CT PhotoMemories: July 2014

Patience is a Virtue

>> – family sessions

I'm a little out of order with my blog posting, but I wanted to give a shout out to this amazing family...

You see, summer can get a little WILD and CRAZY in the T household over the summer...and this year, we jammed not only reunion trip to Florida, but camp up north as well...throw in multiple handfuls of photo sessions, orthodontist visits and walking the dog...well, it just makes for some unique juggling techniques.

I normally have less than a 2 week turn around for pictures...and those that have sessions with me KNOW that although my guarantee is 15 images, more times than not, you end up with more than that...and it's typically because I can't just stop at 15 for your family and I'll be darned if I don't give you that absolutely adorable picture of your sweetums just because it's going over my limit! Therefore, continued increase in my editing time :)

Anyhoo..this fam waited an extra long time to see their gallery! And I just wanted to thank them so very much! I loved their playfulness...this mom and dad had the right mindset for "lifestyle photography"...it was so easy to just set up moments of fun so that you could see the personalities of each individual, just shining through those smiles! And you know that I love hangin' with the boys (sometimes it's just a nice little break from our tea parties and princess talks)

I hope you'll enjoy as well!

Sweet HEART :)

For those of you that have ever read the "About Me" section of this blog site (you can access it HERE)
You will know that I'm the oldest of 4 children and that I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. My sister, Sarah, of whom I am 7 years older, died when I was in college.

I remember the day she was born...I remember that fear I felt at her first open heart surgery at age 1 and then again almost 10 years later as an unexpected symptom occurred...

and then again, a few more years later, as she was getting ready to enter high school and I, as a 20 year old looking to finish up college, lay in a hospital bed together as we laughed and watched Little Women on the hospital's TV cart waiting for a heart to become available for her...

I will be vulnerable here and tell you that I still get a bit shaken whenever I need to be in at a hospital...even for joyful times such as births or getting a cast off...but, I think the memories will always linger because I'm so connected to the emotion of those long ago moments.

Medicine has come so very far since then...She'd be in her 30s now and I'm fairly confident that times being what they are now, we may have had a different outcome...

I remember her bravery, her courage...I remember it in my mom and my siblings too...it affects the entire family when you have to face something like that.

This sweet family has a completely different heart issue to deal with...but the courage needed hasn't changed.

I was unbelievably honored to be able to capture some family memories for them before their little girl needed to head into surgery again.

Sisterly love...Family togetherness...when it all comes down to it...it's about relationships...it's about investing in others with the time you are given...

Praying for safe surgery and many, many more years to make memories together for this amazing family!!!

Anchors Away...

Everyone knows that a baby changes everything...

At the same time, that tiny baby is welcomed into a home that is already established...he or she is a mix of both mom & dad...personalities, silly quirks, likes & dislikes...

Nurseries are set up to reflect those preferences and the hopes of the future.

I think that's why I still prefer to come to a home for newborn photography. Don't get me wrong, I follow a plethora of newborn photographers who have incredible studios with perfect lighting and props galore...and the poses and styled sessions they create would just knock your socks off...

However, just as each new baby is a unique individual, so are grown ups...and so are grown up photographers as well :) There is such a story that captivates me when I walk into a new client's home. Their decor, the colors & furniture...they are in their own element, and on their "turf" and so they aren't stressed with the already fast changing baby they've introduced to the world.

I still travel with a few props and such, but I love to get a sense of the environment in which these newbies will be immersed and it always makes me smile...just to see all the differences in families.

I walked into this family's home to see nautical, peaceful, calming decor...quiet, soft lighting...gentle, comfortable arrangements...therefore it didn't surprise me when I walked into baby girl's nursery to see their love of the ocean expressed in her room as well...

Nor did it surprise me that "grandma" had knitted a special something for her little granddaughter to reflect her family's love :)

And in the comfort of their own home, I try to capture that simple, classic beauty of a new life.

Thank you to the many families that have entrusted me with photographing their sons/daughters...for allowing me the extra snuggles and feeling comfortable with me in their homes for awhile. It's been a pleasure!

A time for every season

They thought they'd only be here a year...

Dad had a job, but it would probably only require him here for a year, so they thought they'd just keep everything else "back home" and just sort of "hang out" here for a bit...

Well...that turned into 3 years and lots of great friends later...

and they are finally headed back to their original "home"...

I'm sure it's not without a ~~few~~ lots of tears that they say their goodbyes...to the schools where each of the girls started their elementary career...to the neighborhood friends and school moms that became close over those parent pick up lines and classroom volunteering...

Their youngest holds a special place in my baby's heart as well...they became kindergarten buddies and the stories we heard about recess and storytime with her "bff" were endless throughout the schoolyear.

I was thrilled to be able to capture a few Ohio memories for them...

Rain, Rain Go Away...

I obviously have led a very sheltered life...

I had to google "expat" family in order to understand the crucial time piece to this family photo session. For those that don't know what an Expat family is...my understanding is basically that the family is from one country, but one or both parents work in another country...therefore, their visits "home" are relatively few and rather short lived. Therefore, there was a time sensitivity to this session, while they were here in the states....not to mention the fact that this beautiful momma is expecting twin girls!

The family is truly amazing...from the story of how they met (gotta love realty :) ...to the sense of humor that MUST be present when faced with long, long, long oversea trips...

We met at one of my favorite locations to shoot, with a light breeze blowing. After about 20 minutes that "nice cool breeze" turned into a fierce wind racket and sideways rain. We barely had time to dodge under some stairs near one of the buildings in order to wait it out. Not sure what I was thinking with my OCD tendencies of checking the weather forecast...

And yet, I don't think I'd want to be "stuck" with any other family. They had me laughing and joking the entire time...we even made use of our tiny space for a few more silly pics.

By the time the rain passed, I had already taken so many pictures and was having so much fun, I didn't even want to stop...however, Momma had already been on her feet so long, that she was due for another rest. All of them have a genuine carefree perspective of life, which makes it really easy to not only enjoy conversation with them, but there is no feeling of having to impress either...I immensely enjoyed hearing their stories about life overseas and their "ya take the good, ya take the bad" attitude...(perhaps I should have entitled this post 'the facts of life'...is anyone humming the tune right now?)

Hope you'll enjoy their "story" as well...

Birthday Celebrations!

This little girl just celebrated her first birthday :) Her Mommy wanted to be able to just enjoy the day, so she asked me to come and just capture the event (see details here under Event Photography)

I can guarantee that this little lady had a fantastic time celebrating!!

A Bustle of Boys

Can I just be vulnerable here for a moment?

There have been times that I have wondered (and maybe even longed) to have a son. I am a former elementary school teacher (who struggled and continues to struggle with time management...just throwing that in there for good measure...since I'm being honest) However, as a former teacher, having a classroom of kiddos, I just always was drawn to working with the boys...I don't know if it's because I grew up with a brother just a couple years younger than me, or the fact that I just wasn't much of a girlie girl....

This led me to assume that God would surely determine that I needed to be a mom of boys...

And then I had 3 girls...

I'm not disappointed now, I'm just saying that it definitely blesses my heart when I see a bustle of boys...

They are fun to chase and watch them climb trees and just be BOYS :)

I can't even imagine the fun going on in this household on a daily basis!

If you're happy and you know it...clap your hands...

This little guy brings not just joy and love into this home, but pure, simple laughter as well!

Such a happy boy with big smiles and clapping hands.

I loved watching his mouth spread into a massive smile anytime his mommy or daddy came close to him. It was evident to me the excitement he felt anytime they were near. I can imagine a household of happiness...daddy coming home from work and this little guy running to be scooped up into his arms...playing chase with mommy around the couch and family dinners with wonderful conversations...

I have no doubt that their future will hold these types of pictures...

As he continues to grow...Mommy & Daddy will be watching every little milestone...and this little guy will be smiling ear to ear, having full security that he is loved!!