A Shout Out…and a little behind the scenes

Going to take a short break on putting up the rest of the Circus themed mini sessions.  Yes I said “shout out”! Wanted to take the time to thank my daughter Emma and Mady Rose for all their help being my assistants that day. Without them at “Come Join Our Circus” I would not have been able to do so many sessions in one day. From loading everything into the truck and out into the middle of a field to holding up the background tent when it would want to fall. They stuck it out with me the whole day at about 100 degrees. At first the idea for this mini session was a circus in the middle of a field but the wind herself had a different idea that day! We couldn’t even get the backdrop (the tent I made) up half way before the wind would literally take it away! At this time there was 4 of us trying to set up my talented friend Regina Richards (also a photographer), Emma, Mady, and I. Oh I forgot we had 3 lil munchkin helpers at that time also! I had practiced setting everything up and in place the night before a few times and had it down to 8 minutes.  So we inched in a little bit at a time till we were on the tree line! But, even being on the tree line the wind kept blowing it over. An hour later we had most everything set up and started to shoot! Which made us run behind which is never a great way to start off a time slot filled day!! We prevailed. Also I am thankful to the patience everyone showed that day about their time slots! I try to warn ahead of time when we are working with all young one’s time slots sometimes vary a bit. It’s all up in the cute kiddoz hands! We all have our days! I can always get them to come around…I am not above bribbing! Of coarse with parents permission…which I have never been anything but thanked. Everyone understands that because it may not be their lil one that day but another time it may and I make sure I get the shot! Back to the tent…we would start to shoot and there it would go every 5 min. Now imagine on these mini sessions u have to stick to a decent time frame with mother nature was fighting us for set up…we were already behind schedule! So the girls most of the day would run over and help put it all back together and hold down the fort till the bust of air was past us. Their help was so appreciated and they did it all with a smile on their beautiful faces! They helped with anything from holding props, keeping everyone hydrated, bagging popcorn and peanuts for the kids, blocking the sun for me at times (which can be awkward at times out in a field), and helping me shoot. For location shot themed mini sessions you have to bring so much with you! Way more than what you actually see in the shots! It’s not like you can run home and get what you forgot! As an any home based business all the family has to chip in. Emma has been there for me time after time. Always there when I need her. I adore her. Weather I have needed an assistant or a model for the day she has come thru. Mady is like my niece. She is getting really good at photography and editing! She has a real gift. So this was her first time assisting for a full day of sessions. She was so excited to do it. By the end she said, “I had no idea how much goes into something like this!” But, she is ready to do it again for the next one and loved it. But, she did add she could do without the heat next time! lol I am actually going to have her edit a few which i am going to feature for her.  🙂 Thank you so much Mady and I love you bunches! Ummm girls you pretty much ROCK! Here is a snapshot I took real quick that day…when they had a short period of time for a break! Yes, they are probably going to say…why did you put that pic up??? I look gross! Which they don’t they look beautiful! Why did I put it up because I appreciate and love them. I wanted everyone to see who was responsible for helping pulling the whole shoot together with me.

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Here are a few snapshots of some of the goodness the kids got to enjoy at their photo shoot!Image

Thank you again to all who took part in this blast of a day!

“Come Join Our Circus” Themed Mini Sessions (part 4)

This session is a friend of mine Katie and her daughter Aliyah. Aliyah gets to do a lot of photo sessions with me. Katie makes this possible because she knows Aliyah loves it…plus momma gets to have lots of photo’s! This time I was insistent that they be able to get in a few together. Of coarse Katie loved the idea. Not only that she would have the photo’s but to get the special time with her daughter. As you can see they have an amazing relationship. When I see them together all I can see is “Girls just wanna have fun” …well…and shopping! They both resemble each other so much. Kind, fun, caring, sweet as all get out, and bee-a-u-tee-ful! Had to give a shout out to a good momma! There is nothing like the vision of a mother playing with her child…and the smiles it brings! Here are a few from their mini session that day.ImageImageImageImage

 

 

“Come Join Our Circus” Themed Mini Session (part 3)

This is the third session that day. Aliyah and Shaela love photo shoots! They giggled thru the whole session! Beautiful smiles a plenty. I took a colorful approach to most of their session. Each one of their eyes just pop as you will see. We even have a mini Ringmaster! What a duo! Little bubby came in for the later part he was catching a little siesta.  Jace looks mighty dapper in his part of the session. The smiles came out when I gave him a lil something sweet! Here are some fun images from their session.

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“Come Join Our Circus” Themed Mini Sessions (part 2)

I had to add the prior quote because it is so fitting for this session. Plus, it is one of my favorite’s! This is the second session I photographed that day. Let me tell you the girls loved every moment even in the heat…as you will see. The sisters played dress-up, make-up, ring toss, sipped on Coke, laughed, giggled, and just let their imaginations run wild. Which allowed me to completely run wild with the session also!! Even when I suggested a few serious looks…they gave them to me with out a second blink! I knew with part of their session I wanted to go more “artsy”. Most definitely push the vintage full on. Here is some of my favorite’s from their session.

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In the next shots they just had to switch outfits! Love them! What a special momma they have to set this up.

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Imagination…

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
― Albert Einstein

“Come Join Our Circus” Themed Mini Sessions (part 1)

Two to three times a year I offer themed mini sessions. It allows me to get creative and satisfy my need to go overboard! I love shooting lifestyle photography…which is what I do most often. But, the themed sessions gives me a reason to make and create things…get crafty! Which is another love of mine. Although I am yet to “get my crafty on” till the night before.  😛 This session I had looked forward to for sometime. I actually had a trial run at it for my son Isaac’s birthday party 2 months prior, by throwing him a Circus party! To see what the kids were attracted to the most. Plus who doesn’t love the Circus? Here are some images from Layton’s mini session. He had a blast and kept me on the run. I might add he has a strong kick for a little guy. He had that ball up and down the field. What a cutie!Image

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Walking thru life hand in hand with my love. Together we can do anything!

Walking thru life hand in hand with my love. Together we can do anything!

photo taken by Regina Richards
http://reggyrich.wix.com/reginarichardsphoto

The loves of my Life!

The loves of my Life!

My beautiful friend Regina Richards took this photo. Go check her out at http://reggyrich.wix.com/reginarichardsphoto

UP AND AT IT!

This is my very first post! First, I would like to say I live a very blessed life. For this I have to thank The Lord My Savior. For bringing me to this point and everything that he has carried me thru. This blog has been a long time in the waiting. Something I have been very excited to start. As most things in life…”Everything has it’s time and place.” I can also say I am not a very patient person but, I am learning and striving to be. Have been trying to create margin in my life. Which for those of you, that are working on the same thing you can vouch that it is not an easy thing to accomplish! Especially with a family of five! I have an amazingly patient and grounded love of my life…my husband Zachary. Which helps balance this energetic, on the run, and seeing what else I can fit into life while my mind running with new ideas person that I am! Yes that was a complete run on sentence but had to just get it all out there! He is my constant. I have been honored to be intrusted with being a mother to my three baybays. My children have given me the world and for that I am a very rich woman. They have given me the desire to do my part in making the world a better place for us and everyone else. The oldest is Emma. She is a “Sweet 16”. She is smart and beautiful. Loves a good joke and can actually tell one! She has a love for music like her mom and dad! Except unlike her dad and mom can play pretty much any instrument by ear. “My Buddy” as I call him is the middle kiddo…his name is Isaac. The name sake of Isaac fits him to a tee…to cause laughter. He is my silly one and the lover. In fact lots of times he can’t even stand up straight because he is laughing at himself so hard…he’s like jelly! He is has an infectious smile and eyes that pierce straight to your heart. And, then there is our baby…well she’s not  a baby but, she is ours! “Busy Izzy” as we call her. I think the name explains itself! She has platinum blonde long ringlets and searing blue eyes. Since she has turned a year old we have not stopped running either along with her or after her! She is what you would expect to see if you wanted to look at a photo of “pure joy and life”. She does dance as if no one is watching. She adores her brother and sister with all she is…that is while sitting on them and asking “Do you give up?” Ha! As for me…well you can already see I love to talk, love being with people, love vibe’in off others, love the sun on my face, love being barefoot, love art, love new things and challenges, love being inspired, love my life, and most of all I am “real”. I am sure you will get to know plenty about me 🙂

For as long as I can remember I have had some kind of camera in my hand. Snapping away and waiting for that magic moment. When I shoot emotion is what I want to capture. Not just any emotion. I want to capture “who” it is that I am photographing. I know that when it is all said and done…the in-perfect…non posed photo’s are what I have always been drawn to. The corky smile that I have seen a million times on someone I know so well. The laughter of the child I love so much. The love that radiates from a loved one’s eye’s. In this blog it will be a mixed media of sessions I shoot with Absolutely Epic Photography and behind the scenes of this journey of life, I am making my path thru with my family and friends. As for where the Absolutely Epic Photography ~ Truly You~ came from…we will save that for another blog! Would love for you to come along for the run!