A Life of Joy Photography

Two new favorites

2009-11-17T17:35:00.001-07:00

Here are two photos of my own family. The first one is my oldest son. He was helping me test out my new flash triggers and backdrop.

This one is me and my husband. It was time for a new shot of the two of us, and he was another willing test subject.

Don’t miss out on the Christmas Portrait Special! Time is running out, but I have a couple spaces open. The dates are coming right up – this very weekend!

Christmas Portrait Special!!

2009-11-08T19:41:00.001-07:00

For all of you who are in the Stevensville area in Montana, be sure to reserve your slot for the Christmas portrait special!

Are you thinking about Christmas cards?

2009-11-02T14:34:00.001-07:00

It’s time to get those family photos taken! In fact, it’s almost time to mail the Christmas cards already! Would you like a sneak peek at my family’s Christmas card? Don’t tell anyone on my Christmas card list!

Let’s get your session scheduled today!

Things are hoppin’!

2009-10-19T17:26:00.001-06:00

Fall has been busy for me! I’ve had quite a few family sessions in the last few weeks. Here’s a peek at just a few…

Do you know what time it is? It’s time for Christmas portraits! I know you’re probably thinking “It’s only the middle of October!” but the fact is that Christmas will be here before we know it. Now is the best time to get your family portraits for Christmas gifts or cards. I still have a few openings in October, so call today to set up a time for your family’s Holiday photos!

Oops! Sorry!

2009-08-08T08:26:00.001-06:00

It’s been a while since I posted a blog on here! I’m sorry. It’s been a busy summer, and I’ve just let this blog slide. It’s been a fun summer too. Our family has been to the river to swim several times, we participated in our church’s Vacation Bible School, and I have been working on some landscape photography skills.

I have also, of course, been practicing portraits this summer.

Thanks for stopping by! If you’re in the Bitterroot Valley , give me a call at 406-544-4822 to set up a time for your custom portraits!

It did finally happen!

2009-06-11T16:59:00.001-06:00

Warm weather finally came to Montana! We even had a few days of hot weather. This week it’s perfect…warmish, sunny (for the most part), but not too hot. I love this!

Here’s a quick peek at one shot of my latest little model, Miss V. You may remember seeing her here. Hasn’t she grown up in the last year or so?

Is photography weather ever coming to Montana?

2009-05-13T08:34:00.000-06:00

I’ve heard rumors that the weather is pleasant in some places…it seems that Western Montana got missed! Today it is still rainy and blustery. Brrrr! I took these photos last week on a day that was not quite so cool.

This sweet young lady has modeled for me before. I can’t believe how grown up she looks compared to the photos I took of her last fall! They grow so quickly!

This young man could not get any cuter! He was so fun, and followed directions so well!

Here is the older brother of the little guy with the glasses. He’s adorable and fun, too! What awesome boys!

Spring is coming to Western Montana! It’s time for photography!

2009-04-11T14:45:00.001-06:00

I was able to get outside and do a bit more shooting recently. I’m looking forward to some nice weather and pretty foliage soon.

Here are a couple shots from a mini-session last week…

Slow down, you move too fast...

2009-03-07T07:49:00.001-07:00

I found a way to slow the traffic down on our street. Set up studio lighting in the front yard. Everybody who drives by will slow down to find out what the crazy lady is doing this time! Here's what the crazy lady was doing...

Studio Stuff

2009-03-02T10:23:00.001-07:00

It's not quite spring yet, so it's a bit chilly to be shooting outdoors. At least for me. So I've been working on some different lighting setups and techniques in my basement studio. Here are a few shots of my own kiddos that were done in my studio recently.

Is anyone else thinking about Easter photos? I am! If you're in the Bitterroot Valley and need some sweet photos of your darlings in new Easter duds, email me!

A New Technique

2009-02-28T08:23:00.001-07:00

I was trying out a new lighting technique using a flash and studio umbrella outdoors at dusk. Here are a few of the shots I got with this method.

I love this precious boy!

2009-02-17T20:51:00.001-07:00

This adorable little man is my oldest grandson. What a sweet boy!!

When I got started in my studio other children showed up to get in front of the camera...

Studio sessions!

2009-01-29T07:56:00.001-07:00

My fledgling studio got a few workouts last week! I really love using natural outdoor light, but I don't really love being outside in the cold weather. My indoor studio solves that problem for me! Here are a few shots from each of my recent sessions...

Some studio lighting

2009-01-19T19:10:00.001-07:00

My newest effort has been studio lighting. I now have a little studio set up inside my home so I can provide portraits even during the chilly winter months. Here are a few of my recent studio photos...

Test

2008-12-30T16:53:00.004-07:00

Miss R and Miss V again

2008-12-27T20:17:00.011-07:00

I got a new lens for Christmas, so I've been practicing with it. Here are my two neighbor girls again...

Another photo session!

2008-11-30T22:05:00.012-07:00

Today was a busy, busy day! I had church in the morning (wonderful service!!), then a portrait session this afternoon, and then a youth activity this evening. I'm tired! But it was a good day. Here are a few shots from the portrait session.

A couple pretty ladies

2008-11-29T22:48:00.002-07:00

These two young ladies asked to have their photo taken...they fixed up their hair and wanted to keep the memory, but we had to get the shots before the rain ruined it.

It's coming soon!

2008-11-24T22:20:00.002-07:00

I just wanted to share some Christmas spirit...

A newborn session?

2008-11-23T21:50:00.006-07:00

I was supposed to take some shots of this adorable little man...

But he wasn't interested in sleeping for us, so I got just a couple of him...

and some of his brother and sister, who were not even supposed to be a part of the session. They were quite cooperative.

Awww...

A cool Sunday afternoon

2008-11-09T14:10:00.002-07:00

I took this funny teenager out for a few photos this afternoon. She wasn't wearing good shoes for tromping all over town on a rainy day, but we had fun anyway. I love this blue wall!

A Couple Halloween Cuties

2008-10-31T22:42:00.002-06:00

Here are two of my favorite models again...all dressed up for Halloween. I'm sorry it's been so long since my last update - family/health matters got in the way.

I'm going to have to practice taking photos of fairies! Those wings are difficult!

A Scarecrow Show!

2008-10-07T13:25:00.001-06:00

Our town has special events on the first Friday of every month. For First Friday in October there is an annual Scarecrow show and competition. Saturday afternoon we walked through and looked at (and took pictures of) the scarecrows. Here are a few of them...

1. This is the entry from the local library.

2. The title on this one says "Montana Scarecrow". I guess Montana scarecrows need shotguns because Montana birds are not easily frightened.

3. I loved this entry from one of the nearby living centers (a home for the elderly). I set the title in because it was too small to read in the original.

4. This is a close up of just part of the display. This one was large enough that "important details" were lost in the entire image. My kids thought this one was great!

Thanks for looking!

Something fun

2008-09-22T15:10:00.001-06:00

When I took the first pictures of this precious little lady several days ago, I didn't notice until someone commented that I almost had the "wise monkeys" triptych set up for me. I just needed a "see no evil" photo to make it complete. So...Miss S came back to see me today in the same outfit, and I took another shot! Yay! I was so glad I got a chance to do that! Here's what I came up with...

My studious young men

2008-09-20T16:46:00.001-06:00

My mother-in-law bought us this great, child-sized rocking chair, and suddenly my kids want to pose for me again! Here are two of my boys enjoying some "quiet time" in the new rocker (we'll pretend they didn't have an audience of at least 7 other kids).

I'm going to drag some teenagers to a local church for photos soon...check back!

I'm at it again!

2008-09-12T17:23:00.001-06:00

Children stopped at my house long enough for me to get my camera out! I haven't gone through all the photos I took of these two, but here are a few I've edited. The little lady is just too cute!

It's time to work on family portraits!

2008-09-11T20:48:00.001-06:00

I grabbed a few local "models" and worked on some "school" photos (I never like the ones taken at school!). Here are some of my efforts with my kiddos.

A peek at Miss A

2008-09-09T21:10:00.001-06:00

I had fun practicing my skills on Miss A yesterday. What a fun little lady!

The W Twins

2008-09-08T13:06:00.001-06:00

These precious little ladies kindly allowed me to boss them around and snap a bunch of photos. Miss R. was completely cooperative and even posed herself repeatedly.

Miss V. was much less comfortable in front of the camera, but she's a sweetheart. She does tend to lean toward serious portraits though. I love the personality these two show!

A fresh start!

2008-09-08T12:56:00.000-06:00

I'm shifting my photography from my family blog (What's up in Scrivnerburg) to my exclusive photography blog. Thanks for stopping by!