This lovey gal (my baby sis) turned 18 last week!
Whaaaaa!!
So, I'm showing off her pretty face.
Mel needed some senior pictures, and sometimes having a photographer for a sister is a blessing and a curse. She definitely didn't get my "full service experience" (sorry Mel). We took these fairly quick all while I had my little 2 year old in tow. And to be honest, I'm pretty happy with at least getting a hand full of portraits for her.
Woah. Woah. Woah.
So, it's been a hot second (ok, like 6 months) since I've shared a Project: Free Time. I mean, this lovely lady has both moved and gone brunette since I shot this!
Anyway, Meet Kelsey...
Vegan, runner, and plant mama (and fur mama to her cute doggy, Leila). Kelsey has a heart as sweet as her face, and is one of those people who doesn't need an once of make up but is pretty much a queen when it comes to doing it (find out more here). A true gem this one.
Subject: Kelsey White | Free Time: watering, caring for, and rearranging her plant babies.
When it comes to photographs (or anything really) it's not about perfection.
This image is blurry and grainy and you can't see their faces. It was snapped as my daughter was running and laughing with her Aunt on a sunset walk back to the car. We had just finished up a family dinner by the ocean on our first night in Marco. The mood was happy and relaxed, and it was a moment I wanted to remember.
I often get asked by clients on what makes an image "frame worthy".... and to be honest the first few times I wasn't so sure on my answer. Is it when everyone is looking at the camera? Nope. Is it when the lighting is oh-so-perfect? Not necessarily.
So what makes an image "frame worthy"? Emotion.
How you feel when you look at it.
And when selecting a photograph for a room, think of how you want the room to feel. Do you want it to feel happy, calm, romantic, or moody? I believe what we surround ourselves with, affects us. Whether that's for the good or bad. People, objects, art, these all contribute to how we will feel in a space.
This photo sparks a sense of happiness and mystery. And I love that.
Might be blowing this one up soon.
We spent a few chill days on Indian Rocks Beach.
Paddle boarding, bike riding, relaxing, and exploring. Oh and taking refreshing (make-shift) outdoor showers. It was a nice little trip to hang with some of our Florida friends, and embrace the beach life.
I love the beach life. Forever and ever amen.
Meet Jade...
Jade is a gentle soul with a love for people and veggies. She is a full time medical student and the founder of Project Somalia. Her happy spirit is contagious, and I loved photographing her in her beautiful, modern bungalow that she shares with her husband in the heart of phoenix.
Subject: Jade Bavishi | Free time: reading (studying) on her hammock + tea time
As you may have seen at the end of January I shared about my new series, Project: Free Time. Now, here's the thing about that project... it heavily relies on my (and others) free time to make it happen. Ha! Who knew!? Well, I'm happy to say that I'm here with the second entry!
Meet Elijah...
Elijah is a musician, entrepreneur, and all around cool guy. Something he likes to do with his free time? Hang with his adorable wife! And if you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Whit, you know what a gem she truly is. I'm in no way exaggerating when I say these two are the best of people.
Subject: Elijah Atkison | Free time: Bike rides around town (with his pretty gal:)
Find more about Eli's work at: Fosterson and Worship Support Network.
Hope you're all enjoying this beautiful spring!! With all the good weather and pretty colors lately, I don't want it to end!!
xo
I'm currently working on a little review of our cruise experience (should be up next week!), but today I thought I'd share some snaps I took of Mila on the boat. I found this sailor dress the week before our trip and had to get it. I mean, she was going to meet the captain after all so why not dress for the occasion? (so "mom" of me, I know.)
We went out on the deck right as the sun was sinking into the pacific. I wanted to get some nice portraits of her, but she was too excited, yelling "HI, OCEAN!!!" and was running around in circles. It was also pretty dang cold. So cold, we only lasted like 5 minutes. Maybe 10. Even still, these moments stuck with me. Maybe it was seeing Mila's face of pure joy, or seeing her handsome daddy all dressed up, or that being on the ocean at sunset is magical in itself. These pictures, as blurry and grainy as they are, are so beautiful to me mostly because of the memories they contain.
I'm really thankful to be her mama.
Upon meeting the captain Buddy told Mila to say " Aye Aye captain", so I think our absolute favorite moment of the trip was when she walked up to the captain and greeted him with a very confident "Hi Hi captain!!". That will forever make me laugh.
Have a beautiful week, friends!
xo
So, I still haven't taken Milas 2 year old pictures. My goal is to photograph her before the end of the month (fingers crossed). Hey, as long as I capture her while she's still technically 24 months it counts, right? The truth is, life is busy sometimes, and other times... it's not exactly the best time of day (like say, 10pm).
Right around Mila's birthday I started going through pictures and videos. I opened up all of my "Mila" folders and reminisced (and maybe shed a few happy tears). I did this around her first birthday as well.... I suppose I'll just go ahead and accept the fact that I'll probably do it every year for the rest of my life.
When I came across these photographs, I looked at them a little longer than the rest. Mila had just turned 4 months and the lovely lady holding her is her great-great grandmother (we call her Omi) and I felt beyond lucky to have had the honor of capturing the two of them together.
I also made my mom get in a frame. I thought having one of her with her grandmother and her granddaughter would be pretty cool:)
I'm thankful to my husband for having me jump in as well, and for taking this picture (below). At the time I remember thinking "eww, I look gross. My hair is still wet from my shower... and I still need to lose like 10 more pounds of baby weight... blah blah blah".
Now seeing this, I realize how unimportant all of those thoughts were. One day when Mila is older she'll be able to have a photo of her, her mother, her grandmother, and her great-great grandmother. And that is amazing. My Omi (my mothers mom) passed away, but I know she was with us there in spirit.
If you can take one thing away from this mushy post, take this...
If you have the privilege of being able to take a photo with a loved one, do it. Always do it. No one cares what your hair looks like, or that you're not wearing any make-up, or that you feel chubby. They care about capturing a memory with you, and having that memory to look back on forever.
In loving memory of my Omi, Ellen. (pregnant with my Aunt and holding my mom as a baby)
side note: I wore those earrings on my wedding day to have a piece of her with me. She is so loved and truly missed.
Take some time to squeeze your loved ones this weekend!
(Maybe even try to get a picture with them too! ;)
xo
Had a quick session with this lovely family a little while back. I've realized I don't share all of the shoots I do! So, I figured I'd change that and start with sharing a few shots of these cuties. I mean... how adorable are these boys?! It's like they came straight out of a Polo ad, I swear.
Loved working with this beautiful family.
So here's to sharing more work with you all!
Have a great week!
A little behind the scenes video of one of my shoots from last year. This was a crazy 15 hour day, but it was a lot of fun. Big thanks to Chris Alfonso for the video!!