April 2012 in review via Instagram!

I'm also obsessed with this girl, named Birdy.  Also it's bikini season. Time to keep skinny thoughts. Right? ha ha

 Sometimes words aren't needed. Just a good melody and photos! I'm obsessed with Instagram. What an amazing invention. Why wasn't I that smart? I'm sure we all were thinking that.  Right?  I love how I got my 2 older sisters using it, so I can follow their lives and watch my 12 nieces and nephews grow via Instagram! How amazing is technology!  I feel like I'm not missing as much. Sigh...


First part was continued from Easter in ABQ, NM where Gretchen, my 2nd oldest sister lives.  As you can see I'm a bit of a holistic health nut, gym rat (when I have time) and a reminiscing soul, kid and sushi lover. (ie wedding pic on what would have been my 5th anniversary April 14th)

I adore my nieces and nephews. I can't wait for OH this August when we all unite for the first time with all 12 nieces and nephews, my 7 siblings and my parents.  It's going to be an Instagram explosion! Be sure to follow me! (ellejphotography)




sister and her family eat very clean and healthy. mostly organic, no crazy chemicals, all natural home made from scratch, no dairy, no refined sugars, no red meats. that's how she rolls, I'm almost dairy free...and well sugar...i'm evolving we'll just say... this meal was amazing. yep that's dairy free sour cream. crazy. I know. yep. that's me 5 yrs ago with dark hair! :) heres a teaser outtake video of my 10 yr old niece Dana and I attempting to sing "A Thousand Yrs" by Christina Perri, together. Love her. We sang it way better, I promise. If you know me, you know I love candid moments in video and stills. When I figure out why I can't upload more than one video I will put more videos in my next posts.

a moment of gratitude and reflection

So I awoke today with a few texts messages telling me how amazingly talented and creative I am with photography.  It seems lately more and more people are telling me these things.  I thank them. I'm so grateful for them.  I smile and always say thank you and how much I appreciate hearing or reading those words,  but inside feel I have yet to even reach my potential, and tap into my own genius.  I still have insecurities. We all do.  I still have many obstacles to leap over.  I have too many goals to accomplish.  Compliments have always been difficult for me to hear, yet I NEED them to press forward.  We all are our own worst critics, right?  I know I'm good, but I desire to be GREAT. I desire to do something amazing and great. We all have greatness inside of us. I desire to continue my search...


These compliments always come at the perfect time. I'm convinced it's by no mistake.  Whenever I feel I've hit a rut and can't move forward or progress or even when I'm in tears feeling I'm ready to throw in the towel and quit altogether and get a "real job." (as sometimes we as artists struggle financially being commission only.) I'm yet again renewed with a new light and energy, telling me to keep going....  


All of these thoughts are provoked from a phone call today from a client, turned friend. I don't have many moments to sit and ponder or reflect upon life or even record it in my journal or blog. They are often in the quiet moments right before falling asleep or upon waking in the morning.  Once I'm out of bed it's "go time" and I'm mentally and physically dragged from project to project, wondering how I will ever keep up, or what project I will complete today and get out the door.  Or how many I will juggle and toggle between as my crazy, yet sometimes, "ADD" mind will take me, driving me insane.  I don't know how those photographer friends of mine with children keep up.  I desire to have children, someday. I have a profound respect for those who do, especially my 2 older sisters, who have 6 kiddos, EACH!  And for those single moms working full time or working their business, like me, with photography, my hat's off to you. I understand though the simple art or fact of when we are given more responsibility, we can accomplish more. Going back to High School days, when I was in sports, and had a part time job, and had homework and practices, and chores at home, church and church callings and activities, and also find time to spend with family, etc....life is busy. The busier we are, the busier we get.  So I'm taking a moment to reflect and write, which is also one of my loves along with singing and song writing. Someday I'll be brave enough to share, someday. For now, a personal blog where I get raw and real, is stepping outside of my comfort zone, because again, I DESIRE to GROW!


I'm in SUCH an amazing place in my life right now. I'm shifting.  And this will translate in all areas of my life, especially my photography.  I love how life reflects back at us in what we do and where we are, and for me, it's in my photography.  It shows and sometimes big time.  But maybe it's just me who can see it.  I've had to look back through the archives of my past work to find images for past clients recently, that they lost or need for a new project, or simply would like to order more.  I can see my shifting and my transitions in life, just by looking back.  I don't like to look back often, but sometimes it's nice to see how far we, in fact, have come. On a personal note, I've been looking back for far too long. Almost longing to BE back, because I know it's comfortable and I know what to expect.  I learned a long time ago on my mission to Bilbao, Spain, that the only growth we can have in life is found OUTSIDE of our comfort zone.  I'm beginning to dip my toe in the waters of uncertainty and I'm moving forward outside of my comfort zone, knowing He will catch me and lead me to my greatness and my mission I have yet to accomplish in this life.  I desire to have impact. I desire to influence, through who I am as a person and also through my work and my art.  I've been told a lot lately along with being an amazing Photographer, that I have a dynamic and influential personality.  That makes me feel quite uncomfortable, which means an opportunity for growth, right?  I'm beginning to see it now.  With having a gift, we must share it.  I've been given SO many wonderful gifts in life and I do know, more than ever, that I do need to share those gifts and they don't start and end with Photography, but they only just begin.


I've lacked the faith needed (for many years now) that there IS better and the BEST is YET to be for me, in many areas of my life.  I believe it now.  I know the best IS yet to be and I'm thrilled.  I look around and see the "winds of change" taking place and I welcome it with open arms. 


This amazing and very uplifting pep talk of a conversation got me thinking and pondering life. I thought I'd share.  Because when we are grateful for what we have, then and only then, can we attract more of it, into our lives.  I'm so beyond blessed and grateful to do what I do. I get to connect with people at the most amazing times of their lives and feel uplifted by so many of my clients, and it becomes a mutually uplifting experience for us both.  I feel I attract the best of the best and those meant to touch me in a way no other can. Photography is more than just taking your picture, it's a connection that reaches far beyond the end of the lens...I'm grateful for the people photography has brought into my life and will yet bring into my life, as I transform and attract even more amazing goodness. Thanks for the emails, texts, and phone calls cheering me on daily. Your words of encouragement and compliments mean far more to me, than you'll ever know. I'm blessed! The best, my best, IS yet to be, so I invite you to tag along...


This song resonates with me still.  It sparked the name of this blog back last year when I decided to start it.  I'm falling in love with ME for the first time and my life. I'm evolving. And it's grande. Evolve with me....e 

"stalkers welcome"  Follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovelyejs or Twitter: www.twitter.com/lovelyejs and now on www.Pinterest.com/ellejphoto  or Instagram: ellejphotography!