Dakota Family Photo Session

My friend and fellow photographer, Michael Dakota, recently asked me to shoot some photos of him and his four children. Seven years ago, Michael shot my wedding photos - and did an amazing job. He has recently gone through a divorce and doesn't get to spend as much time with his children as he would like. So he asked me to shoot some special photos of all of them together.

The new Ranch proved to be a gorgeous backdrop for the photos.

There is something about this place that is magical and so peaceful. Granted, the fields surrounding the Ranch are now filled with ragweed - which doesn't prove so peaceful for my allergies! But there seems to be an energy here that is soothing and beautiful.

I wanted to post some of my favorite photos from the Dakota session.


This is my favorite from our photo session. The distinct personalities shine through here, and everyone is relaxed in one of the fields at the Ranch


Avery Dakota is naturally a pensive, quiet 11 year old. She didn't know I was shooting this of her sitting in the loft of our barn. I feel this photo captured her essence beautifully


All five in the loft doorway! The thing I LOVE about this shot is the gentle stream of sunlight coming down from the right top corner


Looking down on the Dakotas from the loft


Devin Dakota: blue shirt in the blue flowers. But what I love about this photo is her little brother, Wyatt, behind her playing on our tire swing

Thanks, Michael, for a wonderful photo shoot! Your family is beautiful!

Newest Projects: Functional art from recycled materials

Moving to the new Ranch has given me lots of huge, empty walls to decorate. As a freelance photographer and writer, I'm always looking for fun ways to highlight some of my artwork.

Spawned by a desire to showcase some of my photography pieces, I've started branching out into some new projects lately. They're inexpensive, fun, and best part of all, ecological.

I've been creating functional art from discarded materials.


The new hat rack: provided by Goodwill, $3. Painted and "distressed" by me, priceless. Notice the little dog team

Acrylic paints found at any art supply store make a great medium for refurbishing discarded materials and breathing new life into them. These fast-drying paints clean up easily, are inexpensive, and the bright colors can also be muted by adding water.

Distressing paint gives pieces a unique and weathered look that I love. Distressing is achieved in different ways, but the easiest for me is using a simple piece of finer grain sandpaper.

One favorite thing I love to pick up at garage sales or at the thrift store are old frames. As a photographer, I'm always thinking of unique ways to showcase my work. These old frames, like the one below, are a perfect way to customize and display a favorite photo.


One of my favorite photos of my daughter, customized with a hand-painted frame picked up at a thrift store for $3. Photo matte frames, like these here (within the wood frame) are available at any art supply store

To find out more about Recycled Art, click here. Visit your nearest thrift store or stop at a neighborhood garage sale and get to work on some recycled art yourself. You never know where the possibilities might lead!

Namaste!