Recently, I've had quite a few fellow photographers ask me for tips on photography as well as blogging (which I find absolutely crazy because I do not consider myself an expert what-so-ever in either category). Regardless, I poured over their emails, taking in each of their stories, compliments, and questions. I tried to give them the best advice that I could, but the best advice that I could compose was "simply be you".  
I told them to leave a part of themselves in each and every photo that they make. 
And to leave bits and pieces of themselves in every blog post.
I told them that the only photographer that they should ever compare their work to is their own. Because if they compare their work to other's, they will only lose themselves.
I told them that if they simply be themselves, only then, will they see how sweet it is.
I told them what I know from experience.

I got to snuggle this little sugarpie this afternoon. You're jealous, I know. ;)
Her full sneak peek will be posted shortly!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor

Smiles and lots of love, Taylor

No one said it was easy. How can it be? I truly wish I could just find the words. I don't write of her often, but I think of her always.
It's hard to begin to explain the disconnect I've been feeling. The few memories I am blessed to have of her are tucked away, safely, but still hidden. I wish that I could find them again. Rediscover them. Perhaps the further I age away from them, the more faded and distant they become. That can't be. Can it? I feel like I've been robbed. It's not fair. Life isn't fair.
Death isn't, either.
I worry that I don't have a place for her anymore. I feel like I hardly know her. I feel like she is so far away. Sure, I look at her photographs often, I sleep with her teddy bear every night, and I still drive with the pendant she gave me years ago. But the door in my heart that I promised myself she would always be behind? Well, I seem to have lost the key.
I look to the sky for comfort. Maybe it's the overwhelming size, or beauty, or both. I'm not quite sure what it is, but when I look up, I certainly feel a little less astray.

It seems like I've lost myself in these feelings. I'm buried way deep down at the bottom of the heap.
 I know that she's up there watching me. Maybe she wants to dig me out. Maybe she's wishing she could help me understand. 
Or maybe she's searching for me, too.

xx

Beautiful. But, she will certainly deny it. 
Caring. All of the time.
Stubborn. But I'm a push-over. We even each other out.
Realistic. But I'm a total dreamer. Again, we even each other out.
Dedicated. To dance, tennis, piano, and school. Somehow she keeps it all straight.
Hilarious. 24/7.
Stylish. I'm thankful we wear the same size.
Smart. But she won't admit it.
Kind. She was just born that way.
Simply put, she's a perfect 10 in nearly every category 
(with the exception of organization; you should see our bedroom).

Her smile makes a snowy day feel like Summer. Her laugh makes the rain go away. And even though she wouldn't admit to it in a million years, her presence makes any day a million times brighter.
And I'm lucky enough to call her my sister.
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor

You must already know how loved you are. You have to feel it, right? Because it's so apparent, that I can almost feel it myself. Your brother says that you have huge eyes and sound like a pterodactyl (coming from him, that's a compliment), and your biggest brother can't stop talking about you. And your parents? Well, let's just say that they are completely and totally smitten. But seriously kid, you really got lucky in the older-sibling department. You have really cool brothers. You're going to love them. I do.

Welcome to this crazy world, Quinten Alexander.
Have a great week, everyone!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor

Well, for starters, you must be a friend. A comforter.
 You must hold motherly instincts. 
A business woman and a comedian.
 A magician. A therapist. A mindreader.
 You must be able to put yourself in other's shoes and see things from their point of view. 
You have to be able to learn, and most importantly, accept that there is always more to learn. A student, but also a teacher.
 Sometimes, you have to be a mother. But most of the time, you just have to be a kid.
 You have to be a repairman and there are times that you may actually feel like a mailman.
 You must be a financial advisor and an artist at the same time, and it's important that you understand the difference.
 You have to be an acrobat and a master at yoga. 
You have to be a weather forecaster, a night owl, and a circus clown (but never at the same time). 
You are your own receptionist and accountant. 
You have to have an abundant collection of strange noises, songs, and nursery rhymes.
You have to patient. Very patient.
It's important to be sure that you don't take anything too seriously or personally.
You have to understand that everything doesn't always work out exactly as planned.
And that's why you have to be great at improvising.
You have to hold secret powers. A baby whisperer. 
You must know and record due dates of expecting mommas that you haven't even met yet. And LOTS of them.
You must be a puppet master, a fly on the wall, and an organizer.
Lastly, you must be a photographer. It isn't always easy being everything at once. You have to love it (even when it feels like you might hate it). You have to really really love it.

Ava's full session sneak peek will be posted soon, but I couldn't resist quickly posting these timeless black&white shots.  She was a dream to photograph. 
Have a wonderful week, everyone!
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor

What you receive from it, all depends on how you play it.

Sometimes, I feel like my other true passion(the obvious one being photography) gets hidden away. Yes, it takes up a huge chunk of space in my studio, my clients sometimes use it as a table, and maybe I sometimes use it as a table. Maybe I get a little frustrated when I feel like I need the studio space that it takes up. Sometimes, I may use it as a protective place for antique props to keep from toddler's hands. Maybe I play it less than I should when I need it, and more than I should when I don't, but one thing is certain:
I feel quite blessed that both of my passions reside in the same room (equally in my heart, as well). 

Enjoy River Flows in You by Yiruma and please excuse the hiccups. I play for fun and for the love of playing which means that I do not play perfectly, nor do I try too hard to do so (because that just results in a lot of frustration which takes away the fun). :)

Smiles and lots of love, Taylor

I have truly enjoyed reading everyone's comments/entrees to my contest! I wish I had time for all of you to be winners. Unfortunately, I could only select one. That lucky winner just happens to be #3:

AND the third entree just happens to be
Britni Butler
Britni, please email me at [email protected] so we can chat about details. Can't wait! :)
Congrats, and thanks to you all who entered!

Since I have a violent cold (as I describe it), I am spending the rest of this evening curled up under a blanket with a box of tissues, my Anatomy and Physiology notes, a cup of hot cocoa, and these delicious cookies- courtesy of Kyle's Grandma (thank you, Karen!). They were just too cute not to photograph. And believe me, they really are as delicious as they look. :)

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! <3 <3 <3

Smiles and lots of love, Taylor

I've got a weekend full of sessions, so stay tuned for those sneak peeks. But for right now, I would like to share the story of one of my new favorite props: my new white chair! 

Early November 2011 is when I first saw my beloved white chair in store. I was shopping with my mom, and she was on a mission, so I decided to try to forget about the love affair I had going with the chair, and we just continued to shop.
Late November 2011 is when I went back to purchase the chair. This time I brought in back up: my two sisters. I went in the store with good intentions, bought the gorgeous chair, and attempted to shove it in my car. My attempts failed, but amazingly, Jamie managed to shove the chair in the passenger seat. There was only one problem. The car was impossible to be driven- legally. So, I did what I had to do. I twisted and pulled the chair back out of my car and returned it. My heart was broken.
Mid-January 2012 I went back to that store with my entire family. At this point, the white chair was just a faint memory. Until, I saw it in the store $100 DISCOUNTED!!! Tears of complete and utter joy: 

The problem this time was that, again, we drove a car. We all knew that it wouldn't fit in the car, but my dad was determined. He saw how much I loved the chair, and wouldn't let me leave without it. So he headed over to the nearest store searching for bungee cords. Unfortunately, they didn't have any (or so my dad thought), so we ran to Sears and to our surprise, THEY. HAD. NONE. So, we headed all the way back to that first store searching for some kind of rope that might work when Allie spotted them: bungee cords, half off. YES! So, my dad strapped my newest addition in the trunk - haphazardly, in my opinion - and we were on our way home (with a very nervous photographer in the backseat). Luckily, we made it home with little complications and lots of happy Elcherts. :)

 Now the chair sits in my studio, with all of the beauty that 60% off can hold...

Okay, so I'll admit it, and by the looks of my studio, it's obvious: I'm a propaholic. And this isn't even the half of it. I have most of my stuff out in the garage, and maybe I did a little more shopping after this photo was taken. I just can't help myself, it's a disease people.
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor
P.S.- Thank you to everyone to contacted me regarding my last post. Again, I am so blessed. xoxo <3

This weekend has been rough. Discouraging. Regretful. Disheartening. 
And, it's over.
I am forever thankful to God for giving me someone who accepts me at my worst, calls me "perfect" even as tears mark my cheeks, takes me away from my own mess, makes me forget what happened, helps me brush myself off, lends a hand to help me find my way back on my feet, and makes me smile. Because you truly don't realize how good it feels to smile until you have a reason not to.
I am thankful that I have someone who has me as their best interest. Not their reputation. 
I am thankful that I have someone who tells me that through their eyes, I am beautiful, I am perfect, I am a winner, I am wonderful, I am successful, and the list just continues. I am thankful that this person can be so convincing that I almost believe them. 
I am thankful that I have someone who is simply proud of me- even if I have failed.
I am so thankful that God has blessed me with these people (or angels in disguise, whatever you prefer).
I am me. I am doing my best to be everything at once, but I am me. Just me. 

I am reminding myself that even in the worst of days, there is still good to be found. I know that I've posted this quote once before, but it's from one of my favorite authors and it relates so closely to how I've felt this weekend.
"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
Have a wonderful week, everyone. <3
Smiles and lots of love, Taylor