When I said this couple could do anything they put their mind to, I was right. It was proven again when I visited last week and met little Mr.A. Parents for just over a week and they already seemed like pros. I adore being with families during this time. Every family is different. Some are happy, but stressed beyond measure. Some are just simply at peace (or hiding the stress very well). I love observing this and being in the mist of it. Often there are moments when I get the “at peace” feeling along with them. Those moments where you want to just breathe it all in. Rarely do I feel a family so “at peace” as this one. Don’t get me wrong, I am often surprised at how well my clients handle everything…especially me being up in their space and moving their little one all about, but there was just something different. Of course, they were stressed. They were sleep deprived. Let me tell you, despite those things, they had it down. They approached everything as “I got this”. I truly enjoyed every moment of it. Mr A was just so good for me. I have to admit, there were even a couple moments that I got all choked up behind the camera. Observing their relationship and bond. Nothing but pure, undconditional love here. Their house could burst with it…as well as the amazing light that streams through everywhere!
Another part that got me was at the very end of the session. We were sitting around chatting (sometimes I just can’t shut up!) and they mentioned getting a book from me for every year of Mr.A’s life, including his Senior pictures. I know I haven’t talked about all the things I love about photography yet, but I’ll give you a hint, this is number one. I have actually gotten teary (yeah…I’m a softy) talking about this very thing with Bret. The thought of forming these relationships and watching these children grow up. It’s truly such an honor to me. That’s why I wouldn’t do photography any other way than I do right now. I’m not simply taking a few pictures and that’s it. In most cases I’m forming relationships, making new friendships. All while recording your life moments and showing the art in your life. Wow…I so sound like a Halmark card right now, but…oh well…I mean it!
Warning: If you have a beautiful tub with gorgeous light, I WILL take you in there. Just sayin.
Aren’t they gorgeous? And look at his hair! The S family was so very patient with me when it came to their maternity photos, I couldn’t dream of making them wait too long for a sneak peek of newborn photos. This is another one of those families that I just *click* (no pun intended) with. Another one of those families that I have trouble leaving because I’m just talking too much. It’s hard when I have a heater and noise machine in my ear and can’t hear anything, especially when I just want to talk talk talk while I shoot
I am so excited to be back to shooting and back to blogging sneak peeks! Hope you enjoy!
Oh he was so very tired, but this pesky lady (**me**) kept moving him.
Grab a snack and sit back…this is a long one! There may be a little gift at the end. As I’m finally getting use to writing 2010 on my checks, I think back to 2009 and reflect on the good, the bad, and the plain ol ugly. It was my first full year as a full time professional photographer. It seems like things have moved so fast. Sometimes I feel like I’ve made every mistake one could possibly make in one year. But with every mistake, I’ve kicked and screamed and thrown my hands up in the air I’ve learned. I’ve grown. It doesn’t hurt that I have the most amazingly patient clients ever. They have allowed me to figure this crazy thing out (not that I have…or if that’s even possible). There were days that I felt lost and days that I felt I had it all together. In the end, I know my clients better, I know my business better, and I know myself better. Realizing along the way that the best way to do anything is stay true to yourself. I know…it sounds so cheesy, but it’s true. No matter what, I want to share. Share who I am. Share my love for photography. Share in your special moments. Share in your little moments. Share what I see. Share all those things that make your family unique. This is something that has not changed from the beginning and will not change. My main goal will always be to capture a moment. One of the things I missed out on this past year was the sharing of me to you. I got so busy and so wrapped up in our life and the business that I didn’t connect as much as I would like. So, here I am. I know…you’re so excited right? Woot woot!
Well, here’s me sharing my MOST favorite of the favorites from 2009 (yeah…I know…I’m great at that whole narrowing down thing)….
And here’s a video to view even more of my 2009 favorites!
Now for a few of my favorite MOMENTS that I have been wanting to share.
First…The Pings…This family is one of my favorites. I love their style, each of their personalities, and that I’ve been with them since Abby was 1. I love watching them grow. I love that Scott gets so excited that he will email me or facebook me a million times asking, but he immediately makes up for it when he posts their slideshow a million times. And I mostly love that little miss Abby drew me a pretty picture before our last session. FYI…I still have it up (I keep everything “my” kiddos give me).
I think the storyboard below will tell the story well…
Second…I know I’ve already talked all about this, but I can’t talk about most memorable moments without at least showing this one more time…
Third…this is from OCTOBER! I was suppose to share it way back then, but of course time got away from me. I was beyond thrilled when Skirt contacted little ol me to be featured in their “Secrets” issue. My “secret” was taking the perfect picture of your child. I actually had MY picture taken by the fabulous Carla Winn (before they moved to Seattle ). FYI…I am much more suited for being BEHIND the camera. Another quick little factoid about me…I LOVE jean jackets. I own 3. Yeah…it’s sad.
Finally…ALL CLIENTS FROM 2009 OR EARLIER…thank you for your patience. Thank you for allowing me to be myself. Thank you for sharing your family with me. Thank you for making me a part of your life. I am eternally grateful for you. As a little thank you, each and every past client (one offer per family), may choose from one of the following:
Buy one get one free on gift and wall prints from a past session. Perfect time to complete that wall gallery! Good through the end of February.
Book a session before the end of February to take place no later than April and receive $50 off Session Fee. Session must be booked no later than Feb. 28th.
Looking through my blog, you may notice lots of exciting changes, including MONTHLY MINIS!! That’s right. The fabulous mini sessions that were once only offered twice a year are now offered once a month! Go HERE for more information. So many things that I’m very very excited about! More details coming soon
Where to even begin. Well, first for any of you who don’t know my story, you can go here to get caught up I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. Now, we have a new addition! I have a new baby sister, Macy Grace. She was born on July 13th (I know…I’m a bad sister for just now posting ) at 9:11 a.m.
I arrived at the hospital about 8:30. I was running late, as usual (not sure when that started happening) and scared to death I was going to miss it. There was some talk of me being in the delivery room, but since Macy would be delivered by c-section, we didn’t think they would let me. So, I’m going on the assumption I’m not going in. I had my tiny red camera all prepared for Mikie to take a few pictures. We went over the tutorial of how to use it. Of course, I had my big bag of cameras and lenses just in case Everyone was excited…mostly Myca. She has been excited, and partially dreading, this for a while now. Before Erica found out she was pregnant she kept asking for a baby sister. She has said so many cute things along the pregnancy. It makes me tear up thinking about one of the stories Erica told me where she had to ease Myca’s worries with “Are Sissy and Sis good big sisters? Well you just do what they do.” Aaawww! Myca had been giving Mikie strict instructions that she was to be the first one to hold Macy!
At 9:00 the nurse came in and said “who’s the one that was going to take pictures?” They pointed at me and said “but they’re not going to let her go back.” The nurse said, “You’re going in. I’ll be back with your gear.” Okay…so I’m not sure “gear” is what they called it, but it’s the crazy space man uniform they give you before you can go in! You’ll see a picture shortly My stomach dropped. I immediately started going through my bags trying to decide on the perfect lens, going over all this technical stuff in my head about how to make these pictures turn out just perfect. I have to tell this story. I have to make this turn out perfect. The pressure was on. I went back and forth between two lenses until I finally settled on one. Of course, I SQUEEZED the other one into my jean pocket just in case. I mean squeezed, along with batteries and memory cards. I have no clue how I thought I was ever going to get it out. Then they rolled Erica out of the room to the operating room. Tears started rolling of excitement, and possibly a little fear that always comes along with a surgery. Then came the wait. Mikie and I kept wondering if they had forgotten all about us. I just said “Erica would never let that happen.” I know Erica and through the drugs she would still be thinking of Mikie being with her and the pictures (I am lucky enough to have family who are as obsessed with pictures as I am). The longer we waited, the more nervous I got. Then FINALLY the nurse came. She said “you’ve seen stuff like this before, right?” Ummm…you kidding me? NO! I nervously squeeze out “well…no…” She gives me the look of “oh no…we have a fainter”. She said “well have you eaten?” So, then I tried to remember if I had. Well, yeah…of course…oh wait…I had powdered donuts and a Pepsi…does that count? lol.
We get to the room where Erica is. It was just so surreal. The nurses immediately start giving us instructions and telling us what’s going on. I was told to stay in one little spot, and I have to admit, I was thrilled to stay there. I was told I couldn’t take pictures of the actual surgery. No complaints here! I just can’t believe how fast everything went. Here they are jerking Erica around and I can see her body moving, then I’m looking at her face and talking to her, asking if she’s in any pain. Next thing we know they’re showing us Macy for the very first time. Saying it was amazing is simply an understatement. Seeing all the emotions, the relationships, being there to witness a true miracle…words really cannot express it. For Macy to even be a possibility is a miracle, for Erica to be able to carry her through out is another miracle, and to see her here in front of us….is breath taking. So…since this is something I could never express through words, I will share with you the story of Macy’s birthday through pictures This slideshow has pictures from before her birthday, her big day, and a few of her newborn pictures
And here are some of my favorites!
Love at first sight…
A mother’s first touch…
The first day a little sister becomes a big sister…
The first time a Mother holds her baby…
A Father watching his little miracle when he thinks no one is around…
I cannot believe it’s been over a year since I did little Addison’s newborn pictures! Gosh how time flies.
This ended up being somewhat of a short session. The wind was blowing like crazy and we thought we were going to get struck by lightening! But cute Addison kept that pretty little smile…well, except for when we all screamed and took off running. Yeah…we knew it was the end of the shoot then.