ABBIE: Senior pics

I could entitle this post:

The Girl Next Door...or

Mesmerizing...or

I Wish I Looked Like Her...

She's beautiful...and captivating...

you'd never know by just looking at these pictures that we were FREEZING cold outside and that the wind was blowing and we'd have to wait to get a quick second to take the picture...

She was just enchanting...it was natural...

and I don't think it's because she's just one of those "lucky photogenic" people...

it wasn't just that...she has beauty that runs deeper...yes, her hair is gorgeous and her skin is flawless, and she knows how to put together an outfit, but that's not what gets me...

she has learned the art of accessorizing her HEART!  It's what she was wearing on the inside that was shining through in these pictures...

such a gentle humility and natural confidence...a contentment and graciousness...

did I mention how cold it was at our session time? She had traveled all the way from Chicago to have these pictures taken...her attitude and perspective could have been so drastically different based on the weather the wonderful midwest threw at her...

However, she had a confidence that WHO she was, wasn't going to be sacrificed in what was caught "on film"...

I was giddy as I begin going through her images because they just spoke volumes to the woman that she has become...

Thank you for traveling all the way here...I had such a great time with you all!!!  Congratulations on your graduation...God is already doing fabulous things in your heart!!!

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Little Buddy

We met at a park...

His Momma said that he would probably need some time to warm up...

Ahhhh, little boys...

What is that nursery rhyme?  snips and snails and puppy dog tails?

It truly amazes me certain differences in little boys and little girls...

It's not that my girls didn't have their moments of pure adrenaline adventure, but it wasn't the "norm"...they were just naturally inclined toward other things (like tiny dolls and stacking things)...and this is even when their mother (aka: ME) dressed them in denim and NO BOWS their entire first years of life...

This little guy was exploring every nook and cranny...he was all for jumping and lunging and rolling in leaves...and even when he got just a bit of a bloody lip with his frolicking, he wasn't going to let it hold him back...

And OH the love this little guy has surrounding him...to give him the confidence to BE who he was made to be...I love, love, love seeing families that GET IT...they haven't forgotten the basics...the foundations that need to be set in order to build into their children...to grow character in them...

It starts with love with mom & dad...mutual respect and honor...this was evident in the way they just talked about and with one another...the way they worked together to corral the little guy too...

It was FUN and PLAYFUL and REAL...and it's LIFE being lived to the fullest!!!

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Another Doppelganger

I met this family for the first time when we met for our session...

Everyone was excited and they had traveled quite a ways just so that we could get some family memories...

I remembered when I first met them that I thought this beautiful mom must be an actress...and on top of that, her demeanor was so gracious and kind...WOW...(talk about the jealousy bug...to look like a movie star and have a heart that is fabulous to boot?  it's the whole package!!!)

However, I couldn't figure out WHO it was that I thought she looked like...because let's be honest...my exposure to movies is typically The Chipmunks, Rapunzel and all things Disney...not much in the "non-animated" department...but still, there was something...

My oldest daughter has dived into the realm of non animated films and so I went home to look through some DVDs to see if I could find whom I was looking for through the files of Princess Diaries, Narnia and Spy Kids, etc...

I finally came across GamePlan (a Disney film of course) and realized that the Ballet instructor in the movie was was Roselyn Sanchez...and that's what was triggering my memory...Don't ya think they bare a resemblance?  Another thing to be jealous about, because my face doesn't doppelganger with any movie star that I know of...

Regardless of whether you agree with me or not...her family was adorable...

We ran all over the campus and enjoyed such a wonderful afternoon of romping and playing in the open spaces.  Smiles were NEVER off their faces...and the pure joy of just being together was evident...

and it wasn't just for pictures...that's the thing...

This family was USED TO time like this...time just BEing together and playing...it wasn't foreign to them...it wasn't awkward or new...

I could tell that they were just living life like they normally do and all I had to do was follow them around and capture it so that they'd have the memories forever...

I swear that I have just the best clients in the world!  It brightens my day each time I have the opportunity to meet new families and get to experience their family dynamics...

it's amazing!

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Open Hearts=Much Love

My middle daughter is rather insightful...it's probably because she is her father's daughter...she's quite reserved and definitely more introverted than her hyper mom!  She's not a big talker, but she feels deeply.  Her eyes catch everything and her heart feels even more.  To say that I worry about her the most out of all my daughters is an understatement.  She lets things slide off her back, yes...she's the first to give in and let someone else have their way if it will resolve conflict...she's the one that will sacrifice Christmas gifts to herself so that money can be given to St. Jude Hospital or World Vision.  

Her heart is so tender...

sometimes it's scary...to know that she can be hurt quickly...but yet, won't cause a fuss about it.

I don't say all this because I'm here to brag on my daughter...I say it because it matters a lot to me, the people that become her role models...the people that spend large quantities of time with her...because hers is a heart that needs someone insightful as well...who knows how to challenge and push, but not too far...someone who recognizes the depth of compassion in others...someone who in turn, loves unconditionally and gives 100% of themselves as well...

This family is blessed with a mom like that...

She was my daughter's teacher for one year...and my little girl never doubted that she was loved and cared for...she never doubted that she would be listened to and understood...she never feared that she'd be "left alone" because she tends to handle herself just fine & doesn't cause disturbances...

This teacher LOVED...and showed that love day in and day out during the school day...

She now has two little girls of her own...and though it's more difficult now to sacrifice the time away from them for the school day, she does it with that same determination to love on those students with all she has inside!

They are beautiful and fun and energetic!

I know these images will make you smile as well!

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I thought it was cold then...

We should have known that by having FREEZING cold days in October/November that we were heading into a frigid winter season....

But, this family took it in stride...

I'm not kidding you that it was cold outside...and especially trying to capture "sweet" expressions from two rambunctious boys when their little teeth were chattering...well, I'm here to tell you that no matter what "mother nature" threw at us...WOW, this family was AMAZING!

We dove into little coves and corners, we crouched in trees and window ledges...but, nothing dampened the spirits of this family...

This is the type of family that looks at a challenge square in the eyes and dares it to stop them!

I LOVED this photo session!  I'm not sure I have ever laughed so hard, nor enjoyed myself so much, despite the fact that my fingers were turning blue :)

Such love emanated from this couple...and a teamwork mentality spurred them on.  They were a joy to work with and I adored their images!

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ALEC: Senior Pics

I wonder if the mothers of these seniors sometimes just stare at their sons or daughters, at this moment in time, and wonder, "how did we get here?"

Does it feel like it's going so fast?

My daughter (who is only in 6th grade) just broke her foot this past week...it's been a whirlwind of orthopedic surgeon consults and doctor visits...my middle child needs to see an orthodontist for possible braces in the future...my youngest informed me that she'd like to start playing basketball next year...

If I'm not doing laundry or making dinner, I'm driving to pick them up and drop them off...their peers come over to "hang out" and the "once upon a time playroom" is now turning into more of a homework area instead of dress up and polly pockets...I feel as though the minutes just fly by...nighttime routines happen and boom, it's 6am and we need to get up and start a new day...

Is it ever a blur for anyone else?

I'm thankful that I have photos, because sometimes, I can't even remember if I brushed my time on any given morning let alone, remember the funny expressions and thoughtful discussions that happen right beneath my nose!

Guys aren't necessarily "into" senior pics as much as girls...this isn't true in all cases, but, I would venture to say that just like girls dream about their future fantasy weddings, those thoughts don't even enter into a guy's mind during their elementary years...

Alec has a loving respect for his mother...it was evidenced not only by his compliance to Senior Pictures in the first place, but in small, thoughtful ways that he included her input during our session.  I can't tell you how it warms my heart to know that there are young men that defy societies call on them to "entitlement"...instead, they don't just "Look out for #1", but, they purposefully see what they can do for others.

We had a wonderful afternoon and I know you'll be able to see the strength of his character coming out in these images :)

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BEN: Senior pics

When people use the word "meek" I would venture to say that many examples come to mind (all of which are incorrect, but come to mind nonetheless)  Often people think it means weak-minded, timid, shy...and I suppose with what a lot of what our society values today, that's what they would falsely believe.

However, "meekness" is actually a virtue to be desired...

Why? you ask...

Well, first off, the opposite of meek is: obstinate, stubborn, insubordinate, domineering, brash, egocentric, arrogant, pompous and prideful...
(I mean really, what kind of girl wants to hang out with a guy with those qualities?)

The true meaning of meekness is actually: kind, humble..a quiet confidence...a surety of oneself, down-to-earth, demure...

Picture a guy who is confident enough in his own shoes that he isn't bothered by others' immaturity or lack of common sense...He knows what he's good at, knows what he likes, can find the good in others and has a future that is hopeful, knowing that those, whose paths he will cross will continue to build into him the character & potential to which he aspires....and in turn, he takes opportunities to encourage others along the way...

Ben is a guy like that :)

I had fun this past fall just walking around a college campus and into town with him...along the way, a stranger walked up to us...an older gentleman who wanted to "tell a few jokes"...Ben was gracious and we enjoyed the friendly banter...

Many different scenarios could have played out...but, I recognized a maturity beyond his years...and I'm positive the lonely gentleman was as encouraged by ours laughs and attention, as we were by his positive attitude and desire to bring joy to complete strangers!

It was definitely a session I won't soon forget!

            (joke #1: something about a "stool" sample)

(Joke #2: bragging about his "diamond clip" and did we want to see it?)

(Joke #3: fun stories about his grandchildren and wife...would we like to see a picture of his pride and joy?)

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