Gingerbread Houses

Over Thanksgiving, my sister decided she wanted her kids to decorate gingerbread houses. I have to say that my niece and nephew (2 and 4 consecutively), have a brave mother.

Here was the outcome (with most candies eaten during the process):

Tah Dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Favorite Subjects

So I admit it...my favorite subjects are my niece and nephews when it comes to photography. They are all pretty natural in front of the camera. I got blessed with a bunch of hams for my niece and nephews!

Here are a few shots from Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of my other two nephews...but you'll see a bunch of photos of them after Christmas.

Another Great Family

Here's a session I did prior to Thanksgiving. This family was great to work with as well.

I love capturing laughter.

BUSINESS!!!!!!!!

I am so grateful for the business I have had thus far, after a year of operating Uhri Photography...however, there are always challenges in owning your own business.

Right now, setting my price list has been interesting. I am finding out that I am fairly equivalent to those portrait studio companies for family and children's portraiture, to my relief.

I've been working on this postcard that I'm going to send out to previous clients and also to hand out at daycare centers in the area.

(front)

(back)

A challenge in the world of the photography business is that most of it is based upon word-of-mouth recommendations. So at this point, I am offering any previous client a free 8x10 photo for any referrals they bring my way.

An advantage of choosing my services over any other is the fact that I can be on location (at home, a park, etc.) or in a studio. Not only that, but included in the price of the session is a CD with the images for the use of the clients. How great is that!

So, if you are a faithful reader of my blog and you know of anyone who needs family photography, children's photography, senior portraits, music/entertainment industry photography, send them my way (and don't forget, you get a free 8x10!).

I Love This Family

Here is a session I did on Saturday. This family was so fun to work with--and it doesn't hurt that they are beautiful!

Baby M

Here is a session I did back in August for a good friend of mine.

Break of Day

I am rarely up before the sunrises, but I am often asked by friends to feed their dogs by 6am while they are out of town. One particular day last week I took my camera with me in order to see if I could capture some good shots. Here's what I came up with...

Before the sunrise

Legacy

I am in one of those contemplative moods lately (it may have something to do with turning 30...) and have been thinking a lot about legacy. What will I leave behind when I go one day?

legacy: anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor (www.dictionary.com)

I was thinking about what people leave behind. For me, my mom left an amazing legacy of strength, kindness, loyalty, thoughtfulness, godliness...the list could go on and on. But what about the situations no legacy was passed down or the one that was left is not good? Does that mean that it is hopeless? Should a person give up on living (or not) living up to a legacy? What if they are left with an incredible legacy and yet they fail to carry it on. Is all hope lost?

It reminded me of a song by Nichole Nordeman called "Legacy"

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read,
Not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I hope, like my mom, I can leave a legacy for my children. If nothing else, I want to point to Him.

What legacy will you leave behind?

30 HERE I COME!!

Today is my last day in my twenties. That's not the most positive way to think about it, but if I look at my belief that my thirties will be better than my twenties, it's really great. I am embarking on a new chapter!

I am so honored that my friends are throwing me a birthday bash which includes my sister et al and my dad coming down for the occasion (I'm totally stoked). I am so blessed to have such great friends.

Birthdays for me, however, always make me miss my mom. Fall does the same thing--it was one of her favorite seasons (and is mine as well). She was always the first one to call me on my birthday to wish me a happy birthday and my question to her was always "So how does it feel having your youngest turn --?" She would always say "Great!" Sometimes I hate that I miss her because it can be pretty painful. And yet I often go there because it is part of the healing process for me. Although I know I'll never get over it.

So in honor of my mom I say "How does it feel having your youngest turn 30?" I wish I could hear her answer.

Behind Again...

I've gotten so far behind in my photo work. I have three sessions to edit...but this week I am nannying and don't have access to my beloved Photoshop. I'll post some new photos from the three sessions this weekend.

I am slightly disappointed that I'm not in class this semester. I've heard from some of my classmates that our Photo III class, which is large format, mainly black & white is pretty intense. In some ways, I am relieved not to be there but at the same time, I am sad because I'm not our shooting all the time. I've decided I need to just go out and shoot, at least one hour per week, just for myself...not for a class, not for a job...just because I love it. That way, I won't ever lose my love for the photography without it being a money-making endeavor.

Steven Curtis Chapman

Last week was really exciting for me. I had my first photo session with a major music artist, Steven Curtis Chapman. It was a work-for-hire job for the Gospel Music Association. You can see my photo on their web site here. My photo is the one with him sitting in the front row of the Grand Ole Opry House pointing to the Dove Awards (in the slideshow on the homepage). Unfortunately for me, due to the work-for-hire situation, I cannot show you the photos here as they are copyrighted to GMA.

There were several great things about this job.

1. I was able to shoot a well-known Christian artist, which propels me further into doing music industry photography, which I really enjoy
2. Steven was so kind and obliging and completely hilarious during the shoot
3. I was able to shoot at the Grand Ole Opry
4. My friend Lisa has the confidence in me to do jobs like this
5. The shoot was short and sweet (emphasis on the sweet)
6. I can say that I photographed Steve Curtis Chapman (not everyone can say that...)

I am hoping that these types of jobs continue to come my way (thank you again, Lisa). I really enjoyed it.

I (heart) Art

Tonight I sat down to work on some art. Gosh, it feels so good to get back into the swing of things. I realized that I am grateful for not being in school this semester despite the sadness because I can take nights like these to work on art and not assignments.

Here is a piece I'm working on....in progress. It is acrylic paint on thin watercolor paper.

I'll post more as I work on it.

Sorry, the photo is not great.

Thinking....

Over the past few days, I have realized that I have let a lot of my creative activities go for the sake of filling my time with other things. For example, I have a painting due to my young adults ministry at church that is barely started. I need to regroup myself and get with it.

I heard Dave Ramsey say today "Find something you are passionate about and pour yourself into it over the next decade." I realize that I love art and photography, as well as songwriting and yet, have I been pouring myself into those things? No is my answer. The good thing is that I can do something about it now.

Uhri Photography Web Site

It's LONG overdue...

My photography web site is now up!!

You can visit it HERE.

Please be patient, I am still working out a few kinks.


P.S. - I'll take any feedback you may want to give.

I'm the Forever Girl

This is pretty personal...but I wanted to share. It is from a journal entry from a few months ago.

"I'm the forever girl, the one who will stand by when everyone else leaves; the one who can't give up until all possible attempts have been explored; the girl who wants to be close to you; the girl who will make you feel better when you're down; the girl who has talents and abilities that are amazingly God-given; I'm the one who will encourage you when you feel like you've got nothing; I'm the girl that sees the glass as half-full; I'm the one who will stand by you, praying for you when you fall; I'm the girl who will be your biggest cheerleader and biggest fan all rolled into one; I am the girl who will be your partner, your friend, your lover, your confidante all in one beautiful human being. If you don't want me, it's your loss."

1234

One Two Three Four

Tell me that you love me more

Sleepless long nights

That is what my youth was for

Old teenage hopes are alive at your door

Left you with nothing but they want some more

Oh, you're changing your heart

Oh, You know who you are

Sweetheart bitterheart now I can tell you apart

Cosy and cold, put the horse before the cart

Those teenage hopes who have tears in their eyes

Too scared to own up to one little lie

Oh, you're changing your heart

Oh, you know who you are

One, two, three, four, five, six, nine, or ten

Money can't buy you back the love that you had then

One, two, three, four, five, six, nine, or ten

Money can't buy you back the love that you had then

Oh, you're changing your heart

Oh, you know who you are

Oh, you're changing your heart

Oh, you know who you are

Oh, who you are

For the teenage boys

They're breaking your heart

For the teenage boys

They're breaking your heart

Feist - 1234

Thanks, Melinda, for sharing that one...I'm changing my heart!

Elevation Photos

I've been working with a friend of mine on the young adult ministry web site for our church. We spent about 7 (fun) hours walking around town taking photographs. Here are a few...he took some, I took some...



We stumbled upon a burned-out bus, which made for some interesting shots.







We may not use the above photos, but I thought they were cool.

I'll let you know when the site is up and running!

Aspiring Actor

I did a session a few weeks ago for an aspiring young actor.