open your eyes and hearts to the world.
be inspired.
cameras help me relate, translate & interpret what i see.
live creatively.
pay tribute to the magic — through photographs.
ignite the imagination.
never take this for granted
try and keep motivation simple. positive.
if i am going to scrape a living…
at least it’s a living worth scraping.
fires of happiness.
waves of gratitude.
i love doing what i do.

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

If I sat down & thought about it, I really couldn’t remember how I had discovered CeFloFePhos (Central Florida Female Photographers), but I can tell you how lucky I feel that I have!  This amazing group of girls have taught me so much about myself & photography.  They are the apitomy of what our photography industry should stand for – friendship, loyalty, teaching & fun!  The group gets together twice a year for retreats thanks to our leader Sarah Bray & we travel to destination where we talk, share, have fun and photograph.  I love every second of it, and these girls have become the people I look up to, my sisters, the people I ask for advice, the girls I can talk to about anything with.  These girls are what is rare in life and I am so thankful to get to be apart of something so great.

This past weekend we ventured out to Westgate River Ranch in South Florida for a Fashion Shoot.  River Ranch is the largest Dude Ranch in the United States, and the people here are where the term southern hospitality orginated & cowboys were born and bred.  From the country accents and the polite tip of the hat, I felt transported to another world.

Everything about this place was beautifully untouched and I was sad to only be able to stay for the day but happy to be able to photograph in such an amazing location!

Special Thanks:

• Models: Sarita & our impromptu Male Model Zach
• Westgate River Ranch & all the nice people there.
• And ofcourse the CeFlo Girls for making every moment memorable!

Almost 7 years ago, I was lucky enough to meet you.  I felt instantly comfortable with you, and as the night progressed I knew we had something special.  When we kissed for the first time ontop of that ferris wheel above the crowds, screams and laughter of the fair below us, I felt like I was in one of those girly movies I always watched.  And when you almost threw up on me later on the pirate ship, through my laughter I knew I was falling for you.

7 years is a small time compared to the rest of our lives, but I am so thankful for every day I get to spend with you.  You have taught me so much about myself I never knew, and you have made me strive to become a better person.  You give me everything in this life I need and more.

I find myself sometimes asking God what I did to deserve you, and I always find the answer in our song.  “God Bless The Broken Road, that led me straight to you”.  If everything I endured in my life was all so that I could eventually end up here with you in this moment, then it was all worth it.

It’s because of your faith in me that I am able to sit there and have a blog to write on, to have the courage to go after my passion.  You didn’t have to use your money to buy me a camera that one faithful christmas, but because of you I am Missy Desiree Photography.

Thank you for everything you do for me everyday, including putting up with my shopping habit.  Thank you for never raising your voice to me and always being patient, thank you for trusting me, thank you for believing in me.  Thank you for the laugher & the adventures.  Thank you for being my soulmate, the most wonderful, beautiful, caring man I’ve ever met in my entire life.  Thank you.

I know today your Dad is looking down on you from heaven and smiling proudly at what a great man you have turned out to be.  He’s probably showing you off to all his new friends in Heaven and having a special party complete with the Italian music he loved to play so much.  I will forever be grateful to him for instilling the morals and lessons he did on you to make you the person you are today.  If I’ve learned anything in the past 7 years we’ve been together it’s that you are your father.  You will be as much as a Hero to our children one day, as he is to you.

Today you’re 30 & you have a lifetime ahead of you & I’m so lucky to get to share in this journey with you.  I LOVE YOU!

 And because a post is a little boring without pictures, here is a little bit of my favorites taken at home.

Today is a special day.  My mother-who also is my backbone for everything I am and do in life -is celebrating another glorious year of getting older. Really old…just kidding Mom!

I wanted to take the time today to say all the words that sometimes you don’t hear enough.

• Thank you for giving me life.  I know being a single mother for some time was never easy and the choice as a 19 year old baby yourself to have me.  But it was a decision you’ve never regreted and please know that it’s not one I take lightly and I will be forever grateful to you.
• Thank you for never giving up on me.
• Thank you for teaching me right from wrong.
• Thank you for showing me the path to God.
• Thank you for all the sacrifices you made for me.
• Thank you for making me laugh.
• Thank you for washing my mouth out with soap, because now I know with my sailor mouth how ineffective of a method that really is.
• Thank you for making my lunch and putting notes in there to remind me how much you loved me.
• Thank you for giving me a family, not matter how much I want to beat my brothers up, and how much sometimes I roll my eyes at Dad’s advice.
• Thank you for teaching me how to give to others and expect nothing in return.
• Thank you for opening your arms and giving me a safe landing place in times of need.
• Thank you for teaching me how to get lost in a book.
• Thank you for teaching me work ethic.
• Thank you for being my best friend.
• For always making me mickey mouse shaped pancakes!
• For always being honest with me even when I didn’t want to hear it.
• Thank you for teaching me to swim.
• Thank you for scaring me when you vow that one day my children will put me through what I have for you.
• Thank you for being my fan, my rock, my strength, and my support.
• But mostly -Thank you for being you.  You, the beautiful, selfless, one of kind mother you are.

 And because post’s aren’t as great without pictures; here is my favorite picture of our little family…

This post is a little…OK! ALOT past due, but I’m slowly catching up with the world.

I feel so blessed an honored to have been able to attend this workshop. The week before Kristen Weaver with Images for a Cure did a Twitter and Facebook giveaway for some seats to the workshop.  I got on my knees, prayed, then hit send about a million times overloading her twitter.  Thankfully it paid off & the next week I was sitting in a chair surrounding by an amazing group of photographers and getting the opportunity to listen to some amazing speakers who I adore and thoroughly envy for their talent!

The next day we got the once in a lifetime opportunity to break up into groups with one of our favorite photographers and do a mini workshop with them.  I was so lucky to get my first choice Kristen Weaver.  Kristen is a international Wedding & Fashion photographer and let me tell you her work is to die for!

A special thanks you to Kristen Weaver for putting this whole thing together and giving this amazing opportunity!

Special Thanks to the Speakers:

And Special Thanks to the Vendors, Model & People that made this Workshop & Shoot Possible:

Models:  Hope Roberts, Kristen Johnson, Rachel Willems and Melissa Diep

Gowns were all provided by the sweet Amanda Caraker:  Something Blue Bridal Salon

Hair & Makeup done by the Fabulous Luisa V: Luisa V Bridal

All Florals were provided by the amazingly talented Lee Forrest:  Lee Forest Design

Here are my photos from the day: