RIDE EM' COWGIRL!

Makayla has been riding horses since she was a baby. It is a blessing for a little girl to be born into a family of horse crazy people. The first photo is of Makayla at Grandma and Grandpa's farm when she was 5 months old. She has been a natural from the very start. Thanks to many afternoons with grandma, grandpa or Aunty giving safety instruction and lessons, my little girl can sure ride.

SUNSHINE IN AUTUMN

NEW BUSINESS CARD

My husband is so good to me. He designed this new business card for me and I absolutely love the looks of it! Scott, thank you for supporting me every step of the way! You are my true companion and best friend! I love you and appriciate you, so very much!
Thank you...

Bailey and her Beauty

A WALK IN THE PARK

Meeting a family at the park on a nice day is one of my all time favorite photo shoots. You can't beat natural light and everyone seams a bit more playful and relaxed when they are out in fresh air. I take time to visit with mom and dad prior to our walk throught the park, so I have a feel for the images and setting they hope to capture. We usually take a few portrait style pictures for starters then take a bit of a walk together. I snap many candid shots as we go along. It's wonderful to come along a tree, river or even a open field of grass to grab a few more shots of kid's just being kid's and stage a few more portraits as well. Most parents are sure to buy some time and good behavior with the promise of play time at the park or perhaps an ice cream cone on the drive home when we're all finished. Every time I have had the privledge to walk and share time with a family, I feel blessed and more passionate about what I do. It's an honor to capture a family, it's children, it's parents... the spirit of each family is so unique and beautful!

LUCY LOO LOO

Oh, how we love you, Lucy!

Even my sisters dog is a good rider!

BEAUTIFUL LEATHER!

I love taking a walk through a barn full of horses. It doesn't just bring back memories of childhood, but it entices my sences. I love the look, feel and smell of leather...as my daughter took horse riding lessens from my sister, I wandered around and found some treasures.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

To: My Family
I love you with all my heart. Here's to family Time.... JUST US!
Love: Mom

SUBMISSION TO OPRAH!

Did any of you happen to see the Oprah show on Monday? There was a gal named Kari who's family recieved a "Nate Berkus " Makeover. A couple gave up their dream house to give three girls a second chance. Her families story is amazing! They are Washingtonians to boot! There was a neet connection between Kari and my photographer friend MeRa Koh who I've been studing under and so encouraged by. So any way, those of us that follow MeRa's amazing Blog are on a mission to see to it that MeRa and her husband Brian make it on the OPRAH show someday too! Take a peek at MeRa's links below and if you too would love to see her on Oprah, let them know at "BE ON THE SHOW" and submit a request for MeRa. http://www.oprah.com/

Here is the e-mail I sent:

MeRa Koh is an incredible women with an incredible story. Her book title says it all, "Beauty Restored". Her healing journey after facing date rape and the loss of a child is one of courage and hope. MeRa is now on a personal mission or "Revolution" as she would call it, to help, guide and encourage other women "out of the shadows and into the light". MeRa with her talented husband Brian have built an amazing, highly recognized and successful photography business with in a short 6 year time frame. I truly believe they pinch themselves everyday. MeRa's heart to share her knowledge and wisdom is just one of her many giftings to the world. MeRa has a beautiful way of viewing life and capturing it's beauty not only through her words but through a lens. She has inspired me personally as I am launching my own photography business, with many thanks to MeRa and Brian's workshops, DVD's and Blog. I feel in my heart of hearts that the world needs to hear thier story. I hope you seriously consider this amazing couple to be on The Oprah Show!
Truelly Inspired,
Kimberlyn Totten
LifeSong Photography

MeRa Koh Photography links:
http://www.merakoh.com/
http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/
http://www.merakohblog.com/

A BOY AND HIS DOG!

These two have been best friends since the day they met. Josie was our first child and Luke is intended to be our last. The age gap of 10 years between them has had no nagative impact. Talk about one patient pooch!

TANGLES!

Just when you think things are going smoothly, your 6 year old desides to use a comb to pretend to curl her hair. It took 45 minutes to untangle this mess. I resorted to cutting the brisles off the comb. Makayla thought it was pretty funny, till I threatened to sheer her head to look like her brother. Our patience was tested and I really don't think she will ever do this again.

BUILDING A BUSINESS

This is my prayer as I daily strive to build LifeSong Photography: Lord, cause my work to be produced by FAITH, my labor prompted by LOVE, and my endurance inspired by HOPE.

The learning curve is endless. Now that I have a basic sence of my camera and its and my ability. It's now the challenge of venturing into the territory of marketing...there are so many ideas running through my head at any given time. I love that the creative juices are flowing and Spring is on it's way. I have built a solid photography portfolio over the past few years and now speading the word in a new community will be fun. I have spent time learning about Blogging, creating new business cards, researching web desighners, using Pictage and editing in Photoshop. At times all of this makes my head spin. Perhaps it's not all the research or energy it takes that makes my head spin rather the time of life I am in. I am trying desperatly to balance family, photography and contsant physical pain caused by Aostio Arthritis. I more often than not find it difficult to do any of my basic roles in life with much ease. I am stubburn to keep, keeping on , I love being a stay at home mom but at the same time I have a dream of contributing to my families finances as well as flourish and challenge myself in creative outlets and endevours. Just this week I had one of those days that really made me question if this was the right timing for all this? The photo shoots themselves are my passion. It's all the behind the scene efforts at home on a computer that is in the middle of our central living courters. There is no place to hide for this mama....It is difficult and frustrating to be constantly interuppted with needs of a 2 year old and a busy 6 year old who does not know how to entertain herself. Winter is the worst, "Mama, look at me? Mama, Come here! Mama, I need help! Mama, I'm hungry! Mama, can we watch a little show? Mama, mama mama!!!I really have to be disiplined to walk away from the computer and focus on my family. These precious lives that God has given me to love and raise are truelly my first priority. Finding those quite blocks of time have become the late evening hours leading to midnight. I pray I will learn to balance building this dream into reality as I also meet the needs of my family. I daily seek wisdom from other women who are several steps further in the process of motherhood and who are now running a thriving photography business as a side job. I find encouragement in their success stories and so apriciate when they too share their struggles. I don't want to give up on a passion, I just need to pace myself one day at a time. My biggest fear is that I would look back and feel like I neglected my kids for the sake of my own endevours and need for creative outlet. What seams to drive me is that I know that in having an outlet of my own outside of the role of wife and mother. I am much happier and full of life and joy than I would be other wise. So I have come to the conclusion that this "building a Business" is a journey, as with all of life it has it's peeks and valleys. I have come to appriciate the beauty of darkness, in that it makes the light that much brighter. May photography be a means to shine light upon dark places to expose the beauty within others and within myself. Let there be LIGHT and LIFE in LIFESONG!

STROLL BY THE RIVER

KINDERGARTEN FUN

It has been such a joy to help out with Makayla's kindergarten class every Friday. Her teacher is amazing and as you can see , very organized. The kids have a blast together, learning, playing and creating crafty things. It is never borring, that's for sure! We love you Mrs. Serafin!