It has been so very long since I posted any photos of my OWN children…. so wanted to share some recent ones I have taken.

I saw this idea on Pinterest so I can’t take credit for it, but I was so excited to recreate it with my own little guy!

Fall isn’t complete without a trip to the Pumpkin Patch…

And a few of my “models” for our mini session run through….

Hope that gave you a few smiles this evening!

I am so excited to be starting up vendor spotlights features again. And who doesnt love a good giveaway? I am going to feature a mix of local vendors and Etsy sellers so that there is something for everyone- clients, friends, photographers!

To kick off the giveaways I am super thrilled to feature a dear friend of mine, who is also my personal trainer. (And life coach!) Alana Gurley of Alana Gurley Personal Training offers both in home personal training sessions as well as sessions at Evolve Pilates and Fitness. Alana has assisted me in making some really positive changes in my life and I think she is so amazing at what she does that we are offering the opportunity for a few lucky blog followers to get to experience her services for free. A little about Alana.…

Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m married to my high school sweetheart. We have 2 kids, ages 5 and 3. They keep us both very busy. When I’m not training, I do a lot of cooking. We are big on healthy eating, so a lot of time is spent in the kitchen. I love shopping, doing arts and crafts with my kids, hosting parties….mostly just the normal wife & mom stuff.

- What got you started in your business?
After having my second child, I decided I had been sedentary long enough. I was tired of being over weight, out of shape & drained of energy. I started working out on my own, a few months later I hired a trainer & pretty soon I had reached my goal. I loved the way exercise made me feel. I stopped seeing exercise as something I had do, but rather something I looked forward to. I didn’t dread it anymore, I loved it! Through my own weight loss journey, I developed a passion for training. I wanted to help other people change their bodies, minds & lifestyles.

I think that sounds like a lot of ladies that I know! What is so awesome about working out with you Alana is that you have been there and know what it like to have had kids and not feel great about your post baby body! Seeing the changes you have made in your life and how you have gotten yourself into shape is such an inspiration!

I have to share this before and after picture of Alana because she looks so great!!

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have three things what would they be?
Lipgloss, my ipod and a bathing suit!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still happy & healthy, continuing to be very involved with my kids. I hope to still be partnering with Evolve Pilates & Fitness, helping their business grow and helping people get and stay healthy. I plan to speciaize in a few areas of fitness. I hope to have completed my studies by then.

Tell us about what you are giving away:
I’m giving away 3 personal training sessions! 2 private, one-on-one sessions and 1 small group workout. This will also include an assessment and evaluation. Two other blog readers will also win a complimentary spot in a small group workout.

This past week I photographed some of Alana’s Small Group workout and I can’t wait to share some of the photos this week on the blog!

You have FIVE chances to win this giveaway! Once you do the following please leave a comment on this blog telling me which you did. Each item can be a separate comment so you have more chances to win! Please note that only blog comments will be entered to win. Facebook comments will not be counted. Please note that these sessions will take place in Gainesville, FL.

1. Check out Alana’s website for Alana Gurley Personal Training. Leave a comment below with your favorite part of her website.
2. Head on over to Alana Gurley Personal Fitness on Facebook and LIKE her page. Leave a comment saying you did!
3. Be sure to LIKE Sweet Serendipity Photography on Facebook. If you are already a fan make sure to comment and let me know!
4. Comment here and tell us why you would like to win the personal training sessions!
5. Share this link on Facebook or Twitter and let me know you shared!

The giveaway will end Thursday, September 15th at 11:59 PM. The winner will be announced Friday on the blog!

And for those of you who are interested in a personal training session with Alana I have some VIP discount cards for some great deals on sessions! Send me an email at info@sweetserendipityphotography.com and I can get one for you! The first person to book a package of three personal training sessions with Alana will receive a complimentary t shirt with the slogan “Strong is the New Skinny.”

I’m blogging from vacation on Fort Myers Beach! Last evening we took the kids outside for the FASTEST photo shoot ever in an effort to beat the thunderstorms. Here are a few quick favorites!

I am so very, very excited to introduce you to Sweet Serendipity Photography’s newest team member. Adrianna is an aspiring photographer who has come on board as my new intern for the Summer and Fall of 2011. She shoots a Nikon D700 (I’ll forgive her for that one!) and loves everything to do with babies and weddings. It has been so wonderful having her around at sessions and weddings and I can’t wait for you all to meet her.

While at Flagler Beach a few weeks ago for a family session we took about 5 minutes to snap some quick photos of her. Isn’t she adorable?!

So lucky to have you on board Adrianna! Thanks for letting me feature you on the blog!

This was by far the craziest weekend that I have ever experienced! It started Thursday with a trip over to Saint Augustine for a large family session for some very dear clients, then back to Gainesville to pick up my friend Brie from Brie Homer Photography. Brie came for a working vacation this weekend- I had three weddings in four days and she was nice enough to come second shoot for me!

Friday was Ashley and Jeremy’s wedding at Parkview Baptist Church and the Best Western Gateway Grand. Saturday Olivia and John were married at the Thomas Center in Downtown Gainesville, then Sunday we got to rest! Monday morning we were up bright and early for Mallori and Dan’s wedding at Sweetwater Branch Inn.

This weekend would not have been possible without the help of an awesome team! We were joined by my intern Adrianna on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Saturday and Monday Misty also helped us out and it is oh so much appreciated!

The next few weeks will be filled with many, many sneak peeks! I am so excited to share these images!

And what would a day off be without a mini photo session? Sunday the light was just so gorgeous that I had to take advantage of it for some headshots of Brie!

I also took advantage of having Brie around to tackle Nicholas’ 6 month photos. Yup- he is SIX MONTHS! Here are two favorites from our quickie session.

And of course we had to get one with big sister!

So hard to actually say this…. but my little girl turns FOUR today (April 8th)! Time really does fly by. I had planned to take her four year photos late this afternoon (read: Daddy home to help and Nicholas would be napping.) We went and picked out the perfect dress for her photos and I had her bathed and ready to go. My darling husband went outside to do some yardwork to get ready for Madalyn’s birthday party this weekend and she joined him with a promise that she would “stay clean for her photoshoot Mommy!”

I should have known better. While trying to settled Nicholas down for a nap I heard her come inside and go back outside and didn’t pay much attention. Once the baby was asleep I grabbed my camera and went to find her to change her into her new dress….. and look what I found.

Heck, if you can’t beat them, then why not join them. She had come inside to change into her bathing suit (thank goodness for small favors since I could toss her right in the shower!) The umbrella, if you must know, was keeping the water off of her while she played in the mud.

These photos are so much more Madalyn then any posed, dressed up photo would be. I don’t have enough photos of my kids at play.

And just in case you didn’t know…. she is turning FOUR.

And what better way to relax after an afternoon of mudpies and sprinkler running? Laying in the hammock.

Madalyn Jean, thank you for all of the love and laughter that you have brought to my life. This world is a much better place with you in it. Happy fourth birthday sweet baby girl.

It is late as I write this, but to me it is early on in the night of work. In fact, I should be editing now and responding to emails but instead I am putting these thoughts on paper. Or screen, if you want to be technical about it. Who knows if this entry will ever see the light of day- the delete key is an easy one to hit and the post will be forgotten about in the land of unwritten words.

About an hour ago I was sitting here staring at the computer screen with a ball of anxiety welling up in my stomach over the amount of work that is in front of me for the evening, and for every evening for that matter. The bed calls me and I ignore it- I have to ignore it- because what I know there are people out there waiting to see the images created during their session or their wedding. I know my wake up call will come early- at the tune of 5 am for the littlest love in my life and again at 7 for my older one. I spend the daylight hours as Mom- bathing, feeding, playing, wiping tears and healing boo boos. Evenings I play wife to the most supportive husband in the entire world who understands the true passion that my once dream has become. Then the night comes… the very darkest hours of night when the clock actually says tomorrow. And that is when the real work begins.

Stressful jobs are something that I know well, having spent the last eight years of my life working as a firefighter/ paramedic. In fact, I welcome stress because that feeling makes you feel alive. Weddings are stressful, in a good way, making sure that you nail every image but yet still be a welcome observer of the day rather then a director of events. Portrait sessions can be stressful, convincing those I photograph to be themselves and relax for the camera, which is so much easier said then done!

I know I am not alone in the feeling that there are never enough hours in the day, or enough time to do it all. There are many other men and women probably sitting up working at their computer right now doing the same thing I should be doing.

So the anxiety was welling up and for a brief moment I thought about throwing in the towel for the evening and spending a few more hours in my bed then normal. “Just a few edits.” I promised myself as I sat down to the computer. I was, in fact, dreading the thought of work. But then as I pulled up the first image I was nearly blindsided by the overwhelming feeling of how very lucky I am to have been blessed with the gift of storytelling. The image on the screen drew me in and the look that the couple shared told a million stories in that single moment. And not only was I there to witness this moment, I was there to capture this moment. To make a memory. To process a photograph that will tell that story for years and years to come.

And here I sit, blown away by the blessings that I have been given in my life, one of many which is the gift of storytelling through my images.

Thank you, Lord, for the inspiration you have bestowed upon me this evening. And I do believe I will share this blog post, because so many people believe that photography is simply easy, a click of a button and a few swipes of a mouse and the images is there. There is so much more to it, so very much behind the magic that is sharing the emotion behind the moment you see.

It has been quiet on this blog for a few weeks…. but not quite as quiet in the Swanson household! On December 28th we welcomed our son, Nicholas Delman Swanson, into the world. After a whirlwind 48 hours at the hospital we were back at home and have been settling into life as a family of four. Last week we had lots of family around to help out- and a special thanks to my Dad who stayed with us and did umpteen million loads of laundry! So this week we are finally getting into somewhat of a routine and life is slowly returning to “normal” for us.

So at long last, here is a slideshow of Nicholas’ first few days.

So no kidding…. it is HARD to work with family. Especially when your family consists of four children under the age of 4 to be photographed for their holiday photos. It is a yearly event to get together with my sister’s family and try to get a decent picture of our children to give to our parents for Christmas. When there were two it was a challenge…. then a little harder with three and now nearly impossible with four. Next year there will be FIVE kids under five to photograph so we may need to bring in a team of helpers!

I was in the Tampa area this weekend for sessions and my sister graciously watched Madalyn so she could come down for a “vacation”. So she had the nearly impossible task of getting the 4 kids up, bathed, groomed, dressed and ready for our session. I came from another session and met them at the University of Tampa for photos. This is where the great family portrait debacle began. We got all the kids out of the car and my own darling daughter and nephew ran ahead through a grassy area where we were looking for the perfect family photo spot. I think Jenna and I realized at the same time that a small “creek” (drainage ditch) ran through the area we were in…. and we yelled at the kids to stop. Madalyn, thank goodness, stopped dead in her tracks, but Landon…. well he kept running right into the water. Bless his little heart- he was soaked to his waist.

But he is a trooper and after a few tears I think he forgot all about his wet britches. His denim just looked a little darker in photos…. but note to self for next year- bring TWO outfits for every child!

Here is an extra long sneak peek for my ever so patient sister….

Her three adorable little munchkins.

And throw in Madalyn for the cousin photo.

My gorgeous niece Savannah…

… and Landon, wet pants and all he is still so photogenic!

The newest addition- Delaney Quinn at three months old.

The whole family….

My child has what is known as Photographer’s Child Syndrome. This means that she always wants her photo taken until I get it out and then she refuses to cooperate. I think every pro photographer has at least one child like this. So after much begging and pleading all I got from Madayn were pouts, until I packed up the camera and suddenly she wanted “her turn.” Sigh. Here is the end result of that.

I have to admit- I LOVE this one. Hair in the face and all. This is so “Madalyn.”

And we finish with a little cutie pie under the tree….

Be prepared for cuteness overload today!  This is my newest niece Delaney Quinn who is just 5 days old here.  She surprised her family by coming three and a half weeks early and is such a teeny tiny little thing that most of my newborn hats were way too big for her!  Congratulations to my sister and her husband and the entire M Family and here is an extra long sneak peek.  For even more of Delaney make sure to check out my Facebook Fan Page.

And one of my own little princess holding her newest cousin- she is so proud!