Erin and Hailey!

One thing I wish I had more of in life...pictures of me and my children interacting. Being us together (most especially in great lighting with pretty clothes on, hah!)...images that I could always look back on and remember details.

I tell you the truth, I forget the details of my life easier than most people. It really bothers me. I am hopeful that the images I make for my clients convey their stories for years and years, bringing it all back.

After nearly 3 years of not doing offering portrait sessions, I said yes to an inquiry. I don't know why I said yes, particularly. Maybe the whole memories thing? Maybe it was time to stretch myself that way again? Maybe I just really liked the sweet things Erin had to say about my work at her friends' wedding?

OK, so I'd done a couple basic traditional sessions in those years, but to me traditional sessions are kind of... Wham, bam, thank you ma'am... I think my style requires me to be more intuitive with my clients.

Posing a two-almost-three year old was next to impossible so I had to be Quick Draw McGraw, if you know what i mean. (What I mean is that I had to watch carefully for the honest moments between the two of them, and I had to be faaassstt on the trigger).

I'm so pleased with the results! And Erin tells me that Hailey's dad was happy with these, too-- his father's day present. Great! Maybe we can do a family session that includes him soon. :)

Looking at these images really makes me miss the feeling of my daughter's baby arms hugging me, the sound of baby giggles... OK, stopping before I get teary. My daughter is turning ten in August. Unbelievable. Time flies, take pictures!

Giving Portraits

I don't do portraits much anymore.

I don't do them because I LOVE doing weddings. Weddings are my passion, my talent, my creative outlet.
Not that I don't do them at weddings... even brides that don't want portraits end up wanting portraits.

Portraits are formulaic and much like doing a puzzle. Sometimes at weddings...there are an awful lot of pieces! hah!

So what I'm saying is, it's not that my mind CAN'T wrap around structure, right, just that, well, I don't want to do that day in and out. Portrait photographers for portraits, wedding photographers for weddings.

I bring this up because, well, even though portraits aren't my favorite, I've registered with Operation Love Reunited, in an effort to give back to our community, and most especially!, to military families.

The Op-Love program is available to all military families with a soon-to deploy member. The families receive a complimentary (free! we like free!!) session (and my session fees start at $125 if I can squeeze you in at all) PLUS the deployed member receives a 4x5 album! No purchases, no hidden fees or taxes or demands for your next born child. ...but of course if you love me at all, when the member comes home, invite me to photograph the reunion. I am a drama junkie. :)
Go to the site for more information.