I call it “finding peace.” And yes, I realize this is neither the most intriguing nor the best composed images of all time. But it is me. And it is particularly relevant to my last month. I should probably clarify that January was a lovely month for me. I am clearly very excited and optimistic about 2012. I launched the first ever SOI Newsletter. I am knee-deep in huge, exciting changes for the company. But, when it comes to personal matters, it was also a challenging month for me. I grappled with some personal hurdles that I should have predicted were coming long ago. When someone asked me to jump, I said “how high?” and then I got walked all over.

But, as with anything in life, we recognize these experiences, we learn from them, and we grow. No matter how much things upset me, no matter how disappointed I was in some people, you can never let one person – or one experience – sour your perspective on life altogether. So even after we learn and we grow from these experiences, we – as we like to say around here – keep on keepin’ on. And we keep on jumping. Thank you Buddha, for constantly reminding me of that:

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else;
you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

It’s the sign of changes being made. Habits being formed. And – dare I even say it? – resolutions being met. Will someone pat me on the back over here, BECAUSE I AM PROUD.

But, was it just me, or did January completely and totally fly by? I feel like we were just ringing in the new year and then suddenly it’s almost Valentine’s (thanks to Rite Aid, by the way, for already selling Cadbury Creme Eggs – way to break my healthy eating!). So, in case you missed it and January flew right past you, here’s the recap of just some of the most exciting posts:

• On the new year: how I spent my Christmas, my first Mummer’s parade experience, and my advice on goal setting
• One awesome 2011 wedding: Brittany & Shawn’s wedding in Florida
• Two lovely 2011 engagement sessions: Jessica & David in Florida and Gayle & Sam on UPenn’s campus
• Personal: I chopped off all my hair, my friend had an adorable baby, I convinced myself to try something new, and how this year I am facing my fear of being in front of the camera (though I still haven’t posted January’s self-portrait yet, whoops).

Tomorrow… I’ll have a wedding for you. Or a self-portrait. Or both, depending on how ambitious I get. In the meantime, happy February… and let’s take this month a little slower, yes?

And then, today, I found myself pinching again when I saw my images from the shoot featured on the front page of Green Wedding Shoes. Pinching so hard, I might have bruises now. Maybe.

So, please do me a favor and GO SEE FOR YOURSELVES. It’s the work of the amazingly talented Kristy, as well as several other fabulous professionals I was lucky enough to meet and work with while there (please see the bottom of the GWS post for all the resources and links).

By the way, do a double take and you’ll realize that’s the lovely Danielle Pasternak there on the left. Love that girl to pieces!

So what about you? Has anything left you pinching yourself lately?

Sidenote: Doesn’t she look a little like Emma Watson in this shot? Totally jealous.

Happy weekend, friends!

Anyway, all that for a lame segue to say if you want to be in the know about what’s going on around the studio, then you need to sign up for the newsletter. Yesterday marks the first ever Swoon Over It Newsletter, but there will be many more to come. I won’t be spamming your inbox every day (seriously, keeping up a blog is enough for me), nor will the newsletters be epically long. It’ll just be a few paragraphs every few months. Not only will there be a nice little round-up of all that’s happened in the last couple months, but – for current, past, and future clients – there will be exclusive coupons in every newsletter. EVERY SINGLE ONE.

And the last thing you want to do is feel left out, right? RIGHT.

P.S. That’s adorable little Mateo there from his 3-month session. I’ve been shooting him for a year now and am so excited to share his sessions soon and how much he’s grown into such an adorable little boy. Seriously, who can resist that sweet little face?

Of course, I didn’t dress up or anything… but since the event itself certainly fell into my goal for doing more networking (which is more like a “break-out-of-the-box-and-do-things-you-don’t-usually-do” kind of goal, particularly when it comes to going places where I don’t know anyone), I couldn’t resist playing spectator for the evening. For those wondering, here’s the definition of the group, from the Dorian’s website itself:

Dorian’s Parlor is a lavish and sumptuous evening party inspired by the grandeur of 19th and early 20th centuries. It features music, live performances, fashion shows, and free food.

[Dorian's]…especially caters to people interested in the steampunk, neo-Victorian, and neo-vintage styles.

And, though I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, I’d say about a third of the people there were also photographers (hooray! photographers unite!). And, when you saw the elaborate dress and detail of the people in attendance, I can see why. So, I couldn’t help but share just a couple images from the night… especially since they’re so different from anything I’ve ever taken before. Behold, this is steampunk:

It started with some pictures of the live band.

But this is where it got weird for me. You see, in my line of work I’m used to people paying me to take their picture. Or being paid to be at an event and capture what’s happening. But at Dorian’s it’s different. My instincts were to sink back into a corner, with a long lens on and take candids of the costumes. And, so I’ve been told, that’s not the etiquette-appropriate approach to this kind of thing. So, not only did I have to talk to people, but then I was even going to have to ASK TO TAKE THEIR PICTURE. Talk about ultimate challenge for me. Hah. But, I did get over my hurdle so I could get a few cool images of the attendees. Someone pat me on the back, please.

Check this out… she made that dress herself. Seriously, so cool.

The best part? That wind-up thing was even rotating around. INSANE.

But it’s funny because now that that’s out of the way I feel weirdly relieved. Like “hey, I can do this!” Talking to strangers really isn’t that bad. What about you? Have you forced yourself to totally break out of your realm of comfort lately?

Later that day she kept asking to go out on the back patio, and I kept letting her out (and then back in again 30 seconds later – it’s this fun game we play). But later that afternoon I had let her out (upon her request) and was in the kitchen making food when I heard a noise. I peek out the window to see her playing in it. By herself. Making prints on it, scraping at it, eating it. She was finally loving the snow. BEHIND MY BACK. I grabbed my camera and ran out there as quickly as I could. And, naturally, she only let me snap two pictures before she decided my picture-taking had really killed the mood. But, tell me this isn’t the cutest.

You uhhh, you’ve got a little something on your nose there.

I was wondering how well she’d hold up in a family full of snow lovers. But you see, folks, there is hope for her yet.

Did you play in our belated snow this weekend? I just wish there had been enough for sledding. Oh, sledding! P.S. Any Philadelphians remember last year when we got like twenty inches in one weekend and a mystery artist carved ice sculptures all over Rittenhouse Square? My favorite was the 20-foot-long dragon. (Note: Not my photo linked there.) But, how cool is that?

Gayle and Sam are one of those couples…. one of the ones that complain that they aren’t “natural” in front of the camera and say they never like pictures of themselves – but then you meet them and they are as natural as can be. All I had to do was take a step back and tell them to pretend I’m not there and…. BAM, instant smiles.

They wanted to get in an engagement session done in Philadelphia before they moved to Singapore (!!) just a few weeks later since Philadelphia is where their love story began. And, since Philadelphia ultimately played a huge part in their relationship. Really, can you blame them? Even with an overcast day, I think you’ll agree that the University of Pennsylvania campus makes a perfect backdrop for the documentation of their love.

Here are just a few of my favorites from our afternoon together…

I don’t know if you guys will be as excited as I was about this, but UPenn campus has a MINIATURE LOVE SIGN. And it has a prettier backdrop than the real LOVE sign. Seriously!? I was beside myself! Of course, I couldn’t resist making them climb up on it.

Then we hit up Bartram’s Garden, which is right around the corner, for a few.

And for a little change of pace, we headed down to South Street for a few… have I mentioned how much I love South Street?

…and ending with one of my favorites. Tell me that isn’t love.

What about you? Are you doing something more fun than pointlessly standing outside for 45 minutes in the snow this weekend? Are you as anxious for spring to just get here already as I am?

But, then I saw Tina’s compilation at the end of the year. Twelve images. Each one representing something personal that month that – when compiled together – told a story of her year. A story of growth, exploration, and reflection. And then, suddenly, I couldn’t love the idea any more. Inspired by her candidness about the project, and convinced it would help me fulfill one of my resolutions, I immediately hopped on Amazon and picked up this bad boy.

Wireless remote shutter release for Nikon by Vivitar. $34.99

And I’ve already started brainstorming my idea for the month. Wish me luck and stay tuned!

So, last Monday my good friend Tina and I hopped in the car and headed on over to to fiiiiinally meet April’s little Charlotte. And, she couldn’t have been any cuter. And her momma couldn’t have been more smitten.

This first picture might be my favorite. It’s Charlotte’s “no more pictures!” face. Get used to it, girl.

That’s Tina, on the left. Isn’t she going to be such a cute mommy one day? And, of course, you know we had to tweet some pictures of her too…

Tina also grabbed a couple of me while I held her (see below on left), and I have to say… so weird seeing pictures of me holding a baby. So weird.

Above two images compliments of Tina Jay Photography.

And April (below), being the sweet mommy that she is. Tina and I can’t get over how incredible she looks just three weeks after giving birth. Seriously, I hope I look that good three months afterward!

After just an afternoon with Charlotte I left convinced that it’s possible there is just nothing in the world like a little baby cuddling. Thanks, April, for sharing your little nugget with us.

P.S. Since we visited last Monday, which marked three weeks for little Charlotte Reese, that means today has been officially a month. Happy one month of life, little girl!