Playing in the park

My girls are constantly begging my husband and I to bring them to the park. To them, the park is a magical place of endless possibilities. There is something freeing within the confines of the metal monkey bars. The spirits of joy and pleasure ooze from the pores of the live oaks. How wonderful to sit back and watch and even join in.

Here is a family I photographed at the park today.

Family traditions

Thanksgiving is steeped in family traditions. It is beautiful to hear friends and clients describe their family traditions to me. Their eyes light up as they tell me about how they’ve created special customs for their children to pass on to their children. One of these friends gave me the idea to create a “thanks box.” Before Thanksgiving dinner, I had the girls dictate to me what they were thankful for. I wrote this on an index card and plan to write new cards every year from here on out. Each year I plan on reading the past years thanks cards. I think it will be especially neat when my grandchildren sit around the table and are able to hear about what their mom and dad where thankful for at their age.

On Friday, I was invited into a family weekend to capture a couple of cousins together. The families had emerged on their mom’s Arabian horse farm in Milton from Atlanta and Tampa. It was a pleasure to see the love between the cousins, their parents, and the grandma. Thank you for gracing my holiday weekend w/your joyfulness, you guys!

Here are a few photos from that session.

Believe

Last month, while we were are Disney World, my six year old daughter asked me if Mickey Mouse was real or not. I replied by asking her is she thought he was. She said she did and I responded, “If you believe he is real that’s all that really matters.” Yesterday, as we were setting up our Christmas tree, that same daughter asked if Santa was real. I asked her the same question, she gave me the same answer, and I responded the same way.  Some people get all upset over “lying” to children about Santa, the tooth fairy, etc. But these same people have no problem bringing their children to Disney World where they allow them to indulge in the magic of the characters.

The time span for childhood imagination is so limited, why cut it short by trying to dictate what they do or don’t believe in.

Here are two little siblings I photographed this week. They believe.

Beach Diva

Wow! This maternity client blew my socks off. She is so beautiful, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph such a diva! I’ll let the photos talk.

Trista

In common

I photographed a family with children aging in range from a newborn to a 15 year old. The older siblings each had very different interests, but one thing they had in common was a complete love for their new baby sister.

Trista

Exploration

 How many times have we walked into a party, a boardroom, or a new moms’ group and been frozen with fear over new faces and surroundings? At what point in our childhood do we begin fearing new opportunities? This little one year old was thrilled with the opportunity to explore new surroundings. It was a joy to spend the morning with her and be reminded of the pleasure of embracing novelty.

Motherly affection

When I photograph newborns, I come to their homes. This makes it easier for new moms. No need to even get out of their jammies if they don’t want to. That being said, I love when they let me take a couple photos of them with their babies. The affection that they’ve had for their little ones from the day they accepted their pregnancy has built up and always comes spilling out in front of my lens.

Here is an example of that from yesterday.

Chilly

Crisp, fresh, invigorating: all words describing the beach at 9 a.m. in November. This little two year old girl was so excited to explore the beach this morning. Every shell, beached jellyfish, and seagull presented a new adventure.

A note to A’s Mom, thank you for your willingness to get wet. I know it was cold, but having you by her side in the lapping waves enabled me to get some amazing shots while she securely clung to your hand.

Growing up

I’m starting to see many of my past clients return as their children grow. Here is a little guy I photographed six months ago who has returned for some Christmas photos. He was so smiley and happy. It was a pleasure to play on the beach with him and his parents this week.