Late Night Inspiration

So tonight I had a random urge to watch Disney's Hannah Montana: the Movie. I know... I know... Now, before you discount everything I've ever said about being a person of depth and decent maturity... hear me out. Wait for it... yep.... something in me moved and I found myself inexplicably on my knees worshipping my Jesus to Miley Cyrus' "The Climb." You're probably thinking "Kate's gone off the deep end... she needs more sleep or something!" Well the funny thing about this experience is that it's still got me high. I don't think it's dumb. God created everything so why couldn't he use any of it to speak to his children?

Anyways.... I wanted to share this song with you because it spoke to my heart tonight and I hope you'll hear His whispers in Miley's words:

"I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming, but

there's a voice inside my head saying, 'you'll never reach it.'

Every step I'm taking, every move I make feels

lost with no direction. My faith is shaking.

But I, I've gotta keep trying.

Gotta keep my head held high.

There's always gonna be another mountain.

I'm always gonna want to make it move.

Always gonna be an uphill battle,

sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.

It ain't about how fast I get there,

it ain't about what's waiting on the other side.

It's about the climb.

The struggles I'm facing, the chances I'm taking

sometimes might knock me down, but

no I'm not breaking.

I may not know it, but these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most, yea I just gotta keep going.

And I, I've gotta be strong.

Just keep pushing on.

There's always gonna be another mountain.

I'm always gonna want to make it move.

Always gonna be an uphill battle,

sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.

It ain't about how fast I get there,

it ain't about what's waiting on the other side.

It's about the climb.

Keep. Your. Faith."

If you've had conversations with me lately (or ever), I'm sure you've heard me say over and over, " I just want to get there already.".... or "I just want to be perfect and the best RIGHT NOW!" I don't like to wait. I don't like the hard journey of climbing. I want to be "there" already. I don't like making mistakes. I don't like struggling to find my way. I don't like not knowing everything. I'm constantly thirsty for more. I'm always striving for the mark above perfection..... and it gets exhausting.

"Kate, there's always going to be another mountain that seems to be in the way. And knowing you better than anyone else, I know you're going to want to move the mountain so you can keep going at warp speed toward your dreams. Stop. Breathe. Look around. It's not about how fast you can get 'there' and it's definitely not about that place you seem to want to get to so badly. Security in finances? You won't find that 'there'. Satisfaction all the time? You won't find that 'there' either. You think there won't be any more mountains once you get 'there'? There will be. Stop. Breathe. Look around. The beauty of it all is in the climb. It won't all be easy. It won't all be hard either. Once you get to a higher altitude and closer to the peak, new obstacles will be presented to you... like lack of oxygen. But enjoy the climb because I'm with you."

One last thing... when I was reading last night in the furious longing of God, by Brennan Manning, I was challenged by a reoccurring question. It wasn't reoccurring in the book as much as it's been reoccurring in my personal life.... "If Jesus were to ask you, right now--what do you want?--what would you say? Seriously, what would your answer be?" I was first asked this question in the forest in Herrnhut, Germany when walking alone with God. "What do you want?" And even though it's been a while, and quite the journey since then, my answer remains the same.... there are so many things I want and dream of. I'm a dreamer. I'm a goal setter. But when it comes right down to it, I want to be able to trust that God will take care of me... but not just take care of me.... I want him to make my dreams and desires come true. I want the man of my dreams... I want to be the best wedding and portrait photographer I can be... I want to have a beautiful house to call my home... I want to see the world and bless missionaries.... I want to show the world Your measure of beauty through my eyes and my lens. There are so many things I want... and it's completely freeing to know, in my heart and in my head, that He is a good God who wants to give me my heart's desires. I know this because He told me "[You] are my [Beloved]. And [my] desire is for [you]. (Song of Songs 7:10 NASB)"

So enjoy the climb. I'm doing my best to.

(End Note: I took this photo with a "point and shoot" camera in May of 2007... a whole year before I realized my dream to become a photographer. As my good friend Debora once told me, "trust in what God's put in you." He put a love for photography in me.)

Help Portrait

Hey guys... I just wanted to share something really quick. Lately I've really been critically thinking about what

I'm bring His kingdom here to earth in the now. What am I really doing to help the situation? What can I be doing better?

What difference can little 'ole me make in this ginormous world?

Lots of thinking, lots of praying, lots of conversations later, I "coincidentally" came upon this campaign called

Help Portrait. The premise of this campaign is for photographers/anyone who's willing to bring His kingdom to our world

using the gifts and talents He's given us...all on one day (December 12) as an act of love for people.

I'm currently in the process of praying and figuring out what I want to do, but I wanted to share this with all of you to

possibly inspire you to take part in this as well. You don't have to be a professional photographer, to participate. As said

in the promo video, we need volunteers, we need donations, we need make up artists, we need hairstylists, we need

locations and venues.... etc. I would encourage you to find a way to help out with this... whether it's gathering your

courage and offering your photographic skills to someone as a surprise... whether it's finding a photographer and donating

funds or needed supplies/talent to their project... or whether it's finding your own way of blessing someone.

This isn't about me. This isn't about Kate Noelle Photography. This isn't about you. It's not about publicity. It's about

blessing someone or some people with what God's given you. There won't be images blogged from this event.... but

there will be stories. Share your stories about how God uses you... how God shows up to what you're doing to bless

someone else.... because He WILL show up.

Let me know what your thoughts are tell everyone you know.... if you have any ideas...

what you might want to do to participate... don't be shy!

Check out the promo video here.

Bill and Jenn's "Will You"

When I first spoke with Jenn, it was through email. She said that she was friends with Christina Kohlenberg and was really interested in talking more about getting engagement pictures. I met with her and her fiance Bill at my office (Coffee Bean... for those of you who are just now tuning in...) in San Clemente.... and we talked for, what seemed like, hours. We talked about Bill's company and Jenn's new nursing job, we talked about what they like to do in their free time, about their adorable new puppy "Roxy", about life and where it's taken them, about the proposal in San Francisco, and about their love.

Ever since Jenn went up to Bill to invite him to do homework with her and some friends in high school, they've been friends... then more than friends.... then long distance friends... then lovers. Their journey has taken them many different places, through many high and low points, through the aches and pains of changing into their own personas, but their paths have finally come together for good.

They're excited about embarking on this new leg of their journey as future husband and wife, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time doing some of the things they love.

We began with a small hike through the Caramel Mountain area in San Diego and enjoyed the evening breeze as it cooled the hot September ground.

I loved this area because it had lots of trees with character and age.... This is definitely one of my favorite shots from the evening...

Although Bill has lived in California for a while, his roots still run deep and his heart is that of a midwestern MAN'S MAN. He hikes, he bikes, he shoots... and he loves.... His blood even runs the colors of Navy and Orange. (Chicago Bears colors... holla!)

Bill and Jenn weren't the only ones enjoying the outdoors during our shoot... their new puppy Roxy REALLY enjoyed the hike. And, like most good looking puppies, Roxy stole the show. She shot just one sweet puppy glance and seduced mountain bikers, hikers, Christopher, and .... me. She was just so sweet!

What a good looking pair!

From there, we headed down to La Jolla to get a little beach time in before the sun went down... and holy guacamole.... was there a sunset! The light was DEEE-licious and we soaked up every bit of it as we could! Here's just a few of my absolute favorites from the beach...

This picture, I think, encapsulates Bill and Jenn. They're comfortably in love with each other. I love how they don't feel rushed to love, and how they've spent time building their friendship into each other through laughter, and just doing life together. She can rest knowing her best friend will be by her side for the rest of her life... and he can rest knowing the most beautiful woman alive has chosen him. I'm all smiles thinking of where they'll be 10 years down the road...

As the sun set a beautiful orange-y pink against the purple clouds dispersed over the vastness of the San Diego shoreline, we all got a chance to pause and take a deep breath.... God is faithful. He's faithful in the small things and faithful, even still, in the big things. He promised to pursue our hearts and to be with us always. I feel like a broken record, but sunsets and sunrises "get me." There's just something so unfathomable and awesome about something so beautifully colored. I guess, in a far fetched sort of way, that 15 minute span of time when brilliant unfathomable color fills the skies...it is a reminder that He Is Here and He is still "I Am". So we can sit on the edge of the seemingly endless ocean, and breathe deep in the stillness and promise of his GOODNESS....

Bill and Jenn I am so excited that you've made the choice to spend your lives together as husband and wife and I'm SOOOO excited to celebrate with you and your families next May! Hurrah!

Rylan Gregory Dunn

There is something scary, yet free-ing about challenges. They're a mountain that seems to block your path and the only way is to climb up and back down again. On the way up, the mountain seems to go on forever, it's unpleasant, and you may find yourself winded and your muscles throbbing from the exertion.... but you keep plodding on, one foot in front of the other until you summit. It's only when you reach the summit that the free-ing part comes in. You made it. You're alive. You're exhausted, but the view from the top.... the view of the journey behind you and the new horizon in front of you... makes it all worth it. You accomplished something. You persevered and pulled through the hard times. And now, in the words of my home boy Bebo Norman, " you can walk down this mountain with your heart held high."

Rylan Gregory Dunn made it. And so did Valarie and Barrett.

(Side note: I've known Valarie for about 5 years now and she's always been the trailblazer. I'm so proud of her, of her courage, and of her heart. She's an amazing woman of God and I hope you all get a chance to meet her one day...)

So.... long story short, Rylan graced this world with his presence a little earlier than planned. But everyone's so glad he's here and...he's cute as a button. Here's my favorite shots from the day....

I thought this was such a great picture... partly because he looks like me every morning....

I know this is doesn't show his face, but I love it because it oozes comfort. With his little blanket and little arms... Love it! :)

Rylan was definitely a happy baby... Val and Barrett are very lucky parents!

This was such a sweet moment... I love the way Barrett holds Rylan...

Aaand... these pictures have nothing really to do with Rylan, but I love Valarie's style with all the owls everywhere... even Rylan gets to sport the owl look with some of his baby toys :)

I absolutely love the "tiny everything" about Rylan...

These were my absolute favorite "dad" pictures... I love the way Barrett looks at Rylan, how he holds him, how he talks to him..... Love it!

On our way back from the beach, I decided I wanted to include a little "hot mama" pictures for this HOT mom..... Someone should call the fire department because Valarie's on fire! ..(lame joke..... I know.)

Look at this girl!.. I hope Rylan gets some of her looks...

And lastly, I had to include this picture because it's so sweet. This was taken at the end of our shoot... he was cold and tired, but he was a good sport. I just thought this sad little face was so cute.... melts my heart and I know it melts his parents' hearts too...

Twas a great day to be alive and twas a cool experience hanging out with these awesome people... and Rylan... I'm glad you were born.... you're going to do great things!

Reminiscing: Thailand 2008

I was looking back through old images and I came upon my Thailand 2008 folder. It’s been a while since I shared images from my YWAM outreach and I thought maybe you’d like to reminisce with me….
This picture is from the Hills Tribe village called “Hui Tatop” and this is the former witch doctor of the village. Hui Tatop is a village of about 50 people 3 hours hike into the jungles of eastern Chiang Mai. They used to worship their own Karen gods, but they’re now an entirely christian tribe who are were so encouraging to my team. This guy wanted prayer for healing because he was getting old, was deaf, and was too feeble to walk to 200 yds. to the village church to participate in services…. such a sweet man.

This is when part of our team went on a prayer walk to the border between Burma and Thailand right outside the Akah Village we were staying at called “Beleham.” On our way up, we ran into some of the village women coming home from a hard day of gathering things from the jungle. They giggled as they saw all these random white people walking along on the path… although they might have been laughing at my German teammate Uli saying, “Sawadee-crap” in his German accent… This was by far, my favorite film picture I took on my trip.

These were some of the rowdiest little Akah boys I’ve ever seen… you can see the craziness from this picture…. I loved it.

These little boy on the left was from the Akah tribe in a village called “Beleham” and he stood and looked at me forever with this heavy stare… not carefree and curious like most little boys his age…. he had a very heavy gaze like he’s been through hard times… prayed hard as I smiled best could. The old lady on the right was called “tadpole lady” by our team because she invited us to dinner. Enough said, however I will say that she was just the happiest lady EVER despite her consistent backpain. She was so grateful for our prayers for healing that she invited us to dinner… and served us some wicked hot green curry soup with all sorts of unique things she’d caught….tadpoles, spiders, frogs, jungle potatoes, jungle rat…. who knows what else was in there…. yum.

Anyways… I just thought it was fun to remember… and put into perspective my photographic origins. First a missionary photographer… now a wedding and portrait photographer. I hope one day soon, I’ll be able to go out into the world beyond the US again to bring some good news. For more from my humble beginnings…. click here.

Happy Holidays = Portrait Special Offer

Hello all,

The past month has been one big ball of busyness for me, but the funny thing is, in hind sight, I have nothing to show for it.... because it involved brainstorming, planning, and experimenting. So a million sticky notes and a bazillion Evernote notes later.... I have something to show.

If you're like me, you start planning for the holidays now. I plan so far in advance partly because I'm excited for the cool weather, scarves and mittens, and all the holiday smells and decoration.... and partly because it gets about 10x more stressful as December rolls around.... and I like to prevent as much stress as I can. So to help you guys out, I came up with an awesome holiday offer!

I wanted to offer my services at a lower cost so that anyone who wants a photo shoot of themselves and/0r their families this holiday season CAN!!! WOOOO! All portrait sessions start at $100 and you can add on cool things like cards, larger prints, digital copies, etc. And I even want to offer custom designed Holiday cards! :)

So tell all your friends, and take advantage of this super deal!... because how often do you have a professional photographer take time to capture the beauty of you? Do it. I dare you!

To book now, or to inquire, CLICK HERE.