Christmas 2011

One of our favorite parts of Christmas is the time we get to spend with family.  We have our old traditions like the tree and gifts,  then we like to change it up and create new traditions.  Our theory is as long as you are with family, it's Christmas.  This year we will be making a trip to the pool for a little holiday swimming.  Who knows, next year we may end up at the beach!  One tradition we started a few years ago was the Christmas pajamas.  It's never anything fancy, just a simple pair of pjs, but the kids always enjoy it.  We live in a society that tells us the more we love our family, the bigger the gift should be. For our family, the joy seems to exist in the small things.  A take-out dinner while we watch a Christmas movie.  Hours of conversation about anything and everything.  Papa spending time in the workshop with the kids making their latest invention.  Watching the deer, turkey, and wild animals out the window.  No stress, no worries, just a wonderful family Christmas.

Busy Fall

 

      Like most photographers, fall is my busiest time of year.  I will shoot the majority of my family jobs from September-November and then Christmas pictures.  This is my first year doing everything on my own and I think I'm going to make it out alive.  When I shoot a job for a client, my goal is to get to session done as quickly as possible so they are able to view it right away.  When you have six appointment in one weekend this gets a little overwhelming.  My thoughts are if you are going to take the time out of your busy life to dress up and meet with me, I am going to do my best to get your session to you right away so you can enjoy it.  I am so grateful to all of my clients for my crazy, busy fall.  I will get a few of those sessions posted soon.  I had a minute to spare while I wait for a client to pick up an order, run to the post office to ship another order, get my equipment together for two afternoon shoots, get a bag ready to deliver a client cd, run to the store to pick up more cd cases, put in an order for client Christmas cards, edit yesterdays session, print out invoices, respond to session inquiries, return client phone calls...you get the picture.

      LOVE being a busy photographer!!!!!

Rainy Day Wedding

      My favorite wedding to shoot is Always an outdoor wedding.  Even if it's raining the whole time...  It's not easy keeping your camera dry and making sure the lens doesn't get rain spots all while moving freely about the ceremony.  The positive is the amazing, filtered light you get.  It almost gives the image a romantic look straight out of the camera.  Congratulations Amanda and Tim!

Fall Family Special

  We will be running the fall special again this year.  Full session on cd with a copyright release to your images and sitting fee for $125.00.  Email or call to book you session!!

Props

      Props can be a fun addition to a photo shoot.  Some clients love them, some clients hate them.  Whether you love them or hate them, everyone has a picture with something from their past that was meaningful.  A childhood toy, your first bike, or a special blanket.  My favorite prop is the teddy bear or doll that we include in every shoot from newborn on.  Not only do you get an image with that special toy, but you get to watch how big your baby is throughout those first few years.  If you don't have a special toy, keep it simple.  Books, games, cars, pillows, etc. all show personality and reflect who you are.  Bring a colorful sucker to end the session with.  It's fun and you are sure to get a smile!

Homeschool

My daily view usually includes a
teacher's manual and a cup of coffee.  

Bryce is in kindergarten and is
working with Bob Jones

Hunter is in the 8th grade and is working with
Switched on Schoolhouse and Math U See.

We are officially in our fourth week of school!  This is my first year to teach both boys at the same time and so far it's going Great!! We started homeschooling two years ago and our reasons for continuing have slowly evolved.  One of the reasons is that I simply fell in love with it.  I could list all of the things I love but I'll save you the reading.  (I would be happy to send you the list if you're interested!)  It's not easy to balance work, school, family, etc. but it's a sacrifice we feel blessed to make each day.  Look out for more homeschooling posts in the future!

   

Happy Babies

I love getting that big smile.  It's contagious!  You can't help but smile when a you have a cutie like this looking back at you.  I know there are a lot of photographers out there but I'm pretty sure I get the cutest kids.

Park Days

Nothing like laying in the cool green grass.

I love the imagination of a two year old. 

Walking to the park.

We took a little trip to visit family in St. Louis a few weeks ago.  The weather was great and everything was so green.  Another reason to love summer.

My stunt man Hunter.

Brynleigh stopped to listen to the ice cream truck.

New Frames Available

I'm excited to announce that I have been approved to sell these beautiful frames from a company called Organic Bloom.  They are perfect for individual prints or in a grouping.  The company is located in Tulsa, OK so they are local!! Check out their web site and let me know if you have any questions.

 http://www.theorganicbloom.com

A Passion for Seniors

A typical senior session can last anywhere from one to three hours depending upon how many locations and outfit changes are required.  Needless to say it can be a lot of work for the senior and the photographer as well.   But in the midst of the hard work it is a privilege to capture a senior in what is their passion.  Music, sports, pets, cars, awards, and more.  Their eyes light up when they are able to share this part of themselves.  Think about it, at what other point in your life are you going to have a set of images that are completely dedicated to you as a person?  A celebration of who you are, who you have become, and who you will someday be.  Parents begin a child's life by documenting their growth through pictures.  In a way, the senior session is the final excuse for a parent to take that final trip to the photographer.  Their baby has grown up and become this amazing guitar player, loves cheerleading, received a scholarship in football, or has a passion for horseback riding.  I know these seniors are still your babies and time has just flown by.  My goal is to capture your baby in the most grown up way possible with their own senior session.

Summer

I absolutely love the colors of summer!!!  My favorite place to do family shoots is  outdoors when everything is green.  Lighting is fun to play with and my goal is to freeze this moment in time when she's still daddy's little girl.  This was a fun family to work with and we couldn't have asked for a better day.