How much sleep are you getting?

I am posting this because it is something that has made a serious impact on my life. I am sure all of you photographers and business owners are familiar with being up at all hours of the night and getting viturally no sleep during the busy times. I have to say that was so me. Staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning and then having to be up by 8 to get my daughter off to school on time. There were so many days when I didn't get up until 8:30 and then having 15 minutes to have my daughter up, dressed, hair done, breakfast and all of the other run around to get her there on time. I admit I was a horrible mother and had her late many days, eating a granola bar in the car on the way to school. Not to mention, I was always tired. I couldn't make it through the day without taking a nap and I was so grouchy with my girls and husband. My body always hurt and I had zero energy. Then on top of all of that I would spend the whole next day trying to make up for all of the time I wasted during the wee hours of the morning, and getting mad at my kids for bothering me when "I had so much to get done" It was having such a negative impact on my whole family. Sound familiar anyone?

After one particularly bad day, of getting my daugther to school late, she missed her show and tell and was so upset. I was upset with her for crying which made her even more upset and that is no way to send a kid off to school. That was when I decided to make a change. I have been going to bed at 12:30 and no later. I get up every morning feeling refreshed at 7:30 (I know that is still not super early, but I have never been a morning person.) We now have time to eat breakfast together and get both of the kids ready and make it to school on time. I cannot tell you the difference it has made in my life. I am more productive and if I have something to do I have to have it done by 12:30. Even if that means I have to work for some time during the day while my kids are playing, my time is spent so much more wisely and productively. And I am not onry with my kids, and understand that they just want attention and mommy. So if this sounds like you, just try it for a week. Go to bed at a specific (early) time every night and I promise it will make a 150% difference in your life. Now that I have beared my heart and soul to you, leave me some comments and let me know what is going on in your life. And now for a picture....

Heather and Jay's Engagements

I shot Heather and Jay's engagements a while back (I am so horrible at blogging, but I am trying to be better :) We went out to Antelope Island. The day was threatening rain and I almost thought we were going to have to reschedule but the day turned out to be nice after all. Jay has a motorcycle and him and Heather like to ride it together so they thought it would be fun to incorporate it into their pictures. I loved it! It is so much fun to have a little bit of the couples personality in the pictures! (Hint to future brides) They were so much fun! Heather and Jay are getting married in May and I can't wait for their wedding! It is going to be so beautiful! I will be shooting Heather and Jay's Bridals at the end of this week so stay tuned. Until then, Enjoy......

Brittany and Rocky's Engagements

I shot Brittany and Rocky's engagements about a week ago. We first went up near Causey Dam to Brittany's property and then we headed up to Causey Dam to get some sunset pictures. While we were waiting for the sun to set I had a great time talking to Brittany and Rocky and getting to know them a little better. They are both so much fun to be around and I can tell we were going to be great friends! Brittany and Rocky are getting married in June and I can't wait! Their wedding will be so beautiful! Thanks for such a great time you two! Enjoy...

Lisa and Nathan Bridals

I shot bridals last week for Lisa and Nathan. They wanted to go to Memory Grove in Salt Lake. It is such a beautiful park with so many spots for pictures. The sun that evening was amazing and I love all of the flare and direct sun pictures! Lisa is so spunky and just wants to have fun all of the time. She is constantly pulling faces or doing something out of the ordinary. Her and Nathan are so cute together and their wedding will be a blast. Thanks for a great time you guys! Enjoy...

Tiffany and Derek Engagements

I shot Tiffany and Derek's Engagements last week at Liberty Park. I had never shot at Liberty Park before and I loved it! There were so many different places to shoot. Also having a couple like these two totally made my job easy. They were so fun to be around and so cute together. Also they were so willing to do anything I asked them to which was awesome! I loved getting to know them better and cannot wait for their bridals and wedding! They are both so sweet and down to earth. Derek was making Tiffany laugh the whole time and it was so fun to watch and capture their love for each other! Enjoy.... and please leave comments. I love comments!