Last Day of the Reverie Giveaway

I’ve been a diligent poster and commenter everyday. Haven’t won anything, but I’d had fun, and gotten to meet alot of amazing vendors because I always so thank you for GIVING! What an amazing community we have. Truely showing God’s love, and sharing His wealth.

Thank you Skye and vendors for such sweetness!

now check it out and leave the vendors thank yous!

www.reveriemine.com

Sterling and Miss Quincey: Mission Mountain Winter

A beautiful winter day in Mission, MT and I got to spend it with two of the most beautiful babies ever!

I had the pleasure of getting to go back and spend a few days in heart of the Mission Valley, the place of my roots. My childhood friend and his wife are now raising their children where we use to play around, and spend our days cutting and bailing hay.

What an honour to get to photograph these two special children:

Nichole Van- Photography Genious!

I'm doing my first update in quite some time to RAVE about Nichole Van's photography genious!

I've been a long time fan and follower of Nichole's for over 3 years. She has inspired me, instructed me (I've bought BOTH of her Workshop in a Box sets and I can't say enough how wonderful they are!), I use ALL of her actions and textures religously, and I love being a part of her wonderful forum.

Nichole Van is a revolution in the photography industry. Taking moments and wishes, and turning them into romantic reality! Thank you Nichole, for the wealth that you pass on us!

Example of Nichole's action and textures:



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Beautiful California Wedding

YAY! I've been waiting to blog this beautiful session... which was more than a session... it was the beautiful wedding of Elizabeth and Steven! Ah sweet love! So timeless, so passionate! I pray their marriage will be as enduring in 50 years as it was on the day they said their vows.

Catching up in STYLE!

This has been a crazy past couple of weeks for me, finishing up some sessions, and getting ready for my trip to California for a BEAUTIFUL wedding, and a shoot with my dearest friend, Pamela Topping, but before any of that can happen... first things first!

I must blog this dynamic session! SUNFLARE! My newest love...

Come out of the shadows, lets not be hidden. Let the golden glory hit your hair. Bask in the warmth, delight in the light, let the sunflare shine! -K Weingart.

Enjoy these images and hopefully it will inspire some of you who are still nervous to jump out in it!

xoxo, Trina, www.violetrayphotography.com

I Heart Faces- Yellow!

Yellow means bright and cheery and that must mean SPRING!!!

I love yellow. The happy colour. The colour of funshine sunshine! It has a wonderful tendency to make you want to smile no matter what's going on in the daily grind of life. I hope you have a bit of "Yellow" in your life today!

Fashion Beauty

This session blew me away. This beautiful young lady knew how to work the camera, and we had ALOT of fun doing it! There was the perfect amount of breeze to give us drama and the sun gently kissed the top of her golden crown of hair. It is so hard to pick which images to share, so here's a nice collage for the blog! <3's

Operation Love: ReUnited - Helena Family

Such a joy! A Marine's Homecoming! A son has returned safe and sound. This fun family drove all the way from Helena to celebrate their son's homing with a session from me and a good old fashioned Montana Hamburger. Despite the crazy weather (Why am I not surprised??? All my OpLove sessions are tested with crazy weather! haha!!!) which included snow and wind, there was much laughter and happy moments!

I Heart Faces- Motherhood

Motherhood... something I, myself, haven't had the pleasure of experianceing (yet!) but it is definatly something that I love to share the joys of! Nothing brings tears to the eyes quicker than the sweet bond of mother and child. The simple love that God so wonderfully shows to us as well... Nestled in the protective arms, we are safe, warm and loved.

I hope that you got to spend a love filled day with your mother. <3's

Brianna- 2011 Senior Blogged!

Brianna is a beautiful 2011 Senior who knew how to carry the era! Reminding me alot of Susan Dey, this young lady has a passion for the arts that's for certain. She brought a presence to the camera that demands your attention and a she can play the guitar beautifully even while being photographed!

Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck!

Happy Mother's Day discount!

In honour of Mother's Day, I'm offering a 25% off discount to my Etsy Shop! Give the gift of Fine Art to show how much you care! Enter the coupon code: MOTHERSDAY25 in at check out.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/VioletRayPhotography


also! I'm hosting a giveaway!

Head over to my VioletRay Photography FB page and under the appropriate status post, vote for us in the Disney Dream vacation, then underneath the FB status post, leave your name to be put in for a drawing for one of my Fine Art Prints.
Fine Art Theme: Rainbows and Wheat

Deadline: May 9th drawing will be done by random.org

http://family.go.com/happily-ever-after-contest/stories-category/only-for-eternity-65108/ is where you need to go to VOTE FOR US! You can vote once every 24 hours and every time you vote, you can enter your name in the drawing! Lots of incentive to vote! It's a lovely 11x14 print that you'll be sure to love!

Project 52 wk 16: Furry Friends

Supushan is the newest member of our family and it only seems fitting that he gets to be this weeks Project 52 wk 16 Furry Friends model!!! I love this little guy and he has so much character its ridiculous!

I Heart Faces- Wind

Its been awhile since I've entered into the I hear Faces Contest, but when it comes to wind, I LOVE IT!!!!

This engagement session blew me away... and I use that literally and figuratively! This beautiful couple got engaged on the shores of Hawaii, and they wanted to do a re-enactment of it on the beach of Lake CD'A where we did the session. The wind was whipping that day, but we used it to our advantage and between the beautiful waking waves and ZuZu's hair, it doesn't get much more romantic than this!

Cory and Missy are Married!

I have a very special spot in my heart for this session for a couple of reasons.

Cory is my cousin and we grew up very close to each other. Our mum's were pregnant with us at the same time, and then our parents spent alot of time together so of course we spent alot of our young growing up years hanging out together too. Then when all was said and done, and Missy and Cory sent out their save the dates... as life would have it, they picked their wedding to be the same day as Jeremy and I! So as Jeremy and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary, we watched in celebration as Cory and Missy said their vows and declared their forever love.

I just love the fact that I share so many important and special memories and now an anniversary date with my cousin! and his new and wonderful wife, Missy!

I love you guys and can't wait to get the rest of your images ready!

Operation Love: ReUnited - Missoula Family

It seems that the weather likes to try my endurance when it comes to Operation Love sessions, but I'm always blessed with the sweetest families that are willing to deal with our crazy Montana weather.

Today's OpLove session was done with the proud papa of a beautiful 7 month old baby girl, son, and gorgeous wife! Home on leave for 2 weeks, this family made special time in the schedules for me to come and do this session on the campus of the University of Montana. In true Montana form, we enjoyed the "Big Sky" and the crazy wind that came with it! Thanks for being so awesome L and R!

Monday Meal Madness- Coconut Chicken w/ veggies and Brown Rice

This was so good and actually very simple to make! I think this is a little different than Rona had in mind, but it was so good! Very filling without leaving you feeling stuffed!

CHICKEN BREAST WITH COCONUT SAUCE

2 tablespoons peanut or olive oil 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 3/4 cup Vidalia onions, diced 8 chicken breasts, boned, skinned, pounded to 1/2" thickness In a heavy bottomed skillet, sauté onions and garlic. Add chicken breasts and brown lightly. Do not allow garlic to brown (you might want to add it towards the end of the sauté). Sauce: 3/4 cup white vinegar 2 1/2 cups water 1 chicken bouillon cube 2 cloves garlic 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon oregano 1/4 cup amino acids (soy sauce supplement) 3 teaspoons sugar In a blender, combine sauce ingredients. Add to skillet. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until chicken is tender. Garnish chicken with unsweetened coconut flakes and put the veggies and garlic with a little bit of the sauce over the top of the chicken which sits on a bed of brown rice.

Project 52: Week 13 - Just for Fun

We all need a little relaxation time. A time to gather with our friends, let loose of the weight of the world, and just have a little fun.

Florabella gift and giveaway!

Shana Rae of Florabella is being so generous and offering a giveaway at her blog: http://florabellacollection.com/blog for a shopping spree and a THEIT Camera bag. Head on over and check it out!

Project 52's and Birthday Fun

While the weather has been frightful outside... I've kept busy! Project 52's have been awesome for stretching the creativity and artistic side of life! This week was : "From the jewelery box"

And March is a festive month for us! I turned the big 2 -9 on the 10th and my sweetie surprised me with a BEAUTIFUL and the perfect colour Necklace from the wonderful Pamela Topping Photography !

And the following week was Jer's birthday and a sweet lil bear came to wish him the happiest of days! *I love the catchlights!!!* <3's

New Traditions at VioletRay Photography!

*fork on wine glass* May I have your attention please?

Indeed this shall be my new tradition. Every Monday when permitting we'll have a comment game where ya'll give me a list of dinners, I let Jer choose from the list, I make the winning recipe, and I'll post the story & pictures of the Monday Dinner!

Each week, there will be a prize offered from me, VioletRay Photography, and I'll try to change up the prize a little each week to make it a lil more challenging and fun! After posting the picture I'll say what I did to make the meal, and then we'll see if YOU decide to remake it! =D Invite your friends and everyone join in! This will be so much FUN!!!

Here's tonights, recipe courtesy of Marcy Kynaston. Marcy won a 10% off coupon to my Etsy Fine Art store! Congrats!

"Drunken Chicken" on Angel Hair

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It's Senior Model-time Ladies and Gents!

Calling all 2012 high school seniors! It’s senior rep time—time to get some awesome FREE portraits, and spread the word about VioletRay Photography! I’m looking for outgoing 2012 seniors (which means you’re currently a junior) to represent VioletRay Photography at your school.

If you have a positive attitude and think you can work it in front of the camera, I want to hear from you. This is a great opportunity to have a modeling session done for free. I need guys and girls—looking for at least one from each local high school Frenchtown, Hellgate, Sentinel, Valley Christian, Big Sky, Loyola-Sacred Heart, Florence, Stevensville, and Corvallis.

Here’s how the Rep Program works:
I’ll choose one or two 2012 high school seniors from each surrounding school to shoot a free Model Senior Session—a $125 value! We’ll hit several different locations and you’ll change outfits several times for a variety of looks. By the time we’re done shooting, you’ll see roughly 25-50 photos from your model portrait session.

What’s in it for you?*A FREE Model Senior Session ($125 value)
*Free images for Facebook
*On-line gallery to share with family and friends
*100 rep cards with your photo to pass out to friends
~Additional goodies for being a VRP Rep:
$10 print credit for each referred senior who completes a session with your rep card
For every 5 senior sessions completed with your rep card, receive an additional $30 credit!

That's $80 credit total per every 5 people referred to put towards YOUR OWN senior session!!!

What do you have to do?
*Be a graduating senior of 2012
*Be comfortable in front of the camera
*Be outgoing and have a positive attitude
*Have a fun sense of personal style
*Agree to represent VioletRay Photography exclusively
*Agree to pass out your rep cards to everyone you know and tell them to book their session using your rep card
*Return a signed model release by you and your parent/legal guardian.

~*~Deadline for application is April 23rd so email me at: treenbean@violetrayphotography.com to get your application! or call: 406.239.5143*~*

Heart to God, and a Hand to Man

All my life I've wanted to be a hero. I want my life to count, and I look at my brother (Army; Iraq) and sister (Navy; Assault Ship-Japan) and I am so proud b/c they are both being the hero I want to be. So I've asked myself, how can I make a difference from here in my town? How can the actions applied in Florence, MT make a difference nation-wide? Here's what I've come up:

65% of the proceeds from prints purchased from my Etsy shop will be donated to my friends & family in Sendai, Japan. The people seeking refuge in the shelters are being forced back into the streets because of a lack of food and water. THIS is how I am helping them, so I need your assistance! Please pass this on, and keep checking back as I will be adding more prints daily!

*~*

http://www.etsy.com/shop/VioletRayPhotography?ref=pr_shop_more

*~*

There are so many amazing missions out there, and I'm so thankful that we can band together to make a difference. To ease the hunger pains from children and adults that are now being forced to do without. To be able to send supplies that so many of us don't even think about using on a daily basis that are now a rare commodity. Thank you for helping to make a difference. Your time, love and concern might be what keeps a family going.

"While women weep as they do now,
while children are hungry,
while hope can be found.
While one soul remains without light,
I'll fight to the very end.

A heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
A heart to God and a hand to man."

- Geoff Moore & The Distance, "Heart to God, Hand to Man"

Teaming up with Shutter Mission: http://shuttermission.org

I Heart Faces- Sunflare

Living in Montana I've learnt that the weather is anything but predictable, but every once in a while you get that beautiful day where the sun says, "I want to be seen"

The day this image was taken was one of those days!

I Heart Faces- Best of Feb 2011

I've been DYING to use one of these pictures for my I Heart Faces contest and FINALLY it's the PERFECT moment!!!

Friends, this is Kelsey. She was sooo very honoured to get to be a model for a fashion accessory shoot that I did in Feb, and she let me know, "Any time you need a model... you just call. I'm here."

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