So I have been doing some thinking. A lot of thinking actually. About how much our lives have changed in the last three and a half years. About how small a slice of time three and half years truly is in the whole scheme of things but also about how my sweet littles have grown from babies into toddlers and now kids in that same three and a half years. About how living hundreds and hundreds of miles from everything that defined me has taught me more than I ever would have dreamed possible. About how our move has shown me who my true friends really are and the undeniable importance they will forever hold on my heart. About how much Chris and I depend on each other – we are all we have out here and our relationship has only been strengthened from both the good and the bad times we have shared. About how moving here so Chris could follow his heart has opened doors for me and in turn shown me where my true love lies…in photography. When you are in a good place and life is comfortable, you take it for granted. When you are uprooted from that comfort zone and are quickly thrown into a harsh new reality, it rocks you to the core. It changes you.
Have I changed in the last three and a half years? Sure. But am I still the same person I have always been? I think so.
I gripe and complain a lot about living here. I cry. I pout. I have pity parties on a regular basis. I was never thrilled about moving, but when you love someone so completely, you make sacrifices. That is what marriage and life are all about. And while every day is certainly not a walk in the park and my mind often wanders to all the “what ifs,” precious and priceless memories created here simultaneously dance through my mind. The friends we have made. The trips we have taken. First steps. First swims. First words. First birthdays. First days of school. So many of those things that make a house a home have happened here and while I certainly don’t consider Arizona home, I can’t deny that the smiles and giggles, along with the tears, have all made our house our home.
It wasn’t until we moved here that I took an interest in photography. We bought our first DSLR before we had Gentry, but I didn’t truly fall in love with the art until much later. I distinctly remember sitting at the computer in the office just weeks after moving here and emailing an old friend from high school about everything photography. From there, my interest only grew. And then my love. And before long I was “setting up” shoots with the kids and trying to achieve more than just simple snapshots. Would I have ever been interested had we stayed in Kansas? Was photography filling a void for me? Those are questions I will never know the answer to. But what I do know is that my eyes were opened and as more time passed, my love turned into a passion. Taking online classes. Reading tutorials. Stalking blogs. Learning Photoshop. Mastering shooting in manual. Wanting to capture those priceless memories I have of my own children for others. I saw myself coming full circle…from ditching those studio sessions I had once regularly scheduled for the kids to knowing that I could capture the images I wanted.
Although I will never know if I would have pursued this love had we stayed in Kansas, I do know that had we stayed in Kansas, I would have missed out on meeting some pretty amazing Southern Cali girls! I met one of those California girls just about a year ago. I was a blog stalker and when I found out she was coming to Arizona to visit family, I contacted her. {Yes…I am one of those kind of people!!} She graciously agreed to meet up with me at a park to talk photography. And then my sweet, sweet husband kindly agreed to haul me an hour and half across the valley to the other side of town for this little get together. Little did I know that day I would find a friend, a mentor and a support I can’t imagine my life without. {Our park playdate turned into over half a day at her sister in law’s while the kids played and we chatted!}
Meet Kamee…this is the face behind Kamee June Photography. And yes, she is gorgeous. But you know what? She is NICE. Like one of those people you would love to hate because they seem to have it ALL going on? Smart, beautiful, talented, personable…the list goes on. Yep…she’s one of ‘em!! But, there is no hating this girl! She is too sweet, sincere and just flat out fabulous not to love!
These amazing photos were taken by the very talented Whitney. There are several more super cute shots on both Whitney and Kamee’s blogs so check them out! {For the life of me I cannot get them bigger and my blog is having issues still with putting everything on the left. Ugh. Gotta get that taken care of!!}
Kamee and I have stayed in touch since that meeting last March. We’ve actually met up twice since then and she took our family photos in our pool last summer. Remember these beauties? Love them. Anyway, the fabulous Kamee is coming back to Arizona in March and this time hosting a workshop!!!! I am soooooo excited I can hardly stand it. I love her. I love her kids. I love her style. I love her willingness to share everything she knows. I actually even love the fact that we live in Arizona right now because if we didn’t, this workshop wouldn’t even be on my radar! I absolutely cannot wait for this experience!! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I will walk away that evening armed with knowledge, inspiration and a desire to grow and evolve in my own photography. For that, I simply cannot wait!
So…if you just so happen to live in Arizona or anywhere remotely close and are up for a road trip, you won’t regret it. I promise. I know first hand that she is working hard and putting her everything into this workshop and it is going to be fabulous beyond belief! My heart skips a beat thinking of all the ways in which my own eyes and mind will be opened after attending! And you don’t have to have a business to attend! She has broken the day up into two sessions and the workshop will accommodate everyone from moms wanting to learn to capture better photos of their littles to seasoned professionals wanting to breathe some new life into their style!
Who wants to join us?
I can’t wait to kick it with you Kamee…I know this is an experience I will cherish for years to come! Thanks for making it happen!
