FAMILY SESSION: Smart little lady...

I so, so, so wish I would have known about this type of family photography when my eldest girl was this age.  

Oh, I have thousands of pictures of HER and her and daddy...but, not so much in the realm of Mommy & baby girl...or our whole little family of 3...

I'm not just tickled when I get to photograph growing families, but I have just a tad of the "hindsight"and I'm absolutely THRILLED ...because I know what these types of pictures will mean in about 10 years...then, what they will mean when this baby girl is reaching her 16th year and baby talk and belly giggles are long gone. 

I know I say it a lot...I'm a lover of stories, what can I say...I'm all about the narrative...

I'm attracted to all things Memorable, Meaningful and HAPPY! Put those elements together and they weave this beautiful chapter in the story of your life...

These little moments are the ones that are worth remembering...because it's these relationships that are worth fighting for...

All stories, that are worth reading, have side stories and sometimes an antagonist...there are ups and downs...but, the stories that you stick with are the ones where the characters are strong and you can't wait to see how it turns out in the end...you cheer for them, you become a part of their story too...

This sweet family is being cheered for...they are being loved on...their story has such value in the lives of all their loved ones "reading" along with them...

I love their smiles, their sincerity, their HAPPY...

After capturing their small "chapter" I left feeling hopeful and joy-filled...they had such an endearing quality as a family that I couldn't help but enjoy every moment! 

I know that you won't be able to smother a smile while scrolling through their pics...











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FAMILY SESSION: Good Morning Sun...

Why are we always attracted to Hallmark commercials or magazine images? 

It's because when we look at those pictures or video, we FEEL something. 

Those are the types of images that I like best...I'm a feely person, and when something makes me stop and stare or laugh or cry or giggle or go "hmmm?" then it has made it's mark on my heart & mind.

That's the type of imagery that I strive to attain for families...because no two families are alike.  Yes, we can pose and get everyone facing the camera...and those are super shots for grandparents and Christmas cards and we always try for those....

However, I have yet to find identical families...

Parents interact uniquely with each of their children, because we are all distinctive people...

Families know who the goofy one is, the shy one...they know the caretakers, the mischievous ones and the introspective souls...

We planned on an early morning this day...before the sun hit full force...and it slowly became a comedy of errors...

between a train stalled on the tracks blocking my way, to the normally open park being closed & blocked off...we were zooming against the clock (and hungry bellies) to find a location for our session.

Dad came to the rescue and it turned out that the "setting" actually played a significant role in their lives...these boys & their daddy were used to skipping rocks and wading in the water by the river...And Momma was content to cuddle the little princess, as her heart just swelled with love for her special family. 

My goal was to capture relationships and personalities...I loved that even though each is unique in their own way, they are genuinely gentle with each other, in their kindness of words & actions...

It has been modeled from day one, how to love :)   















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FAMILY SESSION: E-I-E-I-Oh my goodness this was so fun!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect as I drove out to their farm. 
I had heard it was beautiful (from her sister's family session earlier in the week)

I didn't realize the acreage or the fact that they had a wheat field.  

It's moments like these that my brain goes into over-time and I'm bombarded with ideas as they crash into my mind and I'm simultaneously trying to determine what is possible with the angles of the sun and the surroundings. It's also at moments like these that I think I might like to invest in a drone!

Their beautiful renovated family farm home stands like a beautiful sanctuary, welcoming anyone along the long path to their front door...surrounded by the chicken house, barn and silos to make the "compound" complete.

Turns out we have some "Cedarville" connections and a love for FAMILY!

We could not have asked for a more beautiful evening and I loved listening to the history and beginnings of their homestead. It makes me think of the early days of our America, when families started out and then through the generations, land was passed down...each remaking it their own, but the foundation is still the same...the legacies and the heart are what stay intact...it's not about the wood or paint or picket fences...but, I think I am beginning to understand this love for the land...for the stories it holds...that undercurrent that ties the years together in the timeline.

If I was mesmerized by the barn and all things "farming" then I was absolutely blown away when we drove over to the wheat field. They were such good sports as I directed them out into the waist high pasture.  Fortunately, we weren't met by any snakes (as I've been warned about such things now) However, for some reason, it appears that wheat fields induce nosebleeds in yours truly, but we didn't let it stop us!  Kleenex in one hand and camera in the other, I got to climb up on tractors and sift my way through the rows of wheat.

I grew up in a subdivision. We knew who lived in each home along the street and all the kids met at specific corners for the bus stop on school mornings...There is something quite magical, however, about living out in the middle of fields...where family, siblings, and the animals are the closest "neighbors" you have...I think you are forced (although that seems like a negative word) to appreciate the natural and little things...you are confronted, on a daily basis, with the simplicity and yet majestic things of God's creation.

I can't wait to deliver their gallery of images...it's a unique one to be sure!














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FAMILY SESSION: energy galore

She found me on Instagram as a tip from her sister (whom you saw sneak peeks of earlier this week on Facebook) Their children were engaging and conversationalist right from the start...

This in turn led us to discover a commonality...

You see, we had her session on a Tuesday because Monday/Wednesdays have been training days for my girl that recently joined 4H. When my husband travels, it's more difficult to find transportation for her to participate...and so, while discussing all the fun things we're doing this summer, we happened upon our dogs...and then 4H...and then we discovered that we attended the same training on Monday!

Curiously enough, we realized that their oldest and my middle girl were actually in the same circle of training the day before as well...and we hadn't known or met each other yet.  

You can be sure that we'll be doing some daughter introductions in the future and I'm looking forward to many new friends through 4H this year as well.

All 4 kiddos had energy galore and were excited to share their ideas, enthusiasm and FUN for our session.  What had my heart exploding though, happened at the end...

Their oldest boy had confided in me that "Mom told us that if we did a good job for pictures we could get ice cream." I asked him what he thought about that.  He said, "Well, I actually thought pictures were going to be awful and we'd all be bored and be yelling and we'd want it to be over...but, this hasn't been bad at all..infact, it's been kinda fun!" 

Talk about making my night!

I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with these kiddos and their parents...they were a breath of fresh air, even on this sticky hot day...their conversation and relationships were evidently built on a strong foundation of trust and love and respect.  

I was highly impressed!!












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The best way to contact me is either through Facebook Messaging or emailing me at ctphotomemories@gmail.com

I can't wait to hear from you!
"Teach us to number our days, (savor the moments) so that we may gain a heart of wisdom" ~Psalm 90:12

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