I am here to help you in any way that I can.   You pick your favorite photos and I will design the display for you!   Create art that represents your life!

My life is full of them.  Thank you, to all parents, for choosing me to capture your little miracles!

The rush of excitement when someone tickles you…

Playtime…

Beauty…

Playing peek-a-boo…

The love of a sibling…

Rest after a long day…

life as Art.

I just received this in an e-mail.  It’s worth passing along…  We all forget sometimes.  I forgot yesterday, but was reminded last night by the sweetest, cutest 4 kids.    (More of them to come later)… 

life should be about ordinary miracles….

RED MARBLES

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.

I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked  green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to  the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas  and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.  "Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H’lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ them peas. They sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus’ admirin’ them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.

"No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ‘em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of  those peas?"

"All I got’s my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller.

"Here ’tis. She’s a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.

"Not zackley but almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble". Mr. Miller told the boy.

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller." Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves
to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store."

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.  They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts…all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband’s casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale
hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband’s bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening,
she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or
size….they came to pay their debt."

"We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband.  Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~

A fresh pot of coffee you didn’t make yourself…An unexpected phone call from an old friend…Green stoplights on your way to work…

The fastest line at the grocery store…A good sing-along song on the radio…Your keys found right where you left them.

Send this to the people you’ll never forget. I just Did…

If you don’t send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED

As many of you may know, I shoot in my home for studio sessions.  I’ve found this to be beneficial in that most children are comfortable here.  But I did have a session a few weeks ago and the little guy wasn’t sure about what was going on…  I am more than happy to shoot on location.  If you have a little one who is shy and you think it would benefit them for me to come to you, then that’s what I’ll do!  I want your child to be comfortable and have as much fun as I’m having!   

Your child may be more comfortable in his own environment and you will get personalized portraits of your own home!  Your home will become a beautiful backdrop for portraits that you will cherish for your lifetime.  My number one priority along with providing you with photos of "your life… as art" is making you and your family as comfortable as possible!

Custom made just for you!   

Each photo with a blend added is custom made… no 2 are exactly alike! These special prints are not available for purchase. 

Each Senior client with a print purchase of $500 will receive a complimentary set of wallets with a blend added.

                Senior Portraits

This is one of the best parts of being a photographer.  There are so many cool things, but I love to watch them grow!  Art first came to me at 7 weeks and we just had a session a couple of weeks ago and look at how he’s grown!

I look at my children and can’t believe that my firstborn will be 8 in a couple of weeks and my little guy graduates from preschool tonight.  And then I realize something else.  My Momma is probably thinking the same thing since her "baby" will be 30 soon.  And I know how quickly the time flies.  I didn’t realize it at first. But I can see it now.

I’m glad to be able to freeze just one moment in time.  We, as parents, will cherish those photos long after our babies have grown too big for our laps… 

I have sessions with babies like John Austin and I can’t believe that my babies are as big as they are.  It made me want to come home and squeeze them…  it passes so quickly.  And I’ve had several senior sessions lately and I look at those near-adults and realize that all too quickly my babies will be having their own senior session.  Wow.

I photographed John Austin in his home.  Thank you for letting me re-arrange your house, Rachel!  I had a great time with your little guy. He’s oh so sweet!  I’ve picked out a few of my favorites from the session. 

If you are interested in having a newborn session in your home, just give me a call!  I would recommend that we schedule the session before your little one is 2 weeks of age.  They are usually very curly and bendy before 2 weeks of age.  We can curl them up in baskets or in one of my favorite spots, on your bed! I will strive to create an image for you that reflects your life… as art. 

I understand that babies are sometimes not on a schedule when they are so small.  This is why your appointment will be the only one I have for the morning. We will have plenty of time for feedings, diaper changings and snuggles.

I remember how those first few days can be…  so, why not give me a call and let me come to you?   

And oh so sweet!  I had such fun yesterday!  I realized as I was setting up my light that it’s been a while since I used artificial lighting.  I love, love natural light but these girls made me love my studio again.  I think it has more to do with fun, sweet girls though! 

Thank you, Heather, for allowing me photograph your tiny dancers!   

My favorites so far…

That’s what I want you, my client, to walk away with…  a different kind of experience.  I know I said it in my first blog post, but it’s truly my goal.  I may call your session an appointment when we set it up, but when I work, I want it to be a playdate!  I don’t want your photo session to be a chore for you. 

Yes, I know it’s not fun getting the family all dressed up!  But when you get to me, I want you to be relaxed and have fun with your family…  those are the moments that count!  I shot this little guy recently and we ended up having a great time… he’s absolutely precious!  I didn’t get many smiles when we first started.  But then he warmed up to me and we actually had a little playdate.    Some rolling around on the blanket and then the most irresistible grin!!  If I’d only spent 30 minutes with this little guy, I might not have gotten some of my favorite shots from his session!

Most people are surprised when they arrive at their playdate and I’m in no hurry to get the shots and be done.  I love what I do!  And I very rarely schedule more than 2 playdates in one day.  I set aside 2 hours for each client and more than that for seniors, newborns and maternity. 

I allow time for diaper changings, feedings and little naps if needed.  I allow time for clothing changes and well….  breaks for the kids.  They get tired too…  especially in this Mississippi heat!  I won’t make them sit if they don’t want to…  I love to follow your child around and capture him just being HIM!  So, if you’d like to set up a playdate, just give me a call!

A different kind of experience…

It doesn’t always work for me, but I try to live by that…   sometimes less is more.   I love art and I love to design!  Thought I’d share my latest business card design… (product photography by me!)

I enjoy making things… whether it’s a photograph, a website or a business card.  I like to design…  right down to the placement of the pillows on my couch and oversized chair.  Some may say I have a bit of OCD, but I prefer to call it love for design… also known as lining things up.  Balance.  Ok, so a little OCD.  ; ) 

But it works for me.  I find myself taking pictures in my head all the time…  framing a shot even when I’m not carrying my camera!  And this carries over into my printed material designs…  If you’re interested in having design work done and my style appeals to you, contact me.  I’ve worked with businesses to design websites, business cards, brochures and posters.  I’d be glad to help you with your marketing material needs.   

Sometimes less really is more.