Oh, I have a blog..Oops.
Well, hey there…so, it’s been a while.
I had the best of intentions of keeping up with my blog, but I guess pandemics, health challenges and successes, family events, jiu jitsu (so much jiu jitsu :-)) and SOO many sessions took up my time. In other words, life got in the way. So many memories made, so many phenomenal sessions, new faces and new lifelong friendships. 7 beautiful years serving southern Utah, making art and loving this little life of mine.
Let’s do a life update-
In January I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and cervical pre-cancer. I kicked pre-cancer’s butt. Now I get to take on the thyroid cancer on May 28th. I’ll be having a total thyroidectomy, and we’re not sure yet if I’ll need the radioactive iodine afterward. The surgeon will be taking the lymph nodes behind my left thyroid during surgery to send over to pathology so we can know for sure if it has spread or not. I’ve had scans and they are all promising! I have Hashimoto’s disease, and I’ve heard that the autoimmune attack from that can be calmed by thyroid removal. It’s an exciting thought. I’ve been pretty dang tired and struggling for a long time with this. So positive thoughts and excitement are what I’m putting my energy toward.
I’m 3 weeks into healing from the cervical surgery, and I’m really starting to feel good. The bed rest was SO hard, but the pathology on that came back beautiful, and I’m so glad that’s nearly behind me. I took the BEST naps, read SO many books, and once I was off bed rest, I fit in two newborn sessions, one of which I got to work with the smallest baby I’ve ever had in studio! He was PRECIOUS. He was so tiny that my smallest newborn teddy bear cap didn’t fit him! I’ll have to make even smaller ones for the next itty bitty babe. Here’s a photo of him-
I also just completed the FUNNIEST graduation session for my dear friend. He wanted something original, and BOY, he NAILED it! He wanted them to look old fashioned and goofy. What do you think? Did I deliver??
Can I show you one more?? Cause I’m so proud of it, and I’d love to share it with you all. This model, man. She absolutely KILLED it. Here it is-
I don’t know what it is exactly, and I’ve taken so many photos that I adore but this one is my favorite. Completely. Something about her vulnerability and grace in this shot. She was soft spoken but had this quiet strength about her. I guess I feel like I captured a bit of her soul, if that makes sense? She also had ice eyes. It was insane. I wish I would’ve taken a more straight on shot of them.
Anyways, I’m proud of all my shots, but I wanted to highlight some awesomeness. There’s so much negativity in this world nowadays. I try really hard to concentrate on the positive. I’ve definitely been guilty of falling into negative patterns in the past, because I’m human, but I’m trying to remember that there is just SO much good in this world.
Here’s another super fun update in my life! I received my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in December! After nearly 3 long years, I did it! Back surgery, life events, injuries, and so many sessions, I did it! I celebrated that by getting the snot beat out of me by our female black belt and by embroidering my new belt with my nickname. It’s a really cool accomplishment for me, and I just want to tell everyone! I can’t wait to finish healing and get back on the mats again with no restrictions from health stuff. I can’t wait! 6 more days.
I’ll be trying to keep this thing updated more, and start highlighting more sessions to show you all the amazing things I get to do day in and day out.
Have the BEST day ever!
Love,
Steph