Studio
My sweet friend wanted me to capture her beautiful 7 month old little baby girl in photographs that looked a bit old fashioned. I jumped at the opportunity to do something a little different than my normal approach to a shoot. I loved how the pearls added to the effect of the vintage look. And that hat - seriously? Here are a few that I really love.... Enjoy!
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"There is a time for everything. A time to mourn. A time to dance." A Beatles song, yes, but these words have been around for thousands of years. Yesterday was my birthday. I can remember the days when birthdays were filled with excitement. It was a day to be celebrated. Cupcakes in the classroom. Your choice of dinner. Show-Biz (aka, Chuck-e-Cheese). Presents. And who could forget the birthday parties? My favorite party was when we were able to stay at a local hotel that had an indoor pool. I always wanted a pool party but a March birthday just would not allow it. Indoor pools were luxurious when you were 10. And I felt luxurious. Dancing around the pool to NKOTB. Doing hand stands until we couldn't breathe. Little Ceaser's square pizzas. Sleeping in our swimsuits. I was the star and my friends loved my birthday because they could swim in March! This year was a little different. I was not the star. Luxury was not even an option. Waking up at 5:30am to take care of a crying baby boy who could care less it was my birthday was my fate. My sweet girl wrapped up a "gift" and asked if my party was inside or outside. I told her "neither, mommy's don't always get parties." She looked at me like that was the saddest news she had heard all year. Maybe it was. I wish I could say that I came to a grand realization that this was God's will for my life and it is wonderful. But. I didn't. I cried. And cried. I mourned my loss until I couldn't see.
My eyes have dried up and I look like a perfectly happy and content person sitting here in Panera. But my heart still aches. It aches for what I have lost. But it also aches for what will be. Not only in eternity but also for April 12th and July 29th. Those are the days that I celebrate the gain along with the loss. Without them I could still have my indoor pool party every March 15th- regardless of the weather. But without them I wouldn't want to get in the pool.
Ps- as I was uploading the photos, I overheard two middle-aged women talking and they said, "we are too busy celebrating our kids that we forget to celebrate ourselves!" can i get an "amen"!!!!!
Here a few photos that make me think about being a child and feeling luxurious....
Don't forget to get on the calendar for your Spring Session. Weekend dates fill up fast so contact me now in order to secure your date. Hope you all are enjoying the warmer weather! And look forward to seeing you soon...
For those of you not in Nashville, we did not have school for an entire week because of the snow! That would have been a dream for me when I was a kid... But, not so much now that I am a Mom. I love my time home with the kids but I also equally love my time on the days when the kids are in school. We all went a little bit stir-crazy but somehow found the energy to accomplish a quick photo shoot at the end of last week. Doing this by myself is quite a task but we did it! And, I am always so proud and thankful when I finish up a session with my kids. Editing photos of the one's I love makes me really take a good look at who they are and what makes them unique. I LOVE THEM!!!
It was such a pleasure to spend time with this cute boy last week! He is moving to Charlottesville in a few weeks so I wish him & his family all the best on their new adventure! Thanks for asking me to take his photographs. I hope you will cherish them for years to come and they will always remind you of Nashville.
This little guy was perfect for me! I must admit that 3 month photographs are probably the hardest to take as a baby/child photographer. It is right up there with 1-2 years old. At 3 months they are not sitting up yet and it is just hard to find the right angles. But, I must say that this little boy is strong- he kept his neck held high for a long time. That makes my job much easier! Thanks so much for being such a great little model. I can't wait to see you again!
Sometimes photographs look best just clean & simple. This set of four photographs proves that point beautifully. All that is visible is 9 month old Jake's beautiful curious face staring right at you. I also love how a simple change in color can also transform the whole atmosphere of the photograph. Photographs like this are timeless and will be current for years to come. Love them!
Claire and her parents stopped by for a 3 month session this past weekend. She is such a beautiful and delightful baby girl! And, you could definitely tell that she is a Mommy's girl... Her eyes were cut to the side most of the time looking her way so I had to make sure that Mommy was behind my camera so she would look my way! Enjoy.
This sweet 6 month old came to have his photos taken in my new studio this past weekend. His Momma wanted to make sure that we got some cute hat & diaper shots which made me so excited! They are always my favorite at this age. But, to my delight- she also brought an ADORABLE hat that she bought from their ski trip to Winter Park this winter. I mean the colors in that hat could not have worked better with the beautiful colors of Robbins eyes! Perfect!
I love taking photos but more than that, I love what a photograph represents. It represents life being lived. A good worn out pair of jeans that has a story. That 30 year old Feltman brothers gown that looks as good as new. The prayers that were finally answered. That look that only they know. I really believe that my job is bigger than creating perfect photographs. It is about getting to the heart and soul of whoever I am photographing. It is about creating an image that will allow time to stand still. I am realizing more & more that time does not stop. My babies are growing and I am sad. I am sad that everything really does have to change. I grieve that this house will someday be someone else's first home. I can't do much to stop all of this changing but I can capture it for what it is: beautiful, rugged memories. Memories are not always white lace & promises fulfilled but they always give us what we can't have now which is a look into our past. And, photographs go even beyond memories. They allow one to see what is no longer there.
Those baby rolls that are now lean, strong legs.
That long hilly road that led up to your best friends house.
The smooth lines in a young girls face as she hopes for the future.
Four generations with the newest baby girl- one now in heaven.
When it was just the two of you. When it was just the three of you. When your family was complete- or so you thought.
The little ballerina who only wanted you and now wants everyone but you.
The smiles that were untainted by the disappointments of this world.
The melt-down that could only be cured by his Mommy's arms.
This is what I want to give you: life lived as it is. I am not going to photoshop a face in for you or make you look thinner. (there is a place for that stuff but just not here!) If a baby is crying, that is life being lived. If you all look perfect, then I might suggest to loosen up a little! Be yourself and let the truth in the beauty shine through your photographs. So, come and just be.
And, we are just being snotty-nosed and cinnamon-faced in these photos! And, that is life around our house...
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My dream is to have a real studio in the next few years but until then, I will have to make due with my little space downstairs in my little home. A few days ago I purchased a humongous white backdrop for my little space. It is quite the tight squeeze but I am learning to be content in all circumstances and this is my circumstance right now! But, I am so beyond thankful that God has given me so much that I can share with others. I am really looking forward to all of the memories that this backdrop is going to capture in the years to come. I have a feeling I am going to get some good use out of it! So, if you were wanting some indoor studio work, then I am now your girl! Here are a few of my first studio photos from the last few days... Enjoy!
