I've Moved!

You can find my new blog at blog.rahnedrop.com I'll see you there!

Update...

So much to say, so few brain cells to say it! I think bullet point will be best (short and sweet!)

1. I MADE MY GOAL! I raised all the funds needed for my trip to Uganda! I will be leaving in 3 weeks! THANK YOU for all your support and help!

2. I am fed up with my pictures losing their lustre when posting on blogger, so I am having a new blog created as I type this! YAY!

3. When the new blog is up and I am rested from my trip, I will update photos from my last 8 or more shoots PLUS photos from Uganda!

4. If I haven't lost you already, please check back the end of July and see my new look!

5. Stay cute & cool! (feeling nostalgic with it being year book signing season)

Blessing or a Curse?

About a year ago, I was approached by African Promise Foundation (APF) to do photos for their new website. I was aware of APF before and was always intrigued by their work. It has been rewarding photographing the beautiful jewelry that is the base for their foundation. In the process, I have grown a wonderful relationship with my beautiful friend, Kristi, who agreed to model the jewelry for me. Never did I imagine these two events would lead me to never look at the world the same way again.

Suzy, the president of APF, caught my excitement for her foundation and mentioned that I should join them this summer on their next trip to Uganda. It didn’t take much twisting of my arm and I was in. I extended the same offer to Kristi and instantly she was re-looking her busy schedule to see how she too could go. I began grabbing all the reading material and documentaries I could get my hands on to inform myself on Uganda, its struggles and needs. Only 1 video and 1.5 books into my quest, I was overcome by a great sadness. NEVER have I read such horrors in my life. NEVER have I been more grateful for my own trials.

October 29, 2011, I was at Kristi’s house setting up my lighting equipment for her annual Halloween party. This event was more than a party, it was a charity event for the Cancer Research Fund. This cause is very close to Kristi’s heart because she lost her mother to breast cancer a few short years prior. Hours before the party, Kristi arrived home but never entered the doors. A few moments later, her husband, pail with shock, asked me to meet Kristi outside. I ran through the pouring rain and jumped in her car next to her. It was apparent something was horribly wrong. Just minutes earlier she had learned from her doctor what no 35 year old, mother of 4 should ever hear.

I have often whined that my boobs are too small UNTIL recently, my beautiful friend lost both of her breasts to cancer.

Numerous times I have complained that my stomach and thighs are too big, BUT that means I have food to eat, abundant amounts at that.

I’ve lamented, “I wish I had a bigger home, 1500 sq ft is too small for a family of 5. I wish the kids had a play room for their toys and I had my own quiet work space.” My kids HAVE toys to play with, enough to fill a room of their own. My house has heating, electricity, water, soft beds and cushy carpet. I have work, as does my husband.

I thought starting a day exhausted, from staying up too late watching TV, was a challenge. BUT, my slothfulness was a choice, not multiple surgeries or toxic medications holding me down.

I’ve griped over my interrupted time from having to pick-up and drop-off kids on different school schedules. My kids GET an education, PLUS they don’t have to walk miles each night to a safe place to sleep and miles again each morning to get that education.

I have cried because I have “nothing to wear.” I HAVE countless shirts, pants and shoes that have never seen the outside of my closet in years!

I get it. We all live in our own reality. We only know what we have lived and many of these “challenges” are in fact real to us. I know we all have much greater burdens to bear than the petty list I have made above and I am in no way minimizing those real trials. No human being is exempt from pain and struggle, no matter where God put us on this planet. But what I hope to take from these experiences (and new ones to come) is to reevaluate what I have labeled a curse and begin seeing them for what they really are, a BLESSING!

Sneak Peek!

What a day! It was cold & windy and yet these kids were such troopers! Despite the weather, I am excited about the shots I was able to get. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek Cheryl! :)
This is one of many shoots I have yet to blog! So be patient as I slowly leak out what I have been doing over the past few months.
*Note: Photos will be more vibrant in photo gallery and prints.

ME + Uganda

Well, here is where all my heart and attention have been the last few months. I have still been doing photo jobs, but I have not posted any. I will have to do a catch up post in the future. In the mean time, take a read! (sorry it is so small). It will be worth it, I am running a great promotion on my photo sessions, which I never do. This promotion only runs a short time, so hurry! Read! :)

Merry Christmas!

I had grandiose ideas of catching up on all my blogging by doing the 12 days of Christmas (a blog post for each day). Instead, here I am still burning the candle at both ends (my eyes are burning as I type this) and all you get is this virtual Christmas card :) I will return in the New Year. Until then, I will be busy in Santa's workshop and eating enough calories to sustain a herd of elephants. 'Tis the Season!

Two Birds of a Feather Part: 1

I have a six year old daughter that I am told is my mini me. It is hard for me to see the physical resemblances because it is hard to REALLY know what I look like. I spend far more time looking at those close to me than I do myself. I could tell you how my husband has a dimple/crease next to his mouth that only shows when he chews or tries to hold back a laugh. But, what I look like when I laugh, is always a surprise when I see a photo or video.
Though I can’t see the similarities that are more obvious to others, I can see my daughter’s inner workings that I recognize. There are certain looks she gets on her face in different situations that I know EXACTLY what she is thinking, because I was thinking the exact same thing at her age. You would think it would be comforting to know what is going on in your child’s head, but then you remember the life’s lessons you had to learn and realize she will most likely make many of the same mistakes. Though I must say, this girl has a much greater sense of conscience than I did at her age. When I was lying my way in and out of situations, she is confessing her every action :)

'Nuf Said.

There really isn't much to say about these photos, you can see for yourself that this girl is beautiful and full of personality. The only thing you can't see, is that her mom is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out :)

Thank You Mafi/Larsen Family!

Who knew I would complain about a sunny day in the PNW? But, after this shoot I did! We had MONTHS of overcast and gloomy days and that was what I had planned for when scheduling this shoot, overcast skies. But instead, I got a bright full sun afternoon. Normally this can still be worked with, but somehow with a large group and scattered trees, I had a difficult time finding a place evenly lit to accommodate them! After countless hours of processing the images and numerous cuss words, I was able to turn a result that I could be proud of.

The sad thing with all my complaining is, they were an AWESOME family to work with! I can't tell you how much I love and admire the Mafi family. Heidi is one of the most talented/artistic people I know, which added to my need to produce great results. Talk about pressure! (self induced of course). Thank you Mafi & Larsen families for entrusting me with your family portraits.





*Objects on blog are sharper and bolder than they appear.

Photo Booth

The day before we left on a mad dash to UT, I did a photo booth for my niece's birthday party. The kids had a blast and I got a huge kick out of what they came up with. Check out these kids' creativity, genius! Happy Birthday Kaylee-Bug!

The Cave

Despite this post's title and my lack of posting in general, NO, I am not hiding in a cave. Though living in the dark Pacific Northwest in a home with North facing windows and NO natural light, it can feel that way :)

I have been enjoying my little ones and wondering where the last year went. I blinked and my baby is turning one next week! I have been spending my time doing a lot of self improvement and reflection. With this rejuvenation, I have been brainstorming ways to carry this into my business. I have some great project ideas up my sleeve and am excited to share them with you as they become a reality. Stay posted.

Lastly, I am OBSESSED with this song! For those who know me personally and know my whole story, will know how PERFECT it is! I can relate to every word! I love its message of hope, triumph and finding oneself. ENJOY!



Lyrics to The Cave :
It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you've left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears

So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's hand

So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be

I am happy to say, no children were harmed in the creation of these images! Yes, I shot these photos of my kids with my husband absent and we actually had FUN doing it! There wasn't the stress that usually accompanies shooting my own children. I was worried because I have been planning this shoot in my head for months and I had a deadline to shoot it (which I missed, oh well! The Grandmas will get their Valentine's Day cards late this year) I hope you enjoy them and know that I LOVE that you stopped by to check them out. Happy Valentine's Day!

PS. Yes, you have to hear me complain again! These photos have totally lost their sharpness and quality that I spent so many hours getting just so. Something was lost in the translation from my originals to the blog. I am hoping to have a new blog in the near future and with it, no more flat lack-luster images.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

*I have had training on how to use my camera and am confident on my skills there, but all this Photoshop and computer stuff I have had to teach myself and learn as I go. In truth, I know just enough to get myself in trouble :) My old methods of posting on blogger worked nicely, but apparently that has changed and I am not as pleased with my current results (talking about this post). The photos have lost their "punch" somewhere in the translation of me getting them from PS to the web. If anyone has any tips, or know what I can do to make it better, PLEASE let me know! Thank you!

Summertime, When the Livin's Easy.

It is easy in the Pacific Northwest to long for the summer just moments after it has left. It is far too short! With little warmth and sun, my ipod took me back to summer for a short moment. You know how music can transport you back to any place and time? Well, these two songs take me right back to spending our summer vacation at our family cabin in Montana. My husband, Sherman, downloaded the first song as a surprise for me onto my ipod, in my workout mix. The second song is my response. You can get a real feel for our different tastes in music. ENJOY!

PS. Despite our fights over the radio dial, I love you babe!

FOR HER:



FOR HIM:

Thank You Wyman Family!

When the Wymans called to schedule their shoot, Heather was worried about the dog misbehaving. I was all prepared for the dog but no one prepared me for her husband! Just kidding Joe! I brought my husband along to help everyone smile, but this family turned the tables and had us laughing!
Thanks again Wymans for a fun morning. Our prayers were answered and the weather held out long enough for us to get some great shots. I know I am posting a lot, but I had a lot that I loved. Hope you enjoy them too!
PS. Aren't these kids the cutest?!


Labradoodle Dandy! Yeah, I said it.