12-4, Gorgeous Gals

There's no doubt about it, these girls are gorgeous.  They were all smiles from the moment they stepped out of the car.   It was so fun to work with sisters who are older and so close in age.  I never had a sister growing up, I can only imagine the fun (and, I'm sure, the drama) that accompanies two teenage girls finding their footing in life.  The love, the teasing and the giddiness couldn't help but make me smile and laugh as well.  And, I do believe we found the perfect barn setting for these Nashville transplants (thank you, mom, for that suggestion!).  Thank you girls for your cooperation and light-hearted spirits.  You guys are awesome!

I think these collections might bring a few tears to the parents in a couple of years....

11-18, "I was thinking snow...."

So my client-to-be said, "I was thinking snow and the lake."  I thought, 'Yeah, that does sound like you guys.  Great idea!'  Little did I know that Colorado's highly unpredictable weather would become even more so as the month of November passed.  We can almost be certain that we'll have snow here the week after Halloween.  SURELY, we'd have snow by mid-November.  Nothing.  Nada.  Not only was it not snowing, but we were also breaking heat records!  Crazy!  No, snow, no rain and unusually wonderful fall weather.  I was really torn between wanting to get their Christmas photos done for them timely and well, getting out there and purely enjoying the fantastic weather we were having!  Alas, the trend broke.  It was 80 on Wednesday afternoon and by Thursday afternoon it was snowing.  Nobody thought it would stick-- even the forecasters (because they always get it right, right?!) said that it wouldn't even really stick on the grass.  Oh, how wrong they were.  The temperatures plummeted into the 20s and sure enough, it did stick to the ground.  Yay for my client and her snow pictures!  Oh wait-- somebody has to take those 'snow pictures'.  Oh no, wait!  That someone is me!  And remembering my last snow session and my wet pants, I broke loose from all professional attire and donned snow pants.  Yes, snow pants!  Ok, no, there wasn't 3' of snow, but you must realize the crazy positions I get into during a session.  Better safe than wet pants at 21 degrees!   My clients were brave-- they took off their jackets and everything.  Wow-- that's devotion to getting that great photo.  Despite the wicked cold temps, it was a great session.  The puppies were even cooperative-- but I think they were actually just frozen into position.  Thanks, guys, for your devotion to making this session happen.  Hopefully you've started to regain feeling in your fingertips by now.....

And, of course, no portrait session would be complete without some wall art suggestions!

11-25, Extended Love

This session had been months in the making.  "I might get everyone here for Thanksgiving!  Could we engage your photographic services?!"...."Absolutely!" I eagerly replied.  I love this family.  I had the privilege of photographing them two Thanksgivings ago, and this year other members of the family would be joining them.  We both anticipated the session with mutual excitement.  Holiday sessions just bring out the 'shiny' in everyone and I really enjoy them.  But then, the bottom dropped out of my world and I learned on Thanksgiving day that my last remaining grandparent had passed away.  Our session was scheduled for the following afternoon.  This sweet family insisted that maybe we should cancel the session.  My response?  "Oh heck no!"  You see?  I do this for the love of capturing these families.  I do this to create a moment in time for them that they can always keep no matter what unknown circumstances may present themselves in the future.   I do this to step out of my world and into theirs, even if only for a brief period of time.   I needed this session as much, if not more, than they did.   I thought of the final family self-portrait I made with my family and grandma over the summer and how much I cherish that final image and time with her.  There was no way I was going to take this opportunity away from this family.  As the family pulled up in groups to our location, Mimi and Grandpa corralled the kids into the back of the truck-- a confined 'holding area' for kids, so to speak, so I could get set up without interruption.  As I turned around to grab my gear, I looked up and saw the sweet, smiling faces of these boys.  I knew in a moment that I had made the right decision.  I knew that from up above, my grandma was smiling down on this scene with joy for the eternal love she has for children and families.   I enjoyed the session immensely and was so thankful for the brief reprieve of grief that it provided.  I was so thankful to be given the opportunity to provide these memories for this family.  I am thankful for this family.  Thank you for allowing me to do this for you and for me!