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Boy oh boy!!

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet little guy a few weeks ago.  He just turned 18 months old and he keeps his Momma on her toes!  I chased him all over the playground and captured his happy personality!  It was a blast!

Capturing the Here and Now

Recently, I was reminded that I should capture images of my own children with their security blankets.  My kids call them "gippy's".  My daughter's gippy is a burp cloth from when she was a baby.  My son's gippy was purchased because he liked touching satin or silky fabrics.  They each  love their gippy.  They carry them wherever we go.  They take them to bed and rub their fingers on them or hold them by their faces until they fall asleep.  Sometimes we get caught up setting up the perfect picture taking scene, that we forget to capture the real here and now.  Last week, I did just that.  I captured my kids in real time with each of their gippy's.  I will cherish these photos forever!

Tips for Photographing Children

You are ready to have your children photographed.  They have the perfect outfit, the perfect hair, maybe even the perfect prop, then all of a sudden for no reason whatsoever (other than to make you age 5 years) they throw a fit.  They cry uncontrollably, they refuse to look at you, they may throw themselves on the ground, or heck they might do all of the above.  You start sweating, you are mortified, but most importantly you really need a drink.  Has this ever happened to you?  Yes?  Whew, me too!!  Last month, in fact!

Here I was trying to be a good Mom and wife and take my own kids for a photo shoot for Daddy's Father's Day present when my two year old throws a tantrum.  For no reason!  

Well, because I'm determined (yes, that's what I'm calling it), I decided to wait it out so I could eventually get the pictures I wanted.  While waiting, I photographed it!  

Here are a few tips for Mom's and Dad's when they take their kids to have their pictures taken...

1.  First and foremost don't expect your children to be able to do everything you want them to do.  I've had far too many photo shoots where parents want to try 3 different props, 10 different outfits, 15 different poses, in 5 different locations.  That is far too much to ask of your children...especially if they are little guys.  

2.  Be flexible!  If one idea isn't working, try something else.  After my son finished showing me his dissatisfaction with the situation, I changed things up and asked if he wanted to go see a fountain.  That immediately turned his little pouty face happy again and I was able to get some more good pictures.

3.  Be patient!  This goes with number two.  If things aren't going right, try not to get frustrated and breathe.  When you are stressed your children can sense it and they will become stressed. 

4.  HAVE FUN!!  Let kids be kids.  Many of the best photos I've taken are when kids are being kids.  Playing, swinging, laughing, exploring.  Capturing who they are at that moment in time will produce amazing images that you will cherish forever.

Just Horsing Around!

Last week I tried something totally out of my comfort zone.  I photographed horse jumping.  And I loved it!!  A long-time friend of mine competes in horse shows.  I met her at the barn, one extremely hot day, and took some of her and her horse.  I was amazed at the trust they had in each other, as well as the skill they both possessed.  I thoroughly enjoyed capturing them and their eventing!  Thanks, Xib!!

Double the Fun!

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to photograph a former coworker and her family.  She has beautiful twin girls who made my jump super easy!

Mother's Day Reflection

Today, I am so grateful to be called "Mom" by this little girl...

(school portrait by Leonard's)

and this little boy... 

(school portrait by Leonard's)

They are two very different people.  

She likes flowers.  He likes trucks.

She could color for hours.  He jumps from one activity to the next as fast as a gnat.

She is all girl.  He is all boy.

She's a Daddy's girl.  He's a Momma's boy.

She kisses her brother.  He hits his sister.

She loves macaroni and cheese.  He hates macaroni and cheese.

But, they are both MINE!! 

Both call me "Mom".

I am truly honored by this title because this girl and this boy the two most amazing little people on this Earth!

Thank you, God, for sending them to me!