That's the way it is :: Wednesday's random Image of the day :: Elena Wilken Baby Photographer

A baby is born with a need to be loved -- and never outgrows it.
~Frank A. Clark

And that's the way it is - we never outgrow the need to be loved. Not at 12, not at 34, not at 98...

I stumbled on happiness :) :: Thursday :: Random image of the day

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."
~Angela Schwindt

Well, today's image is more of a tryptic, and it tells a lovely little story about a little girl that loves to run free and can find rocks even in unlikely places ;) ...This past spring we set for a short drive in the country to check out a new location. I loved the place and so did she! 

Random picture of the day - Monday :: Jennifer Aniston in miniature ;)

Doesn't she look like her though? ...One of my most favorite models to date ;)

And since I like having a quote for each of my random photo posts, here is one of Jennifer Aniston, herself: “The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain.” And that is so true...

Random picture of the day :: Smiles :: Elena Wilken Children Photographer

A smile costs nothing but gives much.  It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.  None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.  Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.  Some people are too tired to give you a smile.  Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.  ~Author Unknown

A time to give thanks

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”

Brian Tracy It has been a very rainy last few weeks, and I was more than happy to see the sun up, shining in the skies, this past Saturday. I quickly penciled back in one of the sessions I've been having to postpone because of the combination of my limited shooting schedule and the rainy, dreary weather that we've been having on the weekends. The two senior girls were more than happy to meet with me even with the short notice. The location was great, we were going to try a few new things... and did I mention the weather took a turn for the best, against all the weather forecasts and that the light was beautiful? ;) Long story short, we got together and as I was getting prepared to take a few test shots my faithful camera decided it would not work anymore. The mirror got stuck in the up position and shut off power, while the curtains in the lens got stuck half way opened. After a LOT of tinkering with it, it came back to life, just to start the whole cycle all over again as soon as I would try taking a picture. To be honest, I am pretty disapointed, but it is probably something that I could expect after 50,000+ images taken in a year and a half. I am not going to be taking a whole lot of pictures in the next several weeks, while I am waiting on my camera to be repaired, or until the new one comes. It is probably time to go back and start posting a few of the many images that sit dormant on the backups. I can't say I am thankful that the camera broke, but for some reason I have a strong feeling that there is more to it than what meets the eye. We'll see :) Meantime, I enjoy spending more time with my family and bringing to life a project that's been in the concept stage for months now - EW Couture Collection. I'm excited to unveil within the month, what that is all about. Speaking about new adventures I am so excited to start working with a dear friend and awesome photographer rep starting next year. Excited and humbled.    :::::::::: Beyond getting a better understanding of what the day meant historically, Thanksgiving Day and the celebration of Thanksgiving took new meanings for me after I came to America. I am thankful everyday for the freedom and the possibilities God opened for me and all the gifts I have been given.  It is easy to take for granted things that are available to me and not missing, day in and day out. It is so easy to forget that I have it good. The gift of life, the gift of hope, the gift of having drinking water at my fingertips, the gift of choice about what I want to eat for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner or for a snack for that matter. The gift of a shelter over my head, with the luxury of indoor plumbing and heat. The gift of not having to fear for my life or my families' safety because of war. The gift of having a job that I enjoy, the gift of being valued and respected by my employer, the gift of having the option to follow my dreams and work at making them become reality. ... All these gifts and many others I consider a given and take for granted more often than not. I pray that I am reminded everyday to be thankful for small and big things alike. Everyday is a good day and time to give thanks. After the gift of life I am most thankful for my family - my dear Paul and our little munchikan :) What are some of the things and gifts that you are thankful for?