Rilo | 9 Months

This month is Rilo's 9 month as a member of our household. (Well, kind of, she was living in our house while she was in my belly, too.) I had wanted to do a beautiful, outdoor session this month, in the snow! But I couldn't wait for the snow. Even though we did finally get a wonderfully, large amount of snowfall, just yesterday, it would have been way to cold and maybe even a disaster, had I tried to attempt it.

I bet you guys thought I forgot this month, didn't you? :)

I didn't forget!! But as the holiday months go, I tend to fall behind on certain tasks that I normally have the time to complete. All of our family-christmas-get-togethers are now complete, and I'm actually a little saddened by that fact. December always seems to fly by. Lots and lots of preparation for the short periods of time that we spend with family. I have a big family with members in several different states, so I really do look forward to this time of year. (One sibling, I didn't get to see this year, is serving in the U.S. Navy, and though we were sad, we are also very proud of him.) But typically, the sadness begins with the goodbyes. I know I've heard people older than myself say, "The older you get, the faster the years fly by." I always just kind of grinned and acknowledged it without actually thinking about it. It's so true, though. At least for me, now it is becoming true. I think it is partially because the time spent with my family is further in between than it used to be. Most of us have families of our own now and there just isn't the time throughout the year to have regular get-togethers. I know that this is a natural part of life in the dynamic of growing families, so I make the best of it. That is why I always have my camera with me. (Barring the occasional mommy-brain forgetfulness.) There are just too many memories that need captured so that I may cherish them forever.  

Enough sentiment! Here are the images from our little Christmas themed shoot. I have been waiting almost 6 months to take her photos in this dress. I love it so much!

I hope you enjoy/ed all of the time you spend/spent with your loved ones this season!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! 

Enjoy. <3

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Rigsby | Family (In-Home Session)

Sometimes when you make plans, it doesn't go as expected and you are forced to improvise. This session is a reflection of such an occurrence.

We planned to do one of my typical outdoor family sessions but due to an unanticipated need for rescheduling our first date and then inclement weather for our second attempt, I suggested that we try an In-Home Session and see what we could come up with. 

I am so glad that we did. An In-Home Session has a more intimate feel (which I love!) and very simply captures the essence of a family dynamic. 

The Rigsby's are very sweet and laid back so they made my job easy. Even with little Stella being at the age of development when kids don't really care if you are there to take their photo, she still did a great job of cooperating.

Kids do so much better when they are able to be in their element and comfort zone. I often think about parents who take their kids to studios for portraits. (We have been those parents in the past.) I have even offered studio-style portraits. Some of them did not go over very well. What I have realized is that taking children to a place they have never been, in a place where they aren't allowed to touch anything, and expect them to sit still, look at a bright light and also, don't forget to be excited and smile, seems like the exact opposite way to capture a child's personality. It's no wonder family photos can and have been frustrating for so many families, not to mention the high expectations and unpredictability of the outcome for the photographer.

You also miss out on the opportunity to get those interactions that I think make the session! A warm embrace, a sweet little giggle, the grasp of tiny fingers, and even that fraction of a second when eyes lock, a smile peeks and the connection is so strong that you can feel it through your lens. That's what I love. Happy moments. That is what my photography is all about. That's why I love FAMILY photography. Childhood will become a glimpse in the rearview mirror of life. It happens before you know it. I have three young children and I already have to use photos of them to jog certain memories that I thought I would keep forever. I want my families (clients) to be able to use these photos to hold onto those memories. When there are too many to count and not enough room in your brain to store, you can look back through photos and remember with thorough enjoyment, all of those happy moments. 

Enjoy. <3

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