#holidayportraits

“Christmas Cheer” The Williams Family
“Christmas Cheer” The Williams Family
December 23, 2016 In Uncategorized No Comment

” You are what happened when I wished upon a star”

A little over 2 months ago I decided to have my first contest. I made everyone I know share and post about it.  I was so happy to have had over 300 people enter. When I picked the name it wasn’t one that I recognized, so I eagerly searched for their entry on Facebook.  There, pictured, was the most adorable baby boy, and beautiful mom and dad. I learned that Jenny Williams, my winner, was a first-time mom and this would be their first family picture session.

Jenny was a very planned mommy.  A very important part of a session is clothing. Being coordinated is not always as easy as it seems. One of the things that I like to offer clients, especially ones that haven’t done family pictures before, or in a while, is a color chart. I find it’s very helpful to have a pattern or idea in mind before searching your closet or even going shopping. Well, Jenny took my advice and nailed it!  Bright and colorful, in beautiful reds, blues and soft gray made for the perfect Christmas picture.

Our session ran a little longer than we had planned. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of this adorable little boy, all smiles and giggles. In the end you can see a new lovely family, so happy and excited to celebrate their first Christmas together as a family. I couldn’t be prouder to be the person to have captured it.

Continue Reading

The Abel Family “Walking the Walk”
The Abel Family “Walking the Walk”
December 16, 2016 In Family Photos No Comment

“As for Me and my house, we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15

I would like you all to meet the Abel family. About 6 months ago I wanted to redo my website. So, of course, I asked friends and colleagues “who is the best-priced, easiest-to-work-with, most-talented web-designer?”    In minutes I was referred to Kurt Abel. This recommendation did not just come from one single person, but by several people from different areas of my life. I was told not only is he great to work with but he is a genuine person. He is known to be a kind, thoughtful and a caring person. After our first meeting, I could tell everyone was right. Kurt was authentic, a person who really made me feel like he cared about what I wanted for my company. But what was just as evident was that he loved his family. He would light up like a Christmas tree when he spoke about his two boys and an unquestionable glow of love when talking about his wife, Ann. I knew after this meeting I really wanted to work with Kurt.

For those that haven’t had to design a website, It. Is. Complicated. How you want people to see you and your work is difficult and very personal. After talking to Kurt I knew I was in good hands. Little by little Kurt shared about himself while learning about me. Now we live in a time where expressing your faith is extremely difficult. With Kurt, I found he was a man of God, a man of true faith. It was refreshing to hear someone speak of their faith in a non-pushy, non-judgmental way. A true testament to his character. My dad, who raised us in the church and whose faith was always a guidance to me would say “Walking the walk not just talking the talk”.

Kurt wanted to do family pictures, a gift to his wife Ann. What a fun, beautiful family in front of my camera. Natural and full of love. There was so much emotion behind their session, I could feel love and joy. Ann wanted natural just “hanging out”. Even though we did get some posed shots, most were just “them being them”. Ann just cuddled and unabashedly loved her children. There was no pretense of perfection, just a love that shined from within that had grown from their faith.

So without further ado, Please meet the Abel family.

Continue Reading

Adams Family Photos
November 26, 2016 In Family Photos No Comment

” I put my  money where my house is. I shop local”

When we bought our house I really wanted a few pieces to add to the  rustic look throughout the house. So I headed to my local mall. I looked around and nothing felt personal, authentic or warm. So I left empty handed and more than a little bummed. I, like many of you, belong to many small, local Facebook marketplaces.  Scrolling through pages I found this amazing post from a local shop, Woodly Signs. I couldn’t have been more excited. There was the amazing work I had wanted. I placed my order and fell in love with every sign. I then started ordering pieces for clients , either for their sessions or as thank you gifts.  As the holidays approach let’s just say there are quite a few under the tree this year.

But the best thing about Woodly Signs? The owner and designer of all the signs, Kristin is an amazing woman, mother,  entrepreneur and friend.  Raising two beautiful and very active little boys, and a business is roll up your sleeves hard work.  She does it with grace and style. I have many a late night text session with Kristin, both of us trying to work once our family is in bed, the dishes are done and the house is quiet. I know we both couldn’t do it without our amazing husbands, a little wine, and friends to talk to too.

The day of their shoot was a crazy day for both of us and we both pulled up to the park with a slight frenzy. But in less than two minutes both boys had us laughing. Those boys just light up a room with their infectious smiles and laughter. The part that was the easiest to capture was how they love their mom and dad. This family laughs and giggles. Everything about this shoot came naturally. I just couldn’t get enough of how similar they are to my boys. Oldest, a little serious and protective, and littlest giggling and silly. So take a peak and if these boys don’t make you smile right back, well then you need to look again.

 

So do yourself a favor go over to www.woodlysigns.com and take a look at Kristin’s beautiful work. Shop local Saturday and as often as you can. You’re supporting a family like the Adams family .

 

 

Continue Reading

Emmons Family Photos
November 18, 2016 In Family Photos No Comment

“When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it’s our job to share our calm, not join their chaos” L.R Knot

I would like to introduce a very special family, the Emmons family.

What makes them special, besides the love they obviously shine in these photos, and the silly glimmer you can see in the boys’ eyes, is what you don’t see in these pictures. This beautiful family is a foster family. They have opened their home and hearts to two beautiful boys.

I’ve known Brian and Linda for over 10 years. I knew them before they were a couple, as they dated, and watched as they fell in love. As time has passed I lost touch. But thankfully, like a lot of us, Facebook brought the circle of friends back in contact, and Linda reached out for her family photos this year. One thing she “warned” me would be that they wouldn’t know if they would be able to have their foster children with them until the very last minute.

Linda has shined a light, not only to me , but everyone she knows, about the foster system. The heartache, the love, the feeling of being alone in a system that isn’t always fair. The anger for wanting, but being unable, to keep what has become a family, together.

I am in awe of this family. I am in awe of Linda and Brian. For finding this calling, to love beyond bloodlines. To love, knowing there is always the chance of loss.

I am honored to know them and to capture their smiles and love.

Their two foster boys couldn’t be there that day, but the love they have for them was still felt, in Linda’s smile when she speaks of them. In the boys’ laughter when they talk about them. In Brian’s eyes, that fill with pride for his family.

So to quote Linda, “Even if you aren’t considering becoming a foster parent, please find a way to support foster care: vote, donate, educate, and pray. Every foster child needs every single one of us on their side.”

 

Continue Reading