This spoke to me when I saw it on pinterest! How often we forget what matters to our children…It’s not the way we look. It’s not how clean our house is. It’s not how many times we made it to the gym this week.
Children think their moms are amazing! So who cares if your hair isn’t done and you have no makeup on? So you haven’t lost those last 10 lbs of baby weight….your child loves you for you. Never forget that.
Source: motherletters.com via Rachel on Pinterest
Oh My Word! Have you ever photographed your best friend and her family? If you haven’t, you should! It is so much fun! We laughed so much and it was so easy to get the truely natural smiles out of them because i knew exactly how to make them laugh. The best part? Her son was already comfortable with me! If you have ever shot children, you know this is the hardest part-getting them comfortable with you, the photographer. Here is my beautiful friend and her equally beautiful family!
Have I told you lately how much I love newborns? I think so in my last post. Thankfully, I had a wonderful family call me up and ask me to do their newborn photos. Even better-they were referred to me from a previous client! Score! This family was so awesome! They were perfect clients-laid back, go with the flow-my type of people! And these two make the cutest babies! Don’t you think?
Big sis could not smell his feet enough! She thought it was so funny!
When I get phone calls or emails from moms-to-be about newborn sessions, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining and my heart is singing! There is something so very special about newborns. Of course, they are sweet, cute, cuddly, tiny. But something inside me just melts each time I get to hold a newborn baby. When the W family first inquired with me about their newborn shoot, my heart was singing! Then she told me that she also wanted homecoming photos and I was over the moon!!! Though it doesn’t work out with every client who inquires with me, I can not tell you how thrilled I was when Mrs. W booked her sessions! Not only did I get to capture these moments, but I got to spend the afternoon with this bundle of awesomeness.
These brothers are proud (even if little sis was over the photos by this point!)
Then there are these quiet moments, when we take a break……
Thank you, W family, for letting me share in two of your family’s most special times.
I have to say, there is nothing more special to see than a family reunited after 7 months of separation. Photographing military homecomings are at the top of my list of events to photograph (second only to newborns!). This homecoming was no exception. Dad was gone 7 months in Afghanistan. He found out his fourth child (the first girl!) was on the way only days before he left! Homecomings always bring tears to my eyes, and this family was no exception!
Did I mention how excited I am to photograph their new baby girl in a few weeks!?
It was at a really young age that I knew I wanted to be a mommy. As I got older, I knew that soon out of college, soon after I was married that I wanted to have kids. I wanted to be in my early twenties. Maybe because my mom was 25 when she had me (as I was when my daughter was born!), maybe because I had no aspirations of being a big business woman, lawyer, etc. I have a couple of friends who were the opposite. My friend Lindsay, being one of them. I think she had said no kids before 35. There was vet school to come, traveling, living different places, and a few other things. When she called me 6 months ago and said she was having a baby, I almost fell off my bed! I love when my friends have kids! I get to throw showers, pick out gifts, and then of course hold those precious little ones. The best part about this announcement was that she was thrilled, even if it was 4 years earlier than planned!
Over the next few weeks we threw around dates for her shower so I could make the drive 3.5 hours and be able to take her maternity photos. Last weekend, the time finally came! I hadn’t seen Linds since my little man was teeny tiny, and we were thrilled to see each other again. We got up before the sun Saturday because we both love silhouette photos. And did I mention……I got to try something totally new….adding a horse into the mix! It was amazing!
Here are a few of my favorites….
It’s Thanksgiving week and there is so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for my two beautiful and amazing children. And that I get to watch them grow and learn every day. I’m thankful for my husband who, though he works a ton, always makes time for us to make memories as a family. And I’m thankful that he is home for our most favorite holiday.
I’ve recently done a few military homecomings. Each one of them holds a special spot in my heart. It is such a joy to see families reunited. I know each of these men is truly thankful to be home.
Thankful to be here before the baby arrives….
Thankful to hug his little girl again….
Thankful to meet his daughter for the first time….
What are you thankful for?
Knock Knock…who’s there? “Wendy Zippwald on behalf of Me Ra Koh to present you with the SOAR! Scholarship. Will you accept it?” Me: Ahhhhhh! Baby: Waaahhhh!!! Wasn’t it just yesterday that I scared my 5 month old baby when I found out I was a SOAR! recipient? Nope. That was about 10 months ago. Holy Cow!!!! Did this year just fly by or is it just me?
This year I have grown in so many ways. I have learned so many things from so many different people. I have found comfort and certainty where before there was none. I have added a new title for myself. Heck, I learned how to use a digital SLR camera!
After Wendy and Christine left my house, I was still in shock. I was so excited, honored, and scared! I was so nervous about being able to run a business while still being mommy. I was nervous I’d fail and let all of you down. I was simply nervous about learning to use the camera! Then my husband reminded that’s what this year was for-to learn. Who cares if my pictures weren’t perfect every time? (I did) Who cares that I might not have a booming business at the end of 2011? (I did) As long as I took in everything that was given and offered to me this year, it would be a success. He was right. (such a rare occurrence 
And I truly feel that this year was a success. I have learned everything from what shutter speed is to how to figure out my target audience and almost everything in between.
When I first applied, I had just received my first dslr a week prior. I asked a girlfriend the best way to learn to use it. She pointed me one direction. Then the next day she emailed me and told me about SOAR! and that I should apply because I’d make a good photographer. And so I did. And here I am. I’ve always loved taking pictures (and being in them-not gonna lie!), I just never knew how much I loved it until this year. I never knew I could make a difference by capturing special moments. That’s another thing I figured out this year-what I want to do with my life. I want to make a difference in someone’s (or many people’s) life. Be it through photography or fitness (or a combo of the two-wouldn’t that be unreal!?), that is my life’s dream. Thanks to SOAR! I am completely confident that I can do just that!
Oh my word! I just looked at a couple of pictures from before my SOAR! time. Yipes! So many things….let’s take a look.
1.all the distractions on the floor, on the wall. 2. the yellow tint–ahh the yellow, story of my life before SOAR! 3. How about that line coming out of Pete’s head. 4. the shadows. oy.
Dont’ get me wrong-I love this picture! It was something they did together at that time and I love having captured it. Now, I know how to make it better for next time.
Or this one..
the distractions on the side. the flash. oy!
Fast forward……I have Me Ra’s workshop under my belt. Whoop!
Taken at the workshop. Not perfect, I cut off some of her head and his knees. But Much better than before!!!
And most recently…..
Captured at the first military homecoming I photographed. Though you can’t see his eyes, I don’t think you need to. Emotion, love, happiness. All right there. Bam! Now I’m on to something.
As the year has gone on, with my skills growing, so has my confidence. When I went into my first shoot, I was a wreck! I was so busy worrying about all the details that I don’t think I totally captured the essence of the little boy. His parents were happy, but I wasn’t overjoyed. Now, I go into a shoot and I’ve still got those nerves, just on a smaller level. I know that when I show the family their pictures, mom’s gonna love ‘em. Here’s one thing that I really, really love about how I’ve grown—most of the pictures I put in the proof gallery are unedited! That’s right…..I know that I know my camera because I”m not spending hours on end editing-that, folks, is something to be proud of!
I cannot say “THANK YOU!!!” enough to Me Ra and all the partners for giving me this awesome gift. You have changed my life more than you can imagine. Me Ra, your goal is to empower women-you have done that for me with this Scholarship-thank you isn’t enough.
I wouldn’t be right without thanking my husband-he is my biggest supporter. I love you-forever, a day, and then some.
And with that, I am ready to SOAR!
Smile an Go For It!
Rachel
The weather is cooling down. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back. White chocolate oreos to be on the shelves! It’s the perfect time to start thinking about your holiday cards! I am offering fall mini sessions. 30 minutes, in and out-great for those of you who have hubbies like mine–he hates taking family photos, and I mean hates it! So if you have a man like mine, no need to worry-we’ll get your family photo done and have some while we’re doing. Heck, he might forget he is getting his picture done we’ll be having so much fun! Call today to book your session!
