The last 2 years, I have helped plan the Insta-Inspire Photography Retreat. It has not been all roses, but the retreat is definitely a highlight! In August, I traveled to Phoenix with the planning team so we could start planning our 2020 retreat. I made this quick film to highlight some of the beauty one can find in the desert. Yes, it was hotter than all get out in August, but come April, the desert will be in bloom and temperatures will be perfect! (You can see some of that desert blooming beauty in my spring break film when we were there this April!)

Sign ups are now open for the retreat! If you'd like to attend, or find out more information, check out the Insta-Inspire Photography Retreat website!

My oldest niece was married the last day of May this year. That actually really makes me feel old, but I'm sure when my own children start getting married, I'll even feel older! ;)

She asked me to take her bridals/first look a couple weeks before the wedding, and then make the wedding video. So, here are a few of my favorite images of her photo session, and then take a few minutes to watch what her special day was like! I really had fun making this video...but I'm not sure I could do it for a living! ;)

In case you didn't know...I love films. Why do I love them? I love that it's basically photography, but in motion. And the music. Can we talk about how much emotion music can add? I feel it takes it to a whole new level! 
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This year for Father's Day, I decided to skip the tie/shirt/candy/useless junk that my husband will never use, and together with my boys, we made him a film. I did an interview with each boy, and then put clips that I had taken of my husband with them throughout the year. It's short, it's sweet and even though it was like pulling teeth to get my boys to cooperate, I just know this will be a treasure in our family for many years to come! 

We have owned a camping trailer for the last 9 years.  Yes, it was better than a tent because hello, bathroom and shower!  Buuuuut, my hubby decided to buy it without me seeing it, because I figured he would do a good job picking one out. Alas, I was wrong about that and I never liked it from day one. 
​It was always pretty small, but worked with our four boys when they were younger.  Now that our oldest is 14 and taller than me, and the twins are 10 we decided to upgrade to something a bit bigger and nicer! So last October, we (both hubby and I) went trailer shopping. And because we only used it on our fall break, we decided we needed to do a camping spring break trip this year.
We stayed somewhat close to home, and explored some of the cool stuff in Arizona! (My previous post shares some pictures.) Well, I finally finished up our spring break film, and I figured I'd better share it now!  We left the 50's behind and enjoyed the warm 70's, saw the desert in bloom and had fun making some awesome memories in our new trailer.  We had fun breaking her in!