Get To Know Me Monday | Iron Deficiency

This "Get To Know Me Monday" is very personal. Every since I was a baby I have had very low levels of Iron in my blood. As I grew up it was discovered that I am Anemic. What is Anemia? Anemia occurs because of a lack of the mineral iron in the body. Bone marrow in the center of the bone needs iron to make hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that transports oxygen to the body's organs. Without adequate iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.

Anemia can be cause from many different things...

An iron-poor diet, especially in infants, children, teens, vegans, and vegetarians

The metabolic demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding that deplete a woman's iron stores

Menstruation

Frequent blood donation

Endurance training

Certain drugs, foods, and caffeinated drinks

Some of the symptoms of Anemia can be any of the following... Personally I have experienced all of them!

Unusually rapid heart beat, particularly with exercise

Shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise

Difficulty concentrating

Dizziness

Pale skin

Leg cramps

Insomnia

 Easily Bruise

Easy fatigue and loss of energy

Now there are many different ways to help with symptoms of Anemia from pills to shots, however I'm one of those people who HATE taking pills, just the though of it gives me gooses bumps. And shots!!!! yea FORGET that. Usually I just suffer though and until I feel really sick do I suck it up and take an Iron pill. A few weeks ago while I was away visiting a friend I suddenly felt SO sick, my head was pounding, I was cold, I was dizzy and I could just tell I needed iron. Of course I didn't have any pills with me so I had to find something with iron to make me feel better. What did we find? Baby formula with extra iron. Within 5 min of chugging that lovely tasting thing (sarcasm) I felt like a whole new woman.

Obviously I need to start taking better care of my Anemia! Throughout the past two years of dating Eric he has tried just about everything to get me to take my pills ( ha you would think I'm a child) . He has crushed my pills, mixed them with apple sauce, cut them in half everything. Nothing would work. Well yesterday he hit the JACKPOT fixing my little problem. Its called Pur-Absorb. It is this little back of naturally iron enriched water that you mix with half cup of just and drink. I have taken it for two days now and I have never felt so good. If you know anyone with this health issue tell the about Pur-Absorb it is AMAZZZING!

Dancers | Studio Fit | Rebranding

Ahhh ... Ready and deep breath. This has been such a busy exciting week for me.

Monday was the kick off of this years DEPAC annual photos. I got to spend the whole day with such talented girls. We did two different types of sessions, dramatic lighting and head shots. I am soo thrilled with how the portraits came out! I cant wait to show the parents!

Here is just a few sneak peaks!

I am also super excited Eric's sister Kate will be opening up "Studio Fit" a group fitness studio that will be opening May 1st. Studio Fit is going to have everything from Zumba, Yoga, Turbo Kick and much more. I have been helping paint the studio for the past two days. ( I'm still trying to get paint out of my hair lol) I'm so excited for her and can not wait to for it to open.

Lastly I have been doing allot of work on my new website and re branding of my business this week. I am so excited to be able to announce big changes will be happening and I cant wait to share them!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Its The Little Things That Matter Most | Keke | Portraits

Sometimes life throws us curve balls and you don't really know how to handle them or why they are happening to you. I have been though allot of these curve balls with my mom passing away when I was just 20 years old. From that curve ball in my life if have learned that its the little things that matter most, to always stay positive and be thankful for each day you have.

A local family/friend/client of mine had a medical curve ball hit them. And it really hit home to me. Patti suffered a medical hurtle that she is now on the "ups" of recovering and getting better. When I first met Pattie last year through DEPAC annual dance photos she was the nicest person ever. She just met me once and I instantly felt like I was family to her. She also spoke so highly of her daughter Keke it made me smile. While I heard she was recovering from some heath issues I though why not give her a little push and remind her what she is fighting for. I called Keke, told her my idea and it was history from there.

Her dad dropped her off yesterday and we went around Canonsburg taking beautiful images for her mom. I was soo excited I could hardly contain myself. This is why I love photography! This is why I take portraits. To be able to touch someones heart and make them feel happy is why I LOVE my job.

Pattie, you have a very special, talented young lady on your hands! I hope these photos brighten your day, and bring a smile to your face! <3

Camden | 6 Months

This weekend was a good friend of mine Bobby's Birthday. Happy Belated Birthday shout out to Bobby!! For his birthday we went to visit our friends Shauna, JT and the little one Camden. While Bobby and two other friends went on to Toronto for the day I stayed back with Shauna and got to do this little "mini session" Camden who is almost 6 months old & has the most breathtaking blue eyes. Camden wasn't feeling 100% that day, but we still got some ADORABLE shots.

 Its so hard being a baby! Haha I'm pretty sure Camden is trying to Tebow in the image below.

April Already! Say What?!?!

Its April already? Really? I feel like just yesterday I was opening Christmas presents under the tree. Now I'm sitting here enjoying the bright blue sky, warm breeze and the sounds of the birds tweeting. What is there not to love about spring? You are no longer trapped inside because of the snow, there is Easter egg hunts to attend and fresh flowers to pick to set on your end tables 

 Things have been a little crazy over here with allot of new things coming your way. As my main goal  lately has been to blog more I have decided at the beginning of each month post some goals for myself as well as my business.  So here is it :)

April is filled with LOTS of opportunity and projects. I will be starting my second year of working with two wonderful dance studios. Dance Extensions Performing Arts Center (located in Canonsburg PA) and Studio B Dance Center (located in Washington Pa) I love working with these beautifully talented dancers and cant wait to see how much they all have improved from last year.

Two of the BEAUTIFUL girls from DEPAC

April is also the beginning of wedding season. And I could not be more excited to get started. Thanks to a wonderful local photographer Jamie Knox of Storybook Photography I have a great opportunity to second shoot a wedding with her. Giving me more experience and being able to learn from such a talented lady.  ** Side note she is also taking photos of Eric and I together. FINALLY we get to have professional photos of us together. (I'm much more excited then he is!)

Now for some goals for this month :)

Business:
1. Work on finalizing my new branding and website.
2. Shoot my bridal styled session.
3. Stay organized with all of the wonderful sessions I have going on.
4. Order Product samples, Canvas, albums and wedding pricing sheets.

Personal:
1. Since I'm in a wedding July 27th I really need to get my workout on!!
2. Set a schedule for myself. Since I work from home when I'm not photographing It can be easy to get distracted by other things that need done.
3. Enjoy life one day at a time.
4. Stay on task with my re branding plans. (This can be both business and personal) I have lately been getting a little flustered with others around me, making me feel like I should have everything finalized and live with my new site and projects like two days ago. (I'm aiming for mid/end of summer) I want everything to be perfect!! But I really need to stop comparing myself to everyone around me and just stick to the plan!

Do you have goals you set for yourself?

Drum Roll Please....

 After an overwhelming response in comments and emails, I want to thank everyone for letting me take a little peak into your lives. Its great to hear what means most to my followers, clients & friends.  I would also like to thank everyone for all of your support in my blossoming photography business :) Make sure you check back on the blog for more " Get To Know Me Mondays" , Current Weddings and sessions, and giveaways. You can also subscribe to me blogs in the upper right hand corner. Just enter you email address and you will automatically be sent an email with new blog posts :)

And without and further ado....
 ddadadadadadaadadadadadadadadadadada (<is that how you type out a drum roll?!?)

The winners are...
Dina Donini & Stacy Cushey
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You both won a $10 gift card to Starbucks!!
Enjoy!

And because no post is complete with out a photo...

This is the BEAUTIFUL Orchid Eric bought me, that I have successfully kept alive for One week so far!

Get To Know Me Monday :)

When we are little we all have our favorite toys, cartoons, places to go play and stuffed animal. Personally I had a blue doodle bear that I was never seen with out named Doodles. ( I totally still have him , even though he is falling apart lol) What happens when we grow up? Do we still have the same interests? Are we still seen carrying around our stuffed bears, sitting in front of the TV in the mornings watching Doug and Pepperann? Most likely not. Ha ha While we all still have little kid moments, we all grow up and have lots of different interests, favorite things and places to go. It was hard to narrow down but here if a few of my favorite things I can usually never be seen without or at least talking about.

There is a special give away at the end of the post don't forget to comment :) Great prises.

1. My Black Chevy Cobalt! <3 I would not trade my car for the world. When I was graduating High school I had to choose a graduation party or a car, Of course I choose the car. My good grades totally came in handy. (Once I actually wash and wax my car ill post a pic, shes looking a little like I 4 wheeled in it)

2. I love traveling the past two years I have had allot of time to see many different places! My all time favorite place to be is the beach. Any beach really. Its so calm, relaxing and peaceful. Hearing the waves crashing, the sand in my toes and of course catching a few rays of sun.

My second favorite place is New York. I have only been there once for one week and after the second day that I completely fell in love and can NOT wait to go back.

Left Image: A friend of mine Vanessa who is a professional dancer, posed in times square while her friend Brandon stood over me as I layed in the  middle of the road so no one would trample over me. Talk about going the extra mile to get a shot.

3. Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks!!!

4. My Canon Camera. I just upgraded from a 40D and could not be happier! I also purchased a 50mm prime lens! It makes my heart melt every time I use it. lol

5. My wonderful boyfriend Eric Stefko. He is by far the best boyfriend in the entire world! No matter what we do or where we go we always have fun! He makes me smile when I'm sad. He knows how to calm me down when I'm beyond stressed and  supports me 150% with my photography business. I'm not sure what or where I would be if it wasn't for him!

6. My Aviators

These are just a few of my favorite things. My mom, dad and close friends can be added to the list. But then you would have nothing to read about in future "Get to know my Monday posts" SO more about them later.

And here is the moment you have been for... THE GIVEAWAY

I want to hear some of your favorite things. Do you love Starbucks? Whats your favorite drink? Do you have a favorite place to travel to? Anything I want to get to know you :) One lucky winner receive a Starbucks gift card, and another surprise! :)