Happy Mothers Day!

To all that give everything

My Monday Morning

Good morning!  (A "good morning" full of the perk and peppiness I used to despise.) I used to wake up miserable on a Monday morning, dreading going back to work and dragging my feet.  Some times the misery even started on Sunday evening when I realized that Monday was looming like a huge grey rain cloud just around the corner.  Not anymore.  I don't mean to rub it in, but my job kind of rocks, and being a list maker, I adore my Monday mornings!  I wake up around 7:30, pour myself a giant mug of coffee (or 2 or 3), turn on some music (Joshua Radin this morning) and get to listing.  I make my to do list for the whole week broken down by either category (photography, around the house, social, etc.) or day of the week.  Sometimes it is color coded, sometimes not.  Sometimes it comes with sticky note reminders, or check boxes or different handwritten fonts.  I may spend an hour on my list...which to some people might seem over-indulgent, but if I can feel organized and in control for my week in an hour I'm a happy camper! 

This last week was especially busy and my fancy little to do lists make me more than excited to dive into this week head first!  Now after this little babble, I'm off to check some stuff off.  Happy Monday morning!  I hope you're excited for your week too.

The Littlest Heroes

My education is in human services (social work) and part of my heart will definitely always sit there.  Because of this, I've been looking for awhile for a charity to work with.  I hadn't thought about donating photography until recently and once I did I couldn't find quite the right program...until I found The Littlest Heroes Project!  http://www.littlestheroesproject.org/  This non-profit provides free family photo sessions for families with children who have life altering illnesses and disabilities.  The goal is to let these children know that they are heroes to many and to share their stories and photos, as well as to provide the family with beautiful family portraits.  I applied yesterday and am anxiously awaiting their response. 

I would also REALLY like to find something relating to teenage girls.  The self esteem of the majority of teenage girls is way too low.  I remember being a teenager, and the way many of my friends and I felt about ourselves.  The societal pressures that make girls feel this way is unacceptable.  I'd love to find some way to build self esteem in even a few girls through photography.  Ideas???

Some other really cool photography related charities are listed below.  If you know of any others, please let me know! 

http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
http://www.heartgalleryofamerica.org/

Mini-session with cutie pie!

This was a last minute mini-session, and what a ham she was! Thanks H for the big smiles and silly faces!