A bouquet of happiness | Denver lifestyle photographer

I forgot the amount of happiness one bouquet of flowers can bring, especially during these rough Colorado winter months (I'm not a fan of the cold, imagine that).

The other night, I came home to my own lovely bundle of flowers from my sweet man. My own bouquet of happiness to admire for days to come. My heart melted. You see, I had had one of those days. It was long, I was that super emotional version of myself, and I was questioning all I thought was right. If you know me, you know I do this more often that I should. Call me crazy, or maybe I just am. ;)

However, coming home to that simple gesture with my husband's comforting words made all the difference in the world. How did I get so lucky?

The flowers and Shane's encouragement reminded me of a quote I once heard, "The flower doesn't dream of the bee. It blooms and the bee comes." Even on the hardest and lowest of days, it takes courage to bloom. To follow your dreams. To be you, and let the world see it. To disregard all of those fears in the back of your mind. To keep on trucking along. To create a life you love. To strive for happiness as your success.

Some days can be hard. But like my little reminder, I am here to remind you, you are blooming. You are beautiful. You can do it. xo

Are you looking for a Denver lifestyle photographer? Contact Miranda L. Sober Photography at info@mirandalsober.com for photo session details and booking availability.

Happy New Year, 2016

It's that time again, time for a whole brand spankin' new year. Who's excited?! I am. While the year 2015 treated me amazingly well, and was a chunk of my life I will forever remember, I am thrilled for what is to come! I have a few resolutions, or as I like to say, goals:

• meet new people and make new friends
• love more, worry less
• strive for happiness, not perfection
• spend less time on social media
• keep a healthy mind and healthy body
• more Jesus everyday
• travel to places I've never been, near or far
• try new things big and small
• be thankful everyday
• hug more
• learn something new
• overcome at least one fear
• and... meet YOUR 2016 photography dreams and goals

Miranda L. Sober Photography is now booking for the year of 2016. Contact info@mirandalsober.com for photography session details and booking availability.

Our First Christmas Tree

On our last Wyoming adventure, our little family cut down our vey first Christmas tree. A little larger than we had thought, after cutting  a few limbs, we got it shining bright in our living room. Our tree-topper just hits the ceiling, making the tree bend ever so slightly. Shane and I have a little different taste, so the little ornaments we have make for an interesting collection. It's perfect. We have never had a 'real' tree for Christmas, but I believe we will be making this the first of many new family traditions. Merry Christmas to all of you!

the right someone, for the right people

"You don't have to be all things to all people. You just have to be the right someone for the right people."

I recently heard this, and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Why do we try to be all things? And to all people?

What are all things? And who are all these people?

I believe that in life I have always been a little hard on myself. A constant worrier, always thinking about everyone around me. Their thoughts, good or bad. Why they maybe like something, or why maybe they don't. Stressing over everyone else. I've found the same thing with this photography career of mine. I've got to be all things. To all people. Or who will hire me?

So much pressure.

When I am asked by someone what I do for a living, I typically reply, "I'm a photographer". I would get the typical, "Oh wow, cool", "Oh so you photograph weddings?", "Oh does that keep you busy?", "How much money do you really make?", "You should photograph my family, but for free", "Oh yea, you should photograph ______ (school photos, my aunt's second cousin's family reunion, a wild tiger, the moon from a hot air balloon, etc.). You wouldn't imagine what people come up with. That last one I may have exaggerated a tad. ;)  I usually smile and nod my head, yes or no, I'm not sure which.

The thing is. I've tried all those things. Minus the tiger. And maybe the hot air balloon. ;)

I've tried to be all those things, and more. To make all people happy.

The other night however, I was asked the same question, "Now Miranda, what do you do for a living?". I simply replied, "I'm a newborn and family photographer". I felt so much relief before I even noticed the other individual's reaction. You see, I think I was so afraid to be so specific. Maybe because that was too specific and maybe I could try to be this person's photographer for whatever they did want, and now they wouldn't hire me. Or maybe because I thought they would think that wasn't as 'impressive' as being a wedding photographer, or that they would then think I definitely don't make money, and am definitely not busy doing only that. I'm not exactly sure why. But this time, they just came out, and it was so right.

 The individual across the table smiled, and asked me to tell her more, to tell her all about what I do. My heart was happy, my confidence strong, my cheeks hurting from smiling so hard.

I believe that we as people often allow the outside world to influence all the things we are. We allow others to determine who we are, or allow them to measure our confidence or successfulness.

Another stresser.

We should be proud of who we are. What we do. What we like. What we don't like. Why we are the right someone, for the right people.  Be you, be happy ol' you. Be confident, because you are amazing. You are smart. You can do anything you set your mind to. And know that you are the one that measures your success.

To me, success is being happy. Being happy, means being me. And being me, means that I'm just the right someone, for the right people. I am a lifestyle newborn and family photographer. I may not be the photographer to all, but I hope I am the right one for the right people.

xo

new friends

Remi and I have quickly made ourselves at home in Shane's condo here in Fort Collins. Even though it's quite small and a bit of a squeeze for the three of us, we are happy as can be. We are on the search for a new home to call our own someday here in the near future, but until then we are enjoying just where we are. Remi has made a few new friends already. ;) He and this little squirrel have quite the conversations, chirping and barking at one another as much as possible.

Are you in search of a lifestyle photographer? Contact Fort Collins photographer, Miranda L. Sober Photography at info@mirandalsober.com for photography session details and booking availability.

what i learned on my honeymoon in cabo san lucas, mexico

First, my HUSBAND (so weird), Shane and I would like to hug and thank each and every one of you who made our wedding day so perfect. We are surrounded by amazing clients, co-workers, friends, and family, and we are so very lucky to have all of you in our lives. Our special day wouldn't have been the same without all of your warm wishes and smiling faces! We couldn't have asked for a better day, and are now so ready to spend the rest of forever together. After the wedding we took off for our long awaited honeymoon. We spent a week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Now, don't get me wrong, it was wonderful! But if there are a few things I learned while in Mexico, it's these things:

• Mexico does not believe in sour cream. How can you eat Mexican food without sour cream?!
• Speaking the Spanish language feels very odd to me. However, Shane quite enjoyed it (maybe a little too much ;) ).
• Pack sunscreen, or you pay $20 for a small tube. You'll still get burnt by the way.
• Shane and I + saltwater + major heat = no bueno
• Drinking cocktails around the clock is socially acceptable.
• The buffet has endless amounts of shrimp. No rush to try to eat it all.
• Breakfast burritos are nonexistent. Very sad.
• Stay at your resort. Or be very afraid.
• Shane loves oysters. And piña coladas.
• If you are going to have swimming contests in the pool, make sure Shane packs his nasal spray.
• The sand is hot, and course. Make sure you have your flip-flops in hand.
• Jet skiing on the ocean is very different than on the lake. You'll get some air on those ol' waves.
• Every souvenir looks the exact same, but each seller will tell you differently.
• I love the USA.
• Try a banana daiquiri. Now.
• Taxi drivers do not understand the term 'car sick'.
• It only rains a handful of times a year in Mexico. We were lucky enough to get about 4 days of rain, of course.
• Book a shuttle before arrival. Or you will be scared, trust me.
• Upgrade to the ocean view room, you'll be very happy you did.
• Don't take for granted the ability to read signs.
• We don't suggest flying American Airways.
• Shane didn't seem to believe me when I told him that the sun actually burns you more when it is cloudy. Or that it is harder to breath at lower elevation than at high. (Maybe I made both of those up, but they seemed right at the time.)
• Again, I love America.
• I love my HUSBAND.
• I am so very lucky.

why I love you

Shane, My fiancé - I love so many things about you, but I thought I would share just a few. I love how you make me laugh. I love how you think you have the greatest dance moves of all time. I love when you play with our dog, Remi. I love how you have a different hobby every other month. I love your love for YouTube. I love your dream to go far. I love knowing you will be the most amazing father one day. I love your inability to listen, to plan anything too far ahead, and how both drive me so crazy. I love your ambition. I love your ears, and how they pop out just right. I love your laugh. I love your smile, when you aren't being too cheesy. I love how you love your job, even when it's hard. I love how when we make plans, they are usually just your plans and everyone follows. I love how you cook everything with entirely too much garlic (even as I choke it down). I love how you will go into a store a million times to look at the same exact thing, but will never buy it. I love how you love our home in Colorado as much as I do. I love that you bought a boat, just to let everyone else enjoy it. I love your thoughtfulness when it comes to money, but your knowing that it isn't everything. I love how you twitch in your sleep. I love the thought of us back in our schooldays. I love your love for reality t.v.. I love how you bust out any tune that comes on the radio, and simply make up the words if you don't know them. I love that expression on your face when you try not to laugh. I love your passion for life. I love your love for your family, and for mine. I love how you follow your dreams, how hard you work, and how determined you are. I love your love for birthday cake ice cream. I love your hillbilly accent. I love your honesty, even when sometimes it hurts. I love your bossiness. I love how you relive your football glory days, and I love remembering just how cute you looked in that #5 jersey. I love the way you talk about our future. I love your love for the mountains. I love your love for Chick-fa-la. I love how you call me a million and one times a day, even if there is nothing to talk about. I love your love for the people around you, and how you look for the best in them. I love how you are such a storyteller, but will repeat the same story over and over for hours straight. I love how you provide for Remi and I. I love your love for me. I love that you are the man of my dreams. I love that you will be my husband soon. I love you for you.

photo credit: Kerinsa Marie Photography