Saving Gracie: update
Remember my friend and animal crusader Carol Bradley? The Great Falls author’s new book is for sale on amazon.com and now there is a video featuring Carol.
In the video, Carol talks about why it’s crucial to raise awareness about puppy mills and shares photos of Gracie and those who helped save her. Please take a couple of minutes to listen to her story by clicking here.
I’m so proud of you, Carol!!!
Posted in announcements
Ali
I could give Ali several titles: “assistant,” “second shooter,” “album designer extraordinaire.” But my favorite is: friend.
Last year was a crazy year to say the least….and she joined our team in the nick of time! Ali starting working with us in the midst of 14 weddings (with 4 out of town and 2 out of state), my husband Matt leaving for 5 months, album orders up the ying yang, a huge commercial project and making final plans for our downtown studio space. For the first time since I launched this business nearly 3 years ago, I am caught up!!!!!!! And that’s due to Ali and her excellent work ethic. She is prompt…so prompt that sometimes she needs to wake me up! Ha! She is fast…so fast that she finishes album designs, orders and special projects before I even ask about them. She is friendly…so friendly that she dropped off all of our last-minute Christmas orders at clients’ homes! She is thoughtful…so thoughtful that she knows my latte drink by heart and randomly brings me homemade scones (I DO NOT ASK HER TO DO THIS!). And last but not least, Ali is a talented photographer. She shoots all weddings with me and her style complements mine perfectly and naturally. Ali studied commercial and food photography, so her candid and detail shots are stunning.
SOMEONE PINCH ME!!!!! Honestly Ali - you’re a dream come true. Matt and I are blessed to have you on our team.
The next set was taken with my brand new tilt-shift lens.
This may be my fave! Ali was workin’ it!!!
There was still a bed frame in this incredible old, abandoned home.
There’s the bed frame…see it???
You’re beautiful, Ali! Thank you for asking me to take new portraits of you and for EVERYTHING else!
Posted in announcements, business, portraits
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Three CHEERS for you Ali!
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oh wow.. these are BEAUTIFUL!!! seriously… this is the perfect promotional shoot. i would take any/all of these photos ANY day for myself. love them…
~S -
WOW! She is stunning! Completely STUNNING!
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Your the bomb!!!! I love everything you post and I love it when you post pics b/c I love to stalk your blog!!! XoXo, Brandi
Sub-zero temps, roof-climbing, drool, muddy shoes, a first crush at the age of 3, two wiener dogs + a Golden later…
The Frey Family
Stacy + Mike
Stephanie
The Bleskin Family (remember Gunnar???)
Haley
The Tokerud Family
Suzette
The Skinner Family
Ali
Lindsey + Jason
Ameya
More on the way!
Posted in announcements, families, portraits
Birthday Sale
Every birthday is a reason to celebrate. I’m not saying I need a big ol’ birthday cake or song n’ dance every time I turn one year older, but it is a day I thoroughly soak in. My birthday was yesterday and it was exactly what I wanted: relaxing. I slept in, woke up to Matt making Swedish pancakes, went hiking at Sluice Boxes with Matt, Duncan and Boerne, then ate dinner with the Harants at Maple Garden for the best Korean food in town!
To continue my celebration, I’m having a huge sale for YOU — 32% off all prints for an entire week. If your gallery is active, order away! If your gallery is expired, I already reactivated it. If you’d like to meet in person to place your order, I have a few open spots left this week…just shoot me an email and we’ll coordinate. Happy ordering! 
Yep, that’s me celebrating…28 years ago.
Posted in announcements, personal
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If you’re going to tell us how old the photo is, at least clone the candles out so we can’t do the math! Happy Birthday, Cindy!
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Happy Birthday Cin! This is such a cute photo and you even have bangs again!
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Happy Birthday to you (just a little late)!
Sounds like it wasa great day! -
Hahaha! Happy Birthday, Cin (a couple days late)! Is that a Snow White cake? LOVE it!
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Cin, I absolutely love this picture of you and it totally makes me smile!!! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!!! Miss ya!
When I looked out the window this morning…
…I knew it was going to be a beautiful day.
Posted in personal
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Wowee wow wow! That’s some serious sunrise! Almost makes me want to be in frozen Great Falls…especially since I’m looking out at a whole lot of Seattle rain.
Beautiful shot Cindy! -
I miss Great Falls! I just don’t get the same sunrises in the greater Seattle area during the winter…most of the time it’s gray.
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Pretty crazy, isn’t it? And I promise, the only thing I did in Photoshop was sharpen it a tad! It was insanely bright and colorful around 7:30 a.m. I have to get up early again…so I’ll see if it looks amazing tomorrow morning. If so, I’ll take another picture!
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my Big Sky! love it!
Life & Joy
I’ve been daydreaming about what to write in my first post of 2010 (yes, I actually daydream about this blog) and it finally hit me during the holidays. My realization came while I was catching up with my college girlfriends down in Texas. We were having dinner and talking about what all of our friends are up to nowadays. That’s when my old roommate Kristi asked if anybody knew what was going on with my college sweetheart Joel. My answer is something that’s transformed my view on life.
Back in April, I got a phone call from Joel’s sister who had grave news: their mom was dying with breast cancer and she didn’t have much time left. I was stunned, saddened to the core and shaking with sobs.
Through thick tears, I told Matt what I had just learned. Being the incredibly sensitive, caring and supportive husband that he is, I expected him to hold me and assure me that everything was going to be OK. But what he said made me cry even harder. Matt asked if she was a person whose funeral I would attend. I said yes, and he responded: “Then why wait for a funeral? Let’s go see her while she’s alive.”
We packed up the car, programmed our trusty GPS and drove 12 hours to Blunt, South Dakota. We didn’t know what to bring, what we were going to say or what to expect. We simply went with open hearts and, it may sound a bit strange, but excitement. Excitement to see old friends and have Matt meet people who made a huge impact on my life.
When we arrived, we were welcomed with huge hellos and hugs. It’s amazing how natural it feels to reunite with certain friends as if no time had passed. After I introduced Matt to everyone, I was ready to see Joel’s mom. Her name is Joy and she fits her name to a T. I’ve honestly never seen her without a radiant smile on her face.
Joel’s family decided that our visit should be a surprise for Joy, so they didn’t tell her that we were on our way! So when I walked into her bedroom, Joy’s face completely lit up with shock and happiness. Joy’s reaction alone made my heart swell up. To tell you the truth, I had been afraid to see someone I cared for in that much pain. I was scared to see someone who I knew was dying. I was so nervous, in fact, that I almost didn’t make the trip. But at that moment, I instantly knew that I never wanted to be scared of death (or life for that matter) again.
Matt and I spent exactly 20 hours at their house. Those 20 hours completely rocked my soul and filled my mind with amazing memories, which I’ll share below. I did not take photos of Joy, as I wanted to remember her as the healthy, laughing and joyful person she was. What I did take photos of are Joy’s hometown: a place where she was born, made life-long friends, married her husband, and, after traveling around the country for decades, returned to for her last days.
By the way she lived, Joy taught those around her the important values of life: laugh out loud, be color blind to people, share your love of the Lord, be honest (sometimes a little too honest!), travel to see the people you love, kick off your shoes and dance.
And she doesn’t even realize it, but Joy taught me to not be afraid of death. Her smile, peacefulness and jokes remained with her until the very end of her life. Without a doubt, Heaven is a more joyful place now.
I’ll leave you with words I’ll never forget from my last conversation with her, as well as images from her quaint, sweet town of Blunt.
ME: “Isn’t it amazing that Joel is a lawyer now? I bet you are so proud…”
JOY: “No. I’m not proud that he’s become a lawyer. But I am proud of the person he’s become.”
Here are my Blunt tour guides, Joy’s daughter Char and granddaughter Tiare. They drove me around town telling stories about Joy and their family. It was such an incredibly touching way to learn more about Joy’s life, as well as a beautiful way to heal our hearts during such a sad time.
Hundreds of cards were hanging throughout their house. They were on the walls, shelves, cupboards…everywhere. Joy was a teacher and impacted countless childrens’ lives. Now, Char is a teacher and doing the same! She had her students make Joy cards, which were beyond sweet.
We LOVE you, Joy!!! Thank you for being such a ray of sunshine in our lives!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugging you was the highlight of my 2009.
Posted in personal
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what a beautiful (blurred thru tears) story… and what a lesson. matt… you’re a smart guy
hugs to you cindy…xoxo ~S
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How incredibly sweet. Cindy–you no doubt have a keeper. What a guy. And what a blessing to have had that experience!
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Cindy, THANK YOU. This is amazing and brought tears to my eyes and a HUGE smile to my face. You’ll never know just how much that meant to my Grandma and the rest of our family. She talked about you and Matt for days and loved looking at the flowers you sent afterwards.. Thank you (and Matt!) for being that same ray of sunshine for her..and all of us!
Love you! -
Now I’m friggin’ sitting at my desk with tears in my eye. Thanks, Cindy!
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Wow, Cindy, Thanks for the thoughts and the time you gave to my mom, my family and in doing this…
Case -
I knew I shouldn’t have read this during school!!! It’s beautiful Cindy - the pictures, the writing… as you are and Matt. Words can never say how much the trip you made meant to all of us as well. Cherished time of my life. Love you both.
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Cindy,
I don’t know you - I wish I did. I am one of Joy’s nieces and one of the many many people she touched. Every day I look out the windows of my log home I am thankful that Joy helped us pick out this beautiful piece of property. I love her and miss her so much, however we are all lucky that she has such an incredible family that will carry on with her legacies and keep her memories alive!! Thanks for this beautiful “joyful” work of art!!
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Well CIn, you’ve done it again: Brought tears to your bloggers eyes (including mine). Impacted a family’s life. Captured beautiful portraits. Gone out on a limb. Displayed more of your husband’s star qualities. Shown us your beauty. What a wonderful way to share JOY. You are right, I can’t think of a single time when I saw her w/o that HUGE wonderful smile. Talk to ya soon. xoxo
p.s. Love the pics of Tiare and Char. -
Thanks Cin…this was amazing! I knew you had gone down there but reading your story just made my heart stop. You are such an amazing person and you brighten so many peoples lives! Knowing what a great person Joel is I’m sure his mom was even more amazing! I can just imagine how excited and happy she was to see you! Thank you for reminding me what’s important in life. I miss you!!!
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Cin…i can’t stop crying, this is definitely the most beautiful blog you’ve ever written. Joy was an amazing women & I know she had so much impact on soooo many lives. We all miss her tremendously but we know she is looking over all of us in Heaven. The entire Cook family is so amazing!! I’m so happy that you & Matt were able to make the trip to see Joy & the fam. You know that meant the WORLD to all of them Cin. Your words & your pictures you took in Blunt & the old ones you poasted are beautiful Cin. I love you Big sis…Miss & Love you all!! xo, Jess
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tears are streaming down my face as i type. you rock cindy!!!! xoxoxo
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Had to read your blog again this morning…your words Cin are just so touching and moving…and as you can imagine Cin, i’m crying my eyes out…everyone’s comments are just so thoughtful & made me cry even more. I am also so fortunate that I got to know this amazing women & the entire Cook family!! I am also proud of the man Joely has become!! I’m thankful that I got to spend some time w/the Cook family this past summer in Anchorage @ Steph’s wedding!! GOOD TIMES!
Cin, you are simply an amazing person and I’m the luckiest person in the whole wide world b/c YOU are my sister & that Matt is my brother in law!! Love you, jess -
Hey Cin just thought i would stop by your blog since Jess said you’d updated it with a great new post. All i can say is Wow. im sure that meant so much to her. I will never forget going through that with my mother, and what it was like once we lost her to have Jess and Jos fly in from across the country to stand by my side. Knowing that people care really makes all the difference when you are dealing with something like that. I love what you said about not taking pictures because you wanted to remember her as the healthy and fun person that she once was.. I have a hard time looking back at the pictures of my mom in her last few months fighting her breast cancer.. but love looking at the pics of her having a blast with her best friends.. camping in Alaska.. going out on the boat in Florida.. Cin thats what makes what you do so special.. providing memories.
Joel and Char– im so very sorry to hear about your loss.. (Char you still look the same by the way! LOOKIN GREAT!)
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Cin you have me crying my eyes out in the middle of the afternoon! One of the scariest things is losing those special people in our lives, but you have gracefully preserved Joy’s beautiful life, memories & legacy through your powerful words & photographs. Even though I never met Joy, you have made a lasting impression about her beauty & her beautiful life in my mind. AND you have a wonderful husband, what a graceful & loving way to let you say goodbye. Love you Cin & my prayers are with you & Joel’s family!
xoxoxo ~Stacey -
Cindy,
This is beautiful on so many levels! I am sitting here thinking on how amazing God is and how things in our lives come full circle when we least expect them too. I love you and am so glad you did what so many of us only wish we did when someone we love is dying. -
Cindy, You have an amazing heart and you have touched mine. Without even having a picture of Joy, you made her come to life with your words and pictures. Thank you for sharing with us…truly an inspiring and uplifting way to start the new year. God bless Joy, her family all of those who make it a beautiful world (you).
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WHAT A GREAT BLOG CIN. YOU ARE ONE IN A MILLION. SO GLAD YOU AND MATT HAD THAT TIME WITH JOEL’S FAMILY. YOU ALWAYS HAD SUCH GREAT STORIES ABOUT THEM ALL. BY THE SOUNDS OF IT, JOY WILL FOREVER LEAVE A HAPPY MARK AND MEMORIES WITH SO MANY PEOPLE. SOUNDS LIKE SHE COULD BRING A SMILE TO ONES FACE JUST LIKE JOEL ALWAYS DOES… HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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This is exactly what you were put on this Earth to do…touch people’s hearts by shining on all that you come across. This is one of your most beautiful posts ever because you have exposed every piece of that amazing heart of yours! I LOVED reading all the notes from Joy’s family. You are a healer with that camera in your hands…reflecting back all the joy you bring to individual’s lives. I am blessed to have you in my life. I am continually in awe of your beauty:) Love, K
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THis is beyond touching. What an incredible peace you must have knowing where she is and WHo she is with
Susie (friend of Amber’s) -
It has been awhile since I have blog stalked and when I read this latest…I started to cry reading it to my kids…they looked at me like I was crazy since I don’t even know Joy or her family…but it reminded me of the friends I didn’t go visit while they were sick…and it broke my heart all over again…Way to know what to do Matt. So glad you had such an awesome and memorable visit.
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Cindy, You do such amazing things with your photography. The world is a better place with you in it!
Not a creature was stirring…
not even a mouse Matt.
Wishing you and your loved ones the Merriest Christmas ever!!!
*This was taken last night in Minneapolis, where we spent time with Matt’s family. We flew out this morning and just arrived in San Antonio to spend Christmas with my family! I hope you are surrounded by your family and friends celebrating with food…games…stories…and the gifts that really matter. xoxo
Posted in personal
Chloe
This funny/hyper/linebacker bulldog belongs to the adorable snowy kids in the post below. I just HAD to share her cute furry face with you. The last time I saw Chloe was last year when she was just a puppy.
More to come. I’m still thawing out from today’s awesome shoot with the Bleskin Family!
This year…
Last year…
Posted in families
Thanks, Cindy, for passing the word. Less than a month till Pub Date.
You’re the best!
can’t wait to check her book out!! We need more people like Carol in the world!!
xoxo