Speaking of WORKSHOPS!!!

A longggggg time ago, I had my own classroom...full of about 27 fourth graders, and before that, I taught 2nd, 3rd, K-1 and 6th grades as well...

Being in a classroom is putting me in my element...on my "stage" (so to speak)...and if you know me at all, you KNOW that I like being ON STAGE!!!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go into my youngest daughter's classroom and teach a lesson.  
I taught CONTRACTION SURGERY!

I had my lab coat
I had my stethoscope
I had my gloves
I even had my mask

We "surgically" removed the letters that we didn't need to make contractions and then we "bandaged" the spot and wrote with the apostrophe!

It's not important that you know the ins and outs of it all...but, just know that I HAD A BLAST and I THOROUGHLY enjoy teaching when I get the chance!!!

You can check out some of the pictures below...

BUT WAIT...DON'T FORGET...

There is a Snapshop coming up on February 6th!  
It's not too late to sign up! Don't miss out on the opportunity!
Check out information HERE
(I can't promise that I'll wear a lab coat & mask to our camera workshop, but I guarnatee that we'll have fun and it will be memorable regardless!!)


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Can I tell you a story???

If you've read any of the "about me" sections on this blog, read any of my personal blog posts...you'll know that I'm not only a photographer, a lover of "stories" but, I'm all about relationships...

When it comes right now to the nuts and bolts of this journey we call "LIFE"...it's about relationships....it's who you connect with, who you trust, who you open up to, who has your heart...

You know the old saying that "noone says on their deathbed that they wished they spent more time working"...rather, people are always wanting more time with their loved ones...

This is what a family session with CT PhotoMemories focuses upon!

Check out this family below and be sure to check back on Friday for a full post about what a Family Session with me, is all about!!!

This family below live in a house where everyone is encouraged to be unique, to be who they were created to be...and they are accepted and loved how they are, how they come...

I love the freedom they have in their interaction and enjoyment of each other...

I've known these children's dad since the ole college days and I've always appreciated his integrity and genuine compassion for others.  He has instilled that servant's heart into his kiddos as well...and I can't even say enough about this homeschooling mom that does AHHHmazing things not only working with the minds of her kids, but in their hearts as well...

Enjoy!







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What More Can I say???

Loyal, Strong, Natural, Artistic, Real

The list could go on and on...but I've said it all before...

I've known this family for a few years now...These kiddos' momma came to one of my first classes too! 

I can't tell you how much they inspire me, encourage me, just plain WOW me...

She's an artist...the work that she produces is amazing and time consuming...but the attention to detail, the noticing the "little things"...these are the quiet, behind the scene type characteristics that others may not know at first glance...

I mean, she's a mom...and what mom doesn't have to be on her toes at all times with 3 kids?

She celebrates little victories and is able to hone in on the tiny details...she takes the big things in stride...

I love them and I'm so thankful that I get to touch base with them each year!!








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Four GIRLS

Okay, they are adorable...all of them...
every.single.one.

I met their Momma at Muirfield last Spring.  She is a beautiful lady inside and out...and the day I met her, she just had moved into her home, only to have to pack it back up again to host companies and catering during the golfing event...

She had her hands full with school just finishing and her littles wanting to be home and her youngest still on her hip...

But, oh, the grace and sweet countenance she had...even in the whirlwind of happenings...

Her Daddy even came out to help their family as well...and THAT is how I found out that she was a photographer as well...

He's the kind of Dad/Grandpa that you just want to hug because he's all smiles and you can tell that he just adores his daughter & granddaughters...

He took my card and passed it onto her...and there you have it...

She was full of ideas and clothings and style and props...and I couldn't have asked for a better day or more adorable subjects...

I think you will agree...









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What I've been Up To!!

Winter is downtime for CT PhotoMemories..outside of sewing camera straps and planning for Snapshops, I'm basically catching my breath from the fall and reconnecting with my family...

This week, I will be honest, has been a struggle for me...we are in the midst of scheduling for HIGH SCHOOL...

Now, that alone comes with a great emotional roller coaster...
"how is my baby ready for high school"
"I only have 4 more years with her under my roof"
"oh my goodness, now is when all that academic stuff is really going to count"
"the letting go is going to get faster and faster..."

On top of that, you have my "left-brain" that, when my "right brain" side isn't AS active...well, let's just say, it likes to make an appearance...and all the organizing and scheduling and researching and questioning and reading and writing...it comes out in full force...

I squelched my creative side all through high school...I pushed and pushed and pushed...I don't really remember going to high school football games a lot,  until my Senior year (I went to some, IF it fit into my schedule)...I didn't really participate in a ton of fun stuff, because I was studying...all the time...like, non-stop...

Oh, I put the books on the bench to participate in Basketball each fall, and I did all the other extra curricular activities that would look good on a college application: chess club, NHS, youth group, volunteering, even perfect attendance!!!, etc. etc...My life ran like a machine, back in the day...

But, I'm in my 40s now...If I could go back and talk to my 14 year old self, I would probably say, "Self, take a little break...I know you are smart, I know you love school, I know have this drive & fear that you must get a 4.0 and you must get into a great college and you must have an incredible career and must be successful at all costs...but honey, even if it's GOOD, it doesn't mean it's right or even the BEST..."

Looking back, I sometimes wish I would have known that it was OKAY...that I wasn't failing if I didn't DO IT ALL AND attempt perfection at the same time...I honestly didn't understand how to balance, to be okay if I was too exhausted to study for one class because the other class was overwhelming...I'd stay up all night if need be in order to guarantee that I'd get that A in every.single.subject.

I wouldn't have agreed with you as a 14-18 year old...I would have said, "I'm fine, I've got this...I know what I need to do...you don't understand"  And my 14-18 believed that wholeheartedly!

Hindsight is always 20/20 though isn't it?

And yet, when I'm down to the "guts" of it all...I know that a lot of my life experiences drove my perception of life...my family life, my perception of my own capabilities, and that unknown future...it pushed me...it started to mold me and the way I saw not only myself, but my pathway for the future as well...

The fact of the matter is that my girls have NONE of that background in the life they are leading...Their "family life" looks a complete 180 from my experiences growing up...although they are incredibly intelligent and do have a tendency towards perfectionism...they aren't over the top.  They don't struggle with having to BE the best, but rather just DO their best wherever they are planted...

This is such a foreign concept to me...(being vulnerable here)...and this whole "parenting thing" without my own experience to fall back on...I STILL struggle with knowing when to push, when to relax, when to challenge, when to let them make their own choices...

I have so much to learn...and wow, I'm praying that my amazing husband's influence will counter my "crazy" so that the girls "survive" me in the end :)

In the broader scope of it all, we are fine...GREAT even...everyone is seemingly healthy FINALLY...sports have calmed down so that the girls are enjoying things they don't otherwise get to enjoy: swimming, piano, ART...

Just letting you in on my family happenings...
Please feel free to drop me a note or a comment or a message or email to let me know how YOU are doing as well...are there things you struggle with too? How do you navigate the waters when you are unsure about decisions?

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Kindred hearts

I've photographed their family multiple times...They are an inspiration...chasers of dreams...eyes on the prize...

and at the same time, they take the time for the small moments...they figure out how to make it work and balance the schedule...

I met her and immediately we found connection upon connection...whether it be our small town roots or that we both have 3 children...we became kindred spirits!

I've been so excited to share their images from our time together!!











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Before and After...a Newbie


They live away from the busy-ness of city life...
They have a natural, easy-going way about them...they ease into the ebb and flow of life...

It was a pleasure to meet them, as they were awaiting the arrival of the newest member of their family.

They already had the dogs, whom you can tell know that they live a charmed life...
Their land and hopes for the future are coming to fruition because of their careful planning and committment to enjoy life as it comes...

And so, we took some time to remember what "life" was like BEFORE little one arrived...






However, as we all know...

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING...








Though their dog-babies will need to get used to the newest member, I think their natural approach to life is going to settle just fine with their little guy...

It's always a pleasure to watch families grow...these seasons pass so quickly...and I'm honored to capture a few moments along the way!





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Senior Session: JESSIE

 Daring, Confident, Passionate, Beautiful

I'm just NOW learning how to be comfortable in my own skin...

I know that may sound ridiculous to some...and that's okay...

but, I truly struggle with envying others that seem have this inner confidence...they know themselves, they know what looks good on them and how to make it all work...

I'm not saying that there are people that are confident 100% of the time...but they seem to have an energy about them and it's easy to get caught up in their enthusiasm...

Jessie was amazing to work with!!!...and when we met, I immediately felt all those things about her...

She wanted to show the side of her personality that is sometimes "outside of the box"...she is unique and we looked for ways to showcase that...through light and setting...

I loved her perspective and drive...she has an eye for what she was envisioning and I loved collaborating with her throughout her entire session...

I hope you'll enjoy this little snippet of our time together...(she honeslty belongs in a magazine!!! Congrats Jessie!!)









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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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