Colorado Scenery

I recently took advantage of an opportunity to spend a couple of nights in the Rocky Mountains camping out with a whole bunch of teenage girls from my Church. It was wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. All except the howling coyote's the first night and their crazy attack on some innocent creature that became their feast at 3 o'clock in the morning! Yeah, THAT was a little stressful to listen to! Other than that, I truly enjoyed myself and my return to civilization was not a welcomed event. The campground was in the southern part of the Pike National Forest, west of Colorado Springs. I drove home through the forest and found many wonderful places to stop and photograph some of the beauty that the area has to show. Here are just a few of my favorites.

This is currently my desktop. I really like this one!






I'm intriqued by these crazy little things. So pretty. So pokey!


My daughter told me once that sunflowers remind her of me. It's because I taught a lesson once about how the sunflower always keeps it's face towards the sun and how we should follow its example and stay focused on the Son, our Savior.


I love the colors of this image, but the overall feeling for me is a sadness. There are so many dead trees in our forests right now. It's very sad to me.


Gotta love the purple!!


There's something to the symbolism of fences that I am drawn to. Fences to protect us. Fences to deter us. Fences as an obstacle to overcome. The analogies are numerous.





This image is created from 5 separate images to make a very long panaramic image! It is one I am anxious to print. It will end up being about 8" x 54" ! Might be a bit pricey to frame!!!

This Week's Featured Session

High School Senior Season is underway! Here's a few images from this week's "featured" session.

Images from Washington

A couple of weeks ago I was blessed to spend a few days (five to be exact) in Paradise. I love Washington state! It is where my heart is. Although I'm not a Washington native, in my heart I call it "home". One of the days that I was there, I had my brother-in-law drive me around his area. He lives on the Key Peninsula, for those of you who know Washington. It was raining the day we went and everything was so clean and beautiful. I took hundreds of pictures and I love looking at them now that I'm back in Colorado. The pictures fill my heart with peace and happiness! As time allows, I've worked on some of my favorites and am posting them here to share. There will more to come. . .as time allows!

















I truly miss everything about Washington. My family, my friends, the scenery, the people, even the rain! I just never had a problem with the rain. Where is it that you love to be? What makes "home" for you? If you could live anywhere, where would you live? And why?

Water Polo Guy

I took these images while visiting family in Washington a couple of weeks ago. The whole session was great. We got a lot of great images. These are just a couple of my favorites. A heartfelt thanks to my friend, Jackie, who let me use her studio and acted as my assistant while shooting! I couldn't have done it without her! Check her stuff out at http://www.smilecatcherphotography.com/

Class of 2009 Graduation Announcements

Just a couple examples of some Grad Announcements that I've created this year.

They are custom-designed, 5x7, two-sided, press-printed cards and come with envelopes included (just in case anyone is interested in ordering some). Prices are very competitive with what you would get from the school's and yet these are waaaay cooler!

Hot Shots

This is a new product that I'm thinking about offering this year with my High School Senior packages. I'm calling it "Hot Shots". They print as a 10x20 print and will come framed. Let me know what you think! (**Thanks, Becca, for your help in getting these images to fit right on the page! You are, once again, my hero!!!)

Beautiful Boy

There are so many things that I love about what I get to do. I really could make a list that would take up pages in my journal of why I am so grateful to be a photographer, working my own little business. But here are some pictures to show you what is right up on the top of that list. These types of images. . .the moments that accompany capturing them. . .the pure joy they portray. . .the love, the tenderness, innocence. . .fresh from a loving Father for us to cherish and protect. I love babies! It just doesn't get much better than this!

Easter Special/Fundraiser

I have this really wonderful, incredible, fabulous, inspirational friend who I just love! She is so much of who I want to be "when I grow up". Last year, she decided that she was going to run a marathon and be a part of the Leukemia Society's efforts to find a cure for this disease. We have people in our Church who have been affected by this disease and she runs for them. Read about her and her efforts on her blog, She Can Run. I say all this because I have finally figured out how I can help this dear friend and be a part of her efforts in this cause.

I am running an Easter special at the studio. Bring in your children, your pets, your family. . .let's get some beautiful Easter/Spring portraits created for you! From the session, you choose your favorite pose and get 1-8x10, 1-5x7 and 4 wallets. The first "package" is $50 and $15 will go to the Team in Training/Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Each additional "package" is $35 and $5 will go to the Society.

Call today to set your appointment! Get some great portraits and know that you're helping a really great cause! 720.308.7405

Days for this special are March 20th and 21st. If those two days fill up, I will add additional days!

Maternity Session

I had so much fun doing this session. It was magical. . .really! This mom is pregnant with her first girl and the whole family is so excited! Enjoy this slideshow. Let me know what you think, too!!!

Pretty in Pink

Absolutely the most fun I've had all month!!

Right Light

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary." Aaron Rose

Inspiring Mountains

The quote is kind of hard to read on the image so here's what it says:
Mountains inspire awe in any human person who has a soul. They remind us of our frailty, our unimportance, of the briefness of our span upon this earth. They touch the heavens, and sail serenely at an altitude beyond even the imaginings of a mere mortal.
Elizabeth Aston

Know where to stand. . .

Ansel Adams once said, "A good photograph is knowing where to stand." I have thought a lot about this recently because I have thought a lot about where I want to stand in my life. When people think of me, Patti Merrill, what do they think of? What do I stand for? It is an interesting question, indeed, to ponder. It is hard to know what others really think of ones self. I sometimes have to stop and wonder myself what I stand for. I find myself thinking that I know what I want to stand for and I can only hope that those around me see it in me.

So, do you know where I stand?! Do you want to know where I stand?! Well, if you do . . . read on. Otherwise, it's ok you can click away (just don't tell me)!

First and foremost, I stand for righteousness. I want everyone who knows me know that I love God and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. Sometimes in the world of "business" it would seem unprofessional to profess one's conviction as a Christian. But it is who I am. Every weekday morning I wake up at 5:30 to teach a religion class to a group of High School students. This year we are studying the New Testament. I LOVE doing this! There is such a wonderful something that happens as I share my convictions of the Gospel of Jesus Christ every morning. No better way to start out my day!

I also stand for family. I have been married now for 20 years. I have 8 children. One of which was called Home to God on May 31st, 1995. Almost 14 years ago now. I miss her every single day. I think of her every single day. I experience the deepest sorrow and pain because of this. However, I also feel an indescribable peace knowing that she is with Heavenly Father and that, because of the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I can be with her again. My other seven children are my greatest joy and I am so very grateful for each and every one of them. I could not bear the burdens that life gives without their undying love that they have for me. Even my teenagers bring such joy and happiness to me that I find myself kneeling in prayer daily expressing my gratitude for them!

I stand for honesty, integrity, sincerity and charity. I think that these attributes are honorable and so important to strive for. I am not always the best at displaying them. . .but I am trying! I want to be honest in all that I do. Keeping my integrity is very high on my list of things I must do! Before my mother-in-law passed away in 2005, she spoke to her family about integrity. The dictionary defines integrity as: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. These are things that we can control. I want for people to know that I have principles that I believe in and that, though I am not really an opinionated person, I will stand for truth and righteousness at all times and in all places!

Gordon B. Hinckley once said that we should all "stand a little taller". It is my desire to stand taller and stronger. To always know "where to stand" whether taking a picture, teaching the Gospel at 6:00 in the morning, interacting with my family, clients, friends, strangers, etc. There is a right place to stand. When I take a picture, I know what I am looking for. I know how to find the right place to stand. . .sometimes a little more to the right, sometimes a little more to the left. Sometimes higher than I am, sometimes lower. But I know it when I see it through the viewfinder. . .and when I see it, it's an incredibly wonderful feeling!

I think in life, it is the same. It becomes very clear where to stand, once you know what you want the final outcome to be!

I would challenge you to ask yourself if you know where to stand. And if you do, are you standing there?!

Unproductivity

It isn't often that I feel bad enough to just lay in bed for hours at a time when I really should be out taking pictures, editing pictures, printing pictures, delivering pictures. . .or whatever else I can do that has to do with pictures! But today. . .that is exactly what I did! I woke up sometime around 4:00 am with a splitting headache. I actually often wake up in the wee hours of the morning with a momentary headache, but it usually is gone as quickly as it came on. So I went back to sleep and waited for my alarm to wake me up again at 5:30. I was very sad to realize that my new, unwanted, companion was still with me (my headache, that is). I decided to get up anyway and fulfill my responsibilities of being a Seminary teacher (I teach an early-morning religion class to high-schoolers for my Church). I kept thinking that I would feel better before class starts because I'm doing something good for God! I was wrong. Not on the doing something good point, but my headache did not go away. During the lesson, I forgot about it for a little bit. Teaching about the Atonement of our Savior has a way of overshadowing any little problem that I may be having, for sure!! On the drive back to my house, however, the pain was back. I got the kiddos ready for school, asking them to pleeeeeease be quiet! They tried. . .but it's so hard to be 5 and quiet at the same time! After they were all safely at school, I climbed back into bed. I so hoped that when I woke up I would feel better. My headaches do not usually last very long so I was very surprised (and sad) when I woke up around noon still in pain.

Why do I share all this with you?! I don't really know! Just me rambling on, I guess!

Actually. . .I share this all because I think that I have something to learn from it. I think that I need to learn to allow myself time for myself. Although I absolutely love the things I do on a daily basis; namely, teaching, taking care of my children, going to my office/studio, etc it has become clearer to me today the importance of also making sure that I take care of myself. Without doing that, I may lose the ability to do everything else that I love. I do not think I should "come first" but I think I'm learning that I shouldn't be completely neglected either!

Now that I've figured it all out. . . do you think my headache will go away so I can get on with doing the things I need to?!!!!!

"Guest Speaker"

Last night, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker for a Small Business class at Colorado Technical University. This is where I was going to school a couple of years ago (before starting my own business). I took a marketing class there and it really helped me as I got my own thing going. The teacher of that class later became one of my wedding clients. He recently contacted me again to ask me to talk to his class about my experiences in starting up my own company. I was more than happy to go and talk about myself for as long as I wanted!!!

It was a fun experience. I was able to share with the class things that I have learned over the past 2 years. I shared some of my personal background, my passion for photography and design, how my company started and how it has grown and how I have been able to make things work. I hope that I was able to help someone recognize that dreams can come true. Although not without a lot of hard work!!

Preparing for this presentation gave me an opportunity to review over the past two years and think about all the many wonderful things that have happened. It has not been an easy road and we have struggled to keep things going. But I have also been blessed in so many incredible ways! I have learned so much and am having so much FUN! I feel very, very lucky and blessed to be able to do something everyday that I love so much and am passionate about! I know that I have a lot more to learn. I know that I have to keep working hard to make this whole venture a successful one long-term. But I just wanted to put here, in concrete words, how thankful I am for the past two years. For all the sessions that I have had. For all of my clients. For all of the support from my family and friends. For the people who believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself! And most of all, for God and His grace which without I woud be nothing. It is truly a spiritual journey I find myself on as I try to take care of my family's temporal needs. I'm so grateful to be an "artist" and to be able to see God's hand in all around me.

Another Adorable Valentine!

I love that he's wearing a tux! This little guy was so fun to play with today. Doesn't he just melt your heart?!

Valentine Girl

What a sweet smile. Who could resist being her Valentine?!

Valentine's Is Coming!

Can you believe that Valentine's Day is right around the corner? It is definitely one of my favorite holidays. The children are always so excited to give and receive candy and cards! I remember Valentine's Day as a child. I loved looking through all the cards from my friends and I would try to save them from year to year. I was always so happy when I would get a card from the cute boys! (Now I get happy when I can take pictures of all the cute boys! Like the one's posted here!)

Now that I have children of my own, my favorite thing has been to make custom cards for them. I take their picture, design a card and print them out for them to hand out. They feel so special and their friends love having a picture of them! I am the hero in their minds for at least another month!

This year I thought that I would give other moms the chance to be a hero to their children for Valentine's Day! So I'm doing a Valentine's special! Bring your little (or not-so-little) ones in and we'll do a special session with holiday appropriate props. I'll design and print 30 cards and throw in a 5x7 print of your favorite image for you to keep, frame, scrapbook, whatever. All for $40. Or you can buy the digital file of the card and print to your heart's delight! Same price, either way. You choose!

Give me a call and let's set up your appointment!
720.308.7405