If you had asked me a year ago how I felt about maternity and newborn photos and I probably would’ve said something like, “not interested…” or I simply would have made a weird and confused face. Dumb me had NO idea what she was missing.

There is something so special about taking photos during this special time in someone’s life and it makes me smile the cheesiest grin. I never would have expected to enjoy this as much as I am but gosh dang. People creating people is weird, magical, and I love it. And tiny babes with parents figuring it out is the most real and awesome thing to watch. I wanted to thank those who asked me to take photos for them and uncovering a new photo love for me. So enjoy some of my favorites from some of my favorite people :)

What are some new hobbies or things you’ve discovered?? I’d love to hear about your newest adventures :)

The last couple weeks have been really interesting. I went from being stuck in bed with the flu to completely healthy and overwhelmingly inspired to create. The sun has been out and I’ve spent hours outside playing with my camera and planning photoshoots with anyone I can. I found it funny, however, because the last few years I tried diving into new types of photography. I’ve been trying things like flat lays (which I am awful at), lifestyle shots, landscape (another I’m not naturally very good at) and a lot of other things that I enjoyed but haven’t found as much fulfillment in. I kept feeling like I was failing and couldn’t get better. I kind of gave up on myself and this is actually why I starting a whole new medium and began doing videography and filmmaking. But this last week I decided to try and do the thing that made me fall in love with photography in the first place. I started to take portraits of people again.

Alright so by “people” I actually mean myself. Because when you don’t always have access to models, you gotta step in sometimes! So I started to try out some techniques I’d been learning online, trying to get real creative with the selfies I was taking and something was re-sparked within me. I forgot how much fun it is to make ordinary people look extraordinary! Getting funky with lighting has always been one of my favorite things to do, but adding light refractions from odd objects has been the newest game changer. It sounds really silly but it has been working for me lately. I love the movement and dynamic it can add to a portrait. But who knows, maybe it’ll be something I look back on and think looks terrible, haha. Thats the beauty though, isn’t it? Seeing our growth through the way we decided to express ourselves at a moment in time and being able to look back at it and remember everything that went into making those decisions…

AND, tell me what you think of these couple of photos! I’m always looking for constructive feedback, especially as I step into new territory. Thank you!!

All my love, Hannah xx

Another fun part of all this is forcing the hubz to model for me! haha. He’s been such a good sport as well and has been able to pull off some pretty fierce looks. Shooting men is definitely new territory and I’m lucky enough to be able to start practicing with a model I’m very comfortable with and that is also comfortable with me. I’m excited to start diving into shooting men more, I feel like they tend to get overlooked in the portrait scene and I’m excited to showcase them. Telling people’s stories has always been my goal and I’d love to have the opportunity to tell yours.

So, if ANYONE is interested in having a fun and casual photoshoot with me, please hit me up. I’d love to collaborate with you.

Its been almost 2 years since I’ve blogged and it feels very odd to even attempt to do this again. Even now I’m truly at a loss for words. One thing I do know, however, is I miss sharing my life with people. I miss sharing my photos and experiences online. 2017 and 2018 were a whirlwind and it had a lot to do with the fact that I got into a serious relationship and then got married. But it also had to do with me shifting into a new career, making new friends, enjoying old friends, building out my van… just… life haha. But now that the period of transition seems to be settling a bit I thought I’d get back into sharing my life with all of you! Let me recap 2018 for you so I can catch you up on the goings on in my life… The ups and the downs.

2018

January: Clay asked me to marry him. I said yes :)

February: Rita (my van… my home) broke down and was in the shop for 2 weeks 10 hours away from my usual stomping grounds.

March: Spent the month working and trying to fix what the terrible mechanic ruined on Rita…

April: Started feeling a little more normal. Yosemite. Wedding Planning.

May: Working/Wedding Planning.

June: Working/ Wedding Planning…

July: Quit Job. Moved to the east bay full time.

August: All my camera gear and hard drives were stolen. My best friend from Australia, Oliver, came to CA

September: Uncle Louis passed away… Clay and I got married!

October: Honeymoon in Japan and Korea

November: Started developing myself and own career. Oliver left.

December: Moved into a new house with Clay and some friends. Made goals or 2019.

So those are just the highlights of each month… It was a great year but it definitely wasn’t the easiest either… I’m happy I can look back at it now and am no longer IN IT. I learned a lot about myself and my work in 2018. I made mistakes (backup your computer and its content in two separate places people) and am learning from them. I started this year feeling ready for 2019. I actually felt like I was standing on my own two feet and could take whatever was going to come for me. I’m surrounding by inspirational, supportive, and amazing people that give me life. I’m married to an incredible person and do not know how I got so dang lucky. And I actually feel like I am finding my stride in photo and video.

I can honestly say that right now… I am happy.

I plan on sharing a whole lot more here. Once per week is my goal. Whether its just a small story, an update, or maybe even a DIY project? Who knows! Possibilities are endless. What do you guys want to hear more about?

If you’d like to keep up with me more, I post almost everyday on my Instagram @whiskeyandmud.

If you’d like to work with me whether you’d like some pictures taken, your business promoted, or to just sit down and have a coffee with me, send me an email! I’d love to hear from you all.

I hope you have all been doing well these last couple of years!

I remember thinking to myself, "I can't believe people would dress up their dog. That is so weird and I'm sure the dogs hates it." I actually would scoff at people that put tutus on their dogs and photographed the humiliation. And here I am, 2 years later, with an Instagram dedicated to my dog who wears everything from backpacks to bumblebee outfits. I'm officially "that person." And damn proud of it. Because look how freaking suave Ender looks in his bow ties. 

I was recently approached by the company Shop Silly Buddy to take some photos of my pups in their bow ties. I was shocked. I had been following their company for a while but hadn't bought one because I'm broke and couldn't justify spending money on accessories for my dog. (Tragic) So when they asked Ender to do some modeling I was absolutely ecstatic. It was unexpected and terribly flattering.
I picked the herringbone bow tie (above) and the Rifle Paper Co. floral printed bow tie (below) I wasn't expecting much, honestly. I have seen some dog bow ties that are terrible quality and would likely be destroyed after a few wears and expected nothing different from SSB. I was mistaken. As I unwrapped these gorgeous pieces I could feel the quality and was shocked! Every person who has seen them and held them have also been shocked by them. They are stunning, hold their shape, and are sized perfectly.

Seriously, if you're in the market for a bow tie, this is the place to get it. They have a huge selection of prints to choose from and you can buy them alone or with a matching collar. The bow tie has elastics on the back and can slip over any collar you might have. 

I can't help but take pictures of my pups wearing these beautiful bow ties. Shop Silly Buddy hasn't asked me to write anything about them, I honestly couldn't help myself. They are too wonderful not to talk about. Just like with Ender's backpack, if I love a product I'm going to talk about it. These bow ties are no different. I'm absolutely in love with them. Thank you so much for asking me to photograph your bow ties, I couldn't be happier with this product. 

1 month into 2017 and this year is just getting more and more hectic.  Whatever is happening, 2017 seems to be the year that I am going to get my shit together. Whether I like it or not. 

I had this feeling of freshness at the start of the year. Inspiration and aspirations filled the depths of my soul and I was ready to take on anything life had to throw at me. I made goals for myself, both creative and concrete, and have been trying to take better care of myself as well. And, though these feelings have not faded, I'm already beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. I knew this year was going to be quite the transition for me, but its the time waiting thats starting to slowly kill me. Being in limbo is definitely not a fun thing. I'm spoiled to have a certain amount of certainty in my life...at least having some idea of whats going to happen in the next year. But right now I'm kind of living month to month, which never really bothered me before but now I have another creature, besides myself, that I'm taking care of and I need to make sure he is living the best life possible. It is time for me to buckle down and create a solid and consistent life for me and my dog. 

When I began writing this I had intended on talking about all the weird bumps I'd hit in the past few weeks. I was going to complain and whine to get the negative feelings out and try to move on. But is that really going to help? Or am I just fueling my insecurities/nervousness/fatalistic mindset? I think the latter. So instead of focusing on uninspired me I'm going to reread and repost the feelings I had at the start of the year. 

"Entering 2017 with a peaceful mindset. -

I can complain about the atrocities of 2016 and be angry about what has happened these last 12 calendar months, it is too easy for me to resort to negativity. So instead of dwelling on what has happened and wallowing in my self pity, I will practice positivity, today and for the years to come. I am happy to have this society-constructed idea of a blank slate to try and make better habits/choices but I also don't want to rely on the "new year" to continue bettering myself. I have a lot of plans for 2017 and it's already proving to be a transitional year for me. I know there will be a lot of confusion, heartache, and restless nights. I just hope to learn, grow, and be happy this year. I've also been inspired by a conversation with my dear @nikochico who has decided to "turn everything (he) does into something creative" Why can't I do that? Why am I afraid of putting all of my energy into creativity? I've always used my creative side as an escape from the real world, as if it is something that cannot be incorporated into my everyday life. But that stops now! I will take every opportunity I can to create and explore the insides of my mind.

So cheers to a year of growth, happiness, and creativity. Let's celebrate and choose greatness."

Meet adoptable Patton and Powell! These babes are 6 week old bundles of adorable terror. I'm now fostering for a local rescue called Fred's Friends. They focus on bottle baby kitten and puppies. These two are from a litter of six and will be spending the next few weeks with me and my pack until they're old enough to adopt out. My week has been full of sleeping, pooping, playing puppies. Enjoy the photos of these nuggets while I go scoop some poop.

I've definitely had puppy fever for quite some time... and now I don't. :) Picking up poop twice a day and waking up throughout the night to let them poop some more is less than desirable but those faces make it worth it. Fostering is such a wonderful way to go, I get the best part! All the cuteness of puppies and then they get better homes than I could offer! I can't wait until I'm ready to get Ender a new brother or sister but until then, fostering is a great way to meet wonderful puppies waiting for their perfect forever homes.

I know its been ages since I've posted, I've been wrapped up in mediocre events, traveling, and trying to figure out my life, but I'm back now and I plan on coming back strong. I'll try to update you all on what has been happening though I  cannot even fathom the last few months I've had. Life has been a whirlwind of long drives, longer flights, and unbelievable amounts of fun. I'm not even sure where to begin... so here are the bullet points...

• I quit my dog training gig to focus on piano and photo more. 
• I've become an apprentice piano tuner and restorer. It is... difficult and time consuming and frustrating and unbelievably satisfying. I'm slowly falling in love with this world and plan on jumping head first now that I'm home from recent excursions.

• I was in Europe for 3 weeks, visiting so many countries I have yet to fully wrap my head around what I actually experienced.
• After not having consistent work and then leaving the country for 3 weeks, I'm running very low on funds. So scrounging and scraping by... but whats life without a little uncertainty? (Huge thanks to my parents for being extremely supportive and understanding)
• And of course, trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing with my life. Apparently running around screaming, "I'm a grown-up!" does not actually make you a "grown-up" 

Despite the hiccup that is my life, I plan on coming back strong. But I'll need your help. I've got many ideas for future media content but I want to know what you guys want to see. Constantly updating about my life is getting dull and I'd like to mix it up. I want to do things you guys want to see. I want to do things you all would take time out of your day to read/watch/look at. So please, TELL ME!  I'm open to all ideas. You can dare me to do something stupid! I'll record and put it here. haha. Almost anything. Don't get too carried away. haha. You can comment below or email me or whatever I have on my contact page. Do it. Say Anything.