{brave souls}

i have a love/hate relationship with winter. 

the "hate" part - living in indiana means even a dusting of snow magically erases everyone's capability to drive at a safe, normal pace. it means i am occasionally forced to wear dress socks with my shoes to work - although i resist as long as humanly possible. it means ritter's frozen custard is closed for the season. winter snow also brings "snirt." that's right...snow + dirt = snirt...that gross, brown residue all over your car, clothes, and you name it. and the absolute worst of all...being freezing cold until you go inside and have to frantically strip off every extra layer since now...you're sweating. ugh.

the "love" part - i was a huge fan of school delays or the rare and beloved SNOW DAY! i actually love snow-capped mountains and the way ice looks on the trees. any weather that prompts me to drink hot chocolate by the gallon is also okay in my book. i just need to live in a state that is more equipped to handling it and boasts a lot better scenery. 

all this blustery, winter weather makes me think of the courageous families who stomped through the snow and wind and allowed me to photograph them. there was at least one in every bunch that silently hated every ounce of that cold, wet snow...but i think it was well worth it in the end. 

{the morgan family}

{the taylor family}

 

latest find...{a kelly moore bag!}

i've been scouring the land for a new purse...and a larger camera bag to tote around all my goodies. a few months ago, i found the best of both worlds! kelly moore is a fellow photographer and talented designer. she created a line of goooorgeous bags that are stylish and sleek. these beauties double as a purse and a camera bag (velcro padding, magnetic closures and tons of functionality). i am drooling over the "posey bag" in slate grey.

(and i just happen to have a birthday coming up next month!*wink wink*) 

make sure to check out the latest styles of kelly moore bags!

{kathleen & ryan}

                                                        

kathleen and ryan will forever be my first "true" guinea pigs. recently engaged and in need of some fun, unique photos, they sought asked me for help (i looked over my shoulder...wait, me?!?!) so one sunny morning, we all met at the always-awesome trader's point creamery. luckily, they were up for anything....sitting in dirt, smelling cows, grass stains, you name it! we finished up the session in downtown indianapolis.

i can't wait to attend their wedding this march!

 

 

thanks for having a little faith, guys!

                                                            

  

{here we go...}

if it was socially acceptable, i'd have a camera within an arms reach at all times. i simply love photos. browsing through photos. studying photos. taking photos.

 

i can look at a photo and melt right into the frame. it's my way of reliving the moment or pretending i am someone new in an exotic, far-a-way place. i dream of jumping right into the pages of my favorite magazine (a la mary poppins style into those chalk drawings).

i spent the last six months photographing some of my beautiful friends and many completely wonderful "referrals" (how crazy did that feel at first?!). my goal was to study my photos, my editing style, my weaknesses...and improve! 2011 will always mark the year when i finally squashed my fears and jumped into the world of photography head first.

welcome to paper crane photo.

*i'm so happy you're here! stay tuned for big things in 2011!*