Charla Blue Photography: Dana

One of the things I love most about photography is being able to share it with the people I love most....my friends & family. I met up with my friend Dana and family for the upteen'th time this week for their annual holiday photo. I can always count on this trio to show up in their fashion best. I love the colors, textures, and patterns of their attire. So pretty! The coolest thing is that Dana loves photography almost as much as I do and plans for weeks for our sessions. Her photos are displayed beautifully throughout her home! She always inspires me to get my butt in to gear to do the same in our home with our memories. She has such great style and I love to see what she creates.

We also joked that the dog listens better than our children! Sad but true. I think I want a dog.

I can always count on Al to make me laugh...although I'm sure I'm the one that's suppose to be doing the entertaining. He jokes, and kids, and always make our shoots a blast. I'm sure annoying his wife all the while that he is joking around.

To say this past month was busy would be an understatement! September is always busy with me going back to the classroom. But now it's even busier with my photography business and several birthday celebrations. In the past month (in addition to returning to the classroom) I've shot four weddings, one boudoir session, one family session, and three birthday celebrations. Whew, I'm just a bit tired. But, honestly, each one has been so much fun and lots of awesome memories were made. And that's what's important, right? You can be expecting lots of blog posts in the week to come.

Dana celebrated her 40th birthday with much reluctance but couldn't resist having a fabulous time at her party. I know 40 has such a negative stigma to it and I know it wasn't easy for her to face this day. Can you blame a person when black is the color and "over the hill" balloons are the decor? Sheesh! You can read Dana's thoughts on turning 40 HERE. They say 40 is the new 30, and I can totally understand why. My 20s were a time for much heartache and self realizations, my 30s have been about growth, and I know the 40s will have even more blessings to bring. I think age is something we should embrace. Because every year I feel more love and more loved!

Dana and my friends have a bit of a love affair with karaoke. I don't really get it. But I'm happy they love to do it because I get the best ab workout ever watching and laughing at them (err...I mean with them).

I love this picture of us all but kinda had a good laugh at the two shorties on the left end. Geez! They are all seriously a head taller than Maria & I. Everybody always asks where I got all my tall blonde friends. I'm definitely the odd one of the bunch.