Daddy had a soccer game last night and we decided to go cheer him on. Well, at least that was my intention. Abigail did not like the cheering thing too much, and we soon ended up playing some soccer of our own. I ended up multitasking to the max while being the “ball person”… you know the one who keeps getting the balls waaaaayyyy out there when a goal is missed? Snapping some shots of Abigail and keeping the kids off the field. I got yelled at by the referee… yup yup, I’m that cool. If you know me, I loath being humiliated or embarrassed, I for some reason can NOT laugh at myself when I do something silly. Yes I know, no need to tell me that I am just crazy. I am working on it.

Anyways, here are a few of Abigail while running around with the ball in her hands more than actually kicking it. My little monkey, she has grown so much. Sometimes I wish I can hit PAUSE. I am sure all mom’s feel this way. Some of our friends Diego and Gabriel are in the pictures too. They love Abigail and are always so so sweet to her. If you are wondering why Abigail is crying in the last image, it’s because we had to pack up and go home, she gets really sad when the fun playtime is over. All these images were shot with Canon 85F1.2 lens, I was surprised at how well this lens shoots into the sun. Anyways, my little geeky moment there.

Meet Jennifer Wohrle, or Jenny like most know her. Jenny is a Mom and Photographer… just like me. So naturally we have lots in common, time goes by so fast when we start chatting about how challenging life can be trying to balance Mommy-hood, being the Wife your husband married, be creative in your job (photography) and scheduling some much needed time for yourself.

Just the other day I posted this on my Facebook status. ” I realize more and more that I have everything to be truly happy”. Now let me explain.

Photography is such a big part of my life. There is not a day, minute or second that passes that I don’t think of something photography related. But being a full time photographer can be really hard too, at least for me. I am really very hard on myself. I am a huge critic of my own work. I always want to be better, work harder and come up with something different. It has taken me years to realize that “my style” is my style. I can’t shoot different, I don’t see different. I will come across many people that won’t like my work. ( And i’ve learned to accept that, instead of trying to change to please them.) I have realized that it’s OK not to come up with something new, something different everyday. The only thing that really matters is that “I” am happy and that “MY clients” are happy.

We moved to WA state a little over a year now, and moving here has brought new challenges. I’ve become used to shooting in overcast weather. Just a short year ago, I would reschedule a session because of overcast weather. Now If I reschedule those, I might just never shoot. (true fact).We bought a house, a beautiful house which I vowed to keep spotless everyday… yeah.. maybe not spotless. It rains A LOT over here. It’s overcast A LOT. It could become really difficult to stay positive and creative in yuk conditions like that. But I’ve managed to deal with that too. I’ve faced so many new different and difficult situations that made me SO SO appreciate the good and positive ones.

This is why I am happy though.. I have finally accepted that I am who I am. I shoot the way I shoot. I have a beautiful and supportive Husband, the most amazing Daughter. I have a beautiful House that is our HOME. I have met some great people, made some amazing friends. If there was ONE or two thing I wish I could add is to have my family closer to me. I miss them everyday. I miss speaking Afrikaans, I miss having a braai with friends.

Here are some Images I took of Jenny while visiting her in Puyallup a few days ago. Jenny you are gorgeous inside and out. Thank you for snapping a few Images of me and Abigail too. They are truly the best gift. Please take a look at Jenny’s work HERE.

Sessions Photographed in 2009. I have gone back and selected some of my favorite Images from the past 2 years.

I recognize how my work has changed and I’m learning from mistakes I’ve made. Being a Photographer for the past 5 years has had some enormous ups and downs. I honestly LOVE what I do, but I am also my worst critique.. and delivering products that I am proud of is my first priority. I remember way back in the day in one of my many biographies on my many different blogs I wrote that: ” I would not be happy giving a client a product that I, myself am not 100% satisfied with and proud of. ” This is still my goal today.

It has taken many years and many mistakes to be the person/photographer I am today.

This is how I speak, this is my language. I am fortunate to have visited, resided in many different states, different countries. I’ve realized that each state has it’s own “language”… I don’t always speak the right language, I am not always able to express my true feelings, my true meaning. I am thankful for photography. I am grateful for a talent that I’ve come to realize is so precious.

Please feel free to leave a comment.