Mother's Day Giveaway!

Not sure what to get your Mom for Mother's Day this year? How bout a totally awesome Organic Bloom photo frame? I've got a really cute one, and it doesn't have a home yet, so Samuel & I decided to do a little giveaway!

Here's what the frame looks like- the size is for an 8x10 photo, the color is called Lilypad:

How to win:

• Email me a photo of your mother (or if you are a mom, yourself) along with one reason your mom (or you) should win! You may want to check with your mom first- I'm not liable if she doesn't want her photo of FB! Deadline for entries is Friday April 29th 2011, 11:59pm.

• Once the photo is uploaded to our Facebook page, suggest our page to your friends & have them "like" our page, then "like" your photo! You have until Friday May 6th 2011 1pm to get votes. The winner will be announced Friday evening!

• The photo with the most "likes" wins!

Rules:

Because you gotta have some rules! Only one entry per household please. Ok, so that's only one rule... I think that's enough!

Baby Corie- 3 weeks new! (Fort Wayne, IN Newborn Photographer)

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this session, as little Miss Corie was older than any newborn I've photographed before. She did such a fabulous job! I still am amused when I look back on the session. Up til now I've had babies that hated being naked, even with a space heater running! Corie seemed to love being naked. She gave us her biggest smiles when she was all cuddled up on the fur, seeming to have the time of her life! Thanks for being such a good sport, Corie, and we hope your family loves these photos! ~Naomi

Naked, and lovin' it!

Does she not have the most gorgeous eyes?!

For all of Corie's photos, please visit our website: www.thekarths.com

31 Blessings

I turned 31 on Wednesday. I've never been one to hide my age. If there is a slight pause when someone asks me how old I am, it is simply because I am trying to recall my age, not because I have anything to hide! Last year, as I approached 30, I told Samuel I didn't want to see the day in with dread, and we proposed the project of coming up with 30 things to be grateful for. It worked so well, I eagerly made my list this week. Not just blessings, but wisdom I'm glad I have, and little mottos I live by. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed coming up with them. ~Naomi

31 blessings...

1. I'm conscious of my health.

2. I understand love on a level my 18 or even 27 year old self couldn't.

3. I don't take that love for granted.

4. Food is no longer my friend.

5. I've learned to actually like exercise.

6. I can finally use massage as a medical necessity.

7. Josh Groban and Michael Buble have got it wrong- real love is way better than a song!

8. I appreciate chocolate on a whole new level.

9. I wake up in the middle of the night, and my best friend is holding me.

10. I don't know a ton about marriage, but I do know enough about Sam to know we're always going to be one of those couples!

11. Never take oranges for granted either.

12. If you don't like something, change it!

13. You're never too old to change!

14. Sexy is totally in your mind.

15. Remission is a wonderful, beautiful word.

16. Going to the theatre is overrated. 

17. My in-laws are wonderful, supportive family, and I'm glad they are in my life.

18. The soundtrack of my life is more beautiful than that of any movie.

19. I know the difference between good friends and great friends.

20. Fear of a task is usually much greater than the actual task.

21. Worry gets you nowhere.

22. Real heroes, like my brothers, are way better than intangible ones.

23. Dreams are necessary to grow.

24. I love what I do.

25. You can never read Jane Eyre too many times.

26. There are many reasons for a good cup of tea.

27. I see the world differently than any one else, and it's a very good thing.

28. The outtakes are sometimes the best moments in life.

29. Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it sure can be fun!

30. My husband is my soul mate, and we have something that is precious and rare.

31. God is real, and He is good.

PS- If you'd like to read about my actual birthday, I wrote about it here.

Laura & Ben- Feb 26th 2011 (Warsaw IN Wedding Photographer)

Weddings are hard to blog.... simply because I cannot just pick 10 photos! I did that for the Sneak Peek, remember?! And believe me, that was hard! So anyway, here goes!

Laura was born to be a bride. She is so gorgeous, and not even a little tiny flurry of snow was going to ruin the perfect day reserved to be Her's! I don't think I've had a bride so calm and collected, at least on the outside. She was so ready to become Mrs Laborde!

A little note of encouragement from her sisters & bridesmaids. Even as she was walking down the aisle I had the chant of "Go Go, Go Laura!" in my head.

 As we were getting ready to head for the first look, I made her stop here because the light and the dress just were perfect for this shot.

Ben and Laura opted to see each other prior to the ceremony, and in her enthusiasm to see Ben, well, she left us in the dust! Ha ha!

Sometimes I don't get to see how good my husband is until after the wedding, when we're sorting and uploading photos. While I was capturing this...

 Samuel totally nailed this shot...

I love Moms with cameras!

I love this cute shot Samuel got of the Mannings waiting their turn for family photos.

 The flower girls were sisters, and such sweet girls. I can see why they are considered family.

Between the photos and the actual ceremony there was some down time, where some definite "chilling out" took place. This shoe shot from Sam captures that pretty well.

 And then it was TIME....

 Ben's father is a pastor, so he performed the ceremony. In addition to being a pastor, he is a genuinely funny guy! Gotta love someone who can make an entire room laugh.

Sometimes a photo really does say it all, ha ha, and here is my proof-

I love the mingling of family after a wedding. Nothing quite shows what a wedding is truly about like two families being brought together and caring for the new couple.

Let's keep the receiving line moooooooving!

Laura trying to sneak her shoes back on before the reception. I couldn't stay in high heels for that long either, so I can hardly blame a bride for ditching them! Besides, it always makes for interesting photos.

Making it official...

 A hug for a new mom and daughter...

Love, love, love this! Think of each of those bubbles as a blessing or hope from your friends and family. You two are so loved, and I hope every time you look at this photo, you remember that!

I probably wasn't the only one, but I was delighted to see that the Getaway Car was purple too! It was a fitting end!

Enjoy your life together- encourage and pray with each other, and don't forget to play as well! Have fun, be well, and always carry that love in your heart. The love that made you stand at the altar and take each other, never to be apart again. ~Naomi

PS~ For all of their photos, go to their gallery on our website! Thanks!