This image is from Northern Arizona. It reminds me of the planet Mars!

Today’s blog challenge prompt made me smile because I am lucky enough to already be living my dream job!

I’ve done lots of other things – including being a sales person and a middle school teacher – and owning my own business and being a photographer is by far the best job I’ve ever had the pleasure of working. This year, I will celebrate 7 years in business!

I love that my job revolves around art. I love that the images I create have the power to inspire others. I love that my clients enjoy looking at their photos over and over again. I love the feeling that comes with seeing my work in print. I love knowing that I am good at what I do and the rewarding feelings that come with beautifully capturing a wedding, newborn photo session, or any other milestone in my clients’ lives. I love the people I have met through the photography industry – I’ve made some amazing friends and am thankful to have them. I love that I have the talent and skill to capture amazing pictures of my family that I will treasure my entire life.

I am really, really lucky to be a photographer!

This post cannot possibly be complete without a photograph, so here is an image of me shooting a wedding just a little over a month ago, courtesy of my friend and 2nd shooter, Jessica:

Today’s 31 Day Blog Challenge prompt is to write about my proudest moment. Obviously, having a kid (soon to be two kids) and having a successful and happy relationship and marriage with my husband (10 years together and 8 years married this year) ranks up pretty high on my list of things I’m proud of.

However, I’d have to say that what I’m most proud of right now is being a business owner for the past 7 years. It’s not really a “moment” but it’s something I’m very proud of! I started my photography business back in 2005. My husband taught me how to use my camera, initially, and as my talent for photography grew, I soon took over our business and renamed it using my own name. I am proud of the things I’ve accomplished, the shoots I’ve done, and the contacts I’ve made in the industry.

Before starting my photography business, I’d tried out a number of other careers (phone sales, outside sales, and teaching) and they just didn’t seem right for me. I worried that I would be unhappy for many years because I never liked my jobs. Not only do I absolutely love my job, but it’s something I’m really good at. I know I will be happy as a photographer for years to come!

Here’s a favorite image from one of my weddings last year:

The festivities started last night — Since my mom & dad were watching Zachary for the evening (including a sleepover!), Adrian took me out to see The Avengers at the new iPic theater in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park. We hadn’t had a date night in a while, so I was looking forward to getting out of the house. Especially with the whole bedrest business… I really enjoyed doing something special. :)

Anyway — the theater was amazing! What an incredible experience (yes, really an experience) if you really want to go over the top for a movie. The entire theater is made up of special leather reclining chairs and every customer receives a pillow and blanket. They have a call button if you want to order drinks or a snack (there is a high-end restaurant attached to the theater property), so you never even need to leave your seat! The movie itself was awesome… but I really loved the whole experience.

After the movie, we went out to dinner at The Dubliner, one of Adrian’s favorite restaurants at Mizner Park. He’s been there a couple times since his office is located above the shopping center. They have a mac n’ cheese dish that is made with Guinness. I’m a huge fan of any sort of macaroni & cheese, so I couldn’t resist! Adrian had duck with a black cherry balsamic glaze. Both were fabulous!

After dinner, it was still early, so we headed over to IKEA to buy my new office desk! I decided on the Hemnes desk and am really happy with my choice! We spent the rest of the evening chilling out in front of the TV and headed to bed early.

Sleeping late is the best part of having my mom & dad take care of Zachary, and I did just that! We did not wake up until 11am! It was great to enjoy a relaxing morning, and then we headed to my parents’ house for lunch and enjoyed some time with my mom, dad, and grandma.

I’m not sure what’s going on with my hair in that pic… LOL. But I look about as tired as I felt, which was very tired. The last month of pregnancy is not easy, but I’m glad I was able to have such a fun day! I’m wearing a handmade necklace that Zachary made for me at school. I love it!

Me and my boy, playing with his new Mobi Go that my mom and dad bought him. What a fun toy!

My beautiful mom! My dad actually took this photo with my camera, and I just love it!

I took some fun photos of me and Zachary goofing around with my iPhone. I love the iPhone camera, it can be like a photo booth! Wehad a lot of fun taking these cute images.

When Adrian, Zachary, and I went home, I got to rest (yay!) and Adrian and Zachary put together my new desk. Zachary especially had a really good time using his kid tools to “help” Adrian. I couldn’t resist snagging a shot of him helping out. It was adorable!

What a great Mother’s Day! I think this was definitely the best Mother’s Day since I got to start participating when I was pregnant with Zachary!

For today’s blog challenge post, I’m supposed to talk about my best physical feature! Don’t you mean featureS? Plural? LOL. There are lots of aspects of myself that I like, but I’m pretty sure my best feature is my eyes. My eyes are a fun sort of brownish-greenish hazel. They’ve definitely gotten more green over the years and I really love the color. I think I have really expressive eyes, and I like the way they photograph, too.

I particularly love this image that my friend Stacey took of me back in November, and I love the way my eyes look!

What is your favorite feature about yourself?

My five senses right now:

SEE:

Zachary is playing Angry Birds on the iPad and keeps asking me to help him with various levels that are a little too tough for him. They are sometimes a little too tough for me, too. ;) I also am editing some of the photos that I took last night. Zachary was playing with his Legos and I had to capture the moment!

HEAR:

Since Zachary just put the iPad down to do something else, it’s now quiet again – for the moment. I’m listening to the soft hum of my computer and the distant sounds of birds singing outside.

TASTE:

I’m drinking some yummy coffee. Every fall/winter I buy extra of whatever my favorite pumpkin coffee is, so that I can save it for summertime. This time it was the pumpkin coffee from Fresh Market. It’s sooooo good, and I’m so happy I saved some of it again to enjoy right now. It is my special treat!

SMELL:

Definitely smelling the aforementioned coffee. It’s soooo yummy smelling!

TOUCH:

Touching the keyboard. LOL. But, I did just give Zachary a hug and stroked his soft hair and skin.

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Here’s one of the photos I took last night, to make this post extra-cute! ;)