An evening in the Life...{Family Lifestyle]

For me, the reason why I became a photographer is very simple. I didn't grow up with a camera in my hand and huge aspirations of photographing people and things all over the world. It wasn't a dream of mine for years and years.

I simply take pictures to help me remember things I don't want to forget.

I probably have some issues with letting go, but photography in many ways helps me to hold on to things I am not ready to forget.

This is why lifestyle photography appeals to me more than any other type of photography. Yes, I love to have pictures on my walls and archived somewhere of my family each year - everyone with a perfect smile on our faces (because that is so realistic - lol). I DO love to see how we have changed (and how I used to think I looked old and big and wrinkly and now I look back and think I must have been crazy!!!) But I really do enjoy seeing what daily life was like - the highs and the lows...the long days, the fun days at the pumpkin patch, the library and the zoo, the family holidays and first and last days of school, the play dates and friend groups, the celebrations and the hard things we trudged through. 

For this photo shoot, I was super thankful to be able to spend an hour or so with this family during their evening - the time when dad got home and mom was getting dinner on the table....Technically it was more challenging to me than I anticipated, but I hope at least a part of this will be something they will cherish as the days go by and the seasons change...as legos are replaced by video games and Barbie dolls by hair straighteners...as the family walks to the park become heart to heart talks with your teenager struggling to make good decisions or looking for advice...as the daughter in the dress up dress holding daddy's hand becomes the bride daddy is walking down the aisle.

Here is to remembering some of the sweeter parts of life.

Newborn Lifestyle Session

Saturdays are for storytelling.

In light of that, I am going to use pictures to share a story about a family. This was right about the time a family of 3 became a family of 4. You can tell there was something to celebrate by the balloons on the table....a little deflated so I am guessing this wee one is probably a few weeks old.

Dad was relaxing when I arrived....watching who knows what on ESPN (crack me up!) I love how he is just relaxing with the baby. Babies force you to stop and be still and relax...I loved that, sleepless and all, stop the madness of life for a short while.....but I never noticed the funny image on the TV until now.

Big sister was a big help.

 (She even noticed those sweet baby feet...)

If mom gets a kiss, big sister gets one too!

Love this.

 Checking in on little sis....

Mom had so many sweet touches around the nursery.

 Singing her a little song...

 Look at the tulle, the crown, the big sister book and the wand.....all things you can most certainly find on a home with little girls. (I miss seeing those things on my floors...It used to drive me crazy and I never thought I would. Those older moms were right.)

 Mom - did you even imagine you would be able to have this enormous amount of mommy-love for another??? It is so miraculous...

 I love how sweetly she is holding baby's head...and love seeing her wedding ring...

 More daddy time...

 What would I do without this little helper?? Another photographer!!

 Let's not be so serious and let's have some fun!!

Tme to rest. I will tuck you in....(I am sure she learned that from the many times she has felt safe and secure being tucked in herself)

 I just love how mom is gingerly and sweetly speaking to her daughter here. It seems to peaceful and loving to me.

 "Sisters are the perfect best friends."

 The baby may not completely agree....;)

 This momma is gorgeous! And what joy it is to look into those new eyes after wondering so long what she would look like, what her personality would be...

 Sweet and precious.

 In home sessions are so wonderful. They are generally relaxed and I love all of the things you can capture. I would highly recommend everyone trying this one time. Things in your home will be captured that one day you may forget - it is so natural and something you can't always get from a location shoot....and it is real life. Your house doesn't have to be spotless or perfectly decorated. Just "comes as your are." Can't wait to capture this one as she grows...and her sweet family too!

This story is a beautiful picture of a family going through a huge life change. This little one must be laid back because oftentimes we have tears when spending time with a newborn...what a wonderful time in mom, dad, and big sisters life welcoming a new member of their family.

A Front Seat to Watching them Grow! [AMW Family]

One of the major perks of being a photographer is the relationships I get to build. Photographers have the unique privilege and honor to be involved in very special and oftentimes intimate life moments. Whether it be a wedding, a birth, an anniversary, a graduation or just life as it is, this is a GIFT to me. With repeat clients (who I consider friends) and individuals/families at all life stages, it is a constant reminder to mentally take notes and remember life in the NOW....because time doesn't stop and time doesn't slow down and time certainly doesn't go backwards.

There are many families that have been on this journey with me from the beginning. New or old friends - they all grow a special place in my heart.

I wanted to tell a bit of one young family's story through a small sampling of photos.

Back in the day, I started off taking sports shots and trying to find ways to weave meaning into the end products. This is B when he was still in college.

 One day, he met a lovely young lady and they said "We do." ♥

A few years later, this little guy entered into their world and made them parents.

One year later, he was walking and talking...

 And getting lots of love...

He loved trucks...

 And his parents.

He provided so much joy to his family.
They were filled with even more joy when they found out they would grow their family with another.

 This sweet little lady was born not too long after...

 she was a beauty!

and the little boy still loved trucks!

 And mom and dad had plenty of room in their hearts for the newest addition.

The story doesn't stop there! Nope - I am thankful to be capturing the next moment in their lives in another month or two. THIS makes photography more than a job. It is not only a gift to those I get to serve - but also to me as I build authentic friendships and am reminded daily...time keeps on moving. Try to LIVE and BE in the moment.