Sechler Photography

03/16/2022

I feel like I should embarassingly post a 'Welcome Back' to myself here... It's been a WHILE since I have posted any photography work on this page... 🤦‍♀️

Sechler Photography is alive and well - and I'm excited to get to share this little family session with you guys.

I've been taking Anne's family photos since her grandkids were tiny, and it's been such a treat to watch them all grow, both in height... and personality!

It was a COLD day in February... but all participants were great sports -- including the dogs who would not be left out of the fun!

10/26/2017

I promise -- I am working hard on getting caught up with blogging all the wonderful, families, babies, couples, weddings, and horses I've had the privlidge to shoot this year. Moving and settling into our new farm has sadly put the computer work pretty low on the 'To Do' list. For now -- enjoy a sneek peak of the latest family to land in front of my lens. Aren't they precious!?

10/25/2017

I am two years beyond having written my last blog post about miscarriage and infant/pregnancy loss. In two years, I have seen friends and family members celebrate the discovery of pregnancy, suffer crushing loss through miscarriage, be excited and terrified for following pregnancies, welcome baby boys and baby girls to their families, watched their children grow on Facebook, been invited to baby shower after shower, and so it goes.

This is the reality of living with infertility: Life goes on. Whether you want it to or not -- whether you get left behind or not -- whether you're okay with it or not -- life just keeps marching on. And it's good. And hard. And unfair. And right.

Miscarriage has made me a different person than I was before. Obviously. Death and tragedy have a way of changing the way we approach living. If we don't change, if we don't grow, then trials carry no purpose, no hope, and can destroy us from within.

If you're new to my blog, then I suppose you would need to know that my husband and I have three children that we have lost to miscarriage. I don't get to love them here on earth, but I am no less a mother because of that small detail, and therefore, I must strive to be the best mother I can possibly be.

I get that that may sound ridiculous from the outside looking in -- How can one be a mother when they have no children to mother? THAT is the million dollar question I've been asking myself since our last miscarriage three years ago.

It occurred to me that I have a great many children in my life - nephews and nieces, neighbor's children, horseback riding students, Sunday School students, troubled teens and more. THEY are the answer to that question. THEY are gifts that I don't deserve. THEY enable me to impact the world, though I could not impact my own children in this life. It is for THEM that I want to be the best reflection of God's love that any mother can be.

I have found joy and hope in infertility, because, though it is painful and hard -- I admit that if my own children were here now, I might not be as willing or able to invest in all these other children's lives.

If that for now is my purpose, then for all the children I am allowed to love, I want to be a mom that:
..listens.
..is available.
..they can rely on.
..has wisdom to share.
..allows them to be kids.
..prays with and for them.
..is a source of encouragement.
..they can have fun and be silly with.
..they know will always tell them the truth.
..can challenge their thinking and help them grow.
..showers them with love, grace, patience, and strength.
..infects them with a passion for the outdoors and Animals.
...encourages their hopes and dreams and believes they can reach them.



It's what mom's do.



If you, my friend are struggling with purpose through infertility or infant loss -- here it is: Keep going. Keep loving. Keep changing lives. It just might change the world.

How can one be a mother when they have no children to mother? THAT is the million dollar question I've been asking myself since our last miscarriage.

06/18/2017

Today was a day filled with love, laughter and a brand new beginning! Here's a sneak peak of the new Mr and Mrs! Corey and Rachel, you two are literally a match made in heaven.

10/02/2016

So. Wow. This summer totally escaped from me. We are going through several life changes, including a move, me working my horse training business full time, and how a back injury to boot! "There is too much! I must sum up." (bonus points for anyone who knows what movie that line is from!)

ANYWAY -- I am back, and for this weeks blog post, I have one that is a celebration of our Sixth wedding anniversary (by the way, how did THAT happen??) This post is for my absolutely phenomenal husband, who in spite of everything he deals with on a daily basis, is always my rock and my best friend. He is also one, of a very few people who understand the need I have to pun. I have never doubted his, love, his commitment, or value of our marriage, and for that, I know I am blessed. Here's to the last six years, and many many more beyond!


My Dear Husband,

I looked it up online, and found out that the 6th Anniversary is considered the "Wood" anniversary. That made no sense to me until I gave it some thought, and realized a great many things do in fact, confirm that 'wood' is a perfect theme for this date of celebration.

I "wood"nt have wanted to go through the last six years with anyone but you.

God really "nailed" it when He put us together.

I could have waited forever, and a more perfect "match" for me NEVER "wood"ve come along.

It's "plane" and simple... I'd be lost without you... literally.

I probably "wood" have let the trials the last year has brought "chip" away at me and make me depressed... BUT

With "Yew" by my side, I have found that I can face anything.

Through the struggles and triumphs, I know that we will always be there to "root" for each other.

Life with you means that I'm never "board".

If we kept a "log" I know that we'd see that we make each other stronger.

With this latest adventure -- once we find a new home, we can "spruce" it up together. It will be our home, where the cat can lay in the sun, and the dog will have her own place to "bark". How could anyone "pine" for anything else?!

For the next six years, and many many beyond, I "Wooden"t want anyone else by my side to "branch" out on new adventures with!
All that said,

I"m going to go out on a "limb" and say that without you, I'd be nothing.

You make me better.

You love me well.

And I don't know what I'd do without you.

You're my best friend.

You're the best husband in the world, and I love you so very very much.

I'm "KNOT" kidding!

Happy anniversary!!!!



p.s. Photo credit to Shelley Paulson Photograpy

http://www.sechlerphoto.com/blog/2016/10/woodnt-have-chosen-any-other

06/19/2016

There are a plethora of words in the english language that are used as descriptive words (They're called Adjectives... I know that because my Pop told me, and he never lies.) These descriptive words, and sometimes phrases, are a great help when we are trying to draw an image in someone's mind of a certain person, place, or thing. I thought, that since Father's Day is upon us, I would try to do Pop and his Grammar policing ways proud, and see how many I could come up with to describe what an ideal Father's adjectives would be. So here goes:

When describing a father, you'd use words like:

Strong

Bold

Leader

Protective

Hardworking

Confident

Adventurous

Considerate

Trustworthy

Patient

Humble

Dependable



And so the list goes on...



Now, those things are all hugely important, and my Pop has all of those things for sure. However -- that list doesn't even touch the things that Pop has that make him a truly great human, father, leader, and friend. Things such as:

He posseses the ability to wear a suit and tie or beach pants with equal confidence and swagger. (He can also sport socks and sandals... and that takes guts my friends.)

He has an EPIC radio voice. (I kid you not... he was known as Quakemaster Barlow, on account of all the earthquakes that would occur when he was on air.)



He as Musical talent, including, but not limited to, the ability to play any instrument he picks up, being able to teach others how to play, he possesses a soulful and soothing singing voice, ability to write songs that range from ballads, to blues, to worship, and an ability to appreciate ALL genre's of music.

He may not enjoy the threat of natural disasters, but he has ALWAYS been the first one to roll up his sleeves to help clean up after a tornado, flood, or earthquake.

He possesses no shame when it comes to laughing and flatulence jokes. No. Shame.



He could write a book about having to turn the other cheek, but in it, he would never mention names, and would still be hoping and praying for the other person's good.

Dude has sported an afro perm AND a mullet in his lifetime - and rocked them both.

He has hidden drawing skills. He can draw pine trees so well, you can almost smell them.



He's the only one that I know that care wear both a duster and cowboy hat, or a Dickens cape and a top hat and look totally legit.

He adopted other people's children and loved them as much as his own blood.

He has a DEEP (I'm talking Pacific Ocean deep --Mariana Trench deep) love for all things Christmas. So much so that it's in all of our DNA.



He went back to school so he could put food on our table and have the qualifications to be a teacher.

I'm sure when he's done reading this, he could sit down with his red pen and mark the page from top to bottom with all the mistakes I've made in punctuation and grammar (but not spelling... HA! spellcheck has my back on that one... where was THAT in high school!?) -- BUT he won't, because he loves me, and he's the one that taught me that sometimes it's okay to let people make mistakes.



If there were an award for most awkward 'smile for the camera' face, Pop would win, hands down. Which is weird... because he actually has a great smile.



He doesn't try to fix everything -- sometimes he just gives you a hug, and sits there with you in your hurt.

Speaking of hurt -- he may laugh when you walk into a mailbox for like, the 14th time... but only AFTER he makes sure you're okay.

My Pop is the best.



I know I'm leaving out some vital descriptive terms, but I'm assuming at this point that you all have the idea of what, in my opinion, makes a really great Pop, Dad, Father, or whatever your title of choice is.

It strikes me that many men I know feel like they are failing as fathers... that less than perfect isn't good enough... well guess what? Maybe its the things that make you less than perfect that your kids will remember as their favorite things about you. It's the things that make you human, and it's the things that make you, you. Its probably okay to cut yourself some slack (*cough* Pop) , and accept that you're not perfect. Your kids don't expect you to be. They just love you because you're you. Go ahead, high five yourself, it's hard work to be a Dad.

http://www.sechlerphoto.com/blog/2016/6/Dadjectives

05/20/2016

Over the years that I've known my husband, he has spent a great deal of time getting to know my world. It's a world filled with horses, manure, vet visits, farriers, bruises, hay hauling, tack cleaning, and dirt. Not glamorous, but hey - I like it -- so that means Dana's in too.

That said, it was only fair that I spend an equal amount of time getting to know his world. And let me tell you -- it's a WAY (Seriously... waaaaay) more complicated world than my world is. He and the people he works with are heroes EVERY day. No pressure, right?

Now, if I asked you who the heroes in your town are, 99% of you would mention the wonderful Police officers and Firefighters that serve your communities -- and you would absolutely be right! But there is another group of heroes that rarely get the acknowledgement that they deserve. To date, I have a very hard time finding any cool t-shirts, bumper stickers, fabric, plaques, figurines, paintings, or even awards that represent these guys well.

The group I'm talking about are the wonderful people that serve our communities through Emergency Medical Services (EMS).


When I first met Dana -- If I had any thoughts about EMS, they were these, HIGHLY uneducated thoughts:

~Definition of EMS = An ambulance that shows up to take me to the hospital where they will 'actually' take care of me.

~Basic, Advanced, Intermediate, Paramedic, Critical Care Medic... didn't mean anything. An "EMT's" job is to pick me up and babysit me in the ambulance until we get to the hospital where the 'real' medical people are -- where I will finally 'be in good hands'.

To be honest, I didn't really think about EMS - and when I say "didn't really" I mean, like, at all. I had never had to call for them, and I didn't see commercials, or fliers for fundraisers, or newspaper articles about their heroics, so, in truth -- it never occurred to me that I might someday need them.


What I knew about the amazing people in the world of EMS was so wrong, it's almost emarassing. The EMT's and Paramedics that I've met have proved themselves to be some of the most dedicated, selfless, compassionate people that I know. Lest you think I make them sound like a bunch of sissies, please know -- they also tend to be type A, take charge, 'I'm here to fix it so get out of the way' type people. And they have to be. They are, on a daily basis, exposed to the worst humanity has to offer:

Car accidents

Murder

Stabbings

Drug Overdoses

Seizures

Alcoholism

Strokes

Heart Attacks

Child Death

Drowning

All of this and more, and if they're lucky they're doing it on 2 hours of sleep, that meal they had (was it 14 hours ago...ish?), and a cup of coffee.

A slogan I once saw on a training center wall stated it well: "Study for the day that you are all that stands between your patient and death."

Yikes -- Last time I checked, if I mess up while training a horse, I'm probably going to wind up on a sore butt in the dirt; but no one else's life is on the line.

Our EMT's and Paramedics run towards emergencies with our firefighters and police officers. They run to people that may be a victim of someone else's bad decisions, or even people that are deserving of the situation that they're in. And the people in EMS treat their patients all the same -- to them -- every life is worth saving.

They show up. Every time.


They show up for someone who is pinned in a car after an accident, for someone who has had a stomach ache for 27 hours and waited until 2 am to call 9-1-1, for someone who fell off a ladder, someone who is deathly allergic to bees, or someone who's child has stopped breathing.

And the thanks they get?

In many cases, grumbling and complaints from the public about the expense of ambulance services in their communities. (Look into it -- it's probably costing you more for garbage disposal every year than for the right to have EMS show up at your door when you need it the most.)

Pretty Average wages. (McDonald's employees? Ya'll might just want to sit down and be quiet now.)

Complicated Rules & Regulations at the National, State, and Local levels and poor reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid that all but cripple their ability to effectively do their jobs.

Newspaper articles that frequently seem to miss the fact that EMS was at a scene, right alongside their fire and police counterparts.

A public that is ignorant of the months and years of training for the various levels that they've been through, to keep you alive--and who more commonly refer to them as 'ambulance drivers'.


And yet -- They show up.

Do they have a rather morbid sense of humor? Probably. Are they unsympathetic when you complain about your paper cut? Definitely. Will they get distracted by flashing lights regardless of what city, state, or country they're in? Um, yes. (Ahem... I'm not naming names... *cough* Dana.)


All that said... and in honor of National EMS week:

If you don't know anything about your local EMS agency, I encourage you... take an interest! Give them your support, your thanks, and your voice at public meetings. Learn the difference between Basic, Advanced, EMT, Paramedic, and Critical Care. You would be hard pressed to find a group of people that are more willing to roll up their sleeves, get up in the middle of the night, or put themselves in harms way for your sake.



If you're an EMT or Medic of any level -- I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service, your dedication, your willingness to put our emergencies before your own needs. Thank you for being willing to go out and help in a blizzard, thunder storm, flood, or tornado. Thank you for the sleepless nights, missed meals, and aching feet. Thank you for risking your own safety for the sake of us and our loved ones. Thank you for the hours of training and refreshers you work through to stay on top of life saving techniques. Thanks for knowing the difference between Ketamine, Compazine, and Amiodarone. Most of all, Thank you for showing up.

You are our heroes.

http://www.sechlerphoto.com/blog/2016/5/everyday-hero

05/08/2016

Dear Mom,

I have tried several times in the past week to sit down and come up with words that describe how much you mean to me... but words never seem adequate. Seriously. How are you supposed to tell the most kind, loving, gracious, forgiving, long-suffering, inspiring person that you know how great they are, and how much they mean to you??

Since I was clearly going to fail in that venture, I decided that instead -- I would write down a list of some of the most important lessons that I've ever learned from you. Because after all, it's long been established that without your guiding hand, I would not be a nice--much less a socially acceptable--person. So here, for your enjoyment, is a small sampling of how your wisdom has impacted me:

1.When walking down isles of dishes or glassware in a store: Resist the urge to pick one of them up and smash it to the floor. Apparently that is wrong. Also, it creates a mess, and SOMEONE is going to have to clean that mess up.

2. When people make you mad, kicking them in the shins is, I guess, not an appropriate response. (Potentially effective, but not appropriate.)

3. When you find 'abandoned' baby raccoons, it's probably not necessary to bring them home to try to care for and keep them as pets. After all, they bite, and might carry disease(s)... or so you said. The same goes for rabbits, snapping turtles, gophers, feral cats, ducks, and so on. (Or so you said...)

4. When playing out in a field, it might be beneficial to verify whether the mud you are playing in is, in fact, mud, and not manure. Because... well, that's gross.

5. When your brother teases you, pulling his arm or leg hair will probably not accomplish anything. (Though I still argue that it's extremely satisfying.) P.S. My husband has no idea how thankful he should be that you taught me this lesson.

6. No matter how 'uncool' it is, a helmet trumps a cowboy hat = Every. Time. ... I'm still alive because of this particular lesson, so I suppose I should say thank you. SUBNOTE: It's also okay to sell the one horse you ever met that hated your guts. (I may also be alive because of this lesson.)

7. It's okay not to wear heels to an important event -- Especially when your lack of coordination in combination with those heels pose a risk to your ability to stay on your feet and off your face. Though you would also say that Cowboy boots are not always an acceptable substitution... a lesson I'm still not sure I can get behind.

8. Most importantly, when you find old oranges and lemons in your neighbor's (who may or may not be a drug dealer) back yard -- you do NOT -- under ANY circumstances play Little House on the Prairie and eat them with your friends!! Ever.

Then there's the usual:

Stop, Drop, and Roll (Thankfully I've never had to use this one... yet.)

Look both ways before crossing the street (Apparently it's the BEFORE that is the important part of that sentence.)

Don't run with scissors (Bad things will happen - I should have listened.)

Don't take candy from strangers (I assume this ties in with number 8?)

And SOOOOO many more.

Thank you Mom for always being there. For loving me when I didn't deserve it. For always being my biggest fan. For saying NO, a lot. And for giving me an example of what I should aspire to as a wife, woman, and human being. You are my hero.
I LOVE YOU.
~Logan

http://www.sechlerphoto.com/blog/2016/5/I-owe-you-one-mom

04/11/2016

Sometimes you feel like you know what you're doing. You're confident, and feel like a boss.
..And then there's the other times. You know them -- the times when you have to eat a little humble pie and admit that maybe you don't know everything, AND admit that you may not, in fact, be perfect.

I am never a fan of those moments, but let me tell you -- every time I've stopped being stubborn and decided to swallow my pride, I have never once regretted it.

I once had a relentless Grand Prix dressage instructor who did not care that my 1 hour lessons would always turn into a 2 hour and 18 minute muscle burning, emotion draining, sweat fest. Now, I knew how to ride... but that instructor knew I needed endurance and confidence... so she pushed me to my breaking point time and time again. And I survived. And I got better. And I gained confidence.

Most recently, I had to admit that as a photographer, I had settled into a 'comfortable' spot that I hadn't challenged myself out of in a long time... and I needed a push. Enter: Shelley Paulson. Beautiful soul, a kindred spirit, and photographer extraodinaire. I met Shelley for the first time 5 years ago when she documented our wedding day. The images that she gave us have been a continual blessing -- letting us relive our wedding day year after year, complete with each perfect detail, smile, and moment that she captured.

It might surprise you that I found Shelly and dubbed her to be the ONLY photographer that I was willing to consider having shoot our wedding day, based on one single image of a newborn foal standing in the dusty light of a dimly lit stall. That image told me all I needed to know:

1. Girl had skillz.

2. She was my kind of people. She loved horses. We would be besties just because of that, I was sure.

3. She knew how to find light and use it like a Jedi uses a light saber.

Because of these things... when I was ready for the afore mentioned photographic 'push', Shelley was the one that I wanted it from.

And push she did. It's not easy to hear someone critique your work. Let's be honest -- it's not easy to hear someone critique you at all! But, Shelly did so in a way that was both encouraging and instructive, humbling and constructive. She tore down a lot of the 'safety' walls I had built up and gave me permission and tools to set photography goals that would both excite and motivate me.

Not to make things easy -- we chose a frigid 18 degree day, to talk light, posing, and purpose. Our gorgeous model Audrey was so sweet and patient, and hid her shivers well. Her beautiful horse Delilah kept us entertained with her prancing and perky expressions.

I am now looking forward to what the next year of photography will bring -- I'm ready for change, ready for a challenge, and ready to start seeing light in new ways.

You should definitely go check out Shelley's work! You WON'T be sorry. Promise! http://www.shelleypaulson.com

http://www.sechlerphoto.com/blog/2016/4/new-light

02/22/2016

You know the story...

Handsome Boy meets Beautiful Girl.

Beautiful Girl plays hard to get.

Handsome Boy fights to win Beautiful Girl's affection.

Girl decides she loves Handsome Boy.

They finally share a long awaited, romantic, perfect kiss.

Handsome Boy and Beautiful Girl have a Glamorous wedding.

And they live happily ever after.

The End.


Sounds too good to be true? Well... that's because it is.

Valentines day has come and gone, and all we are left with now is discount pink and red wrapped candy, opened cards, and wilting flowers. Let it not be said, that I am against a holiday to celebrate the most important thing in life -- however, it does make me think about just how skewed our interpretation of love and marriage is.

I enjoy a good romantic comedy, or Disney fairytale as much as the rest... but the reality is... it's not reality. Hollywood would love us to believe that every story has a happy ending, and that every problem has a neatly wrapped solution; every Princess has perfect hair, and somewhere out there her Prince Charming is falling all over himself to get to her. Now, unless I'm missing something... the severe lack of forrest creatures that have showed up to help me with my housework seems like it might be a tip off that something in the Hollywood scenario is askew.

There are a few things, that happen behind the scenes that i have found to be more true than the 'perfect' that is portrayed on the silver screen. So I thought I'd share my thoughts on the '5 things Hollywood never told you about love and marriage':



1. Marriage is HARD. Like, climbing Mount Everest in flip flops with a backpack full of angry monkeys hard. The days that it feels like a fairy tale are so few and far between, that you will be tested to see what you're made of. Are you going to quit when the going gets rough, or can you dig your heels in and fight for it? When you've had the same argument umpteen times, and still can't resolve it, are you going to give up? Can you deal with a less than perfect house? Are you going to be hostile when there isn't enough money? Are you going to be okay when you've gone 37 days without your husband telling you he thinks you're pretty?


2. Marriage is not 50%-50%. That's pretty much the BIGGEST. LIE. EVER. It can never be less than each person giving 100%-100%. You must be willing to give of yourself at all times, for any reason, whether you want to or not. You cannot wait for the other person to 'meet your needs' or serve you. You must always be willing to get your hands dirty, and be there for the other person. Period. You have to be all in.

3. Marriage is Messy. You can take that any way you want it... but to me, it means many things: It means holding your partner's hair as you're pulled over on the side of the road and they are bent over with the flu. (Extreme example, but hey, I can be a witness on this one!) It means being willing to deal with (sometimes HUGE) personality flaws or sins, without giving up or holding it against them. It means commitment every day -- even on moving day when everyone is tired, dirty, and cranky from moving boxes. It may mean sitting in a hospital room waiting for test results. It means that you stand by someone when they are the worst version of themselves after a parent or friend dies, or when they lose their job.


4. Marriage is Risky. I'm not going to lie -- it can be terrifying. So much can go wrong -- You could lose them. They might hurt you. You might get insulted. You will get offended. You could lose a child, or financial stability, or your home. You will hurt when your partner hurts. You'll worry. Loving someone means that a part of you has been given to another. You have to trust them with that piece of you... and guess what? Like you, they are not perfect. You will have days that you wonder what you signed up for, but... so will they.

5. Marriage is about CHANGE. (You should know I'm sitting here with my ears plugged because, I. HATE. CHANGE.) Loving someone means that you will have to learn to adapt. You might have to get used to the toilet seat being up. You might have to get in the habit of picking up someone else's dirty laundry. You will have to learn to bite your tongue. You will have to learn ways of showing love when words aren't enough. You will have to learn to hear the meaning behind the words rather than focusing on the words themselves. You may have to give up things you enjoy, and learn to enjoy things you don't. (I suppose sitting through an action movie or two is an okay trade for a Pride and Prejudice marathon.)


Now, I know that not all marriages are perfect. I know that horrible things like abuse and addiction often damage relationships and trust. And if you find yourself in that situation, I pray that you find peace, direction, and hope in knowing that even though the imperfect human you've chosen isn't able to love you perfectly, God Himself does.

All of that said -- if you are willing to sign up for the adventure, marriage can be both the hardest and most rewarding thing you'll ever do.

If you ever get to the point of desperation or frustration with your chosen spouse... Take a minute to stop and remember - you made a promise to LOVE in all it's Hard, Messy, Risky, 100% committed, glory. It might also help to remember that, if you're anything like me, you yourself are not always perfect -- or even enjoyable to be around, and the more you focus on your spouse's flaws, the less you are working on your own.

There is a quote that I've written over and over in my journals, and it challenges me in my relationship with my husband daily -- I'll leave you with that...


"Love is an action and Happiness is a choice. For better or worse."


"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres... Love never fails... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1Corinthians 13:4-6,8,13

http://www.sechlerphoto.com/blog/2016/2/5-things-hollywood-never-told-you-about-love-and-marriage