Adore you SMITH FAMILY!  Thank YOU for letting me play a part in this new chapter…..

All my Love,   sararose

I thought I was going to do a much better job of blogging this year!  It’s only April.  I still have time, right?  I do plan on blogging a newborn boy I just photographed very very soon.  Holy smokes what a fun, amazing, emotional, SWEET session of a new family of 3!!  More on sweet Avery soon.  I actually do have a reason for blogging today.  And, not just to show off this fun photo of me & my boys (I used a remote to snap it, btw) in our “secret spot” last Friday.  But, what’s a blog post without a PHOTO?!

No, the reason I am writing is to say that in the past several weeks I have received some oh so SWEET emails from folks inquiring about mentorships, internships and workshops.  I am just going to be honest here, y’all…I am STILL learning.  Even 3 years in.  And, I never ever want to stop learning AND growing.  Now, if you need a life coach I can be all there and then some.  Kidding.  But, I do love sending out positive, uplifting, go kick some butt, you can do it vibes.  (makes total sense that I was a cheerleader in my former life, huh) So, here’s what I have said to those who have messaged me and what I will say to those who could possibly message me in the future :: If you are wanting to be inspired to go after your dreams and understand business then contact this gal.  If you want to learn, grow, be inspired as a photographer then contact this gal.  Both offer mentoring and both are well worth the dollars to get inside their head.  I am one of the lucky ones to learn from them both and be taken under their wings.  I think it’s good to remember who helped us a long the way.  I wouldn’t be HERE if it wasn’t for THEM.  And, lots & lots & lots of HARD WORK.  

But, what I can do is give  a little advice.  There will be days that you will feel defeated in your road to following your dreams and making them happen.  DON’T GIVE UP.  We’ve all been there and will be there again I am sure in the future.  Keep your head up, stay positive, work hard, be a GOOD person, stay humble!!   There will be more sunshiny days than rainy ones.  But, remember that those rainy days will sometimes bring you rainbows!  Remember that everyone is on a different journey.  BE YOU.  Don’t assume because they “have so many followers” and “are always busy” that they are better.  What is so AWESOME is that there is room for all of us.  So, go after your dreams.  Make them happen.  But, don’t knock people down on the way up.  And, never ever ever forget what MATTERS MOST and what made you start the journey in the first place.  

I started it because of them…..capturing laughter & life.  ALL BECAUSE OF LOVE.

X’s and O’s, sararose

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

all my love, sararose

Tomorrow may rain with sorrow
Here’s a little time we can borrow
Forget all our troubles in these moments so few
All we’ve got right now, the only thing that
All we really have to do
Is have ourselves a heavenly day
Lay here and watch the trees sway
Oh, can’t see no other way, no way, no way
Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

No one at my shoulder bringing me fears
Got no clouds up above me bringing me tears
Got nothing to tell you, I’ve got nothing much to say
Only I’m glad to be here with you
On this heavenly, heavenly, heavenly, heavenly
Heavenly day, all the trouble’s gone away
Oh, for a while anyway, for a while anyway
Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

Hope you love my new friend Dylan and his sweet parents.  Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin was the song choice for his slideshow and I just thought nothing I could say could top her words.  

All my love, sararose

This family.  Gosh, so much I could say about THIS family.  We have been together since 2010.  I have photographed them expecting TWICE, two newborns and many first year sessions.  They have been with me pretty much from the very beginning of my journey.  And, from the very beginning they trusted me 110%.  And, they have supported me 110%.  I have a few families I can put into this category and I feel so very fortunate of that gift they have given me and still give me today.  Every single session they show up, clothes packed and ready to go.  I always say that all I need is beautiful light and people that love one another.  Here’s proof, y’all …… we stayed in the same place the entire shoot and all we used were quilts & a crate.  Simple and beautiful.  My favorite.  I just want to capture real, sweet, happy, emotional, pure, free, down to your gut LOVE.  That’s it.  

Knox, Brooke, Jett & Stevi James, I love y’all with all of my heart.  And, I thank God every single time I see y’all that you were brought into my life 3 years ago.  Thank you for believing in me!

All my love, sararose

Love :: may you know it, feel it, believe it, share it, spread it, trust it, accept it, express it.  My only wish for everyone is to not just take this one day dedicated to Love to do all of these things.  It’s an amazing gift to yourself and to others around you.  It’s a true blessing.  

XO, sararose

p.s. some of my favorite black and white images from this year.  enjoy !!

this quote from all-there-is-to-wonder.tumblr.com/ caught my eye last night! so true isn’t it?

at the beginning of this year I wrote down the word BLISS (the noblest of all human emotions. the moment we stop thinking and start being). it’s my goal this year and beyond to capture BLISS in every session.  pretty hefty goal some would say, but it’s the plan.  i sure hope all of my sweet families accept this challenge with me.  

excited to see one of my favorite girls today who turned ONE last week. she comes from one of my favorite families who from the very beginning let me into their hearts & trusted me completely. and, that’s why every single session is amazing.  and, i always capture BLISS.  that’s what makes me happy.

so as you go on with your life and you make choices (we ALL have a choice in every single decision we make)…choose JOY.  choose work, friendships, every day life decisions…that make you HAPPY.

x’s and o’s, sararose

Meet this sweet new family of 3.  And, thank them for reminding me why I started this journey in the first place.  To Capture Life.  

Here’s to 2013, y’all!!!  

X’s and O’s, sararose

Hey Hey FRIENDS!!  Been a minute since I have had the chance to sit down and blog!  Sorry about that, buuuuuttttttt the fall has proven once again that it’s crazy town.  And, I know I am not the only one who feels the bittersweetness of what Fall means to folks in the creative field.   One of the most important lessons I have learned this year is that I can’t do everything GREAT.  And, I had to choose what I could sorta let go of and what needed to take priority!  I am sure you understand!!  Anyway, I know you aren’t here to read what all I’ve got to say BUT you are here to see lots of pretty pictures!!  

August & September were, like always, wonderful months for business!  Lots of sweet new babies, tots with millions of giggles and I fell in love with many new families.   Such a blessing to wake up and get to do this every day!  

So, it’s time to vote!  Remember these important things :: only one vote per person, scroll all the way down to the end of this blog post and vote (please don’t click on individual images), voting starts 11/13 at 8 AM and ends 11/14 at 6 PM, winner receives an 11×14 print from me for free!!   OH….I moderate EVERY SINGLE VOTE, so if you don’t see your vote just wait a bit…I may be in a session and not able to approve for a few hours!  

BIG Thank you to all of these wonderful families!  BIG Thank you to every single person who votes!!  Means THE  W.O.R.L.D to this small town girl with big awesome dreams!

X’s and O’s, sararose

And, as I wrote in my long blog post that I hope most of you read when I introduced the new SRP…did ya read it??  I am not working as much next year, SO if you are one of those cool folks that wants amazing, real, fun, happy photos I hope you will consider calling me soon!!  

Lots of X’s and O’s to you guys, sararose