Love, Me Blog

One of my biggest unexpected blessings of 2009 was most definitely the growth of my birth photography.  Words simply cannot explain how much my heart has been opened just by witnessing tiny miracles grand entrances to the world.  I truly feel so honored to have been chosen by so many families to be apart of such a personal experience and its not something I take lightly. In fact, I will take each and every experience with me and truly treasure it for my life time. To say ” I was present at your birth” isn’t something many people get to say more than a few times with their own children. So, for all of you who entrusted me with such a special time, thank you. Thank you from ever fiber in my being.

I love how each and every birth is so completely unique. Little Aurora’s grand entrance was so extremely special because her stoic momma had her naturally (that means no drugs people!) I must say that I, personally am a huge fan of no pain, hence my decision to have an epidural with Mia Grace, but I must say, if I thought for a even a split second that I could handle childbirth the way Lauren did so beautifully, I would sign up for natural childbirth in a minute. (hence, why I will be ordering up the epidural on my way to the hospital for round two!)  I truly was in awe of the whole process and I still cannot wrap my mind around how I didn’t hear a peep from her until it was time to push! Even the nurse looked amazed and couldn’t believe how “controlled” she was. Wow is all I can really say!

Dad, Royce, was equally as strong. I heard a rumor that he doesn’t do well with hospitals and that sort of thing, but I thought he was the perfect combination of support for Lauren during the whole process.  This was also the first birth I’ve photographed where there was a sibling involved, which I LOVED.  It truly was a joy for me to watch Braeden experience the whole thing. He did a pretty good job of not acting too awfully excited, as every seven year old boy should, but his whole demeanor changed when he saw her for the first time.  And, for someone who wasn’t too impressed with the whole thing, he certainly didn’t budge from his front row view at the nursery window while those nurses cleaned and pricked and prodded at his new baby sister.  It was quite a site to see!

Lauren and Royce’s family were just delightful as well. I often wonder how the family feels with me being there … this stranger with a huge camera! I hope all the families of the births I’ve photographed know what an important role they play during the whole process. Thank you all for your kindness and welcoming hearts to me. It can’t be easy meeting someone for the first time and trusting them with such an important day. What an honor it was to meet and chat with you all!

I received permission this morning to share from Lauren (so thank her!) as you take a peek into the amazing birth of sweet Aurora Grace. Isn’t she just beautiful?!!

I was very honored to get the opportunity to meet and photograph this family. They were in town visiting family over the holidays so we set up our shoot the day after Christmas! During our conversations to plan the session I would get off the phone and feel like such a dummy for saying things like ” I hope the weather cooperates and its not too cold”  Hello! They are from NY !!!

If you’ve read my blog, you’ve heard me say that dad’s make or break family sessions.  Theo did an awesome job just loving on Kelsey and being such a trooper driving all over to hit up different locations. Can you tell who the star of the show really is ??  Kelsey was so adorable and such a trooper. It really was pretty cold outside and there was even some ice still laying around. Poor thing even slipped on some and got wet! Her red hair and bright blue eyes are so stinking cute, but not nearly as much as her big ol grin! Not all babies this age smile so much, but you can tell this little one is certainly loved!

I just love this last one. Its so telling of this age.  She sure is a speedy little thing to be so tiny!

Darla, I’m so sorry to have made you wait so long to see a sneak peek!  Thanks for trusting me with such an important time in your lives and I hope you enjoy the peek.  I’m posting your full gallery as I type this

Here’s another fun session and family that I loved …

Dad did so great with all these girls, but I guess he’s used to it by now

Peyton.

Presley.

Olivia.

I love this couple. I love “love”. and I LOVED this session.

From the minute Cynthia called me to do her engagements I knew it was going to be a great session and I couldn’t wait!  I have loved every minute of going through these images and choosing my favorites (which was really difficult!) A MUCH needed relief from all the book work I’m trying to catch up on. (major whip! I need a bookeeper!)

It was freeeezing during our time together, but Cynthia and Mike were champs and you’d never know how miserable it was outside … especially because I kept making them go into the shade.  Mike was so relaxed and funny and they both went along with my ridiculous prompting at times.  See, this is why it pays to not second guess my crazy and often really dumb ideas. I’ll always be the first to say something isn’t working, but you just never know what will happen unless you try!

My fingers hurt so badly once I got in the car. I think it took the full 30 minute drive home for them to thaw.  BUT, it was so worth it.  What a breath of fresh air a couple session is for me. I just love them.  Did I say that already?

If you follow my blog you know I’m a sucker for any image that draws emotion and well, couple shoots are full of that glittery stuff I just love … just see for yourself!

There is something about that top left one (which I actually think I like better in black and white) that is so tender and intimate that really draws me in …

Watch out wind …

a favorite.  the light was just streaming in right here.

Its awesome when there are cool vintage cars just parked on the side of the road.

So many favorites I tell you. Here’s another … why?  I bet you know by now

Thanks you guys for an awesome session and for being so patient for this sneak peek!!  Hope it was worth the wait!

I often get emails with questions from photographers, clients or potential clients, as well as fans of my work from people that live out of state all asking how one should choose a photographer and also how I get natural expressions, or get kids and parents to relax during a shoot!  My clients know, especially dad’s , that sessions with me are really laid back and most often, loads of fun too.  The answer to those questions is really two-fold.  While I do have several tricks up my sleeve, the most important part is that you and your family come into the session ready to have fun. Try to start with a blank slate as far as photography is concerned and come in with no expectations other than to relax, be YOU, and love on your family.  Sometimes its easier when I get to photograph a family who has never had family pictures taken before because I’m not having to fight against other negative experiences. No matter the situation, though, I always seem to find some common ground with folks … one thing I know for sure is that no matter how different we are on the outside, there are some several common denominators between people (even on my trip to Africa I learned this!) … So, I just try to find that commonality and go with it.

There is another part to the answer to these questions which I am just now realizing and I wanted to share.  I’m also beginning to realize how important it is for people to find a photographer they love and STICK with them … make them your “family” photographer for life … even if you only plan to have images taken every three years, or five years, or you plan to do it twice per year. Here are some tips.  Find a photographer whose work you LOVE, who can spice things up (you don’t want all your images to look the same every year), and what I personally think is one of most important, but often overlooked things to consider, is to find a photographer you LIKE. As in, when you leave, you think, “wow, I really liked him/her”.  No matter how amazing a photographer is … if you don’t feel great around them, your images will show!  The last part about sticking with them is really important to consider, especially with young children and with moms and dads. I’d venture to say that the reason you want a family portrait is not to remember what everyone looked like is 2010, but because you have this amazing love for your family that you know you “feel”, but you just don’t always get to “see”. That’s where a really good photographer comes in … BUT, if you are not relaxed and being yourself during the session, you’ll more than likely be disappointed in the results.  While, liking the photographer is a huge part, using that same person over and over is even better because eventually your kids will know what to expect from a session and look forward to it each year!

I have several clients who have emailed recently and said things like “our girls look forward to our play date with Ms. Crystal every year”, or “my boys often ask about you, especially the little one and he wants to know when he gets to play with you again”. AND, I say it time and time again. Dad’s make or break family sessions, and well, I must say, I do have a way of getting dad’s to forget how much they were NOT looking forward to getting their pictures taken It’s our little secret though, I’ll never expose how much fun they tell me they had when its all over!

Here’s a recent example of what I’m talking about.  I just adored this session! This is the second time I’ve photographed this family and its one of my favorite sessions of 2009!

It helps that the kiddos are just gorgeous!

Wyatt.

Julia

Garrison

.. and the family images :swoon:

something about this next one that i just love. its so genuine and unexpected.

and some more of this little guy because he had changed SO much since last year … doesn’t he just melt your heart?!

the favorite.

Yes, we did put the kiddos in the car with lots of snacks to get this last series! I just love it!! So happy.

Thanks Huffmans for an awesome session! I can’t wait to see you in 2011

I feel overwhelmed with where to start because I have so much I want to share with you all! First of all, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support of the calendar! The response has been amazing!  Also, you aren’t too late to buy one and support 96 orphans in Sierra Leone, OR enter yourself into the drawing for a FREE SESSION! Scroll down to read details in the previous post.

I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing families in 2009! I shared many of them with you, but not all, so I wanted to take the next few weeks to catch up on some blogging.

First up … meet the Varin Family.  I love “at home” sessions. They are laid back, authentic and oh so fun!  Here are some favorites of this cute cute family that I’ve been wanting to share. Tish ordered a black and white of each kiddo in a wall portrait for their game room. When these came in, I was in LOVE.  It helps to have adorable kids, but printed in black and white in a larger size will really make a statement I think!! (I only wish I had more wall space at the studio!)