{the importance of trust}

As an artist you are always trying to pull inspiration from everything around you and from deep inside of you.  It is such a personal thing and when someone doesn't trust you it can be crippling.  When you hire an artist you should hire them believing that they know what is best for you and that they will bring the best out of you and your ideas.

There are quite a few artist we work with and love but several are on my mind tonight so I thought I'd share:

Interior Designer:  Kim Saquing - I would let her gut my house redesign it and I would not change anything.  I have become almost co-dependent on Kim's decorating advice.  Whether it is my house or our studio, she always knows just where to spend money and how to combine her chic modern approach with my own style.  

Kim's website:  www.designablespace.com

Kim's BLog:  http://designablespace.tumblr.com

...............................

Fashion Consultant: Megan Artman- Megan and I have been friends for years and she just recently moved to North Carolina and is starting a fashion consultant business as a stylist.  Megan is one of those people that NEVER looks frumpy and always appropriate.  She exudes style and while keeping up with the latest fashions always chooses style over trend.  I'm kind of kicking myself right now for never having her shop with and for me.

Megan's new Blog:  http://wardrobesbymegan.tumblr.com/ 

..........................................

Makeup Artists: Gracey Hulbert, Heather Longshore, Hope Wheeler, Jen King - These ladies save our rear ends over and over.  Their artistry adds so much to our art.  The work they do is impeccable.  Having them do your makeup is such a treat and you feel so beautiful afterwards.  We use these 4 ladies all of the time for senior shoots and fashion shoots and never once have I ever had to ask them to adjust something.  I trust them totally.  

This blog wasn't intended to be an advertisement.  I just think it is a really special thing when you find an artist that you can fully trust.  However, if you are interested in any of their services let me know and I can't get you in touch with them.  

{Extreme Makeover Home Edition}

This past summer Sam and I went to a workshop in Illinois that was hosted and run by Jeff and Julia Woods of Portrait Life.  Jeff and Julia are extremely talented photographers and run a very successful studio.  However the even greater thing about them is that they strive so hard to put each other and their four children first.  Learning from them about the photography business and watching them be parents to their kids was such a great learning experience. 

I just got an email saying that they were asked to donate their work for the show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition."  It will be airing this Sunday, Jan. 5.  I'm so happy for them and for the family that gets to keep their artwork in their house for years to come.  Congratulations Jeff and Julia and thank you again for everything.

Here's a snippet of the email we were sent:

{Christmas:Brockinton Style}

Since I've been oh so behind on my blogging I thought I'd share a few pics and movies I've taken over the last month with my new point and shoot we got from my great in-laws.  This Christmas was one of the best ever.  We got our first Christmas tree (on Christmas Eve) and Isabella was totally in to all things Christmas.  She had no idea who Santa was but she knew that Mary was Jesus' mommy and that God made her.  I was pretty proud of that.  Isabella also was obsessed with: snowmen, Christmas lights, and the song "Jingle Bell Rock."  She continues to ask if we can play reindeer games.  I have know idea what she means by that but I guess she figures if all the cool reindeer got to play them we should too.