. Here’s a few things I’m loving on this week:

Favorite quote: This totally made me smile yesterday from Reign Magazine.

Favorite snack: I’ve been on a green smoothie kick lately, and this tasty treat with spinach, mango and banana is seriously good. Recipe, here!

Favorite Easter treat: if I were to stuff my face with donuts (I said if…)  these would be my first, er, victim from Varsity Donuts. Who doesn’t love peeps?!

Favorite Pinterest find: I cannot wait to DIY this to my hideously ugly folding table and chairs. Here’s the how-to.

Favorite fashion: I adore absolutely everything about this look from Madewell. Hurry up, spring!

Enjoy the weekend, and happy Easter!

The Spring issue is here, and oh my goodness, how fast have five years flown by? It wasn’t that long ago that I white-knuckled my first assignment with the magazine—and fast forward many assignments and stories told later, and we’re celebrating the fifth anniversary issue.

This issue’s departments feature the home of Tim Lindemuth, the former editor of the K-Stater magazine and now owner of an incredibly charming bed & breakfast. He is an incredible cook and historian! The home is delightfully filled with beautiful antiques and publishing ephemera.  And don’t miss the tasty feature on Wahoo Fire & Ice Grill in Aggieville–I couldn’t leave the session without indulging a little, myself.

Much of the issue is devoted to a then and now from five years ago, which was great fun to photograph a couple of families who had been featured during the first year, including the owners of Tallgrass Brewery and K-State’s First Family, the Schulz’s.

Here’s to another five years and many more incredible stories to share about the people and places who shape our community! (click to read the issue for yourself!)

Next week’s spring break has me thinking all things tropical… like the oh, so beautiful beaches in Costa Rica we visited a few months ago. Check out more of my travel photography on today’s feature post at  Far and Far Away (a fantastic travel blog women who love to explore the world) or walk along those amazing volcanic black-sandy beaches along with me!