Love is Choice

Sometimes decisions are difficult....especially when they are the types of choices that you know are going to affect the rest of your life...

And yet, when you are faced with that type of decision and you know in your heart which way to go...you do it...

Sometimes it means that big change will happen...and it did for this sweet gal!

I'm not sure she ever imagined that she's leave her home in Germany one day, that she'd have to say goodbye to her sister whom she adored, that she'd raise her children in America...but, when she met her "knight in shining camouflage" as he was stationed in Europe, she knew that she didn't want to leave his side...so as hard as it was to say goodbye, she went with him and left behind all she ever knew...

If that isn't a love story, I don't know what is...she adores her man and now they have these 2 sons whom they are raising to be respectful, kind-hearted and committed men one day!  I was utterly impressed with so much about them...Her husband is now in the police force...with that conjures up words like courageous, fierce, stoic...and yet, at the same time, to watch him be tender with his wife and playful with his boys...They are doing something right folks!!! 

There was an extra member of the family present the day we met for some family pictures...the sweet sister that had to say goodbye to her big sister is still in Germany...and every year, she saves enough to be able to come visit...

Having a sister that died when I was in college, my heart was overflowing as I saw them hold hands, hug...I watched her dote on her nephews...

I can't tell you how thrilled I was to be able to just get a glimpse into their lives...these are the people I like to rub shoulders with...to know that they are journeying through life successfully and well! 

So thankful...so very thankful!






 

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SNAP SHOP in August!!!

I've been busy sewing up camera strap covers for all my earlybird peeps!  Getting ready for the Snapshop in August.  (check out the workshops tab in the linkbar)



I share with you how I "see life through the lens"...to help you get the best pictures that "tell the story" of your LIFE!  If you read the ABOUT ME section (in the tab of the linkbar above) you'll understand what my passion is and how I'd love for everyone to be able to capture those moments for themselves!

I'm a wife and mom first and foremost...and with that comes the passion to record life for my girls...even for my grandchildren of the future...You don't have to  be a professional photographer to be able to document life...(NO, I'm not trying to teach myself out of a job) but the fact of the matter is this...I pay to get my family photographed yearly...to get that MOMENT picture of my family  all together...the 5 of us hanging out...HOWEVER, it's all those other moments in between that I don't want to miss either...and let's just face it, I don't know about you, but I'm not wealthy enough to pay someone to come to my home and hang out with me for all the unexpected moments of my life...24 hours a day....7 days a week!...

THAT'S why I got into photography in the first place...and THAT'S what I want to share with you...how to make the most of your time with your kids, how to capture the best moments as they unfold in a day filled with laundry, cooking, tickle fights and cleaning toilets!

Once we've got a good understanding of seeing life through that little rectangle on your camera...we go into the mechanics...we'll talk about that dial on top and then we'll dive into MANUAL mode...so that you'll get the basics of understanding your camera...will you get it all at once?  I'll give it to you straight, you won't get everything, in a split second...but that's why you get a practice guide, my phone number and a take away handbook with pictures to help remind you, when you encounter those moments that you want to keep!  It's also why I practice and practice and practice...

I'm planning some yummy snacks to keep our energy up, I'm sewing the camera straps as gifts to my earlybird friends...I hope to see you there!  Contact me via email at ctphotomemories@gmail.com OR message me on my facebook page HERE

Let's top off the summer with a great class to catch all those activities this FALL!!!

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Princess Little Sister

We've known this family for awhile...don't ask how it all started, because honestly I can't remember a time where we didn't know them, but I'm sure there had to have been a time...
 
They have become nearly family to us and I feel as though I've gained another sister in Amy! 
 
I photographed her first maternity pictures, and then their firstborn son...and numerous family sessions...and fun candids on our zoo trips and smore eating around the fire pit.  This sweet mom is creative and generous...Mike is ever helpful with my gazillion techie questions...their son's smile is contagious...and now add this pretty little princess to the clan...
 
it's perfection!
 


 


I think big brother is going to be a perfect protector for his little sis...he is already so gentle, and he's not even reached his full 2 years yet!!!




What an incredible blessing!  We love you all!

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Dolce Bambino

The room was ready...



Little touches to honor this little guy's Nonno...even sweet stuffed animals sewn by his Grande Nonna...


He was what they were dreaming of...what they were hoping for...all wrapped up in this blessing from heaven!


His Momma, Lia, and I began emailing months ago...you could "hear" the excitement in her writing, with every correspondence....She shared the love story of her and her husband...the sorrow of losing her dad...and the promise of hope that this sweet little bundle was sure to bring!

I met Lia a few weeks before this little guy arrived...she sells the sweetest lockets..and I purchased 2 for each of my moms!  It doesn't surprise me that this sort of memento...this way to cherish relationships...was something that intrigued her enough that she wanted to share them with everyone.  (you can check out her remarkable things HERE)

Walking into their home, watching them hold their new little one...listening to them, the love and laughter in their voices as they cooed over him...they are an amazing family!  I have no doubt that this little guy is going to be L.O.V.E.D. and he will have a heritage and legacy left for him that will last lifetimes :) 

I know that you'll fall in love with his little face, just like we all did!!!






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Genuine & Real

Think back to when you were in high school or college...(go ahead...start thinking :)  Do you ever feel like it was just yesterday?  How about when you meet up with someone that you went to school with...that you haven't seen SINCE that time?  Does it ever feel like time stood still, but then you look around and realize, "WHOA, we're all parents now and our kids are so old...where did the time go?"
 
Okay, so maybe I'm the only one who thinks these crazy things in my head, but regardless, whenever I meet up with people that I haven't seen for years and years, sometimes it feels like time never passed...that is, until I look around and see their four children running around and my brain reminds me that these 4 munchkins were not around on our college campus 20 years ago! 
 
It was this way with this family...
 
I went to college with this Dad & Mom...I didn't recognize their names when they showed up in my email inbox...but once we started chatting, oh my goodness, it's like the flood gates opened...This sweet Mom & I have lots in common and in just our short time together, I came to adore her children.  Each one of these kids has a different an unique personality, but the value and respect that has been built into them by their parents is inspiring & overwhelming!  I was just in awe of their contagious, happy attitudes...everyone was such a joy to be around...
 
It makes me so happy to not just see families that enjoy being with one another, but when we meet for sessions, they just start to shine with their own ideas and spunk! 
 
Dad & Mom are clearly in love...and it's genuine...to the core...They have not only made a choice in commitment to this awesome family they have created, but the feelings just pour out as well...I know, I know...I get a lot of flack for sounding like I "know" so much about the families that I meet...but, I'm telling you...when you start watching people through the lens, and you are tuned into these little moments...you just can't help but SEE what is truly there!!!
 
I had such a great time with them...I hope you will enjoy a few snapshots of our time together...
 







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2nd Birthday Celebration

This sweet one celebrated TWO years last week!  Such a sweet one.  His Momma holds a special place not only in my heart, but in the heart of her former 1st grade student, who also happens to be my daughter:)



All his little friends had a marvelous time as well!





Please enjoy this little video montage of his entire party...from the incredible details that his Momma planned out, to the organic rainbow cake and banana treats and lots of FUN had by all!!!

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How can I reach you?

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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