Fall Schedule 2015

The time has come.  We can start to hope and dream that maybe sometime in the near future, we can open our front doors without sweating.

And with that hope, comes plans for the Fall.  And some people, some really organized and put together people, like to make those plans.  Right now.

For you amazing people, I present my Fall Schedule.  Take advantage.  or don't.  I still love you.

We know.

As Moms, we know.  We know how to laugh about the insanity of our lives.  We know how to not take it personally that our teenagers don't have much time for us.  We know how important it is, to see our son in law make our daughter belly-laugh.

And we really, really know how important it is to get those family pictures done.  Even if it means bribery or threats, to get everyone's schedule cleared off on a Saturday night.  We know these kids aren't getting any younger (and neither are we!) and we know that right now, these family photos are cute.

In five years, they will be precious.

In twenty years, when our grandkids are staring at them and wondering how their mom was ever so young, they will be downright treasures.

Moms know.

And away they go!

I have always learned well from others.  As a kid, I'd quickly figure out who the smartest student in the class was, and then just tried to do what they did.  I have my elementary school honor roll status because of a certain Lydia Choy.

As an adult and a parent, I have found those people that are a few steps ahead of me, kids a few years older, Mom has been around the block more than I have, and I tried to learn, to emulate.  I'm not one to reinvent the wheel.

Soon after moving into this neighborhood, I found this Mama.  Her biggers were rock solid.  Not just good kids, but really good kids.  They were passionate about their hobbies, their friends, their spirituality.

So I tried to watch, to figure out what tricks this Mama had up her sleeve that I could try them out in my own home.

But I think this photo shoot reveals her secret far and wide.  She just loves them.  She glories in who they are, she supports their passions, she believes in them long and hard, and then she opens the door so they can try it out on their own.

Her two biggers are flying the coop this month, traveling far far away.  The weekend we made these photographs, was the last weekend they would all be together  for 2+ years.

And you can tell, Mama has the utmost confidence that they are going to be just fine.  And they will.

And now that I know her secret, mine will too.

Glow

I love a girl who glows.  And let's face it, it's almost impossible to get to that point throughout high school.  Too much change, in yourself and around you, all the time.  It's so hard to get to a point where you know yourself well enough to get good and comfortable and just, glow.

Sweet Hailey got there.  It's the end of her senior year and she's found herself.  She knows what she likes, she knows what she'd rather not be around, she knows she's strong and can do hard things.  She's not afraid to make eye contact with you, me, or anyone else because she knows she's got it.  That glow.  

They Had Me At Suspenders

I am always very humbled when it works out that I get to photograph a large, extended family.  First, I know that everyone knows at least one great photographer so it's hard for everyone to settle on just one.  Then to get everyone in one place at one time pretty much requires an act of Congress.  Then get everyone in some clothes that actually look unified, and wait, cute?!  Now you're just talking crazy. 

But when it's all said and done, it's really a beautiful thing.  Because I've been in Grandma's house with my oldest son and watched him stare at that huge family photo and hear him ask, "That's me as a baby?!  And that's my cousin as a 2 year old?  Look how much hair Uncle Scott had!  And that's Uncle Brent before he went to heaven?"  And having that conversation in front of that picture, that is worth every ounce of endurance, patience, and investment.

Thank you, Butler Family.  So grateful I got to be a part of that big party of pictures.    

No Joke

When do you meet an 18 year man-child with more self confidence than you?  How often does a senior in high school put you at ease, through his total chillness?  Not too often.

Dan's that kid, and I can only call him that for a few more days so I'll take advantage of it while I can.  He's that kid that laughs easily, at himself and at your corny jokes.  He's an accomplished musician, an Eagle scout, an awesome big brother, we could go on.

But we don't need to.  Because he wears it all out there, he's totally happy to be exactly who he is so the camera loves to capture it.

Meet Dan.  The world is a better place because we have kids like this.

Light it up!

Some people just have a glow.  I could tell while we were Facetiming and she was showing me her closet and we were discussing possible wardrobe choices.  I could tell then, that she had that glow.  Her laugh came easily, her blue eyes were clear and twinkling.  I knew just looking at my phone, we were going to have a blast.

And we did, it's so fun to photograph someone who knows her own soul.  She knows what she likes, what's doesn't work for her, and she knows how to find a whole lot of joy in her life.  I was just along for the ride, ready to document it.

Next year at this time she'll be wrapping up her freshman year of college and a whole lot of change will have happened.  My hope and prayer is that she'll remember her own soul, she'll allow it to grow and change and yet stay grounded.

And maybe that's my hope for myself as well.