Monday, September 24, 2007
Cutest Little Redheads
Neither parent has anything close to red hair! I love genetics!! Fascinating!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Lauren's First Birthday!
I did this shoot ages ago and never blogged it! This family was so incredibly warm and welcoming. I wanted to be their friend! They had the nicest family party for their little girl's first birthday. You might not be able to tell from the pictures I've selected but Lauren's mom's smile (hi Sheri!) lit up the pictures. She just sparkles. And the dad, oh my he is in love with that little girl. It was so nice to see such a hands on dad. They're moving away to Big D and I'm sad I won't get to work with them again. Bon Voyage!!
What to Wear?
I get asked this question all the time before a session. Completely legitimate, too! I try and convince the mom to wear what makes her feel beautiful, let the kids look like themselves and hubby needs to be comfy, too.
I saw this post on one of my favorite photographers website today and it is exactly what I'm talking about! http://tarawhitney.typepad.com/me/2007/09/the-banner-fami.html
Obviously the mom is feeling totally beautiful, dad is completely himself and casual and the kids - adorable in things they love to wear. And the best part? None of it really matches!!! Yay for not matching!!!
You don't have to match!! I know a lot of you will be all dressed up and matchy matchy for your holiday sessions, but consider stepping outside of your box and funkifying your outfits. When we all look the same (all white, all red, etc.) it's not natural and it's typical.
Be yourselves!
I saw this post on one of my favorite photographers website today and it is exactly what I'm talking about! http://tarawhitney.typepad.com/me/2007/09/the-banner-fami.html
Obviously the mom is feeling totally beautiful, dad is completely himself and casual and the kids - adorable in things they love to wear. And the best part? None of it really matches!!! Yay for not matching!!!
You don't have to match!! I know a lot of you will be all dressed up and matchy matchy for your holiday sessions, but consider stepping outside of your box and funkifying your outfits. When we all look the same (all white, all red, etc.) it's not natural and it's typical.
Be yourselves!
Friday, September 14, 2007
For Us Moms
Please take the time to read this beautiful piece of writing. I don't know who to attribute it to, but I found it on Carrie Young's blog www.carrieyoung.typepad.com.
Enjoy!
"I'm invisible."
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were t he hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going she's going . . . she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird; on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder.
As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Enjoy!
"I'm invisible."
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were t he hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going she's going . . . she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird; on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder.
As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
random information for ya
- I have taken down my schedule/calendar page on my website. It was causing some confusion and it was my fault. No big deal - everything is still scheduled.
- I am booked solid through November. Sessions for December and beyond are waiting for you!
- Those of you in Houston - have you checked out the new radio station 103.7 Jack FM? If you don't have satellite radio, it's pretty cool. A variety of really good music in one place with no DJs!! Just thought I'd tell ya.
- I have some new tunes on my website. The old ones are still there, I just added to it. Go check it out for a great listen.
Until next time!
Friday, September 7, 2007
For Lily
Because she's had a rough couple of weeks healthwise. I love her so. TGIF!
P.S. This (below) was the very first picture I took with "the D". I didn't touch one thing about it and I think it looks just grand! The hubster:
P.S. This (below) was the very first picture I took with "the D". I didn't touch one thing about it and I think it looks just grand! The hubster:
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
I hold in my hands...
a Canon 5D. Photographers out there - rejoice with me, will you????? I am screaming on the inside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm just going to call her "the D" for DYNO-MITE!!!
Yeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwww!!
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about - I got a brand spankin' new camera - and it rocks. Here's a little shout out to M & L for making it happen!
I'm just going to call her "the D" for DYNO-MITE!!!
Yeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwww!!
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about - I got a brand spankin' new camera - and it rocks. Here's a little shout out to M & L for making it happen!
boys are cute, too
A few posts back I said how much I love little girls. Well, after proofing this session...I have renewed appreciation for boys. Not to take anything away from the adorable pic of their cute little girl cousin!!
This might be my new favorite picture and Photoshop conversion. Yummy.
This might be my new favorite picture and Photoshop conversion. Yummy.
December or Bust
Hello to any potential clients out there ;-)
Just wanted to say that I am booked through November. I have lots of time in December, but the holiday cards will not be ready for Christmas. I could substitute $25 dollars worth of prints, however.
Thanks to everyone who has booked so far. I can't wait to meet you, or see you again soon(returning clients!)
P.S. Have some cute, colorful hats and sweaters ready for those shoots! Nothing photographs quite as cutely (?) as a rockin' winter hat.
Just wanted to say that I am booked through November. I have lots of time in December, but the holiday cards will not be ready for Christmas. I could substitute $25 dollars worth of prints, however.
Thanks to everyone who has booked so far. I can't wait to meet you, or see you again soon(returning clients!)
P.S. Have some cute, colorful hats and sweaters ready for those shoots! Nothing photographs quite as cutely (?) as a rockin' winter hat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
