tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7697348369003464482011-07-08T12:33:32.146-05:00A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.comBlogger491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-58377582547676050652009-06-08T12:04:00.004-05:002009-06-08T12:15:34.756-05:00Ok, ok, I know that two posts ago was my last post and that one post ago was my last last post, but this time I mean it! This is my last post on this blog. Seriously. No really. Yes, I mean it!<div><br /></div><div>I am only posting this now because I have had several people contact me saying that they are having problems subscribing to my new blog. Frustrating tech stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I fixed it this morning and all is well. Just click on the subscribe button on my new blog and all your options are there. It's now easy as pie. Not like the homemade pie that takes you all day to make the crust and the filling and get the topping just right. More like the after-you-are-done-with-your-dinner-at-Baker's-Square-and-you-order-a-slice-of-french-silk kind of pie. Wow, doesn't that sound good? </div><div><br /></div><div>I had better quit before I get on a pie tangent! </div><div><br /></div><div>So, final final final notice. THIS will be my last post here and now you should not have any troubles subscribing to the new blog. Sorry about the inconvenience. Enjoy the pie...</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to all my loyal blog readers. You have no idea how touched I am by your support.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog/">Click here to view the new blog!</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-5837758254767605065?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-91767918336162054322009-06-01T23:46:00.005-05:002009-06-01T23:54:54.673-05:00...a little bit. But not intentionally. And I didn't know it was a lie at the time. So, does it really count?<div><br /></div><div>In my last post I said that that was going to be my last post on my old blog and here I am, posting here again! I mentioned that I hoped you would join me on my <a href="http://www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog/">new blog</a>. That you would take time from your busy lives to go to my <a href="http://www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog/">new blog</a> and take a moment to subscribe to my <a href="http://www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog/">new blog</a>. Yes, I want to mention my <a href="http://www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog/">new blog</a> one more time in this sentence, just to sound annoying (It is late - I am tired - Forgive me).</div><div><br /></div><div>So, forgive me this time and trust me when I say that THIS will be my last post here. I hope to see you on my <a href="http://www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog/">new blog</a> (Ha! I squeezed it in there one more time!)...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-9176791833616205432?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-72918144945885474492009-05-20T09:57:00.011-05:002009-05-20T11:34:03.560-05:00<div>We do it ourselves. Everything. All the time. It's who we are. Jessie and Luke Thompson, Do-It-Yourselfers.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We paint. We put up walls. We build furniture. {I drew the line at the homemade breast pump my husband thought up after our daughter was born. Everyone has their line, and that definitely crossed mine!}</div><div><br /></div><div>And the same goes for some things in my business...like my new blog!!!!!!! I am so excited to announce my new {semi-do-it-yourself} blog. Same Jessie. Same ramblings. Larger images. And much prettier.</div><div><br /></div><div>A big thanks to all of you who read my blog. I am truly touched when someone references something that they read on it or when I get an encouragement email from a reader. Our world is getting smaller and strangers are becoming friends and I am still fascinated by this whole experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I hope that you subscribe to my new blog and continue to give me feedback and share your thoughts. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog">New blog URL: www.joyfulgirlphotography.com/blog</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you again! Now I need to go paint something...</div><div><br /></div><div>Jessie</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-7291814494588547449?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-51751819842103536112009-04-20T00:18:00.011-05:002009-04-20T01:06:22.118-05:00<div>I owe this blog post to you and I hope you heed my advice.</div><div><br /></div><div>My three-year-old wants to do everything I do (which is both good and bad!). The other day I cleaned the bathroom, and after I finished with the shower I decided to turn on the water for a quick rinse-off shower. My son was sleeping and my daughter was coloring at the table and pre-occupied for a few minutes (or so I thought).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>When I got out of my shower and stepped into the hallway, the floor was wet. Before I could even ask my daughter what had happened, she came around the corner holding the cleaning solution I was just using! My daughter, playing with my bathroom cleaning solution! She had sprayed the spray all over and was now standing in front of me with both the spray solution and the scrub I had used in the shower.</div><div><br /></div><div>But here is the good part. Instead of calling a poison center I knew all was well. I knew that she was safe despite my mistake of leaving the cleaning supplies within her reach. I knew this because I only use these amazing natural cleaning products called Simply Neutral. In that moment, I fell even deeper in love with these family-safe cleaning products and knew I needed to blog about them, letting you know how our potential disaster was avoided.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I must stop right here and tell you that I first used this product because I have taken all the photos (both product and people) for their brand. I got the perk of keeping the products that I used in the shoots and I LOVED them immediately! So much so that I bought some for both my sister-in-laws and asked Simply Neutral for samples that I could hand out to people. Let me assure you, other than being their photographer, I get nothing for spreading the good word about this company. I just believe in them and their products!</div><div><br /></div><div>I will spare you the kid-safe and environment-safe details here. <a href="http://www.simplyneutral.com/">Their website</a> is much better at that than I could ever be. I just felt like I needed to share my story with you in hopes that you get some of this product for your family and keep them safe too!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Ironically, a couple days after this incident I had to shoot a few more products for them including some of this Mad Green Towel. Their awesome product list is growing and I cannot say enough great things about them!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 164px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SewGLqFsSxI/AAAAAAAAAgk/5UkXHUyOdZ0/s400/SimplyNeutralTrio.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326639256618945298" /><br /></div><div>Please check out <a href="http://www.simplyneutral.com/">their website</a> and try their products. Again, I don't get anything from this. I actually feel like I am doing my blog readers the favor here.:)</div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SewM7MuqiYI/AAAAAAAAAg8/OlOunH6tPgA/s400/SimplyNeutralGrabBlog3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326646670441220482" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SewM61APRxI/AAAAAAAAAg0/F2rNlxGqLl4/s400/SimplyNeutralGrabBlog2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326646664072480530" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SewM65ocXkI/AAAAAAAAAgs/vwS81PH-ctk/s400/SimplyNeutralGrabBlog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326646665314852418" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="www.joyfulgirlphotography.com">Visit Joyful Girl Photography's Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-5175181984210353611?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-76039405530089301172009-04-13T12:06:00.002-05:002009-04-13T12:13:59.032-05:00<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SeNyIxbCazI/AAAAAAAAAgM/NMlDviJqKBo/s400/Easter_3507_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324224679513320242" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SeNyJDJwKTI/AAAAAAAAAgU/CauYvW1K2AE/s400/Easter_3511_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324224684272658738" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SeNySjHvoEI/AAAAAAAAAgc/_qr8rHnVcT0/s1600-h/Easter_3545_1_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SeNySjHvoEI/AAAAAAAAAgc/_qr8rHnVcT0/s400/Easter_3545_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324224847472992322" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SeNyIbjWceI/AAAAAAAAAf8/eHD7qQuJO6U/s400/AbeTrioBlog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324224673642607074" /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SeNyIjUmxpI/AAAAAAAAAgE/X1uvyRL6_Vs/s400/BellaTrioBlog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324224675728246418" /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SeNyHKKD_7I/AAAAAAAAAf0/Yg6QiFl74kg/s400/AbeDuoBlog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324224651793268658" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://joyfulgirlphotography.com">Visit Joyful Girl Photography's Website!</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-7603940553008930117?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-75169274399221982612009-04-11T15:46:00.001-05:002009-04-11T15:46:00.474-05:00<div>If you have read my blogs in the past, you may know that I have admitted to reading <a href="http://akidslifephotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/laugh-its-best-medicine.html">Reader's Digest</a>. This morning I read a couple things in April's Reader's Digest that made me laugh out loud, and thought you might enjoy them and be in need of a laugh yourself. </div><div><br /></div><div>They are not jokes for the young and innocent. So to balance out the adultness of these jokes, I thought I would throw in a few images of my daughter from the other day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy...</div><div><br /></div><div>--</div><div><br /></div><div>A farmer pulls a prank on Easter Sunday. After the egg hunt, he sneaks into the chicken coop and replaces every white egg with a brightly colored one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Minutes later, the rooster walks in. He spots the brightly colored eggs, then storms out and beats up the peacock.</div><div><br /></div><div>--</div><div><br /></div><div>Nobody ever calls you up to tell you something good you did when you were drunk. Nobody's ever said, "Jim, you got ripped last night and painted the orphanage."</div><div><br /></div><div>--</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sd0WjSPm0-I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/I_EYNMpE-t8/s400/BellaJumps_3417_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322435130070324194" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sd0WjMFZy5I/AAAAAAAAAfI/74US40vP1rI/s400/BellaJumps_3441_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322435128416914322" /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sd0WjHuIoCI/AAAAAAAAAfA/tj0LWb3shw8/s400/BellaJumps_3443_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322435127245578274" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://joyfulgirlphotography.com/">Visit Joyful Girl Photography's Website (My new website!)</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-7516927439922198261?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-31212189067979547892009-04-08T14:51:00.002-05:002009-04-09T15:34:32.415-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sd5TdgOG5LI/AAAAAAAAAfY/GQ1zP7CbZTk/s1600-h/JGPNewSite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 217px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sd5TdgOG5LI/AAAAAAAAAfY/GQ1zP7CbZTk/s400/JGPNewSite.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322783575928923314" /></a><br /><div>I started this post as an ode to sleep. It was about how much I have missed it so, remembering days not long ago, when we would meet at eleven, and continue our date until late-morning Heaven. {Perhaps this taste of my ode helps you see why I abandoned the idea and moved on to a more traditional format.}</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason that I have been missing sleep lately is because I have been up late every night for weeks working on my name and website! Yes, I am now Joyful Girl Photography!</div><div><br /></div><div>I still love A Kid's Life Photography, and kids will still be my big love and focus. However, I wanted my name to be more versatile as I have done photo shoots with more than just kids including events and products and dogs, etc. Not to mention the fact that I did my first wedding in February and loved it and have two more lined up for the summer. And I am going to start working with high school seniors and am soooo excited about that too!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I hope you like my new name and website. It is still a work in progress and you will more than likely see little design changes here and there along the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please check it out and pass it on to everyone you know.</div><div>New site: <a href="http://joyfulgirlphotography.com/">www.joyfulgirlphotography.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I will leave you with a couple more rough starts to the failed ode...</div><div><br /></div><div>--</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember the times when you could sleep til noon?</div><div>When you stayed in jammies and watched cartoons?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>When I wasn't a busy mom with a job too?</div><div>And building my new brand name with a website to boot?</div><div><br /></div><div>I love sleep way more than I can say</div><div>If I could, I would sleep until noon each day</div><div><br /></div><div>And I used to do this</div><div>I used to sleep lots</div><div>And then I had kids</div><div>Two of them, now tots</div><div><br /></div><div>Not to mention a business I love too</div><div>working so hard, so much to do</div><div><br /></div><div>---</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://joyfulgirlphotography.com/">Visit Joyful Girl Photography's Website</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-3121218906797954789?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-25962820993884380342009-03-31T22:34:00.001-05:002009-03-31T22:26:37.211-05:00<div>"The vows," he said. "And my dad giving me away," she added. They could have easily said the dress or the fancy location shots. They could have focused the conversation on extravagant food or the rings. Or the kiss of course (admittedly my probable first answer!).</div><div><br /></div><div>But when I asked them what the most important things about their wedding day were, I got answers that were genuine and real, answers that went deep to the heart, just like them. </div><div><br /></div><div>And when their big day came they held onto each other while still being themselves. They kissed lovingly. They shared laughs. They didn't give me big fake smiles just because they thought they should. They embraced families, both old and new. But most importantly, they held hands and looked into each others eyes...and they exchanged vows, for a lifetime together.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was beautiful, and true, and so genuine. "It just feels like they should be marrying each other," his mom said. "They just seem to fit. They seem so right." And anyone watching them that day would have agreed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Jason and Jen, for letting me photograph your wedding. For knowing it was my first wedding, and trusting me anyways. For tolerating the click click of my camera all day. For letting me in. For going in the middle of a field in Iowa in freezing (literally) weather. For sharing your day, and yourselves, with me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Your friendship and love is obvious and I wish you many, many, many years of happiness!</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1G5FVHhI/AAAAAAAAAcw/X5yf3uAMgkA/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC1961-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513239884996114" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1HXqFosI/AAAAAAAAAc4/LvvGfGpMvdg/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2045-Edit-2_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513248092234434" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1WDEGMJI/AAAAAAAAAdA/adIlo778rCQ/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2059-edit-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513500262215826" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1XJgJjeI/AAAAAAAAAdY/gPRLCvuzz8Q/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2113-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513519170358754" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1W7U1b9I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/cBMN0Kt3ctg/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2113-Edit_1-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513515364806610" /><br /><div>Jason and Jen opted to see each other before the ceremony... </div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1XcCdDAI/AAAAAAAAAdg/EUo2vjUwG2M/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2136_9_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513524146080770" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1m4xxDeI/AAAAAAAAAdo/NkiCxepNM9Y/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2199_2_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513789558754786" /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK10l5zCcI/AAAAAAAAAew/2NIwfm_C6pQ/s400/RandyDuoBlog_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319514025010334146" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1nHNAPwI/AAAAAAAAAdw/FBQuE3J1rx4/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2481-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513793431092994" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdLTaQseHoI/AAAAAAAAAe4/7MNm3z-cK1s/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2589-edit-Edit-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319546557989527170" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1nIRN2iI/AAAAAAAAAd4/ymXGzBd7owQ/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2793-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513793717197346" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 147px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1GuGu2SI/AAAAAAAAAcg/yxYcRk05CBk/s400/FoodFive-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513236938086690" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 147px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1Gi8XAgI/AAAAAAAAAcY/o0NEp5gQUks/s400/CakeTrioBlog_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513233941791234" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1nB3sxoI/AAAAAAAAAeA/DuoLIbUtBoM/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2981-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513791999559298" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1G9vcSXI/AAAAAAAAAco/_SG7ig8IZjU/s400/JasJenFlowerTrio2_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513241135368562" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1WtPkMAI/AAAAAAAAAdI/YIdaoQpRJNQ/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC2113-Edit_1-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513511584608258" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK10ISbClI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/4z1oySDr2m4/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC3035-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319514017060555346" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK1nWrHwPI/AAAAAAAAAeI/iCvSrWrRjcY/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC3019-Edit-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319513797583945970" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK10jomjFI/AAAAAAAAAeg/JSHfv00AXF0/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC3096-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319514024401341522" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK10mpOxhI/AAAAAAAAAeY/FTVR9YPgfsU/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC3082-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319514025209284114" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The sunset was so amazing. The fields next to the church were so beautiful. And Jason and Jen are so photogenic! Yes, a photographers dream. But...Jason and Jen were incredibly tired of having their photographs taken. They were ready to go out and live it up with their friends. The fields outside were full of, well, manure. Not to mention the fact that Jen was in sandals and a strapless wedding dress and it was only about 20 degrees outside! <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a little persuasion (begging?) the bride and groom braved the cold for one last shoot and I am so glad that they did! Jason and Jen did an amazing job posing in the freezing cold and we got some great shots from their efforts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After we all came in (freezing), I think that Jen pretty much summed it up when she said, "That was a real kick in the butt!"</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SdK10nmGFOI/AAAAAAAAAeo/ts10SnDwkn0/s400/JasJenWed_Feb09__DSC3156-edit2-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319514025464567010" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">{You may have noticed a change in my logo from A Kid's Life Photography to Jessie Leigh Photography. Yup, some big changes are coming...}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-2596282099388438034?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-52315765820018272992009-03-19T11:29:00.004-05:002009-03-19T11:41:32.532-05:00<div>I have two new favorite products: new fancy dancy wedding albums and square collection prints.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just ordered these 20x20 collection prints this morning and I had to share them with you! The mom is picking up 20x20 frames at <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30109782">Ikea</a> (only $25 a piece!) and displaying them in their living room. I think they will look great! Frames are also available at <a href="http://www.target.com/Wedding-Signature-Mat-Frame-Black/dp/B000RE9AM8/sr=1-1/qid=1237480537/ref=sr_1_1/178-7039096-9654928?ie=UTF8&amp;frombrowse=0&amp;rh=k%3Aframes%5F20x20&amp;page=1">Target</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you are having a great Thursday. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScJzIvuEuuI/AAAAAAAAAb4/_I6xWnUZLaE/s1600-h/PaigeFourFINAL_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScJzIvuEuuI/AAAAAAAAAb4/_I6xWnUZLaE/s400/PaigeFourFINAL_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314937104336468706" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScJzIrl7OyI/AAAAAAAAAbw/aMf4-OIRyyM/s400/NoahFourFINAL_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314937103228549922" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScJzIbD3x3I/AAAAAAAAAbo/sI4jAV6uyLE/s400/MohsFourFINAL_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314937098790750066" /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-5231576582001827299?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-61882984226885431212009-03-18T01:00:00.007-05:002009-03-18T01:19:07.546-05:00My prediction is an extreme snowboarder. Or maybe a karate master. Actually, I am going to go for major rock star. Yes, that's it. <div><br /></div><div>Let's run him through the potential rock star test:<div><div>Love of music? Check.</div><div>Comfortable with his shirt off? Check.</div><div>Amazing blue eyes to make the girls melt? Check.</div><div>Wild hair to shake around? Check.</div><div>Loud voice for screaming out lyrics? Check.</div><div>Excitement and enthusiasm that is contagious? Check.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Well, I guess that that's it. Rock star it is! I am happy to be a part of his life now so I can share stories about the famous Joey when he makes it big. "I knew Joey when he was just a year old! Yes, I got him to take off his shirt!" My memory is not so great. I had better write this stuff down.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoy some of the photographs from our shoot...</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCOp1yI6sI/AAAAAAAAAaY/ZGmsKDI0Hpg/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_032_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314404409760344770" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCOqUOzqqI/AAAAAAAAAag/FuXKJRBG7ss/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_049_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314404417933650594" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCPbTV8cWI/AAAAAAAAAaw/pJKE9tJKFhQ/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_147_1_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314405259508740450" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCOq1pbIjI/AAAAAAAAAao/C27em5abJkU/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_120_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314404426903659058" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCPb9469gI/AAAAAAAAAa4/wtsnGzgFih8/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_208_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314405270929733122" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCPcc0LGWI/AAAAAAAAAbA/YpV1_yoEcGI/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_222_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314405279231318370" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCP004DnFI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/E44jhZ3N6RI/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_345_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314405698006916178" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCQGX0Bj6I/AAAAAAAAAbg/l6tmCFACdVY/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_288_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314405999443021730" /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCQGA1nGrI/AAAAAAAAAbY/GET-mu6DNfY/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_306_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314405993275660978" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ScCP0d7jZZI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dYTjcE24s2c/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_233_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314405691847566738" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-6188298422688543121?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-79528675984171858582009-03-16T15:06:00.008-05:002009-03-16T16:01:20.022-05:00A few things to note:<div>1. Four blocks from our house my daughter announced that she had just had an accident in her car seat and I cannot figure out how to get the liner out to clean it.</div><div>2. Exactly 48 hours ago my husband and I decided to turn our house completely around and swap all bedrooms and offices and TV rooms (and build a couple walls and paint - you know, the usual thing people decide to do on a whim). The house is a complete mess and we are now sharing a room with our kids.</div><div>3. I cannot do any more laundry until I get a new lint trap and I may be moving on to swimsuit underwear soon!</div><div>4. I have a sore throat and a slight fever and I am not feeling like my usual self.</div><div>5. Every one of my sons diapers in the last 24 hours have been poopy.</div><div>6. My husband left yesterday for an out-of-town job, so I am doing everything by myself for at least a week until he returns.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then there I was on the swing today with my little Abe. My butt was wet from the fabric swing. I got slight wiffs of Abe's freshly poopy diaper. And all I could think about was how happy I am. How wonderful that moment was. He was sleepy and tired from playing in the mud so he happily snuggled up to me and we swung. The weather was beautiful. The sun was warming us. His hair was soft on my face. I sang quietly to him and he leaned his ear to my mouth to enjoy this too. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was a time long ago when I had some boyfriend troubles and I rode my bike a few miles to a park and got on the swings and blasted the Sarah McLachlan song "Elsewhere"on my Discman over and over again. I kept swinging and singing and playing that song, and I after a while I felt such joy. Like I could really see how blessed I was in the things that mattered, and that the rest was not worth worrying about.</div><div><br /></div><div>That song and that feeling of joy come back to me sometimes. Times like today when I felt pure bliss to be in that spot, in that moment, with my Abe. Singing. "I believe, this is Heaven to no one else but me, and I'll defend it long as I can be, left here to linger in silence if I choose to would you try to understand..."</div><div><br /></div><div>Just so as I always leave an image with a post (I am a photographer after all!), I will include two here. One from today with the kids, and one from a little bit ago of my Abe, who, after a morning of swimming just couldn't stay awake long enough to make it to bed for a nap...</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sb675I0OdvI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/HRY9RQ6XM3M/s400/MiscMar09__DSC3301_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313891200637236978" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sb674nlQ0pI/AAAAAAAAAaI/HD3ybufdJas/s400/DailyPract_Feb09_243-Edit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313891191716106898" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-7952867598417185858?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-43343341596762555812009-03-02T00:15:00.002-06:002009-03-02T00:22:50.462-06:00<div>Please forgive my lack of posts lately! I have been crazy busy planning for, and photographing, my first wedding (not to mention sorting through the 1700 images we captured!).</div><div><br /></div><div>I will post more later, but for now I thought you might like to see two of my favorites of Jason and Jen from their big day. I owe them a BIG thanks for believing in me and for their great attitudes at their wedding.</div><div><br /></div><div>More thanks and photographs to come, but here is a taste of this photogenic and stoic couple for now...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sat5xkcP2kI/AAAAAAAAAaA/H--DyDOrA4U/s1600-h/JasonSquareSelectBlog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sat5xkcP2kI/AAAAAAAAAaA/H--DyDOrA4U/s400/JasonSquareSelectBlog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308470478288968258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sat5xEIacvI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/cZ6kMveF8Z0/s1600-h/JenSquareSelectBlog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/Sat5xEIacvI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/cZ6kMveF8Z0/s400/JenSquareSelectBlog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308470469615842034" /></a><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-4334334159676255581?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-3292770606388619402009-02-17T22:15:00.002-06:002009-02-17T22:20:08.023-06:00<div>I had a great time photographing little Joe Joe this morning. Not sure if he always liked my ideas however...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZuL1bRu99I/AAAAAAAAAZw/WD4nohLq24M/s1600-h/JoeJoe_Feb09_019-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZuL1bRu99I/AAAAAAAAAZw/WD4nohLq24M/s400/JoeJoe_Feb09_019-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303986736130357202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-329277060638861940?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-64519022223944311982009-02-17T01:10:00.010-06:002009-02-17T02:00:33.332-06:00<div style="text-align: left;">She woke up in Northern California at 2:30 am to begin her journey home. She kissed her three young children, aged 2.5, 3.5, and 5 years old, as they slept. She drove. She rode in a couple airplanes. Her brother picked her up at the airport. She was almost home, but not quite. At the end of this trip home was the wonderful surprise. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, put yourself in her shoes. She is the mother of three very young children who never gets a break. She got up very early and traveled far. She is about to surprise her parents and sister with her visit home as her father just had heart surgery and she would like to see him. So what would you want to do? </div><div style="text-align: left;">A. Take a little nap to prepare for the big surprise? </div><div style="text-align: left;">B. Go out for dinner as you have not had a real meal in 24-hours?</div><div style="text-align: left;">C. Rush up to your sister's house to see their faces as you surprise them with a knock on the door?</div><div style="text-align: left;">D. Stop by your brother and sister-in-laws' house and let your crazy photographer sister-in-law practice taking photographs of you on her new super-cool backdrop? <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you guessed A, B, or C, then I am sorry, you do not win the prize. If you guessed D then, um, well, I guess you don't win a prize for that either but it was fun to play, wasn't it? (And you got it right!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She is a natural. Easy to laugh. Beautiful. And she is my sister-in-law, Rachel. How could I not ask her to give me 10 minutes in front of my new backdrop? And seriously, don't we all wish we looked that good after a long trip? Yes, I married a family of beauties.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you, Rach, for your great attitude! You are amazing and I hope you like the photographs of yourself...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZpjH9zwoDI/AAAAAAAAAZI/dQeHTF54LOM/s400/RachFourBorder.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303660499684073522" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZpnfLFNTTI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Zd2M5eVrzMA/s400/RachVisit_Feb09_037-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303665296430419250" /><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZplyZjFhnI/AAAAAAAAAZg/WORGOZf4gTg/s400/RachVisit_Feb09_013-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303663427708094066" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZpjIMFJRMI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/ot7VyN5hezI/s400/RachVisit_Feb09_006-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303660503515088066" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-6451902222394431198?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-28940399860177333302009-02-11T23:15:00.007-06:002009-02-17T01:19:27.031-06:00<div style="text-align: left;">Two brand new parents - relaxed and comfortable with their new roles. One 10-day old baby - awake for the three hours I was there (except for the last 10 minutes!). And me - on my first full newborn photo shoot! Yes, quite unusual indeed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Little Lauren's parents were so gracious and patient, thank you! Little Lauren is an exceptional baby. She is beautiful and was so alert and content for the whole shoot. She must feel very loved...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO6cXr2JfI/AAAAAAAAAZA/Vrt85LW_ZqI/s400/Lauren_Feb09_050-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301786182902228466" /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO6cBNhjUI/AAAAAAAAAY4/8Yi8oMUGR1M/s400/Lauren_Feb09_016-Edit-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301786176869469506" /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO0v-8MfbI/AAAAAAAAAYY/x96L1xvIBGY/s400/Lauren_Feb09_184-Edit-Edit-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301779922787532210" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lauren's parents didn't want to be in the images but I had to sneak a few in while we were taking breaks (a.k.a trying to get her to sleep).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO0vb3U1-I/AAAAAAAAAYI/kIjNgZ5HICY/s400/Lauren_Feb09_113-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301779913371867106" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO0vr38LtI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/F3pYIDUVmO8/s400/Lauren_Feb09_136-Edit-2-Edit-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301779917669412562" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course as were were taking <a href="http://akidslifephotography.blogspot.com/2009/02/lauren-sneak-peek.html">rings on toes images</a>, she fell asleep - just as I was about to leave. Yes, one of the first lessons of parenthood is that control is only an illusion!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO1EShk--I/AAAAAAAAAYg/jq_W_KntOHs/s400/Lauren_Feb09_348-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301780271641983970" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO1Ejz_G1I/AAAAAAAAAYo/cw3QZJsEVAA/s400/Lauren_Feb09_362-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301780276282596178" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lauren's room is a great green with blues and yellows. I wanted to do a collage to tie in some of those colors and her alphabet bedding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SZO1E7brngI/AAAAAAAAAYw/1tbuMN4uqAU/s400/LaurenFour8-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301780282623106562" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-2894039986017733330?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-75949558167230177942009-02-03T15:22:00.009-06:002009-02-03T15:58:15.589-06:00<div style="text-align: left;">She was suddenly terrified. As in, screeching-with-bulging-eyes-and-doing-her-best-not-to-wet-her-pants-in-fear, terrified. "IT'S A BUG!" she screamed over and over in the 30-second ordeal. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Who knew a little fruit fly could create such chaos? If only it knew the power it had over my little Bella at that moment it may have taken advantage of it. "Hey kid, give me some of that banana or I will keep dive bombing your face, he he!" {To be too honest here I have to admit that just now while sitting here alone and typing that last quote from a make-believe mean-spirited fruit fly, I actually read the words aloud as I typed - in a deep, rough, mean-spirited fruit fly voice. I need a nap!}</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All this drama happened while I was doing <a href="http://shuttersisters.com/home/2009/1/12/tips-for-shooting-one-photo-a-day-for-365-days.html">my daily practice</a> - yes, another goal for 2009. I want to try to take an image a day for an entire year and see what I learn and how I grow and what images come out of it. We were sitting at the table today talking about our zoo trip tomorrow and Bella looked so cute that I grabbed my camera to make that moment part of that practice. I got about four frames in before the fruit fly invasion. Aside from the sympathy I feel for Bella, I so love her face in the shots! Hard to beat true emotion.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you enjoy the images and are perhaps inspired to start a daily practice of your own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SYi2FggISdI/AAAAAAAAAXw/X_WOpGORU_M/s400/DailyPract_Feb09_006-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298685167341685202" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SYi2F_8rBKI/AAAAAAAAAX4/wZlzcGZP5VY/s400/DailyPract_Feb09_007-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298685175782900898" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SYi2_CuJMgI/AAAAAAAAAYA/fT12Z4FKzK4/s1600-h/DailyPract_Feb09_008-Edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SYi2_CuJMgI/AAAAAAAAAYA/fT12Z4FKzK4/s400/DailyPract_Feb09_008-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298686155779813890" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I wonder if emotional kids grow into emotional teens and emotional adults. If so, then I am in trouble.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-7594955816723017794?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-82434380073743322602009-02-02T17:34:00.002-06:002009-02-02T17:47:20.187-06:00<div>What do newborns, high school seniors, and weddings all have in common? They are all part of my goals for 2009! I want to push myself to explore those areas and see if I like them. To see if they give me as much enjoyment as chasing kids around. To see if I am so excited I lay awake the night before planning the shoots. </div><div><br /></div><div>This morning I did my second newborn shoot (ever!) and I have my first wedding at the end of this month. So far I am pushing my comfort zone, but know that this is how I can grow better as an artist.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will share more of my recent doings later, but I knew that little Lauren's parents would so love to see a little sneak peek of their beautiful daughter. Lauren's mom helped me with this shot and I love how it turned out! More to come soon...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SYeDgBJRHpI/AAAAAAAAAXo/rZhaOUObWqc/s1600-h/Lauren_Feb09_336-Edit-Edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SYeDgBJRHpI/AAAAAAAAAXo/rZhaOUObWqc/s400/Lauren_Feb09_336-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298348072711036562" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-8243438007374332260?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-22542650914800702862009-01-21T14:15:00.008-06:002009-01-21T16:41:09.987-06:00<div>To say I was crabby would have been an understatement. Seriously, I felt like I was going to burst. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then there was this noise coming up the stairs to my office. My husband was at work, my son was napping, I was working at my desk. That left my little Bella to be the loud monster on the stairs. </div><div><br /></div><div>She was grunting and stepping heavy as she came in my door. When I looked up at her I burst into laughter. She is so cute! Apparently she was hungry, as she somehow got the jar of crackers off the kitchen counter and upstairs for me to open for her. </div><div><br /></div><div>I must say that there are two things I so love about this. First, she grabbed the healthy TLC crackers. Second, she also grabbed a plate to put the crackers on. That's my girl.</div><div><br /></div><div>We both laughed and laughed and of course I took photos. We ate lunch then went outside to play in the snow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Miss Bella, for breaking my crabbiness. You are wonderful and I love you! </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDaEJLc2I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/YuCeYp8XwJc/s1600-h/MiscJan_09_011-Edit-Edit.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDaEJLc2I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/YuCeYp8XwJc/s400/MiscJan_09_011-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293844370809385826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDZ4curII/AAAAAAAAAXI/Ze0FFqcYnkQ/s1600-h/MiscJan_09_009-Edit-Edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDZ4curII/AAAAAAAAAXI/Ze0FFqcYnkQ/s400/MiscJan_09_009-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293844367670160514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDZdFJW0I/AAAAAAAAAXA/QMNMWGXYAfA/s1600-h/MiscJan_09_010-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDZdFJW0I/AAAAAAAAAXA/QMNMWGXYAfA/s400/MiscJan_09_010-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293844360323488578" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDYx_iAQI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Y3-w_-SVChY/s1600-h/MiscJan_09_001-Edit-Edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXeDYx_iAQI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Y3-w_-SVChY/s400/MiscJan_09_001-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293844348757213442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-2254265091480070286?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-50852963493500993582009-01-21T10:37:00.000-06:002009-01-21T10:37:00.494-06:00I am guilty. And I bet you are too. Have not all of us parents uttered the words, "Smile and you can have a treat when we are done!" or "Hey! Stop making faces now. We need a nice picture for grandma and grandpa!" Yup, I have and I am not too proud of it either.<div><br /></div><div>And sometimes I still do it. It is just part of being a parent.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>But then there are moments where we let the kids make the faces. When we give them permission to be themselves and let loose and make the craziest face they can think of. </div><div><br /></div><div>During my shoots, I always let the kids have their time. Let them go crazy and give me some funny faces. And then we all laugh.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every time I see these images I chuckle. And their parents chuckle. And the kids chuckle.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought you might like to see a few of the most recent funny faces - one of them even ended up being on this year's Christmas card!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXUHD8WZZZI/AAAAAAAAAWo/uzfNm2J3XA0/s400/MohsDec08_118-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293144701364954514" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXUHB1txXRI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ayiekwXtsGo/s400/MohsDec08_041-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293144665224207634" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXULiQX74sI/AAAAAAAAAWw/Eg7J6fpTTgc/s400/08_11_Radich_121-Edit2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293149620182704834" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXUFr7lfFwI/AAAAAAAAAWY/4VKJIFXTZKM/s400/Lyon_Oct08_522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293143189331318530" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-5085296349350099358?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-1129951801343182652009-01-16T16:44:00.004-06:002009-01-16T17:02:02.975-06:00<div style="text-align: left;">I am full of good intentions. This year I intended to organize my kitchen cupboards. To make muffins with my daughter. To go for a family walk every night after dinner. And of course to send out Christmas cards. Well, I got a little busy doing everyone else's cards and didn't quite get to my own. So, my friends and family got New Years cards this year (hey, better late than never!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought I would share them here in my blog too. Happy new year to you!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXEOI4qg_bI/AAAAAAAAAVY/8oJYmU7UZYI/s400/NewYearsCardFront.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292026582949494194" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXEOJsCMheI/AAAAAAAAAVg/kZfM588iyOY/s1600-h/NewYearsCardBack3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SXEOJsCMheI/AAAAAAAAAVg/kZfM588iyOY/s400/NewYearsCardBack3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292026596739024354" /></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Text on Back:</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">They say that life goes by quickly, one moment you go from changing their <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">diapers to their first day of school to driving them to college. That we should treasure our moments now when they are young, when we have dance parties in the living room and storytime on the couch and snuggle time before bed. Moments when Bella spontaneously looks up at you smiling and says, “I love you”, and when Abe gives a big hug with his arms and legs wrapped around you, the smell of his skin so sweet. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, we were blessed this year with many treasured moments. We have wonderfully happy and healthy kids. We enjoy our time together. We have amazing friends and families. We love our home. We take little adventures. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We laugh. We love. We dance. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We wish many blessings for you and yours in 2009. May you have many treasured moments. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To laugh. To love. To dance. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Luke, Jessie, Bella (2), and Abe (1)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-112995180134318265?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-2431427375181188082009-01-14T16:32:00.009-06:002009-01-14T22:25:56.933-06:00<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SW5oHn-ppZI/AAAAAAAAAVA/XdqeRAydPOg/s400/RDigest_Jan09_012-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291281092407043474" /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://akidslifephotography.blogspot.com/2008/11/emails-in-pajamas.html">A few blogs ago</a> I casually admitted that I read Reader's Digest. At that time, I wanted to add all the young, hip and cool things about me to balance this admission off.  To let people know that you don't just have to be on social security and have given up eating popcorn for fear of what it will do to your teeth to enjoy this publication. But that was not the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>This morning I was reading Reader's Digest and laughed out loud at some of the funny bits in their "Laugh! It's the Best Medicine" section. </div><div><br /></div><div>As we can all use a good laugh now and then I thought that I would share some of the funniness with you. And perhaps after you too get a few laughs you will not think less of my coolness factor for subscribing...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SW6D6M3Pa6I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/lyMJx66WrxY/s400/RDigest_Jan09_012-Edit-Edit-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291311648115485602" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Zen of Sarcasm:<div>1. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt or a flat tire.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, you're a mile away - and you have the shoes.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-243142737518118808?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-91830095198548373962009-01-07T18:13:00.004-06:002009-01-07T18:55:06.734-06:00We all know about secrets. There are good ones and bad ones (and probably <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">really</span> bad ones). And, of course, Christmas is the time of year for good secrets. Time for sneaky photo shoots and surprise photo gifts (yes, I relate everything to photography - or Oprah - but that is another post). <div><br /></div><div>Anyway, there were many a time when I wanted to post a cute Christmas card I did for someone or an image that I knew would be part of a gift, but in many cases my friends' and clients' families read my blog and I did not want to be the one to ruin any good Christmas secrets.</div><div><br /></div><div>So as I find the time now I might sneak in a Christmas image or two that got left behind in the "Christmas Secret: Do Not Post" bin. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A couple images of little Miss Freya fell into that bin and I wanted to be sure to post them because she is so sweet (not to mention my future daughter-in-law - see previous post <a href="http://akidslifephotography.blogspot.com/2008/10/beauty-from-inside-out_29.html">here</a>).</div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWVOuztdhRI/AAAAAAAAAU4/prQ_1YSOsDo/s400/FreyaDec08_024_FINAL4x6-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288719903478351122" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWVGVAemRMI/AAAAAAAAAUo/34wfiD8-wwg/s400/FreyaDec08_102_DailyPreCrop-Edit-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288710664136049858" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWVGVmc68SI/AAAAAAAAAUw/dF7g42aSbzE/s1600-h/FreyaTrypFINAL5x10-Edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWVGVmc68SI/AAAAAAAAAUw/dF7g42aSbzE/s400/FreyaTrypFINAL5x10-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288710674329563426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a><br /></div><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-9183009519854837396?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-14068666698636298142009-01-05T11:45:00.006-06:002009-01-05T18:25:48.329-06:00The baker's kids have no doughnuts. Or is it the teacher's kids can't spell? Or something about kids not having any shoes. Anyway, it's some quote my dad always says meaning that when you do something professionally, you don't come home and do it too.<div><br /></div><div>And it has happened to me. Well, not completely as I can't really ever seem to put the camera down, but I have given up formal photo shoots with my kids. That is until recently. I wanted to experiment with color backgrounds, and who better to practice on then my own children?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The plan always sounds good. We head up to my dad's place and set up a studio and the kids act perfect and I get shots that bring a tear to my eyes. Ah yes. A girl can dream, can't she?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Well, needless to say it did not go as I had dreamed but I must admit that a few of these shots touch my heart...</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKhUdaMINI/AAAAAAAAATg/g_-KMvK26A0/s400/BellaAbeShoot_011-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287966285350314194" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKhU7E5gCI/AAAAAAAAATo/tHiSKplJJg0/s400/BellaAbeShoot_025-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287966293314076706" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKidDuIeZI/AAAAAAAAAUI/WRZrTiwph5w/s400/BellaAbeShoot_110-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287967532585089426" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKicjxwAqI/AAAAAAAAAUA/_7VCX8m2tjI/s400/BellaAbeShoot_050-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287967524010328738" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKicBMzfoI/AAAAAAAAAT4/xYDqEmw69ak/s400/BellaAbeShoot_041-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287967514728562306" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKhVYHDIrI/AAAAAAAAATw/lqj59GRWFAI/s400/BellaAbeShoot_035-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287966301107724978" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKi6nP8HtI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/OwNYzxkQzaY/s400/BellaAbeShoot_119-Edit-Edit-2-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287968040338333394" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SWKi7H5Db0I/AAAAAAAAAUY/Ar24PtWHpMk/s400/BellaAbeShoot_127-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287968049100713794" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-1406866669863629814?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-41156478451793002612008-12-22T10:47:00.014-06:002008-12-22T12:35:19.098-06:00We sat in Caribou for our pre-shoot consultation. "What are their ages?" I asked and held my breath. "Seven and a half, four and a half, two and a half, two, seven months, seven months, five months, and four months." I exhaled deeply and let out a little nervous laugh. Eight kids seven and under? All in one studio shot? I wanted to crack a joke about using duct tape but wasn't sure if it would be appropriate - or funny. But the even funnier thing about this was that I had already agreed to do it. Funny...or crazy...or perhaps a little bit of both.<div><br /></div><div>This is a Brady bunch family. You know, the kind involving two existing families coming together and forming one big happy family. One of the all-grown-up "Brady" kids and her husband and three kids live in Florida and they were home for the holidays. And what a great idea to have a photograph taken of all the grandkids together as a surprise gift for grandma and grandpa for Christmas. The catch? The Floridians were not coming to Minnesota until the 19th. Yes, we had to have the shoot on the 20th and edit, choose, order, and print the images in time for Christmas. (Have I mentioned before that I have a "can do" personality? Now do you believe me?)<div><br /><div>After getting over the shock of the reality of their ages and our timing, we got to work. This was too important to let a little thing like the impossible details get us down. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, two shoots later with many groupings, grandma almost coming over during the shoot and ruining the surprise, kids crying, treat bribery, kids crying again, loads of singing and pretending to be farm animals, kids crying again, blizzard conditions, eight parents trying to make uniformed decisions, and leaky diapers, we got the job done and ended up with some really cute shots. And I got to spend time with a wonderful family. Really, for the stress of this shoot they were so helpful and easy going and fun to work with. This would not have been possible without their good attitudes (and singing help). A big thanks to them!</div><div><br /></div>I asked a veteran professional photographer for advice on this shoot and one of his comments stuck clearly in my mind. "If you can get <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">one</span> shot with everybody in it where nobody is crying and all heads are turned somewhat towards the camera - then you will have been successful." I almost made it...</div><div><br /></div></div><div><iframe style="border: medium none ; background-color:000000;" src="http://homepage.mac.com/akidslifephoto/TanaSlideshow4/iframe.html" title="Showit Web Slideshow" frameborder="0" height="590" width="510" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-4115647845179300261?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-44045132619000699172008-12-11T17:02:00.007-06:002008-12-11T18:26:05.132-06:00<div>I don't remember her details. I do not have a picture of her in my mind. I have an impression. Of happiness. Of kindness. Of a good marriage - a partnership. She and her husband watched my daughter in the nursery while I was at Bible study, and they didn't just play with the kids - they brought crafts. They told stories. They warmly took the children and I felt that my daughter was in good hands. In solid Christian hands of a faithful pair.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then yesterday she awoke like you and I. She went about her day like you and I. She went to the store, perhaps like you and I. But then the story changed - she was hit and killed in the parking lot by a drunk driver. Gone at 66-years old, right in front of her husband. Right before Christmas. It was heartbreaking and senseless and tragic. And I sit here heavy-hearted for her family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps I should not blog about this. Perhaps I should keep it all professional and happy. But if you have read any of my previous blogs, you know that I cannot do that. I believe in being authentic and real. And more importantly, I believe in reminders. Sometimes we all need them. </div><div><br /></div>So tonight I am reminded to be thankful for the people I have in my life. Tonight I will hug my children for an extra moment. I might read them an extra story. I will not work late into the night, but crawl into bed with my husband and hold him tight. <div><br /></div><div>And tonight as I am trying to sleep I will be praying for her family. Perhaps you will be too.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-4404513261900069917?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-12079408877012442202008-12-09T22:33:00.004-06:002008-12-09T22:47:28.704-06:00<div>Here is a little sneak peek of yesterday's shoot with Noah and Paige. Poor Lucy had to stay inside, but she did sneak out once. And trust me, finding a dog the color of dirty snow during a snowfall is not easy!</div><div><br /></div><div>When I get a moment to breath again I will post more from this shoot and hope to also update you on other shoots I have been working on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ST9HaDpBJgI/AAAAAAAAATY/fRXuNtTNP08/s1600-h/MohsDec08_103-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ST9HaDpBJgI/AAAAAAAAATY/fRXuNtTNP08/s400/MohsDec08_103-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278015801281029634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ST9HZYOofZI/AAAAAAAAATQ/k3h0aylF1Ek/s1600-h/MohsDec08_047-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ST9HZYOofZI/AAAAAAAAATQ/k3h0aylF1Ek/s400/MohsDec08_047-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278015789627637138" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ST9HY55MRqI/AAAAAAAAATI/I-zJQcDBOs8/s1600-h/MohsDec08_028-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/ST9HY55MRqI/AAAAAAAAATI/I-zJQcDBOs8/s400/MohsDec08_028-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278015781484644002" /></a><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-1207940887701244220?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-72564159508340718512008-11-25T10:12:00.000-06:002008-11-25T10:55:58.349-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SRKOOppZ3_I/AAAAAAAAARU/OUwQPyayKB8/s1600-h/Misc_Nov08_005-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SRKOOppZ3_I/AAAAAAAAARU/OUwQPyayKB8/s400/Misc_Nov08_005-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265427296698359794" /></a><br />Some moms write things down. Some have some super-human memories. I take photographs.<div><br /></div><div>I am afraid to forget the beautiful and the everyday. I am afraid to forget that moment a few days ago when my kids were looking out the window in my office while I worked. How cute they were watching the world go by. How big and little they are all at the same time. How precious they are to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>My journaling intentions always fall by the wayside. But I am never far from my camera. And I always feel some comfort as I release the shutter to capture one more moment of my children that will never be again. I am thankful that I take photographs.</div><div><br /></div><div>(By the way, the windows in my office are pretty much at floor-length and always locked and closed - I didn't want anyone to think that I am letting my kids climb up high onto windows while I worried about getting the perfect shot!)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-7256415950834071851?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-18648290254374275422008-11-18T22:28:00.013-06:002008-11-21T09:41:39.833-06:00<div>I have a soft spot for teachers. The idea of schools and teachers gives me the warm fuzzies. My mom was a teacher for 28 years and I admired her greatly. We always rode to school together and I would play in her classroom before school started. And when I "grew up," I would chaperone school trips with her class and visit her classroom for special events. When I became a flight attendant (that's another story), my mom convinced me to come to her classroom and give a presentation. I felt so dumb standing there in my flight attendant uniform showing a group of 5th graders how to buckle your seatbelt.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then it was time for questions and they were fighting to ask me questions. (There must be some unwritten rule that whomever holds their arm in the air the highest and squirms like they have to go to the bathroom will get the next chance to ask their important question. I love the kids that don't really have a question prepared but rather like the contest of being picked and then do the "Um.... uh... do they have... videos games on airplanes?") I admit that this attention sure made a girl feel good. Yup, another reason to love teachers and school.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those teachers leave lasting impressions on us. They shape us. And one such high school home ec teacher inspired Mama J Creations. Mama J was like a feisty grandma teaching you how to sew. The kind you love, but just can't help but put pins in your mouths to get her riled up!</div><div><br /></div><div>And she would be proud to see the products bearing her nickname. They are so cute and stylish, and yes Mama J, so well made! </div><div><br /></div><div>I had the privilege of photographing some of the purses in the product line. The bags are works of art and I hope you enjoy the photographs... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjpvexIoI/AAAAAAAAASk/Ea5J3iprXoo/s1600-h/MamaJTrio-Edit-2-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjpvexIoI/AAAAAAAAASk/Ea5J3iprXoo/s400/MamaJTrio-Edit-2-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270235926469091970" /></a><div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjpV8DbKI/AAAAAAAAASc/ICvXgfSWvPc/s1600-h/ChristaBag_Nov08_078-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjpV8DbKI/AAAAAAAAASc/ICvXgfSWvPc/s400/ChristaBag_Nov08_078-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270235919612603554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjo73niCI/AAAAAAAAASU/MNwoLpYfhKU/s1600-h/ChristaBag_Nov08_063-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjo73niCI/AAAAAAAAASU/MNwoLpYfhKU/s400/ChristaBag_Nov08_063-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270235912614676514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjojcYo7I/AAAAAAAAASM/jR1z-FdwJkU/s1600-h/ChristaBag_Nov08_058-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOjojcYo7I/AAAAAAAAASM/jR1z-FdwJkU/s400/ChristaBag_Nov08_058-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270235906058003378" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 126px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOikPMOw7I/AAAAAAAAAR0/7NO7nxH6zhI/s400/ChristaBag_Nov08_023-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270234732390433714" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOikseu5fI/AAAAAAAAASE/lYgP3-XbzqU/s400/ChristaBag_Nov08_028-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270234740252665330" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOikUZdLbI/AAAAAAAAAR8/Ou09j3H7ihQ/s400/ChristaBag_Nov08_026-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270234733788081586" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SSOij9_PYEI/AAAAAAAAARs/wlJFQqgqFtg/s400/ChristaBag_Nov08_007-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270234727772545090" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-1864829025437427542?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-49327808860221488782008-11-14T12:06:00.007-06:002008-11-14T12:24:50.413-06:00The reality is that we are all just normal people living normal lives. All of us. Ok - maybe not the Queen of England, but the rest of us are just regular people.<div><br /></div><div>But I have to admit that there are a few people in my life that I admire so greatly that I forget they are just regular people too. That they type emails in their pajamas and go to the dentist and read Reader's Digest in the bathroom. Well, maybe that last one is just me and anyone over 65. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jasmine Star is one of these people for me. She is a wedding photographer based in California and her work is, in my mind, perfection. It is where I push myself to go. And this is a good thing. All of us need that person to admire to make us want to be better. And for me, Jasmine Star is my girl.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I thought that I would send her an email with a few questions in hopes that maybe she would someday answer one question. Just one. In her spare time. Maybe...</div><div><br /></div><div>And you know what? She responded! She sent me a nice email and answered my questions on her blog. Yes, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I</span> was mentioned in the blog of my number-one-wanna-be-girl! This is a big day for me. And it reminds me that we are all just regular people. That she is just a person at her computer sending me an email, maybe even in her pajamas.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jasminestarblog.com/index.cfm?postID=437">View Jasmine Star's Blog</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-4932780886022148878?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-59453164078783407952008-11-06T11:23:00.010-06:002008-11-06T12:22:10.922-06:00<div>It was late and I had a big photography project on my mind - and I was in bed - not sleeping. So I sent an email to get it off of my mind, and as I was walking down the stairs from my office I had an overwhelming desire to snuggle with my 16-month old son. <br /></div><div><br />Sometimes I feel like I am living in a haze. Like I am living an unconscious life, just trying to keep up and not really thinking about everything as I go along. (Moms, do you feel me?)<br /><br />But through the haze, I have strong moments of consciousness. Moments where there is something bigger than myself leading me to be aware of life. Where my breaths are slower and my heart is happy and my thoughts are only focused on what is in front of me. Oh how I love and seize these moments!</div><div><br />When I am working with my clients, this focus happens so easily for me. I feel so present with them and their children and I don't ever think about anything else. But when it comes to my personal life, the moments do not always come without effort. But I was blessed last night.<br /><br /></div><div>I lifted my little Abe out of his crib and brought him to bed with us. We snuggled so close. I kissed his cheek, and in his sleep he made a kissing noise with his lips. I smelled his hair. Actually it would be more accurate to say I deeply inhaled the smell of his hair. I smelled his breath. I thought about his tummy always full of Cheerioes and milk and if that was why his breath smelled the way it did. I kissed his cute lips. I rubbed his tummy. I felt his toes. I fell asleep with my arm around him and my face snuggled in his neck. It was beautiful, and so is my son. I thank God for him every day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I took these shots a couple days ago. One look at those cheeks and you can see why I kiss them so often! I hope you didn't mind my gushing for a bit.:)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SRMqS3JfB0I/AAAAAAAAARc/2nlsG83CtZQ/s400/Misc_Nov08_013-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265598892855985986" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SRMqTXnVsZI/AAAAAAAAARk/vLn48fuA01I/s400/Misc_Nov08_014-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265598901571137938" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-5945316407878340795?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-7477733692272170662008-11-03T21:10:00.005-06:002008-11-04T15:19:58.383-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;">While I was pregnant with my first child my husband and I took a birthing class. We had to practice breathing and concentrate on finding our "happy place." I really tried hard... for about 30 seconds, but then my busy brain moved on to other thoughts like how I could get an epidural and how long it would take me to get an epidural and if it would hurt to get an epidural. I never really found my happy place, and went with the epidural for both of my children.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am unsure if we are going to have a third child, but I do know one thing for sure: I now have a happy place if I need one. It is a porch in rural America on a sunny fall evening. Yup, a porch just like the Lyon's. Ok - not just like theirs, but theirs specifically. This is my new happy place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The kids are amazing and were so fun and kind to me (I even left with a gift of original artwork!). We played hard, and even through the wrestling, they were full of love for each other. While we played, their parents sat on the swing and visited, and you could tell that they so enjoyed each other's company even after 12 years of marriage. And then there was the sunset and the woods and the grass and the dog and the porch. Oh, that porch where they spend most summer evenings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, it is pretty much white-picket-fence-ideal-America, but it really goes deeper than that. This porch holds love and time well spent together too. Sounds cheesy, I know, but if you were there you would understand. And I hope the photographs give you a glimpse of that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am feeling a bit indecisive so I included quite a few images. I hope you enjoy them...</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-_xFlehvI/AAAAAAAAAQY/DEXHQSdOiYA/s400/Lyon_Oct08_601-Edit2-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264637339453261554" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ_AOZ45MkI/AAAAAAAAAQw/escOoGlk_88/s400/Lyon_Oct08_037Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264637843119616578" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ_ANWP4D3I/AAAAAAAAAQg/evKfDK-_8G4/s400/Lyon_Oct08_058-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264637824962400114" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-_wx6ZaKI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/z3crJKrmo0c/s400/Lyon_Oct08_179-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264637334172297378" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ_AOGVne1I/AAAAAAAAAQo/mojK3rVewHM/s400/Lyon_Oct08_122-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264637837871381330" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-_wgHomsI/AAAAAAAAAQI/DVLwnpCKznE/s400/Lyon_Oct08_231-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264637329395980994" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-_GEwjgEI/AAAAAAAAAQA/CVDpx9XUzko/s400/Lyon_Oct08_210-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264636600496914498" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-_FnsWIiI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ixfcnUPfuos/s400/Lyon_Oct08_214-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264636592694632994" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-_FDJWsAI/AAAAAAAAAPw/v_clq84KWZc/s400/Lyon_Oct08_162-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264636582884192258" /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ--g7LDkhI/AAAAAAAAAPo/sCLsix7uA_E/s400/Lyon_Oct08_287-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264635962268553746" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ--giwlatI/AAAAAAAAAPg/g6zVVWFJEdE/s400/Lyon_Oct08_362-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264635955715074770" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ--gaoVVaI/AAAAAAAAAPY/8PZlEBs-mWE/s400/Lyon_Oct08_367-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264635953532982690" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-987OewcI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/aDpyNi8lETg/s400/Lyon_Oct08_538-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264635343807627714" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-98bU9yAI/AAAAAAAAAPI/LhqPmk1xzbg/s400/Lyon_Oct08_580-Edit-2-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264635335244892162" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-98ChR0wI/AAAAAAAAAPA/bBFq93TDCiI/s400/Lyon_Oct08_005-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264635328585650946" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-9ZZDNANI/AAAAAAAAAO4/RROfUYiJlHo/s400/Lyon_Oct08_007-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264634733338099922" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQ-9NwgmsTI/AAAAAAAAAOw/04bWA2q1jZM/s400/Lyon_Oct08_006-Edit-Edit__Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264634533477003570" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-747773369227217066?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-67383668491219391272008-10-30T20:42:00.002-05:002008-10-30T21:43:50.591-05:00When I heard that Abby's mom, Jen, was taking Friday off to prepare for the party, I was impressed. She made a big birthday cake and cupcakes. She made her special jambalaya. And she made homemade cookies on a stick, all personally decorated with the names of all the kids who were attending the shindig. She made the day so special, and this was afterall, a most special day.<div><br /></div><div>Two years ago, Jen went to the Dr. for her normal 32-week pre-natal appointment. Her blood pressure was way off, and she was rushed to the hospital to deliver her baby. It was a rough go for Jen (to put it nicely), and her new baby only weighed 2 lbs 7 oz at birth. The Dr. told her that had her appointment been one day later she would have lost the baby. One month after Abby was born, Jen brough her home from the hospital - all 3 lbs 11 oz of her! She was a miracle and a gift, and this 2nd birthday <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">was</span> a special day.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Abby played hard with friends and delighted in eating her birthday treats. Then the moment came to open gifts. And gift one was a home run and I thought the show was over. Yes, Abby was so thrilled with her new shopping cart that her body language pretty much said, "Thanks for coming, folks. It was a great time. You can all continue on with my party, but I am off with my new shopping cart, the best present in the whole world! See you next year." At least that was the case until she got a baby. Yes, the other best present in the whole world! Oh to be two again, loving each thing like it was the best you have ever seen.</div><div><br /></div><div>But while Abby was looking at her new presents with delight, her parents were looking at her with delight. Their little miracle was two. And she is beautiful and happy and enjoying this life. And what a special thing that is.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpgAWExHcI/AAAAAAAAANQ/wK5ILSeP5bc/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_104-Edit-Edit-2_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263124673577688514" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpgX8o3ixI/AAAAAAAAANY/_jwhwNuECp4/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_123-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263125079066643218" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpmrPgrdoI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/0iy6JaR7KGA/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_148-Edit-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263132007619851906" /><br /><div>Miss Abby loves her big brother Jordan. When we were looking at the selects, she would excitedly shout his name every time she saw an image of him.<div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpmRooOiHI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Or4meL9Rx0Y/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_170-Edit-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263131567685798002" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpnOqtAE0I/AAAAAAAAAOY/Bc55xekkWTA/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_132-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263132616214713154" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpnOz50PgI/AAAAAAAAAOg/8fTTj5OueeQ/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_129-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263132618684382722" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpkY3gAtHI/AAAAAAAAAN4/cZNUh9PrQIU/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_289-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263129492913697906" /><div style="text-align: left;">This post was almost titled "Photoshop can only do so much" as Abby was always eating, and true to her two-year-old style, most of her fare ended up on her face. And on her clothes. And in her hair... </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQppGfqQs0I/AAAAAAAAAOo/bQY4sUWsvDU/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_217-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263134674834731842" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpjgbcMe9I/AAAAAAAAANw/1PPbHxXwwdM/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_428-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263128523308825554" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpinT-iSZI/AAAAAAAAANo/8U-q5J7E57s/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_621-Edit2-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263127542052833682" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQplThq0s9I/AAAAAAAAAOA/dk3ohVUyAiM/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_278-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263130500665750482" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQpg242ZQ9I/AAAAAAAAANg/QcaeP0sy_AE/s400/AbbyBDay_Oct_08_717-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263125610625582034" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-6738366849121939127?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-49073783765566908802008-10-29T12:28:00.003-05:002008-11-05T12:34:13.987-06:00My son has a crush on little Freya - it must be that cute smile. One look at her beautiful parents, and you can see she is destined to be a beauty. You can be sure that my little Abe will have a crush on Freya for a long time.<br /><br />I must admit however, that I would be more than happy for a Freya-Abe crush because Freya's parents are our dear friends. There's no doubt they are beautiful on the outside, but they are even more beautiful on the inside. Yes, I have high hopes for Freya...from the inside out.<br /><br />I thought I would share a fun spontaneous mini-shoot from the weekend. The combination of this beautiful family and my new video software was way to much to resist!<br /><br /><br /><div><iframe style="border: medium none ; background-color:000000;" src="http://homepage.mac.com/akidslifephoto/Sanders/iframe.html" title="Showit Web Slideshow" frameborder="0" height="420" width="500" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-4907378376556690880?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-91772252407809930372008-10-27T00:30:00.000-05:002008-10-28T00:31:05.559-05:00He was speaking in almost a whisper. I had to put down my camera and lean in close to hear 6-year old Bennett count to 20 in Chinese. Then we moved on to "dog" and "mom" and "brother," and you could see he was proud. And he should be. Chinese immersion school was paying off.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Then, just as I was taking a moment to think about what a gentle soul he is, he grabbed a stick and used it to "shoot" his 3-year old brother, Henry. Yup, the gentle soul shooting his brother. That sounds about right for a 6-year old boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And although there was lots of shooting and running and shooting (yes, I meant to include that twice), there was also that moment we were waiting for. The moment when two brothers let down their guard and Henry snuggled up to Bennett and rested his head on his shoulder. It was love, even if only for a moment. At least, it was what we adults think of as love. But I seem to know that in a boy's life, love comes not only in the moment of a head resting on a shoulder, but also in a moment of an intense headlock. Or in this case, in the moment of a fierce stick shootout.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQai2w1AM8I/AAAAAAAAANI/mf39q37FLgc/s400/Schrader_Oct08_046-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262072276332852162" /><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQace_DbGVI/AAAAAAAAAL4/4lR0YzrM6l4/s400/Schrader_Oct08_473Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262065270764804434" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQadKjEA9XI/AAAAAAAAAMw/dgkxXCalJzg/s400/Schrader_Oct08_526-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262066019165336946" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQadKFB77II/AAAAAAAAAMo/vNBjsKscp9c/s400/Schrader_Oct08_442-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262066011103554690" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQadu_shbXI/AAAAAAAAAM4/TZogRblA-rY/s400/Schrader_Oct08_396-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262066645326720370" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQadJqm4rSI/AAAAAAAAAMg/aKvpkI-e78g/s400/Schrader_Oct08_352-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262066004010773794" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQacgtb_L3I/AAAAAAAAAMY/tC2Z1uPHhnU/s400/Schrader_Oct08_158-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262065300395732850" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQacgPywh_I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/wBn-mJSjrYU/s400/Schrader_Oct08_156-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262065292438177778" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQacfmrXpEI/AAAAAAAAAMI/IoOoCfUGi3s/s400/Schrader_Oct08_114-Edit-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262065281401332802" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQacfZrJb_I/AAAAAAAAAMA/_TALdDltHOE/s400/Schrader_Oct08_094-Edit3-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262065277910740978" /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-9177225240780993037?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-18665814522151593682008-10-23T21:42:00.006-05:002008-10-23T22:41:26.672-05:00Two days had passed and still no shower,<div>Feeling feverish my breath smelled sour.</div><div><br /></div><div>Starving children pulling at my legs,</div><div>It was lunchtime, and I didn't even have eggs.</div><div><br /></div><div>No milk, no bread, not much else,</div><div>And I was so sick without any help.</div><div><br /></div><div>But kids don't care if mom is ill,</div><div>They just want it or they start to shrill.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then I saw it, my lifesaver on the shelf,</div><div>A can of baked beans, I wanted to yelp.</div><div><br /></div><div>No work required, just open and heat,</div><div>And just enough sugar to get them to eat.</div><div><br /></div><div>A break for me, Yea! I could fulfill their need,</div><div>And without too much guilt, don't beans have protein?</div><div><br /></div><div>So today I dedicate this blog to the beans,</div><div>A bit strange I know, but heartfelt indeed.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SQE39A6vN2I/AAAAAAAAALw/4qD-FylmrOk/s400/08_10_OdetoBeans_100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260547361103361890" /><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-1866581452215159368?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-43049852584838290442008-10-17T13:39:00.006-05:002008-10-17T14:01:08.102-05:00She was standing in the living room crying out for me and I did nothing except keep quiet and feel a little bad for her. And then my son was also standing there curiously looking at her, looking for me. And I still just stood there. It wasn't about winning. It wasn't about being uncaring. It was about teaching her that in order to play hide and seek properly you actually have to look for the person rather than stand in the center of the room shouting "mom" and wait for me to answer, and then when I don't, start crying. We have played hide n' go seek many times before - she gets how it works. And I wasn't even really hiding - just standing in the corner.<div><br /></div><div>I am not the teach-your-kid-to-swim-by-throwing-them-off-the-dock sort of parent. I am also not the parent who tells their kid with the freshly bleeding knee that they are ok and to get over it. I am the hold-them-in-my-arms-until-they-feel-better sort of mom. So I actually wanted to go to her in that moment and give her a hug. But I didn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>And eventually she turned around and "found" me and was so happy and proud of herself for playing the game. She giggled and said it was her turn and I knew that I did the right thing by not giving in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today is about doing the right things. This has been a crazy week and I feel like I have been the absent parent whose mind is never really focused on my kids even when they are right in front of me. So today I woke up thinking that today would be our day. Not only did we play hide n' go seek, but I suggested it. And not only did we read books on the couch, but I suggested it. And just as soon as my son wakes up from his nap and Bella is done drawing, we are going to the park. And as we swing and slide and climb, I will be thinking about them and nothing else. Yes, I am blessed to have this day of right things.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now a tiny voice is standing next to me asking to draw her a house, and I couldn't think of anything more I would rather do right now...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-4304985258483829044?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-28812426439733313902008-10-16T23:51:00.005-05:002008-10-17T00:01:36.120-05:00My, oh my...what beautiful children and house Jill and Randy have. Hard to go wrong with that family's good looks and the setting and the weather - except for the usual crying and wrestling and runny noses (no shoot would be complete without those elements too!). More to come...<div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SPga56NpSvI/AAAAAAAAALo/Dxux_UHddWw/s400/Lyon_Oct08_037Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257982147136408306" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-2881242643973331390?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-9110956128205653072008-10-16T23:45:00.004-05:002008-10-17T00:03:12.762-05:00Two cute boys, one great apple orchard, and lots of running and shooting (both from my camera and their fake guns!). Here is a sneak peek from my shoot with Bennett and Henry. More to come when I get a chance to breath again!<div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SPgZCgOPoYI/AAAAAAAAALg/IGCRidS1kGE/s400/Schrader_Oct08_473Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257980095755166082" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-911095612820565307?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-9545168675546307262008-10-13T00:46:00.010-05:002008-10-16T23:51:11.769-05:00Miss Abby turned two years old...and had a splendid time at her party! I will post the full report soon, but thought you might like to see a sneak peek in the meantime. <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SPLrfbmiKxI/AAAAAAAAALY/bCGEMazTBss/s400/MissAbbysBigDay.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256522640312642322" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com/">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-954516867554630726?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-22529370227893343312008-10-06T22:46:00.011-05:002008-10-13T01:02:19.605-05:00<div>You know it's coming. And if you are a true Minnesotan, you are more than likely torn. Excited for the fall and leaves and sweaters and campfires. Slightly excited about snow days and Christmas and crisp fresh air. Yet a bit frightened to wish our short summers away of grilling and biking and swimming. Yes, this time of year I too get terrified and excited all at the same time, but a family trip to <a href="http://minnetonkaorchards.com/">Minnetonka Orchards</a> sure helped me move closer to excited...</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrfPV36UZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/tUks7B7JfGg/s1600-h/08_09_Orchard_379-Edit_Final.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrfPV36UZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/tUks7B7JfGg/s400/08_09_Orchard_379-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254257369943789970" /></a><br />I could not resist this beautiful girl, Anna, and her faithful furry companion, Randy. She was a good sport once she noticed me photographing her and I am so glad as I love these shots! Thanks, Anna!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrd3EaCjxI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/yq-dX6I9DL8/s1600-h/08_09_Orchard_310-Edit_Final.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrd3T3C8pI/AAAAAAAAAJY/yDMzXxJcqdY/s400/08_09_Orchard_307-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254255857574802066" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrd3EaCjxI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/yq-dX6I9DL8/s400/08_09_Orchard_310-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254255853426609938" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrd3k6-MYI/AAAAAAAAAJg/ypouVQWmENU/s1600-h/08_09_Orchard_318-Edit_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrd3k6-MYI/AAAAAAAAAJg/ypouVQWmENU/s400/08_09_Orchard_318-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254255862154670466" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I had to get a few of my cuties too of course...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrcwh-i_LI/AAAAAAAAAI4/gSuJYEIxJf0/s1600-h/08_09_Orchard_262-Edit_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrcwh-i_LI/AAAAAAAAAI4/gSuJYEIxJf0/s400/08_09_Orchard_262-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254254641593646258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrcwj1ExVI/AAAAAAAAAJA/rOXsr1Y_LNQ/s1600-h/08_09_Orchard_157-Edit_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrcwj1ExVI/AAAAAAAAAJA/rOXsr1Y_LNQ/s400/08_09_Orchard_157-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254254642090788178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrcw7ot8PI/AAAAAAAAAJI/1G7IzbDYqJo/s1600-h/08_09_Orchard_367-Edit_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrcw7ot8PI/AAAAAAAAAJI/1G7IzbDYqJo/s400/08_09_Orchard_367-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254254648481411314" /></a><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-2252937022789334331?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-15939522129825088652008-10-06T22:18:00.006-05:002008-10-13T00:59:23.238-05:00Hello!<div><br /></div><div>My blog is now on a new site (blogger.com)! In changing hosts, I lost some things from my last blogs including comments from you (which I so love by the way). So, if you don't see your previous comment here, you are not losing your mind or vision.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also wanted to mention that I am not overly thrilled with the colors in my images in this blog, and I hope to get that straightened out soon. Please forgive me if the colors in some of these first posts seem a bit "dull."</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you continue to read and give me feedback!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks,</div><div>Jessie</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-1593952212982508865?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-74623909595534069482008-09-29T18:33:00.009-05:002008-10-13T00:54:54.947-05:00<div>A half an hour before the ceremony we went from plan A to plan C. Plan A for my wedding? Ah...a quaint ceremony on the hill in Duluth overlooking the perfect fall leaves and Lake Superior. Oh the photographs we could have had. Plan C? A cold, dark ceremony on a covered balcony at the Duluth Aquarium trying to stay dry as the rain misted onto our guests. It was not what I had envisioned. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then the beautiful ships came through and interrupted our ceremony with their horns. And then the wind picked up and we got some fun laughing photographs with my veil blowing straight up into the air. And then during our candlelight dinner the storm passed and there was the rainbow. Yes, a beautiful rainbow that made everyone stop eating and "ooh" and "ahh" at what a divine thing this weather was. And then I knew that the day was made even better by plan C. I found myself thankful for this plan that we were too stuck in our ways to see beforehand. Yup, plan C pushed us out of what we thought we wanted, and gave us something marvelous. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was reminding myself of this as I was quickly trying to find a plan C during a company event I photographed recently.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are a recycling company who wanted lots of candid photographs of their friends and family shindig, and they wanted a new employee photo for their website. No problem. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then the day actually arrived...rain and all. And the great group photographs I had mapped out all fell by the wayside. As the scheduled time for the group shot approached, and the rain continued, I kept naively thinking that the clouds would magically open and the rain would stop. Yes, we would all run to our designated spots and I would be hauled up in the lift/boom and poof! the perfect image would be captured and everyone would be happy. Suddenly the speeches were over and it was time for me to decide what we were doing - everyone was waiting for direction. And then I jumped to plan C...in one of their warehouses against the recycling. The lighting was so far from perfect. The people were wet and tired from long speeches. The pressure was on. And I was doubtful. I had forgotten the power of plan C.</div><div><br /></div><div>I must admit however, that now looking at the image, I like it better than I would have liked the same ol' same ol' image in front of their trucks. This tells a story that we would have missed. This is their unique story. And I have to admit, plan C came through for me once again.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is an amazing company with truly great people. I felt so blessed to be a part of their party and touched by their consideration of, and care for, one another. (It also helped that they have fun spirits which made those speeches go by a whole heck of a lot faster.)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrPKQJ-oKI/AAAAAAAAAIw/YOtJR-fAruw/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_719-Edit-Edit-Edit-2_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrPKQJ-oKI/AAAAAAAAAIw/YOtJR-fAruw/s400/Eureka_Sep08_719-Edit-Edit-Edit-2_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254239690323566754" /></a><br /><div>After the group photograph I turned around to capture this shot which pretty much speaks for itself...<br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrOkSua-bI/AAAAAAAAAIo/dzBYTGg0X_I/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_720_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOrOkSua-bI/AAAAAAAAAIo/dzBYTGg0X_I/s400/Eureka_Sep08_720_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254239038178261426" /></a><br /><div>The rain started to show its power during the speeches and was coming in the sides of the tent. This group toughed it out and I have the images to prove it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes I just love the story in the day, and to share that with you I included a few "story" images, not all from my "polished" collection...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqi7c0i_sI/AAAAAAAAAIY/cidSbEpCvyU/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_409-Edit_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqi7c0i_sI/AAAAAAAAAIY/cidSbEpCvyU/s400/Eureka_Sep08_409-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254191057513676482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqi7nfhseI/AAAAAAAAAIg/bpUOrEf_diQ/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_378_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqi7nfhseI/AAAAAAAAAIg/bpUOrEf_diQ/s400/Eureka_Sep08_378_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254191060378300898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqiMsHGqqI/AAAAAAAAAIM/agwq3aOyziw/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_423-Edit_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqiMsHGqqI/AAAAAAAAAIM/agwq3aOyziw/s400/Eureka_Sep08_423-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254190254164191906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqiAQ3oETI/AAAAAAAAAH8/VImJNDSv0zU/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_421_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqiAQ3oETI/AAAAAAAAAH8/VImJNDSv0zU/s400/Eureka_Sep08_421_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254190040693084466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqiAg8DoBI/AAAAAAAAAIE/gJGfgk3xe5A/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_419_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqiAg8DoBI/AAAAAAAAAIE/gJGfgk3xe5A/s400/Eureka_Sep08_419_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254190045006635026" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqhFyS55hI/AAAAAAAAAH0/bKjLD9MfpJM/s1600-h/Eureka_Sep08_424-Edit_Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqhFyS55hI/AAAAAAAAAH0/bKjLD9MfpJM/s400/Eureka_Sep08_424-Edit_Final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254189036053587474" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-7462390959553406948?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-14879224994646594502008-09-01T18:20:00.002-05:002008-10-06T18:33:51.053-05:00<div>The big eyes, and the dark hair, and the cheeks (yup, the cheeks too)...she is the spittin' image of her mother. And at only one, she is already her mom's reflection. (If you saw her mom you would know that that is not a bad thing to be.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Little Sofie was tired when I showed up bright and early, and not completely sure about me. And to be honest, I am not sure if I won her over the entire time I was there. I am quite certain that her thoughts went from "stranger" to "strange jumping and cooing stranger...with a wagon." You see, I brought this little red wagon and Sofie loved it. She wanted to sit in it the entire time and was quite happy to be pulled by her brother, Ethan. And we got some great shots - tired or not - stranger or strange jumping stranger.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can take some credit for these shots, but I must also admit that when my subjects are such beautiful kids it sure makes my job a whole lot easier... </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqevnj5_hI/AAAAAAAAAHk/B9dAf7Zk3ts/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_100.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqevnj5_hI/AAAAAAAAAHk/B9dAf7Zk3ts/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254186456191729170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqev5c6yYI/AAAAAAAAAHs/aZhBeTxLgAM/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqev5c6yYI/AAAAAAAAAHs/aZhBeTxLgAM/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254186460994259330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqeiB8fQuI/AAAAAAAAAG8/7PsdpSK_zhY/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_102.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqeiB8fQuI/AAAAAAAAAG8/7PsdpSK_zhY/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254186222755988194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqeikDxjFI/AAAAAAAAAHE/0CWml187ds4/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_103.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqeikDxjFI/AAAAAAAAAHE/0CWml187ds4/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_103.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254186231913352274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqeinHBTAI/AAAAAAAAAHM/7zQgpRL1nj8/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_105.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqeinHBTAI/AAAAAAAAAHM/7zQgpRL1nj8/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_105.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254186232732273666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqejF5IIvI/AAAAAAAAAHU/R5_2-YtWpUM/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_104.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqejF5IIvI/AAAAAAAAAHU/R5_2-YtWpUM/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_104.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254186240995500786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqejXTWOTI/AAAAAAAAAHc/_LRI9ww266s/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_106.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqejXTWOTI/AAAAAAAAAHc/_LRI9ww266s/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254186245668878642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd5H239-I/AAAAAAAAAGU/5kHJ713SbjM/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd5H239-I/AAAAAAAAAGU/5kHJ713SbjM/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_112.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254185519968417762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd5RfQRMI/AAAAAAAAAGc/7HU-G4hBCnE/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_111.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd5RfQRMI/AAAAAAAAAGc/7HU-G4hBCnE/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_111.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254185522553701570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd5kCQmSI/AAAAAAAAAGk/JPc5T_QksNI/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd5kCQmSI/AAAAAAAAAGk/JPc5T_QksNI/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_110.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254185527532362018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd6Ht8fWI/AAAAAAAAAGs/2E8Wm0s_bi4/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_109.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd6Ht8fWI/AAAAAAAAAGs/2E8Wm0s_bi4/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254185537110834530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd6NS5p8I/AAAAAAAAAG0/FT8BbUaJ2qQ/s1600-h/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqd6NS5p8I/AAAAAAAAAG0/FT8BbUaJ2qQ/s400/08_08_EricksonBlogSofie_107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254185538608015298" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-1487922499464659450?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-34948396928309781642008-09-01T17:42:00.005-05:002008-10-06T18:17:54.921-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqZyWtMdsI/AAAAAAAAAGE/WuMIvGlqHIY/s1600-h/GraceTrioBirthday.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqZyWtMdsI/AAAAAAAAAGE/WuMIvGlqHIY/s400/GraceTrioBirthday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254181005648754370" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>There are a few things you should know before I begin my story...</div><div><br /></div><div>Grace Ann is now one year old and such a beautiful little girl. I have photographed her before and love those eyes and cheeks. She can light up a room, and even as the exhausted guest-of-honor she was still a delight. I do not want anyone to think that her turning one was not a great thing, but let's be honest here - these first birthday parties are not for them, they are for us. They are for us parents to beam with pride and reminisce and show off our little treasure. These parties say that we have survived a year of babyville and have not yet run away from home (at least not permanently).</div><div><br /></div><div>And now onto my story. Grace was a little late to her party. Her mom, Elizabeth, had to wake her up to attend. When they finally arrived, I knew something then for sure. I knew that Elizabeth was one of the most beautiful moms I have ever seen. Perhaps some fancy dancy author could describe her glow better than I, but that is what I must call it - a glow. She glowed with her little Grace Ann all day. She glowed. And she was beautiful. At one point her grandmother (also Grace) and I were both quietly admiring Elizabeth. She leaned into me and said, "I have always thought of Elizabeth as an unaware beauty." It was the perfect description for her from such a wise woman.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to capture Elizabeth in my images but knew that Grace was our girl for the day. But I have to admit that I snuck in a few of Elizabeth. Because 30 years from now they will all want to remember Grace on her first birthday. But Grace will want to see her parents glow. Grace will want to see the joy and love in their faces. And that glow. Did I mention the glow?</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites from the day...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVvVdF2fI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/XQtJNlj6Uow/s1600-h/GraceBlog4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVvVdF2fI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/XQtJNlj6Uow/s400/GraceBlog4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254176555726658034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVcpCDawI/AAAAAAAAADI/69hO_JidmgM/s1600-h/GraceBlog6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVcpCDawI/AAAAAAAAADI/69hO_JidmgM/s400/GraceBlog6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254176234564446978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVdAkFM_I/AAAAAAAAADQ/o5FI55G2lLc/s1600-h/GraceBlog2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVdAkFM_I/AAAAAAAAADQ/o5FI55G2lLc/s400/GraceBlog2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254176240881185778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVdjfJBiI/AAAAAAAAADY/tVauSdNDVr4/s1600-h/GraceBlogIntro.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVdjfJBiI/AAAAAAAAADY/tVauSdNDVr4/s400/GraceBlogIntro.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254176250255705634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVeadpeWI/AAAAAAAAADg/AHY6iMQNbqc/s1600-h/GraceBlog3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVeadpeWI/AAAAAAAAADg/AHY6iMQNbqc/s400/GraceBlog3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254176265013393762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVeyQuKSI/AAAAAAAAADo/LxRH_vDyal0/s1600-h/GraceBlog8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqVeyQuKSI/AAAAAAAAADo/LxRH_vDyal0/s400/GraceBlog8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254176271401625890" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-3494839692830978164?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-31992476319685686312008-08-27T22:13:00.004-05:002008-10-06T18:17:08.868-05:00The room was steamy. He had a twinkle in his eyes. I sat on his lap and we kissed. I felt a bit self-conscious. We glanced at our kids in the bathtub. My one-year-old son was watching us and smiling. We smiled back. I thought about how great my family is. And then my son's face changed. Parents - you know this look - he went from the cute smile to a very slight squint. Yup, THE squint! We jumped up and did our best to clear the tub before the damage was done but we were too late. <div><br /></div><div>I stripped down and took both kids (now crying from our speedy movements) into the shower for some serious scrubbing. My hubby did towel and diaper and bedtime duty. And as he settled down to read our squeaky clean kids their bedtime story, he turned to me with that twinkle again and said, "Maybe when I am done we can pick up where we left off." I smiled and walked out of the room to clean the dirty bathtub and toys while thinking about how different men and women are.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-3199247631968568631?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-38316454798580505032008-08-22T17:00:00.004-05:002008-10-06T18:16:17.268-05:00<div>Suddenly I realized the golf ball was aimed at me. Not intentionally, I had just gotten so wrapped up in "capturing the moment" that I forgot to worry about my teeth getting knocked out. But he was only three years old, right? Make that three years old with an amazing golf swing.</div><div><br /></div><div>After moving out of the way I had to stand back and watch Ethan hit that ball. I was completely impressed by this kid. He knew exactly what to do. He expertly placed the tee and ball. He took the time to make sure his grip was correct. He had a great swing. And he pretty much hit the ball perfect every time. Yup, he was pick-my-jaw-up-off-the-ground good.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I thought I would give you a sneak peek of our shoot together. This photograph was the last good one of the day. Ethan's one-year old sister, Sofie, was already napping, and we had pretty much moved into the "done and standing around chitty chatting" phase. Then this shot was right in front of me and I could not resist. He was so cute. And he was already focused on his next mission...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqLzzWIdUI/AAAAAAAAACY/rj54A54Sqs0/s1600-h/EricksonBlogPeek.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqLzzWIdUI/AAAAAAAAACY/rj54A54Sqs0/s400/EricksonBlogPeek.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254165637353731394" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-3831645479858050503?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-62027084680885704222008-08-20T16:36:00.005-05:002008-10-06T18:15:37.096-05:00<div>Had I received an invitation, not only would I have declined, but I would have laughed at the thought. Two women. Two large dogs. Driving from L.A. to New York City. In a Mini. Yes, you heard me, in a Mini Cooper.</div><div><br /></div><div>But seeing these two women I must admit that I was a bit jealous of their road trip. As they drove off with the open road ahead, I got in my car and answered my two-year old's question "Why?" about 100 times. They were heading for Chicago and unsure of their exact plans for the next day. Should they sleep in? What tourist things should they do? I was heading home to change the poopy diaper my daughter loudly announced that she had. But as we got home and I changed the diapers and gave the snacks and read the stories and got the kids ready for naps, my daughter turned to me and - completely unprompted - said, "I love you, mom." It was followed by the biggest hug and smile. Maybe staying here isn't so bad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy the images from our photo shoot at the dog park...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGmi8yOKI/AAAAAAAAABg/RBv_lWUTjIw/s1600-h/WooBlog7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGmi8yOKI/AAAAAAAAABg/RBv_lWUTjIw/s400/WooBlog7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159912056010914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGnSAmTcI/AAAAAAAAABo/-He5eB8na30/s1600-h/WooBlog8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGnSAmTcI/AAAAAAAAABo/-He5eB8na30/s400/WooBlog8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159924688473538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGn9x3BcI/AAAAAAAAABw/1D5erHgIvV0/s1600-h/WooBlog9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGn9x3BcI/AAAAAAAAABw/1D5erHgIvV0/s400/WooBlog9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159936437814722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGofQ2VRI/AAAAAAAAAB4/S0pY6coKAAw/s1600-h/WooBlog10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqGofQ2VRI/AAAAAAAAAB4/S0pY6coKAAw/s400/WooBlog10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159945426162962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF01ABwzI/AAAAAAAAAA4/5RTh_kfHf7Q/s1600-h/WooBlog1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF01ABwzI/AAAAAAAAAA4/5RTh_kfHf7Q/s400/WooBlog1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159057907991346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF1ahAPfI/AAAAAAAAABA/8pnVzSZsN6M/s1600-h/WooBlog2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF1ahAPfI/AAAAAAAAABA/8pnVzSZsN6M/s400/WooBlog2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159067978415602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF1_lOKQI/AAAAAAAAABI/oQqpkmcWwUs/s1600-h/WooBlog3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF1_lOKQI/AAAAAAAAABI/oQqpkmcWwUs/s400/WooBlog3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159077928216834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF2QbA7QI/AAAAAAAAABQ/zwwCJNh4aUU/s1600-h/WooBlog5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF2QbA7QI/AAAAAAAAABQ/zwwCJNh4aUU/s400/WooBlog5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159082448809218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF209iXWI/AAAAAAAAABY/XT2XVxZoVgk/s1600-h/WooBlog6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqF209iXWI/AAAAAAAAABY/XT2XVxZoVgk/s400/WooBlog6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254159092257283426" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-6202708468088570422?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-87257951087218218102008-08-14T12:57:00.003-05:002008-10-06T17:00:12.648-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqKODJRhKI/AAAAAAAAACA/FpzJqo8ygQM/s1600-h/08_08_Original_281-Edit_Blog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqKODJRhKI/AAAAAAAAACA/FpzJqo8ygQM/s400/08_08_Original_281-Edit_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254163889248109730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqKOw0JcOI/AAAAAAAAACI/rvJjbQaZWHY/s1600-h/08_08_Original_233_Blog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqKOw0JcOI/AAAAAAAAACI/rvJjbQaZWHY/s400/08_08_Original_233_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254163901507530978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqKP3ZvISI/AAAAAAAAACQ/JahK0QG91ic/s1600-h/08_08_Original_325_Blog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PzM0EzcvtS4/SOqKP3ZvISI/AAAAAAAAACQ/JahK0QG91ic/s400/08_08_Original_325_Blog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254163920455672098" /></a><br />It was August 12, 2004, and it was to be the first day of our annual family Boundary Waters Canoe trip. Instead of heading north however, I was speaking in front of 700 people at my mom's funeral. Instead of paddling on the clean water dreaming about smores over the campfire, I was kissing my mom goodbye in the pine coffin we made for her. Life changed.<div><br /></div><div>How could it not.</div><div><br /></div><div>So last weekend I decided to go back to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for the first time since her sudden death four years ago. It was only the second time in my life that I ventured there without her. Without her enthusiasm in meal and trip planning. Without her excitement about the adventures we will have. Without waking up to her reading her bible on some rock overlooking the water. Without her singing songs in the canoe as she paddled. Without her. Without my mom, my dear friend, forever.</div><div><br /></div><div>My husband and I went. And I had a big pity party. I cried. And cried. And I tried bargaining with God...again. And my wonderful husband let me work through it. And then I felt lighter. And then I felt better. And then I had a great trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>And next time will be easier. Or maybe it won't. But that's ok too. Anyone who is living through grief understands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately I inherited my mom's insane optimism. I am told that the sparkle in my eyes has returned and I am able to feel real joy over God's many blessings. I still look forward to tomorrow and clap when I am happy and want to believe the best will always come. And it will.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hesitated writing about this here. It is tempting to use the "happy photographer thoughts" filter and not mention anything else. But then that does not feel real. It does not feel like the open book that I tend to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>And to be honest, these real life times make me a better photographer. They make me know how precious today is and want to capture it all the more. My photographs of my mom are the most precious physical things I have from her life. They are what I treasure the most.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.akidslifephotography.com/A_Kids_Life_Photography/Welcome.html">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-8725795108721821810?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769734836900346448.post-57459455796728249432008-07-25T12:32:00.003-05:002008-10-13T01:00:06.489-05:00...my bloglife. I have never really understood the blog things kids these days talk about. (Yup, I am getting old enough to use phrases like "kids these days."). But I have recently stumbled upon a few photography blogs that I love and find myself reading (and even subscribing to) them. Now I get the blogdraw.<div><br /></div><div>Yes, welcome to 2008, Jessie.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started to see how it would it be great for current clients to get a peek at their images and for potential clients to see my most recent work and get to know me better.</div><div><br /></div><div>And so it begins. I hope you enjoy the images. I really do put my heart and soul into them...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://akidslifephotography.com">A Kid's Life Photography Website</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/769734836900346448-5745945579672824943?l=akidslifephotography.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>A Kid's Life Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603064549551933327noreply@blogger.com0