dianne dotter : dolli photography : tucson, az wedding photographer

{angelica+anthony} engaged sneak peek

2012-01-28T10:29:00.001-07:00

Seriously, how do I keep getting so lucky? I have the most gorgeous clients ev-ah!

ps Y'all might be asking how a seven-months along, not allowed to walk, partial bed-resting pregnant lady is able shoot an engagement session... the answer? Enlist awesome friends to help, paparazzi-style! HUGE props and big {hugs+thanks} to Lupita Ramirez of Solaris Photography and Dago Esquer of Esquer Photography for helping me out last night with this awesome engagement session!

But can you blame them for willingly helping? Seriously. So stinkin' beautiful.

{rodin+lenny} married: part two

2012-01-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

{rodin+lenny} married: part one

2012-01-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

As a photojournalist, I get asked a lot why I left journalism. Those questions generally revolve around two main topics: Was it because of the state of the industry? Or was it because you wanted/needed to make more money?

The answer is no. No and NO.

Notice I didn't say "former photojournalist" because I don't consider myself retired. Unfortunately there is an overwhelming negative connotation within the journalism industry that when a photographer decides to do something other than journalism, they are selling out. I don't consider my decision to document weddings over working for a newspaper as "selling out" because at the end of a wedding day, I don't see the difference. A wedding is a story. A beautiful, tear-jerking, heart-warming story. And bottom line, I would much rather document the joy of a wedding than the pain of loss. Call me a weenie, but it's true.

I prefer happy things; I just don't have the stones to shoot the sad stuff. But that turning point is another story for another day.

{rodin+lenny} are a reminder as to why I believe all of the above. Their entire day was about them. Just them. It was a simple celebration with a close-knit group of {friends+family}. There was love, there were tears, there was an accordion... and there was a kazoo.

Yes, a kazoo.

Bottom line, it wasn't about the "stuff." It was hot and it was rocky. It was a long, long day. I was so sore the next day my couch developed a Dianne-print because I didn't move much. But as most weddings are, it was worth every minute. It was a resounding positive reminder as to why I love doing what I do... it was a reminder that at the end of a day (especially such a long one), weddings are both the beginning and the end of an amazing story. And I was blessed enough to be chosen to document it.

Without further ado, here are some excerpts from the Italian-Peruvian-Vegan-Jewish festivus that was {rodin+lenny}: married.

Click on these links if you missed {rodin+lenny} engaged or {rodin+lenny} sneak peek.

Again, huge, whopping thanks to Kimberly Creagan of Twin Satori Photography for being my rockstar second-shooter!

{travel recap} japan

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Back in October, {mike+I} had the opportunity to travel with his family to Japan. We visited Tokyo, Kyoto and lastly, Okinawa for the Okinawa Festival. It was a great experience and I can't wait to go back in five years for the next Festival!

Some highlights...

{japan+I} are obviously meant to be...

Seriously... my name? Spelled correctly? In a random foreign country. Meant to be!

{olivia} six months

2012-01-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

I'm catching up! I am, I am!

I just love this girl. Baby's first year is one of my favorite things to shoot; it's always so incredibly amazing to watch how much little ones grow and learn in such short periods of time and Miss Olivia is no exception. She's such a rockstar baby!

{interested in dolli photography capturing your baby's first year? e-mail dianne@dolliphoto.com!}

{olivia} three months

2012-01-04T10:50:00.002-07:00

Yes, I realize this post is long overdue. Yes, Miss Olivia is now seven months old. Yes, I also have her six month photos to blog as well... Thankfully due to partial bedrest, I no longer have any excuses not to knock out my blogging to-do's. So without further ado (hah! Clever wordplay, si?), presenting Miss Olivia's three month photos...

{interested in dolli photography capturing your baby's first year? e-mail dianne@dolliphoto.com!}

{rodin+lenny} just for fun

2011-12-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love this image. With all of my big ol' heart.

{dolli news} Happy Holidays!

2011-12-14T19:07:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, my friend Lupita Ramirez let me bring the puppers over to play at her studio, Solaris Photography! Since I was busy being the distraction ("siiiiiiit... staaaaaaay... good dog!"), she was the photog behind the camera. Here's a sneak peek at what we got!

{ps} Yes, that is my six-month bebe belly.

{olivia} six month sneak peek

2011-11-29T09:37:00.001-07:00

{personal} Introducing: Reef!

2011-11-14T11:43:00.001-07:00

While I slave away on the gorgeous wedding pics of {rodin+lenny}, I thought I'd check in with a little update of my own.

Introducing: Reef!

Hello! My name is Reef, and I'm the newest addition to the family of {dianne, mike+izzy}. I'm a five month old labradinger - a lab/springer spaniel mix. My first owners were backyard breeders who couldn't take care of me and my siblings - I lived the first four months of my life outside under the hood of a car. Lucky for me (and my brothers and sisters!), the Arizona Labrador and Giant Breed Rescue adopted and fostered me until I joined {dianne, mike+izzy} two weeks ago. I'm already house and crate-trained, and just started puppy class last week! I'm a little shy around new people, things and dogs (I like to bark at them to let them know I'm tough), but am getting better as I get more socialized. My favorite things to do are fetch, snuggle and chew on my doggie-sister's legs. Oh, and I looooove to run laps and jump off furniture - I like to pretend I'm Underdog! I think I need a cape, don't you agree? I was the runt of my nine-sibling litter and am only 30 pounds, but I think I'll get big and strong with lots of food, treats and love. Hopefully I'll get big enough to finally beat Izzy at wrestling - right now she just lets me win!

{rodin+lenny} sneak peek

2011-10-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long day.

I may or may not have resembled a beached whale trying to roll out of bed this morning. My back aches, I'm a wee bit sunburnt and with each step I take, my toes are squealing.

It was hot. It was rocky. It was void of electricity. And there may or may not have been compost buckets for toilets.

It was a long, loooooong day.

But there was also love. And friends. And tears. And there may or may not have been an accordion.

Yes... an accordion.

It was worth every minute. Even my toes say so.

Sneak Peek: {rodin+lenny}

ps... huge props to Kimberly Creagan of Twin Satori Photography for rockin' it out with me the entire 13 hours. I couldn't have done it without you!

{personal} Turk Turk: A Letter

2011-10-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Turk Turk, my Monster Man:

Yesterday you left us. Forever.

I know that sounds very doomsday-esque, and you know what? It damn sure feels like it. I know some people just won't understand. Maybe they're not dog people, not animal lovers. Maybe they prefer cats. Maybe they think I should just stick to photos and stop writing blog novels, I don't know. But I don't really care. You're gone. And it sucks.

It sucks big time.

But you know what? You were an Awesome Dog. With a capital A and a capital D. I know I'm a little bit biased, but you were - and my Facebook wall and voicemail box can prove it.

You got over fifty messages yesterday. Fifty! I got texts, e-mails and phone calls from friends all over and they were bawling alongside me. Friends who've known you since day one and friends who have met you once and you'd won them over with your big ol' noggin and floppy ears. You were definitely an Awesome Dog. With a huge capital A and a huge capital D.

When Mike and I moved to Portland, I begged and begged and begged for a second puppy. Mike was reluctant; he didn't want the problems, the responsibility. It's harder to find someone to watch two dogs, he said. Plus he didn't want to pick up the poo. But he finally caved. You can get a puppy, he said, but he has to be smaller than Izzy. Sure, no problem! I love big dogs, but I just want another dog, so I can compromise. No big deal. We spent months searching; Aussie mixes, heelers, labs mixed with who knows what, on and on we went. But there was always something about each pup that we weren't quite sure of, that didn't seem quite right. Then one day your adorable little puppy mug popped up in my search. So block-headed. So fuzzy. Such big, brown, soulful eyes. Your name was Joel. You and your brother had been abandoned on the side of a road at five weeks old. Be still my heart, I had to have you. Mike's reaction? "That is going to be a huge dog."

I called anyway.

You were already spoken for. Major bummer. But you know what? All day long, I kept staring at that damn ad. You were just so stinkin' cute. And apparently you were meant to be a part of our lives - the other family fell through, and the animal shelter wanted us to come "interview" that weekend.

You came home on Saturday, April 4th - my birthday present from my future husband. The first true addition to our little family. Eight weeks old, eighteen pounds, and awesome from the beginning.

You never had an accident in the house. Ever. Mike says it's because he showed you "how it's done" the first night you were home. I say it's because you're just that good. In puppy class, you'd crawl under my stool and take a nap. A nap! There were ten rambunctious puppies trying to wrestle with you, and you'd take a nap. What kind of lab puppy does that? My Awesome Dog, that's who. Capital A. Capital D.

You followed Mike everywhere. Even though you were technically my birthday present, you were definitely his dog and he was definitely your person. You guys were the best of buddies. I loved it. Every time I took a photo of the two of you, all I could think was "A man and his dog." After a while, you'd follow me too, but he was always your number one priority.

You never wandered very far, always more focused on where we were than what was going on around you. You'd follow us to take out the garbage, around the yard doing yard work, you'd hang out in the garage while the boys played darts. You'd watch movies with me, mostly cuddling but always at rapt attention if there was ever a dog on the screen (Bolt and the Yellowstone Wolves National Geographic documentary were your favorites.)

You'd follow us to the kitchen, to the living room, you'd even sleep on the bathmat while we showered. You wouldn't even leave us alone to use the bathroom - you'd lie outside the door, waiting patiently, then hop right up and follow us right back to wherever we were headed.

As you got older, you got a little more brave. On hikes you'd wander out of sight just long enough to check something out, then you'd sprint right back when called. You got out of the yard once. I freaked out, ran out front yelling your name. And you know what? Your head popped up across the street in the neighbor's flower bed. Who knows how long you'd been out there, but even when you had freedom at your beck and call, you didn't travel more than 50 yards. You were just that good. Awesome Dog. Capital A. Capital D.

I remember when you finally became coordinated enough to hop up on the bed - Mike sent me a video since I was out of town. You were so damn proud of yourself. You were all paws, something you never quite grew out of, so coordination was never really a strong point. You were always stepping on toes, crashing through things, throwing all caution to the wind. And man, your tail! That thing was a lethal weapon.

You loved swimming. And I mean, loooooved swimming. There's nothing quite like hearing your dog discover and subsequently crash into your friend's pool at 11pm, then proceed to swim so much over two days that he sprains his tail. Yes, you sprained your tail because you swam so much, but smiled the whole time. Silly pup.

The best thing about you though? Your personality. You came off as this big, galumphing oaf of a dog. Dumb, but lovable. Yes, you were big, galumphing and oh-so-lovable but you were anything but dumb. And that face made it impossible to ever be mad at you - you never seemed to understand that you'd misbehaved anyway. At the river, you'd pretend to fetch the frisbee with Izzy and then at the last minute, veer off to chase ducks instead. Every. Single. Time. Then you'd trot back so damned proud of yourself, we couldn't ever be mad. Besides, you didn't really do anything wrong and you were oh-so-happy chasing anything, especially ducks. Big smile, tongue hanging out to the side, you'd splash right back to us after you'd chased them away. Awesome Dog. Capital A. Capital D.

This past month has been rough. Right before Labor Day, we noticed a hard lump on your throat. Not huge, but definitely noticeable and worthy of concern. The vet didn't like it but you seemed okay otherwise and none of your other lymphnodes were swollen, so concern was relatively low. We started a treatment plan and did test after test after test, but everything kept coming back negative. Meanwhile, you were happy as a clam. You still had an appetite, still were drinking plenty of water, still had pep in your step... but your neck kept swelling. Eventually, it swelled up to the size of a softball and the pressure had no where to go but out - your lymphnode blew. Around that time was when you finally seemed to realize you weren't well. You've always been a cuddle bug but after that, you seemed to spend a lot more time in my lap. You still enjoyed your walks, but your energy level wasn't as high and you just seemed more comfortable sleeping - especially if one of us was with you. But again, you still had an appetite. Still were drinking water. Still wanted to go for walks. And every single test kept coming back negative. The only thing we knew for sure was that it was something fungal, so we added an anti-fungal med to your treatment arsenal and planned on checking back with the vet in a day or two.

Last weekend, your eating slowed down. Then you started vomiting. You had lost a few pounds, but we all thought it was because the new medicine was making you nauseated. You were still drinking plenty of water, and you'd still eat a little bit, you'd just lose it a few hours later. You were trying so hard. So we put you on an anti-nausea pill on Monday. You promptly tossed that as well. Tuesday we stopped all meds to give you a break and see if you'd improve.

Wednesday morning, you weren't well. You had been grumbling all night, and then in the morning you just seemed... wrong. I called and they couldn't get you in until 11. The decline between 6am and 11am was horrifying. You could barely walk. You were breathing hard, you were drooling. You were insanely dehydrated. You were admitted immediately and put on fluids, blood was drawn and a dire diagnosis delivered: acute renal failure. Your poor kidneys were maxed out and your white blood cell count was through the roof. We'd thrown everything we could at you, but whatever infection you've been fighting was ravaging your poor body, and this time it was winning. Mike and I were sure we'd lose you overnight.

But then you got better! With a day of iv fluids and a kick-ass antibiotic, you had some of your personality back. You were wagging your tail, smiling away. I visited you three times a day. We'd cuddle, I'd talk. By Friday, your numbers had dropped by 35% and you were tolerating being force-fed. You were looking for lizards on your short little walks with the techs. We had to move you for the weekend to a 24-hour hospital and at each visit, you seemed to improve even more. You started eating on your own again - I tempted you with rotisserie chicken and apparently that did the trick. You were punching and gnawing on my arm (two of your less-lovable habits, but I'll take it as you were obviously feeling better.) You snuggled up with us and took a nap. Mike got to see you happy and healthier. We thought we'd turned a corner and were coming up with a plan for the coming weeks. We had hope.

Then yesterday happened.

I never really admitted to myself that you might not make it. Sure, I knew it was a possibility, but I didn't admit it to myself. You're Turk! Tough Turk! Turk Turk, Turk Turkleton, Turkle-butt, Turkle-tron. You're the Frog-man, Turk-odile, Turklestein. You're our Negro Amigo. You're my cuddle-bug, my Bubba. My Monster Man. You have two theme songs for goodness sake! And believe me, I sung them to you every chance I had this past week. You seemed to like it.

But it wasn't enough.

Yesterday morning when I moved you back to your regular vet's office, you were off to a rough start. You didn't want to get out of the pickup, so I sat with you for a bit. Once I lifted you down, you were having trouble walking, but I thought maybe that was because you've been so sedentary. But then you just laid down in the parking lot. You looked at me, so sad and pathetic with those big, soulful eyes, and it was obvious you were telling me you just couldn't go any further. I carried you in, up the stairs and into the office. You've lost so much weight, I easily lifted your 72 pounds. The poor vet tech was there alone, saw you and immediately called the doc. Dr. Boyer was there in ten minutes. We started an iv, ran your blood work and got you on oxygen - you were having trouble breathing and were turning purple. I laid with you for five hours administering your oxygen while they tried to figure out what the hell happened between Sunday night and Monday morning; your blood work came back amazing - your kidneys had rebounded nearly to normal. There was no explanation for what was going on. That five hours felt like 20 minutes.

Around eleven, they kicked me out for x-rays and a few more tests. I ran some errands but couldn't bring myself to leave a two-mile radius of the vet's office. After two hours, I still hadn't heard from them and felt pulled back to the hospital. The doctor and I chatted, you had some fluid build-up in your heart and lungs, so she slowed your drip and put you on a diuretic to try and pull the fluid out. She was confident you'd do okay, but we'd probably have to move you back to the 24-hour hospital overnight for observation. Okay, no biggie, I figured you'd truck through like you have been. You were so doing so well the day before. Your kidneys had rebounded! I had hope! I went back to lie with you.

You were so uncomfortable. Your breath was shallow, your heartbeat irregular. They assured me that they were monitoring it every ten minutes and even though it seemed bad, you were gradually improving. But you kept moving, grumbling, whining. You made yourself a pillow out of your puppy blanket and threw your arm over mine. I lied with you, talked to you, shushed and petted you. Any time my attention was diverted, you would punch me and grumble. Pay attention to me, dammit! They gave you a little bit of morphine to help you deal with the discomfort, and you seemed to relax.

Then your breath changed. It went from shallow and fast to long and deep. Almost like you were expelling every last bit of air out of your damaged lungs. You looked at me, turned your head away and just... breathed out. They tried everything to restart your heart, but it was done. I had run out of the room when they tried to save you, but I heard. I heard the vet kicking the wall, cursing. I heard all of them crying. She came out bawling, the techs were bawling, I was bawling.

See? Even in the end, you twisted everyone around your big, black paw with your sweet, sweet heart. Your sweet, sweet heart that had been working so hard to get you healthy. Your sweet, sweet heart that just couldn't take it anymore - it had worked so hard these past few weeks...

They let me hang out with you for a while, you were a little cold but still oh-so-fuzzy. It's amazing how fast death robbed you of your warmth and color. And you know what? It might be morbid, but I needed it. I needed to lie with you. I needed the time to say I was sorry, that we loved you. How great a dog you had been, how much we would miss you. That I was sending your duck duck and soccer ball with you. I needed you to know how glad I was that you waited for me to come back, how grateful I am that you made sure I was with you in the end. That I knew you never gave up, even when your heart did. That it was your body, not your soul, that couldn't take it anymore. That I knew you wanted nothing more than to come home. I needed to cry with Mike on the phone. And we needed to tell you that you would be coming home, even if it wasn't how we intended.

Last night I didn't sleep. If I did, it was an hour here and there. I kept waking up and bursting into tears without even thinking of you first, which of course then led me to think of you. Of your big block head, your soulful eyes. Your crazy, expressive eyebrows. Your soft, soft fur. Your funny personality, your love of swimming. You and your duck duck. How you always had to have something in your mouth. How you'd dance "happy feet" for your dinner. How you spun out on the tile. How you'd run laps even in the smallest of spaces. How you'd sleep upside down, airing out your non-existent balls.

But mostly I thought of you and your lizards. You were always on the hunt, stalking lizards in the backyard, crashing through the desert chasing those ever-elusive lizards. Turk Turk, the Hunter. Turk Turk, Lizard King. You know what Bub? I hope you finally catch a lizard in doggie heaven. That only seems fair, right?

I also became disappointed. I kept thinking of when you met Olivia, our friends' new baby. We took our eyes off you for one minute and everyone started freaking out. Mike and I came running into the living room only to be greeted by laughter. You know what you did? You licked the baby. Licked. The baby. We had always been nervous about bringing babies around you since you haven't been exposed to little ones much (they always seem to make you nervous), but seeing you with her took a huge burden off my shoulders. But now it's back - and it hurts. It hurts so much knowing that I won't get to watch you with our own little bug in the spring. You would've been Amazing - with a capital A.

But you know what else? Even though I feel robbed, even though my heart is in two pieces and I sometimes just can't take the pain - I'm grateful. I'm grateful that you went on your own terms. I am grateful that I was able to hold you as you left us. I am grateful that you were in less pain, and I'm even more grateful that now you're in none. I am eternally grateful that Mike saw you happy and healthier on Sunday, and that Lacee got to see you Saturday. I'm grateful that you had a last meal of kings. I'm grateful that you felt better before you felt worse. Most of all, I'm grateful you were part of our lives, even though yours was cut too short.

I've always been a dog person. I love them, I cuddle them, I snuggle them. We play, run and laugh. But I never knew how much joy one dog could bring to a family. How much personality one happy dog could possess. You had this uncanny ability to worm your way into the hearts of non-dog people with one huge lopsided grin, your tongue lolling out to the side. You were a light in everyone's lives, not just ours. You were an Amazing Dog. Capital A. Capital D.

The past three years have been a blessing. You've been our buddy, our partner in crime, always game to go anywhere as long as you got to go - even if was just a car ride. You've been Izzy's best friend. You've been ours. You were always happiest just to spend time with your people, and our lives are better because they had you in them. I know you'll be our puppy angel, watching over us, Izzy and our new family for years to come.

Thank you for being you. Thank you for being an Awesome Dog.

Now go catch me a lizard.

Love,
Dianne, Mike and Izzy.

{olivia marie} three month sneak peek

2011-09-23T11:32:00.005-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of continuing Miss Olivia's "First Year" series. I had a ton of trouble choosing a favorite, so I picked three! She's such a dollface.

For more information about having dolli photography document your baby's first year, please e-mail dianne@dolliphoto.com!

{alysonn+tom} sneak peek

2011-08-28T16:12:00.002-07:00

Sometimes during the long, hot summer months in Arizona, I get a little cranky.

Edit that: I get a LOT cranky.

See we do things a little backward down here... instead of a 3-month wedding season, we have a 9-month one. Instead of a jam-packed June, July and August, we get to spread our work over the rest of the year. All of which is amazing, I'm not complaining. Well, I am. Just a little bit. Because now it's August... and I'm bored.

I am testy, on edge, itching to do something, anything creative because it's just too dang hot to do much of anything but sit on the couch (I could basically go pro - can that be an Olympic event?) Energy is sapped, doors are slammed shut to keep in the a/c, and client inquiries have fallen to a trickle. The ones I do have set up are all for the fall, for "when it cools off."

So needless to say, I haven't shot much this summer. And I'm a wee bit cranky. And itching to shoot. And I kind of sometimes get a little down in the duldrums about that. Then I hop back in the saddle and bang! get a huge reminder of why I do what I do. Why I can suffer through those long hot months for the reward waiting at the end of the tunnel. Why I love photography, why I love weddings, and why I love, love, LOVE being granted the opportunity to document people pledging their lives to one another for eternity.

I get reminded by people like {alysonn+tom}. Here's a sneak peek of what I got to witness yesterday evening. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I hope you do too.

ps: {alysonn+tom} thank you for reminding why I love my job so much. Your love is truly a blessed thing to witness and I wish you eternal happiness. Plus you throw one heck of a party.

{thoughts} finding a voice

2011-08-19T14:11:00.003-07:00

As artists, we are always trying to "find ourselves." Whether it be on a personal or artistic level, we are constantly and continually on a mission to find our style, our voice. On a very base level, we want to be able to define who we are and what we do.

Depending on your specialty within the arts, you will find varying levels of support in this search party. Writers, I feel, have the hardest time. Writing is so personal, so provocative and heart-wrenching. You're baring your soul to others, awaiting inevitable criticism that will cut you to the quick. What amazes me is that not only are writers putting their heart and soul on the chopping block, they are doing so without a guaranteed monetary return. They continually throw themselves to the wolves, hoping that some day, some publisher will see the talent and dollar signs behind their story. On top of that, there doesn't seem to be a large network of other writers for the aspiring to turn to when they need direction. Most people are still in the writing closet, so to speak, because writing is such an extremely personal, provocative and heart-wrenching career-choice. I can see how it would be easier to keep one's true self closeted to others. So hats off to you, my writer friends. I am amazed at your ability to push forward; you are so much stronger than I.

As photographers, I think we have the opposite problem: we are inundated with information. On a daily basis our eyes are assaulted with the go-to photographers of the day, who's shooting with this, who's charging what, who's booking how much, how so-and-so made their money, "you can do it too!" and the like. There are a plethora of workshops, seminars and tutorials available. Yes, what we do is also extremely personal, but success seems much more accessible than say, to an aspiring novelist. When was the last time your aspiring writer-friend sold an amazing book to a publisher? Now when was the last time you heard of an acquaintance who is starting a photography business after suddenly "discovering a love for photography"? My bet is the latter wins, ten to one.

Unfortunately (artist soap box warning: beware!), I feel like photography has evolved from art expression to money-maker for the wanna-be artist. It seems as if people new to the business see photography as an easy way to make some extra money and work from home. Both semi-true statements; yes, you can make extra money and yes, you can work from home - but it is by no means easy. The one huge side effect of the photography get-rich-quick scheme? Our clients are suffering, two-fold. Not only are good people being charged for work they shouldn't be paying for, but as an art, the photography market has become diluted to the point where "art" is few and far between. The effort has not become quality, but quantity. Potential clients aren't looking for an artist in their photographer, they're looking for the best deal.

Explain this to me: since when did cheaper art equal a better product?

As a generalization, those that appreciate art recognize a good painter. They recognize a great writer, an amazing poet. They recognize talent in sculpture, pen and ink. And now, because of the influx of said wanna-be's, it is becoming harder and harder for people to recognize a great photographer. It's not the client's fault that their focus has turned to price rather than product - that's simply the priority to which they've been exposed.

Bottom line, I am an artist. Always have been. I am not new to photography, art or business. And in the end, my main focus is to create art whether or not it makes me any money. I want to catch raw emotion, new life and new beginnings. Do I want to make some money while I'm at it? Sure. But did I become a photographer to make myself oodles of money? No. I am a photographer because I am an artist, and my medium happens to be photography.

This past week, I made a new photographer friend, Shannon. On her facebook wall, she had a link to a wonderful article by Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai called "My Advice for Aspiring Photographers." Not only are Cheryl's images stunning, but her words are equally as awe-inspiring. I've come back to this article every day this week just to process and reprocess the information - it's actually what inspired this obscenely long post. Of the list, a few really touched me and are things I plan on focusing on while I continue to build my artistic voice:

- You cannot specialize in everything.

- Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don't look outward for your style; look inward.

- Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a consensus.

- Never forget why you started taking pictures in the first place. Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself. Never let your technique upstage your subject.

- Learn that people photography is about people, not about photography. Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection.

And my favorite:

- Learn to say "I'm a photographer" out loud with a straight face. If you can't say it and believe it, you can't expect anyone else to, either.

Big props to anyone who actually finished this entire post. You're my hero.

'Til next time...

~di

{kiyomi} steppin' up sneak peek

2011-08-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

I'm considering offering senior sessions... thoughts?

{inspiration shoot} sneak peek

2011-08-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just don't need words.

{things that make me happy} giving back

2011-07-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

I was an awkward child.

There may or may not have been a phase when I refused to wear anything but sweatpants. There were six years of braces (yes, six). There were a few perms, a lot of spandex, and then there was definitely a time that I got a bowl cut so my brother and I would look like twins.

Then there was junior high. There was a transfer out of my original district - a transfer that was necessary because the new school was the only one with an "honors" program in the area. So I was in a new school, and I started out with the nerd thing. Then there were still the braces, the baby fat, and eventually, another perm (before puberty laughed and stuck me with curly hair for life). My uniform was an oversized sweatshirt with oversized jeans. My curly, frizzy hair was always in a bun. I made a concerted effort to excel at being average; to blend in and avoid any reason for others not to like me. So one would say there was a whole heck of a lot of... average.

But there was also a lot of music. And art. And happiness.

There's been a lot of average in my short little life, and a whole lot of awkward. But the one thing that has always been my happy place, the one thing I was always, always good at, was the arts. If there is one thing that makes me sad above all else, it is that art and music education are being cut from our schools because they are not considered important!

So, the {thing that makes me happy} today is...

I was offered a position in the Vail School District to be an after-school art instructor! So four days a week for an hour or so, I will be teaching Kinder through 3rd graders art essentials through a program called KidzArt.

I can't begin to explain how excited I am to give back some of what made me what I am, to maybe replace a little bit of awkward with a lot of fun, creative education!

{ps} pictures make everything better... me, circa 1988, post-perm, pre-bowl cut and the year I started playing the piano.

{bridal shoot} walk through with j&m: seattle

2011-07-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

This has taken me forever to post, but here it is. Doubly-big thanks to Justin & Mary (Julia too!) for letting me intern for them a second time in my hometown of Seattle. Both experiences were undeniably some of the best education I've ever had. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

{venue} SoDo Park
{florals and styling} Bella Signature Design
{paper suite} Lifework Media
{hair + makeup} Kathy Evans Beauty Studio
{hair accessories} Lo Boheme
{bridal gown} La Belle Elaine's
{linens} Linens by Alice
{place settings} Totally Tabletops

ps. another huge thanks to {bunn salarzon} for driving up from portland to help us out!

Manic Mondays

2011-06-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

I thought I lived in Tucson, not Phoenix.

Needless to say, Turk isn't the only "Sluggo" dawdling around the house today...

~Di

{thoughts} networking, negativity + needing goals

2011-06-14T11:47:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I have this terrible habit of comparing myself to others.

The thing is, this terrible habit of mine flows in two directions. Usually it starts with a simple perusing of the Internet for inspiration. What's this person shooting? How are they shooting? Where are they shooting? Oh-em-geeee, they are so much better than me! Cue: downward spiral of shame.

Then, sometimes, I fly in the other direction. We're talking off the charts, cue downward spiral of shame for the wrong reasons. Like, shut your mouth, you're being nasty, "Oh-em-geeee, where did that thought even come from???" type of wrong reasons. Yes, it deserves three question marks. Because, you know what? I judge, and I judge bad. And I hate that about myself.

It usually starts quite innocently, with a simple perusing of the Internet for inspiration. Where are other photographers advertising? How much are they charging? Oh-em-geeee, are you serious? Why on earth do they think they can charge that much? They need more practice. People should not be paying for this. Why are people booking them and not me? This isn't fair. Life isn't fair. I need to work harder. And now, yet again, cue: downward spiral of shame.

So here's the downright, can't believe I'm putting this out there, god-forsaken truth: I am too quick to criticize, compare and speak negatively not only of myself, but of others. And guess what? It really has nothing to do with the other photographers at all. It's me, all me. I'm basically projecting my negative thoughts and feelings, my worries, upon others. Side note: I apologize to anyone who never knew that I said something internally negative. So, so sorry. I didn't mean it, really.

What, do you ask, is the point of this exceedingly rambling post? In hope of holding myself accountable, I'm going to start posting goals up on the Internet, for all to see.

Here's the first one:

Something I'm working on daily is to be supportive of others. To be a guiding light, to give advice freely - no matter what. I want to be available, I want to be approachable. I want to put out what I would like to receive, but not expect to receive it. I want to be positive even when negativity is trying it's darnedest to win. I want to be a teacher.

And I want to start a Tucson networking group for photographers.

From what I can tell, it doesn't exist. The closest PUG is in Scottsdale. There isn't much of a resource for people starting out, or even established photogs who want to hang out with other photogs. Not having mentors or local resources is like trying to swim in quicksand. It makes it so much easier to give up, and I don't want anyone to give up! If this is what you want to do, you should do it! And you should have the resources to do so. So if you're a local, e-mail me! dianne@dolliphoto.com

A friend of mine posted this quote the other day. It actually inspired this post and helped me put things into perspective.

Cheers!
~di

{olivia marie} tucson newborn photographer

2011-06-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

Doctor: "So what do you do for a living?"
Dianne: "I'm a photographer."
Doctor: "Oh! That's great! What do you photograph?"
Dianne: "Primarily weddings and babies."
Assistant, chiming in: "Wow, you never really have a bad day at work, do you?"
Dianne: "You know? Nope, no, I really don't."

You really can't go wrong, or even have a bad day, when you get to meet, watch and capture beautiful things.

Introducing: Miss Olivia Marie

{things that make me happy} family time

2011-06-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

My family is pretty spread out. I was born in Missoula, Montana but raised in the Seattle area (Kirkland, to be specific. Heard of Costco Kirkland Signature? What, what!). I left Kirkland at 18 and never went back, off on my Montana college adventure. Needless to say, it was a bit of a culture shock. Smaller, yes. Less-diverse, yes. And wait, y'all don't wear seatbelts? I can jay-walk? There's no open-container law?! (There is now, but a mere nine years ago, there was not - outside of city limits, that is.)

After many threats to abandon Missoula and high-tail it back to Seattle, my parents forced me to stay (and a good friend talked me into giving it one more chance), and guess what? Things changed. I spent a lot of time with my family - the extended half. My aunt and uncle became my second parents, my cousin evolved into a brother. I took a lot of pictures, enjoyed coffee and battled some demons. Then, eighteen months into my "Montana adventure," I met the cheese to my bread, the sun to my shine, my future MOH - my best friend, Lacee. She got me to loosen up, be more outgoing and took me on her kind of adventures. She dragged me on back roads going way too fast (I thought I was going to die), took me to the fair (it's not that kind of fair), taught me about 4H (it's more than cows and pigs, it paid for her college education) and 6-man football (yes, it exists). Most importantly, she taught me a lot about family.

I love my family, whether they're related by blood, marriage or friendship. I love them more because I've learned it's not about our differences, our drama or who's doing what - it's about enjoying each other when you're together, especially now that we're so far apart. We live in Arizona. My parents live in Austin, Texas. My brother is in Missoula. Mike's brother lives in Portland, Oregon. Mike's parents are in Butte, Montana but his extended family is in Los Angeles. I have aunts, uncles and cousins scattered across Montana and Washington. Our best friends (who are very much family) literally live in every corner of the nation. So basically, I'm lucky if I see these people once a year. This year it was twice! Thank goodness for celebratory occasions. First, our wedding. Second, my brother's college graduation. Although those who couldn't make it were missed, it was still fun. Here are a few pics of the graduation party last month in Missoula and a little introduction to some more of my "family."

Left: Grammie+JC. Right: Yours truly with said aunt+uncle, my "second" parents.

My dad, JC's buddy Greg, JC and part of Mikey.

{travel recap} sedona

2011-06-06T13:32:00.001-07:00

A little side note re: yours truly...

I have a serious case of relocation-itis. It is accompanied by an ever more dire disease I have coined as "travel fever" - a situation that cannot, unfortunately, be cured by more cowbell.

As of this year, {mike+I} have developed a pretty consistent pattern: every two years or so, we move.

Sometimes less, sometimes more, sometimes near and sometimes far, but we are always looking forward to where we're going "next." This month we're moving 70 miles northwest of our current location (where we have lived approximately 18 months. Not that I was counting...) Last time it was 2000 miles south. Before that, 700 miles west. You get my drift. It's become our m.o. Lately, most of our discussions have centered around where we would be willing to go next - because there will be a next. Durham, North Carolina and Ohio have been on the list. The former might be a fun change of pace, but the jury is still out on Ohio. I like to think I'd be game to live anywhere, but Ohio? Hmmm... (no offense, Ohio-ans. By the way, is that what you are? Ohio-ans?)

Anyway! Basically, the only remedy we have discovered to assuage both of these terrible* problems is to go somewhere (read: anywhere) on a regular basis. It is also a much more manageable (read: affordable) option. It might be a road trip 500 miles west to L.A. to visit family. It might be a plane ride to the Northwest. It might be a stay-cation. It is basically anything to keep us busy, but also let us experience where we currently live and everything it has to offer. Besides, curing travel fever does require, um, traveling. So, for one of our April trips (and for my birthday), we decided to visit Sedona.

Sedona is a beautiful little artsy-fartsy town nestled among the Red Rocks of Northern Arizona. It is only a half-hour from Flagstaff and two hours from Phoenix, but feels like a world away. It is paradise for rock climbers, hikers and outdoorsmen (or women). There are mountains! And rocks! And get this: WATER! I can definitely see why it was a spiritual location for Native Americans (and still is). The beauty is stunning, and so very different from anything else you find in Arizona. Also, if spiritual things float your boat, it is supposedly a vortex mecca. Not really my thing, but the hiking was great!

We spent the majority of our weekend in Boynton Canyon because it was dog-friendly. Slide Rock State Park is supposed to be pretty dang awesome, but alas, super busy and no dogs allowed. Here are a few photos** from our hiking extravaganza.

*Sarcasm very much intended. Please do not take offense. If you suffer from any sort of actual "dire disease," my heart goes out to you and I wish you the best.
**Disclaimer: I am not, nor will I ever claim to be, a great landscape photographer. I love trees, but they don't love my camera. I'll stick to taking pictures of people - and my dogs. Cheers!

I do, occasionally, get a great landscape shot. Love this.

Hike #3: We hoofed up to this mesa in record time to see the sun set. Awesome.

{things that make me happy} giving away gift cards!

2011-06-03T11:19:00.002-07:00

I recently ran a gift-card giveaway on facebook. Yay! Wait, what? You didn't know?! Maybe you should be my fan!

Okay, shameless plug over and back to the point. So! I recently ran a gift-card giveaway on facebook... as all you wonderful people share, love + like my page, my fans increase, so I said that I would give away a $15 Starbucks gift card to one lucky winner if we hit 200 fans. Well, last night we hit 200 fans! Double yay!

Drumroll please...

The winner is: Jahna Jurenka!

As time goes on, and y'all share, share, share, the goodies are going to get bigger+better. Think big, friends! Stay tuned, the new giveaway will be announced on Monday.

Here's proof I did a random number generator, and after counting down 70 fans (yes, I did that manually...), the winner!

{PS} Please forgive the extremely crude use of Photoshop's paint tool on the winner screen print. What can I say? I don't use it very often!

Tucson Newborn Photographer ~ Sneak Peek: Olivia!

2011-06-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

So, someday {mike+I} want a little bub of our own, but for now I can live vicariously through my friends' adorable babies! Keep it up, friends!

Here's a sneak peek of what's in store for y'all in the next week or two - a teeny, tiny little girl with one of my favorite names of all time: Olivia Marie. Little Miss O decided to join us last Sunday!

Staring contest... 1, 2, 3... GO!

{cela+noah} trash the dress, part 2!

2011-05-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

Love these two. That is all.

*You can see {cela+noah} part 1 here. If you still want more, they are also here, here and here!

Just for you, Noah.

{cela+noah} trash the dress, part 1!

2011-05-27T09:20:00.001-07:00

It's a two-fer! Because these are going to be large posts, I'm just going to keep it simple. No long, blabbering, soulful notes today my friends. Stay tuned later this afternoon for the second half!

Enjoy the gorgeousness...

*{location} Brown Canyon Ranch, Sierra Vista, AZ
*You can see more of {cela+noah} here, here and here.

{travel recap} here, there & everywhere!

2011-05-23T14:49:00.002-07:00

Whew!

It's been a whirlwind ten days, but I was able to sort through some of my photos today and do a quick edit to share a little bit of my trip with y'all...

First stop was Missoula, Montana for my big, little brother's graduation (he's tall, I'm short, therefore "big, little bro.") While we were there, he asked me to help him prepare for the big, bad real world with some headshots. He has a really hard time keeping a straight face, so I had to add in the "bloopers." I also snuck in a few of his roommates adorable daughter.

The next leg of my trip involved a second stint as an intern for Justin & Mary Marantz - this time in my hometown of Seattle. Despite an argument with a certain virus called the flu (grrrr!), I'd say the week was a success! Some of my childhood friends were gracious enough to come model for us, and I'd say they knocked it out of the "Water for Elephants" ball park. Not to mention a big shout out to my friend Bunn Salarzon, who drove all the way up from Portland to help us out!

And just for fun, here's a shot of the whole fam-damily after my big, little bro gradu-muated from college!

From left: Papa+Mama Bentz, "big, little bro," yours truly+hubby

Sneaky Peeky: {cela+noah} Trash the Dress

2011-05-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

{dolli news} sneak peek

2011-05-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

Just a little something I'm working on for my future {bride+grooms}...

{travel recap} san di-aaaahhhhh-go

2011-05-04T08:00:00.003-07:00

I had a dream last night.

Not in the "I have a dream!" sense of the phrase, but more like the shock me awake and then lie there, wide-eyed, for 45 minutes type of dream.

There was this huge truck. A Dodge Ram, actually. It was towing a very, very full trailer. Not a car, horse or flatbed trailer, but one of those smallest-size-that-uHaul-offers sized guys. The only reason I could tell that the trailer was very, very full was because I was driving this humongous truck up a really, really, really steep hill. And we were struggling, definitely struggling. And I had this passenger... this really annoying passenger that kept telling me how ridiculous it was to try and tow this trailer, and drive this truck, up this gigantic hill.

But I kept driving. I dropped it into second and chugged up that damned hill. Because I knew the truck could do it. I knew that that bad-ass truck and the little ol' trailer could do it. Every time I felt like the incline was about to toss that truck backward, I just kept grinding up the hill. And you know what? As I was nearing the top, that annoying passenger bailed. Like, tuck and rolled out of that thing. And then that passenger, that annoying girl who just wouldn't shut up with the "why's?" and "this is a dumb idea"... she sat there, in the dirt. She sat in the rocks and watched as that Ram kept chugging, onward and upward, like Thomas the Tank Engine. And guess what?

The truck never reached the top.

Wait, what? That's right. There was no end, no summit. There was no ceiling nor limits to how far I could tug that trailer.

And then I woke up.

So much of success is believing in yourself, in what you do. You have to believe that you are capable of doing more than what you think you can do. You believe in your mission, no matter what that mission may entail. So many of us are told constantly that we don't live up to our potential. That we don't, we didn't, we haven't, we aren't. And I ask them, what's with all the "n't"s?!

Three weeks ago, I had the fabulous opportunity to spend a week with the equally as fabulous Justin & Mary (and J2!). As I mentioned before, a lot of their workshop is focused on the why of it all. Why do we, as photographers, do what we do? Why photography? Why do you want to succeed? Why not? Why are you fearful? The list goes on and on and on. Always, always, ask "why?"

My dream last night is my why. I can't tell you how many times I've been told that I'm not living up to my potential, that I could do more, be more, succeed more. And you know what I tell those people?

Screw you.

This is what I do. This is what I love. I'm good at this. Edit that: I'm great at it. This is what I will succeed in, and I don't need you to tell me I could "do more" anymore. My "why" is because for the first time in a long time, I'm not miserable at the end of the day. I'm excited to "go" to work. I wake up, wide-eyed, in the middle of the night because I have ideas that I can't push out of my head - and thank God for that! I'm happy. I'm full of energy. I'm doing more, living more, loving more, and laughing more.

And you know what? Those "mores" I'll take.

Enjoy.

{ps} That's right, it's an Anchorman reference. Live it, love it, embrace it.

{Friday Funday!}

2011-04-29T16:27:00.000-07:00

Just a quick look of my friend Kim's adorable puppy Lexi (aka Turk's new girlfriend!) before I head north to Sedona for my birthday weekend!

{birthday thoughts}

2011-04-21T12:20:00.008-07:00

Today I am 27.

In 27 years, I have not achieved what I thought I would. I thought I'd have a masters degree, possibly a law degree, some sort of amazing job that commands me oodles of money, that I'd be the "boss-lady." Maybe those ideals were too lofty, but at the very least, I thought that I would have some degree of success that was measurable.

I thought.

The thing is, I have achieved milestones that I am proud of, just not the ones I "thought" I would.

I have my bachelor's degree. I am married to a wonderful, successful and supportive man. I have two awesome, well-behaved huge dogs. I have worked in journalism, design, finance and banking. I have lived in five cities in eight years. I have left my comfort zone multiple times - on purpose. All of which were super, duper scary... but I did it anyway. Most importantly, and perhaps the scariest, I left stability, consistent income and benefits to start my own business. I'm doing what I love rather than what others thought at which I'd excel.

I am still wrapping my brain around the idea that I don't have to measure my success against others. Something that is so easy to do, so easily quantifiable and so human, is something that I have to force myself not to do. I have to make a concerted effort into putting my ideas, energy and thoughts toward the future - into what I can directly affect - rather than drain myself in unproductive directions.

Don't worry, this isn't a pity post, merely a reflection. I have not achieved what I thought I'd achieve, but I think I've finally decided that's okay. Because in life, as in business, there is room for fear but not excuses.

Onward and upward.

{things that make me happy} really good beer

2011-04-20T15:13:00.001-07:00

I have a secret. It's not bad, not really. Well, it's kind of bad. Just a little.

Mike and I's relationship is based on a mutual love of beer.

There, I said it. For the whole world (errr, blog-world) to see (err, um, read).

It's not bad, I promise. We're not lushes and we don't over-imbibe on a regular basis - we both just really and truly appreciate good beer. Not only is it yummy, but it's an association thing. Have you ever been driving down the road, wind in your hair, sunglasses on, and a song comes on that just transports you back to that one great moment?

That's what good beer does for me. Really good beer takes me here:

One of our gorgeous Montana Loveshoot photos by Sara of Whitebox Weddings

With that first sip, I can't help but smile. I get fluttery butterflies in my tummy. It takes me back to that first summer. A summer full of great beer, quiet water and huge mountains. A summer that was graduation, internships and not having a plan. It was road trips, meeting family, and being the first person each of us ever "brought home." One sip takes me to that first year in Portland, escaping the rain and finding solace in Bend. It makes me want to hike to the top of a mountain and appreciate how amazing this world is, and then realize it's in our own backyard. It makes me want to pack up my dogs, my tent and my husband and go float down a Montana river. It makes me want to sit and just... be.

But mostly? Mostly it just makes me smile and want to enjoy a really, really good beer. Together.

A few of my favorites:

1. Mmmm Guinness

2. Deschutes Brewery from Bend, Oregon. Nothing quite says summer to me like the June debut of Twilight every year.

3. Twisted Tea. A Montana thing by far and not a "great beer" but man, is it satisfying when it's 90 degrees out and you're floating down the river. Seriously, trust me.

4. Missoula, Montana. 'Nuff said.

5. Big Sky Brewery. One of many brewery options in Missoula, but Summer Honey is my Montana equivalent of Twilight.

6. Beltian White (Belt, MT). Only available in the state of Montana, they just started bottling it and it needs to go back to being only on tap. It is by far my favorite MT beer; we had it at the wedding and it was tapped before the sun set.

7. Ditto with Cold Smoke from Kettlehouse Brewery (Missoula, MT). Wedding choice, gone before sunset. Yum.

What do you associate with and why? Leave a comment and possibly win a $15 gift card! Winner will be announced Monday!

~di

{cela+noah} married: segunda parte

2011-04-18T17:40:00.002-07:00

A lot of this past week was focused on the "why." Why do we, as photographers, do what we do? Why photography? Why do you want to succeed? Why not? Why are you fearful? The list goes on and on and on. Always, always, ask "why?"

As I mentioned earlier, that's another post for another day. But part of my "why" is meeting couples like {cela+noah}. They're only 24, but have already been together for eight years. They've grown up together; they've loved, lost, laughed and they've cried - together. And you know what? {cela+noah} have been through more in the first eight years than most couples go through in the first eighteen. So for me, being privy to the background story, being invited to be a part of such an important day, simply being responsible (and man, what a responsibility) for documenting when they finally and officially became {cela+noah}... well, it's nothing short of amazing. And I think it's a pretty damned good why.

Enjoy.
~di

{Ceremony: St. Augustine Cathedral}
{Reception: Savoy Opera House}

The photo above is by far my favorite image of the day. Like, leaps and bounds. Love.

The couple on the right got engaged about a month after the wedding. Congrats, Carolyn!

Just for fun - Mustache Photographer!

You can see {cela+noah} married: la primera parte here, and their engagement shoot here.

{san diego} sneak peek

2011-04-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

I just got back from spending a week with Justin & Mary. Wow. What an amazing, inspiring, educational week in San Diego! More on that later (it will get a whole post all to itself!), but here's a sneak peek of my trip to hold y'all over until I get the rest of {cela+noah} up.

Cheers!
~di

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ {cela+noah} married: primero parte

2011-04-11T13:39:00.003-07:00

Need I say anything at all?

Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

{Ceremony: St. Augustine Cathedral}
{Reception: Savoy Opera House}

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ {rodin+lenny} engaged sneaky peeky!

2011-04-08T17:09:00.002-07:00

Thank you, Tucson.

Thank you for big, fluffy white clouds. For sunshine. For mountains, gorgeous sunsets and rocky outcroppings.

And most importantly: thank you for amazing, brave clients willing to climb on top of said outcroppings.

Just, thank you.

~di

{things that make me happy} impromptu doggie photo shoots!

2011-03-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Need I say anything more?

tucson wedding photographer ~ when wedding photography info goes viral

2011-03-10T11:24:00.001-07:00

I am a huge fan of Google Reader. Like, majorly huge. Every morning after I walk my dogs, I open my window, listen to the birds, sit down with a cup of coffee and read. It's cathartic, really. Kind of like sitting down with the morning newspaper.

There are a few photographers that I follow on a daily basis for inspiration, but it's inspiration that's mostly business-focused rather than art-focused. And honestly, if you took a quick glance at my Reader, a lot of the blogs I follow are actually writing blogs, not photography! Some of them are friends, some are just beautiful, and some are for a daily giggle or two, but the majority are for education. Whether it be wedding trends, "how to build your business" or Justin & Mary's awesome Pancake Sessions (side note: did I tell you guys I'm going to be their intern for the San Diego "Spread the Love" Tour??? So stinkin' excited!), I try to soak up as much information as possible every day.

On that note, as I build my business to bigger and better places, it is imperative that I continue to educate myself. In fact, apart from continuing to challenge myself creatively, it is my number priority. And apparently this week is the week for information about wedding photography because it's here, there and everywhere! Good, bad, and indifferent, there is a lot of information out there, but the posts floating around this week seem to be more of the former.

Because I think it's important that you hear (errr, read) more than just my opinion regarding wedding photography, here are a few great posts I've read this week that really clarified some more details concerning exactly what I wrote about the other day.

{Gia Canali}, a fabulous film photographer, wrote about wedding photography tangibles & intangibles.

{jennifer dery} put up a link to another site (which I'm now following!): Why you should NEVER skimp on wedding photography. And guess what? It's not written by a photographer!

Not from this week (or even this month, for that matter), but {why albums are important} - from the client's perspective (not my client, fyi).

Are there any blogs out there than inspire you? Teach you? Please share! I love new material. :)

Just because ... {I love this song} and am editing to it all day long today.

Cheers!
~di

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ when "tough" questions really shouldn't be that tough

2011-03-08T16:43:00.001-07:00

One of the first things any of my clients asks me is always, always, always: "How much do you charge?"

Ouch.

Okay... I'm an artist, so that hurts me a little. I think photography is art, and investing in art is important. But I'm also a business owner, and a former bride, so I know where it comes from. It comes from stretching budgets, calculating each and every choice down the penny, from weighing what you want vs. what you need.

But even as a business owner, even as a former budget-crunching bride, I strongly believe that when choosing your wedding photographer, price shouldn't be the deciding factor. Sure, it should be a parameter. A guideline, perhaps the basis from which you begin your search.

Your search for the one singular person you will trust with your lifetime memories.

Ouch.

Because that's exactly who your photographer is. She is going to be there for every single part of your wedding day. She is going to be privy to your most intimate of moments. She is going to spend more time with you+yours on your wedding day than your mother. Yes, seriously.

So today's blog is three basic questions and three detailed answers. Three questions that almost every {bride+groom} asks me, and three answers I find myself giving repeatedly. Because at the end of the day, that budget decision you had to make... you know the one - the one regarding the photographer you really loved vs. your friend who'd shoot the whole thing for $500... well, here are my reasons as to why that "tough" decision really shouldn't have to be that tough.

{really hard questions: totally honest answers}

Why is wedding photography so expensive?
Keep in mind that operating any small business incurs expenses, and professional wedding photography is no exception. There is a common misconception that wedding photographers make a lot of money working only one day a week, but in addition to the actual day of shooting (which in itself can be anywhere from 8 to 16 hours) there is 25 hours or more of back-end work involved in each wedding. Not to mention any engagement shoots, album design, online processing, ordering, etc. that may be included in your package.

Why is there such a discrepancy in pricing from one photographer to another?
There are a multitude of reasons as to why one photographer will charge a lot and another will charge very little. In wedding photography, as in any profession, there are many professionals operating at different levels of expertise and offering different types of service. Pricing is only one of many ways that those with more experience or expertise can distinguish themselves – as well as one of the easiest.

That being said... just because a photographer charges a lot, it doesn’t mean she's going to hit it out of the ballpark. And just because someone charges very little, it definitely doesn’t mean they’re not going to do an amazing job. Make your decision based on how you want your day to be documented. Make sure you love their work, and that it speaks to you. Lastly, do your research. Keep in mind that a website generally showcases a photographer's favorite work and is updated rarely, while a blog shows what they're producing on a more regular basis. Personally, I think the best way to judge whether or not you like someone's work, as well as whether or not they're consistent with their style, is through a blog.

Most importantly, and something you will hear me say again and again and again: would you be friends with your photographer if she wasn’t shooting your wedding? If not, she's probably not your best choice.

How do I know how much to budget for my wedding photography?
First, gauge the importance that photography will play in your big day… then stretch one step past that. Scary, I know. But try to let your eye – not your wallet – decide. In twenty years, when your daughter asks about your wedding, are you going to tell her what the caterer served for dinner? I don’t think so. You're going to show her your wedding album.

In all honesty, if you’re looking for numbers, a conservative estimate should be 10-15% of your total budget. Personally, we spent 20%. It hurt a little, and we had to cut back on other things - things I don’t even remember now. And you know what? It was worth it. It was worth every. single. penny.

Cheers~
di

Missoula Children's Photographer ~ {selah+mattix} family ties

2011-03-05T12:46:00.001-07:00

Baby girl Selah+her big brother extraordinaire, Mattix are the gorgeous products of {cameryn+joshua}. Look at those baby blues! Heartbreaker in training, I'm calling it now...

Love these kiddos.
Cheers!

~di

{things that make me happy} introvert v. extrovert

2011-03-03T12:49:00.003-07:00

At first glance, most people would classify me as an extrovert.

I'm a talker. A doer. An always moving-always thinking-always going kind of person. I laugh, I cry, I run, I play. I love checklists. I travel constantly. I enjoy being with friends - most of whom are quite loud+outgoing. I'm a type-A, oldest child through and through. I shoot weddings, aka LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE, for crying out loud...

But I'm not.

By definition, the true meaning of an extrovert is: "one who is energized by being around other people, who tend to 'fade' when alone and can easily become bored without other people around." When given the chance, an extrovert will talk with someone else rather than sit alone and think. In fact, extroverts tend to think as they speak, unlike introverts who are far more likely to think before they speak. Concepts just don't seem real to extroverts unless they can talk about them; reflecting on them isn't enough. So yes, at first glance, it would make sense to classify me as an extrovert. Me, the photographer of large groups of people. Me, the talker. Me, the always voted to speak for the group. Me, the "extrovert."

But I'm not.

I'm a thinker. An over-thinker, actually.

I am energized by my alone-time. I crave it, actually. It allows my brain to expand, accept all the things that are simultaneously thrashing about and categorize them as need be. It gives me the ability to relax, to stop going, and to just be in the moment. It allows me to re-evaluate, recharge, and then go again. I am not shy, but that in itself is not the definition of an introvert. Introverts are people who are energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."

Which I do.

I love weddings. LOVE them. Never get sick of them. But the day after shooting one, I am drained both emotionally and physically. Maybe it's the 50 pounds of camera equipment, the 16 hour day, or maybe it's just that I concentrate so much of my energy into thinking, doing, acting, shooting. It's focused on the couple. It's focused on the group. It's focused on producing quality images. It's focused on telling a story. It is totally and completely outward.

And it's exhausting. In an awesome, beautiful, wow that was a great day, I love my job kind of way. But exhausting, nonetheless.

Because I'm an introvert.

See ... I am the girl who's much better one-on-one than being part of a large group. In that large group, I tend to gravitate toward the one person I know and stay there. I have a few really close friends, but not many acquaintances. I am the girl who isn't afraid of public speaking - if I know what I'm talking about. I am the girl who will speak her mind - if I feel strongly about it. I don't argue unless I know for sure that I'm right. I think things through two, three or four times before I do anything. And above all, my favorite part of being a wedding photographer is the relationship I develop with my brides+grooms.

Because I'm an introvert.

Which is also what happens to make me good at my job. That relationship that {we} develop, that one-on-one, that trust is what creates beautiful images.

All of my energy that entire day, is focused on {you}. You are important to me, your photos are important to me, your day is important to me. Because hopefully, throughout the entire wedding planning process, we've become friends.

When you hire a photographer, be an introvert and focus on how you feel when you're around them. Are you comfortable? Are you nervous? Excited? Anxious? Relaxed? Confident? Forget price, forget time, forget packages. How do you feel?

Because you're not just hiring a vendor, you're hiring a friend. A friend who will be there all day. A friend who will be part of your most intimate of moments. A friend who is responsible for the one thing that will last forever.

So today, {what makes me happy} is knowing that being an introvert is not a negative. That it's totally okay to need to "recharge." That is a good thing to stop and think. That being alone is a-okay.

Because it's what makes me happy. And that's what matters.

~di

*Shot with my little Canon point+shoot. Hiking with my hubby+dogs to "recharge" makes me even happier.

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ Cela+Noah Sneak Peek

2011-02-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ Cela+Noah Engaged

2011-02-24T16:43:00.001-07:00

These two gorgeous kids are getting hitched on Saturday. I can't wait to see the beautiful St. Augustine Cathedral in all it's glory, and get a glimpse of what Cela thought up with her peacock theme! See you Saturday!

Missoula Children's Photographer ~ Sneak Peek

2011-02-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

Tucson Photographer ~ Just 'cuz

2011-02-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

This photo makes me happy.

That is all.

~di

Tucson Photographer ~ Resolutions x 4

2011-01-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

Cuddle more.

Missoula Wedding Photographer ~ Albums

2011-01-26T20:36:00.001-07:00

The week of my & Mike's wedding, our wonderful friends Rachael & Scott opened up their home and we basically took it over. Every morning the four of us would have breakfast & coffee together, but armed with our own key, we'd be in and out, in and out, in and out. We stored things in their garage and borrowed things we had forgotten. It was home base, and their gorgeous house just happened to be a hop, skip and a field (literally) away from the venue.

The morning of the wedding, I woke up at 7am. Of course I couldn't sleep, and was ready to just GO already! After taking a minute to pack up my overnight bag and slow down, I had a cup of coffee with my soon-to-be husband, Rachael & Scott then headed across the field. The wedding wasn't until five, but that seven hours flew by faster than I could have imagined. There were snacks, music and a fast little thunderstorm. There was dancing, laughing and a football game to watch. But all of sudden, I was walking down the aisle. Then like a snap, the dance floor cracked (another day, another story) and we loaded up to visit the local bar. Then it was 2am and I was in a limo with my husband, MOH and a really, really bad driver on our way into town. Just like that, nearly 20 hours were gone, I was married and the day was done.

Twenty years from now, when I've forgotten what time the thunderstorm rolled in (approximately 2 and they had to postpone the football game), that the Griz won (73-2 actually), and that lightning struck a mountain and my brother had to call the forest service ...

When I forget that my great friend Ryan was not only AT a wedding in Seattle the night before, but IN IT and then turned around to be in Missoula the next day, just for me ...

When I forget how, after the blowing winds and dumping rain, the Miyamoto clan seem to just appear with a Suburban full of towels donated by the owners of Days Inn and how both sides of the family rallied to reassemble everything - I never even noticed a difference ...

I will have my pictures. Because at the end of that very long/short day, it's a story. An album embodies all of that day. It holds the images that aren't really ones you'd frame, but tells people that weren't there how it went. It reminds people that were there how great it was. And it lets you and your spouse remember. Just ... remember.

A few spreads from Rachael & Scott's album. Yes, that Rachael & Scott. You can see their wedding here & here.

As always, just click on any image to see it larger.

Ciao!
~di

New Years ~ Resolutions x 3

2011-01-26T08:00:00.003-07:00

See life like a kid. More.

Tucson Photographer ~ Resolutions x 2

2011-01-25T08:00:00.007-07:00

Listen more.

Tucson Photographer ~ Resolutions

2011-01-24T11:50:00.003-07:00

I'm not one for resolutions. I tend to make them, break them, and then proceed to guilt-trip myself over doing so. This year is no different, but I find myself making little promises to myself each day to relax more, exercise more, shoot more, help more, and on and on and on. I guess these "little promises" are basically resolutions if only in their timing of being made in January. So blog-world, here are my first "resolutions":

Shoot more. Just because because it makes me happy.

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ out with the old, in with the new

2011-01-06T16:53:00.002-07:00

Out with the old and in with the new!

In light of the new year, I have decided to quit my hoarding tendencies and part with some of my camera equipment. Never fear, I am not giving up photography, I am only making room for upgrades. As my husband says ... the office has become "the place where Dianne's things go to die" - a place that includes old camera gear that a) was given to me and I've never examined and b) never, ever gets used. As much as I'd like to think that someday I'll whip out that old Pentax film camera that got me started, it probably isn't going to happen. Does a girl really need two digital cameras (yes, one primary, one back-up for wedding days). What about three film cameras? Two of which I haven't used in, oooooh, nine years? Probably not!

So in light of new beginnings, here is a list of what I'm parting with and the lowball going rate on Amazon.com for each item. I am also contemplating parting with either one or both of my Apples (to get a newer, fancy-schmancier one that can run Lightroom), but will need a good instigator to go in that direction. Give me a price I can't refuse, and we might have a deal! Oh, and I'm not paying shipping. Some of these items are heavy and the shipping itself might cost as much as the camera. So factor that into your offer!

Without further ado:

*TAMRON AF 19-35MM 1:3.5-4.5 ($300)

*NIKON SPEEDLIGHT SB-800 (BROKEN SCREEN, worth $300 in good condition)

*NIKON ED AF NIKKOR 70-300MM 1:4-5.6D ($235)

*NIKON AF NIKKOR 28-105MM 1:3.5-4.5D ($218)

*NIKON 50MM 1:1.4 (FILM, MANUAL FOCUS, $115)

*POLAROID ($20)

*PENTAX ZX-M (FILM, $75) and appropriate lens/flash apparati:

SMC PENTAX-FA 28-80MM 1:3.5-5.6 ($90)

SUNPAK AUTO ZOOM 333 ($50)

PENTAX AF220T ($12)

*PENTAX ZX-F (FILM, $85) and appropriate lens/flash apparati:

SIGMA 28-200MM 1:3.8-5.6 ($75)
SIGMA 28-80MM 1:3.5-5.6 MACRO ($30)
PENTAX 50MM 1:2.8 MACRO ($299)
PENTAX-F 100-300MM 1:4.5-5.6 ($120)

Camera info:
*Apple iBook G4
*Apple iMac G4

Please contact me via e-mail {info@hellodolli.com} or {facebook} ...

Cheers!
~di

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ Sneak Peek: Cela & Noah

2010-11-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

Tucson Wedding Photographer ~ Sneaky Peeky: Trynia + Craig

2010-10-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

Just for fun: doggies!

2010-10-06T21:48:00.002-07:00

Puppies are always down with being models when I get a new lens:

I've borrowed two lenses for Sunday's wedding, and am so excited to see them in action!

~di

Missoula Wedding Photographer ~ Shelby & Shawn: Married

2010-09-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've spent a lot of time apologizing on my blog lately, so I'm not going to do it again. Honestly, I'm not sorry! Not only did I get married two weeks ago {yay!}, but as the summer has progressed and I've booked more clientele, I'm getting a better feel for my workflow, my turn-around times, and am streamlining my editing process to have an A, B, and C. If you know me at all, creating that "A, B and C" process is extremely important to my mental well-being as I'm slightly OCD. Well, I'm Type A. 'Nuff said.

Getting down to the nitty gritty ... Shelby & Shawn were married July 10th {I know, two months ago - eek!} on a mostly gorgeous day at Linda Vista Country Club in Missoula, Montana. Yes, mostly gorgeous. The day dawned bright & blue, families were a-workin' for the B&G at the venue, the gals were getting gussied up at the local mall, and those classic Montana thunderclouds were floating above the Bitterroot Mountains like unwanted hangers-on at a party.

Mid-afternoon, the thunderclouds were no longer hangers-on, they were major party crashers. The skies opened up and they unleashed their fury, monsoon-style. Wait, we're not in Arizona! But they did. I know a lot of regions use the phrase "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" but in Montana, nothing could be more true. Within fifteen minutes we were no longer under the pouring bucket and instead back to sunshiney skies.

To Shelby & Shawn: I hope every day of your lives together is like this day. I do not wish you raining fury, but I do hope you maintain the positive attitudes, smiles & laughter you both exuded despite the "interruption." Cheers!

PS ... I'm coining "sunshiney." Consider it copyrighted as of September 15th, 2010. :)

And because I'm a total sucker for cute babies ...

Cheers!

~ di

Tucson Portrait Photographer ~ Sneaky Peeky: Family Session

2010-08-21T07:05:00.004-07:00

Sneaky Peeky of a fun, slightly hot (as in temperature) family session in Sonoita, Arizona ...

Cheers!

~di

Sneaky Peeky: Shelby & Shawn ...

2010-08-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

Montana Wedding Photographer: Rachael & Scott ... Round 2

2010-08-01T14:32:00.004-07:00

Ding Ding Ding! Round 2 begins ...

{if you missed Round 1, you can remind yourself of the June goodness here}

The Daly Mansion:

Flower girls are always good for a giggle ... Grace did so well!

Married!

Love these, love them, love it all.

Let the party begin ...

Yes, that is a dude in the AIR.

{Yes, I said "dude." It's part of my daily vernacular, so why not on the blog too?}

Cheers!

~di

Montana Wedding Photographer: Rachael & Scott ... Round 1

2010-07-28T20:43:00.004-07:00

So what happens when a girl shoots a) her good friends' wedding and b) it's located in her most favorite place in the world?

Well ... A+B = inability to narrow down favorite photos! Thus, Rachael & Scott's June nuptials will be featured in two rounds (yes, like boxing. One. Two. Punch!) so as not to overload your senses.

Rachael & Scott were married June 19th in Hamilton, Montana at the Marcus Daly Mansion. The day dawned bright and blue, with some wispy clouds in the mountains. The afternoon brought a quick thunderstorm, but it quickly (and I mean quickly) dissipated. Of course, said storm decided to grace us with its presence immediately following the ceremony. It held off! Wahoo!

Anyway, let's get on with the pretty stuff.

Hamilton, Montana

Rach, you're stunning ... on a side note, the middle photo is one of my favorite getting ready shots ever. The angles in the elbows I think ...

The boys.

... and for round two, the wedding and reception ... here's a sneak at the gorgeousness:

Cheers!

~di

Sneaky Peeky: Rachael & Scott

2010-06-24T12:54:00.006-07:00

Sneaky Peeky! Rachael & Scott got hitched this past weekend at the Marcus Daly Mansion in Hamilton, Montana. By popular demand, here is a sneaky peeky of a few of my fave shots from the weekend...

Aren't they gorgeous? Very Rhett & Scarlett.

On a side note, these images are not color-corrected in the least. It really is THAT green in Montana right now. Thank goodness for rain! Can you believe it?!

More to come in a few days!

~di

Sneaky Peeky ...

2010-06-05T21:11:00.001-07:00

I know it's been a bazillion years since I have posted anything, but I'm back! I got a new camera (wooo! How on earth did I hold out for so long?! Best. Investment. Ever.) and have been practicing, practicing, practicing. The "break-in" event was my Grammie's 80th birthday party two weeks ago. I have finished editing the pics, so here's a sneaky peeky of the good lookin' parental unit to hold you over until the proof site is ready to go. There will be more to come! I have a busy shooting summer ahead of me, and am currently booking fall weddings, so spread the word! 'Til then, hasta luego ...

Tucson Photographer ~ Oh la la labrador

2009-12-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Oh labbies, how I ♥ thee.

Izzy: 3.5 year old lab mix ... most recent guess is german shorthair pointer.

Turk: {almost} 2 year old lab ... a rescue. Yes, I know, too good looking for such things, but true nonetheless.

izzy+turk+river+crazy trees = photo-happy dog momma

{as always, you can click on any image to make it bigger!}

Tucson Photographer ~ Doggy Sneeky Peaky

2009-12-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

Tucson Photographer ~ Friends let friends take photos!

2009-12-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

Otherwise titled as: Friends make great guinea pigs.

The first few weeks in Sierra Vista, I developed a schedule for myself: shower. unpack. walk dogs. look for jobs. drive around town looking for good photo spots. walk dogs. cook dinner. go to bed. repeat.

Exciting, I know. But the great thing is I found a wash by my house that has AWESOME backlight the hour before sunset {a wash is essentially an empty riverbed created by flash floods during our biannual monsoon seasons, fyi). I also found the quickest route to the river - 10 minute drive for uninterrupted doggy splashing fun! Post detailing the latter is a-comin'.

Anyway, when my friend Lacee came down a couple of weeks ago, I took her out to the wash and made her play ANTM for me. Tada!

{as always, you can click on any image to make it bigger}

For some reason I love this image ... I want to print it on a huge canvas and hang it above my fireplace:

She's always all smiles:

Cheers!

~di

Montana Wedding Photographer ~ The King & Queen of Cheese get engaged!

2009-12-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

How do I begin to explain my friends Rachael & Scott?

Rachael & Scott are the couple that go to Disneyland ... and pose with every character they meet. Rachael & Scott are the couple that have been together forever ... but still act like they just met. Rachael & Scott are the couple that just "go" together. They are snow & hot cocoa ... peanut butter & jelly ... fire & marshmallows ... sugar & cookies ...

Rachael & Scott have been dating for six years. Yes, six. When they first met, Scott informed Rachael he was on the "seven year plan" - Rach basically blew him off. "Whatever," she thought. Well, Scott got the final laugh on that one.

When Rachael called to announce their engagement last January, it went a little bit like this:

R: "Scott proposed this morning!"

D: "What?! It took you a whole five minutes to tell me this! I'm so excited for you, that's awesome! Hey, at least you beat the seven-year plan. HAH!"

R: "Oooooh no. By next June, it will be seven years ..."

And {nearly} seven years later, they're still cracking up at each other. I can't wait to shoot the wedding next June!

{as always, you can click on a picture to make it bigger!}

Four days before the shoot, it was -23 in Missoula. Day of, it was 19. It was this cold (yes, that's a frozen river):

They were brave souls, working the "grin & bear it" face:

The Rachael & Scott we know & love:

{♥ this one}

My {favorite} shot of the day ... Aren't they adorable?

Cheers!

~di

Tucson Photographer ~ Family Fotos for the Flinns

2009-12-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Phew! The craziness has eased somewhat, so let me get started on blogging all of the wonderfulness from the last two weeks ...

The Flinn family was a last-minute booking, which I don't mind at all! I just happened to be coming to Tucson, and Dad just happened to be in town, and the family just happened to need their Christmas photos done and ta-da! Match made in heaven. We went over to the Arizona Inn by the U of A campus and just wandered around. The adobe walls and yellow chairs and adorable pergolas wrapped in white Christmas lights - I was in photog heaven. I definitely plan on visiting again. Thanks guys for the intro to such a great location!

Without further ado, here are the Flinns:

{as always, click on an image to make it bigger}

and my fave ... daddy and baby ...

Cheers!

~di

Montana Photographer ~ Sneaky Peeky Numero TRES!

2009-12-12T23:21:00.001-07:00

I told you it was going to be a busy week ...

My week in Missoula was productive to say the least! The week started off with a bang with a balmy -12 degrees, and that was before the wind chill factor. Thankfully the weather gods decided to cut Rachael & Scott a break by Friday so we could shoot their engagement session. Here is a sneaky peeky of the King & Queen of Cheese:

Tucson Photographer ~ Sneaky Peeky Numero Dos!

2009-12-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

Starting last Thursday, my schedule has been packed! And I'm loving it!

It started out with a nice little photo-shoot with my friend Lacee as guinea pig. More to come on that one.

Then Saturday the Griz beat the Lumberjacks for a trip to the semifinals (next game to be aired on ESPN2 Saturday December 12th) ... and covered by yours truly. I am attending with camera in tow!

I also shot this great little family this past weekend:

Next up: Missoula, Montana below zero degrees AND an engagement shoot AND Griz under the lights AND my own personal venue previews for my own big day ... stay tuned!

Tucson Photographer ~ Sneaky Peeky

2009-12-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

Tucson Photographer ~ Vince Guaraldi sings to me ...

2009-12-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

... and what's Christmas without my favorite little helpers? ...

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookie Goodness

2009-11-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour (I used Gluten-Free Pantry – Beth’s gluten-free all-purpose flour, it has guar gum which eliminates the need to add 1/4 tsp. of guar or xantham)
1 teaspoon baking soda (or 3 tsp. of GF baking powder)
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
~~1/4 teaspoon guar gum OR xanthan gum (If you are using a mix that contains xanthan or guar gum OMIT adding more gum)~~
1/2 cup unsalted butter OR Spectrum All-Vegetable Shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 15-oz can of pumpkin puree (do not use premade pumpkin mix)
1/3 cup milk OR your favorite dairy free milk substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze Ingredients:

1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon milk OR dairy free milk substitute (1 tbsp wasn’t enough, added more as needed for frosting-like consistency)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8-ish teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375F / 190C

Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper, silicone pads or lightly grease.

In a medium mixing bowl combine gluten-free flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and guar OR xanthan gum (if your mix does NOT contain gum.) Whisk until thoroughly combined.

In a separate mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg, pumpkin puree, milk and vanilla; beat until combined.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined.

Drop cookies by generous rounded teaspoons on prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes in preheated oven.

While cookies are baking prepare glaze by beating confectioner's sugar, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium bowl until smooth and glossy – may have to add more milk as needed for a smoother consistency.

Cool cookies for 1-2 minutes. Spoon, drop or brush glaze on cookies.

Yield- About 3 dozen cookies

For larger cookies drop cookies on prepared baking sheet by using a rounded tablespoon and bake an addition 2-3 minutes or until the cookies are done.

...

2009-11-09T12:10:00.001-07:00

Dear blog,

I am not ignoring you. I have been very busy and will post stuff soon. I realize that you look very boring and empty at the moment.

Love,
Dianne

First {official} dolli photo blog post!

2009-10-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

So, I guess the best way to start out a new blog is with good news ...

I'm engaged!

So to satiate all of your curious oohs and aaahs, here are some ring pictures. I do love me some ring pictures. Yum!

testing testing 1.2.3.

2009-10-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

Feeling artsy fartsy ... it's a bucket.