New Friends!

So I have been traveling quite a bit lately, in fact, more than I ever have in my life. I love traveling! I don't get to do it near as often as I want to. Someday!!! My favorite part is meeting new people. I love hearing their stories and getting new perspectives. Its and itch that developed in high school when I got to spend two and a half weeks in Central America.

This weekend, I've was lucky enough to be asked to second shoot a wedding in Boise, ID with one of my good friends and spectacular photographer Missy! I'm crashing at her place for the night and then taking over another friends house after that. I'm all for equal opportunities! More likely, my friends are scared of spending too much time with me!

So anyway, meet Millie! It's great getting all these reunions in, but I'm pretty sure she is the most excited to have me here. She's been my constant companion since I got to Missy's. I'm the sucker who won't stop petting her... I really hope I am spelling her name right, I never asked!






Isn't she gorgeous???


So here I am in Boise killing a little time, editing photos from one of my own weddings, but not without one of my new found friends along the way.

Collin [Minneapolis Senior Portrait Photographer]

I haven't blogged much about the business side lately! I've been kind of overwhelmed by all of it lately. I am catching up though! I better hurry though because it is only going to get busier in the next few months!

While talking to Collin the first time, I knew I was going to like him. He's one of the most laid back guys ever, not to mention, he's seriously smart! He knew what he wanted the feel of his photos to be and from there asked for some advice. I threw a few options at him and he went and checked them out. I love when my clients take ownership of their shoots! He ended up choosing St. Anthony Main, one of my favorite places! Thanks so much for hanging out with me for an evening!

Changes

I didn't get that post up last week. Nothing big of course, I was on vacation!! I'm still kind of bummed. I even had a photo for it and a blog written. No internet connection!

I thought I would share something that means the world to me. My family has camped at the same campground for 46 years. 46 years!! This year, my trip had an altogether different feeling. I'm pretty sure that I am saying goodbye to my family vacation as I know it. Tiff and I are moving to Baltimore, MD this winter and I'm not sure when we will make it back. First time I have mentioned that on my blog. I was always going to write a post about it some other time, but I don't think I can convey what this place means to me without mentioning it.

My grandparents are getting older, and East Seeley Bay Campground is really their place, they just share it with us. I'm still amazed that they get up there every year! Now they are 89 years old and still camping for 10 days straight. Frankly all the rest of the family does all week is try and keep them from over working themselves.

When I look back, I think 50% of all the family memories that I have occurred at this campground. I know there are millions of memories and feelings that I have that I'm not accounting for, but 50% of all the memories that REALLY mean something to me happened here. To be honest, a lot of the memories that I planned on having with my kids; hanging out by a campfire, teaching them to fish, spending time with their family, they were all going to happen here. I look forward to the passage of one more year and seeing how that year has changed my family when we come back to our place. I have photographs of me from EVERY year of my life, minus one or two since I have become an adult. Stupid school and jobs! That's what I envisioned for my children too. The amazing thing about looking through those photographs is that although the we have changed, our traditions haven't. This is the one place in my world where everything isn't moving so fast. I can take the time to reflect and appreciate everything that life has to offer.

I've always known that a good portion of my heart resided there. I think the rest of my family would agree that there is a portion of theirs there also. But as I pulled away last Saturday, I actually felt like I was leaving it behind and I guess I am just not ready to do that.

If you happen to be driving down the avenue of pines in Chippewa National Forest in early August next year and you see a sign that says Eagle's Nest Lodge. Take that road and drive down it for about 4 miles. On your left, is my little campground, drive down to campsite number 12 and say hello to the Rossiter clan. I'll be there also, just not physically.

Oregon from an Outsider

This is the second time I've made it to the coastline of Oregon. That area of the country is so beautiful! I still remember every vivid detail from my first trip and to be honest, I was kind of worried about this trip. There was so much excitement. Could it live up to it? On the drive from Portland to Tillamook, the woods didn't disappoint. I am fascinated by all the green. Oregon is everything that Northern Minnesota is, but bigger and wilder. Then the coastline, I love it. My friend Amy (also an amazing photographer)took me and her family to a lighthouse. I opened the car door and was instantly mesmerized. The salty breeze, waves crashing, and the birds. I found my feet wandering to an overlook leaving everyone else behind. I couldn't help myself. There are times in life where everything that you are looking at just seems to incredible to be real. I felt that way again. I wonder if the residents feel that way everyday, I hope so. To Amy and the wonderful coastline, thank you so much, I walked away with a little more appreciation of how lucky I am.

That's right. A whole month! This is a first time in a while that I have gotten a post a week in forever! I'm conflicted here. After this previous week, I realized that Monday's maybe aren't the best day for me to post these blogs, I do a lot of stuff on the weekends! At the same time, I've actually kept at it. Don't fix it unless it is broken...

As a side note, next week I am on vacation, I highly doubt I'll be posting anything. I could surprise you though. I promise I'll have a lot of stuff coming here to make up for it!

"Give me your best shot"

Who ever thought of a pinata? Seriously though, "Lets hang something filled with candy, blindfold ourselves and then swing a stick at it!" Really? I have to think they were under the influence of something! Whoever they were and whatever the cause, THANK YOU! A pinata is a guaranteed source of laughter! I'll never get tired of watching all the kids faces when they dive into the candy pile.

As a side note, if you are ever shopping for a pinata and you come across a sun with a huge smile on his face, he is smiling at you because he is mocking you! This thing was the toughest pinata ever!

Yummmmm

Summertime. Man, do I love it. Here in Minnesota, it is like a glorious reward for making it through the winters. Last weekend, was the first time I made the trip to my grandparents farm during the summer in what seems like decades. It probably was close to one! If any you have a relative or friend that owns an orchard, don't not visit them in the summer! Right now his apricots were in their peak season. I have never had a fresh apricot in my life. I know, its strange! Those things are delicious! I picked WAY TOO MANY of the beautiful little things and on top of all the other food that is always dished up there, I once again didn't need to eat for about 24 hours after I left.

Boom

Okay, so I just NEEDED to post some pictures of fireworks! I felt cheated otherwise. Here is what I wanted to do. The first two are from July 4th in Oregon a couple of years ago. This was the first time that I actually photographed fireworks the right way.




This is from our very small display in the driveway this year. Not much, but hey, it satisfied the craving for another year...