I had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! I want to send out a big "thank you" to everyone who attended the benefit last night- it had a great turn out.  This break was definitely an eventful and enjoyable one! There's nothing like having everyone here. Of course, I took about 1,000 pictures.  I wish I had the time to share them all on my blog, but I don't.  So instead, I will share photos of a family very close to my heart.  Their session was also my first Christmas session of the year! It was really lovely being a part of their Christmas prepping.  It's sessions like these that make me thankful that I get to see and experience such beautiful moments, and of course, capture them.
I absolutely love this next photo.  Gracie is hanging Hudson's first ornament.  It's almost like he is watching her as she does so!
Every year at Thanksgiving, it has been a tradition for my family to list all of the things we are thankful for while eating dinner.  For some reason, I have the hardest time with coming up with things to say.  I think this is because the things that I am most thankful for aren't really "things".  They are what I feel in my heart.
Have a wonderful week everyone<3
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
Once again, I am behind on posting sneak peeks. Whenever Jamie comes to me asking when I'm going to post again, I know that it's been too long. This past week has been crazy! On Wednesday night, I went to my first concert. On Thursday night, I went to the midnight premiere of Breaking Dawn. If theres anything I learned from getting no more than 8 hours of sleep within 48 hours, it's that I will never do it again... and that if I'm tired enough, I can fall asleep in the strangest places...
Anyway, this week, I am looking forward to tons of family fun, a bit of homework, shopping, working on my latest project, revamping my studio, Thanksgiving dinner, the benefit, baking, AND Christmas mini sessions!
Speaking of Christmas, I recently did a session with my sweet little cousin, Stella. I can't believe how big she has gotten. These little faces are EXACTLY what I would imagine her reaction to be of her first Elchert Family Christmas....
I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to mark your calendars for this Saturday, NOVEMBER 26th! Come out to the Tiffin Moose and help us raise some money! All proceeds go to the memorial scholarship fund for Casey Elchert given at both Calvert and Columbian every year AND also to the juvenile Diabetes foundation, in memory of Marisa Paulus. It's ONLY $5 to get in, and that includes FREE PIZZA donated by the one and only Fort Ball Pizza Palace! ALSO, live music featuring Allie and the Rockers and Guests! There will also be a LIVE auction with awesome gifts donated by area businesses! Doors open at 5:30, music starts at 7pm. I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
Today, I finished a wonderful book called Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. I want to send a shout out to my sister, Jamie, for recommending the book to me because I absolutely loved it. So thanks sissy! Anyway, often times, I know a book is good by how many pages I bend. If there is a quote that touches me, I bend the page (if I own the book).  That way, when a day is rough, I have beautiful quotes to look back on. This book has quite a few pages bent.
I loved it that Sammi wanted to include her pup and bf in her second senior session with me! 
"We can't expect everybody to be there for us, all at once.  So it's a lucky thing that really, all you need is someone."- Sarah Dessen
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
P.S.- Congrats again, Sammi, for getting into Findlay. I am so happy for you! I <3 you and I can't wait for Christmas shopping! 
 
I know I've been MIA this week, and here's why: 
This is my current workspace (not that it doesn't usually look this way).  Not only do I have random scribbles on post-its, notebook paper, business cards, envelopes, and college post-cards, but I also do have a "to-do" list on my computer desktop.  I'm a list person.  Kyle may make fun of me -he has superb organizing skills- but this my way of organization. I coordinate what info is on what absurd piece of paper. My college visit information is on the blue envelope to the thank you card from a friend, the Christmas Session winners/dates are on my SAA college card, etc.  I think it's a pretty effective system I've got going!;P Anyway, this week has been extra stressful and I apologize for my absence!  
In preparation for my Christmas Sessions coming up, I've been experimenting! And yes, I realize that at this time I should probably be posting a sneak peek, but I'll save that for another time mainly because I don't have one ready! This is my favorite shot from my experiment...
This is my sweet Westley Bear who is in need of some serious grooming. His beard is slowly turning into a darker shade of brown... and he smells. BAD. Really really really bad. I've been waiting for the Petsmart to open in Findlay so that he can finally get a true "Westie haircut" by their professional groomers.  Regardless of his brown beard and foul smell, he sure makes an adorable model. Adorable, yet difficult.  His nose is out of focus because he would not stop turning his head.  He will sit or lay down perfectly, but he can't keep his head still for the slightest second!  Anyway, I can't wait to use this bokeh effect for my Christmas session Saturday with my quickly growing cousin, Stella. Maybe she will be able to keep her head still? We will see.  Seriously though, you people better be prepared for some serious bokeh happening up in here. I think I'm in love.
Well, unfortunately, I can't ramble any longer. I need to get photos and addresses around to ship off tomorrow, prepare for my FIRST tutoring session tomorrow (Algebra 2. wish me luck), get a portfolio started, burn photo discs, respond to emails, get photos/film organized for the senior slideshow, finish applying for college, and of course, work on editing sessions/weddings. 
See why I need a million lists?
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
 
The days leading up to the day that someone very special to many was called to heaven 14 years ago, I had no idea what it would feel like being the age that she was on this day. I had no idea that I would feel anything at all.
Growing up is not so easy. But it is a privilege denied to many.
It's been 14 years. I think of you often, miss you much, and love you always.
<3
 

Sarah Porter
Brittany Credit
Leslie Poignon
Alisha Godfrey
Rachel Maiberger
Elizabeth Humphrey

Congrats to the winners! I will be getting in contact with you shortly. I'm so bummed that I could only draw six, but unfortunately, that is all I will have time for. I hope to work with all of you in the future! 
Thanks so much for entering and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
Oh, and a post isn't much fun without photos so here are a few of a little sweetpea that I just always love to photograph. It's quite obvious why!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor