Trusting plan C

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. 

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. 

I was reminding myself of this as I was quickly trying to find a plan C during a company event I photographed recently.

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. 

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.

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.

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.)

After the group photograph I turned around to capture this shot which pretty much speaks for itself...

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!

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...

A Kid's Life Photography Website

Hard to use the word "spit" for such a pretty girl.

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.)

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.

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... 

A Kid's Life Photography Website

The Unaware Beauty

There are a few things you should know before I begin my story...

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).

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.

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?

I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites from the day...

A Kid's Life Photography Website

It's all fun and games until someone poops in the tub...

The 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. 

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.

A Kid's Life Photography Website

He was pick-my-jaw-up-off-the-ground-good...

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.

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.

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...

A Kid's Life Photography Website

The two-dog road trip...

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.

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.

Enjoy the images from our photo shoot at the dog park...

A Kid's Life Photography Website

We all deserve the occasional pity party...

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.

How could it not.

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.

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.

And next time will be easier. Or maybe it won't. But that's ok too. Anyone who is living through grief understands.

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.

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.

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.

A Kid's Life Photography Website