a flower, still has its roots

in earth and manure.

-D.H.Lawrence

A list.

My face, nails and hands were only yellow for the day and soft. Like super super soft. Turmeric powder, water. Mix. Dry. Rinse. Be yellow. Be soft!

I’m on day three of another migraine. Trying so hard to pretend it’s not there. Less intense than the ’28 dayer’ though! I’ll take it. But I beg you (speaking directly to the migraine here) please don’t stay long. Pretty please. For those of you that have emailed me migraine advice. Thank you!

I’ve been told to celebrate the small things in life. Good advice from the best of friends.

It was glorious to have had 14 days without a migraine/headache! Yea for good health!

This image that I created of Miss Emily titled, “Pretty like mommy’ won FIRST place in a photography contest! What a little beauty she is! I’m telling you, I have beautiful subjects!

This image of my gal Pearl titled, ‘A dog’s eye view’ got LAST place. The judges didn’t like the composition (I didn’t follow the rule of thirds), they thought the color tones were flat, and they also wanted to know what she was looking at?? Which made me laugh! After judging wrapped up, I came home and asked her. Get this?! Pearl still won’t tell me.

I am thankful for a different perspective on my image of Pearl and I took the judges opinions into deep consideration for cropping and tone. Then ordered a HUGE canvas of it because I happen to love it. Just the way it is!

Last week I ran four miles. In a row. It hurt so good.

Four miles used to be nothing for me. Easy as a warm up run. Did you know that muscles have a memory? They remember!

My brother bought a horse.

My mom called me for computer help. She needed to copy her photos from a CD to her desktop, was afraid she lost/would lose the images, then sounded concerned when it came time to eject the CD (thinking that the images would be erased off the CD). It took a lot of reassuring. It took us just over an hour. I was proud of her!

I was so impressed when my dad sent me a picture/text message of his nicely waxed car. He was so proud. Don’t tell him it was a five second video! Cute, cute!

My parents took a computer class together a few years ago at a community college. My mom aced the class while my dad passed notes to mom, goofed off (major ADD),  made jokes and flat out cheated over moms shoulder.

Clear vanilla keeps mosquitoes away!

Super moon. Did your animals act strangely? Mine totally wigged out. I thought I was making it up until something totally out of character happened. (Insert twilight music here.) I would tell you but I don’t want to embarrass my gal.

Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true.

I have been trying so hard lately not to jump to conclusions. About anything.

Only Pearl knows what she was looking at. You know what I mean?

I know it’s best to lead by example but my dad told me all my life, ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’ Sometimes, this makes me feel like such a hypocrite. Other days, I catch myself!

Cinnamon floss.

You can’t look for luck. It finds you.

If things in this post don’t make sense. Blame the migraine. It’s what I do!

I’m the luckiest photographer in La Crosse, WI. That’s all I will say about me in this post. (At least I will try!)

It was important to me (wow I’m already talking about myself, that didn’t last long did it??) that Kabo feel comfortable during her glam boudoir photo session. It was perfect that we documented at her home. So while she did her make-up and hair which was incredibly fast, like super fifteen minutes fast, I looked around her house and had a complete plan of what I wanted to capture.

I love her red couch (it’s kinda like pink but darker ) Are you serious!? It’s so posh! I tried showing Kabo how to pose by demonstrating first but I told her not to pose like me because I’m awkward. Then when she did it, I laughed at myself, because she was PERFECT.

Stunning times about a million.

Oh la la! So romantic!

This is that ‘glow’ that they all talk about. I can see it here. Tell me you can too?

Lovely.

Love this.

WOW. Cover Model! I think now is a very good time to remind you that I took these in her living room.

Not this one. This one was on her dining room table.

Yes, yes she is. Seven and a half months. Isn’t she gorgeous?!

And it’s her second. It’s another boy! How darling!

Then we went outside just for a couple. Kabo protected me from squirrels and I protected her from big dogs.

Adorable.

I had no intention prior to the session of Kabo being in a river, it just happened. She happily obliged and I have to admit, the lighting wasn’t ideal because the suns light was blocked by a section of cliff. However, I had to create this image because she was already in the water. It took a fraction of a second but it was worth it….

…. because of this.

Kabo is glamorous and super trendy. She talks lovingly of her family, smiles when she speaks of her husband and children (includes the one on the way ) but when she laughs she is most beautiful.

She really has no idea.

These days, Jose and Jasmin are traveling around New Mexico documenting historic landmarks. When Jasmin told me about her travels and goals with Jose, I smiled and thought about the dirt stained dress on her wedding day and how as a couple they naturally wear New Mexico so beautifully.

Forever his bride.

Beautiful.

LOVE this. Jasmin. You are gorgeous. Quit your landscaping job! Wait. You love that though don’t you.

It looks as though Jasmin is basking in the warm New Mexico sun doesn’t it? It was so incredibly cold we were both shivering. I lost all dexterity in my fingers so much that I couldn’t change the settings on my camera. (I even tried with my chin, no success!) Which is why the next shot is in black and white. I still love it though!

But seriously if you decide you don’t like your job anymore you should consider other options, as a model! Or you could just buy an RV and travel the entire US with Jose documenting history!

Thank you so much Jasmin.

***EDITED to add: Jose corrected me, stating that it will be three years this summer that they promised forever. He passed both tests! The good attentive husband test (go you) and the good investor math test. (That’s what he does for a living, helps people make good decisions/plans for their future.) A++ Jose!

This is a project that I started over a year ago and hardly anyone even knew about it because I was afraid it wouldn’t happen. Once enough people knew about it I knew that I just had to cross it off my list. So, these days I’m all about reading the lists I have created and marking them off one by one! Opening my own Etsy Shop DONE! If there are any problems with your ordering process please contact me at pink@sarahlovephotography.com I am new at Etsy!

Use coupon code: SHIP4PINK now (for a limited time) for FREE shipping on your order!

Etsy Shop: Love Pink Boutique

In case you wondered, I sew everything on my pink sewing machine! My friend also named Sara who also has a pink sewing machine (although it wasn’t a requirement ) will be creating Etsy pieces in the boutique in the future! She is ridiculously talented and I can’t wait to showcase her!

The purpose of this post is to share with you a piece of my list. Because, I need your help in making this dream come true. I have trepidation as I share this because I feel that if I expose something off of my list, not only does it have to happen but it has to be perfection.

Love comes in so many different forms and I’ve never seen two exactly the same. (I’ve said this so many times.) It can be complicated, calm or like a tidal wave. Complete or in repair. Whatever it is that you feel, I want you to tell me about it. You can include your name or not. Your submission might be featured on my blog, with an image created by me and then eventually they will be included in a book.

There. An entry off of my goal list: write a book

I need your love story. Even just a piece will do.

Email: lovebytes@sarahlovephotography.com

Here’s a little something to start it off.

“IF we happen to win the contest, we would like to donate our prize to the Marine and his wife, Joe and Nadine. With Erick being in the military, we are so grateful that his job will never require him to be gone for more than a week’s time and he will never have to go to war (unless World War III breaks out!). The same is not true for a Marine. They do have to deploy…sometimes for a year or more…and they do have to see and participate in war. It’s heartbreaking to know that these beautiful newlyweds will no doubt have to face this. So, as a thank you to Joe for his service and sacrifice, and a thank you for Nadine for her service and sacrifice as a Marine’s wife, if we win, please donate our prize to them.”

Tears. How sweet! Thank you guys for being you.

Nadine and Joe worked hard to win their first place. Fair and square, Nadine and Joe are the WINNERS!!!!

They WON a 20×30 fine art canvas of THIS:

But that’s not all.

The Kristi and Erick held a strong tied second along with sisters Mischa and Mayera. So they are both won something awesome too! (It’s a surprise! )

A little something special of this image will be sent to Kristi and Erick!

And a little something surprise of this to the parents of Mischa and Mayera!

Thank you all for playing and voting with me!

For those of you who missed the deadline for entries! There will be more in the future!!!

Here are all the images (in a randomly selected order) that were submitted. I can’t wait to see who wins!

Nadine and Joe on a gorgeous October day.

Randy and Isabella. A snuggle from brother.

The wonderful Castillo family with all their handsome boys.

Eric and Tori. They are: Black Stone.

Yadeeh, Justin and Atlas. Sleepy little darling.

Mayera and Mischa, best friends. Sisters.

Jen and Jon. Lost in loving looks.

Paul and all his pretty L’s: Lisa, Lily and Lola.

Jayden. Little miss sweetness.

Waylon and Cece. Embracing 9 years and counting.

Berna. Family is home.

Erlinda and Greg. A kiss, a blush.

The Foley’s. Life as it is with style.

Eliana. Sleeping beauty.

Shauni and her love, Barber J Kelly.

Kristi and Erick. Off to the honeymoon!

I seriously love my job.

Then they added their son, Randy.

I was at my friends baby shower when I saw Sarah twirling the tendril of hair between her fingers, on top of baby Randy’s head, as she nursed him.  The way she looked at him was captivating. That’s when I learned, as a parent your heart grows bigger. When you think you couldn’t possibly love another child, the heart surpasses any thought you might have had. The love that a parent has for their children is like no other.

Being a parent is proof that there are no limits in love.

Sweetest snuggle.

Randy has the cutest little lips! CUTE!

This one makes me wonder if they are thinking about graham crackers.

Handsome.

Gorgeous.

They are such a beautiful couple.

Love this.

Family.

Isabella looks so tall in this one, look at those legs! Her face is SO cute too!

They picked this spot. They picked their ‘poses’. The difference between a daughter and a son. Love it. Perhaps Randy was protecting his sister from the spiders? Only he knows.

CRINGE.

If you know me, you probably don’t think this task would be difficult. I think it’s fair to say that most people think I’m very out going and not reserved at all. I’m not bashful with the people I know because I’m comfortable with them. However, when I first meet someone, I feel like holding back. It takes a lot of internal reassurance to speak up. Those of you who know me are probably confused right now. Yes, I’m talking about myself. Maybe you don’t know this about me: I am secretly introverted.

Now you know.

So, I drove around without a plan and walked into three local places, I’ve never been. I critiqued myself way too harshly every time I walked back to the car. ‘I should have brought my portfolio, it would have been better with my new business cards, I should not have worn my hair swooped to the left. Why didn’t I bring my camera?!’

‘I should have learned a magic trick.’

C r i n g e.

I did it. I ended up with three cards less than what I started. So now what?

Then I received encouraging messages from my friends.

‘Now what??’ She said, ‘Get up and do it again.’

Then he said, ‘It doesn’t matter how many times you fall. It’s how many times you get up.’

Okay, okay I get it. Thank you.

Really, thank you all.

Then this arrived.

Unexpectedly. Randomly. From a customer, a friend. I opened a package that I found in my mailbox.

I’m up, wearing my necklace. I will do it again.