{be inspired}

take a moment and spend some time looking at some of the great photos of 2007 from the new york times. there is some amazing work from around the world.

happy new year!

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/photo/2007_YIP_FEATURE/index.html#washington

{my new favorite movie}

omg, JUNO is my new favorite movie.
it is a must see.
smart, funny, tender, sweet and everything else in between.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/juno/trailer/

{reflecting on 2007}

In the throws of the holiday season madness, it is hard to carve out time for yourself. However, I am going to sneak away to a coffee shop with a notebook and take a few minutes to write down my own answers to the questions below from Trish Thomas at Akamai Consulting. Trish has posted some great questions to think about as 2007 ends and how to plan and make adjustments for 2008.

Another way I am going to stay sane is going to core power yoga. I am addicted to them and they have classes all through the holidays! Try it out. New students get a free week of unlimited classes.

From Trish:
The end of the year is a time when we naturally reflect on the past and plan for the future. Take some time in the upcoming weeks to think about where you have been and where you are going. By living an examined life and focusing consciously on your personal and professional goals, you can prevent missteps, capitalize on opportunities and overcome obstacles.

1. What are you grateful for? Gratitude is such a powerful emotion and it opens the doors to good things in life. Whether 2007 was a fantastic year or not, we all have a multitude of things to be thankful for. Ponder them and appreciate the positive people, things and events in your life.

2. What were the most significant events of 2007? Significant events can be wonderful or horrible, but we always learn from them - don't we? Think about the three turning points or epiphanies you experienced in 2007 and what you need to take away from those powerful events to become a better person.

3. What did you accomplish? Celebrate the joy of accomplishment! Pat yourself on the back and recognize the things you did right during the year.

4. What did you learn? As we walk through life, we are constantly being conditioned by our environment, our family, our friends, our job, etc... The end of the year is a great time to look back on learning experiences and make sure that you integrate new knowledge and skills into your everyday world.

5. What did you complete or release? Hopefully we are always growing and evolving - leaving old things behind and transforming into something fresh and new. Acknowledge the things you've completed during the year and rejoice in the negative areas of your life that have been released.

6. What still feels incomplete? It's important not to abandon everything when a new year begins, so remind yourself of unfinished business and make sure your goals for 2008 build on incomplete issues from 2007.

7. What were your biggest challenges, roadblocks or difficulties? We never enjoy looking back at difficulties, but, alas, that is often the only way to avoid repeating them. Ponder the challenges and failures of 2007 - and do your best to set yourself up for success in 2008.

8. How are you different this year than last? Every year we should see changes in ourselves. Think about the metamorphoses you have gone through. Keep the good changes and throw out the bad. Go into the New Year reading to live your best life and take on the world!

{happy holidays}

the main focus of this portrait shoot was the little brother, kieran, who is 8 months old. however, isa was definitely interested is having her photo taken as well. check out her new room with her pink walls.

what beautiful children! to see a slide show of the morning click HERE.

during your afternoon coffee break/web surf, check out the father's, doug schnitzspahn, website and blog.

{a quote}

Here’s the dilemma and the strength of photography. It’s the easiest medium in which to be competent. But, it’s the hardest medium in which to have personal vision that is readily identifiable. - Chuck Close

{have a green christmas}

only a week left until christmas and so much shopping do to.

if you are like me, you are behind on your shopping. this season, i would encourage you to shop mindfully this next week and shop locally. shopping locally is an easy way to be green and feel good about your purchasing. there is no extra boxes or packaging to add to your trash and no ups or fedex truck has guzzled gas to get it on your door stop. i KNOW it is not always possible to do this, but just keep it in the back of your mind and balance out your shopping.

here are some of my favorite shopping spots in boulder/denver area.

• two handspaperie
• the kitchen - get the person you love a gift certificate for dinner.
• chelsea - great place for clothes, bags, and jewlery
• west end gardner - on pearl street and great for beautiful house items
• cara sanders, in harmony therapy - a massage! what couldn't be better especially for any working mom in your life. this would be my favorite gift.
  
• momenteum - fair trade gifts
• art and soul gallery - beautiful jewelry, art work, and other little items
• mya designs - custom vintage jewelry. check out the photos below of their work.

{the holiday family photo contest WINNER is}

thank you so much to everyone who sent me a photo. over the week, i received so many incredible photos which made it a very hard decision. the winner is melyssa glassman with a great photo of holiday humor.


melyssa and her family will receive a 2008 family portrait session up in fort collins, colorado.

i will definitely announce other photo contests throughout the year so please check back soon. if you have any ideas of contests themes, please leave me a message on my blog.

happy holidays and thanks again for participating!

best wishes,
julia

{the best things comes in small packages}

this little guy has already been out snowshoeing and he is not even 12 weeks old! no wonder he could not keep staring out the the window at the snow falling last saturday.

to view a slide show from the day go HERE.

{first annual holiday family photo contest}

*** first annual holiday family photo contest ***

here is the scoop.
email me your favorite, your wackiest, your funniest, your goofiest family photo
define your family as kids, animals, spouses, whatever

the best image will be posted on my blog and will win a portrait session for 2008
(prints are not included)

the deadline to receive photos is december 10th
the winner will be announced on
december 14th

www.photographyjulia.com

{a quote}

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” –Albert Einstein