I have to share! I got this from Jasmine Star's blog, and I think I've watched it 20 times.



The part I love..."Is this forever?" Don't we all think that at one time or another?

Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can break your heart.

"You're over-reacting." "Don't let it get to you." "Don't add to the drama." "Let it go, you're taking the whole thing too seriously." "Focus on what's important."

I find myself offering this advice to my oldest daughter quite frequently, usually late at night as we sit in her room, quitely discussing the latest drama-filled incident of her teenage life. Name calling, secrets, catty remarks - the soap opera of high school is real, but girls at this age are, and always have been, superb at inflating whatever was said into World War III. The possibility of letting it go is as unrealisitc as flapping your arms and taking flight. Not gonna happen.

I believe that hormones are to blame (I blame hormones on EVERYTHING in life) and I am so happy to be past all of the angst, drama and agony of those years.

Well, I thought I was past it.

Someone called me ignorant recently. IGNORANT. Dumb, uninformed, stupid, not smart. And I wasn't even talking to her! Or about her!

Do I sound like a high-school drama-queen yet? I feel like one, but I can't get over that word. I keep dreaming about it, and think about it in the car and in the shower. Nevermind that the person who called me that is, well, apparently not the sharpest...no, no no, I'm not calling anyone names. That would be STOOPING TO HER LEVEL, and I'm above that.

She has her own blog, you can check it out at http://mi...oops, I was THIS close to being a catty B. Not gonna do it. I want to, though. OH HOW I WANT TO. But then what will I say to my daughter the next time she is in the middle of something similar?

Forget it! I know what I'll say..."Egg her house, that'll teach her! No, have everyone you know write awful comments about her on her blog, where everyone else will see them and know that she is a bad, bad person. Make her sorry, make her wish she had never been born. Start a rumour about her. Put ink in her shampoo bottle. Slash her tires. Get her, GET HER GOOD!!!!!!!!"

Well, I do feel better :), although a bit passive/aggressive, and of course I'm not going to do any of those things. I don't roll like that. But I do think there is a lesson to be gained from all this, and what I've learned is this:

It really hurts when someone calls you names. Stick and stones, my ass. Name calling and girl-drama is real, and the next time D is hurting over something someone said about her, or to her, I'll be more sensitive. I won't roll my eyes at her or tell her to "get over it."

My best advice? Learn something from it, and grow. That is all we can do.

Of course, writing about it on your blog helps, too. I totally recommend that!

Callie Anne Rader

Earlier this week, I photographed the graveside memorial service for Callie Anne Rader. She was enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged.

I was asked by her family members to photograph it so that her three sons would have something to remember her by-that she was loved and respected and proudly served her country.

There is a lot that I could say about that morning, but the images speak for themselves.

Ashley: Senior Session

Days like yesterday are why I love what I do so much. The setting: Gruene, Tx. The weather: Sunny, a few clouds, and absolutely perfect. The reason for the shoot: Senior photos of one of the most gorgeous girls I've ever met.

Ashley arrived for her shoot with her mom and a friend, deeply engrossed in a game that I can only call "Think of Every Word You Have Ever Heard of That Begins With the Letter 'C." You wouldn't believe some of the words these girls came up with, one right after the other, keeping them giggling and thoughtful and completly engrossed in outdoing each other for hours on end. Continue, cataclysmic, constellation, Capricorn, clarify. Even I joined in after a while, although my first contribution was a lame one-camera. Eventually, though, I scored a response of "good one!" The problem is that I can't seem to stop playing.

Create, changeling, color, colorize, chloroform, complete, completly, crystal, can't anyone cause me to cease? This is completly crazy!

Inspite of the silliness, or more likely because of it, the shoot was a dream job-effortless and fun. Ashley wanted natural images, nothing too posed or contrived, and I think we got exactly that.












And now the best part...in a few weeks I will be photographing Ashley again, along with the rest of her family. I am simply overcome with excitement. Pinch me!

Tutu Cute Mini Sessions!

Spring is just around the corner, which means that it's time to start thinking about outdoor portrait sessions for the little ones in your life. I have a couple of mini-sessions planned for the next few weeks, which means big savings on the cost of your session.

First up are the Tutu Cute Minis, which will take place at a local park on Sunday, March 8, with both morning and late afternoon time slots available.

My friend good friend Donna and her daughter Brittany are making the tutus by hand, so you can specify the size and color that you prefer, and your daughter gets to keep it at the end of the session!

The cost will be $200, which includes the session fee, CD of images and of course the fluffy little tutu. The session will last one hour, which is the perfect amount of time for up to two girls.

I have already booked half of the available slots, so if you are interested then you should act fast!

I plan to do a Gone Fishing session for boys soon after this one, dates and details will be announced soon.

Call me at 602-1490 or email Leah@EverAfterbyLeah.com for more information or to reserve a spot.

I was surprised this morning to discover that I won an award! Check it out...

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Ever After Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Ever After Photography is one of the very best wedding photographers.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”



I would like to thank each of my past clients for speaking on my behalf and helping me win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award! You guys are the best!!