Katrina Lee Photography and Grassroots Images: Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer

North Central Nebraska Newborn Photographer: A Sweet Blessing Times 2!

2011-10-01T21:53:00.001-05:00

I have been giddy over this shoot. When Tara, one of my best friends for over 10 years, called me to tell me that not only was she pregnant, but pregnant with TWINS, I was beside myself. There are people who may think that I am not a very emotional person, but I have a secret... I AM! I cry at sappy movies, get worked up over injustice, laugh until my sides hurt, and get down when I see others hurting. Being so close, well, Tara and I have experienced all of the above together, and I treasure every single memory. So, I was ecstatic when she emailed me about coming to Omaha to photograph the beautiful baby boys that she and her husband Travis just brought into this world.

Photographing twins is no small feat. It takes teamwork...just like raising them, and Tara and Travis are already showing how amazing they are as parents. I am in AWE. Seriously. Passing Emmett and Jack back and forth, tossing wipes to clean up after accidents, stopping for snack breaks, calming one down while the other got his pictures done...well, it was an eventful couple of hours.

So, here are Tara and Travis's beautiful little boys. It was such a joy to be part of this special day!

Love to you all!

North Central Nebraska Child Photographer: Sneak Preview {Let's Run Katrina}

2011-09-23T21:40:00.000-05:00

"I want to run again Katrina!"

Little Miss D. and her mom met me out at our beautiful Mill Race Park this evening after having to reschedule our session from Wednesday when the wind was blowing 45 MPH. Luckily, the weather could not have been more perfect for our shoot this evening. The locusts were singing their fall tune, and the colors of autumn colored our scene with their vibrant hues of gold, orange, and red.

Decked out in her leopard print and polka dotted outfits, this little darling was quite the character. We touched the soft prairie grasses, picked the sand burrs out of our hemlines, played hide and seek, and ran through the park with the sun at our backs...stopping only to get D. her smarties periodically as a reward for being such a big girl.

You are just as cute as you can be little girl! Going through your pictures just puts a smile on my face!

North Central Nebraska Child Photographer: Sneak Preview {Brotherly Love: C & M}

2011-09-04T20:54:00.000-05:00

I always love it when I am presented with the opportunity to photograph my clients on more than just one occasion, so when Rachel sent me a message about scheduling another session for these two handsome little boys, I was ecstatic! I photographed Max for his 1 year session when little Charlie had yet to make his appearance, and then last winter, we got together again for a session for Charlie's 6 month pictures. Both times, these little boys just had me in stitches with their little personalities. :D
They are just as adorable as can be! I have never seen such cute dimples on a little one, and every time Charlie flashes his little smile, it makes me giggle, and I just want to pinch his cute little cheeks! Max was a tougher audience, but once my awesome helpers (his cousins Cole and Emma) started counting to him in Spanish, well, the grin came out and he flashed a million watt smile at us. Well armed with bribes (Smarties), Grandma Hilda, Cole, Emma, and I worked as quite a team to keep these two entertained!

Thanks to all my awesome assistants for your help tonight! Charlie and Max, you are just as handsome as you can be!

North Central Nebraska Senior Photographer: All American Girl {Katie}

2011-08-29T22:17:00.001-05:00

Ahhhh, how gorgeous! You might recognize this young lady. She is on my spokes model team. Katie is seriously the All American Girl. A young woman with a huge heart, a serious work ethic, and a contagious smile, Katie has been one of my biggest teen supporters, and a great positive influence. She always has an upbeat attitude and a kind word, and she has and amazing perspective on life. Lots of wisdom in this young woman.

When I talked to her the night before our shoot, she told me how excited she was, and though I was already excited, that comment made me even more so! Her positive energy can't help but brighten your day!

She rocked her shoot, and I put these two images next to each other because she is a dedicated athlete, a down-home young lady who needs no make-up to be beautiful, but after getting all dolled up, well, the beauty on the inside truly blossomed...and all of a sudden, she looked all grown up.

Breathtaking.

Katie, there could never be a more beautiful you!

North Central Nebraska Family Photographer: Two Snakes And A Beautiful Family

2011-08-19T19:44:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday night was a glorious night for a photo shoot. I was meeting up with an awesome family from our community. Emma was my son Carter's swimming instructor last summer, Christy works at Greater Sandhills Family Healthcare, Tim is our local Chief of Police, and I also got to know Tyler, Ashley, and Dillon a bit better. Tyler told me about his cookies that he made for 4-H and how science was his favorite subject in school, while Dillon shared about his market steer. Emma was getting ready to head back to college, and Ashley admitted to "raiding" her closet a bit. :D

We had a little extra excitement on our shoot too. I went out to the location early like I always do. While I was walking around looking at the light and background, I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked down, and low and behold, there was a rather lengthy garter snake about a foot to my right. Jimminy Crickets, I almost stepped right on him! Well, I couldn't have a snake getting in the way of our shoot, so I found a (LENGTHY) stick and chased it right on out of there. I then proceeded to comb the area to make sure we didn't have any other visitors during our session. This awesome family arrived, and I did tell them about my encounter, just as a head's up. Tim, our Chief Of Police here in Atkinson, mentioned that he became a pretty quick runner when snakes were involved. LOL! Well, after a bit, Dillon, Tyler and I ventured off for a photo of them together, and just as we were getting situated, Dillon pulled Tyler up because he realized he almost sat on a bull snake! In ALL my sessions at this location, I have never encountered snakes!

Well, thankfully, those were our only two visitors, and they were harmless. We relaxed, visited, captured some lovely images, talked about the kids' 4-H projects, and chatted about the awesome lessons that come with being part of such an awesome program.

Thanks for having a sense of humor about our reptile friends! You all did great, and good-luck with the new school year!

North Central Nebraska Senior Photographer: Vintage Glamour {Ashley}

2011-08-18T22:16:00.000-05:00

May I just say how much I ADORE photographing subjects who love to express their artistic, creative, unique style? Ashley is one of those people. With a distinct, vintage inspired sense of style, she totally rocked this shoot! Macy, my hair and make-up artist did a FABULOUS job on Ashley's look, and when combined with Ashley's unique style, well, these images were absolutely magical! What a great shoot!

Thank you Ashley! You are STUNNING!

North Central Nebraska Portrait Photographer: A Different Kind Of {Senior} Shoot

2011-08-18T21:23:00.003-05:00

Meet Albert and Agnes.

Albert and Agnes have been lovebirds for over 65 years. In fact, this year, they will have been married for 66 years! Their grand-daughter, Erica, contacted me about doing a photo shoot for her grandparents a few months ago. We set a date and traveled out to the lovely Eagle Springs Lodge in order to capture this wonderful couple. I came armed with some questions about how they met, and what they loved most about each other. They just cracked me up with their comments throughout the shoot. When I asked them to just chat with each other for a few shots, Albert said, "About what? We've already talked about everything!" What a hoot!

They told stories of courting, going to barn dances, and how much Albert loves math (and is mighty good at it!). We chatted history, rural living, and shared stories about our ancestry.

I am so honored that I got to capture this amazing couple. 66 years of marriage is quite an accomplishment, and something to cherish.

Thank you for the wonderful evening Albert and Agnes. You are an inspiration!

North Central Nebraska Senior Photographer: All American Guy {Tanner}

2011-08-15T22:19:00.000-05:00

Two years ago, Tanner's mom Melinda called me about taking some family photos for them. At the time, my business was BRAND SPANKIN' NEW, and I was quite humbled that she liked my work enough to ask me to do their family's photos. Fast forward 2 years, and again, I am humbled that they asked me to photograph Tanner for his Senior photo session.

Tanner was such an awesome model. Willing to do anything, despite the fact that he was sore for intense football practice, our hometown Q.B. and Hay Days King was a great sport. He ROCKED his senior photo session.

Here's just a peek of a few of the MANY awesome images we created. Great job Tanner!

North Central Nebraska Senior Photographer: All Dolled Up!

2011-08-12T22:14:00.000-05:00

My computer has been giving me fits this week, but we are back online, and I have been so excited to share this Senior Sneak Peek. Molly is a gorgeous O'Neill High School Senior, and this session was extra special. You might remember my "This Is Me" project last fall. Molly is a tough young lady that has achieved amazing things since a car accident left her injured about a year ago. She continues to amaze me with what she can do, and I am so very inspired by her strength and positive attitude. Molly, you are so beautiful! Thank you for being such an inspiration!

North Central Nebraska Child Photographer: Sweet Miss Lily

2011-07-26T22:03:00.002-05:00

I just love when I get to see clients on multiple occasions! Little Miss Lily braved a cold November day to come see me last year, and we ended up making one of my very favorite images at that session. She even got featured in the e-magazine "CLICK"! So, when her mom called to schedule her summer session, I was excited to see her again. She is absolutely adorable! We ventured out to the BEAUTIFUL Eagle Springs Lodge north of Atkinson for our session, and it was just a perfect compliment to her lovely little dress and the sassy feathers in her hair.

Here you are Miss Lily! Thanks for coming to see me again!

North Central Nebraska Newborn Photographer: (Volume 2) Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails {Mr. Barrett}

2011-07-14T18:48:00.000-05:00

I COULD NOT resist this. I just couldn't. It was just too sweet. Dreaming babies are just so precious. They make such darling little faces! This is Barrett's "Dream Story". Happy Dream. Not So Happy Dream. Back To Sleep. Sigh, how precious is that?

North Central Nebraska Newborn Photographer: Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails {Mr. Barrett}

2011-07-14T15:21:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhh, 9 months of waiting for this!!! My very good friend Jenny, whom I am so blessed to not only work with, but just to know in general, FINALLY introduced Barrett to the world! Last weekend I packed up my gear, went to their house, and spent the morning snuggling, swaddling, and posing this gorgeous little boy for his newborn photo shoot. I LOVE when I can go to the babies in their homes. They are in their own space, and it is pretty amazing what a difference that can make. With the help of big sister, we came away with some absolutely beautiful images of this sweet little boy.

Welcome to the world Barrett, you are just as cute as can be!

North Central Nebraska Family Photographer: Three Gorgeous Ladies

2011-07-13T22:11:00.001-05:00

Talk about fashionistas! I had the privilege of working with Christy and her two gorgeous daughters the other night, and I am inspired to begin accessorizing! Seriously, I am envious of how good they are at dressing themselves. For some reason, I have no problem picking out clothing for other people, but when it comes to dressing myself, well, I am a hot mess! LOL. I just loved their bohemian style, and combine that with heavenly light, and well, it was a rockin' night for a shoot. Christy is the owner of the awesomely trendy Uptown Hair Design salon, and after chatting about updating a picture she has of her and her girls, we decided to head out to do just that.

Thanks for a great night ladies, these are going to make awesome art for the salon!

North Central Nebraska Couples Photographer: {Jon + Cary} A L.O.V.E Shoot

2011-07-12T22:17:00.001-05:00

I've been totally excited about this shoot since Jon first called me several weeks ago (points for him for making the call too!). These two are an adorable couple, and the fact that Jon is family, well, it just makes it that much more of a privilege for me to be asked to shoot their engagement session. I can tell that these two laugh a lot in their relationship, and we had a great time. Plus, have you ever seen such GORGEOUS blue eyes?

I also wanted to do this session for them as a way to give back.

So, you might ask, how is shooting an engagement session giving back?

Well, as a member of the OpLove community, I offer my photographic services to military families. Jon and Cary are one of those special families. As a United States Army National Guard soldier, who spent time deployed to Iraq, and who, while home spends time going on E.M.T runs, Jon is an illustration of service to others. His entire family is an illustration of service to others, volunteering in church, as volunteer fire-fighters, and EMTs. Cary is working toward her nursing degree, preparing for a career of healthcare services to others. Traditionally, OpLove sessions revolve around deployment and return from deployment events, but these sessions don't only have to revolve around these events, and since the service wasn't available upon his return from his tour in Iraq, there was no time like the present to celebrate!

Why OpLove?

Well, some of you may know that in December, 2007 I lost a very dear friend in Iraq. I knew that I wanted to do something to honor Mike, and because I hold the highest regard for our military community, becoming an OpLove photographer was a natural step for me. It is truly my honor to be able to offer my services to those who risk their lives to protect this country.

Jon and Cary, you are so fun, and I wish you all the best in planning for you big day! Thanks for including me!

North Central Nebraska Senior Photographer: Fun On The Farm With Tyler

2011-07-11T15:12:00.001-05:00

I just love when I get to work with families on more than one occasion! Tyler, his mom, and I got together last week for Tyler's Senior photo shoot. Last year, I had the privilege of shooting his older brother, Cody, and so I was ecstatic when I was invited back to work with Tyler. This guy LOVES his sports, so our session was definitely driven by that passion...but, in true style, we added a twist to the traditional sports photos. :D

Thanks for having me out to the farm! It was so much fun!

North Central Nebraska Child Photographer: Double The Cuteness!

2011-07-03T16:46:00.000-05:00

You might remember little Claire from earlier sessions, but this time, she brought along a cousin, little Ben. We met the other night for a surprise session for their grandma! What a couple of cutie pies! :D Thanks for playing Claire and Ben!

North Central Nebraska Senior Photographer: Beautiful Kendra

2011-07-02T10:07:00.000-05:00

I have been so excited for this shoot! Not only is Kendra a gorgeous, bubbly, sweet girl...she is also my cousin! So, of course I am biased, but really, is all the above things too. :D We met in Lincoln while I was down there taking my Holocaust seminar this past week. Amongst all the difficult material we were covering, I was so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family celebrating life! It was so fun Kendra and Audrey!

Here's your sneak peek!

North Central Nebraska Natural Light Photographer: Greater Sandhills Family Healthcare Community Project!!!!

2011-06-25T08:20:00.000-05:00

I am SO excited to do this! It has been in the works for about a month, and I am so pleased to finally be able to make the announcement to you all!

Greater Sandhills Family Healthcare and I have partnered up in a collaborative effort to display the beautiful faces of GSFH families! If you doctor with the Greater Sandills team, we invite you to participate in this event, NO MATTER YOUR AGE! In fact, the vision of this project is to illustrate the wonderful stages of life, from maternity through the golden age.

So, if you, or someone you know, is part of the G.S.F.H. family, spread the word about this special project. If you aren't familiar with my portrait work, I invite you to check up on me by stopping by my FACEBOOK page as well as my WEBSITE. The team at G.S.F.H and I are very excited about this project, and we hope to see many of you soon!

North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part Fünf {Dachau}

2011-06-22T22:18:00.000-05:00

Dachau

We left the city to visit Dachau, the notorious Nazi labor camp where thousands perished as slave laborers for the Nazi machine.

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. ~Elie Wiesel

I thought this visit deserved its own post. It was a missing piece of the puzzle for me. In all my years of studying the Holocaust, I never felt that I could completely wrap my mind around what I was learning because I had never set foot in the place where it all began. To be in Munich and to visit one of the many camps that fostered such inhumanity was a bit surreal to me. It was a haunting experience at a personal level for me, and as I wondered through the various stations on the grounds, I struggled to swallow my emotions.

Of course Germany can not be defined by Nazi history. There is much more to it than that; but for me, it was a spiritual experience to walk the same paths as those who lost their lives through such senseless means.

Seeing this famous sculpture in person had an absolute profound effect on me. A photo on the page will never be the same.

The notorious ovens. Who would have thought that just the sight of them would create such an emotional response.

The execution walls are what really got me. The bullet holes...the blood ditch. The silent screams.

The acknowledgement of the thousands upon thousands lost on these grounds. A humbling moment for me.

To touch what they touched. To breathe air contained by barbed wire. To see the doors that closed on the helpless, hiding them from the world's eyes. To feel the emotional lump in my throat I walked through the iron doors spelling out "Arbeit Macht Frei". Work Brings Freedom. An ironic statement that I have never been able to erase from my mind since first reading about it in Elie Wiesel's book Night. To see it, to touch the curve of the letters, to walk through the gate...it is hard to put into words. So...I won't.

North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part Vier {Germany}

2011-06-22T21:39:00.001-05:00

Liechtenstein

On our way to Germany, we stopped in Liechtenstein at Neuschwanstein Castle. Home of the famed King Ludwig, a patriot of the arts, and a devout (or obsessed) follower of composer Richard Wagner., the palace was created to pay homage to Wagner, and though it was never finished, it was truly amazing to see his vision and passion. Just days after being forced from the throne, Ludwig was found dead in a lake. Whether it was suicide or an accident, we don't know...but the legend lives on to this day, and the castle inspired the famous Walt Disney castle design.

Munich

Germany is amazing. The city is beautiful, clean, and a perfect mix of modern and historic. So much of it was destroyed during the war that many of the buildings had be reconstructed to emulate what they used to look like. We explored it by bus and bike, and I really felt at home here.

We first stopped by the Bavarian Royals' palace. Modeled after Versailles, this palace boasted large gardens, sculpture, and beautiful landscaping. It was gorgeous!

The main shopping square was so beautiful. With farmer's produce stands everywhere, beer stands, and more shops than I could ever visit, it was a fun way to spend our few hours of free time. I ventured into a basement restaurant with one of the other chaperones, and much to our delight, we discovered Nebraska Beef as a featured entree on the menu!

Later, we were able to explore the beautiful cathedrals of Munich. There are no words to describe their beauty.

Finally, we ended our last day with a bike tour of the city. Mike's Bike Tours was the perfect way to see the city.

North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part Drei {Switzerland}

2011-06-22T20:28:00.003-05:00

Ah, Switzerland, how I love thee.

After traveling through the lovely Burgundy, France and getting to stop in a darling little town for some mango sorbet, exploration, and shopping, we arrived in the Alps. I only have one word. Majestic. Simply majestic.

We arrived late in the evening, but went for a walk in the dark so we could stretch our legs. The coolness of the evening was refreshing, and as we sauntered around the village, we could hear rushing springs and cowbells in the distance. It was so peaceful.

The next day we got to go to Lucern, where we explored the city, picked up Swiss Army knives, strolled through shops, ate panini, filled our water bottles from the fresh water spring fountains, and took a ferry over the lake to get to Mt. Pilatus for our excursion.

The teal blue waters were simply amazing, and though the fog was so dense there wasn't much of a view from the top of the mountain, it took me back to my childhood when I got lost in the pages of the story of Heidi, the sweet orphan girl of the Alps who helped her grandfather find the courage to play his beloved organ.

Later that day, when we returned to our quaint motel, Casey (another chaperone) and I braved the heavy mists and decided to go hiking. It was good for the soul, and the lush beauty of the mountains brought peace and contentment to my travel weary soul.

North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part Deux {France}

2011-06-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

Part 2 - France

I missed a few days of writing because of our crazy schedule. We traveled to Paris, where we were able to visit the Versailles, The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. They were all so amazing, and though I really enjoyed them, I have to say that Paris was not for me. People here seem to have no pride in their community. The filth of the city made me so very sad. I think many of us were quite shocked at the contradiction of the most romantic city in the world being so filthy. But, the places we were able to experience by far overshadowed that factor.

Versailles was an important place for me, as I remember hearing of it from my Granddad. As I walked (or was pushed) through the palatial home, I was mesmerized, and yet saddened by the stories of what royal women had to endure. What a lonely world for a little girl. Knowing that if you didn't produce and heir to the throne that you could be cast aside. And if you were a little girl, knowing how you shamed your kingdom. The beauty of the gardens could provide some solace, and I could imagine myself getting lost for hours in it. As I walked through, I was angered when our tour guide told us of how the materials were being ruined by tourists who carved grafitti in the hall of mirrors, and who ignored the camera flash ban, leading to the complete destruction of royal fabrics. Even as we passed through the halls, I could see this complete ignorance all around me, and it made me very sad.

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica was my second favorite. There was an actual service going on when we arrived, and it was so neat to see how faith was observed within the walls of this amazing structure. We were privileged to listen to the beautiful voice of a young girl singing during the service...simple gorgeous.

Then of course, there was the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Though we didn't get to see it in ALL its glory, it was still pretty awesome to be in the presence of such iconic structures.

I had to get a few pictures of my awesome Teen Rep., Trey, as we got to experience Europe together on the same trip. Pretty cool. :D

Last, we left France via a darling little town in Burgundy. Getting to walk around, sample Vino, explore quaint little shops, try AMAZING mango sorbet, and FEEL the real culture of France was awesome. As Betthina said, "Paris is not France. THIS is France.".

North Central Nebraska Photographer: World Travels- Part 1

2011-06-22T18:06:00.002-05:00

I was finally able to get through all my trip images, process most of them, and get back through my travel journal today. In preparing to leave for another week, I find myself feeling a bit overwhelmed. I knew that June would be crazy for this family, and I did my best to prepare for it, but it is catching up with me. 1 more week to push through, and I will be back home with my family! I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences thus far, and I am excited to share with you!

I went back and forth FOREVER about taking my beloved SLR with me, but when it came down to it, it was was having the right tool for the occasion. Because of our schedule and travel conditions, it just wasn't the thing to do. So, I bought myself a great little Point and Shoot camera and learned how to use it on the bus going to Omaha. I have to admit that I cheated on my Nikon with a Canon S95, but what can I say, Canon had the edge on Point and Shoot models, and after seeing the comparison my photog friend Khara Plicanic did between the G11 and the S95, well, I was sold. :D It was a great camera for the job!

Part 1: London

(Excerpt from my journal) The plane is about to land in London after an exhausting day. I was not successful in sleeping on the plane, and though I am thoroughly exhausted, the excitement of the journey we are about to embark upon will keep me going. I wish I would ahve been able to take a picture of the sunrise, it lit up the other side of the plane with hues of orange and red. Glorious! I NEED COFFEE!

Our group has been awake for almost 36 hours. Today we met Betthina, our spunky, eclectic tour director. She is lots of fun, talks very fast, and knows her stuff.

We experienced a walking tour and a bus tour of downtown London, a lunch of fish and chips, and a visit to the London Tower, Trafalgar Square, and St. Paul's Cathedral. I am in AWE. Though I missed the changing of the guard, Westminster Abbey, and Buckinham Palace, I saw it on the fly as I ran from the train to meet up with a group after staying behind to accompany a sick student back to the hotel. The architecture and history is amazing, and I wish I could fully appreciate it, but I think I was in a sleep deprived daze.

Yummm, Hummus Bros. for dinner!

Atkinson, Nebraska Portrait Photographer: Making Time For Passion

2011-06-03T19:34:00.003-05:00

June is a busy month for this family.

Tuesday I am am leaving to accompany a group of students on the adventure of a lifetime by traveling to Europe for 10 days. I have never traveled overseas, and though several opportunities have come my way in the last 10 years, I regret to say that I never grabbed them up because "the time just wasn't right". In hindsight, I realize that I have used that statement as an excuse to NOT do things. Realistically, is there ever a "right time" to do anything? Something always seems to come up. There are always busy schedules, the weather doesn't cooperate, an unexpected expense throws a wrench in your plans, someone gets sick...I was very good at finding all kinds of reasons NOT to take advantage of opportunities. In reality, it wasn't about timing at all. It was about my unwillingness to take a risk and have faith.

Two years ago this week I formally joined the Nebraska Writing Project by participating in their Summer Writing Institute. For 4 weeks, I left my family and moved in with 3 amazing women in Lincoln. It was not without great trepidation. I felt extreme guilt about leaving my husband and family to take care of my children during those weeks. I had so many doubts, and I tried to hide my excitement out of fear of being judged, but I am so blessed that my husband understands and supports my love for continuing education; he knows it is just part of who I am, and without continuing education...well, my spirit begins to wither. Our family circled around us with love and support, and because of that, I was presented an opportunity to open myself to the experience... to learn...and to grow.

During that time, I explored who I was, what I wanted out of life, and how I could be a stronger presence for my children and my students. I met amazing writers from all over our great state during that institute. They wrote of their adventures, their accomplishments, their failures, their joys, and their sorrows...and I shared my own with them. We helped each other become stronger writers though small groups that were built on trust and honesty, we explored how to become stronger educators for our students, and we established friendships that have been lasting. It was a truly liberating and spiritual experience.

It was also at this time that I first acknowledged aloud my true desire to become a photographer. I wanted this for quite some time, but "the timing was never right". I was a wife, a mom, and a teacher already. My plate was full enough (this is true)...but there was a piece of me that I hadn't explored yet. My creative spirit was waiting to be unleashed, and I always dreamed of being a business owner. I began to explore the possibility of realizing this dream, and with the support of my family and friends, I decided to go for it...and I haven’t looked back. In reality, I feel that I am a better (albeit busier) wife, mother, and teacher because of it.

Fast forward 2 years.

I sit here blogging as I look at my schedule.

It is full.

June is booked for this family.

I am leaving for 10 days to do something I have never done before, and I am blessed that I get to share that experience with teens, an age group that I LOVE to work with. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I am home for 1 week, and then I leave again to participate in a Nebraska Writing Project Holocaust Literature Seminar at the end of the month. It will be an amazing class full of amazing educators. I will be a better teacher and better global citizen because of it. In between, I have photo shoots and special photography projects.

My husband is busy working on the ranch, working cattle, getting ready for haying no doubt, and working with other men from our community to volunteer their time helping others in need.

My boys are preparing to enjoy a summer full of Bible School, swimming lessons, visiting “Gramas” and “Grampas”, aunts and uncles and cousins, celebrating birthdays...and just being kids.

I look at all the colored blocks on my google calendar and I feel a bit of apprehension...do we really have enough time for all of this?

Well, we will be busy; that is for sure. But, working with and for others is a passion that brings joy and purpose to our lives, and we are blessed to be busy.

In the midst of all the turmoil that plagues this world and the pain that afflicts so many (near and far), I realize how important it is to take advantage of opportunities when they come your way. Whether that opportunity is continuing your education, helping others in need, volunteering your time to an organization, experiencing something new, saying “I love you”, simply spending more quality time with family and friends, or if you are like many who email me, scheduling a photo session that you have been putting off until the “right time”...

choose something you care about and make time for it.

Have a beautiful day!

Atkinson, Nebraska Teen Photographer: FASHION!

2011-05-27T13:41:00.000-05:00

I have been SO excited about this event! I had the opportunity to collaborate with 2 AWESOME young businesswomen on a special project.

Amanda is a fun and funky fashion boutique owner from Springview, NE. What you say? Springview? That little tiny town north of the Niobrara river? YES! Open for just a few months, STRUT is a new clothing boutique offering fun, uniquely detailed clothing for fashion forward young ladies. I LOVE her clothes, and they definitely offer another incentive to continue the weight loss, because they are FABULOUS! I am happy to say that I didn't leave this shoot empty handed...I just couldn't resist! :D

Then, there is my friend Macy. You might remember her from her fabulous shoot she did with me a few months ago. A hair and make-up stylist from Atkinson, she joined our collaboration and lent her expertise at making women look and feel absolutely gorgeous! Even more exciting? She is now collaborating with me to offer her services to my clients!

YES, KATRINA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY NOW OFFERS HAIR AND MAKE-UP SERVICES! I can't wait! She is absolutely fabulous!

So, on a cool, rainy day, we journeyed up to Springview, met up with our FABULOUS teen models, and proceeded to spend a Sunday afternoon getting make-up and hair done, choosing favorite outfits, and showing off those fabulous clothes on the streets of Springview (while dodging raindrops).

What better way to spend an afternoon?

SO GORGEOUS!

North Central Nebraska Art Photographer: R Is Ror Raspberry...

2011-05-17T22:36:00.000-05:00

It is amazing how much inspiration you can find in the simplest of things. I picked up some wonderful red raspberries at our local grocery store, Brauns IGA. They have the best produce (I memorized what day the produce comes in so I make sure I get the freshest...), and today, I was lucky enough to get the last 2 cartons of these little gems. Not only are they YUMMY, they hold a TON of nutrition! Berries have become a permanent fixture in our refrigerator, and though they are pricey little things, well, they are a whole lot better to snack on than other things. Right? :D

North Central Nebraska Child Photographer: Blowing In The Wind...

2011-05-16T20:10:00.000-05:00

It was another BEAUTIFUL evening here in the Sandhills! My children and I were playing in the yard, smelling flowers, chasing bugs, and "sploring" my husband's new little garden out back. Carter plucked a dandelion that was preparing to seed, and as I lifted my camera, he proceeded to softly blow the seeds into the evening breeze. It was an angelic moment, and seeing the image just makes me smile!

North Central Nebraska Art Photographer: Lilacs...

2011-05-15T22:01:00.001-05:00

Fall is my favorite season, but May is my favorite month. So many of God's wonders emerge and unfurl from the earth; it is truly magical. Calves frolic in the pastures, which are beginning to green. Fawns prance across the meadows trailing behind their mothers. The robins bathe in the sprinklers, which are finally being turned on in freshly cut lawns. The air is perfumed with my favorite aroma; lilacs.

Lilacs hold a special meaning to me. They take me back to my childhood, when my siblings and I would run to the tree line north of our house and cut the wild ones for my mother. Never deterred by the fact that they only lasted a day and made a mess, we diligently collected them to put in the carved glass vase in the center of the kitchen table. We would cut them to lay on the tombstones of our family members in the cemetery that was just 1/4 mile up the road and then deliver the rest to my Great Grandmother, Hetty; she always praised us for bringing her the messy bouquets of aromatic blooms. The lilac bushes that surrounded the old homestead would bloom too, adding to the mystery of my family's story, the ones who once inhabited the house I used to love to explore as a child.

It was only natural that I asked my husband to help plant a lilac hedge around the perimeter of our backyard. This evening, as the sun was beginning to fade, I took my camera out to the backyard, where the lilac buds are just beginning to unfurl...and I instantly return to my childhood. I smile to myself as I begin to snap away.

I also had to make a few images of my African Daisies. My son helped pick them out today at the green house, and as soon as we got them planted he said "mom, can you take a picture of them please?". I was happy to oblige. :D

North Central Nebraska Child Photographer: Sweet Claire Is "1"!

2011-05-07T12:18:00.000-05:00

I have been SO excited about this shoot! I was honored that this little darling's parents chose me to capture her first year of life, and as I sit here writing this blog post, I am even getting a bit weepy. Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and there is no more precious gift I could offer the beautiful momma than a beautiful image of her beautiful daughter. They grow up so fast, and I am so blessed that I was the one who got to create these images for all of them.

Happy Birthday big girl! You are just as sweet as you can be!

"And The Winner Is..." - North Central Nebraska Portrait Photographer

2011-05-01T21:37:00.002-05:00

The Atkinson Vendor Fair was a lot of fun the other night, and though there wasn't a big turnout, I was so excited to get together with these ladies! There is so little time to socialize these days, and I enjoy every opportunity to meet and mingle with the girls. More importantly, I am SO excited that there are so many entrepreneurial ladies in our community! What a great asset to our county! We had everything from Miche Purses, to Pampered Chef, to Advocare Nutrition, To Jewelry, to Scentsy, to Signature Home Styles, to Norwex cleaning products, to custom portraiture...all under one roof! How convenient is that!

I was so excited to be part of this, and so I wanted to offer something special to one luck attendee!

I did a drawing (winner chosen out of a bucket by my 5 year old), and...

Shawntelle Peter, YOU ARE the lucky lady!

Please email me to redeem your gift certificate for 50% off your next session! Congratulations!

North Central Nebraska Portrait Photographer: A "SIZEABLE" Offer! :D

2011-04-25T14:10:00.002-05:00

I have been very public about my decision to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Being an accountability girl, this is my way of making sure that I stick to my guns on this choice! I have really enjoyed my new "Clean Eating" lifestyle so far, and I look forward to getting more creative with my cooking and (hopefully) getting my kiddos more interested in it too! So far I have lost 12 pounds in just over 3 weeks, and I am VERY excited about the changes I am seeing in how I look and feel!

So... my goal is to lose 30 pounds by the end of July. YES, that is 3-0. 30! It is going to be tough but I really believe I can do it!

I am an incentive driven girl. Yup, my first incentive to start this program is my children. I want to run, play and swim with them without getting tired (well no more tired than I SHOULD be when running after a 5 and 3 year old). My 2nd incentive is the fact that I am taking students to Europe in June for 10 days, and I want to be in better shape so I can enjoy all the walking, stair climbing, and mountain climbing with my students. Last, but not least, I simply want to feel my best and take care of the body that was made for me!

I am in the groove now, and I have momentum, but I am looking for more incentives! LOL! So, do you want to help me? You totally can! I am offering all clients who book a session for JULY a 30% savings on your session fee! Yes, in honor of the 30 pounds I will have lost by the end of July, I am going to give my clients 30% off their booking fee!

There is ONE CATCH though. YOU HAVE TO BOOK BY MAY 6TH! I know, that is way ahead of time for many (considering it is still struggling to get to 50 degrees outside), but my summer schedule is booking up fast, so in order to offer this one time deal, I have to get it planned ahead of time!

Don't miss out on this opportunity, because there are only so many sessions available, and well...because just like that 30 pounds...IT WILL NOT BE BACK!

Now, I'm off to get my daily shredding by Jillian Michaels...

Atkinson, Nebraska Portrait Photographer: CRAVE PHOTOGRAPHY World-Wide Mentorship Giveaway

2011-04-19T07:51:00.000-05:00

AHHHHHH. Ecstatic would be an understatement in terms of how excited I am about this! One of my favorite artists, Andee, at CRAVE Photography is offering an all expenses paid mentorship! I think my heart just went into defib!!!!

I think I just might swoon.

Atkinson, Ne Portrait and Art Photographer: On The Benefits Of Homework...

2011-04-15T06:24:00.000-05:00

A lot of people have been asking me lately “What is this homework you keep posting?” LOL.

Well, as much as I love teaching, I feel like I am truly a lifelong student. I LOVE, and I mean BIG PUFFY HEART L.O.V.E, learning! I have spent most of the last 14 years working on degrees. I am so blessed for the opportunities I have had to pursue my education. After earning a degree in Anthropology, and then deciding to pursue a Master’s Degree Educational Curriculum and Instruction, I began to feel a bit “burned out” on traditional education. So, I joined the Nebraska Writing Project to begin honing my writing skills and learning strategies to better help my students in their own writing journeys. Through that, I re-ignited my passion for Holocaust Literature and found myself pursuing more education avenues following that passion.

After awhile, I realized that I needed to take a “break” from all of that and work on something creative and just for me. Believe me, I felt SELFISH in that decision, and I wrestled with it for a long time, but the reality was that I needed that outlet. That is when Katrina Lee Photography was born, and it was a long time coming.

So, this is where my “homework” comes into play. Well, I needed to “get out of my head”, so I decided to take a creative vision workshop called “It’s Your Atmosphere” with the amazingly talented photographer Michelle Black. This class has been like 4 weeks of therapy for me! I explored who I am as an artist and the deeply personal motivations behind WHY I shoot in the first place. I explored HOW I shoot, and how my images reflect (or don’t reflect) me as an artist. I explored how to better connect with my wonderful clients in order to capture the true essence of WHO they are. These exercises truly pushed me in my creative thinking and dared me to express who I REALLY am to people.

My vision for my professional life has always centered around teaching and learning, but for some reason, I felt like I wasn’t allowed to pursue teaching and learning if it didn’t focus on what I teach my students or what I need to learn to be a better educator. I forgot about learning simply to grow my own soul. Through this journey, I feel like I have experienced an awakening. The best part though? By taking the time to do this, I feel that I will now be a better teacher, a better mother, and a better photographer. I already have SO many ideas in store for my students next year!

Here are some of my favorite images from my workshop. I decided to share my favorite BW conversions because that is something I really worked on.

Week 1: A series beauty series inspired by the 1984 National Geographic Cover "The Girl With The Green Eyes".

Week 2: Capturing a stationary object in a unique way. These weeds were so lovely, I think I sat on the Bluebird Trail for 20 minutes with this weed.

Week 3: Exploring beauty in sequence. We had so many lovely images, but the BW conversion on this one is my favorite!

This is my final assignment. One of our lovely 8th grade students, {M} who LOVES to read, helped me out on this project. The weather wasn't super cooperative, but it created a moodiness that lent itself well to an "Alice In Wonderland" inspired shoot in the woods on her property. I do have to say, after visiting her woods, I am bound and determined to plan my own! LOL! I made me reminisce about my days as a child spent climbing trees, roaming pastures, and building forts.

Atkinson Nebraska Portrait Photographer: Casting Call For Models!!!

2011-04-14T06:26:00.002-05:00

Hey fashion forward ladies! Katrina Lee Photography is partnering up with a new trendy clothing boutique, "Strut" for an awesome Fashion Photo Shoot! This new clothing store offers the latest trendy styles, and the best part...it is right up here in north central Nebraska! No need to drive all the way to Norfolk, Omaha, Lincoln, or Sioux City! Strut offers the latest brands and trends!

BUT...she needs some AWESOME models to show off her clothing! So, this is your chance to be a TOP MODEL! Check out the details below, and email me for an application!

PS- YOU get to have the full model treatment! Your hair and makeup will done by Macy Ennen of Uptown Hair Design!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Project 52 Week 10 {Breakfast}

2011-03-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

This week our Project 52 Macro challenge was BREAKFAST! My mom and dad used to have to fight with me to get me to eat breakfast, but now, I can't NOT have it! My favorite breakfast is actually French Toast, but thankfully no one else in my family likes it, so I don't make it very often. My heart (and the scale) is happier that way. I recently discovered the dreamy combination of blueberries and lemon yogurt. Heaven help me, it is like SUMMERTIME IN A BOWL!

Haven't convinced you yet? Well how about these fast facts I found HERE.

Blueberries have been shown to shrink cancerous tumors and prevent the development and growth of cancer.
Researchers have shown that blueberries reverse memory loss, and also improve physical coordination and balance.
Blueberries reduce cholesterol levels.
Urinary tract infections can be prevented by blueberries.
Blueberries are low in calories, high in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants.

Ready to try them yet? :D

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Personal Creative Challenge...Recreation Without Imitation

2011-03-19T12:19:00.002-05:00

I love to photograph things that have a story or a purpose in them (even if I am the only one who sees what is behind the image). Most recently, I have been reading a lot on how I can be a better support for the young ladies that I teach. I love working with teens, and I love the connection that I have with many of my students. Graduation is getting near, and I am already a bit emotional at the prospect of a few of them leaving!

As a creative challenge for a workshop I am taking, we had to choose a photograph that inspires us and re-create it without imitating it. I love being challenged, and, as I ask my students to examine an author's vision and purpose, to try new styles, and to be inspired by others' ideas without copying them...well, I thought this was a timely exercise for myself.

There are so many wonderful images out there that I love, but I kept coming back to an image that I can't forget.

In 1984 “The Girl With the Green Eyes” was published on the front of National Geographic. This young lady was only 12 or so years old at the time. I have NEVER been able to forget that image. To me, it was such a beautiful juxtaposition of innocent beauty and hardship. The beauty of her eyes translates a steadfast determination, and the color of her hijab creates a beautifully contrasting frame. The dirt on her face and clothing, along with the torn fabric show the context of this image, and the hardness in her eyes elicits a strength and fierceness. I decided to use that image as my inspiration for my photograph this week. I really wanted to capture the youthful, innocent beauty of teen girls. So many try to grow up so fast.

I wanted to try to capture youthful, unadulterated, beauty.

So, HERE is think to the image that inspired me. So haunting...

And, here are the images that we created. A huge thanks to my two lovely students who helped their teacher with HER homework! :D

Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer: LOVE SHOOT {Tricia and Chad}

2011-03-15T10:40:00.003-05:00

I think I am in LOVE, with LOVE shoots!

I really love photographing children and teens, in fact, there have been many times that I have entertained ONLY photographing children and teens. I think this is largely attributed to the fact that I am around them so much of the time. There is just something about them...perhaps it is because I have a hard time acknowledging that I am an adult! LOL!

If you asked my parents, they would probably tell you that I have been working with children my whole life, and that when I told them I was going to be a teacher instead of an archaeologist, they were not really surprised. LOL!

However, I think I have fallen in love with working with couples. There is something so extremely rewarding and beautiful about being able to connect with a couple in love. Too many times, once we have children, we cast our relationship aside to take care of our children. Of course, raising our children is one of the most important jobs in the world, but I also believe that fostering the relationship we have with our significant other is also SO important. I am as guilty as the next person about forgetting this from time to time, allowing other things to take precedence over it.

This is exactly the reason that I offered these Love Shoots. I wanted to provide an opportunity for a couple to come together and document their special relationship. You don't have to be getting married to celebrate your relationship. Love Shoots are a wonderful way to celebrate who you are as a couple, whether a new couple or an *experienced* couple.

Tricia and Chad have been married for almost 10 years, and I am so happy I was able to give them a special Love Shoot session. Old Man Winter did his best to put a damper on the occasion, but they were good sports, and we rolled with it. It turns out that a little snow provides a VERY romantic setting for a love shoot. If you are cold, what better way to warm up than snuggling up next to the one you love, while some crazy lady encourages PDA?

Tricia and Chad, you were great sports, and I SO am pleased I got to do this for you both! Enjoy your Sneak Peek, and I will be in touch!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Project 52 Week 10 {Books and Words}

2011-03-07T21:23:00.000-06:00

Being an English teacher, I was pretty excited about this week's assignment.

A few years ago, my mother gave me some family books that belonged to my grandmother, Sallie, who passed away in 2005. This is one of the books, a collection of early poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Not only do I enjoy his poetry, I absolutely ADORE the aesthetic of the book. It was published in 1886, and belonged to my grandmother's Great Aunt, Nellie M. Bacon. My roots are very important to me, and I feel blessed that my parents made sure that their children have an understanding and appreciation for the place from which they came.

I read this poem with my students in our study of the American Literary Renaissance. These two stanzas are my favorite.

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time.

...

Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

~ H. W. Longfellow

"The Psalm of Life"

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Live, Laugh, LOVE. {Brandi and Jason}

2011-03-06T18:58:00.001-06:00

Several weeks ago I hosted a contest to give away a LOVE shoot to 2 deserving couples. Brandi and Jason applied, and I was so moved when I read that they had NEVER had any professional portraits done, and for their impending 10 year anniversary, they would love to be able to have some done to celebrate their relationship. I was so excited to be able to do this for them. Well, several snowstorms later, we finally were able to find a day to get together. These two just returned from a getaway to Cancun, and, well...let's just say that the weather back here in Nebraska is nothing to be admired right now. In the 30 minutes we were shooting, the temperature dropped 10 degrees and the wind picked up, exuding an ominous feeling, as we are in for a snow storm tomorrow.

BUT, despite the dreary weather, we captured some lovely images. We found some little nooks and crannies to escape the wind, and these two took advantage of the opportunity to get in a little bit of snuggle time with each other, those special moments that are hard to find after having children.

Brandi and Jason, thank you for being good sports! You guys are such a beautiful couple, and may you have many more years full of love and blessings!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Oh, The Places You Will Go! Little Man {B}, Then and Now

2011-03-05T13:18:00.002-06:00

I have been excited for this shoot! I had the privilege of photographing this little man right after he entered this world, and a few months ago, when his mom emailed about setting up his 1 year photo session, I was giddy about getting to see him again. As a newborn, his eyes mesmerized me, and those chocolate brown bright eyes are still as captivating now as they were then. I thought it would be fun to revisit 1 year ago by posting my favorite image from that session and then show just 1 of many wonderful images as a peek of what we did today. He is a busy, busy boy, and he should nap well for his mommy today! :D

So, here you go! Happy Birthday Little Guy!

Then:

And now!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: I Heart Faces "Fix It Friday"

2011-03-04T14:20:00.002-06:00

One of my FAVORITE things about offering Custom Photography to my clients is that I get to make photographs into art pieces. Sometimes it is easy to get pulled into the thought that images would be better if one only had that "big fancy camera". Truth be told, it is all about knowing how to rock what you have. Some of my favorite images were actually taken with my old Canon S10 IS Point and Shoot camera. You can create some pretty amazing images with those little cameras!

Here is an example of one of my FAVORITE images I made with that little point and shoot camera. Disabling the flash, slowing down the shutter, and finding a sturdy surface all play important roles in how a low light photo turns out. Because of the environment and the vintage feel of the context and lighting, I decided that a Black and White conversion suited this image. This was taken back in May 2009 before I owned an SLR camera.

The next part of custom photography is about taking a great image Straight Out Of Camera and using enhancement tools to make that image sing. I love clean edits on my images, but sometimes, one has to look at the context of the image's environment to help determine what kind of processing suites and image best.

Today is Fix It Friday over at I Heart Faces, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to share how custom editing plays a super important role in image making. By "Fix It" they simply mean to take an already great SOOC image and make it ROCK!

So, here is my illustration of what custom editing can do for an already great image! This is the kind of editing process I use on my Urban images. This image was provided by Dana Suggs.

Here is an already technically sound SOOC image.

My Urban Edit: Curves Adjustment, Color Adjustment, Contrast and Levels Adjustment, Vignette, and Clarity Layer.

Urban BW Conversion. Convert to BW and Tonal Adjustments.

Here you go! Thanks for lending us such a ROCKIN Image to play with for I Heart Faces "Fix It Friday"!.

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Project 52 Week 9...Furry Friends

2011-03-02T21:34:00.000-06:00

This week my challenge was to capture our not so mellow family pet, Belle. Belle is a sweet Red Merle Australian Shepherd. Though she is our family pet, she is really my dear husband's ranch hand. A dog is an important companion for a rancher, and though she is spastic, Scott has trained her to listen well. She gets lonely when she doesn't get to go with him, and you can just see the sparkle in her eyes when she sees him come home from work. Her ears perk up, and I swear, she starts smiling.

Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer: BIG FAMILY SHARE! {The Rentschlers}

2011-02-05T21:28:00.003-06:00

This session took place a few months ago (hence the LACK of ginormous piles of snow), but I just couldn't resist posting my favorites from this session. The light was SO DELICIOUS! These kiddos are as cute as can be...not to mention styled! I wish they made some of these clothes in big girl sizes!

First, you have Miss B., the eldest of the bunch. She was so excited about her new glasses, we had to make sure they were included in the session!

Next, we have Miss M. The proclaimed "Fashionista" of the bunch, she was all about lovin' the lens! Both of these girls were born to model! :D

Then, we have Miss O., the littlest of the bunch...but don't let that fool you! She has them all wrapped around her little finger! Would you just look at those Baby Blues? Wow!

Last, but not least, we have Mr. A., the man of the house. What a grin he has, and such a handsome little dude!

And last, my FAVORITE image of the whole bunch!!!!

Thanks for all the fun! I can't wait to see pictures of your wall display!

Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Style Guides!

2011-02-05T10:16:00.003-06:00

Ever get stuck on what to wear for your photography session? Well, worry no more! I am pleased to be able to offer an exciting new service to my Custom Photography clients! These style guides are designed to assist you in choosing the perfect fashion for your images! I will begin posting monthly "What To Wear" guides on my blog and on my Facebook page for you to draw on as inspiration. These style guides won't ONLY be focused on families, but will also provide ideas for children and teens! The REALLY cool thing about these guides is that they tell you where the fashions can be purchased!

Excuse me while I go check out the Old Navy Website! :D

Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Macro Project 52 - Weeks 1-4

2011-01-31T16:53:00.000-06:00

Oy. I have been faithfully taking pictures for my Macro Project 52 since the beginning of the new year, but I have been TERRIBLE at actually posting them. I am re-committing myself to this aspect of the project, but you are also welcome to follow my Flickr set. HERE is the link!

My first post was captured in my back yard in the calm before the storm Using a red Christmas pillow as by background, I captured these delicate flakes as they fell from the heavens. Each one magical and perfect.

Week 2 was fruits and veggies. My family will go through a bag of grapes in 2 days, so I captured these before they disappeared!

Week 3 had the theme of "Marbles". I didn't have any, so a mini bouncy ball had to suffice. I thought this one was fun! I love the stars!

Week 4 was my choice, and my son came home with some jellybeans. I had to "steal" an small handful for this week's theme, because as soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted them to be the subject for this week's image. The colors are just so fun!

Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer: "Under the Texas Sun" Photo Walk with Eric John

2011-01-17T21:49:00.005-06:00

In my photography journey, I have learned one thing that has more measure of importance that anything I will ever learn. No amount of money spent on equipment, props, or software will EVER replace the knowledge gained by investing in education. This applies to everything one does in life, not just photography...at least in my opinion. I SO sound like a teacher...sorry! I can't help it! :D Seriously though, isn't that true? I have found out that I have to CONSTANTLY evolve as a mother, as a wife, as a teacher, and now, as a photographer. I am ALWAYS going to be a student, and I really love that!

Over the last few days, I have learned that running a photography business is actually a lot more like being a classroom teacher than what I thought. Investing in the experience of PPA and Imaging USA has opened my eyes further to the artistic possibilities out there in this industry, and it has cautioned me further about the traps one can easily fall into as a business owner if not careful. Mastering the craft and refining one's artistic vision, along with knowing how to run a successful business are of utmost importance. It is HARD work to do this, but, being a teacher, I know that it is a necessary challenge, and I am SO ready for it!

In photography, learning how to do things RIGHT the first time will always transcend having the ability to "fix" it later My friend October and I had the opportunity to join Eric Anundi of Eric John Photography on an amazing photo walk today! With all of the information I had been absorbing, I was so excited to actually get out there and download my new ideas into artistic implementation! His GORGEOUS assistant Katie was our model for the walk, and On One Software sponsored it. We wandered around locations that would be easy to pass by while looking for the "right" one...the prettiest one, the one with pretty greenery, or with the "cool" architecture. Instead, we looked for "the light", and concentrated on MAKING an image, not just taking a picture.. Here are just a few images I had time to get to this evening.

Thanks for doing this On One and Eric, it was really awesome!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: The Winners Are............

2011-01-13T12:42:00.000-06:00

Because I had lots of entries for the "Lucky In Love" contest, and no entries for the "Soon To Be Momma" contest...I decided to award 2 lucky couples with a free mini session and gift print to celebrate their special relationship! I read all the applications, and had a hard time narrowing it down, but, the 2 couples I have chosen *spoke* to me in their application, and I am so excited to be able to provide them with something they have never had before!

So, without further stalling... I am pleased to announce that the winners of the "Lucky In Love" mini photo shoot are......................................

Brandi and Jason Mitchell and Tricia and Chad Buell!

Congratulations on being married for 10 years!

Together, we will make some images that will remind you of the special LOVE you share for each other!

Thanks to everyone who applied, and I hope you will keep me in mind the next time you are looking to capture your special moments!

~Katrina

Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Personal Creative Challenge = Project 52. Week 1: Ice/Water

2011-01-08T16:58:00.001-06:00

So, this year I am COMMITTING myself to a Project 52. What that means is that I will dedicate myself to pick up my camera and capture thematic images each week. This last week's theme was water/ice. So, today (yup, I was procrastinating because I KNEW it would snow!), I went outside and captured a few of these perfect creations...

SO PRETTY!

AND, well, I couldn't resist this image, because my son was watching it snow, and I just happened to capture his BEAUTIFUL lashes as he blinked. Sigh.

Next week's theme is fruits and vegetables. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: A Giveaway To 1 Lucky "Momma To Be" and 1 "Lucky In Love" Couple

2011-01-06T06:31:00.002-06:00

Offering a free mini session to ONE lucky "Soon To Be" momma AND ONE "In Love" couple! A Maternity shoot client must be least 6-7 months along, and a Love Shoot is for ANY committed couple (pre-engaged, engaged, OR married!) wishing to celebrate their special relationship! Each session would last about 1 hour and would be accompanied by 1 gift print. These images will be used as portfolio and marketing images, so a signed model release is required with the contract.

Applications will be taken until Wednesday, January 12th. You will be asked to fill out short online application with some simple questions about why you want/need one of these sessions, and why you are drawn to Katrina Lee Photography.

If you are interested, please email me for more details. katrina@katrinaleephotography.com.

Valentines day is just around the corner! :D

I look forward to hearing from you!

KatrinaLee

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Celebrating The Teen Identity! Looking For 2011/2012 Spokes Models!

2011-01-05T21:47:00.002-06:00

Today was my first day back to school following winter break, and though it was extremely busy, and the whole server crashed while I was trying to finalize grades leaving me unable to get them in on time, my students walked into my classroom with smiles on their faces, and a cheerful "Hi Mrs. G! How was your Christmas?" All desires to pound my head on my desk from the other issues I was having ceased. Though there are times where I get frustrated, I know that it was my calling to be a high school teacher. Though there are stories of tragedy that involve teens, like the one just today about the Millard school shooting, I really believe that our youth have something positive to contribute in this world.

The most powerful lessons I have learned as a teacher have come from my students. I have witnessed them stand up for what they believe in, even though it wasn't an easy thing to do. I have witnessed them stand up for someone else because they knew it is the right thing to do. I have witnessed the excitement in their eyes when they worked really hard to achieve a goal that has a significance that I may not understand...I am humbled because I remember that nothing that takes work and dedication is trivial.

In my class this year we are exploring Critical Consciousness and how to be Agents of Change. These are really important areas of study for our teens. One explores the areas of oppression that exist in our world, and the other explores our power to do something about those oppressive elements...the goal being to help our students see that they have the power to, in the words of Ghandi, "BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD". After hearing yet another story today about a school shooting, it drives me more toward my goal. I want to help empower students to be that change. My hope for them is that they can find the strength to do all they can disprove misconceptions that tragedies like this create about our youth today.

I am hosting a call for 2011/2012 Teen Spokes Models. I would love to share stories of students who are inspirations in our communities. I am not necessarily speaking of only teens who are involved in activities, or get the best grades in the class. While those things are valuable and important, I am looking for students who are fun, outgoing, sociable, and adventurous...BUT, MORE THAN THAT, I am looking for students who show character, dedication, compassion, loyalty, and most importantly... humanity toward others.

Yes, part of this is to promote my business, but more so , my goal is to illustrate what it means to be a role model for others.

If you feel that you fit the qualifications and are interested in applying to be a spokes model, please go to the link below, view the attached slide show, and follow the instructions at the end.

Thanks for inspiring me! I look forward to hearing from you!

KatrinaLee

http://forms.katrinaleephotography.com/PublicSpokesmodel/slideshow/

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek {Busy, Busy Boys!}

2010-12-28T14:18:00.002-06:00

I got to go play with two adorable little boys this morning...no, I'm not talking about my own (though I am completely biased and think they are the cutest on earth). Last year, I photographed Max for his 1 year photos, but little Charlie hadn't made his arrival yet. When Rachel called me to ask if I would have time to photograph them over break, I was super excited to see how much they had grown! Max, being 2, had much better things to do than allow that photography lady to slow him down. So, I followed him around in the snow, basking in the innocent curiosity of such a sweet little boy. Little brother Charlie enjoyed watching from afar, but he was much more inclined to send smiles our way when we went back inside where it was warm. Thanks to their Aunt Jeanne for letting us take over your living room!

Thanks for having me do this for you again Rachel! We captured some great images to show Daddy when he gets home from Iraq!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: A Beautiful Winter Frost

2010-12-26T15:54:00.002-06:00

“Out of the bosom of the Air.

Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken, over the woodlands brown and bare, over the harvest-fields forsaken, silent and soft and slow descends the snow.”

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I woke up this morning to this. It was one of those frosts that is simply just magical in the way that it covers the landscape. The slightest touch sends it falling to the earth, and yet it manages to hold onto every thing...simply amazing!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Mmmm...'Tis The Season!

2010-12-23T09:18:00.002-06:00

I had a few minutes of light left yesterday, so I decided to grab my Macro and head out to the park for a little "I went to the woods" time. Despite the fact that the temperature was a boiling 18 degrees, I was able to keep steady enough to capture a few images that I really liked. This macro thing is tricky, but I am enthralled with it. I just joined a Macro Project 52, so I am challenging myself to master it because I have a wall space designated to macro fine art in my house. NO EXCUSES!

This was my favorite image of the set, I just love how it automatically makes me think of Christmas! I love this time of year. The sounds, the smells, the feelings of love and thanksgiving for our many blessings. Most of all, I love the reminder of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the faces of my children, I see the face of God. May you all have a most Blessed Christmas and New Year, filled with peace and good will toward all.

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: A Special Moment For A Teacher {Kelsy}

2010-12-17T21:52:00.003-06:00

Many people don't know that I have a soft side. Especially when it comes to my students. I struggle at times, hesitant to let my guard down in fear that they may misunderstand that as me lowering my expectations for them. Often, as a result, I don't show the attachment I actually have to them. They get under my skin sometimes, but more often then not, they find a way into my heart. Every. single. one. of them does this in his or her own way. Sappy, yes...I'm letting the cat out of the bag...I have a heart. I struggle at times to find that delicate balance between pushing and challenging my students... and letting them see that I am a human being, complete with emotions and a life outside of school. After 6 years of teaching I feel that I am finally beginning to figure it out...kinda...maybe?

Ugh, I digress.

This is Kelsy. This young lady came to see me a little while back after an extended absence. She needed a simple head shot for our school yearbook, but because I hadn't seen her for quite some time, we took a few minutes to catch up on what was going on in her life. She had hit a rough patch, and was making some tough decisions, but in doing so, she had also made some realizations about what she wanted for herself, and after talking with her, my heart swelled in pride at hearing how much she had grown. These are the moments I live for as a teacher. These are the moments when I feel that sense of relief. The moments where I look at a student and think to myself "they are going to be just fine".

As a teacher, this was one of the most precious moments I could have. Just a year ago, I didn't hold this philosophy. I will admit that I was judgmental. Not because I was not sensitive to what young mothers face, but because I was confused and frustrated about what my reaction was supposed to be. After a great deal of reflection, I realized that I needed to find some compassion. I realized that I needed to show support, encouragement, and love, so that I could be a source of support rather than of discouragement. There are many who of course will disagree with me on this, and that is ok. This is simply the place where I have landed on this subject. Through experiences I have encountered over the last year, I find myself seeing things differently. I am comfortable with where I stand, and while I know my perceptions have not always been what they are now, I hope that others will consider evolution of thought necessary to sustain growth in a human being, not hypocrisy.

I talked to Kelsy's mom, and we made some arrangements to meet for a mini session. Kelsy needed some beautiful images to help her document her new journey, and I did my best to make some for her. I hope they may be a reminder of the beginning of this most important transition.

Kelsy, you are embarking on a new journey in life. I'm proud of you, and I wish you the best of luck with your future. You are beautiful and you have SO much potential! Oh, the places you can go! Please stay in touch!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-12T15:30:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!, originally uploaded by katgotschall.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May you all be blessed in 2011!

Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek {Little Miss E. and J.}

2010-12-05T21:57:00.000-06:00

I got to meet some new little friends today! These little sweeties came to see me, and we had a great time (despite the fact that it was only 34 degrees). The day was actually quite nice, which was great, because we were SUPPOSED to meet yesterday, but had to postpone because of the wind and temperatures. Today, there was no wind, and the sun was shining! We took advantage of the weather and went on an adventure!

Little Miss {E.} and her sister Little Miss {J.} were so AWESOME. {E.} was born to be a model, and, at the tender age of 5, well, she is already there! Loved her outfit, her hair, and WOW, just look at those gorgeous green eyes!

{J.} had me in stitches with her facial expressions! She is the same age as my little guy (2), and it never ceases to amaze me how their little personalities are already so established. She was a hoot, and we had a great time playing "peek" with the camera.

Thanks for coming to see me girls, you are as cute as can be!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: THANKS and GIVING Opportunity!

2010-11-26T08:50:00.000-06:00

I am SO thankful for all God has provided. Showing HIS love through family and friends is the best love there is. In the spirit of Thanks and Giving, I wanted to extend a special offer to all of you! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographers: {On The Benefits Of A Makeover...}

2010-11-22T21:58:00.003-06:00

I really do look at photography as an art. Unfortunately, in this digital imagery world, the value of custom photography has declined significantly, but in my book, it is a timeless medium for which I have a huge appreciation. I have been obsessed with National Geographic since I was a young child. The glass plate negatives that were created of my ancestors over 130 years ago still haunt me. The images captured by photojournalists around the world feed into my iGoogle home page daily. The stories that are captured through those images are the source of inspiration for much of my teaching and writing. I share the stories of my ancestors with my students as we study about the journey of America. I show images captured by photojournalists that illustrate the lives of everyday people, and we read their stories. I love stories, and I love images that tell a story.

I also follow the blogs of many seasoned photographic artists, and while their style may not be my own, I appreciate the heart and soul they pour into their work. I do my best to put this effort into my own work, and as I continue in my journey, I get excited to see my growth and am always looking forward to new challenges. I look at this craft as an artistic capture of a moment in time, which is why lifestyle photography attracted me so much and why I wrote my tagline to be “Capturing Life…Moment. By. Moment.” I look at the images of my children that I love most, and they are the images where they are simply being who they are. They are the images where they weren’t even looking at me. My favorite images are the ones that were created organically, the ones that tell their story.

I have been giddy for a month waiting for this moment. Not a big deal to many, but my artistic identity is really important to me. Think about it, what would jello be without the JELL-O? What would McDonalds be without the golden arches? What would Nike be without the famous SWOOSH? Helping a client identify you with your brand is a really important step toward success in the business world. I will not claim to know all the ins and outs of this, but I have done a great deal of research, and over the last several months, I have put a great deal of thought into what my artistic vision is. I have worked very hard at trying to fine tune my craft, spending hours (usually after everyone is in bed, supper has been cleaned up, and papers have been graded, etc…) reading, thinking, imagining, and creating. It is not perfected, and it never will be, but I am on my way. The journey has been very challenging and very fulfilling.

I realized my photographic vision was simply an extension of my personality…free-spirited, organic, playful, with a little drama mixed to keep it interesting. The people who know me best see this side of me, but in the past, sometimes I hid this in the classroom, afraid that if I showed that side of me I wouldn’t be taken seriously. This art has liberated me to an extent, and I find that I am a much happier person when I don’t try to hide myself. That new found confidence has filtered into not only my art, but also into my classroom. I share my passion and excitement with my students, and though they may think me silly for my giddiness about these little things, I hope that just a few may take that excitement and apply it to their own lives. How wonderful it feels to have PASSION, and how liberating it is to SHARE it with others! It was in the re-discovery of my passion that I realized I wanted an artistic identity that would illustrate my personality and artistic vision. That is where this design comes in.

I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work with On The Spot Studios for my branding identity. She took my visions and, as her tag-line state, truly brought them to life. This new identity fits me perfectly, and I am so excited to put it to use. Thank you so much Tiffany! You are AMAZING!!!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek- {Miss B., M., and O., and Mr. A}

2010-11-21T21:33:00.000-06:00

Another fun session to end the weekend! These kids were such a hoot! I have been able to watch these little ones grow from the time they were just babies, and it was so fun to be able to get together today to capture their fun personalities. The chilly weather posed some difficulties, but they kept me on the move...by the time I got back into my car I was sweating! What a cute family!

Thanks for braving the cool temps kids, you did a great job!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek- {Little Miss L.}

2010-11-20T18:34:00.001-06:00

I had so much fun capturing kids' personalities this weekend. This little lady is now the subject of what is now one of my favorite photos! We met for our session, and just as we got started, well, the fog rolled in. The ghostly mists provided such an elegant backdrop for our session, and her darling attire was the perfect compliment.

The second time around we had good luck, the rains parted just long enough for us to sneak in another short little session. She was such a hoot!

The weather wasn't terribly cooperative, but we managed to make some beautiful images that captured her sweet little personality. Thanks for playing Miss {L}! You are as cute as you can be!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek- {Little Miss C.}

2010-11-07T21:47:00.000-06:00

Two fabulous sessions this weekend! First, I got to meet up with little Miss {C} again. I captured this sweet little girl when she was just a wee little one, and it was so fun to see how big she has gotten! I can't wait to see you again sweet girl! Come see me again for your 1st birthday!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek- {The Kelly Family}

2010-11-07T21:43:00.000-06:00

Can you say GORGEOUS! I met up with Matt, Tayler, Bri, Ryan, and Ryder today for a fun shoot in a beautiful pasture. The wind decided to come up about the time we were ready to start, but we were able to rock some awesome images anyway. The gorgeous fall colors always provide the best backdrops! Thanks for the fun afternoon!

Atkinson, Ne Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek- {Little Miss P.}

2010-10-31T06:59:00.000-05:00

Wow! What an absolutely gorgeous little girl! It has been a while since I have had a little girl in my studio, so I was really excited to capture this adorable beauty. Little Miss P. is just 2 weeks old, but she is a busy girl! I am always amazed at how strong little babies are, even at that delicate age. I had to post th first image because it is the first time I have gotten to use my new (old, very old) prop. This little baby buggy belonged to my Grandmother, MaryBell, when she was just a little girl. Grandma is now 90 years old, so, well, you can do the math! I wanted so badly to be able to document this special buggy in use, and so when Becky called about scheduling her baby girl's session, I made sure it was ready to go.

She was not the least interested in sleeping during our session, but we managed to make a few images with her in a peaceful slumber.

Bright baby eyes are so lovely, and the light of the dining room window streaming in just captivated her.

She is such a precious bundle, and we had a lot of fun! Thanks for bringing in your sweet baby girl Chris and Becky! She is absolutely perfect!

Thanks for coming to play Miss P. You are as cute as you can be!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Illustrating Identity: "This Is Me" Photo Shoot- Session 5 {Molly}

2010-10-23T20:13:00.002-05:00

Meet Molly. She is a junior in high school, is one of my students, and is full of spunk, sass, and sweetness. She has a cool style, an artistic flare, and a natural ability to write in a way that makes you FEEL what is saying. I have thoroughly enjoyed having her in my class this year for all the reasons listed above. Molly is my last model for my "This Is Me" special project. When she asked me about helping out with this, I was thrilled. I see this young lady as a true inspiration and an illustration of perseverance and a good attitude.

You see, last spring Molly was in a terrible car accident. I remember hearing the news at school and, as I do anytime I hear of such news, I tear up, shake my head, and send a silent prayer up to God, asking him to lay His hands on that student and bring healing.

Molly survived that terrible accident, but the recovery she has faced has been very, VERY difficult. Enduring pain, surgeries, and learning how to walk again are tasks that will try even the strongest of human beings. To have to endure all that at such a young age ...well, all I can say is that she truly amazes me, and is an inspiration. She still has her sass and her spunk, and sometimes, I think those things are what help us get through the toughest of times.

Molly sent me some things that she wished to be included in her story. So, I am going to share her words with you...

" Life has been hard, but my God is faithful. I feel like I am extremely blessed to be alive, and one thing that really helped me get through this was just laughing and having a good attitude toward it...God is the number one thing in my life. Then my family and friends. I'm really close with my family, and love music, singing, playing guitar, making music in any way, and just listening to music. I guess if I had just one thing that I learned through my accident is that trusting Jesus is a day by day walk, and I have to rely on him for everything. Even just getting through the day hour by hour. My mom has always been there for me and always will. She has kept me grounded and focused on the positive, and that has gotten me soooo far!"

Molly, you ROCK. Thank you for sharing your story with us, so we can drawn on your strength. You are truly inspiring. Keep being you.

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Announcing Fall Mini Sessions!

2010-10-17T13:07:00.001-05:00

Atkinson, Nebraska Llifestyle and Art Photographer Sneak Peek: "I Thee Wed" {Adam and Amber}

2010-10-17T11:57:00.002-05:00

Congratulations Amber and Adam! Thank you so much for asking me to capture your big day!

Several months ago, I sat down with Adam and Amber to talk about their day. They were such a fun and loving couple; it immediately got me excited to work with them! Amber wanted a journalistic approach to their big day, as they aren’t really a formal couple, and I was happy to oblige, as telling stories through images is something that I love to do! Here are just a few from their big day!

Stylists from The Mane Event did an AWESOME job on these ladies' hair! Just gorgeous!

HELLO GORGEOUS! Her shoes were SO her!

Later this summer, Amber and I met in Omaha, to chat about the details over coffee at Borders. She told me the story about how she and Adam met. It was meant to be. Even after she kicked him and his friends out of the bar, they managed to find each other again! In the salon yesterday, she then filled me in on how he proposed. On her birthday, after making her think he had not planned anything special (making her hopping mad in the meantime)…he surprised her with a simple card expressing his desire to spend the rest of his life with her. Turning around to see him there with a ring, she forgot her anger about his lack of birthday planning, as it was obvious that it had been a ploy to throw her off from his REAL plans. How cute is that!

GORGEOUS ring...NICE JOB ADAM!

I SO enjoyed spending all day with them yesterday. They are such a fun-loving couple, and their wedding party and families were awesome to work with. Here are just a few images from the day yesterday. Congratulations Adam and Amber! Here’s to spending the rest of your lives together! May it be filled with bliss!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: {Baby Hudson}

2010-10-13T21:19:00.001-05:00

I have been waiting for this! I FINALLY got my hands on my friend Tricia's new baby boy Hudson! Tricia and I have been colleagues and co-Junior class sponsors for the last 5 years. It is so hard to believe that this much time has passed! Tricia came over this morning so I could photograph her new bundle of joy, and we had fun catching up. Little Hudson got tired of pictures after a little while, but we captured some precious moments, and he is just SO sweet!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Illustrating Identity: "This Is Me" Photo Shoot- Session 4 {Tapanga}

2010-10-11T21:59:00.002-05:00

Meet Tapanga. I can't help it, every time I say her name I think of the 90's show "Boy Meets World". I LOVED that show, and I was OBSESSED with Tapanga's beautiful hair! It is a wonderfully unique name, and Tapanga (this Tapanga) is a wonderfully unique girl.

When I was thinking about doing this photo project, I asked around for some names of local students who illustrated the qualities of uniqueness, committment, perseverence, and a strong work ethic and belief system. Tapanga's name was given to me a few times, and though I had not met her person, I was aware of many of the activities that she was involved in. This year, however, I have been fortunate, in that I have her as a student! She is a hard worker, a thoughtful young lady, and it is a pleasure to have her in class.

Tapanga and I worked hard to find a time that was going to work for this photo session. As many teens are this time of year, she was a very busy young lady. Between school work, volleyball, and church activities, she keeps very. A young lady whose faith plays a central role in her life, Tapanga talked to me about choosing to live a Christ centered life. Her faith is something that keeps her grounded, and a quote she sent to me illustrates this faith best..."Never let you're praying knees get lazy."

She believes in faith and hard work, so I asked her to send me some of her favorite sayings that illustrate these beliefs, so here you go!

"Dream until the dream comes true."

"Life is so much more than what you're eyes are seeing."

"I am strong because I am weak. I am beautiful because I know my flaws. I am a lover because I am a fighter. I am fearless because I have been afraid. I am wise because I have been foolish and I can laugh because I have known sadness."

"I've seen dreams that move the mountains, hope that doesn't ever end, even when the sky is falling. I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new, that's what faith can do."- Kutless

Thanks for letting me make these beautiful images Tapanga; you are as lovely on the inside as you are on the outside!

Atkinson, Nebraska Llifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: {The Kelly Family}

2010-09-30T22:27:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of photographing a fellow teacher's family today! This is Bri, her husband Ryan, and their darling little boy Ryder. What a busy boy he is; at the tender age of 1, he is a FAST little man! And no, not yet walking on his own doesn't slow him down one bit! What a beautiful family! Thanks for asking me to join you today, I had so much fun!

Atkinson, Nebraska Llifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: {Emily, Tim, and Their Two Beauties}

2010-09-12T22:20:00.000-05:00

This was the second weekend in a row that we have been able to come together with family to celebrate the many blessings that have been granted to us. This weekend our niece Ella was dedicated to the Lord, and we also celebrated our niece Ava's 2nd birthday. I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph their family! We traveled out to Linoha nurseries and had some fun...I even got Ava to model one of my new petticoats! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family in our lives, and I am so glad I got to spend some time creating some beautiful photographs for them. Thanks for asking Emily, Tim, Ella, and Ava, we sure had fun! See you soon!

Atkinson, Nebraska Llifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: {Eric, Shannon, and Family}

2010-09-06T21:25:00.001-05:00

So, this weekend was our family's ranch party extravaganza. That means that all my family, whom I don't get to see NEAR enough, came back to celebrate! There was lots of work being done, but Saturday night, I got to play hookie for just a little while for this fun shoot. This is my cousin Eric, his GORGEOUS wife Shannon, and their 3 darling little ones. They drove all the way from Minnesota to come help us celebrate this weekend, and I was so excited when Shannon asked if I would capture some special images for them.

These kiddos made me laugh so hard! They were so inquisitive about ranch life, they were so loving toward eachother, and most of all, they are so in love with their mommy and daddy...just as their mommy and daddy were OBVIOUSLY head over heels for their kiddos.

After finishing up at our first location, I took them over to "the west place" because the sunset was gorgeous, and it lit up the hill with it's golden rays. As the kids rolled in the knee high brome grass, I was able to sneak a few captures of Eric and Shannon having just a few moments to themselves. What a beautiful couple, and what beautiful kids.

Thank you for coming all the way to Nebraska to see us you guys, and thank you for letting me make some beautiful images of your family!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Celebrating A Legacy

2010-08-31T14:17:00.006-05:00

This week over at I Heart Faces there was a photojournalism challenge. This is my favorite photography genre. I particularly adore black and white images, as I believe they truly have the capacity to elicit raw emotion and character in an image. That is just my opinion though. For this challenge I decide to create a storyboard of images that I made at our family branding.

Our family has been in the ranching industry for over 125 years, when my ancestors began carving their story from the sod prairies of central Custer County, Nebraska. Today, our story lives on. My Grandmother MaryBell (top left photo) is the matriarch of our operation. Together, my mother and father keep the farm/ranch running. My sister, brother, me, and our families, though we no longer live on the place, come home to help whenever possible, and my sister and brother have plans of one day moving back to continue the legacy that has played such a pivotal role in all our lives.

When I married my husband, also a rancher, one of the things that told me he was a good man was how he showed respect and loyalty to the ranching legacy from which he was also born. Though we now ranch away from the place where I grew up, our rich heritage continues to be cultivated through our own children. We will continue to tell the stories that our mothers and fathers told us.

Stories like ours are owned by many families, but sadly, with hard times, they are becoming fewer and fewer. The voices of those who wrote them are becoming lost in the changing times. More and more generations are severing ties with their agricultural roots due to factors beyond their control or simply because they don’t have the desire to continue to the story. I am blessed that the legacy of my ancestors has been passed down to us through oral and written tradition. The care-worn journals and photographs emerge at family get-togethers, and new, never heard stories, always manage to evolve from them. For me, a lover of history, this is pure excitement!

This weekend my family will celebrate our heritage. Grandma MaryBell will be 90 in just a few days. I look forward to all the stories that will be told and all the photographs that I will make to help me remember who I am.

For more awesome photojournalism , go on over to I Heart Faces!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Illustrating Identity: "This Is Me" Photo Shoot- Session 3 {Hannah}

2010-08-29T19:08:00.002-05:00

This is Hannah. She OWNS the third session of my “This Is Me” photography project.

A gorgeous 15 year old Sophomore, and the youngest of three kids, I met this young lady when she responded to my model call for this project. Hannah says she loves music, driving, and technology…and she CAN’T LIVE without her cell phone and her iPod… (neither can I Hannah)!

Her future plans are to go to UNL; and in discussing her future plans, she told me that while she adores photography, she doesn’t want it to be an obsession.

What a wise insight Hannah; anything that brings you joy can quickly lose its appeal if you don’t maintain balance. Some of us are still trying to figure that out!

Hannah came to visit me while I was working in the school library preparing for the school year. We got deep into photography “shop talk”, and made a plan for her to come back the next day. I gave her some crash course information to help her develop her photography skills. She definitely has creative vision and thirst for knowledge; put together, those two things are a magical combination!

Hannah has a Nikon d3000 named Toby, and today announced to me that she took pictures at a relative’s wedding all in (GASP) manual mode! Woot Woot! That is a huge step toward being a successful photographer! Taking a picture is one thing…using your camera to its full potential to MAKE an image is something quite different. Having good equipment isn't nearly as important as knowing what to do with what you have. You are on your way!

In prepping for the publication of this blog posting, Hannah wanted to share a few of her philosophies on life and a few of her favorite quotes…

“I think everything will work out for the best in the end, and we never know when that is.”

“You should do what you love, do your best, and disregard everything else.”

“I love God, family, friends, and life.”

“If I was simple in the mind everything would be fine.” -Scott Mescud

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

Well said Hannah. Thanks for volunteering to be part of my “This Is Me” project. Have a great sophomore year, and keep rocking that camera!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Illustrating Identity: "This Is Me" Photo Shoot- Session 2 {Haley and Jennifer}

2010-08-23T22:32:00.001-05:00

Meet Haley and Jennifer. They are BFFs.

These two young ladies volunteered to be part of my “This Is Me” back to school photo project, and we had a blast. After a rough start due to the fact that my camera got damaged, we managed to find a time to get together to create these beautiful images. Let me tell you a little about these gals.

I know Jennifer from church. Living here for 6 years, I have watched her grow into the young lady she is now. She is active in her youth group, and she is a young lady who is willing to serve and help out those in need. As I was taking photos, I was able to capture her bright smile, and after I snapped a few, she asked “was I wrinkling up my nose?” I said “yes, and it was perfect!” I just loved her sense of humor and willingness to be silly!

Now meet Haley. I also know her from church, and unfortunately, I became more familiar with her when her mother, our church Secretary, passed away almost 2 years ago. I have been amazed at the strength of this young lady. When I asked her how she has managed to get through what she has endured over the last 2 years, she said that she was blessed to have friends like Jennifer to help her deal. What a blessing indeed.

These two illustrate the cowgirl attitude and style. From their colorful boots, to their clapping gid-ee-yap game they play while walking down the aisles of a local store, show us just how liberating it is to be themselves.

Thanks for sharing your stories girls, you ROCK!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Illustrating Identity: "This Is Me" Photo Shoot- Session 1 {Trey}

2010-08-06T17:18:00.004-05:00

I have been planning this special project for quite some time now. This photo shoot series stems from my desire to merge my passion for teaching teens with my love for photographing them. I think illustrating teens with passion and a positive attitude through a photo shoot is a great way to start the school year, so I broadcasted a "call for models" for some help from local teens.

Session one of this series belongs to Trey.

Trey, a soon-to-be Sophomore, responded 1st to the model call. After chatting with his mom, we made plans to meet up at the local high school to chat and begin our shoot. I asked him to bring along some quotes or passages that are really meaningful to him, and to bring anything that really illustrates his identity and his personality. So, I showed up, and in walking with our gear over to the track, Trey asked me, "so, where did you get this idea?" After thinking for a second (I was not prepared for such a question actually), I responded by telling him my thought process. 1) I really enjoy working with teens and want to get to know them better. 2) I feel really strongly about teens having positive role models, and want to show that we have local teens who ARE role models through their character, actions, and beliefs. 3) I love photojournalism, and this idea stemmed from a want to combine a photo shoot with a purposeful story behind the images. 4) I thought it would be fun to make some inspirational posters for my classroom featuring local teens, rather than buying generic ones. I hope I am able to pull that off!

So, we sat down on the bleacher steps, and I pulled out my little notebook so I could ask Trey some questions in order to get to know him better.

I didn't realize I would be met with such thoughtful responses.

Question 1: How would your friends describe you in 5 words or less?
Answer: outgoing, funny, positive, compassionate

Question 2: What are some things you just can't live without?
Answer: My friends and family, and my Bible.

Question 3: What keeps you grounded?
Answer: Knowing I have to power to make a person smile.

Question 4: What is your life philosophy in 1 sentence?
Answer: Take life as it comes; sometimes things are bigger than you, and you just gotta plough through.

Question 5: What do you think you want to do after high school?
Answer: I really love history and sports. I think I want to be a history and PE teacher. I don't know if I will come back to Atkinson or not, I like to explore, but I would if I knew it was important to my family.

Question 6: Do you have some favorite quotes that relate to what we are doing for this shoot?
Answers:
"The 1st period is won by the best technician. The 2nd period is won by the kid in the best shape. The 3rd period is won by the kid with the biggest heart." ~ Dan Gable
"Obstacles are things a person sees when they take their eyes off the goal" ~E. Joseph Cossman
" For nothing is impossible with God". Luke 1:37

After our little ice-breaker, we got to the fun part. Trey filled me in on the latest in sports and the Husker's Conference transition.

We talked wrestling, and agreed to disagree that track was an awesome activity (I still love it).

He informed me that the West Holt track was the best in the state too (learn something new every day!).

We had a great time, and in finishing our shoot with an image of him gazing over the field, he said
"This is getting me excited for football".

What an awesome kid. Thanks for letting me get to know you just a bit through this shoot Trey!
Have a great school year!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Illustrating The Beauty of Merging Cultures: Sneak Peek of {Z} and {Z}

2010-07-26T11:17:00.001-05:00

I am so excited about this shoot! A few weeks ago Dave and Lisa contacted me about doing a shoot for their beautiful adopted children. Zack and Zoe have been with them since they were just babies. Adopted from South Korea, part of the adoption process included inheriting these beautiful ceremonial Hanboks. I was so entranced by the beauty of these that when I got home this morning I did some research. Dave and Lisa told me that they were told that part of the purpose of these hanboks was to celebrate the first 100 days of a child's life. A child's life is a miracle, and in South Korea, as in many other countries, 100 days is a reason to celebrate. In my research, I discovered that the colors used in the hanbok for children symbolize good harmony and are believed to protect children from sickness and bad luck and to ensure them a healthy long life. The colors also represent the five directions: east, west, north, south, and center.

These two have such awesome little personalities. Little Zoe was enthralled with my camera and was quite obliged to let me take pictures of her. Mr. Zack took a bit longer to warm up, but the Blue Bird Trail at Atkinson City Lake Park provided the perfect backdrop for our adventure. After realizing he wasn't going to have to "sit still", we had a great time! This family is so beautiful, and these two spirited little ones did a great job! Thank you for allowing me to capture these special moments!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Finding The Light...In the Middle Of The Day.

2010-07-13T18:05:00.001-05:00

Lighting is the most crucial element of making an image. Finding the light is one of the hardest skills to master in photography, and I am far from mastering it. Every photographer knows that the golden hours of photography are close to dawn and close to dusk, and every photographer knows the absolute worst light is found in mid-day. So, what did I do? I took the challenge to go "find the light" at 1:30 PM. My model Tasha agreed to brave the AWFUL heat and humidity in order to help me scout out some good light (thanks Teej, you're a super star!)

Sometimes the difference between good light and bad light is 90 degrees (in direction, not temperature!)

Have a beautiful day!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: Miss {M} and Her Bedazzled Turtle "Moses"

2010-07-12T09:38:00.006-05:00

I got to go to this little sweetie's house for a photo/play date. Her backyard is every little girl's paradise!

Complete with a play house,

and swing set, a garden, AND... a bedazzled pet turtle named "Moses"!

We tripped around this magical space, exploring plants and flowers, serving through the window of the play house, and swinging on the tire swing.

When Grandpa showed up, her eyes lit up, and it made my heart melt to watch them interact.

Thank you for inviting me to capture these precious moments! I'm so glad I got to be part of it!

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: Twin Boys { A & S }

2010-06-29T14:54:00.005-05:00

These little tykes have so much personality! This was my first time photographing twins, and they were so darn cute. We decided to visit Atkinson's Sturdevant McKee Museum for our photo session, as they have beautiful gardens to investigate this time of year, and some neat architectural details. If you haven't been there before, be sure to drive by and check it out. We crawled around the yard, read books, climbed up steps... we were VERY busy! These two keep mom and dad on their toes! What cuties! Thanks for letting me capture their darling little personalities!

Atkinson Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: Li'l Miss {B}

2010-06-24T16:08:00.005-05:00

This busy little girl was SOOOOOOOO ADORABLE! Her bright blue eyes were just to die for and she was full of curiosity. And boy did she love her big brother! I got to come along with this family for this darling's 1 year pictures, and we had a good time exploring our town's recreation area. We discovered lots of wildflowers (and some cactuses, ugh), puppy dogs on the trail, and even a toad! She loved crawling on my liittle "rocky rock" chair and turning my stool upside-down and standing on it that way. Thanks so much for inviting me to capture this sweet little girl!

Atkinson Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Sneak Peek: {E, A, and C}

2010-06-24T16:00:00.005-05:00

I've been busy the last two weeks with lots of little ones. I LOVE my job. How fun is it to get to run around and capture little ones just being themselves? These little kiddos are GORGEOUS! I was honored to be asked to photograph this wonderful family. Mom and dad are some of the nicest people I have ever met, and their kids are simply adorable. They have a newest addition now, so we decided to celebrate with two sessions today. Little guy wasn't so sure he liked the camera much, be we captured some adorable images of him once we tired him out a bit.

E and A braved the awful mosquitos and humidity to venture out to the park for some fun. The bugs won, but we managed to have a good time anyway.

Thanks for letting me be part of documenting your beautiful family!

Atkinson Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: A Reflection Inspired by I Heart Faces Challenge: Celebrating Teens

2010-06-21T08:13:00.011-05:00

I've been dabbling in photography for going on 10 years now, have been a passionate wannabe for about 4, and have been REALLY serious about being a pro for about a year. I really love to shoot kids. That sounds so bad, but I think you know what I mean.

It is rather tongue in cheek to say that, as I am also a high school English teacher. I love working with kids, but working with teens is particularly fulfilling to me. A lot of people say to me "I don't know how you can do that everyday, I think I would go crazy". I would be lying if I said that I loved every minute of teaching. There are certainly days, or even weeks where I have asked myself the question, "Is this really what I am supposed to do?" There are times where I have caught myself asking myself the question that my friend Michaela posed to me one day..."have I been a blessing or a thorn today". There have been times where I was a thorn, and I resolved to make it right the next day. There are times where I feel misunderstood, undervalued, and downright abused. There are times where I question whether I am the right person for this extremely important job. After I finish having my pity party, I wake up and realize that it is because this job is so important that I must keep going, and it is because I love my students that I need to keep doing it. They deserve a great teacher, and it is my job to be that teacher for them. I make mistakes, just like everyone, but my heart belongs to this profession.

One of my goals for my business is to truly capture the essence of teens through their Senior photos. I battled with this idea, because being a teacher, I wondered if I should. It is a fine line to walk, being a teacher and being a photographer. I finally decided that if I could photograph teens, and connect with them through the camera, that it would help me connect with them in the classroom. I had two teens apply to be Senior Spokes Models for me this summer. I don't teach either one of them, but they have helped me so much. They were fun, creative, laid back, and super helpful! Being around them in a non-classroom environment allowed me to relax and get to know them on a different level. It was so fun to hang out with them and their moms! I am so thankful to them for being such willing participants. We captured wonderful images, and I feel like I have made some new friends because of this experience.

This week, over at I Heart Faces, a teen is the guest judge, and the subject matter is "Teens". I decided that now would be a good time to post this tribute to celebrate my two teen Spokes Models; Addie and Cody. Thanks for being AWESOME!

I just love this image of Addie, the delicious light just made her glow. It was one of those moments where I was metering my light and caught this ethereal image in the process.

Cody, his mom, and I wanted to capture "a different kind of sports image". A great athlete, we wanted to show his love for the game without falling into the traditional rut. So, experimenting with Off Camera Flash, we used the beautiful sunset as a backdrop for this image. Still one of my favorites and this image is actually my OFFICIAL I Heart Faces Entry for this week.

Atkinson Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Always Remember.

2010-05-30T22:09:00.008-05:00

Memorial Day plays an important role in my life and in the lives of my family members. Growing up, we were taught to show highest respect to service members. My grandfathers, my father, many uncles, and many cousins had served or were serving in our armed forces. Some had even given their lives. My father and grand-father presided over military services in my home town of Broken Bow, and every year our tradition was the same. We would go and pay our respects to our fallen brethren. Memorial Day revolved around that responsibility and nothing else.

Most recently, we lost a very good friend (I would call him a brother really), to the war in the Middle East. Though it was over 2 years ago already, it doesn't feel like it, and the wound, though healing, is still painful. Since then, I have seen many of my students and other relatives enlist, deploy, and come home again. Each time the emotion of the realization of what this means overwhelms me. I look into their youthful eyes and and wonder if they really comprehend the reality of their choice.

This day weighs heavily on me every year. I struggle to hold back my emotion as I see the feeble old soldiers stand just a little straighter when they raise their hands in salute. Some are wheeled into position in their wheelchairs, but when given the command, they find the strength to rise and stand at attention.The Daughters of the American Revolution are not young. They read their pieces about the commemoration of each conflict, battle, and war. The young band member plays the taps from the distance and the soldiers raise their rifles to shoot at the command. Though not in unison, these volleys reverberate throughout the cemetery. It never ceases to amaze me how much power the sound of a gun shot has.

As I drove out west of town this evening, I was hunting for some beautiful landscape images. When I turned down the cemetery road, I was overcome by an incredible urge to pull over and walk through the cemetery. Cars were just leaving, and many families were putting the last of the decorations around their family plots. The sun was lowering in the sky, and in the silence of the moment, I prayed for the continued safety of our armed forces, I prayed for resolution for the senseless violence we all face every day on this earth, and I prayed for the families of the fallen. I give thanks for the freedoms I have the privilege to enjoy-and I thank those who paid the cost of that freedom. God Bless You.

Atkinson Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: A Long Hiatus, And A Major Personal Challenge...

2010-05-29T09:44:00.006-05:00

The end of the school year comes, and every year, I swear I will be more prepared. It never happens. I always seem to get behind. Some may not know, but I am a high school English teacher. I am also our high school yearbook sponsor and co-sponsor of the Junior class. After about April 1st, I am full speed ahead working on prom and trying to get the school's yearbook completed. As a result...well, the project 52 blog got put on the back burner.
School is over for the summer, and I have somewhat got my to-do list in order. I am a member of several photography forums online, and this week a challenge was posed to get the photographer out from behind the camera. I have several photography students who are SO creative with self-portraits, and while they are teenagers and can get away with their super creative and edgy portraits, I felt rather weird about it. Rather, I should say that I felt REALLY INSECURE. I've never felt myself to be photogenic. Like many women who may not be in the best shape of their lives, I prefer to NOT have my photo taken. However, I have realized, how can I expect my clients to get comfortable in front of the lens if I can't make myself do it? As part of my summer self-makeover, I decided I better get brave and just do this. Each week, I will do one to document my progress. I think this is called self-accountability.

SO, the challenge was actually a professional one, but it is very personal to me. Though I create lifestyle portraiture, this challenge was to create a self portrait that while non-traditional, is professional. THIS IS HARD! It was so hard to get the focus right and get the light right to convey the "tone" I wanted. Then again, what was the tone that I wanted? A lot of thought goes into a classic self-portrait. The biggest element is authenticity. I wanted an authentic portrait.

I decided to try two things. First, my husband loves my natural smile (though I don't always). He loves the pictures where I look down to earth and all natural, and those who REALLY know me would probably agree that I am a bit bohemian and and goofy. So, I wanted to make a portrait that I thought reflected that sense in a professional way.

The second thing I wanted to try was simple, yet a bit dramatic in angle and lighting. I really didn't know what my best angle was, but I wanted a "feminine" picture of myself. This is difficult when one doesn't really consider oneself to be "feminine". However, I think EVERY woman WANTS to feel feminine. This was VERY VERY VERY hard for me, so if you leave a comment, please be gentle.

Atkinson Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Why Operation Love?

2010-04-19T20:20:00.003-05:00

When I decided to take the plunge and start my photography business, I put together my business plan, and in it, I included my list of business goals and my list of personal goals. The most important personal goal for me was to find a way to give back to my community.

Several years ago, after some very important people in my life had to endure the devastation of losing a child through miscarriage, I learned about the "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" organization, and in spending a lot of time praying, I decided that one way I could give back to my community would be to try and get accepted as a NILMDTS photographer for the Sandhills region. Though I understood that it would be an emotionally taxing task, I believed that it would be one way for me to use my passion for capturing the real moments of life and giving those images to the parents who wanted to document the little life that had blessed them, if even for just a short period of time. Those images would serve as a documentation of that precious blessing, and would be something that parents could have to commemorate the life of their child. I haven't yet applied to do this, but it is on my goal list for the next year.

The other organization that I have learned about over the last couple of years is Operation Love. I was raised in a family where the military was held in the highest regard, and I was raised to respect the service of the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect the freedoms that we enjoy in this great country. While I have always held this respect in my heart, it wasn't until a very close friend was killed in the line of duty that I began searching for a way to honor his life. When I began to pursue my passion for photography more diligently in the past few years, I came across this organization and immediately knew that it is what I had been searching for. My love for documentary photography and real lives being captured led me to the decision to finally apply to be a photographer for Operation Love, and as of today, I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED! It is with great humility that I approach this new opportunity. I want to thank all the service men and women for all they do for us. Words will never be enough, and neither will photographs, but it is my desire to be able to provide you with some comfort in your journey. I hope you will be able to look at your photographs and feel the love that will accompany you in your journey, no matter how far it may take you away from home. It is my honor to serve you and your family.

Project 52 Week 14: Atkinson, NE Lifestyle and Art Photographer-"Special Time"

2010-04-06T20:10:00.004-05:00

One of my boys' favorite things is reading their books. It was really important to my husband and me to begin instilling a love for reading in our boys from a very young age. So, it has been a nightly routine from the time Carter, who is now 4, was a baby. He is getting to the age where he KNOWS if you skip a page! Carter especially loves his Cat In The Hat books, while Alex is partial to Baby Donald Duck and his Baby's First Bible books. No matter what happens on any given day, these moments bring me back to what is truly important in life. This is what we call our special time.

Project 52 Week 12: I Heart Faces Dramatic Black and White: Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer

2010-03-29T06:08:00.002-05:00

Cody is one of my Class of 2011 spokes models, and he really wanted to get some non-traditional football pictures. Being the awesome athlete he is, he brought along his letter jacket. So we set up some Off Camera Flash and got this dramatic shot on the home football field. It was my first time trying off camera flash in the evening to create some drama, and I was so stoked to see this shot materialize on my screen!

I thought it would be fun to share for the I Heart Faces Photo Challenge this week!

March 26, 2010: Taking the time to reflect on the first three months...

2010-03-27T11:28:00.002-05:00

It has been almost three months since I made the decision to say “I am a photographer”. It sounds just as odd to say it today as it did three months ago, but in taking the time to reflect, with my trusty journal and a cup of coffee infused with the smell of caramel and vanilla, on why that is, I have come up with a few thoughts.

Last summer, I had the privilege of attending the Nebraska Writing Project Summer Institute, where, in an intense one month writing experience, I learned to believe in myself as a writer. “The best teachers of writing are writers themselves”. That was the motto that I came away from the experience with. This year has been a personal experiment for me. Not only did I start the school year with a new perspective of what writing is and how to teach it, I had a whole new approach to my own writing. In returning home, I looked at my camera, and began to wonder why it was that I was so afraid to not only call myself a writer, but also a photographer. I am not afraid to call myself a wife, mother, or teacher. I came to some personal conclusions about that.

I believe to be called a scholar, one must not only appreciate the process of study; they must bury themselves in it and strive to evolve, just as what they study evolves. To be called a writer, I believe one must appreciate the complex, and sometimes gruesome process of writing; they must bury themselves in it, and strive to evolve, just as what they write evolves. To be called a teacher, I believe one must appreciate the position they hold, as they have been blessed with the important responsibility to enrich the minds of the future of the world; they must, at times, bury themselves in this role and evolve, just as the students they teach evolve. To be a parent, I believe one must appreciate the blessing they have been given, and must bury themselves in the act of nurturing their child so that child may evolve into a person who appreciates the important role they play in this world.

I am by no means evolved in any of these categories, but I do believe I am growing. I believe calling myself by any title, including photographer, simply means that I spend a devoted amount of time challenging myself to the process of growing in that area of my life. I reflect on the last 9 or so years of my life, and think about how much growth has occurred, some of it coming naturally, and some of it through force. Evolving as a Christian, a wife, a mother, a teacher, a writer, a photographer…as a human being, is not an easy process, but with the love and support of God, family, and friends, the process continues in a positive direction. I thank all the people in my life, including all of my clients, who have supported me in my growth as a photographer. Realizing a dream is a scary process. To quote one of my favorite African Proverbs, “a calm sea does not make a skilled sailor”. The fear of failure is always present. Making mistakes is inevitable. Being misunderstood is probable. Upsetting others is likely. But, from all of these, one learns how to trust a higher power to help navigate them to smoother ground.

Thank you for all your support,

Katrina Lee

Evolving Christian, sister, daughter, wife, mother, teacher, writer, photographer…human being

Project 52 Week 11-13: Returning After Unintended Hiatus- Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer

2010-03-21T10:41:00.010-05:00

So, this will be a mass posting (ugh, I HATE it when I get behind), but in the spirit of just offering pitiful excuses... it is an occupational hazard when you are a wife, mother, full time teacher, AND working on your business. I HAVE been taking LOTS of photos...I just haven't blogged them. So, here you go!

We had (hopefully) our last snow. My son Carter wanted to get bundled up, so we went outside and I got some shots of him trying to get the massive snowflakes on his tongue. He was having so much fun! The snow was falling so gently, and my dogwood tree cupped a delicate little drift so beautifully!

Spring is upon us, so I decided to offer a spring mini photo shoot for anyone who wanted to get some sweet captures of their little ones (or big ones LOL). This little guy was my first visitor, and man, was he full of energy! He was so darn cute, and we got some great captures of his personality. This one is my personal favorite!

My boys and I went to the homestead this weekend to visit, and on the way home, I got the chance to use my new 28-75mm 2.8. The sunset was gorgeous, and just waiting to be captured! It is so peaceful, and these images remind me how blessed I am to be able to enjoy God's amazing creations.

Atkinson, Nebraska Lifestyle and Art Photographer: Why Custom Photography?

2010-03-06T08:02:00.003-06:00

In making the life-changing decision to put myself out there and start my business, I realized I was taking a lot of risks. The most obvious risk would be "what if it doesn't work?" In order to get over this fear, I made sure I knew everything I could possibly know about custom photography and why it sets itself apart from other kinds of portraiture. I wanted to share the source I found most valuable throughout my research. It answers the question "Why Custom Photography" much better than I can. Simply click on the title to check it out!

Thank you for your business, and thank you for helping me start to realize my photography dreams!