Film?!

This week marks a new chapter in my love affair with photography. Until recently, I never understood while anyone in this modern day would ever want to hassle with the inconvenience of film photography. I was the furthest person from wanting to try it, much lest invest in the archaic equipment in which I would need. After attending the workshop of the fabulous and ever so hip Taylor Lord- I was totally intrigued and wanted in on the lost art. This past weekend my sweet mama unearthed an old film camera that I'd known she had, but never showed any interest in pursuing. Yesterday I took an hour to teach myself how to load the archaic film (yes, an hour), find the shutter button (on the bottom half of the hasselblad, so strange), and fumble around with it's antique manual Zeiss 80mm lens to expose (with an old light meter) what I hope will be a beautiful first film test shot......the craziest part is the responsibility I felt to technically assess each shot's lighting qualities so that I didn't waste any of my precious 16 exposures! Film is not cheap and sending it off to get developed is a process not for the impatient "I need to see it now" photographer. Those close to me know that I don't enjoy waiting around and that I'm always acting on my quick and sometimes irrational impulses.....With that being said, I think this journey in film may be the perfect compliment to slow this busy body down, take a step back, and become a more sound and technical photographer.

Yesterday I styled some inanimate objects around my house and literally got the butterflies when I heard the extremely slow and loud shutter fire once. As a self taught, trigger happy digital photographer, I instinctively looked at the back of the camera to assess my image, ha- old habits will die hard I'm afraid. Guess I'll let you know how I did when I finish the role and send it off to be processed! Until then I plan on doing some heavy reading.

Happy Birthday to Rhett

Where has the time gone? How is this sweet baby of mine already one year old?! I can successfully say that the past year of our lives has been the most fun-filled, action-packed & meaningful 12 months ever. This precious baby boy has taken our world and shaken it up to mean so much more. I've never felt so fulfilled and happy as I am being a mom to this amazing little man. Rhett, being your mommy is the most challenging and exciting job I've had yet. You are the happiest kid I know and I'm convinced, the most energetic human on the planet. You say mama, dada, ball, bye bye, & oooohhhhhh a lot; you love baths (especially with your cousin when you can have splash attacks). You are in the 99th percentile for height; the 95th percentile for weight; and your head is still a tater tot at the 93rd percentile. You are 25.11 lbs and I'm really ready for you to walk because I can barely carry you. I'm convinced you know how, because we have plenty of video proof, but I think you like tricking us so we carry you everywhere. The doctor thinks you'll be drafted by the Cowboys, but your dad is hoping for the Broncos; regardless, we can't hope for either until you start walking. You are a mover and a shaker and changing your diaper is like wrestling a small alligator. You've fallen off the bed once (my bad) and bumped that rather large (but very cute) noggin of yours a number of times. You love to "answer the phone" and sing "la la la". You enjoy food like your mama and when it's something really tasty you love to dance in approval. You look like your dad, my dad, and your great G-Dad (which is a fantastic combo) and I'm very grateful for your sweet personality. Your daddy and I are beyond proud of you and not a day goes by where we don't thank our lucky stars you're all OURS! We celebrated your first birthday party in style. When your name is Rhett Rowland, you have to have a "Railroad" themed birthday party! We had a blast celebrating the first year of your life with our closest friends, family, sweet neighbors, new friends & old. You had about 50 people to sing you happy birthday and then you got to dig into a smash cake all to yourself. We are beyond thankful to both of our families for helping us prepare for this big day. You are very loved sweet boy.

You are my world sweet boy! Love you.

Rhett Kingston

Well it's safe to say things have changed around here. Since you've seen me last we've had a baby, moved to Fort Worth, and Ryan started his orthopedic residency. If you're wondering why you haven't seen any updated blog posts in the past three months, it's because this little man has been keeping me plenty busy! Between traveling, moving, birthin' babies, and starting new jobs, life has never been sweeter. We are so blessed and grateful to announce the birth of our son, Rhett Kingston Rowland. Above is his birth announcement, which many of you will receive in the mail. I just had to post a sneak peek because knowing me, it might be a few more days before they get addressed!! I'm so glad to be back in action and I'm excited to start this new chapter in Fort Worth. I'm still traveling back to Lubbock quite frequently for shoots, so please don't hesitate to book a session with HAD&P regardless of where you're located!! I'm looking forward to playing catch up on all the fabulous posts I've got in store!

ready and waiting

BOY how life has changed!! Literally.... we are having a baby boy here any day now and we are anxiously awaiting his arrival!!! I just wanted to post a few pictures of his nursery before I go into labor, because who knows when I'll be back to my computer after that!! I'll admit that I'm nuts. Ryan and I are moving to Ft. Worth here in a month and I still thought it was imperative to paint & decorate the nursery. I admit I've got a problem, but let's face it.... I'm experiencing what they call "nesting".  It's a new mom-to-be's biological right of passage. Pregnant women out there everywhere, please back me up when I say that if we could bottle up this energy and sell it, we would be rich! I caught myself cleaning out underneath my bathroom sink the other night until 2:00 in the morning, just to wake up at 8:00 the next day to continue the insanity. I can't help it- between washing the baby's clothes in Dreft to decorating a room which will be dismantled within the month, I've truly gone "prazy".  (that's pregnant + crazy). I've got to thank my incredible mom for helping me so much in the nursery and putting up with my antics! She and I have had the best time brainstorming each angle of the room. The crib was a gift from both of my parents and my amazing mom made the curtains and some of the baby bedding herself!! My grandmother also hand-stitched some love into the baby bumper giving the bedding a totally custom look. The bookshelf was first in my mom's room when she was a kid and  I've since robbed it from my brother's room and repainted it to match our little man's stuff. The ABC wall and his initials posted over the bed were custom drawn on my CAD program and cut out of wood & then painted to match. All we lack at this point is our sweet baby, and possibly a rug, and a chandelier, and a.... oh no, will I ever be finished?!?! haha. I plan on sharing many more images from our pregnancy, including our gender reveal, baby showers, maternity pictures & much more... but for now, enjoy this sweet nursery, because in five  years it will be all sports posters and sweaty boy stuff....right now though, it's mommy's way or the highway!

Life's a flash, capture accordingly.

The McDowell Family + 1

As you all know, I'm an aunt now, and obviously loving every moment! I blogged Madeley's newborn session a couple weeks back and promised you more to come.... well here it is...more sweet moments of miss Madeley's birthday! I wasn't going to blog all the intimate details, because there are some things in life that are better left private, but proud parents (and grandparents) have given me permission to share this adorable little video & some candids of the week Madeley was born. Don't worry, I've screened images appropriately! Here's a brief peek of the absolute joy that we all got the pleasure of experiencing a few weeks back. Follow this link to view the (very amateur) video. I'm still a "newby" with the video on my camera, but find these little video montages quite addicting when it comes to capturing family memories. Hope you enjoy these moments of the most precious new addition to our family!!

Click here to see Madeley's Birthday Video!

We have yet to finish decorating the nursery, however the rocker Ginger is sitting in above is our Nanny's rocker that she AND my dad were rocked in as babies. So precious.

Life's a flash, capture accordingly.