A new idea...to leave behind something beautiful...

To expand on my previous blog entry.... one of the things I love so much about photography is being able to capture a moment. I don't think that we always remember sometimes that the most cherished pictures are the ones that tell a story. The ones that make you stop and look twice. I saw a photograph that a photographer had posted of a little girl . It was a black and white image. The child was off center, not even looking at the camera. She was looking down at the ground , her knees were covered in mud, hair a mess. I loved that picture. That one image reminded me of how simple life is as a child. And it made me wonder .. what it was that she was so captivated by on the ground. So in honor of my love for photography from a journalistic standpoint. I am going to offer something that to my knowledge nobody else does in this area. I would like to offer... life stories. I haven't yet come up with a price for this yet but I wanted to get the word out. I will be offering Birth Stories, Graduation, Family reunions. I'm thinking that I will put the images I take in a custom designed album to be included with the cost of the session. As well as have the prints available on a per print price if the customer wishes. Now why hire me when you can take these pictures yourself? Have you ever been frustrated trying to get a group of people to smile over and over for each person to take a picture..when your child was born was there someone there to tell the story , someone taking pictures of the little things. A husband holding his wife's hand, the look on the mothers face when she sees her child for the first time? Maybe I am wrong but these are the images that I hold value to. Images that tell a story, images that capture a fleeting moment that nobody else sees... images that will leave behind memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

The best things come to those who wait...

Some of the most incredible images I have captured yet occurred after the pose, waiting and watching. Especially when I am photographing children. Perhaps that's why no matter how hard I try I have never been able to limit my session to anything less then an hour. Spending time with a child or with any client is part of the photographic process. At least in my perception it is. How can I capture something real, something that is a mere reflection of a clients very soul. Without taking the time to know them. Sure I can take a portrait. Sitting up straight , hands in perfect position, everyone smiling , no hair out of place. If that is what you want. And for some that is exactly what they want. A traditional portrait with all the T's crossed. In my humble opinion not only is it incredibly stressful for the children involved but for the parents as well. Before you know it the parents are getting mad at the kids for not posing , and the kids are completely bored out of there minds. Thus you end up with a portrait that may look perfect but does it look real. When you look at that picture all you will remember is how much you were hoping you don't see the sweat running down your head and that you were holding your breath and clinching your teeth under a fake smile praying to God that this shot will be the one so you can get out of there. Now maybe you have perfect well behaved kids and everything in your world works out , if that were the case for everyone it would make a photographers job so much easier. So when it comes to defining my style and who I am , the images I capture when nobody is looking .. well those are the ones in my mind that are truly keepsakes .

Its the little things ...

Today I took a day off to spend with my daughter. So often she hers me say that I am studying , or I am working, or I am always doing something. I think sometimes as adults we get caught up in our everyday to due list that we forget how to have fun anymore. So today I took my little girl sledding. Now if there is anything in this world that can make me feel like a child again its this. I do however remember getting back up the hill was not quite so exhausting . We climbed and sled down the hill for hours. Half way threw we had some hot chocolate in the snowbank. Grace was so excited to sit down and crack open the thermos we brought . A little picnic in the snow . As I sat there watching her smile with her chocolate mustache and little pink cheeks my heart melted. God himself gave me this little soul to watch over . Its my job to bring adventure to her life, to teach her . Though I think she has taught me far more than I have her. My daughter is very spiritual, she love Jesus with all her heart and soul. She is loving to everyone she meets and goes out of her way to help them. She sees the beauty in everything and everyone. If its raining outside in the spring .. to her its still a beautiful day... we just need to bring an umbrella. The heart of a child is so pure and unbroken. Perhaps that is why I love to photograph them. So that perhaps one day they can look back and these images and see what beauty they have forgotten....and remember a time when a simple cup of hot chocolate, a sled and your mom was all you ever could have wanted.

Meet Jessie

My first session of 2012, and wow... My goal in this session was to capture the realization that being a mom... the single most important job in a women's life... Doesn't have to mean giving up yourself. So many of use put everyone else first and along the way somehow we tend to forget about ourselves. The dreams we have , taking time for ourselves. Sometimes even fixing our own hair in the morning can be a challenge. I want to  express that loving yourself is the first step to truly loving those around you. And to take a moment each day to see just how beautiful you are.

A year of Change 2011

This year was a stepping stone for me. I took a leap off faith and left my Job . A job that I had been at for 10 years . A job I had studied my butt off for , became state certifed for , and .. well was quite good at. I meet so many wonderful people there and I do miss them dearly. In my journey this year to become who I should have been all along .... I have found many new friends along the way. So many people have reached out to help me grow as a person and as a photographer. I do believe everyone enters our life for a reason. God will put people in your path just when you need them most. And I am thankful this year for all the people in my life who have come and gone . Each one of you have taught me something that I will carry through to the next years of my life. Thank you to all my clients who believed in me and gave me the chance of a lifetime. You never know what it is like to follow a dream ... till you take the first step. And no matter how long this journey takes I am in it for the long haul. Looking forward to a new year , new friends, new adventures, and to continue my journey to become who I always should have been. Wishing for all of you that 2012 take you places you have never dreamed possible!

To see some of my latest work please feel free to vist my webpage

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Therepies Plus ... a lesson in a strength of the human spirit

Not to long ago I was hired to photograph a session at Therapies Plus in Wisconsin Rapids. My goal was to express just how hard little things we often take for granted .... can be for so many others . I left the center that day with a new attitude about life. These kids and young adults struggle so hard just to do the simple things in life. To lift a glass to take a drink, to walk or even crawl across the floor. To say I love you to there parents..... to speak a word at all. Many communicate through sign language their needs. A life saver for anybody whom lives with a non verbal child or adult. It is so frustrating for these individuals to communicate there basic needs. With sign they are able to ask for food, drink, what they want to do that day... These therapists that work with these kids and young adults work so hard to make a difference in the lives of these clients. They teach them how to live with the limitations they have and how to get around them. Each child I met that day had such a personality ... so loving and happy. When I went home that day I thanked God for all the blessings I have. So many things we all take for granted. And I thank God for giving us the people in this world who get up everyday and help someone in need. Be a therapist , parent or friend.. It takes a special kind of person to understand and to reach these kids . And a special parent to love them through it all.