My findings.

My family has always been really good at finding great deals on treasures at vintage stores. My dad used to own an antique store on the coast, and my mom used to work at a vintage clothing + odds n ends store when I was growing up. 

Here's a couple of my own findings.. 

This chesterfield couch was actually found by my mother, but she ended up giving it to us instead. Teehee! Lucky us! ;)

Adam + Debra Wedding // Mt Pisgah

My lovely friend Debra got married on Saturday 4/20 and I was one of the lucky ones that were allowed to shoot photos during the ceremony. I feel so blessed to have friends like Debra. She knew I needed to beef up my portfolio with wedding photos and so she gave me permission to shoot at her ceremony because I wasn't the sole photographer for the wedding. Before the wedding, I touched base with the gal who she hired to shoot the wedding, so it was legit. This wedding was gorgeous. The wedding party wore peacock blue, the guests wore black & white. I hope you enjoy the photos!

Mouth to Mouth

This blog needs a little mouth to mouth resuscitation, don't you think? I really wanted to have a blog so that I could inspire you all and in hopes I would inspire myself more and more and eventually make a living at this as some of my fellow bloggers do! That would be the dream. In reality, I hadn't had time to do anything in my home, therefor I had nothing to blog about. I wanted to have "do it yourself" projects and recipes and new photos to show you. It seemed you all like the recipes I post, tons of hits on those and comments. And my personal life you like too. Which is nice. so, I think for now I'll take out the DIY keyword because I don't want people to be disappointed when they don't find DIY projects on my blog. However, I would also like to let you all know now that I'm recently unemployed there for I have tons of free time to do everything I wanted to do. I have so many home projects that I need to get done, and I'd love to share them on my blog. Would you be interested in that? I like seeing stuff about peoples dwellings for sure. I really enjoy anything about home decor. So, I hope to get my place up n running and looking fab so that I can photograph it and show you all! Also, I'm sketching out photo projects and I wanna do those as well, so I'll be updating my photography portfolio soon, so they'll be new images for you to 'flip' through. Does all of that sound interesting? I don't want to bore anyone. Someday I hope to do DIY projects, but for now maybe I should just focus on getting my home together, feeding myself yummy things and taking photos. ;)

xo, Sierra

I love my readers! Thanks for sticking around!

Apologizes and Goals

I apologize for not posting as much lately. This month has been a whirlwind of emotions and changes. I'm in the process of building my photography business and I've been getting many wedding inquiries which is exciting and nerve racking at the same time. Gotta invest and stay motivated to pursue my dreams. My boyfriend and I talked about building a few things for our house and garden. So, I'll be posting photos of that when the time comes. I made a blog but I really want a website, not a blogger site. So, I'm going to look into designing a real website for my photog business, I've heard bludomain.com is a good one. And their prices are affordable! Any of you have any website host favorites? Please let me know <3

Photos :)

Here's a couple photographs I've edited lately. Hope you enjoy them!

Alley Walker Series: Bark.

Alley Walker Series:Thorn.

Sunday at sunset I went on a walk through the alley across from my house. I live in the best neighborhood, so many beautiful craftsman bungalow houses, each so unique and colorful. I live in the Whiteaker neighborhood in Eugene, OR. It's known for it's creativity and for being "weird". When you think about it, it's quite trendy. Boys with beards, pubs.. it's like a mini Portland but with less hipsters and it's less expensive to live here. I love my little neighborhood. So, I walked through the alley because I needed a moment to myself. I took a few photos, and found some great backdrops for future projects. After wandering through the alley ways of my neighborhood, I decided that I was going to start a series revolving around alley ways, calling it "Alley Walker", it kind of sounds like someone's name doesn't it? :) I've been in need of inspiration, and this photo has done it. It may be simple, but it's inspiring to me.

What inspires you?

Weekly Wrap Up

Snapshot(s) of the Week: 1// We've been working really hard over at Tactics.com to finish our very first issue of our Spring Catalog. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. 2// While in Portland, my cousin and I walked the dogs up a huge hill that overlooked the city. 3// Saw Ellie Goulding at the Crystal Ballroom, Love herrr. 4// Met up with our friends at our local bottle shop, called Bier Stein. Took this great shot of my boyfriend behind his glass. 

5 Favorite Posts:
* Dear Little Kelli by MAIEDAE
* Sister Style: The Cup by A Beautiful Mess 
* Clean Living // Organic Homemade Lotion by Sincerely, Kinsey
* Ruffle Streamers 4 Ways by Katie Cupcake
* New Moon Giveaway: Love Offering by Marissa Moondaughter

Favorite Blog of the Week:
* Katie Cupcake

Inspiring Me this Week:
* Book: Decorate Workshop Design and Style Your Space in 8 Creative Steps by Holly Becker 

3 Things About Yours Truly:
* I am an only child.
* I used to wear what I would call "raccoon eyeliner",  now I only wear make up when I really feel like it.
* My left foot is smaller than my right.

Sweet Nothing.

Valentine's Day is approaching! I'm throwing a Wine and Cheese party at my house for my friends and some family. I have to admit, I am one of those people who LOVE valentine's day. I plan on going all out, it's going to get expensive. Truth be told, I always want to have parties, but the preparation stresses me out because I've always been a procrastinator! I dislike that very much, because I would like to actually enjoy the experience. I hope that I will learn from these mistakes that I'm making this Holiday season and change the way I do things from now on. One can only hope. I plan on posting my party prep on here as I go on, so wish me luck! Also, I'm going up to Portland with my mom to visit with my cousin, Jess, who lives up there now. I plan on doing a few gluten free bakery/restaurant reviews while I'm up there. So, keep reading, my blog will get much more interesting. 

 Took this a while back at the end of Autumn, on one of our last sunny days here in Oregon.

I have my very own bugs bunny ;)
 Josiawa has naturally heart shaped potato eyes.

What are your plans for Valentine's day? Are you a lover, or a hater?

Great advice.

So far, this year has been eye opening. I have had potential business offers but I've turned most of them down because I know they aren't right for me or I'm not there yet. I just read some great advice on A Beautiful Mess blog. Emma states,  

"Wouldn't be cool if every single day we faced big opportunities that could change our lives? What if every day was the Olympic race we'd been training for or the job interview we'd been dreaming of for years? Guess what, it's not. Every day is just that: It's every day. But it's the little steps that propel us forward. The same attitude you would apply to a big important event, that's how you should approach your everyday tasks. For example, let's say your dream was to write a novel. And you think, "If only I had a book deal, then I would wake up early every day and write." Wrong. You should do that anyway, without a book deal. You've got to have the attitude of the inspired even if you don't have the circumstances (yet)." - Emma, ABM

What I took from this advice was that if I wanted to be a better photographer, I have to practice more! Even though I have however many years of experience, I lack a current portfolio. I have to feel comfortable with skills before I am the photographer of my dreams.

Her entire article is inspiring and uplifting. I recommend it if you're in need of some inspiration or you're a big dreamer, like me.

Sneak Peak: Website

Hi there! So, if you don't already know.. I take photos and I'M MAKING A WEBSITE. I'm really excited about it too. I've been in the design process for about a week now. I'm getting together all the materials I need to make a successful business and studio. I'm learning a lot about my pricing and what I wanna do as a photographer. I'm really excited to get back into making fine art photography and getting into galleries around town. :) I can't wait to have a gallery opening, that has been my dream for a very long time. So, here's what I came up with so far:

I chose the cursive font because it's nostalgic for me. Reminds me of my childhood and it's how my dad writes cursive. When I made the "o" it looked like an "a" so, I found a cute heart to replace it. Do we like that, or is it too childish? Like I said, this is the design process. So, any feedback helps! Thanks! <3

Feeling Good

photo by @sierragrosss on IG

"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me. And I'm feeling good." - Muse

Ever since 2013 started, things have been falling into place and that warms my heart.

- Once I decided take it slow with my photography business, I knew that was the right decision because I started getting calls from possible new clients and  that reassures me, as well as excites me.
- We're finally done painting our bedroom, so we'll FINALLY set up our bed and our whole room this week. I'm so excited to have a real bedroom! No more crawling over each other in the middle of the night. Ha!
- I will FINALLY have a space of my own! My office/studio will finally get built! I can't even describe how lucky I feel. I feel pretty darn blessed.
- I purchased something to expand my mind and warm my soul. Something so fantastic in my eyes, that I'm going to keep it to myself for a while until I'm ready to share it with the world.
- My baby fever has finally calmed down, because I have lots of friends with babies and I know that we're not ready to have a kid just yet.
- I'm really noticing a difference between being 25 and being 24. It's crazy how your mind just changes.
- I'm really happy with my decision to cancel my Beachbody membership. Beachbody's great if you're into that sorta thing, but my life is taking me in a different direction and I'm happy with that. I quit because I needed more time to focus on my photography.. and myself. :)

Have you felt any changes so far into the new year? What decisions have you made so far that were life changing or significant? How are your resolutions going?

Book now!

Currently scheduling photo sessions for January! Weekend spots available! Message me on my facebook page to book a shoot today! If you live in the Eugene/Springfield area, I'm available for engagement/couples photos, weddings, families, children, aspiring models, clothing/jewelry designers, product, food, etc :) Thank you! And I look forward to hearing for you!

Two Years of Love

Josiawa and I have been together for two of the most wonderful years of my life :) Words can't even explain how happy I am in this relationship. We're best friends. We're goofs. I like to believe that we were made for each other. :)

I love looking back at old photos and seeing the changes.

Winter 2011 

Spring 2011 

Winter 2012

Autumn 2012

Now <3

Here's to another two years and beyond <3

I take photos: highlights of 2012

Here's a few of my favorite photo shoots that I shot during 2012. For more photos, please take a look at my facebook business page. 

May

Maternity shoot with my boyfriend's sister; My first wedding!

Child portraits



June
My first lifestyle shoot for Tactics.com/women; Family shoot with my Aunt Kelly and cousins.



September
Product shoot with Fancy Clancy.

2012 was full of adventures. I look forward to having more photographs under my belt in 2013 and having my studio up and running. I can't wait!