Wow, 2011 is done! And it was such a fantastic year. So many fun, amazing, beautiful clients. I can’t wait to see what 2012 and a whole new state and location has to offer my little business. While I’ve enjoyed working both as a meteorologist and a photographer the last few years, in 2012 I’ll be focusing purely on my photography – growing as an artist, developing my skill further, focusing even more on my clients. I have big plans for 2012 and cannot wait to share them once we settle into our new home this month.

For those of you in Minnesota: Wow. Thank you! I’ve already had a number of requests to come back to my home state and take sessions. I have no doubt we’ll be back at least a couple times this coming year to visit friends, family, and take on a few photo shoots. For those of you who have already expressed interest, I’ll be in touch with dates as soon as we make plans to travel north. If you’d like to be added to the list, please email me or comment below.

In no particular order, here are a just a handful of my favorite 2012.

Happy 2012 to you and your family!

Location: Richmond, Texas
What: Houston Family Portraits
Richmond Texas Family Photographer, Donya Luana

I wanted to say so much more on Tuesday… The whole “time standing still while moving at the speed of light” bit? Ya, I definitely had more to say. Like how we’ve been anxiously and quietly waiting to hear about a possible move to Texas for the past few weeks.

Well, we’re officially making the big move to Houston! We’re definitely sad about leaving our families and friends behind, but the cold temperatures? Not so much. In fact, I’ve been holding off on buying a new winter coat for nearly a month now until we found out if this move would really happen. I guess I’d better save that money for a new bathing suit instead!

I’ll have much more news on Houston once we settle in – which will hopefully happen by mid-January. Until then, enjoy the holidays and I’ll see you in the New Year!

xo, donya

ps. If you happen to know someone in the Houston, Sugar Land, or Katy areas of Texas, let them know that an awesome family photographer will be coming to the area soon! I’m so excited to meet new families from the area.

This blog is becoming a little Odds & Ends heavy. I apologize. But I hope you don’t mind.

So kisses are frequently given in our household. You can’t resist a toddler kiss, you just can’t. But it inevitably leads to lots of germ sharing. And as a result, I have caught both Beau’s cough and Ephram’s runny nose. Two colds combined to create the perfect storm, or cold…

After two Decembers in a row of illnesses, I think it’s becoming my least favorite month. That or maybe it’s the lack of a routine that comes with the holidays. Anyone else feel this way? I suppose I should be full of excitement and Christmas cookies but instead I’m attempting to keep my attendance steady at the gym and fit Christmas shopping and wrapping in between all the normal, daily activities. Maybe with a Santa believer next year it will be a bit better – or at least more magical.

Speaking of Christmas cookies, this weekend was actually a lot of fun, filled with family time. From a late Friday night with Beau’s siblings to the First Annual Gjerdingen Cookie Classic on Saturday (you can thank my sister in law for the corny name – we’re big on those around here), to a not-actually-all-that-relaxing Brunch at the Tavern on Sunday with Beau and Ephram. Believe me when I say time has felt like it’s been standing still while moving at the speed of light. Honest.

Hey Fellow OC lovers, I just came across a photoshoot of Autumn Reeser and her baby boy this week! He’s almost as adorable as my little boy. You can check it out here, by photographer Paul Von Rieter. And did you know Autumn has a blog too? That deserves about 25 celebrity cool points in my opinion, and that’s a lot considering I’ve never actually give out celebrity cool points before.

Song of the week: Princess of China by Coldplay (featuring Rhinanna). For some reason, I’m just not feeling the Christmas music this year. Usually my car would be filled with holiday tunes, but instead I’ve been jamming to this. It’s smooth yet upbeat and danceable. Is that a word? Anyways, I have to thank my pal, Sheena for putting in the latest cd she gave me. Sheena, you better keep sending me good music when you move! Definitely give it a listen.

Finally, a peek at a ‘new to me’ cookie recipe made at our Cookie Classic this week, Krumkake.