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Look at those CHEEKS! Luke is sweetest, little laid back man! He also was MESMERIZED with my camera which made my job a lot easier ;) This wonderful family is kind, giving and lots of fun! We enjoyed the beautiful Fall weather and sunshine during this mini-session.
I just can't get enough of this little guy! Joel and Kelly are pretty great too!
Here is a look at there Fall Shoot:
My Mom's favorite spot is to be on the beach - slight breeze, hot sun and a book in hand. That is her safe space. When my family takes a little getaway we really relax! So it was fun to meet my family down in Florida for a visit. My brother and I had some time to ourselves on Friday night and spent a few hours on the beach with cameras in hand. Matt is a pretty talented videographer, but he also loves to take landscape, scenic photos as well. So we took photos of each other and the beach and discussed technical and artistic aspects of photography. It was so fun!
Here is the result of our brother-sister time together:
When you meet devoted and caring parents, it is just well the most endearing thing to watch. Erin and Jared love DJ more than most people love most anything. The neat thing is, this is how it's been with most all the families I've had the privilege of working with. That is why being a photographer is such an inspiring thing - you work to give these incredible families photos that capture who they are, the essence of their love for each other.
Knowing Erin and Jared as great parents makes it even more exciting to say they are welcoming another child. I enjoyed helping them capture this announcement in an adorable way. Congratulations guys!
I might have mentioned a while back this new rule I have with Instagram: I try and only follow those who truly inspire and motivate me (oh and my friends too ;) ) It is easy to get sucked in following all kinds of other photographers or creatives, but then there comes the jealousy/discontentment struggle. Also, I shouldn't be surfing Instagram and catching up on so many other people's lives and career's that I am missing out on my own. SO I've tried to stick with a select group of uplifting and influential instagramers. Not to say I don't love to just peruse photos or people on this site, but if we're talking about living more purposefully - this is just one small step to take in that direction.
Without further ado here are a few of my faves:
From top, left to right: 1. Jasmine Star - incredible writer and well known photographer based in California 2. Char Co. - my mentor and her amazing creative collective of photographers and stylists 3. Lauren Fair - film photographer extraordinaire 4. mlippman - my handsome, talented and creative brother who has quite the creative eye
From top, left to right: 1. Targetstyle - the best store EVER displays just their style and decor 2. LClaurenconrad - Lauren Conrad's adorable line at Kohl's packed with stylish clothing options 3. WalkinLove - truly inspiring t-shirt, sweatshirt, casual clothing line 4. Anthropologie - one of the other best stores EVER and their home decor, clothing and lifestyle creative displays
From top, left to right: 1. Lara Casey - wedding magazine editor and motivational speaker, with an incredible store of goals sheets and inspirational prints 2. Returntorest - a gathering of photographers and creatives with the goal of stopping to focus on Jesus 3. Lindsayletters - a graphic designer who makes beautiful inspiring prints and canvases for your home 4. Emilyley - creator of the Simplied Planner, her goal is to encourage time management and organization, so you can live life fully
From top, left to right: 1. TheNester - I've mentioned this talented lady before, author of The Nester blog and The Nesting Place book 2. Abeautifulmess - two adorable women whose blog boasts home decor displays, diys, recipes, stylish clothing suggestions and all around fun 3. JoannaGaines - founder and owner of Magnolia Market in Texas and star of the HGTV show Fixer Upper, this stylish momma has so much decor inspiration to offer
From left to right: 1. Marniethedog - I am biased that shih tzus are the best, so why not follow this adorable tongue dangling pooch 2. Jimmy Fallon - because it doesn't get much better than EW!
"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude."
Fredrich Nietzsche
I read this quote today and it hit me - my last post about creating was only slightly written out of a heart and mind of gratitude. Like, I am very grateful for the truths that I mentioned I'm doing my best to hold onto and claim daily. But half of me feels like if I was really grateful for them - if I really believed them - my life and business would look and function a lot differently.
You know what was really at the heart and mind of my last post on creating? Fear. Fear of people. Fear of failure. Fear of missing out. Creating is a very vulnerable activity. But it seems as though instead of being grateful for the opportunity, materials and the very act of creating - I am usually to afraid of what will become of my creation.
But this quote, it brings me back to the point of why we create, make, paint or construct art in the first place - because we are joyful and grateful. I believe thankfulness is one of the biggest motivators. It can drive us to do better, work harder and feel stronger - because we realize what we have and who we are because of what we've been given.
Now I know sometimes, many times, beautiful things are born out of not very beautiful circumstances. But I feel that the pieces created in response to hard times, show the grateful heart that down deep is rising up to overcome - to notice there is something to be grateful for, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.
Now wouldn't you believe that one of the greatest lessons God taught me in 2013 was that 'Thankfulness can conquer so much fear!'. Hard to believe that I came to this understanding last Fall - literally one year ago. At that time in my life, I was believing these words with great hope for even more things I would soon have to be grateful for - to leave my corporate job, to go full-time with my photography, to get to work from my home ... Here I am people, living a life where all those hopes have come true. Yet, I struggle with gratitude and fear!?
Fear is very selfish; it is deciding to cower, instead of boldly choosing to overcome. You are scared. You then allow whatever you're afraid of to have more control over your life than your own self.
Gratitude is very humbling; it recognizes the gifts given and revels in the fact that you are the recipient. You are special. You then allow whatever you've been given to have more of an impact on your life than your own fear.
Kate Blauert Photography // Phoenixville, PA // 610-705-2531