A Must-Hear

Matt and I missed a conference in early August called Relationship Rx. It was in Houston and Les Parrot, Gary Smalley, and other writers/preachers were speaking. Since we missed it, Matt bought the Cd set. And let me tell you, it was nothing short of extraordinary. I have sort of been hogging them and listening to them when I drive from College Station to Houston. It's completely okay that my fellow road-travelers think I'm a crazy emotional woman when they see tears streaming down my cheeks.

I needed a wake-up call, a cold glass of water splashed on my sleepy heart. God just grabbed me a shook me around a bit to get the message to me that life goes beyond my little shell. To invest in the lives of others, I first have to stop constantly thinking about my own. Relationships are the greatest chance we get to practice God's love. He shows us how to be slow to anger and quick to listen, have patience when we want to scream, and how to love without fear. I will soon be thrown (happily launched, of course) into a world where I am a part of a man's everyday life. My prayer is that I compliment Matthew, through encouragement, support, and self-sacrificial love.

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase it online, but you can call 713-365-2317. Thats the Second Baptist Bookstore, they said they can send it to you!

Laughter is Medicine to the Soul

When I walked out the door I was foggy-headed and heavy-eyed. I grabbed my gear and walked down the stairs, hearing the sad cries of my whimpering pup in the background, and drove to downtown Houston. I had to snap out of it cause the engagement session was about to start!

Amanda and Ric were both filled with such kindness and they made me laugh. Laughter is such a missed art. It lifts the soul and restores energy to the heart.

As I came home, I walked through the same door I had trudged through before with a pep-in-my-step. I felt GIDDY from the session. Matthew made some comment about how I was acting like a little girl, and he found it endearing because he knew that I was finding fulfillment in what I was doing. I believe that when God gives you a gift and you use it to the best that you can for Him, this is the feeling He grants you. You feel like a kid again.

Details Galore

Ok, who has planned a wedding? Did you find the details overwhelming? I am for sure. I'm not really a detail-oriented person naturally, so this is all new to me. Which flowers go where, who is escorting who to their seat, where people will stay, etc. Last night Matthew sweetly said, "You just need to enjoy it. I'm here with you to help you calm down, but you can't run from everything." He's right. I am a RUN-NER. Not the best of qualities, but I'm working on it. I have full confidence that the fresh fruit and smooth beaches of Hawaii will soak up the aftermath of the wedding woos just fine :)

My favorite picture from the bridals I shot yesterday with Lauren. (This is the unedited picture.) Her green eyes are so piercing.

Food for thought: What Kind of Cookie Are You?

I love quizzes. Un-academic ones at least.
Apparently, I'm "exotic." HA!
So, what kind of cookie are you?

You Are a Jam Cookie

On the outside, you project a straight-laced, innocent vibe. But on the inside, you're complex, exotic, and full of flavor.

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

I promise to update with photography-related topics soon. Tomorrow I have a bridal session with Lauren, so pictures are coming soon!

A Sentimental Mood

My freshman year was a tremendous growing experience for me. I was so caught up in myself and finding answers to every question I had in life...but the constant searching kept me seeking. God has taught me a great deal these past 3 and a half years at A&M. Although our identity is fluid, constantly changing and being reformed into who the Lord created us to be, it is nice to reflect back on the journey sometimes. This is the letter to myself I found while looking through old drawers today (written 9-30-05).

This year I'd like to learn how:
-To take baby steps.
-To stop worrying about what others think and just experience life from my own perspective.
-To live now instead of always thinking of tomorrow. Because all I'm given is now. God doesn't hand me the whole puzzle, He hands me pieces.
-To transform worries into prayers and remember that God does care about the little things.
-To be thankful. Instead of dreaming of what could be, I'd like to accept and appreciate what IS.
-To relax, remembering that if you don't slow down, you miss things.

That's a lot of things to want to learn in one year, right? At least I was hopeful! Have I successfully conquered these goals? No, and thats okay. Keeps me depending on the Lord. So thank you, Father, for still having faith in me and taking the time to help me grow.

Fearless Hearts & Twirling Skirts

When Matt and I were in downtown shooting a session last Saturday, we saw this amazing International Fair. I could've watched these sweet little oriental girls dance for hours. They were so peaceful up on that stage waving their arms and twirling in their skirts. It made me wish I could lapse back in time to the days when I was a child and the only thing to worry about was whether my mom was going to make me eat my tomatoes at dinner. Life is beautiful when you have a childlike heart.

City Lights

There is nothing like the city life. And folks, it will be my life in less than 3 months. Kinda weird since I've never lived in a city that would be classified as large. I grew up with deer in my yard and picking cactus was considered a punishment. Oh believe me, it was much worse than being grounded. No matter how thick the gloves, you still got pricked. Those were just the so-called "rough times." So many nights I would take a warm blanket, lay on our sloped driveway and look up at the stars. I remember being so humbled by how a small girl was living in such a big world. City life may have the fast cars and bright lights, but the country has STARS.

I Got Inked

Thats right, I got inked. Maroon Weekly, Texas A&M's newspaper, did a special on student entrepreneurs and called last week to interview me! On my goals for this year, I had put "to be published in a magazine or newspaper." When we were asked to do this at church I was a bit nervous....I always hate to ask for things cause I fear getting my hopes up and being disappointed. But its neat to see God work, to notice that He always exceeds expectations- limits are BOUNDLESS. If you are brave enough to seek direction, He will grant you answers. Below is the cover, with pictures from my sessions with Kristin West and Mandy & Jack.

Different Views

This weekend Matt, my dad, and I all took a picture of the same flower. I find it interesting that all of our views were entirely different. Just shows how each person has a unique perspective that they can bring to the table. Take a look..... (oh and the winner is HANDS DOWN Matthew!)

MATTHEW'S SHOT:



DAD'S SHOT:




MY SHOT:

Double Rings May Mean "Cha-Ching"

These past few months I have felt my heart slowly leaning more toward portrait photography rather then weddings. Although I do have a few upcoming weddings this next year that I'm excited about, I have decided to take a different route. Mostly because I love the innocence and free-spirited nature of children. The chance to spend time working with them and their loving parents excites me more than any other field of work. I also love seniors. Several years ago, I too was one, and getting ready for my senior pictures was a blast! I wanted the photograph to be valid evidence that I had changed, that I was really beginning to spread my wings.

Just thought you guys would appreciate the update and it explains why the "wedding" gallery on my page has gone MIA. A while back I sought some advice from the incredibly talented Asher of Eden Photography, and she only helped confirmed my joy for working with younger adults and children! Check her out, you guys will be amazed and inspired.

Need Your Input

HI folks,
I am trying to venture out for this next session I am doing. I need your ideas--themes, clothes, etc! The couple I am shooting are open for anything fun!

PLEASE leave comments below -----

83 days...

83 is my favorite number. No clue why. But now that is officially how many days are left until I become Mrs. Stricklin! In honor of this, I'd like to give a shout out to Matthew... my best friend, fellow business partner (one day), and soul mate. You bring so much light to my life. I love you. Let me show you the many faces of my handsome Matthew:

BUZZworthy

Please look at what my roommate brought home for our 3 dogs to wear. For Halloween, Kay had a vision of us all being a hive of bees, and Brandon (who lives in the side apartment of our house) is the beekeeper. That's right, the mesh over the face, covered in black beekeeper. We are a big offbeat. More pics to come around Halloween, but for now here's Marlie in her new attire....

Jack + Mandy Engagement Session

Couples like these two make my job worthwhile. There is a sweet chemistry between them, the kind that you just want to be close to. Their spark leaks into the lives of others, creating wildfires of change. Love should be like this. It should radiate and touch the lives of others. After all, it's not meant to be bottled up...it's mean to share. So thank you Mandy and Jack for sharing with Matthew and I. It was like a breath of fresh air.

Modern-Day Proverbs 31 Woman

We are studying in my women's Bible study group what exactly it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman. I thought I'd share the vision God gives me of a day in the life of a modern-day Proverbs 31 woman:


It began with a merciless scream from her child's room, followed by a consistent effort to wake up a sleepy-eyed adolescent daughter. She distributes their hand-packed lunches, each carefully initialed by a letter. When they leave, she begins the day of preparation. After all, there are groceries to be bought, clothes to be washed and put away, and bills to be paid. No one said idleness was even an option.

Her world spins incessantly fast but her heart is at peace. After a long day of servanthood, she takes off the white undershirt with the almost-strategically placed spit-up markings and slips on her most flattering purple cashmere blouse. Purple: the color of royalty, a dazzling compliment to her pacific blue eyes. In the distance, the tic-toc of familiar footsteps is heard...he's home. Her beloved has arrived from his equally demanding day in the workplace. She turns the corner to greet him. Her eloquent beauty still provides him with the perfect safe haven to return home to.

Over dinner, she eagerly listens as her children gush over the details of their day. They have great admiration for her and though they do not always show it, they desperately seek to be just like her one day. And yes, she notices that the edges of the toast are slightly burnt and maybe her chicken is lacking its usual tenderness, yet she doesn't focus on the wrongs, but rather sinks into the delights of the rights. As she vigorously scrubs the dirty dishes, she says not one utterance that would resemble complaint, and instead thinks of how she can serve next. Her heart is meek. Her motive, humble. And when those linen sheets fold up tightly around her neck at night, she is thankful for today and by no means threatened by tomorrow. Her peace-filled heart knows that tomorrow will bring its own set of problems and worrying won't change them. She sweetly kisses her husband goodnight and he smiles because the same thankfulness leaks into his body. He notices that she brings so may vibrant colors to his previously black-and-white world. Her eyes become heavy as she spins into much-needed sleep. Tomorrow will rise with the same purpose: to serve others and be a catalyst for change, regardless of circumstance. Her gentle spirit will not ask for praise for these great deeds that often go unnoticed, but the Lord is watching, and He certainly notices. And for her, that's enough.

New Tricks

I love the digital age. Although, after 6 hours or so of editing, I may declare otherwise....truth is, i appreciate what it does for processing pictures. Here's the latest trick I learned thanks to Sarah Huffman. We decided to swap post-processing secrets!
Here's the before and after:

Kristen - Portrait Session

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Ole KWest helped me complete my vision for my new "FAQ" of a girl and an umbrella. I was trying to practice direct light in a few of these images. Kristen was a great trooper- she even climbed into a tree for me.... in a dress! And went to a shady car park, (and no, i don't usually take clients to scary places). These are a several of the ones I shot, the rest are on Facebook if you are interested!

Rachel - Senior Session

Rachel and I trucked it all across A&M's campus to take her senior pictures. This girl is an Aggie at heart, so she wanted to make sure we covered all the special places of Aggieland. Here are the favorites:





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Celebelicious

I realize I have WAY too much time on my hands, but you have got to try this: www.myheritage.com

Constant Tug-of-War

I was tired and worn out but that play button wouldn't stop staring at me. "Just go to bed, you need sleep" tugged one voice. The other said "Push play, I'd like to remind you of something," so I did. Five minutes later tears are streaming down both cheeks like the great rapids. God just wanted to remind me that everyday is a spiritual battle, whether good or bad. And no matter how much sin may infest our hearts and thoughts, we are always sweetly placed in the hands of a loving Father. We can rest assured that the battle has been fought- and although the enemy may put up a heavy fight, the KING will be the only one with a seat at the throne.

So I encourage you to push play- and I hope it moves you the way it did me.

Home of LeeAnn Womack

Here are a few fun shots I took of my mom (against her will) in Jacksonville, Tx- Home of LeeAnn Womack! The first is a straight head shot of her. The woman amazes me, 47 years old and people still thinks shes my sister! Let's hope I got her aging genes.

The legacy continues...

The big ole' gold beauty finally has hit my hands! After 3.5 years of finals, late-night cram sessions, and a newfound obsession for all "munchie" foods, I finally have some gold to show for it.

If you are out of state reading this, you probably think, "Its just a graduation ring? Mine is in a box somewhere." No no, not here in Aggieland. Ring day is an EVENT. Tents filled with water to keep hydrated, dunking festivals, and professional photographers to make sure and capture a piece of your day. It's a big deal... its the pinnacle of your career as an Aggie. And yesterday I became a part of that legacy.




These are my roommates Sarah (left) and Kay (right) who were nice enough to come spend the day with me!