Ok, this little man could be a model. Not only is he about as cute as a kid can be, but he’s sweet, too. I was so happy to see that his mom booked another session with me. He was sweet, cute and fun the last time I captured him in Capitola. The photo session was well-timed, too. He is entering the school-age phase, but hasn’t lost any teeth yet, which means that this is his last photo session with all of his sweet baby teeth. Good timing, indeed! (although I also LOVE capturing kids when they have big gaps and funny teeth growing in. Delightfully awkward.)
One of my favorite places on earth; Big Bay State Park, Apostle Islands, Wisconsin. The water here is unmatched in its clarity, freshness, sparkle and beauty (in my humble opinion). I do enjoy the ocean, but having grown up swimming in fresh water lakes and swimming in this most beautiful and majestic lake (and the largest lake in the world, too!), I simply gravitate to the cool freshness of a Midwestern lake. That sail boat in the distance is my Dad’s boat, and our transportation to this Madeline Island beach and that little person bobbing in the lake is my nine-year-old daughter, who I believe is part fish.
One of the biggest blessings of my job is being a part of a new family. What a privilege to be there in those first days or weeks of a new family’s life. This lovely family was no exception. It was heartwarming to see the love they have for each other and for their new little love. There are few times in life as precious as this!
I’ve made it THREE days now. Can you belive it?! Today was more of a family day and I almost didn’t remember . . . It was COLD here in Milwaukee today. The actual temp was 43 degrees but it was windy and the “feels like” temp was 33. It WAS very cold. My kiddos had fun anyway. We carved pumpkins at lunchtime and then dressed up and headed out for an afternoon of Trick-or-Treating. Apparently there was once an abduction or something on Halloween night in Milwaukee, so they moved Trick-or-Treating up into daylight.
Here are my three youngest, all dressed up. (the Teenager volunteered again this year to hand out candy at home.)
Lydia was the most adorable Sock Monkey I have ever seen. Poor thing is still very sick (been sick since Monday, I think the Piggy Flu) so she only made it to a few homes. Made me so sad, because she has been looking forward to trick-or-treating for weeks. These are from before we went out. I should have taken a picture a minute later, when she laid down in the leaves from exhaustion.
MissAlayneous wanted to be a Gypsy and we struggled with finding a costume that was appropriate. Then, on Wednesday afternoon she and I raided my closet and viola!; a Gypsy. A pretty one, too. While Layna was parading about in this get-up, Lydia asked me “Mommy, did you not ‘buyed’ that costume? You made it?” I told her I did and she said, “You are GREEEAT, Mommy!” Sigh- I’ll take it!
Isaiah’s costume was a HUGE hit in the neighborhood. He was a Ace garbage can. LOL. He would waddle up to the porch and get all put away. Alayna would ring the doorbell and the people would come out and wonder what was going on. Until . . . Isaiah’s hand would pop out of the can! Several people thought we’d dragged a big garbage can with us to hold all the loot. Too funny.
Here is a little video of Isaiah’s costume in action. ha!
Okay, I just gotta’ say, I LOVE being a kid & family photographer. I love it! I won’t kid you when I say that there are times when I am tired, or overwhelmed, or that I don’t miss miss miss my family when I am in California shooting. But there are so many moments when my heart just swells with happiness; seeing my favorite clients year after year as they grow and change and come to be my friends, doing something new and fresh with an adventurous client and then opening the file when I get back in my office and my heart skipping a beat with the thrill of it, hearing my clients tell me just how precious their images are to them as the years go by, having a client who loves my work so much that she saves for several years so she can hire me AND have every image she loves on display in her home, and just knowing that what I do brings happiness into so many lives. Can you TELL, I love my job???
This shot is one of those that was born of a great idea, fun fun fun clients who let me “do my thing” and this image is one of those that gives my heart a flutter when I open it on my computer and see that my vision is a reality. Doncha’ just love it? Mind you, Dad and I just about tossed our cookies, ha ha! But it was worth it.
This adorable set of twins really cracked me up. They were high-energy from the starting gate and they never stopped! I LOVE it. These shots and more just as fun were from a short & sweet session at Crissy Field in San Francisco. Chrissy Field is such a great location and convenient for my San Francisco and North Bay clients. We will have to do another session there again soon.
Sometimes I wish my house was quieter when I am trying to write an email or a blog post (for reference, right now, Lydia is next to me at my desk, coloring a picture and singing her thoughts into an impromptu and never-ending song). Sometimes I wish that I didn’t have to replace an expensive print because some small person drove a hot-wheels over it before we could package it. Sometimes I wish that the sound of sibling squabbles, the Wii, and a million home-work questions didn’t waft up the stairs to my office all afternoon. Sometimes I wish that my kids didn’t have to tell me EVERY detail of their day, in my ear, while I edit photos. Some days, when the clock tells me its time to ride my bike down to the elementary school to pick up my daughter, I wish I had a few more minutes to finish what I am doing. But everyday I am glad that our crazy lifestyle is what it is.
I am thankful that I get to hear those beautiful songs about life, sung to me by my rapidly growing preschooler. I am thankful that I am the one who helps my kids do their homework, resolve their conflicts or learn of their latest Wii accomplishments. Everyday I am thankful that my kids want to tell me about their day, and that they can. And every time I ride along Milwaukee River Parkway with my daughter peddling hard in front of me, my heart swells a little with happiness and contentment.
This self-employed, work-from-home-life is a recipe for complete chaos; especially when you have four kids, your youngest doesn’t go to daycare and you are a complete softy when it comes to moms-at-work interruptions. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
* Yesterday, Brian and I slipped out into the back yard to attempt to hold a strategy meeting at the picnic table. Within 20 seconds, this was what our “meeting” looked like! I had to run for the camera, because this moment is a perfect example of our everyday reality; and what a good one it is!!
Sometimes, when I sit down at my computer and peek at the images I captured at a session, I see an image that makes my heart skip a beat. This is one of those images. I just love what this image communicates. Of course, I love this family, too, which probably helps. I have enjoyed getting to know them and watching their family grow. What a cool job I have, doncha’ think?
Ok, the grand opening was actually a couple months ago already (wow, time flies) but I haven’t shared my images from our wonderful event and the beautiful new digs our company has. Stop by sometime when you are out and about and say “hi!”. This location is really perfect and all of the clients who have come in to pick up their orders or to view thier session images have felt right at home. Check out our images and stop by soon. We are in Los Gatos, on Los Gatos Blvd., above Trader Joe’s.
