I wanted to let you all know that I am back from vacation. It was such a wonderful and much needed time away. I enjoyed my family so much as we swam, had great morning breakfasts and enjoyed being out on the boat. The life!

I’ll be returning emails as soon as I can (session this afternoon), and I apologize as my “email auto responder” did not send return emails to my clients stating that I was on vacation.

I had to share this little one year old – born on July 4th, so the outfit was perfect. I was happy to finally get a little girl in pigtails (just a personal favorite thing of mine). Sweet!! I hope you like these Mom.

I’m going on vacation! You all enjoy your week!

I want our sessions to be about the experience. I want the children (and parents) to have fun, to relax and enjoy our time together. It’s much better for all involved if the parents aren’t stressed too much, are smiling and joking/talking with their children and are not completely focused on how they are smiling or if they are smiling (and for some, if their smile is too big or too small). I want my clients to leave, being a little tired -yes, but also with a good memory of the time they spent as a family more than anything else.

This Mom did everything right! I adore ADORE these shots of them all just being a family – loving each other, wrestling and all! I had to share more from this session. It was hot, and we all still had fun!

I’ll see you all again after my vacation!

When a Mom lets her boys “be boys” and do what “boys do”, and I’m allowed to be there to photograph it, well, it’s beyond happiness for me. This was a FUN session. Three little guys – quite handsome I might add -and their Mom. Even though the session was specifically booked for her 5 year old (before he lost a tooth!), we got PLENTY of her other boys as well. You know this first image has to crack you up! I mean, if it doesn’t…wake up because it’s hilarious to see the two oldest wrestling (it was cute to watch) and then Lil’ Man there doing…..I have no idea what he’s doing…pulling his pants up?

You’re next! Then, I will be proofing again like a mad woman upon returning home from a much needed vacation and family time.

 But, it was really about this Big Man. He’s so handsome – really, really handsome. I’m just showing two fun ones I love.

I’ll have much more to share at another time. Nite!

I’m working on my last two galleries, and then it’s VACATION time (well, outside of a newborn session tomorrow – gotta get her in young!). I will be out of the office and unable to answer any phone calls, messages or email until my return. I’ll be returning to work with a session on June 27th.

I’ll share a recent maternity I had. I love doing maternities portraits outdoors or around the home. I want my clients to realize that they do not have to be on a backdrop unless you are wanting dramatic lighting or tasteful nudes.

Last one – enjoy!

Before I speak about my clients, I have to speak about my own husband and father to my boys. I was raised without a Father, so unfortunately, I have NO insight whatsoever into the bond between fathers and daughters. What I do know, I watch from others around me or watch the fathers and daughters of my very own clients. But in regards to my husband – he’s the best father I could ever have hoped or asked for. Our marriage is solid for 15 years now. It’s a great thing b/c raising our two boys’ provides challenges beyond what we ever imagined we would have to deal with and overcome and challenge ourselves to do each and every day (11 1/2 years and counting). But, because he and I are such an enormous team together, we do it. He does it. Dads like to fix everything, but after years, he learned that some things cannot be “fixed”. Some things or people just need to be loved, cared for, coached through life, and to learn coping skills in life (that is in reference to myself, the boys and my husband). It’s about living life one day at a time. Being a father one day at a time and knowing that YOU are the best father and YOU are doing the best for your boys – you love them without question and you love them unconditionally. For this very reason, you ARE my favorite. As I always tell you, Daniel, when I look at you each day….

“You are my favorite”.

I love you and the boys love you, and we’ll love you forever as we travel this journey of “the Steaders” together. My husband calls us The Steaders. I love it; I love it! His boys are “his little Steaders”.. Happy Father’s Day to you Daniel!

——now on to my clients———-

I wanted to sneak on to the computer and share a little of my favorite images that represent Dad’s and their relationships with their children. I feel the bond, love, laughter and relationships that you build with your children and thus share forever through images captured at your session is what my job is ALL about. It’s what I want you to see when you view your portraits on the wall – I want you to have a great image of you smiling (of course), but these moments below, I feel, are more fleeting and much easier to forget. I love that you can see these years down the road and still remember the experience that day or just remember how much fun you had or how little they, really, once were.

Enjoy!

One of my ALL-TIME favorite family shots. I love getting one “of everyone looking’ in my own personal portraits, but to me, THIS seals the deal for me. When I hire my own family photographer, I really do want some looking (it’s my style as well), but I WANT A LOT of candid, fun, loving shots like the one above.

And one very special Father’s Day image that I, now, will never forget from 2006.