I've moved!

My blog moved that is!

I have a new blog with a new address. You can now find my recent work and my personal chit chat at:

www.irenesmithphotography.com/blog

Thanks and see you at the new diggs!

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Our Christmas tree!

For the last 10 years, my husband and I have cut down our own Christmas tree at the same tree farm. The first time we went was the year 2000. We found this farm out in the middle of almost nowhere. It had beautiful trees, at an amazing price (they recently raised them to $20 from $15) and the drive out there is always nice.

On our original trip out in 2000, we were married about a year, no kids, renting a house, building a new one, and I was working at a job I was extremely unhappy at.

I will never forget the feeling as we drove out to the tree farm. It was a nice winter day, I was excited for our little day trip, excited about our new home that would be finished soon, but the stress and misery at my job just hung over my head and made it almost impossible to enjoy our outing. As much as I tried to tell myself not to think about my problem, it was still the only thing I could think about.

About 1 week later, things at this job came to a head. I came home just sick and in tears and told my husband I just can't go back. I have never EVER quit on the spot, but this circumstance was different. I asked my husband "can we live on less than half our current salary?" His response "we'll make it work. We will be fine." And we did and we are.

It was probably the absolute hardest thing I have ever done. But it was also the best decision I ever made. About one month later we found out we were expecting our first child. We soon moved into our new home and never looked back.

This year, on our tenth trip to the tree farm, we climbed around the hills of the farm with 2 of our 3 little girls (our little special needs sweetie stays home). Things have changed a lot since our initial trip.

Every single year, this tree signifies just how much my life has changed. With 3 kids, a cozy home in the country, being able to stay home as my little ones grow up so quickly - and now enjoying a wonderful new career in photography - I just couldn't be happier.

We hope to continue our annual trek to the tree farm for as many years as possible. We love the day, we absolutely love our tree and we love the memories we create for our little ones.

I hope you all have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Meet Colleen!!!

Colleen was another great senior I photographed this fall.

She and her mom really wanted to get photos that included some gorgeous fall foliage. And we were quite lucky!!! We decided to meet at one of my favorite local parks, and it was a perfect day. Even light, bright leaves.....and a beautiful senior!!!

Just gorgeous, don't you agree???







Thank you both so much!!! It was a pleasure meeting you!

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Renee and Jameson - an engagement session

I originally met Renee and Jameson early this summer. I was hired to take photos at a local company's summer picnic, and Jameson was one of the employees!

Renee called me later this summer and asked if I was interested in shooting their wedding. I was honored and penciled in their date! Renee and Jameson also decided they would also love an engagement session.

I think engagement sessions are wonderful. They are such a great opportunity for the bride and groom to get comfortable with the photographer, and it definitely helps me as the photographer get to know my clients better. And, of course, the couple gets an opportunity for some relaxed photos with each other. It is definitely a win-win situation!

I absolutely loved spending an afternoon with these two. They were so nice and so obviously happy with each other. The weather was a bit iffy, but the cloudy and calm weather just made it a perfect backdrop for some gorgeous fall photos.








Thank you both so much!! I am definitely looking forward to July!!!!

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Meet Grace!

Grace was one of my very sweet seniors! I met Grace at a local park that was quite special to her....because her mom is the park ranger! I thought that was quite cool.

Grace was probably one of the most prepared seniors I have had to date. She had some of the prettiest nooks and crannies throughout the park all cased out prior to our shoot. All I had to do was follow her and shoot! She made my job ultra-easy!

The weather was a bit iffy that morning, there was a bit of a misty rain, but, actually, the even lighting made the fall colors just pop. It was really a beautiful setting.

See for yourself!









Thank you all so much!!!!! It was such a pleasure meeting all of you!!!

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