Archive: 2016
  1. Leap: A Very Special Photography Retreat | Win a Spot HERE + a SALE

    This might be the biggest giveaway I have ever hosted.

    Leap has been a long time coming. And why the name Leap anyway? Because honestly, that leap of faith is what stands in the way of all of the good things waiting for us in that vast unknown. We erect invisible walls built out of our own fear… or maybe that is just me. Either way, this is a walk we don’t have to do alone because we aren’t alone. This has been on my heart for some time now… years in fact. I have wanted to host a very special experience that incorporates a healthy love for photography, a passionate and safe place to nurture hearts and minds– with an educational opportunity to bring out the most in each woman that chooses to partake in this experience. I have been looking for the courage to leave the comfort of my own nest as a self professed people loving introvert, to envelop others in a warm and safe environment. I believe to truly grow, we have to be willing to shed our skin and offer up a bit of vulnerability in exchange for the chance to fully bloom and come into our own. To help photographers reach their goals by helping them to listen to their own unique voice, a voice that begs to be heard but is sadly so often pushed away and squandered in fear is my biggest goal. Friends, your work is so intertwined with just who you are. We tie our inner artist to our inner being and find ourselves vulnerable every time we share what we create. It is so easy to let the voices and the influences of others in– and it taints our ability to believe in ourselves and to trust our own true visions at times. It is terrifying to put yourself out there. I understand that as well as anyone. But this is your safe haven. I have the chance to sit across from women each year. Mentoring and nurturing other souls is something that has proved to be a huge blessing to me as well. I wanted to do this on an even grander scale. 2017 is going to be year that magic happens. Beautiful things are on the horizon and my biggest wish is for you to take my hand and join me.

    So, what exactly is this all about?

    This is more than a workshop. It’s a one of a kind experience, a retreat into the Colorado mountains. It is a place of solidarity and friendship and inspiration. You will be staying alongside me in a 1950’s vintage cabin surrounded by majestic views, cozy touches and beautiful learning opportunities. I am your open book. This is an intimate experience with only 10 places open so that I can make sure to spend the time and attention I need on each woman that comes along on this journey.

    What is included:

    A riveting and beautiful experience.

    All main meals + some snacks (okay lots of snacks because it’s me.)

    Lodging in the cutest 1950’s Colorado Cabin.

    Two Full Days together and then some.

    Three Amazing Shoots: 1 Lifestyle Family session IN the cabin, a Full Family session outside with the landscapes and mountains all around + a bonus shoot (Mama & Me.)

    25 Minute one-on-one time with each gal in the afternoons to reflect privately on any questions you may have pertinent to your business. We will peek at some of your work, have a little chat and get to the very bottom of what stirs your soul and fills the gaps in your business.

    A walk through of my full editing workflow from RAW to the finished images I would deliver to my client.

    My full business/client workflow.

    Preparing for Family Sessions, Client interaction, Marketing, Session styling, Location Scouting and just about anything you would like to ask me.

    Creative exercises to get the mind working in the most wondrous of ways.

    A Private Facebook group to get acquainted.

    Sweet little Gifts! Because I just love to give presents.

    Friendships that will last you a lifetime.

    When Is it?

    September 29th-October 1st, 2017

    Where is This Happening?

    Allenspark, CO (Near Estes Park, CO.)

    Hopefully now you are ready to sign up! Yes!! Let’s do this!

    More details on purchasing your spot will be presented when this workshop opens up on January 5th, 2017 including investments, specifics and more. There will only be TEN seats (Nine since one lucky person will one before they can register.)

    But if you would like to win one, you can enter RIGHT HERE! Use the prompt below and be sure to read all of the details because you can even grab yourself multiple entries! The winner will be announced January 4th, 2017 right before bookings open to everyone.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    And last but not least since I had quite a few messages inquiring about a sale from now until January 2nd, take 50% off ALL Photoshop Actions, Lightroom Presets and Bundles as well as the Everyday Artistry Phone Photography guide by using the code Leap at check out in the shop Here.

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    684 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

  2. Gratitude | Colorado Travel Photographer

    All day yesterday I found that I  was being pulled to hop on my computer and type this out. My heart was heavy with it in fact. Alas, being a Mama and doing the majority of the prep and cooking for Thanksgiving didn’t leave much time. As some of you may know, we are half way cross country from most family and friends so Holidays can feel like a sucker punch in the gut. I know our littles feel it too sometimes so I try to go the extra mile to make each Holiday that much more special for them. Even with that being said, the truth is–my “work” life and “real” life are one in the same. My “clients” aren’t clients–they are friends. Those that take time to comment on social media and leave little love notes and kindly bits of encouragement may not know how much it does mean, but it means so much more than can be summed up here in a blog post.

    But still, I wanted to just come and say “Thank You.” Thanks to all of you that come and sprinkle kindness around, that leave warm comments, that take a moment even to just say hello. Or maybe you are a bit shy, but subscribe and “like” or maybe don’t. Your presence in this community matters. You are all in part what make it as special as it is. I feel blessed to be there along side you as your peer… as a fellow creative.

    And if I had the honor of photographing your family… know my heart is swelling.  It is an honor.  I am not just making photographs you see, I am making memories with you. You have such an impact on me. Observing the way you love on your spouse–your children, it makes me a better human in turn. Thank you. Thank you for simply coming and being just who you are.

    I typically do a year in review, which I will for sure do this New Years. I really wanted to share a few of the images I love because the people and places in them are so special to me. There are so many gorgeous moments and special families I got to put in front of my camera. This year held new adventures, new beautiful locations and fresh perspective. It also came with challenges as I embraced the fact that I will never find complete balance– and that’s okay. I don’t even know that true balance exists. There is something so beautiful in learning that we just don’t need to be perfect. Perfect is vanilla. Artists shouldn’t be vanilla. And still I know many artists are perfectionists. The irony in that is too great to ignore… but showing our bruises and scars in our work is what I believe make it so refreshing.

    Sometimes I embrace those rose colored glasses and they remind me that I get to mother my children AND do what I love. I never want to lose grasp on reality because the truth is–I love my career. It’s okay to admit that. It is always hard to spend time away from my family. I obviously will always love them first and love them most, but I also need not be ashamed of the fact that the means of making a living has also become a pretty rad lifestyle.

    And next year there will a whole lot of getting back to my own roots. I hope to make more images of my family and make more honest images at that. They are the reason I started. I am excited to really just be a bit more raw. We went and bought ourselves a 1972 vintage airstream so we can travel and continue to take photos… and love hard on these babies.

    Heck, some days I think maybe just one more wouldn’t be so bad haha. I know those that really know our family are chuckling right now. They may have called it… no matter how adamantly i shook my head and stomped and hhmmpphed while I was pregnant with our sixth… our “last.”

    Even though I could list so much more, here are just a few things that I am Thankful for.

    My Family.

    Motherhood is a gift. Marriage is a gift. It isn’t always easy but it is always worth it. There are too many things to list. Too many things to say– so I will just share my heart in images. Having six children, our life and hearts and well… hands are pretty full. Some days are longer than others– the years are still all together too short.

    This year we grew by one family member. Daisy was our “game changer.” She has enriched our lives in ways I could not have imagined. We thought we had it all figured out and then she came and I learned just how little I really knew haha. She is our spitfire. I am so appreciative of the challenges having a baby with colic presented however because I learned to schedule time to recuperate and love on her and our other kids a bit more. I am the type that is programmed for busy. I have a limited attention span and thrive on being productive. Slowing down typically isn’t an option. I love to be home ironically but I embrace the editing and all that working from home as a Photographer entails. As she came out of the colic we had a very attached baby and while rearranging my workflow and even how I ran my sessions (I literally brought her to every session and wore her the majority of the time I shot up until she got old enough to go to my husband), I can say that when we are out of the “baby” stage– I didn’t waste a moment.  It isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. It really gave me a higher appreciation of trying to juggle it all though. Being a Mama (or father) and trying to manage it all is impossible. We just all do what we can.

    I am thankful for perspective. I think ultimately that was what kept me sane.

    10165m2a4027-copy-25m2a0904-copy5m2a7551-copy-2ez

    My Families.

    Each and every single person I have had the honor of photographing. Each Mom and Dad and Baby and Child and Couple. Whether we danced in the rain, splashed in the river, sang songs, held hands, joked around or waited out a toddler tantrum… it was all good.  I am an unposed photographer, meaning I don’t pose.  It might seem like that takes all the “work” out of it, and really I guess it does haha, but it also pushes a healthy dose of intimacy. You are there in the thick of it suddenly with a family you are getting to know and your biggest goal is to really show how much they care about each other. I guess that’s the “easy” part, but you have to learn their code. Each family has one of their own. Learning how they tick is just one tiny bit of it. The fact that they are willing to open up and just find a way to be exactly who they are is such an honor. It is in turn what makes me tick as an artist. It is almost like they are adopting me for that evening. I love it. I love them.

    I am thankful for their candidness and trust.

    e69wg20wh77wk59wk82wkn84ws71wt19w

    Colorado Skies + Mountains + Foothills + Sunshine + All the Good things outdoors.

    I am from Connecticut. We moved here five years ago this year actually. I am obsessed. We also travel a bit and I am equally thankful for all of those that embrace me in their homes and in their home states. Being able to capture families in the golden grasses and the mountainous back drops is surreal. Now, Connecticut was pretty amazing too. There were beaches and houses with old charm and character wherever you seemed to turn.

    But Colorado. Colorado with all of it’s color and it’s beautiful fluffy cotton candy clouds and it’s dynamic light and it’s crisp clean air.  The clear streams and the wildlife and the dimension and the people.. oh, the friendliest people. This is home now and working here is like instilling just a bit more pride in each image. Being Coloradans is so special to our family. Being able to bring families here and watch their eyes grow and their mouths fall open, it’s pretty amazing.

    SO yep, Colorado. I am so Thankful for Colorado.

    c73wm51wk82wn67we36wAnd  of course so much more.

    Jesus.

    All of the tokens of love and friendship that came my way from the amazing families I have photographed.

    The new friendships I have been blessed with from the photography community and on.

    The opportunities to teach and share my love of photography with others.

    Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

    My husband being home full time.

    The return of Gilmore Girls on Netflix.

    Our extended family we do miss so much back east.

    Each failure that has only brought me closer to the success that *really* matter.

    The promise of so many adventures in 2017.

    Coffee. (It needed another line.)

    I could just go on and on.

    The countless hours spent on the new brand and website and how selfless the designer has been in all of it. I can’t wait to share that. (SOON!)

    I mean, this isn’t to say that life isn’t really hard sometimes. Guys! Being self employed is tricky business and not for the faint of hear. But learning to go with the flow and just be present and open minded.

    I am thankful for that too.

    Thank you so much sweet friends. Thank you for being part of this journey.I have so much gratitude for each of you reading this at this very moment. My heart is just full.

    5 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

@MY4HENS

Take a peek into our silly, sweet, raucous, crazy, beautiful, imperfect life, and join me for the #MomentsOverPoses movement!