A Look At My Girl...Through The Lens

Being a mom is hard. Since I started my journey in the photography business I've had to make some hard choices. Most of those involve time. And the hardest is the time it takes away from my family. I work a "real" full time job in addition to this gig and that poses some scheduling challenges. Mainly because most of my sessions are on weekends or weekday evenings. Those just happen to coincide with the time I previously spent with my kids. That's hard. 

More complicated, my 15 year old has played on a traveling softball team this year. So she had tournaments most weekends and between her schedule and mine we haven't really had much 1:1 time for each other. I miss her. So last weekend we loaded up in the car and I focused 100% of my attention on her. No little kids asking for drinks or snacks or mommy. Just me and my girl playing the adult equivalent of dress up. She wants to be a photographer when she grows up. That makes my heart soar. She shares my love for photography and looking at life through the lens. A few minor adjustments and everything can be made perfect forever with the click of a button. It's magical. 

But in real life things are hard. Like watching your little girl learn to drive. And knowing that at some point you will have to give her safekeeping and protection over to God because you can't be with her at every intersection of life.

And watching her learn to navigate the muddy waters of relationships. Relationships with friends, boys, family members, teammates. Watching her make difficult choices that you believe aren't always best but sometimes surprise you with just how wise they actually were.

She's excited about growing up. Driving. Going away to college. She has dreams of living in California. Some of her dreams break my heart. And I can't help but hope they change or land her a little closer to home.

But her spirit amazes me. Her determination astounds me. Her athletic ability...well let's just say...I have none so I marvel at her talent. Her love for rap music drives me insane. And her wit never fails to surprise me. So many times I wish I had been more like her when I was her age.

My girl doesn't judge herself by how many boys like her. Not by the number of friends in her life. She doesn't have Facebook. She doesn't care. She's quick to remove herself from drama and even speaks up when she believes adults are behaving in a way that seems catty or backbiting.

She's beautiful. But she doesn't care if she goes out in public with her hair unbrushed and frizzy. She wears eyeliner and mascara but bothers with nothing else. She prefers jeans and tee shirts but can carry a sweet sundress better than most with her tall, thin, athletic build. And she was just as proud of those turquoise nails and Miss Me Jeans as any other 15 year old girl would be. She's an enigma.

My days with her living under my roof are numbered. When she closes the door on her days as the oldest in our house, the role model, the big sister...my two little ones will be heartbroken and I will be lost but this day...just the two of us...laughing, playing, joking, and making memories will remain forever captured by these images. As will our shared love for the lens.

A Frilly Family Session

My family transferred our parish membership last year. We have been attending a new church and, while we miss our "home" church, we love it. It feels like home to us as well and we have grown to really love the young families that attend there. I have found an amazing kinship with many of the women who share the struggles of being a mommy and wife, and just the day to day responsibilities that are all part of everyday life.

 

One of these beautiful families has become extra special to my heart. This amazing couple are the parents to three beautiful little girls and one little boy who lives in Heaven. I had the opportunity to photograph them at our family farm a few weeks ago and I have to tell you, they have something special, this little family. Their love for one another is almost tangible. I could feel it, see it, and sometimes...I believed I could almost touch it. 

 These girls all have very different personalities but they share a few traits as well. A gentle sweetness, a ready smile, and a quiet inner joy that I have recognized in their mom from as far back as our junior high days. And even more fortunate, these girls have an amazing guardian angel. Their big brother watches over them from Heaven. I can only imagine how protective he is.

 

The oldest. Smart, sporty, and a little shy. This toothless wonder just happens to be my little guy's big crush. They have been "exclusive" since halfway through kindergarten year and my little E Man can't say her name without it coming out a little sing song-ish. She seems like an old soul to me.

The second born. Quiet. Reserved. Watchful. A little more serious. She didn't chase her sisters or jump at the chance to dog pile them. She is witty. Smart. And her dark eyes stole my heart.

The baby. Oh, she's a charmer. Those big blue eyes. Swoon! She has an infectious giggle. She's the first to run, jump, play. She was a talker and when she smiled, I smiled.

This mama is strong! She's got a mother's heart for sure! Protective, careful, guarded when it comes to her kiddo's but fiercely proud. And not just the children born to her. She's a teacher and it's obvious she loves all her kids. She has endured tragedy but carries herself with grace and poise. She has determination and strength I can only imagine...She decided to take her health into her own hands and OWNED it! She just ran her first 10K marathon! Wow!

And this guy...well this guy was meant to be the dad of little GIRLS! When we changed into our tutus for the last part of our session, I looked over to see this guy pulling on bloomers, attaching bows, and fastening necklaces. Farmer by day, superhero dad by night. I have one of these guys in my life too and I have to say, let's hear it for the dads who don't run screaming from lace, ruffles and frilly frocks.

Being a mom myself, I don't doubt for a moment that they probably have their screaming matches and all out fist fights but I believe these three are going to be best friends as adults and I love that their parents are instilling real values and a love of family in their little girl hearts.

The sassy poses were as natural to them as the sweet. Which makes me believe their daddy may have his hands full down the road...

But something tells me...he can handle it!

Happily Ever After...Finally!

 

 They were high school sweethearts. They went their separate ways, each leading completely different lives, and yet...somehow, someway, they found their way back to each other. Battle worn and wiser, they realized those feelings had not been changed by time and distance. They let me share in their joy and happily ever after love story.

First with engagement photos. I can't say too much but you should thank your lucky stars this umbrella was strategically placed! They are truly head over heels!

Then at their beautiful wedding. I am proud to call them family and to have a front row seat to watch their beautiful love story change and grow. Sometimes, once upon a time and happily ever after get interrupted with a side story but in this case, just like their beautiful wedding rings...eternal love has come full circle!

Go, Fight, Win...A Shoot For My Friend

There's this crazy, funny, tough chic that I've known for about 15 years now and she's one of a kind. She has an amazing sense of humor. She's never met a stranger. And she is facing one of the toughest battles of her life. But she's stronger than her opponent. And she's going to be JUST fine!

Support the fighters

Admire the survivors

Honor the taken. 

God bless my dear friend and all those fighting the good fight!

Hays Family

Two of the cutest kiddo's ever brought their mommy and daddy in for a couple of birthday sessions and a mini family session. We had a GREAT time. They had me hopping but I got a few of the sweetest hugs out of the deal. 

This mommy is also a teacher who asked for a photograph she could hang in her classroom to promote reading. What a great idea! Three cheers for our teachers!

This couple is too sweet and their little family is just perfect. I am so glad I had the opportunity to shoot them. I can't say enough how much fun I had. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention again what a great hugger their little man is!

A Day With My Sweet Girl

Last Saturday I had a free day. E Man went to my sister's to hang out with his cousins and Lady A and I packed our stuff and took off for an adventure in dress up. She was a great sport and we had a blast hanging out in my hometown.

There are things in this life that make it all worthwhile. All the bad days, the upside down days, the nothing about this situation makes sense days...this little girl...with her million watt smile...she's one of those worthwhile things. Pitter patter went my heart~~

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