Week 3/52 | Light

Week 3 | Light

I knew as soon as I saw the theme for week 3 that you would be my subject.  You have filled my life with so much light since the day I found out you were growing inside my belly.  This is especially true in recent weeks when I have struggled with the darkness of losing the baby.  You point out beautiful sunrises and sunsets, which is no different from normal – that is something that you and I have always enjoyed looking at, but now you always tell me that is “Jackie” letting us know that she (you insist the baby was a girl) is watching out for us.

Beyond the light that you bring into my life with your smiles, your stories, and your laughter, you have an even more beautiful light that is glowing softly inside you.  Sometimes you feel unsure of yourself.  You worry that other people are looking at you or laughing at you.  You’re afraid to make mistakes.  You are hard on yourself and you struggle with your temper.  You worry that you’re a bad person and mean because you yell.  But you care about other people.  You hate to see people hurting.  You are an amazing big sister and are fiercely protective of your brothers.  You are passionate about the things that matter – like friendship and Jesus.

There will come a day when everyone will see the light inside you.  When they will be blinded by it’s beautiful brightness.  Don’t EVER let anyone put that light out.  I see it.  I know it’s there.  Someday you will, too

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{Waiting for Briella} Waverly, NY Maternity Photographer

Brittney is my hairdresser and she is such a sweetheart.  I was honored to do some engagement photographs for her and her (now) husband last October when I was weeks away from delivering my baby boy.  Since then I was blessed to photograph her wedding and a gender reveal session.  Last weekend I met with them to get some photographs of her beautiful baby belly and to capture the excitement that she and Scott share while waiting for this sweet baby to be born.

The weather was beautiful and the light was absolutely GORGEOUS.  This was one of my favorite sessions to date, and I’m sure you can see why!

 

That’s it for now, folks!  The next time you see this beautiful lady she’ll be cuddling an equally beautiful baby girl in her arms.  Thank you so much for trusting me to capture these special moments in your life, Brittany and Scott.  You guys are awesome and I am so thankful to have you as clients and friends!

Waiting on Baby

I met Dan and Julie almost six years ago when my husband and I began attending a local church.  Dan was the youth pastor at said church, and a very gifted one at that.  A lot has changed in the six years since my family was blessed by meeting these two.  For example, I now have three kiddos instead of one, Dan is now pastor of an amazing new church in the area, and after years of praying, he and Julie are expecting their first child.

I had been praying for them for such a very long time, along with many other people, and when they announced last fall that they were expecting I was so happy that I may have cried a little bit.  They are going to be amazing parents, and this little baby is going to be so blessed to call them mom and dad.

Here are a few of my favorites from our session on Saturday.  I am excited to say that the next time I meet up with them for a session it will be to meet their little guy (or girl!)  Enjoy!

“Hearts”

Project 365 6/365

My seven year old daughter is an aspiring artist and she got her first set of acrylic paints for Christmas.  She has spent the last 10 or so days creating many masterpieces and this is tonight’s.  She refused to let me see it until it was finished, and when she was done she came to me covered in paint and so excited to share what she had done.  It warmed my heart to see the joy on her face and the paint on her hands.  She has been talking about selling her paintings and donating 50% of the money to a charity like Stray Haven or Wounded Veterans.  This painting just shows what she has on the inside.  A big heart full of love for everyone around her.

Photo Info:
50mm
SS: 1/25
ISO:  6400
Aperture:  f/2.8

“Bedtime Buddies”

Every evening if the baby is still awake my daughter begs me to lay him in her bed for some snuggles.  Tonight I brought my camera so that I could capture a few photos of their special bond.  Even though this is a goofy shot it was my favorite.  I adore that she is showing off her silly personality and he is just laying next to her like it’s completely normal.  Settings:
SS:  1/100
Aperture:  f/1.8
ISO:  6400

Is anyone out there doing their own Project 365?  I’d love to see what you’ve got so far.  Share your link with me

“Reflection”

This photo was taken at my moms house in her living room by her picture window. She has a comfortable chair next to an old table where she keeps her Bible and a little verse about grace. The perfect place for reflection on God’s word, as well as the grace that has been shown to us, and the grace that we have bestowed upon others.

3/365

3/365 – “Cuddles”

A simple photo of my daughter before bedtime tonight, laying on the couch and cuddling our kitty, Francesca Fettuccini (aka Feta).  I love seeing them snuggle together.  We have two cats and a dog, and Feta is by far my daughters favorite pet.

2/365

Project 365 Day 2 – “Snow Day”

We are snowed in today with 7+ inches of snow already.  In an attempt to get some exercise in I headed out to shovel the driveway before hubby went to work (all exercise benefits were quickly thwarted when I ate 5 slices of garlic pizza for lunch.  Whoops!)  My Reuben came outside to help me and we enjoyed chatting and throwing a little bit of snow at each other.  I figured this was the perfect time for me to get my camera and get my shot in for today.

Though She Be But Little, She is Fierce

These photos are the reason that I am going to start taking my camera with me everywhere I go.  I was at my moms and my sister came downstairs, not dressed fancy by any means, but it was snowing outside and I just knew that her red hat would look amazing with the snow, and, let’s face it.  She’s beautiful anyway, so that helps.  Anyway, we ran outside and snapped just a few photos, and I was right.  They turned out great.  I love the pop of color against the white snow, and the gray sweater looks good with the red and white as well.

 

Pure perfection.  She’s such a beautiful girl with an even more beautiful heart.

Project 365

Happy New Year everyone!  2013 was good to me, photograph-wise.  Lots of new clients and lots of sessions.  But I felt like things were getting boring for me.  I was shooting what everyone else wanted.  It was work, and it wasn’t as fun as it used to be.  I feel like I didn’t do much growing last year, so my challenge to myself this year is to take one photo a day just for myself.  Whether it’s of my kids, or of the snowfall, or a flower.  No rules, no restrictions.  I am doing this for me to break out of my rut and to keep things fresh.

So, here is my first photo of the year – 1/365

Little Hands
This is a photo of my boys.  My older son rarely wants to hold his little brother.  He is only five, and I think he expected little H to come out all ready to play video games and villain vs. superhero.  When he learned that isn’t how it works he decided he would rather play on his own.  I guess babies are quite boring when you’re a five year old boy.  Today, though, we got to my moms house and Reuben offered to hold his brother while I grabbed the dvd from the van. When I came back in I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos.  This one was my favorite.  The way Harrison’s hand is clutching Reuben’s fingers is just perfect.

If you decide to do your own project 365 please share the link with me.  I’d love to follow along!