2010.

How can a year be summed up in 30-some pictures? It can't. Especially this year. This year, for me, started with a birth, scared the hell out of me in the middle, and left me exhausted at the end. However, there were monumental happenings this year that rocked me to the core and made me stand taller than I have ever have. Life beat the hell out of me this year.

I was originally going to do a top 50 favorite images for 2010. However that wouldn't be fair to some clients who were photographed later in the year and haven't recieved their proofs yet. (Once again, Life beat the hell out of me this year.) So instead, I thought I would let you in on "the inbetween". What I was doing when I wasn't shooting for clients.

This year, God taught me how to be joyful. I have posted on this subject a few times this year and I fully understand the meaning now. At least, I understand joy on earth. I'm sure joy in Heaven is a much more enormous animal, and I am so excited to feel THAT joy. But I digress. The joy that I have felt this year has been almost a way of healing. I've always said, there cannot be joy without sorrow and WOW did I get that phrase spoonfed to me this year.

But, I am still grateful. I'm totally swept off my feet with HIS GRACE.

Here is the journey into the in-between of my year...






















































































Thank you all for listening to me vent this year, for not calling me a big ol crybaby, for celebrating my joys and for embracing me with your unending love and support. I love my people. :) May God bless you richly in the year to come and may it be filled with more joy than heartache, more happiness than sorrow, and and more growth than restriction. GOD IS GREAT!!!!!

{Alysia Vaske} | Artist Collaboration, aka "The Funky Shoot"

It all started as a comment on a facebook mobile upload. My friend, Alysia Vaske, had painted one of her AH-MAY-ZING designs on her apartment sliding glass door because, well, she had run out of canvas. I was inspired at the instant that I saw it. My head raced with ideas. Let's get Alysia to paint on PEOPLE! BRILLIANT!!



It didn't take long to get a HECK YES!! from Alysia and the ball was rolling. I knew what I saw in my head and knew exactly what I envisioned was something that would be awesome to her as well. We did a casting, we found our people who were down with being painted and everything fell together.







Some where along the line, it was named "The Funky Shoot". I love that. Funky is my word. ;)


















Alysia's paintings are so original. They are very colorful and unique, much like Alysia herself. Her paintings are for sale and you may contact her either by email (vaskealysia@yahoo.com) or by phone (419.203.6486) to see her work or for info on a specific piece you want.





I cannot end this post without thanking the wonderful Rachel Elliot, Robin Spencer, Amanda Painter, Katie Miller, Kylee Laukhuf, & Dancia Myers for being hip to the crazy stuff that goes on in my brain and getting as excited about it all as I do. And to our GORGEOUS models: Jason, Austin, Sarah, Toni, Amanda :) You guys are all irreplaceable and always always appreciated!

And to Alysia, who is so so awesomely talented. Your work is an inspiration to me! Thank you so much for being such a great help to me this summer and for being YOU! :)

All images were shot in the lovely Touches of Time where I would like to buy EVERYTHING and have bought alot of great items for my home and studio. They also offer awesome interior design services and have so much to choose from! Thank you for the use of some great space/lighting! You guys rock!!