Best laid plans go awry. . .

So I spent late Christmas eve and all of Christmas day emptying my stomach from the flu instead of visiting family and eating treats. Two boys shared the experience with me and still have lingering flu-like symptoms. Doug chose to feel fine until midday Thursday when the flu found him and Josiah spent most of the day on the sofa with a fever. They are all sleeping now. I'm feeling somewhat better, although I'm a little tired since Jayden spent last night emptying his dinner into his bed and then he only wanted to sleep right next to mama. My house is still pretty messy and as soon as I'm done checking emails, I'll be frantically working to clean up a bit before they all wake up.

I suppose this sounds a little like a "glass half empty" sort of story and a little pity party for my hope for a quiet Christmas at home - but really other than the obvious unpleasantness of the flu, it did force us to stay home and rest, which is apparently something we all needed. Oh yes, would the rest been nicer without the stomach aches and constant laundry - sure - but I guess rest is rest:). Hope you all had a more pleasant Christmas holiday.

My baby

Merry Christmas

Tomorrow begins our celebration of Christmas that will end sometime next week with family and friends. Merry Christmas to you all and have a wonderful relaxing, Christ filled holiday!

Downtown Christmas Celebration

If you are going to be in River Falls tomorrow night

(Thursday, December 20th) from 5 - 7 pm visit the studio for treats, photos and snowflake crafts!

Mandelbrot Set

thought for the evening:

I have decided our life is very similar to a Mandelbrot set; officially designated as chaos but certainly contains order hidden in a complex mathematical formula hard to understand but producing a colourful and interesting pattern. (that is not an official definition by the way and if you understand the math formulas, well you are a geek but I still love you)

I guess most families could say that but it only occurred to me today that the seeming chaos we find ourselves in produces the beautiful colours and patterns - an interesting metaphor for how we handle our chaos. I need to remember this more often when the chaos frustrates me.

Ok, enough philosophy - unless you are on the West Coast you should be sleeping at the time of my writing this so I'm off to bed too as my Mandelbrot set begins rather early tomorrow morning:).

Fun

I've been so busy with orders I haven't had much time to post and when I do, it's from home where I have no client photos. But I thought I'd add a few of the boys happily playing at the studio. We are there a lot and have made it pretty child friendly for them - they even get to do some of their homework there. I'm looking forward to a quieter week next week with people picking up orders only.

The studio will be CLOSED Christmas Eve through New Year's Day but will be checking our email and phone messages occasionally during that period.

December Snow

I worked today at the studio to try and attempt to catch up - meanwhile it was a blustery, wintery day leaving us with about 3 - 4 inches of snow (when I last looked outside after coming home).

Outside of the fact of having to be IN the cold wind and snow, I am glad it snowed as winter is sort of a waste without snow to play in. And it gives you this "hot chocolate, curl up on the couch with a good book or play a game with your children" sort of feeling. When morning comes and the blistering wind dies down, it will be beautiful to look out and see the crystalized white world all untainted except by maybe a few paw prints.

I'll try to post some photos tomorrow - I'll be honest, I'm a little tired and my creativity is sort of at a low point (which occurs every year at about this time). Once the holiday rush subsides, winter will be a good time to recharge and refocus.

Have a wonderful evening - And hey - if you are looking for a sustainable, local source for holiday gifts, check out LocalHarvest.org (see my CHECK IT OUT section). They have created a wonderful resource for local producers of natural and organic products on the web.

I am WAY behind

On getting photos up - but we did a few fun ones today of the kids for our Christmas photos as our deadline is TOMORROW for photo sessions if you want prints by Christmas. These are a sampling but not the ones we'll be sending out.

Busy Holiday Season

It is the holiday season again when we celebrate the birth of our Savior and the coming of a new year. Lots to do and get done in just a month.

I am still going through work withdrawl on week 2 of moving my photography work all to the studio. I think it's necessary though - otherwise photography starts to creep into all aspects of my life and I forget there are other things just as important (maybe more).

Anyway, I plan on putting some photos up from the past couple weeks. Stay tuned . . .

Withdrawl

I'm having a little bit of "computer work withdrawl" having my work computer at the studio. I'm sure this is a good thing to reclaim my home life but I have this feeling that I am forgetting to get something done (for photography work). I'm hoping that feeling gradually fades as I adjust to doing "studio work" at the studio.

This is partially to reclaim the fun I should be having at home with my husband and boys - something we all definitely need!

Have a great weekend and go have some fun!

Making changes

Today I moved my main work computer from home to the studio. This marks a new milestone in my self discipline - or at least will help assist my problematic "never quit working because the computer is in the next room" syndrome.

We also did a little rearrangement of the studio to add a larger shooting area for our backdrops and we still have the back area for our high key portraits.

These and some other changes coming soon are part of my "WHY AM I DOING THIS" reflection. I just was listening to David Jay give a presentation and he made the comment (which I know but often forget) that sometimes we get so caught up in the HOW we forget WHY we are doing things.

For me, WHY includes having the freedom to home school my boys and teach them a business (or an entreprenuerial spirit). It includes eventually having my husband and I working together full time (hopefully we won't want to fire the other too often:). It includes meeting and getting to know people and helping them see how beautiful they are - regardless of how the world sees them. It is about being apart of the special moments of a person's life (weddings, new babies, grandma's or grandpa's milestone birthday, loose teeth and just celebrating being a family). Celebrating God's creation - and remembering the moments that pass all too quickly.

And lots more reasons.

SO - Why are YOU doing what you are doing? Is it leading you to what really matters or away from it?

Family Fun

Sometimes parents get stressed during a photo shoot but seriously the real stuff here is what I love - it shows the personality of the child or children and frankly captures moments that you will look back on and remember with a good chuckle (no matter how frustrated you were at the time)
Two sisters who are just gorgeous little girls - sweet and fun - I've been privileged to photograph them several times in the past year. It has been a pleasure getting to know them!


Three sisters who definitely make a photo session fun and interesting - sometimes being a tween/teen is tough but these girls are certainly blessed to have each other! They also have the most wonderful expressions and sense of humor.

True Love Defines Beauty

I've been known to photoshop in my day . . . but I try really hard not to over alter a person's appearance rather enhance it. It is tempting, especially with photos of myself to do a little digital plastic surgery to take off those extra pounds that stubbornly stick with me or make my cheeks just a little thinner. But then I pause and think, "is this really representing me if I do those things?" Blemishes and such I don't have a problem smoothing out - no one has zits for life but major alterations give me pause. If photoshopping destroys the essense of the person, I think I'm moving too far away from reality . . .

WHY? Because I believe that true love defines beauty. I think about the people I love and I think they are beautiful as they are because of my love for them NOT because they have a sculpted body or a perfect (what is that) nose or the perfect hair.

I love them because they are THEMSELVES.

Now creating art may lead me to bend my self inflicted rules -but more on that later. I'd love your thoughts. I'm sure you've seen this video before but maybe not - food for thought.
More on this topic to come.

Some Vintage

Family Photo Special

Looking for that one family photo and some holiday cards for your family and friends?

This is a great time to get some of your holiday shopping completed early.

Call 715-425-9899 or email me at apboyce@briteideaphotography.com to schedule your appointment.

Mike and Jen's Wedding

Christmas Holiday Sale

More from this week

What I really need is like two days to sit and think

But I probably am not going to get that opportunity. Between rainstorms we are somehow getting to do photographs outdoors, thanks to the warm weather (albeit WET). We have puppies, kids, seniors - whew - I need a creative recharge I think.

But here are a few photos of what we've been doing this week.

Week in Review

We are OPEN

Whew, I really didn't know if it would happen but we are finally open for business. Now I'm training in our office manager Ashley and getting everything settled in. So much more to do . . . .

But we are open. Photos to follow

Stuff - Been a little Busy lately

GRAND OPENING OCT 5th

Hello Everyone!

We have been working and working to get our new studio ready to open on October 5th in River Falls, Wisconsin. My "TO DO" checklist is getting shorter and although there may be a few loose ends not tied up by the date I believe 99% of them should be done!

So if you are able to stop by between 5pm and 8pm on October 5th please come in and say hi. I'm so excited!

whew . .. .

Ok I have been over at the new studio every day with a couple exceptions and it is coming together. I can actually start to visualize the furniture in it and me getting to do sessions indoors and outside on the walking path. In my free time I am editing photo sessions we've been doing and I haven't even had time to post any - but maybe soon. . .

Tonight's photo is courtesy of Jayden who was being way cute (and a little naughty) at lunch today. I also have some good ones of Marcus at the studio since he was sitting doing nothing I thought I'd do a few shots of him while Doug cut some trim. But I'll post that later. Anyway I think I'm doing good posting one photo for the night:).

Why do I love to take photographs?

Last week we sold our tractor and I cried. Not because I didn’t want to sell it but because that tractor had a flood of happy memories associated with it. My children loved to climb up on it when it was parked and pretend to drive. We tilled our field together. Our first family photo on the farm was taken with the tractor.

I cried because the tangible reminder of those good memories was gone - except for the photographs of us with it.

I love photos because sometimes a photograph is the only tangible reminder of a memory we would otherwise forget. Photographs record those brief but critical moments in our life helping us remember those special stories of a precious life.

And so, I might get a little sentimental during your wedding or photo session. I think beautiful photos are that important.

Our Anniversary - Camping with the Family

New Studio Progresses

I have hardly been home these past two weeks but we are making progress on the studio. Finally I have a few photos for you all:)

Some Thoughts

I've been MIA here on the blog - with the new studio space to work on, photos assignments, birthdays, school starting and Fall activities - well, I haven't had much leisure time to write. I'm also still limping along here with my computer downstairs on the network due to one of our many thunderstorms.

Anyway, I'll post some "Construction" photos of the studio soon. It is exciting to see how it is shaping up and I can't wait until it's ready to open (really I CAN'T wait).

In the meantime my middle baby is FIVE - I can't believe it. Marcus celebrated his fifth birthday last week and that means I need to do a five year old photo session with him:).

Which brings me to my little muse; why is my job (as a photographer & mom) important? Over the past year in meeting and photographing new people, I have been surprised at how much I learn about each person. It's almost impossible when documenting someone's life to ignore the emotional connection (however brief) that you make with each person. I think in our image saturated culture we sometimes tend to glance at photos without really seeing the person behind the image. But photography should be more than just an image. It tells a story, recording moments in a person's history that will never be repeated - and it can be amazingly powerful. I find myself crying with the family at weddings we photograph because I can feel the love and joy they are experiencing. I giggle with the children and chat with the seniors.

The relational aspect of my second job (my first being wife and mom:) is amazing - to show others the beauty and uniqueness of each person I photograph by telling a small part of their story. Even for all the "not so fun" aspects of being in business, that connection makes it worth it.

God Bless.

Senior Session

Down but not out . . .

Over the weekend one of the storms took out our Internet connection and apparently our network so I'm working only in the evenings when I have the laptop to connect direct. So things are moving a little slowly here. Happily we still have power, there are some families that have been told not to expect power until tomorrow night or Thursday morning.

Have a great evening!

Wedding in the Dells

It's late but here's a few photos from our Sunday wedding:

Minneapolis Bridge Collapses

Most of you already have seen the I-35 bridge photos from last night. Thankfully this is not a bridge Doug drives on much AND he had come home early yesterday for a meeting. What's even more comforting is that Dave, (Doug's brother) who is a truck driver had his load postponed until Friday and so instead of being on that highway around the time of the collapse, he was parking his truck and heading home.

God definitely was keeping them safe. Please remember the families of the people involved and praise God for the hard work of emergency staff and the everyday people that helped on the scene. Every time I think about it, tears come to my eyes and I'm overwhelmed that this happened so close to home. Give your loved ones an extra hug and thank the Lord you have another day with them:).

--Amanda

Coming soon?

This photo is what I'll call the "Joe Buissink effect". I can't wait to someday attend one of his workshops - anyway, this has a clue as to something new we are planning - but I can't tell you yet!
. . . Stay tuned.

Loose Tooth

Josiah today was eating an ear of corn and said, "mom, my tooth hurts". We looked and he has his first loose tooth. My baby is growing up:(. He was estatic and had to tell everyone:). He's been wiggling it all day in hopes that it will fall out.

Distinctive Portraiture (Still glad we live in the country)

It was warm today and I gave the oldest two boys permission to use the tub and hose to cool off. I left them for a minute to answer the phone and came out to find this:

Jayden was only slightly muddy but sitting on the lawn mower - wanting to drive.

And this is Bambi (Honey) - a dog we have adopted. She's really smart, except that she too was a mud victim:).