Summer Fun (Chandler Arizona Child Photographer)

I love summer by the pool.  Even though the heat is intense, there is nothing more exciting than catching the kids having fun in the pool.  We don't get these moments in time for very long.  They will be teenagers, then off to college, and on to their own families.  Right now, they are my joy, my loves.  I love how different they are, but they are so much alike too.  Their genuine innocence of childhood is beautiful.  Always being excited and questionable about everything.  It's something we should all feel.  

Family Game Night (Chandler Arizona Family Photographer)

On family game night, Sammy and Alex raid the game closet and talk about who's going to win all the games.  The competitiveness has begun, but Mike (my husband) and I try to make it stop as it starts.  Unfortunately, a teary eyed NON-WINNER (aka Loser) stops the fun for everyone.  I cherish the days of simple fun like Candyland.  We are all about Life & Monopoly in this house.  The kids are becoming pros at strategy.  

Here the pulled out the everybody will somehow be a winner game: Rock'em Sock'em Robots.  It doesn't take much to make your opponents plastic head fly up.   It's a great one to start to make them both feel like winners. 

Just So You Know (Chandler, Arizona Photographer)

      I started taking pictures after I had my daughter almost 6 years ago.  It was just a hobby at that point.  It was something I have always wanted to do, but never had the money to invest in.  The journey has been challenging and I constantly critique myself, as not good enough, but this year I learned a lot.  I learned if you are waiting for a perfect moment to happen, it's not going to come.  Something so obvious eluded me for so long.  I kept making excuses for not growing my photography more.   "I need more money, I have so much to learn, I'm not good enough."  I tore myself down to a crippling point.  The people in my life know that never used to be me.   I was a go getter.  Making things happen for me was what I would do.  After so many scary events in your life, it seems that life can become just one big scary place.  The ultimate trap of the mind, is to just sick back and let life pass you by.  I'm sure there are many more like myself who have felt this happen.  

       My husband and I, have recommitted ourselves to positivity.  There's nothing to lose, and really trying to be positive about things, only really makes everything seem amazing.  So here's a cheers to taking life by the horns.

       In the spirit of being positive, I wanted to share some of a recent shoot of my sister.  She's gorgeous, isn't she?  She's taken, in case anybody was going to ask. lol!