Passion - Do you follow yours?

For the past, oh, say 10 years or so, since I graduated from college with an Art History degree (hello?), I have had this vivid, nagging feeling inside that, professionally, I was not doing what I was supposed to be doing. That I was on the wrong road, moving in the wrong direction, somehow the yellow brick road that I had built for myself was not heading toward home, it was heading towards the very, very wrong Oz.

Why do we, as humans, try to move against our grain? Why was I trying to go down a path that didn't fit? Have you ever had a day when you were wearing clothes that were too tight, too small, and very uncomfortable? That's what the feeling was like, but on my soul. It was tight, and I was squished into something that didn't fit right.

It takes courage to turn yourself in a different direction. I applaud anyone who has the strength and fortitude of soul to do so. I think my yellow brick road, actually I would prefer it to be a pink brick road, is pointing toward the right direction now. I wish I had started sooner, but I don't live my life to regret the past. I live only to build on the experiences I have had (positive and negative) leveraging them to help me be the best me that I can be now, and in the future.

Recently, as I was reading a blog post of Jesh de Rox (an amazing photographer / artist / person - go check him out if you haven't already), the following words stuck out in my mind... Jesh wrote, "life's too short to do things you'd rather not be doing. if you're not happy where you are, change. you'll be glad you did." He's right. Change.

So here's my question to you...are you following your passion, are you doing what you were meant to do? Do you love what you do? Even if it's on the side and your not making money...are you still fulfilling yourself? Are you where you feel like you are supposed to be? Or are you not?

If nothing else, at this point in my life, I hope to give my kids the courage to follow their passion, to chase their dreams, to live the life that they were meant to live. I don't want them walking around in something that doesn't fit right. I want them to be fulfilled and happy. And from the deepest part of my heart, I hope I can be the role model they need to understand that fulfilling their dreams is not just a possibility, but a reality.

Go fulfill your dreams.

xo, Katie

Babies, Babies, and More Babies!!! Slideshow Added!

Yesterday morning I visited my little friend Ayden (whom you may recall from an earlier post) and his best girl friend, Ella. Though due only a day apart, these two were actually born a couple of weeks apart and are constantly mistaken as twins!

Throughout our visit, Ella talked Ayden's ear off while he listened intently - she is training him well; however, he has been known to drift off even when he should be listening...hmmm, I guess that practice starts at a young age. :) These two are so cute and I was so lucky to have photographed them, they even cooperated during my signature arm shot! Stay tuned for some pics of the two of them together toward the end of the week as well another post including some more pics from last weeks wedding!

Check these two out...can you tell who is who?

All tuckered out...

Gorgeous Ella...

Look at that eye!!

Ode to...

My love.

I know that I am not the best writer in the world, there are so many others that are simply fabulous, so eloquently and elegantly styled, and simply amazing word harmonizers. Yet writing is something that is fun for me, and as I continue to wing it through this journey that I am on, I am occasionally inspired by an event, a moment, a person, a sound...

One recent event / sound / tirelessly long-winded moment that occurred was courtesy of my dear, dear husband. He IS inspiring in many ways - his charm, his enthusiastic optimism, his work ethic, his intelligence, his commitment to his health - yet on this night I was inspired not by the things I just mentioned but by a sound that rakes it's long fingernails slowly, loudly, painfully down the chalkboard of my mind.

Due to this inspiration, no matter how infuriating, I penned him a lovely haiku (no, it does not follow traditional haiku rules in 5/7/5, but hey, it's 17 syllables!). It reads:

My Love, Your Rhythmic Thunder
While You Sleep,
Is My Nightly Lullaby.

I love you baby, just please let me fall asleep first?! :)

(For anyone wondering what I am referencing - it's my husband's snoring.)

Baby Olivia

I must start this post by saying that this little cherub of a baby was / is the smile-iest (Okay, I know this is probably not a word!) baby I have ever met. With two kids of my own, who I couldn't get to smile until at least eight weeks each, I was so excited to see Olivia smiling at me! Yay, someone likes camera lady! (Side note: I don't think I have included a smiley picture on the post though...silly me!)

Olivia - You are one lucky baby! Mommy and daddy love you to a million pieces and I am positive that they will never let a day go by when they won't let you know that. Just wait until you see what they have in store for you!

C and M - Thanks so much for allowing me in to capture Olivia in all her baby beauty, she is simply lovely! Have a look for yourselves...

Take a look...

Yesterday, I had a super opportunity to second shoot a beautiful wedding at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts with my friend Andrea Walpurgis of Shades of Images. Here are a couple of images I took of the gorgeous bride and groom...More to come later this week!

Life is what you make it

A long time ago, she said to me "life is what you make it" - I've always remembered that even though she doesn't. Every once in a while, that day and what she she to me comes back, as vivid and bright as when she originally said it. I take it to heart, probably more today than ever before, but it really made a difference in my life whether she knows it or not. I'll always appreciate it, always remember it, and always hold it close to my heart as it has helped make me who I am today.

Today, more than ever, my Auntie Fran needs prayers. So if you pray, say a little (or big) one for her. If you send positive thoughts, send one her way. And if you need a little help in your own life, just remember that life is what you make it...

I love you Auntie Fran, whether you know it or not I am constantly thinking about you, praying for you, and sending positive thoughts your way. It's hard to be in the dark, but we are with you, every step of the way. Always in my thoughts...xo

Baby Phoebe

Dear Phoebe, Welcome to the world baby girl. In all of your life experiences may you feel joy, love, and peace. May the good and the bad make you stronger, more full of life, and more aware of the world's wonders. May you always find what you are looking for and may even the smallest of your dreams come true.

You have been blessed by two wonderful, intelligent, fun, kind, warm, and doting parents and a wide network of caring friends and family members. You are a very lucky baby. It was an honor to photograph you when you were just two weeks old, I am so thankful I had the opportunity to do so. Here you are in all of your radiant glory...






Sleepy Babe...


And with your beautiful (but tired) Mommy....



And lastly...



From what I hear today Phoebe, you have grown quite a bit - I can't wait to see you soon!

[S]Cool

Going back to school, oh - the disdain I had for doing so. I could always tell the time was approaching when the endless summer nights of tag, hide and seek, and catching fireflies seemed to get shorter and shorter only because it was getting darker and darker, earlier and earlier. Got all that? I also knew it was time to go back when my mom would take me clothes shopping (for some reason I always liked that part of going back to school). I loved wearing my new fall and winter clothes even though the first few weeks of school the temperatures were still in the the 80's and 90's and I would sweat my butt off in my favorite new wool sweater and corduroy pants. I would still wear the clothes, I really didn't care.

For the past couple of years of my life, I have completely loved the going back to school days. Let's be honest, after a full summer of two energetic, tireless children and daily deadlines, the call of crisp mornings, and darker evenings is utterly refreshing. The sound of the practicing school bus. The incessant ringing of cash registers as they add up the expense of sending children to school in decent attire. These things don't bother me a bit. To me, these sounds equal freedom, time, and a bit of breathing room.

Don't get me wrong, I can talk a big game. After the school bus drives away carrying the precious cargo that I once physically held within the confines of my own body - my heart pinches, HARD. I blink back tears and breathe shallowly until I remember that 'F' word I like so much, Freedom. Then I run in the house and dance my little happy dance and spend some quality time with my other son who starts school next week. That'll be another post entirely...

This morning I watched my eldest son climb the stairs of the school bus to begin the next step of his journey through public elementary school. My heart pinched, my eyes watered, and my breathing increased to a rapid staccato rhythm. Good luck baby, I wish you the best in second grade, I love you with all of my heart and soul, forever and ever...Try hard, and always be the best you that you can...

My Boy...


My Favorite Picture of the Morning

P.S. - The day was a success, he came home happy and tired! And with no homework! Woohoo!