"grand" sessions

I’ve heard that being a grandparent is the best thing. Better than being a parent. Grandparents can be all the fun, sugar the cuties up, and then send them home. Whether all grandparents do that or not, it seems like a pretty sweet gig. And most grandparents I’ve met just love being one.

I’m assuming that maybe the best gift for a grandma is a picture of all her grandchildren together…so she can look at them after she sends them home.

So this is the message: get all the grandkids together, take a picture, print it, frame it, and gift it to the grandma and pap. Or better yet, invite the grandparents to be IN the pictures too!

Get inspired by some portraits from past “grand” sessions. (This is also my reminder to get my nieces, nephew, and girls together for a portrait this year!)

This most recent winter session was perfection with all the cousins together at the family farm. Afterwards they warmed up with hot cocoa and brownies.

And don’t just do this once…maybe every couple of years. The picture below is of the same kids four years ago! How they have grown!

The cousins will cherish these pictures too! (And I loved and appreciated the simplicity of their outfits: Carhartt hat, jean jacket, and gloves. Sometimes it can be intimidating pulling together outfits for a large group. Follow this family’s lead: find one or two things to have in common and then let their personalities shine through with the rest of their outfit!)

Getting all your people together can sometimes feel complicated with everyone’s different schedules, but it is worth it!

Many of these “grand” sessions took place in the grandparent’s back yards. Afterwards, they had lunch or a bonfire; something to make it more than just about the photos. About being together. Isn’t that what it’s all about?!

And now to update this last picture for my mom…

a random January day

About once a year I decide to grab my camera as often as I can to document just an ordinary day. A “Day in the Life.” Or DITL, if you will. It seems to happen late December or January. Each year I think I will make this happen each month, or at least each season. Unfortunately, I haven’t done it more than once a year. Maybe this will be the year?

Regardless of how I often I do this or what my intentions are, I am glad I do it. I read a book in high school, or maybe it was a play, but there was this quote that I obviously have forgotten and will butcher. But something about: if I could go back in time I would choose just an ordinary day to go back to because those are the days when nothing but everything happened.

So here is an ordinary January day that I can go back to…

The twinkle lights make the dark mornings cozy. The falling pictures on the wall remind me that Parabo Press never should have stop selling their sticky magnets. They are about five years old and are worn out. But I still hang everyday memories on the wall.

Feeding the chickens and goats.

One bonus of homeschooling is we can start our day however we need or want. Most snowy mornings, sledding is part of the schedule.

The time between coming in from outside and when breakfast is served is used differently by everyone. Some are studious and squeeze a few minutes of a hobby in while others just brush their hair, change their clothes and may or may not annoy someone else in the process.

After breakfast we do a quick fifteen minute clean up. Dishes washed. Floors swept. Bathroom cleaned. Living room blessed. (Side note on the snowman plates. My mom gave them to me one Christmas. They are something I never would have bought myself but so happy to have.)

We are traveling around the world through books and youtube videos this month. Each day we pick one animal or landmark in a country to read and learn about. Then the girls each draw and write about it. It is fun to have the different ages. The oldest’s entries are more factual and organized while the youngests’ are funny and a bit ridiculous. For example, “Hello! My name is Tiddles. I love, love the rainforest. It has Amazon trucks and everything can be delivered in two days. It is 100 degrees and always rains. I love my beak. I love throwing my food up in the air and catching it. No one else really does that.” There is always a hidden bit of truth mixed with the fun of being seven.

This melts my heart and has become a daily occurrence: the middle reading to the twins. It might be because she has “read aloud - 10 minutes” on her daily to-do list and she doesn’t want to read to me, but I will take it. Everyone is winning here.

Everyone wants to snuggle with the cat. Everyone wants to be in the bed by the window that looks out at the bird feeder. The cat tolerates it all. Sometimes the sister tolerates it too.

Lunch is usually a picnic on the living room floor and we watch the daily World Watch news for kids and maybe another video on something they are learning about or interested in.

Art happened. Made animal carnival masks.

A quick look at the birds. We have a wood pecker who visits the tree right outside the window. A pair of blue jays along with a bunch of other birds are thankful for the sunflower seeds in the bird feeder.

Then it’s back outside with the snow.

The dinner makers.

A game of Clue Jr with the littles while the olders played rummy with their dad.

Some night time reading.

So thankful for these ordinary days.

a "dream" session

My awesome friend who makes the best sourdough bread invited me over to photograph her family one Saturday morning last September. It was suppose to be “Breakfast and Baseball” and I was to get there at breakfast time, capture their time together and then go out to the backyard for some baseball. But life happens, and little boys woke earlier and demanded to be fed before I was there. It’s all good because it was way better than the dreams I had leading up to this session.

First dream: The session is to start at 8am. I leave my house at 10am and forget my camera.

Second dream: The session is to start at 8am. I leave my house at 8:45am and get stuck in the snow on the way there. Good thing I work out because I was able to pull my car out of the snowdrift, put it back on the road, and only arrive an hour late.

I have no idea why I had such stressful dreams. I still get a little nervous going to sessions. Supposedly, that means that I care. And I do. I want to do a good job and do not want to disappoint.

Here are a few memories I captured of her family that beautiful fall morning.

Like many moms, they are missing in most pictures because they are always the ones taking them. The main request for this session was to make sure Mom was front and center. As I was writing this and pulling images to include, I was thinking how this would be perfect for Mother’s Day…but then I would have to write a different blog for today. (And the dream of getting stuck in the snow ties in nicely this time of year, just hoping that it doesn’t really happen!)

an anniversary and a new year

Most of my early New Year Eve memories consist of waking up to an empty living room with kazoos everywhere on the floor. I probably slept through the majority of the NYE ball drops. Last year, however, I was asked to photograph a New Year’s Eve wedding; so I was awake when the countdown began and the ball dropped to welcome in 2024. It was a great wedding and a good year, so maybe I will stay awake this New Year’s Eve.

Happy Anniversary, Amanda and Adam! And wishing you all a Happy New Year!

the perfect session

A fun and beautiful girl in an iconic city on a perfect summer evening is the a recipe for the best senior session. The icing on the cake is that I’ve know this girl since she was born and her mom knew me since I was born. But the cherry on top is that I got to ride to and from the session with her and I didn’t have to drive.

I’m thinking that we should have stopped for ice cream afterwards. That would have made this session legendary. Maybe I just want some ice cream now. No, that is not what this is about….

The recipe for the perfect senior session. What can you do to have a great session? Have fun. Be chill. Smile. Laugh. Wear clothes you are comfortable in. Brush your teeth. And know that it’s not the scenery that makes the picture…it’s you!

a story about my mom and family portraits

“Can you tell me a story about when you were a little girl?” That seems to be the most frequently asked question by M&M these days. Sometimes I struggle to think of a memory and I find myself retelling the same story over and over again. My first memory I tend to be telling a lot. It has to do with my mom and family portraits so it’s a perfect time to share this Mother’s Day weekend.

Once upon a time I was born to a mother with three sons. When she found out she was pregnant with twins she secretly bought two bonnets in hopes those babies would be girls. Those bonnets did not go to waste. And then she began living any five year old’s dream of dressing babies in filly socks, pretty dresses, and bonnets. For as long as my sister would let her, we matched or coordinated. And naturally, for family portraits, my mom dolled us up.

I had pin straight hair and woke up looking like before I told the moon goodnight. My sister had crazy, full, thick, beautiful hair and my dad always commented on her “lion’s mane” at breakfast. So while I might not have had to brush my hair in the morning, the curling iron did nothing for me but everything for my twin.

One evening, I remember getting ready for family portraits in my mother’s room. My sister and I wore matching blue dresses and my mom was curling our hair. As mentioned before, my sister’s hair was curling, mine was not. I remember feeling so bummed, left out or however a 3 year old feels when her sister has nice soft curls on her shoulders and she does not. Then my mom did something I still remember. I’m sure she said something like, “You’re beautiful just the way God made you.” But she let me wear one of her necklaces. I felt so special and grown up.

My mom does not remember that simple act, but I do (and there is proof in the pictures of a girl with straight hair wearing a necklace). Every time I see that picture I think of her and her love for me. And I think that is one of the most important purposes of a picture.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and to all the moms, aunts, and awesome women who love on their children and may those children know and feel that they are loved.

b&w personally portraits

Life isn’t always black and white, but 71% of the pictures hanging in my home are (and I counted and did the calculation…I didn’t just make that number up). Honestly, I thought that I’d have more, but it’s safe to say that I love black and white photography.

It could be that nostalgia feeling black and white photos have. Or that the expression, a certain detail or feature takes center stage. Or the simple fact that I don’t have to worry about colors or outfits matching in a portrait (and that is probably the truth. When my girls started dressing themselves and not giving a care about how they should maybe coordinate with each other, I turned everything b&w….and I’m not mad about it.).

This winter I offered b&w personality portrait mini sessions because I love b&w and hoped others would too. They were perfect for moms who wanted updated portraits of their little ones…or teenagers! Some added a winter accessory for winter pictures. A few wanted to capture a milestone…such as birthday portraits or the cuteness of missing two front teeth! Kids wore whatever they wanted and had the time to be silly or serious and everything in between. Because of the casualness, it was low pressure and the results made the mamas send me heart emojis saying that they loooooved them!

one afternoon...

“Mom, what does your wedding dress look like?” Molly asked as she was drawing on my bed after lessons. It was a little after 1pm on a Thursday. No one had eaten lunch and no one had made lunch either. The rest of the girls were outside playing in the snow. Hmmm, why don’t I just dig that dress out of the closet and show her. So I did. And then I put it on. And then she gasped, “Oh, Mommy, it’s so beautiful. You look like a queen.” (Well, maybe she didn't say those exact words but it’s believable.).

I knocked on the window to get the girls’ attention outside. They squealed when they saw me in the dress, left their sleds behind and ran into the house. “Can I try it on first? Can I try it on next?”

I dug out bridesmaid dresses I had kept from friends’ wedding and all the girls tried them all on, finding their favorites. Good thing knee length dresses were popular back then…they fit the 6 year-olds perfectly with the hem gracing the floor.

They rotated dresses, each trying on the wedding dress. And then Lucy found one of Daryl’s vest he wore in a wedding…and hilarity broke out with oversized dress pants and clunky boots.

The story ends with my sister-in-law dropping off pepperoni rolls for a fundraiser and my kids saying, “Oh, we can have these for lunch!”…at 3pm.

It was an afternoon we all will remember. And if we forget, there are these pictures to remind us. Everyday memories.

no one likes laundry

This is a total random post. I have been wanting to continue on with the blog just for the sake of writing a little, updating my website, and reminding people that, yes, I do photograph families and weddings. But I overthink little things too much and never know what to do first.

As I was reading my Friday Free Write with the girls (we homeschool and on Fridays we write from a random prompt and then read what we wrote to each other), they giggled and I realized, “hmmm, maybe I should just share this.” So here’s a little story I made up in 5 minutes and an ordinary photo of folding laundry…because I am all about the ordinary everyday and memories.

Friday Free Write prompt: It’s laundry day and the washer and dryer are arguing about who has the harder job. Write their conversation.

It was an ordinary day in the Moore house. And ordinary days meant at least one load of laundry. One load of the Mrs’ clothes, a load of the Mr’s work clothes, or a load mixed with all the kids’ clothes.

“Ah, man! I hate getting wet!” complained the washer. “Every single day!”

“Oh, what are you complaining about?” asked the dryer. “Every day I am loaded up with heavy wet clothes from you and heated up so that these people don’t have to hang them up on a line to dry. What I’d give to do your job and be refreshed with cool water.”

“Oh, poor little dryer!” retorted the washer. “How do you think it feels to have to spin all that water out of the clothes? Around and around and around! I am so dizzy afterwards with a headache I wish they’d give me a Tylenol!”

“Well, I am sorry about the headache, but I also spin and spin constantly, around and around, only under constant heat and guess what?”

“What?” replied the washer with an eye roll.

“Afterwards, my mouth gets filled with fluffy lint…and sometimes those kids forget to empty me and I have to work, all hot and spinning with a mouthful of lint. I mean, I could really use some refreshing water after a load like that!”

“Yes, a mouthful of lint sounds disgusting! But you do have the pleasure of working with CLEAN clothes (thanks to me)! I have to wash out all that dirt and gunk! That yuck floats around my mouth. It’s like rinsing out your mouth with dirty mouthwash!”

“What are you both complaining about?” piped the laundry basket. “I sit here full of mismatched socks and shirts no one wears anymore but doesn’t do anything with. I don’t get to move. I feel useless…I mean clothes are overflowing onto the floor, I’m not sure I even have a purpose! What' I’d give to have one of your jobs!”

“I guess we can all agree…” said the washer.

“No one likes doing the laundry!” finished the dryer.

holding hands.

With his arm by his side and both of her hands wrapped lovingly around his, Danielle and Nick started their life together holding hands on their February wedding day. I swear they held hands like this all day. There are photos to prove it (and of course, quite a few photos to prove that it was impossible). But I image in fifty years, I might see them still holding hands like this. I hope I do. Everyone needs a hand to hold in this life.

On Nick and Danielle’s February wedding day, friends and family joined together to celebrate their commitment to each other. It was a chilly, almost white, winter day. She wanted a white wedding and she almost got it, but I’m sure that she would have married him whether it was almost snowy or not.

The moments when no one is suppose to be watching and they are fixing the little details…and there they are holding hands.

They ventured out for some portraits outside. It was so cold, but they had fun and cute little red noses when they came back in.

And during their ceremony….I just love the way she holds his hand.

As a photographer, my job is to document the day, capturing moments and portraits for the couple to look back on and remember the day they said, “I do.” Danielle and Nick might not have ever noticed how they hold hands, but on their February wedding day, that it is all I noticed.

Adventure.

Adventure. I just looked up the definition. Googles defines it as “an unusual or exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.” According this definition, I doubt any mother would want to choose this as her “word of the year.” (The “hazardous” part is what really puts it over the top for me. hahaha). I searched a little more and found “an adventure involves challenging ourselves or trying out something new in life.” Now that seems a little more reasonable.

I have a friend who chose the word “adventure” for her word of the year. She has three young kids and believes that adventuring together promotes growth in character and strengthens family bonds and memories. This winter, I documented her adventures in the snow with friends and family; and just last month I photographed her family’s adventure of disc golfing at a local park.

Disc golfing is an “everyday adventure” for this family. They go often and even competed in a tournament a week or so ago. Both kids and parents have their own discs (even though on this adventure, the kids seems preoccupied with a wooden sword, creek creatures, grandparents and dogs). I think it is great that this family has committed to finding and doing outdoor activities that include both the young and old! Disc golf is a spring/summer activity for this family and it was important to them to include it in their adventure sessions this year.

What about you? Do you have any adventures your family loves to do that might be pushing you out of your comfort zone or ordinary routine? Camping? Creek exploring? Ice cream shoppe hopping? (Now that is something I could get into!). Mini golfing? The list goes on. I am here to tell you that if you have an adventure you love experiencing or are looking forward to, consider hiring a documentary photographer. Memories and portraits will be fondly flipped through in a book that your family will treasure.

This is my favorite image from their evening adventure. Grandpa’s dog loving on the littlest boy.

The kids loved the water fountain. Details of the location bring back memories too!

The grandest of grandparents!

My friend’s disc golf form.

Creeking in the middle of the disc golf course.

Portraits happen during adventure sessions too!

Signing off with more doggie kisses. Enjoy your weekend!

what I want to remember.

Last week I posed the question, “What do you want to remember about this time next year or in 20 years?” So this week, I decided to take the time to think about that and then consciously looked for those little moments and memories. I am sure I did not notice everything but here are a few nuggets I am treasuring:

One of the sweetest things that M&M do is share an imaginary kitten. This kitten does not have a name and they do not take care of it all the time. But occasionally I will see Molly “holding” it softly in her cupped hands and Maggie will pet it and “ohhh, and ahhh” over it. They also give it rides in their tricycle’s basket.

However, a kitten is not the only imaginary friend they have. The other day, Molly handed me an invincible balloon and if it is raining, they will hold imaginary umbrellas (bc you know, when it’s raining, we rarely have a real one!). I’m sure this is an ordinary occurrence for most three year olds, but my other girls did not do this and I just love that they share this imagination. I did not share my imaginary friend with my sister!!

The getting to bed; the baths, the brushing of teeth, and the making sure M&M go potty is not my favorite part of the day. But the “right-after” is. When I lay down beside my girls and read them stories, I might live my whole day for that. I hope they always want me to read to them.

M&M go to bed first. I read about 2-3 picture books…some more than once. One thing that makes me smile is that they will pick out characters in the story they want to be and I must replace that character’s name with theirs. And if I forget to, they are quick to correct me, “No, that’s Maggie!” After I convince them we have read enough stories, I play some JJ Heller music to indicate it’s time to close those pretty blue eyes. They curl up and ask me to hold their little hands while they drift off to dreamland. Once again, I might just live for these little moments.

The older “L’s” get in bed right afterwards. Leah is already asleep or falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow. But Lilly and Lucy stay up and listen to me read a chapter or two of a book. Lucy asks a lot of questions to get everything straight in her brain, Lilly usually gets annoyed with this. Lucy also wants me to stop sooner than Lilly because she is tired and does not want to miss any part of the story if she should fall asleep. And once again, Lilly is frustrated with that. But we are working of compromise, patience, and respect. Not sure any of that is kicking in, but some day it will.

One day while in Target, the girls decided they all wanted new notebooks. I like notebooks. I’m trying to foster writing and creative endeavors. What I do not like are half full notebooks lying around the house. So, everyday I remind them to write or draw in their notebooks.

Lilly will usually write 3-4 sentences about the events of the day and draw a small picture.

Lucy writes as if she is someone else living the best life. For instance, “My name is JoJo and I live in Florida. I can go to the beach a lot. I have a little brother and he is so cute.” She draws a scene with all the details.

And Leah draws a picture of her with her favorite people or toy and labels it. I love how little kids draw. They put to paper what they see and are super proud of it.

This spring, the neighbor girl discovered that there is a house full of girls and toys right beside her. Everyone’s life has been changed. Each day they look forward to her coming over and if we are at the farm, they hope there is time to play in the yard with her before bedtime. I am envisioning a Kimmy Gibbler (from Full House) situation. She shows up and is basically part of the family while she is here. And if this continues, someone might confuse her as a sister.

Not all of these treasures have been captured in camera…yet. I have to remind myself that not all memories have to be in a photograph; they can be written, painted, a video or simply engraved on our hearts.

Her giggle always makes my day better. She is Jolly Molly. If you ask her what her name is, she will most likely add a “jolly” at the end.

In the mornings, my kids will find me outside working out. If they wake up before I am up, they will automatically go to the front door and look on the porch. I love how they come to me, in their jammies. messy hair, and teddy bears.

Everyone loving on the neighbor girl. I love the friendships that are developing.

M&M refer to a trampoline as a “jump-o-line.”

This power wheels does not have a battery, but the girls have way more fun with it now!

June begins berry-picking month!

Daisies are my favorite.

Summer humid curls are something I hope they always have.

Here is a page from Leah’s notebook. I love love love how she writes her name. I secretly hope that she never changes it…it’s signature, you know?!

Thank you for reading and enjoy this day!!

what do you want to remember?

What do you want to remember about this time in your life in a year or two, or ten and twenty? That’s a question I am starting to ask the families I photograph. Honestly, I am not sure I know the answer to that for myself! Sometimes life feels so redundant, mundane; each day feeling the same as the one before. Unless there is a major life change, it can take some reflection on what is important, special, or what you don’t want to forget. And maybe you won’t even know the significance a photo until years later.

So when I asked this family, why a session now? What do you want to remember about this slice of life? What are the kids doing that they might not be doing in a year or two from now? Dinosaurs, daffodils, and a daughter who plans to attend a boarding school this fall were the main reasons.

Their living room looks like a Jurassic World because the boy spends his mornings playing with all his dinosaurs. It’s amazing how little kids can memorize (and pronounce!) all the dinosaurs’ names, what they eat and any other fact they can gather. My question is: when they grow up and if they are not a paleontologist, do they remember all these names and facts?

Daffodils are the sure sign of spring. The only problem with flowers is that they “are here today and gone tomorrow.” The mom planted daffodil bulbs last fall and was looking forward to seeing them bloom so we planned the session at a time during their fullest glory. Unfortunately we had to reschedule and missed the yellow beauties, but I am sure she enjoyed them. But even if a memory cannot be recorded, it does not mean it will be forgotten. Some memories you hold in your heart and others come back every year in the form of flowers.

When I arrived at their house on a Saturday evening, everyone was dressed casual. The mom smiled as she remarked how her son had come down wearing a collared shirt and dress pants because he thought that’s what he had to wear to get his pictures taken. She thought it was so sweet, but told him, “you can wear your jeans and a regular shirt.” That’s one of the many reasons I love having in-home sessions, they are more about the memories and connections than looking or acting perfect.

I mentioned above how major life changes are a reason for wanting to capture the moment. This fall the daughter is planning to move across the state to attend a boarding school (the same one her mother and aunts attended growing up!). Another reason for pictures…a person who spent 16 years in the same house is moving away and looking at pictures of a normal Saturday (ok, normalish Saturday because there is usually not a photographer there taking pictures) helps to bring back those feelings of “this is what is was like;” this is what it felt like. I like those feelings. I think other families do too.

So, now, my question is, “do we really need a reason to have our pictures taken?” Nope. We just need to take them. Because I am sure that in a year or two, or five or twenty-five, you will have a reason to have taken those pictures. To remember the ordinary days. To remember that feeling of what it was like. And to be thankful for that season.

Mother's Day Memories

Mother’s Day is always the 2nd Sunday in May. It should be filled with flowers, special meals and pampering. However, that is not always the case…

The first memory of Mother’s Day I have was in first or second grade. We made little crafts for our mothers and a menu for her to have breakfast in bed. The menu had toast and a glass of orange juice…which would be appropriate for a 6-7 year old to prepare and serve. I remember thinking, “My mom is always up before I am, how am I going to get her back in bed to serve her breakfast? Do the other kids really do this? Are other mother’s still in bed when their kids wake up?”

Another Mother’s Day memory is on a Sunday after church, trying to find a place to eat that wasn’t crowded so we could get to my grandma’s house for dessert. Where did we take our mom for Mother’s Day that year? Pizza Hut. No lines. No wait. Fresh pizza. And we arrived at Grandma’s house right on time. Win. Win. Win. Win. So now the joke is, “If you want to take your mom out to eat on Mother’s Day but do not want to wait in line, go to Pizza Hut.”

One of the best gifts we gave my mom (besides “good children”…that is the only thing she ever asked for) was taking ourselves to JCPenny and getting our picture taken. It was the year I graduated from college and the May before my oldest brother got married. It’s a good picture of all of us but also one that would be funny to “recreate” some day. It still hangs in the living room and I know my mom loved that we surprised her with it.

So this year for Mother’s Day, the plan is have lunch with my mom and maybe update some pictures…because the last picture I have of just her & I is from May 2018. I hope you all are able to take the time to celebrate the women in your life this Sunday. The one who gave birth to you, raised you, and/or influenced you in some meaningful way. And Happy Mother’s Day to all the women out there with a mother’s heart.

And just a little tribute to my mom…she is basically the Proverbs 31 woman. She would not admit that and may be slightly embarrassed that I am even claiming it. But if you read Proverbs 31, you will find a description of my mom. She worked with her hands, heart, and head to make the home I grew up in a good one and continues to do so to be light and love to her family…I guess it’s true, a mother’s work is never done.

what this mom said.

It’s spring and I can see the green buds starting to fill the trees. Yesterday my kids probably spent a good 5 plus hours outside playing in the warm sunshine, the green grass and the mud. It was a good day. However, I am not going to talk about spring or spring sessions. I’m just going to share what one mom wrote on her Facebook page last fall after I delivered her family’s gallery.

“Thank you to the amazingly talented StacyRae for photographing this moment in time of our family.

You captured Max’s serious nature and the silliness of Sam while keeping our whole family at ease and laughing the entire time.

To the self-conscious moms like myself, get in front of the camera. I almost cancelled this session. I haven’t felt good about myself lately, and dreaded seeing myself on camera. I’m glad I (somewhat) let that go and decided to go forward with the shoot. Look at these boys-I can’t image not having these memories.

If you are in the Pittsburgh area and looking for a great photographer, check out StacyRae Photography.”

I love connecting with you and your family. And I aim to make it fun…because these are memories too. Memories that will either be hung on your wall or in an album but most importantly, in the hearts and memories of your family..so let’s make it fun, let’s make it easy, let’s make it about you and your family.

Enjoy a few of the favorites from this fall session.

Easter Stories

Lately I have been trying to tell better stories through my photography. Honestly, I have never been that great at storytelling vocally. (If you know me, you know it’s true…I ramble, I add random unnecessary details, I leave important details out, I skip around…and the list could go on.). But the desire to record a story someone would want to listen to, read, or enjoy visually has been in my bones since the 4th grade when I decided I was going to be the next Laura Ingalls Wilder and write a series of books about my childhood. While I realize that will probably never happen, I can still do what makes me happy and work on some skills I’ve always wanted.

A couple weeks ago I came across the documentary photographer Dan Milnor’s youtube video about ‘Storytelling through Images.” He discussed the five elements (or images) that make up a good photo essay (how to tell a good story through a few images). They are scene setter, portrait, transitional, detail, and landscape.

Like the start of any good story, a scene setter gives context on the “where” the story is taking place. A portrait will tell “who” the story is about or at least a participating character. A transitional image is one that “gives the reader a bridge from one section of the story to another.” A detail image brings a little more specific interest to the story; and lastly, a landscape is another picture that sets a “sense of place and tone.”

The challenge for me is to narrow all my images down to the 5 that tell the story. I do not want to be a “rambler” in my photographic storytelling like I am in real life (haha!). So yesterday we dyed Easter eggs and I decided to pick 5 images that tell the story of those 40-ish minutes. Enjoy my little story.

The scene setter: all the kids at the table in the house. I tried to be a little creative and shoot it through the window looking in. I shot several images of this same scene inside, but when I asked my editor (my daughter Lucy), this is the one that made the cut.

The portrait: I have serval “portraits” that I shot, but this one wins. It’s shot vertical (also known as “portrait” orientation) and this is my favorite “portrait” light too.

The transitional image: getting the egg out of the cup. I love this because Lilly is helping Molly and Molly is concerned with her bunny ears falling. It helps transition the story from egg in the dye to out and done.

The detail shot: had to be in color bc Easter eggs are meant for color.

This landscape image ends the story. No more kids, but a mess left to clean up.

Thanks for “reading” my little story. And since it is Easter weekend, I am going to leave you with two of my favorite “details” in the Easter story.

When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers and religious leaders who condemned Jesus to death, mocked Him saying, “He saved others, but He can’t save Himself” and “If you are Kind of the Jews, why don’t you save yourself?” Today and everyday I am thankful Jesus did not prove them wrong. He chose to stay on the cross for my sins and yours because of His great love.

If you read the Resurrection account in the book of John, I love how he specifically mentions how he outran Peter to the empty tomb. It’s all in the details.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Family Albums

How do you treasure your photos? Do you leave them on your phone? Do you print them in 4x6’s and put them in those albums? Do you print to hang on your walls? Do you make a photo book (or several) each year of your favorite memories?

What about those pictures you hired a professional to take? Do you get those printed and hung on your wall in a timely manner? Do they live on your computer with the intention of being printed in a book but that never happens?

Sorry about all the questions. I guess I was trying to make a point or to get you thinking. Many moms I have talked to say they print their pictures but not always in a timely manner…they know they want pictures every year of their growing family but are unsure of how to print them and which ones to include in an album or to hang on the wall. Decision paralysis I think it is called.

Well, good news! I have decided to offer albums with my sessions. Just one less thing you have to worry about. Along with your online gallery, I will provide a preview of an album already designed for you. If you like it, I can order and deliver it to your door :) How easy is that? And to ensure it is of heirloom quality for your family, the album has a linen cover and thick archival fine art paper.

Enjoy these images of an album I ordered to show all the families I photograph what their family album will look and feel like. Let me know what you think. And I would love to know how else I can serve you to get those images off your phone/computer and into your homes for your daily viewing pleasure!

In-Home Sessions

Over the past couple years, when someone has asked me about a location for a photography session, I always respond with, “Is there a location that is special to you? What about your house?” And while some prefer a field or a city vibe, many have agreed to having a session at their home.

Most of these sessions are like any other family photography session, everyone is dressed in coordinating outfits and I slightly direct and prompt where and how everyone should be for certain pictures (but always capturing those in-between moments and memories!). These sessions are a little more relaxed because, you are in your home! You do not have to rush to get anywhere and there is no fear of someone forgetting the baby’s shoes…because everything you need is right there in your house! (Also, may I mention that there will be no worries of having a bathroom emergency? I’m pretty sure your house has a bathroom but not every field or park has an outhouse!). A living room, bedroom, front porch, and backyard are all great places to capture family togetherness and portraits.

Another reason for in-home sessions is that your house becomes a character in your session. Your house is your home, your everyday; a lot of cute and cranky moments happen in your home. Why not capture the place that holds you all together?

Last week I shot a documentary in-home family session. Documentary photography is a little different than the usual lifestyle photography. With my lifestyle sessions, I casually direct or pose the family to create portraits all while capturing those fun in-between moments. With a documentary session, I do not ask anyone to do anything (besides maybe take a few casual family portraits on the couch or somewhere). I simply observe, hold conversations, and capture the uniqueness of the family doing their life.

Here’s a glimpse at their normal Saturday morning…

I not only capture your family’s pretty faces, I document some of the things around your house. Things change and we forget, pictures help us remember. (Also, check out this list…one wise mama!)

I really enjoyed listening to the oldest daughter play the piano…she even played a piece from “The Greatest Showman.”

I don’t think he left his room all morning…legos are life!

This little girl was all about her books. I loved the softness of her pink room…and those slippers!

It’s ok if you crack up while reading your book…it’s not everyday someone with a camera is spying on you from behind the couch!

Before I left, I simply asked them to cuddle up on the couch for a picture of everyone together.

Enjoy your family, your home, and the weekend!

random happenings of February

I love podcasts. A new favorite is Emily P Freeman’s “The Next Right Thing” podcast. I am about 2 years behind so I have been listening to at least one episode every morning while I greet the sun and workout. It is “a podcast about making decisions, but also about making a life.” At the end of each episode she says something like “do the next right thing in love” and “our daily decisions are creating our life.”

Wow. Simple yet powerful. And those words come in handy throughout my day. Someone is frustrated with fractions. Particularly adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators. What’s the next right thing to do when I have no idea how to help her because I’m not really a teacher and I don’t know the 5 different ways to explain one simple task? Go outside, get some sunshine and fresh air for 5 minutes. The next right thing might not always be the next thing on my list or what I want to do, but the next right thing is definitely the best thing to do. (She came back from outside with a refreshed attitude and all of a sudden those fractions starting making sense…praise the Lord!).

And “our daily decisions are creating our life.” Last year at the beginning of the pandemic, I made it a point to read to my kids every day. I probably should have made them read to themselves, but that was almost like pulling teeth. Reading to them was “easier.” And now it is part of our life and I asked for children’s books for Christmas, so I guess the daily decision to read to my kids is creating a life and a house full of books and stories. Not mad about it at all.

Anyways, this post was going to be about the random happenings of February. Why did I open with Emily’s podcast? Because she is also about reflection and just published a “Next Right Thing” journal that encourages such reflection. So these monthly blog posts about the “random happenings” are a way for me to remember and reflect.

Scroll for a look at the random happenings of our February.

Leah’s birthday. I guess it is not really random because birthdays happen every year on the same day. There was snow. A few cousin friends came over on her Saturday birthday to sled ride, eat chicken nuggets, and enjoy her unicorn cake. This was the 3rd year for a unicorn cake. We broke someone’s sled but no bones, so it was a good day.

I have always been a huge fan of historical fiction. Growing up I loved the American Girl historical series and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie” books. Recently, we have been reading about real people who lived “back in the day.” We read a couple books about Anne Frank, read through a book of “Bold Women in Black History”, and met Gyo Fujikawa and Katherine Johnson in picture book biographies. (PS I love picture book biographies. If you need to buy me a gift, that is just a little hint. Too bad my birthday isn’t until August.)

I took an online portrait class through Illuminate Classes called Portrait Revolution. I enjoyed it and was exposed to many artists whose work I never saw before. Below is an image I took for the class. The assignment was to take a portrait in someone’s environment that will help tell their story. Here’s a portrait of a girl…still holding her blankie as she is writing in her journal all her thoughts and dreams. #girlhood.

Lilly decided that we would go outside every day this month at sunset, take pictures of the sky and make a book. That happened about twice. One time we were at the farm getting ready to leave. Lilly runs into the store and asks, “Mom, where is your camera?! The sunset is beautiful!” She took the camera and captured the beautiful colors of the sky. I then took a turn and captured them in a different way. Enjoy both.

We finally finished “Farmer Boy,” the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s husband, Almanzo. I remember my mom reading this book to us when we were kids. Our favorite chapter was when Mother and Father went to visit an uncle “10 miles away” and left the kids home alone for the week. They ate all the sugar and got in a fight that left a black spot on the parlor wall. It sounded an awful lot like what would have happened if we were left alone for a week as kids. My girls thought it was pretty funny too. They fell in love with Almanzo and now we are reading “The First Four Years” to learn more about him and Laura.

(If you were fixing a “Farmer Boy” meal, apple pie and donuts would be a must on the menu. I am pretty sure there wasn’t a chapter that didn’t include the foods he ate and every meal had pie with it.)

A simple list taped to the wall right outside the girls’ bedroom. In the morning, instead of doing nothing or fighting, a list guides them on what they should be doing without me having to remind them. There are mornings that go perfectly and others, not so much, but it has made a difference and I will continue to create lists for them.

(My awesome sister, Rachel: jack of all trades, master of a few, gave me the idea of creating fun lists for the girls. Especially when it comes to playing on electronics. When they ask, “Can I play on my Kindle?” I make a little list for them first. It isn’t always chores, most of the time it includes “play Go Fish with your sister,” “draw a picture,” or “ go outside for 10 minutes.” The idea is to get them engaged in something else so they forget about the electronic for a while.).

Thanks for sticking around to read my random ramblings. In a nutshell, February had snow, lots of books, a list, and now we welcome the sunshine and sights of spring. Happy March!

Lensbaby SOL45: my new lens

I wear a black shirt and a pair of jeans almost every day of the year. I hope it’s not because I am boring. I’d like to believe that it is a sign of intelligence…you know, not having to think what I am going to wear because I am saving my brain power for other important decisions and ideas throughout the day.

I also hate buying clothes, thinking they are cute and either never wearing them or wearing them once and deciding that I really just want to wear a black t-shirt. In college, when I would buy clothes, it was not uncommon for them to hang in the closet for over a month before I decided to wear them.

This kind of behavior can be found in other areas of my life. Like going to Bruster’s for ice cream. Oh, what should I get?! The answer is most always Graham Central Station. What should I have for breakfast? A banana and peanut butter. Where do I shop? Aldi, Target and Amazon. What lens is on my camera? The 35mm (that might not mean anything to you, but a 35mm is the focal length of the lens.). It fits the way I see and like to capture my life.

Usually photographers collect lenses, find the one they use all the time, and let the others accumulate dust. Just like not wanting clothes in my closet that I do not want to wear, I do not want a bunch of lenses in my collection that I do not use. In addition to that 35mm lens, I have an 85mm lens that I use at sessions. But at the end of 2020, I took an advantage of a sale and bought myself a new lens. A Lensbaby Sol45.

Lensbaby is a brand that has unique lenses that create special, different, swirling, and blurring effects. I have had my eye on their lenses for over 3 years but the hesitation to have a lens that collected dust kept me from buying one. I mean I had my “good black shirt”, did I need something else?

Well, I bought that lens because it was on sale, I had a 10% off coupon, some Christmas money, and the desire for something different (I will liken it to a solid little black dress). When that baby arrived in the mail one Saturday afternoon, I put it on my camera and played. I was like a kid with a new toy and I was in love.

I decided to shoot with it for 30 consecutive days (but I will definitely be putting that lens on my camera often enough that it won’t be collecting dust!). Below are the images from the first 30 days I had the Lensbaby (if you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen me use the hashtag #thirtydaysoflensbaby for a good part of January and February) plus a few more pictures because, I haven’t stopped using the lens and I just can’t stop sharing!

This is one of my favorite images captured this year so far. I love the silhouette, the rim light, and the softness of the edges. It is not the first picture I took with the new lens, the SOL45, but it is my favorite.

Above is the first “in focus” picture I took with the Lensbaby Sol45. It is a manual focus lens which means you have to manually focus…the camera does not do it for you. It can be kinda tricky but that’s part of the “fun.”

The blurry edges give some of the images a “foggy memory” kind of feel.

I love the bokeh from our Valentine tree in the background.

I mean, check out the portrait of Mr Rooster.

I love how the lens makes my driveway look magical. Also, check out the picture Lilly took of me! She is also a fan of my new lens!

I love this silhouette by the front door. I also love these hats their aunt gave them.

Another one of those memory feeling images. Winter memories.

I adore this image. She is a calm painter and the softness of the edges matches the feeling of watching her.

Thank you for reading and looking at my pictures! Enjoy this day!