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.

Traci and Rick [F3H Session]

What fun it was to drive to campus last weekend to shoot in Ohio Stadium! {Can I get an O - H ?) Campus is beautiful and I don't know why I don't choose to shoot there more often! I spent a few years in college at OSU when my plan was to be a physical therapist - God had other plans but that is a different story for another time. It was good to be back on campus though - older and wiser and enjoying the beautiful day, the blue skies, etc.

Traci and Rick made the trek to Columbus to have an F3H session - Full Families, Full Hearts - extended family session. They had reserved the shoe months in advance in preparation for the shoot. I arrived early to get some storytelling shots and to be sure that I had everything in order as we would be on a strict time frame (5-6) and I had a good plan for our hour. Good thing I have had plenty of practice being innovative and flexible (weddings allow lots of practice in that area!). There were many people out front by the rotunda, where I was hoping to start....including a large bridal party. I also learned at that time that it was one of two nights - in the whole year - that the horseshoe had a movie night scheduled and the doors opened at 6 (Keep in mind the family had it reserved from 5-6!!!) The movie night was raising money for Pelatonia and cancer and sounded like a great event, but my mind was spinning....so much to do and so many people around and so little time!

Nevertheless, once the family arrived, we had a blast running around inside the stadium. It was exhilarating and inspiring actually to be on the field. I loved getting to know this Buckeye-loving family. The mom and dad are a part of the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer each year and are very active in raising money for the cause. From the website, "Proceeds from the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer benefit the Urban & Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute"  I know what a wonderful cause that is - like many others, our family and some close friends have been touched by cancer ~ Hopefully one day we will have a cure!

Enjoy scrolling through a sampling of our photos from the day!

 On the 50 yard line...

What a great uncle - the kids LOVED playing with him! And I think the little guy is his mini-me.

O - H - I - O

 This sweetie helped me take some pictures and I am excited to show her the ones she got of her momma!

Who doesn't want to run out of the tunnel? Game - Time!

 The original "team"....

Thanks so much Traci and Rick for choosing me to capture your family! It was wonderful getting to meet you. Go Bucks!

Happy 1st Birthday Olivia!

It has been a long winter!! I am so ready for warmer weather! Recently, I had had a rough week and really wasn't feeling like even getting out of bed. Do you ever have those weeks? My husband is a basketball coach (I am his biggest fan;) and we had just ended another good but exhausting season. What a gift it was to HAVE TO leave the house to meet a family for a photo shoot - the first one outside since Spring. Having the chance to be outside with a new-to-me, sweet family was refreshing and healing.

Fortunately, we found a warm day nestled between the cold. Now just because it was warm doesn't mean it wasn't windy! - Really, really windy! Let me give you a short walk through of our time together. Meet Olivia. (Don't you love those beautiful blue eyes?)

And - meet her parents...(I think they like her ;)

 And her animals...(Don't you love these one year old fingers!)

She is so close to walking.

She loves her mama...

and her dada...

and books! (and did I mention her Kitty? :) - oh did she ever love that kitty!)

Mom and dad, it is your job to help guide her on this crazy life journey. She may not always want to listen, but you will work really hard at it. I am sure.

And ... someday ... she will think about growing up and starting to go off on her own....(hard to think about when she is just one) .... and you will watch, proud and seeing her just like this simaltaneously.

(This is just to prove it was windy - gotta love the dad still smiling with hair in his face!)

Olivia obviously has a family who loves each other and her.

Enjoy these amazing toddler years, filled with curiosity and wonder. If you blink, they will fly by. Thanks for sharing your family with me. ♥

Families!

The fall was FULL of wonderful families to hang out with and capture moments with. I don't normally do blog posts of the family's unless requested, but here are a few shots from this fall. Look HERE to find a quick batch of many more! {Be sure to scroll down past that first header image}