My Sweet Mother

Happy Birthday to the most beautiful and influential woman in my life!

 I love you so much, mom! I hope I learn to be half of the 

woman and mother that you are! I'm sad I don't get to be 

there with you on your 'milestone' birthday and anniversary,

 but I'm glad you enjoyed the tea party us kids put on for you!

 You are such a strong woman that I look up to daily! 

Thank you for being you. 

Love,

your  baby!

Peace Like a River

I realize that I haven't blogged for far too long. I think about it everyday, too! Here is goes(I'm rusty)...

In the last five months I've gotten Charlie(my child), dated for a short while, went on a family vacation, and been working on my last really important semester. It's been a wonderful five months! Although I would probably by much happier if I wasn't dealing with school. I feel like I've learned so much about myself in these past months, too. I've been learning and living out what God has planned for me, which I really don't know where he is leading me, but in Him I am content. I've learned that I cannot rely on others to give me the satisfaction that I need, but instead look to Him for comfort. God has moved me more than ever before and I'm so excited to see where He takes me. This is probably the most stressful weeks that I will have ever had but somehow I'm at peace (Philipians 4:7).

Charlie is quite leery about the bathtub...

the shaggy dog looking for his treat

We dominated x-county skiing, but not without some bruises...

and dogsledding.

It was a relaxing, knitting, x-country skiing, dogsledding, snowmobiling, and four-wheeling find of weekend at the Grand View Lodge.

Detective Dog

Pretty sure that aching hole in my heart has been filled. Tigger is his name and Detective(or Mister) is his surname. I don't need a man when I have that little ball of fur to cuddle with all the time. It's all I need.

Anyways, he did really well in the car ride home, is good on a leash, and adjusted to the house really fast. As of noq, he still won't even think about checking out the basement since he is a little quite the chicken. This little man is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. Lazy, sits however you put him, doesn't bark, doesn't shed, and chill.

I can't wait for people to meet him. Mom and Dad, you will actually love him, too! <3

Dog

Believe it or not, I'm looking at dogs! I'm debating all of the pros and cons of each of these.

Cash(male)

• Shih-tzu
• Ugly, but adorable! 
• 1yr old
• needs shots and neutered
• Calm but can be playful. 
• House trained
• leash trained

Tigger(male)

• Shih-tzu and poodle
• Smaller than Cash
• So adorable
• 5yrs old
• Has shots and is Neutered
• super excited immediately, but extremely chill soon after
• He's a lover
• He's house trained, but allowed to run around free(not leash trained)

Pumpkins and All Things Nice

I hope you all had a wonderful halloween! Sarah, Joe, and I definitely did. Aside from all of the school work we got to make a good weekend out of it. Friday night a friend of ours from church has a halloween/birthday party. Saturday a good friend Katelyn has a fall party where we got to eat pumpkin pie, apple pie, apple cider, carmel apples, pumpkin cake, and probably more that I can't think of. Sunday was a catch up on homework day. Once things were done we all got our costumes back on and then we headed to Sarah's second home to have homemade tortellini soup followed by some photos at Legacy Photography. Here are our lovely lawn gnome costumes! :)

And it goes like this...

I haven't gotten to say a whole lot lately, but I will leave you with a quick update and a special photo. Recently I have somehow made time to finally get my new website online. As far as I know, if everything goes as planned it should be up today! If it isn't keep checking back. There are so many never before seen photo shoots so I'm excited to see some reactions. Next: Updates business cards with my new website, new e-mail, and new look! I hope it goes over as well as I would like.

New link: www.traciadamsonphotography.com
New e-mail: traciadamson@gmail.com

Also, I will be offering studio portraits! So be sure to spread the word! :)

Now all I need to do is finish 4 weddings, 1 engagement, 2 families, 1 senior, and 1 childrens session... then I will be caught up.




Here is just an ordinary summer/fall night at home. Mom and dad, I hope to have someone that I can share that same love that you still have for each other.

Senior Year

I guess I would say that this is a new beginning. I just started my senior year of college, yet I don't really know what to think about it. I haven't decided if I should just finish it out and find a job or if I should stay in school for one more year to get a higher degree which could set me apart from all other Graphic Designers. Then there is the thoughts that are looming around my head: "Is graphic design where God wants me to be, or is graphic design what God used to lead me to photography." All of those questions raise more questions. One thing is for certain, I will finish my graphic degree and not pursue a photography degree. Why? After this semester(or year), I should have learned all that I need to know about running my camera and studio lighting. Plus, barely any photographers that I know actually went to school for photography, so I'm still ahead of the game. Anways, I love graphic design I just feel like photo has taken over my life as of right now.

Classes:
Photography Lighting Studio
Graphic Design Senior Studio
20th Century Art History
Dreamweaver/CSS (web design in HTML code)
Flash (Interactive website design)

Other than that, I love my job at Legacy even more. The work environment is perfect, I can listen to loud music, talk about photography, get pointers, tell stories, and best of all get to work on the weddings that come through. It's so much fun to watch each story unfold. I often catch myself laughing hysterically at some of the photos. Tyson does an awesome job of capturing every detail of the story which makes editing even more fun! Tomorrow I get to assist/second photographer for a wedding under Legacy. I'm really pumped to see how they shoot their weddings since it's much different than a lot of other studios. It's always fun to see how each photographer handles weddings.

There is so much more on my mind, but I think I need to keep it short. I'm trying to finish editing 2 wedding of my own before I have more photo-shoots in the next few weeks. Although, I can't forget about this Sunday on Monday. Katelyn(photo friend and neighbor), and Sarah(roomie) are going on a photo adventure to have some fun. I'm pumped since I'll get a photo of me for my website so that it can finally go live. Soon we will get to say 'hello' to traciadamsonphotography.com! I can't wait!

Tidbits

I know I haven't blogged a whole lot lately so I decided to tell inform whoever may read this about what I am up to lately.


1. It's been one month since we got back from our European escapades. This truly makes me sad, because I would do absolutely anything to hop on a flight to Scotland and never come back. It's quite tempting at times. I think I'm having withdrawals.


2. I recently got a new part-time job with Legacy Photography here in Fargo as a Photographer and Editor which I am loving right now since It's super laid back and the people are awesome! Check out their website here!


3. My photography has definitely picked up, but I'm looking to make moor bookings. I get so excited about the littlest things and I know that this is one thing that makes me truly happy. I love shopping for new props and searching for new ideas. Ahh, I love it!


4. School starts soon which really is a love/hate thing. I absolutely love getting to see everyone again and being on a schedule, but I dislike the work that comes along with it. I'm debating on taking on 18 credits, but I know that may be an extremely bad idea. I'm really excited to learn about studio lighting in my photography class, working on self-developed projects in my Graphic Design senior studio, and learning more about web design in my Graphic Communication classes! I'm definitely going to be well-rounded.


5. I've been attending a really awesome church here in Fargo called River City Church. It's an awesome church plant that is full of people around my age. I love how every sermon pertains to my life in some way, and the way that they have communion is very personal. This week is was about giving your best fruits to God. It was very convicting, and something to definitely think hard about. 'What am I giving to God?' I started attending a small bible study on Wednesday nights which is awesome! It keeps me in the word and has already gotten me connected with some amazing Christians my age! I definitely need that around.


That is a short tidbit of what is happening in my life. I hope you all are having an amazing summer!


T

Fourth of July at the my sister's in the Cites. The Rooftop was a perfect view for fireworks for those who wanted to venture up there. 

My First Time

This is what I did today. What did you do?

First time of the year.

Note how tall the mowed grass is by looking at the wheel. 

Then, compare the un-mowed grass to height of the mower. 

It was easily above my knees.

Life's Learning Lessons

I, Traci Adamson, would like to announce that I am now a senior in college. Wow, I can't believe all that I have accomplished and learned in the last 3 years.

• I moved to a new city
• learned to be independant(other than money)
• Went through good/bad relationships
• Learned that I am a strong woman
• I can accoplish anything that is thrown at me with the help of God
• It is possible to stay awake for 60ish hours without sleep
• My friends have been there for me and I will always be there for them in a heartbeat
• I may not start something when I should, but it will always get done in time
• Friends are far more important than boyfriends
• My sister will love me no matter what, and I will love her no matter what
• My Grandpa and Grandma Stoe had/have a love so strong for each other that I don't believe it could exist in today's world
• The fact that I have never and will never have to go through a parents divorce gives me tears of joy
• I'm a very loving person
• I've learned that there are more people then I knew that don't believe in Jesus Christ
• Even though relationships may change a person, I will forever stand strong in my beliefs even if it means ending a perfect the relationship
• I would much rather have one best friend than have 10 best friends, even if we live hundreds of miles away. 
• I have lead a very sheltered life, but I'm proud of it
• Photography makes me happier than anything
• Even though my brother is a nurse(just like my mom), my sister is a teacher(just like my mom), and I am a creative person(just like my mom), I am proud to say I got my business skills from watching my dad as I grew up
• Even If I chicken out on a lot of extreme sports things, If you ask me one more time I will do it. 
• I go through withdrawals from my computer
• I wish so badly that I could be more creative in the way that I dress.
• I have learned to accept myself, my body, and my beliefs.  

I can't wait to see what more I learn about myself in the next 2 years when I finish my BFA. I'm sure my list with be twice as long, but it will be amazing to look back and read this. In 17 days I will be flying out of Fargo on the trip of a lifetime. I'm so excited to see what else I learn about myself in the process. Please pray for safe traveling and safety over all 24 of us. Thank you so much!

P.S. Tonight I just took a leap of faith and made myself a photography page on Facebook. I'm so excited to see where it takes me in the photography and design world. I have contemplated this for months but finally took the plunge since I now have some free time.

To Do

Disclaimer: I know that no one really cares about this, but I'm blogging for my own sake. Feel free not to read. :)


Traci's End of the Year To Do List:
Photography Studio 
     Find female models
     Shoot images for 'final 5'(Jade, Sarah D, Sarah M, Amber, Katie H)
     Develop and Photoshop
     Print and matte (due May 4th)


Graphic Design Studio
     Cookie Packaging (due April 28th)
     Cookie Flash website (due April 28th)
     Flash notes and book outline (asap)
     Work on Annual Report
     Print and put together Annual Report (due May 10th)


Multimedia Studio
     Add Banner and Assignments to Assignments Page (asap)
     Work on Motion assignment (due May 12th)
     Shoot video for motion assignment


Greek Art and Architecture
    Start Researching
    Outline for presentation (present april 29th)
    Term Paper (due May 11th)




Other
     Order Neenah Paper (asap)
     Rent Lenses (asap)
     Mail back Contracts
     Clean the house
     Finish J+J e-photos and mail
     Pay speeding ticket (asap)
     e-mail about e-photos
     schedule sessions before I leave
     go to Jenna's Prom and photograph (optional)




I have two weeks to accomplish hundreds of hours of work. Pray for me. Please. 

Chicago 2010

I just got back to Minneapolis from my spring break trip to Chicago. Sarah, Greg, and I had a great time sight seeing, trying new foods, and meeting up with their friends. It was definitely full of eye-opening experiences for me.I can't wait to go through all of the photos, which will bring back tons of good memories. Before I can do any of that, I need to focus on school and work. Looks like I may not be sleeping for while. 

Quick Update

I notice I haven't blogged for a while now so here are a few new things in my life:

• We finally have 4 people living in the house. Even though the house seems to look like a tornado ran through it, it is really fun having so many people and friends around.
• I am newly single, since I broke up with my boyfriend. I know it is for the best. I'm very proud that I followed through and that I had the strength to leave when I did.
• I have more schoolwork due in the next month than I can physically and emotionally handle. 
• Yesterday(Valentines Day) was the 5 year anniversary since Travis Flom died in a snowmobile accident. Once again, my dad let Tyler, Cody, Doug, and I borrow snowmobiles so that we can snowmobile in his memory.
• Today is the birthdate of Sammy my Canon 7D. :)

Love Life

It seems that every hour of the day the same thought rolls through my brain.

"I love my life!"

Honestly I don't know why this has been happening for months but I am not complaining. Each time this happens my stomach does a somersault, I want to scream, and I can't get the enormous grin off my face. This might be because my relationship is right where I want it to be, I feel like a woman and no longer a child, I have so much drive to succeed that I don't know what to do with, or that I feel like I have found my niche.

Recently I went on a graphic design field trip to minneapolis to visit multiple firms such as Yamamoto Moss, Schematic, and Capsule. The head designer at Capsule ended our presentation with this quote, "Just think, someday all of you will be paid to use your talents to create, explore and to help others succeed. Yes design is a business, and there are certain "things" that come with it. Anyplace you work will have that, but just think about what you get to do, what a great profession!" I still cannot stop thinking about how lucky I am. Recently I received one of my projects reports back to find out I got a 96 out of 100. My teacher wrote multiple comments like "Fun! Exciting!", "Wonderful!", "Very thoughtful!", "Excellent!". and to top it all off he wrote this on the bottom, "Great to have you in this class. You are/have the capabilities to go a long way! Great Job!" I think this will be framed.

This happiness doesn't only account for graphic design but also photography. If it weren't for my sister I would have never bought my first DSLR 3 years ago! Wow, I look back and I love seeing how far I have came. From just pointing and shooting to now being able to shoot in full manual mode with ease. I am so thankful for my education and work which help me strive for excellence. I am so thankful for those who let me steal them or their kids to take some pictures of so that I can learn the personal aspect of photography! Thank you Kirsten, Jade, Tiffany, Jenny, Janelle and many more to come!

I love that along with photography and graphic design come my art friends to whom inspire me(and I can talk all nerdy with) Thank you Tiffany L, Amber P, Josh K, Sarah C, and Sarah D!

My mind is running circles still so I hope this made some sense! Thank you to all of you out there who inspire me!