winter blues

Does anyone else suffer from a little January blues? Last year at this time I was in Maui with Joe, falling in love with a place that was simply magical, and where I cannot wait to go back. Today, I'm dealing with a 6-year-old who hopefully is wrapping up her fourth day with a fever and nasty cold, and a 4-year-old who may have a urinary tract infection. Funny thing is, the lack of season we are having is getting to me . . . if I can't be in a summer dress on my deck with my face turned toward the sun, I would prefer some snow, please and thank you :)

In my downtime, I am having fun scrolling through photos I don't take the time to revisit after they get on my computer. I came across a series I took last summer of the shorties, and while I started off trying to get them to stand and smile for me, Joe snuck up behind me and demonstrated some poses. Here you have it . . .



I know spring is right around the corner and I'll be dreaming about these lazy winter days soon . . . Happy Tuesday all! Stay healthy!

lyndsey and doug are engaged!

This past 2011 I had great intentions of blogging everything, and then Facebook's business page came along and distracted me ;) I've realized people still do enjoy a good blog post . . . so here is a way to get back on track with miss Lyndsey and Doug, one of my beautiful couples of 2012 who are getting married this July. We had a wonderful time shooting out in Churchill on a beautiful, slightly breezy evening . . . I've loved keeping in touch with them and developing a wonderful relationship and friendship . . . it makes being a part of the wedding so much more enjoyable!











I love this photo . . . the "walk and talk" :) No one knows what to do so they just start giggling and bam, we have a candid moment!







Beautiful bride!







Congratulations to you two - as a newly engaged woman myself, I know how incredible this time is, and how strong the love feels. I can't wait to see you both on the big day! Much love :)

2011 reflections: weddings

I truly loved the way my photography business unfolded this year . . . coming off of a burnt-out year of shooting too many weddings, I redirected what I wanted, how I marketed myself, and ended up committing to the perfect amount of couples. I enjoyed every weekend behind the camera, and finally was able to squeeze in a few weekends for leisure as well. Happy 2011 to all of you - thank you for making it so wonderful!

In no particular order, my beautiful 2011 couples . . .





































2012 will bring amazingness, I know! Lots of wonderful plans are in the works with new lenses, the use of a little bit more texture, incorporating the landscape more, and working more closely with the amazing vendors we have in southwest Montana . . . Happy Day to all!

engaged: me!

What an amazing way to end the 2011 year . . . on December 29th, in front of my best friends and their spouses, Joe got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Me and the shorties, all three of us, will you spend the rest of your life with me? I am floating on Cloud Nine . . . here is my story because I know you are dying to know : )

We had plans to go to our favorite Italian restaurant, Damascos, for about a month, along with the rest of the Assets and their spouses. We were going to celebrate my birthday, which was on the 31st, and the birthday of Elsa, which was on the 20th. I bought a new dress, done my hair up real good, and enjoyed a wonderful evening of food, wine and my most fabulous company. We had plans after dinner to all come back to our house for drinks and to exchange Christmas and birthday gifts. After opening beautiful, beautiful gifts from my incredible girlfriends, Angela decided it would be fun to start a round of TableTopics, which are these adorable cards with one question on each card that gets conversation stirring among the group . . .

When it was my turn to go, I went to grab a card from the middle of the deck, and Miss Angela, the Asset Joe called upon to help play this out, was very quick to throw her hand over mine and tell me that I had to pick the next card in the set. Whoa, Nelly, excuuuuuuse me. I reached for the next card, which read "If you could ask anyone in the room one question, what would it be?" I know I asked someone something, and then they asked someone something, and then it came to be Joe's turn. I was in the kitchen, and he was standing on the other side of the bar. In some sort of variation of words, he said, Well, I would ask Mo. If I could ask you one question . . . and he slowly walks around the corner into the kitchen . . . it would be . . . pulls out the most amazing ring I have ever seen . . . will you do the honor of spending the rest of your life with me?

And let the sob story begin - I thought he was joking. I lost my breath, and I think I even lost my mind for a few minutes as I rambled on and on about how thank God I had painted my nails, how I thought I was going to throw up, how no one has ever asked me to spend the rest of their life with them before . . . it was truly the most amazing moment I've experienced (next to childbirth, of course). And I became completely enthralled with staring at my ring as much as possible, not just because it is so incredibly beautiful, but because it symbolized the effort, time and funds he has invested to give me something so amazing to ask me something so amazing. He has been planning this for the last five months, sick to his stomach with anxiety and being secretive. And I can happily say that I had absolutely no idea, which thrills him to no end . . .

And now, we have a lovely little wedding to plan for late in the summer, which will we share with our closest friends and family. When he asked me what I wanted out of a wedding, it was just that - small, our closest, in a beautiful place, with incredible food, that everyone sits down at a beautifully set table, and our favorite music plays all night long. It is becoming extremely fun to plan this, I might add. I have a whole new excitement for my own brides!

So there's the story in a nutshell . . . I'm sure a whole new section of posts will emerge as we plan the celebration of this day, but that makes it all the more fun for friends and clients to be a part of this with us. We could not be more blessed or happy. Most of the photos from that portion of the night were taken on cell phones, but I promise to share lots and lots . . . we plan on doing an engagement shoot with Lauren very, very soon!

Happy, Happy New Year to you all, and may amazing things happen in 2012 for all of us!

2011 reflections: personal

The original title of this post was 2011 reflections: weddings . . . and it was going to be filled with my favorite images from my wonderful couples of this past year. But I have been diverted. And when I went to write what was on my mind on Facebook, I realized it was far too much, and too long, and so here I am . . . my reflections of a beautiful, inspired, frustrating, amazing year . . . here is what I have learned.

Coming off a night of deep business reflections, the most important thing I know, that I need to remind myself of each and everyday, whether it is a note on my bathroom mirror, or a stamp on my forehead, is that happiness can only be found in the present moment. I am a worrier, I am a planner, and I take things far too personally. I also have a tendency to snowball my thoughts, make assumptions, and react as if what I am thinking about or fearing is actually happening. And I beat my fists and I cry and I get weird looks from Joe and I know in my heart I am being a bit dramatic, but I do it anyway. And in the morning, I wake up and I think, you know better than that. But in the present moment - in the true present moment - all is usually quite well. My children are beautiful and healthy. My partner is supportive, funny and makes me incredibly happy. My friends have been and would be there for me at the drop of a hat. There is money in the bank to keep us warm, fed and clothed, although I wish I could erase the day I was introduced to a pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes . . . in this very moment, life is wonderful.

The biggest business lesson I have learned, as this year comes to an end, is that we are all in this to succeed . . . for some, success comes in the form of seeing a photograph you took in the pages of Martha Stewart Magazine. For some, success comes in the form of simply earning enough money to pay the bills. For me, my own personal success needs to simply be happiness, to be honest with myself about what that means, and to then surround myself with the vendors and clients that help me achieve just that.

I wish you all a beautiful, happy new year, filled with everything you've ever wanted. Take 2012 one day at a time . . . and in each of those days, choose happiness. Choose to be kind, grateful and patient. Choose to be loving and generous. Choose to speak positively. Do not make assumptions. Do not make judgments. Dismiss those who do not support you. Savor every bite, and savor every sip. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Leanne and Brian are married!

Leanne and Brian are a beautiful couple who traveled to Montana this past July for a lovely little wedding celebration at The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon. Leanne traveled from Canada and Brian from Texas and they are now all settled in in sunny California . . . their families were kind, generous and wonderful to spend my day with!

Leanne's dress was stunning . . . by far one of my favorites of the wedding season!



The shoes were a wonderful idea - simple, white peep-toe pumps with these darling little flower clip-ons. They are quite popular right now, and they give you more uses for a pair of shoes than just your wedding day!





Dressed and beautiful!



The boys weren't bad themselves . . .







Married!



They were all smiles . . .







Some details of the part-ay!



I am going to leave you with the happy couple enjoying a dance . . . click here for the slideshow to see all the fabulous candid moments from their reception! Congratulations Leanne and Brian!

valentine's day boudoir special!

Trust me, ladies, he does not want a tie . . . ;)



The holidays are almost here, and while everyone's mind is on what to give in honor of St. Nick, start getting excited about what to give in honor of St. Valentine! It's time to think about scheduling a boudoir session, and my gift to YOU is $50.00 off my standard boudoir package!







Here's what you get:

- a 1 to 1 1/2 hour session with unlimited clothing changes/options (most girls do 3-4)
- a DVD of the images, edited
- an 8 x 8 genuine leather bound album with 25-30 images of your choice
- unlimited white wine or champagne to get you through the shoot if you need a little help ;)
- $250.00 flat rate price due at the time of the shoot covers it all!





I can't thank these beautiful girls featured here enough for allowing me to post some fresh boudoir images from recent shoots . . . we have some plans in the works for creating a whole new ambiance for future shoots and I can't wait to share it with you!



The last day of shoots I can guarantee your album by Valentine's Day delivery is Saturday, January 28, 2012. Email me at morganlamare@gmail.com to schedule today . . .

Happy Thursday!