[natural. beautiful. You] [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

So this is where I am.

As you grow and change as a person, you do the same as an artist.

I have been fortunate to have very (positively) influential people surrounding me lately. My husband is always there for me, especially on those not-so-great days, to show me the big picture and pull me out of the weeds. He helps me stay focused on the important things and forget the insignificant things that bother me. My children are always there with a smile. I am very blessed to have truly happy children. Don't get me wrong, they have their meltdowns. But for the most part they shower me with hugs and kisses and the occasional statement, "you're a good mommy." It doesn't get any better than that.

I also have help with all things photography from my great friend, Michelle. If I have a business or technical question, I know she is always happy to help me along my journey. It is because of her, I know I can be great.

I have also made a new and wonderful friend since moving here to Pensacola. She has helped me in many ways. In fact, the word help seems such an understatement. It all started with sleepless nights after our move and horrible back pain. My mother in law recommended the mother of a child in her class who was a massage therapist. However, Marina is much more than that. She has become an endearing friend who is there to help in any way she can. Her solutions are always so simple - yet so significant. She and her family have such loving and giving souls. They inspire me to be better. To make a difference. I have learned to stay more clearly focused and depend less on "things." They have also taught me how to be more aware of my impact. Not only on others, but the environment.

I say all of that to get to this. I am finally coming into my own with my style with my photography. I have found what truly brings me joy. It all seems to gravitate around all things natural -

The outdoors.

The laughter of a child.

The heartwarming smile of a mother holding her newborn.

Things, emotions, events that occur naturally and hold such beauty. It inspired the new text found on my homepage:

[natural. beautiful. You]

I believe this is the feeling that my images convey. Nothing made up. Just you. Being just you.

Here are a few of my favorite images:

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My Eco-Challenge for this month:

In this quest to be simpler, I am trying to collect less things. One major thing is plastic bags. I am doing my best to remember my reusable bags, and if I forget I just carry my items out in my arms. I am also designing reusable bags to package your orders. A small and simple thank you that you can use over and over.

April 22 is Earth Day, and I hope that by then I can no longer rely on any plastic bags.

Any one else in????????? If so, leave a comment and we'll try to keep each other on track!

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One last thing in this never ending post...

Mark your calendars for the Frei Spring Event

Friday, March 19

5:00 - 8:00 PM

and

Saturday, March 20

11:00 - 4:00 PM

Hans & Marina will graciously open their home to several artists and local small business owners that share a love for creativity and the environment. I will give more details in a separate post. See you there!

To learn more about Marina please click here.

And to learn more about the event they are hosting please click here!

delightfully,

Monica

CRAZY GOOD CHAOS [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

So, did you think I fell down the rabbit hole along with Alice? Well, it is something kinda like that.

Right now I feel like I am trying to drink from a water hose. (Thank you, Danielle, for that analogy!) My brain, she's all-a-tizzy! I have SO many ideas about what I want to do - what direction I want to go with my business - that I can't quite think clearly. Oh yeah, and I'm a mom, so my thoughts are ALWAYS interrupted! I have been trying to blog for over a week now and could not pull it together enough to make anything make sense. So I thought I would just explain myself so maybe you could read into my craziness :)

While I was trying to harness all of my ideas, I couldn't do anything photography related, so I attempted to craft. Here is the outcome:

(Thanks Jenn for making me feel all crafty!)

I am working on a post with all of the information about the

wonderful event

March 19 & 20

being held at the Frei's home to showcase local artists

and unique businesses.

All with a green theme.

So get ready to mark your calendars!!

delightfully,

Monica

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

I saw this post last week by Tara Whitney, and thought it would make a great read. I have never read nor seen anything to do with Alice in Wonderland. Although I have ridden the tea cups at Disney...

I went to the bookstore to buy the pretty pink book, and then wandered into the children's section. There I found this beautiful book. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen. So Reagan and I are reading a chapter every night.

I don't know how kid-appropriate it is. I have trouble following the guy sometimes. But we stop and summarize and talk about the beautiful illustrations. And I try to read all of the grown-up jargon myself and skip to the kid stuff for her. She can't wait to hear what happens next every night. And neither can I.

delightfully,

Monica

RUB A DUB :) [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

Don't you just LOVE everyday fun?

I do.

Nothing special except their expressions.

Happy Tuesday :)

delightfully,

Monica

CANDY!! [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

What a FUN day! Valentine's Day has gotten so much more fun since kids :) Hearing Reagan squeal because she got a heart shaped ring pop is much more exciting than wondering if I got Jake something that was thoughtful yet useful. We still exchange cards, but the gifts are all about the kids. Luke got some conversation hearts since I am not willing to even imagine the mess if I gave him a lollipop.

about to take a lick :)

We celebrated mostly last night. Jake took us all out for sushi. My favorite. The kids behaved wonderfully and ate all of their food. Reagan with chopsticks and Luke with his hands. Then we went to buy mattresses for the guest room (painted it today - show finished pics later!) and on to Dunkin Donuts for a treat. YUM.

Hope you have a most delightful day!!!

Monica

WHAT WE'RE UP TO [Monica Brown, Stay at Home MOM]

**edited** Did anyone see Reagan the first time they looked at this photo? She sure is sneaky :)

As most of the US is under several feet of snow, we are eagerly awaiting our flurries :) It is too cold for my taste for the kids to play outside very long, so we made a day of just playing with our thousands of toys. AND we pretended we were monkeys.

TOTALLY against the rules to climb over the back of the couch, jump on the couch, etc. But they look so darn cute doing it I just had to get out the camera. Now I have encouraged it. Oops.

Hope your day is just as delightful ;)

Monica

WHY I LOVE MY JOB [Monica Brown - Pensacola Photographer]

Let me count the reasons, or just show you.

First of all, I believe MEMORIES MATTER. And I help you preserve those memories. Without photos, how will your remember that smile? That look? I totally believe you (and I) should have family photos taken at least once a year. Besides that, you should take photos of your children often. But for those special occasions, like little [K]'s first birthday, you should have this time documented by a professional. This time is not special only for the little one, but WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR YOU! Each year at your children's birthdays you should celebrate. Your family. Your child. YOU. As a parent, it is your job to raise a responsible adult. This is your time to relish your achievement.

Little [K] is ONE!

Look at those sweet "tails" as Reagan call them. Just blowing in the wind...

Family time is wonderful.

But YOU are responsible for that beautiful little girl.

so be proud of yourself.

You have done well.

[T] and [B], little [K] is a JOY.

And THIS is why I love my job.

I get to capture THIS. Your moment. Your family. YOU.

delightfully,

Monica

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DOES THIS CAMERA MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG? [Monica Brown - Pensacola Photographer]

Maybe. But if I use it to COVER my butt, will anyone notice???

I find myself sitting in this chair hours a day now. Which makes me very HAPPY since it means I am doing what I love. Editing. Updating things. Or blogging. But I do these things instead of exercising. Wonder if they make a bike short enough to double as an office chair...

delightfully,

Monica

SHADOW PLAY [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

So today doesn't really feel like Groudhog Day to me. It feels like a new beginning versus more of the same. It is a sunny 65 degrees outside. No snow in site, but hey, this is Florida. I went outside for a breath of fresh air and played a bit with my shadow :) Too bad the kids are down for a nap. That would have been a cute photo!

Love the tiny patch of green grass by my elbow. Spring is just around the corner!!

Back to editing the beach photos from Sunday's session. Be on the lookout...

delightfully,

Monica

THE DAY IT GOT EASY(ER) [Monica Brown, Pensacola Beach Photographer]

Exhale.

Today brought me such joy. I will do my best to describe it...

The kiddos (and me) have been sick this last week. Wiping noses and breathing treatments have abound. This morning Luke woke up at 5:20 coughing so we began the routine again. Up and at'em to get Reagan to preschool. Only a few minutes late today :) Then Luke and I ran errands to get lovelies for the impending guest room :) For all of you planning to head to my house for the beach this summer, you will have a nice guest room to relax in, instead of an air mattress. My dad is already excited. We headed back to get Reagan and then straight to the beach. Oh, what a wonderful day! It was beautiful and sunny. How I love Florida. We went and played at the beach in February...and had to take our jackets off. It was so peaceful. The sound of the wind, waves crashing and my children's laughter. I stopped and soaked it all in. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

I. cannot.believe it. I asked her to look at me...and she did...with a smile! And a REAL one at that!

Really Mom? At the beach? Can't you JUST play????

LOVE this one. LOVE it.

Reagan is ALWAYS one step behind. Or on top. She doesn't realize how much taller she is how LONG her legs are..and all of a sudden she catches him. Wham. Down they both go. But not this time...









I can't help but fall in love with an image of BOTH of my kids. With that adoring look his eye. She is his favorite person. The winter sun, the shimmer on the water, the fish-eye distortion of the lens. This is going on the wall.

Gotta get this kid some sun glasses. He has my sensitivity to light, thus the watery eyes.

For those of you that know me well, you know I have been battling extreme fatigue. Naps have been necessary, not just nice. The last few days I have been able to not only stay awake all day, but not have my head laying on the table during dinner. A simple change in when I took my medication did it (and my kids now sleeping through the night). And the doctors had me prodded all summer trying to find something in my blood! I was too tired of to think of the easy fix myself. Geez. But all is starting to become "normal" in my life. Today was the first day I have not only had the energy to stay awake, but I got to play with my kids at the beach too.

I'll take it.

delightfully,

Monica