The best gift

This little beauty turns one this month.  I know her family counts her as the best gift they've received at Christmas.  Their love for her is evident in everything they do for her.  Thanks for a great morning at the capitol.

I had to repost this one all by itself.  I love this peek through the doorway.

Life with a new baby...this mom makes it look easy [and beautiful].  

Photos from home.  A rare glimpse of boy.

Clara

Girl and Nallah.

Christmas at home.

My bug eyed girl.

Boy.

Charlie Brown Christmas.

In 2017,  I'll be creating more images in black and white.  There's just something about it.  The light; the shadow.  It pares a photo down to its most basic elements; highlights the emotion, the moment.

I love an in-home session in black and white.  Low light, window light, shadows...they all add so much to your photos. 

Here are a few of my favorite B&W images from the last couple years.

To start with, a favorite photo from this year...

I've been home for a couple weeks recuperating from surgery.  I am never home.  And I don't know what to do with my time!  So I think.  And read.  And think some more.

One of the things I've been thinking a lot about is photography.  What are my goals?  Am I the kind of photographer I want to be?  Where do I want to take my business in the year and decade ahead of me?

I'm not sure about the answers to most of these questions.  And even if I did, my answer would probably change some over time.  But there are some things I do know; that I do value as a photographer.

I value you.  My clients who have become friends over time.  People that I get truly excited to hear from each time you call or email to book a session.  I have met some amazing people through photography.

I value relationships.  I take a lot of photos.  A LOT.   Thousands.  And the ones that make me pause; the ones that make me tear up and feel something are the ones that show how people feel about each other.

I value childhood.  There is nothing so miraculous as a child.  It is what drew me to teaching in early childhood and it is what continues to fuel my creativity as a photographer.  Every quirky, silly, stubborn, laughter filled moment of childhood is amazing to me.

And I value real.  I can take a posed photo.  I can set up a situation where I'll get a shot that is meaningful to you.  But it is those moments in between.  That second when you didn't know I was watching that the magic happens.  

So as I move ahead in to 2017, I will be redefining my business and my goals for myself as a photographer.  I want to share that journey with you, my clients and friends, over the next several weeks.  I hope you'll tune in and come along for the ride!

The video below shows some of my favorite images from the last couple years and is a preview of where I'd like to head in 2017.  I am a tech failure, so you'll have to copy and paste into your browser...sorry!


https://animoto.com/play/tKjfnq1es1n5gMcxLx11uw

I spent a couple hours today with these sweet girls and their momma wandering around the most lovely farm.  We were just outside Frankfort...it just amazes me that you can go 5 minutes outside town and find such a lovely, peaceful bit of country tuck away like a secret.  Many thanks to our kind hostess on the farm!

A highlight for me (aside from the wonderful company!) was meeting these two; Precious and Halley's Comet.  They were happy to have the company and we were happy to pet and play with them for a while.  Though I do suspect our visit was slightly disappointing because we didn't bring any snacks for them.  They were gentle and so friendly and I was amazed how soft they were to pet.