My Candid Moments

A casting call is when I want to try out some new ideas, but need models as my own kids are the wrong ages or unwilling to assist me.  The Benefit to those who volunteer is that you will get a FREE newborn session and a free 8×10 image from your session.  In return I get to try out a few of my creative ideas. Please note that I never do or will put your baby in harms way (say hang them from a tree branch) or put them in uncomfortable positions.  My goal is to capture them naturally just as they are in that moment. Creating art for your walls that will last you forever.

My current casting call will be for those who are expecting over the next three/six months.  I will have a limited number of sessions open for Newborns.  They will be filled on a first call first schedule basis.  The only requirements are that the session be done on location at your home and that your child be between 5 and 14 days at the time of the session.

Please contact me if you or someone you know is interested!  All those who are do not make the casting call will receive a certificate for 50% off the session fee for a six month or newborn session.

Life is about challenges.  The one thing I am constantly amazed at is how when my children set their minds to something — they take it to the end.  They do not appear to have any self doubt and become very singularly focused. This can be both good and bad depending upon what it is they have determined they want to do.

This past week John did something AMAZING. He accepted the challenge issued at school to turn off the TV, Computer, and Video games for an entire week. This was a FULL seven days.  This meant that the entire family had to limit our time and it was fantastic.  I won’t lie, Kate had a bit of time with Dora while he was at school, but that was it for a week.

Tonight I realized that too often I find reasons not to accept the challenges in my life. The reasons usually come down to self doubt and feeling like why try, I never win.  Tonight I realized it’s not always about winning each time we take on a challenge it helps us to grow and learn, and isn’t that what life is about. Growing and learning?

So if I am not too late I am entering into a contest.  The challenge was to use toys as the objects for my photographs.  I used this challenge to inspire me to create wall art for my son’s room, if you haven’t guessed is favorite things in the world is high end cars!

I took this image last year at the Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis. We did not go this year, there was so much to do that we decided this will be an every other year tradition for us. However, this image still resonates with me. Is it perfect, no it’s not. However, it is about the magic of the season for me. A little boy who was GLUED to the window of the tent because the parade was such a magical thing. Then at the end, who comes but Santa, a larger then life Santa, to me, who at this moment was nothing more then a Mom, it was pure magic.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. I know my kids are excited about the snow — truthfully so am I. It means we will have tons of fun while they are on break from school.

Shannon

It is so easy to become wrapped up in the day to day living.  To make the little speed bumps in the road into huge mountains we need to overcome.  Then all it takes is one instant one moment for it to all come into focus.  That what I do, what we all do as parents, makes a difference. As a photographer I make it my mission to try and capture those moments, the ones that show the love, happiness and a deep connection to one another.  The image that when you view it will make every tear and shriek melt away as you gaze at an image that is just — pure love.  As we head into the busy hectic holiday season I pray for all to have theses moments to have this brief few seconds everyday when EVERYTHING is right in the world.

This portrait is two of my greatest blessings in life, my children.  The other, blessing my husband is not in this image.  However, without him I would not have these two incredible and amazing children.  Blessings this Thanksgiving to all.

Shannon

This week I am getting ready for the holiday and spending way too much time on other blogs.

This week my five on Friday are some fun things I have found for the holidays.

1. Oganinzing Your Way has a countdown for the holidays — I the suggestions and tips for getting through this hectic holiday season.

2. Minted — These are a great new card option. Now you can replace the holiday letter with a mini book of images. I love this idea and I know the Grandparents will too!

3. Vintage Pearl - I found this while surfing another photographers blog. I just love the jewelry and it is the perfect gift for a Mom.  hint hint to anyone out there who needs ideas for thier Mom!

4. Tape Swell — I have not yet found a use for this, but just LOVE the idea of the decorative tape being pretty and functional.  I am certain I will order some to use this holiday season.

5.  Blub Books – These are good quality books and a great way to share a year of images with family and friends. I hope to make a few books for holiday gifts this year, if not they will make great New Years presents.

I found this image while proofing a recent session I did for DoJo Karate.  I just love this moment I captured between my own kids!

This week I have some fun things for my Five on Friday:
1. Someone posted on Facebook — That we tell kids not to take Candy and things from people they do not know, but on Halloween we go door to door and collect candy. This is such an odd message. I tend to agree, but we will be out on Halloween!

2. I am blessed to have photography in my life — I have some amazing friends and that means the world to me! You all know who you are and THANK YOU!!

3. I want this lens — I can’t have it right now but I want it!!

4. I am so thankful for my family and their continued good health.  (I told you my thoughts were totally random).

5. I love my children — they are the world to me.  However, sometimes my favorite time of the day is when they sleep.

I have neglected my blog the past few weeks, as I get into the fall schedule of school, karate lessons and as well as the hustle and bustle of the busy season for me as a photographer.  My photographer friend Chelsey has challenged us to blog about five things on Friday.  I missed the first two weeks, but I was determined to make it this week.

Here are my Five on Friday:

1. I LOVE my clients. I know that it can not be said enough that I have been blessed with great clients.  So many of you are returning for your third and forth annual sessions with me this fall.  I am just blown away by your support and feel like I have a mini family reunion with each of you this time of year.

2. My image graces this months cover of My Healthy Beginning a local magazine that focuses on raising children naturally!  I am also very excited to report that I am also providing images for their next issue as well!

3. I love all the seasons, but there is something wonderful and unique about fall.  I love the colors, the weather which can go from cool and crisp, to warm and back to cold and rainy all in the space of two days!  Fall makes me want to cozy up with a book and read — feel free to leave me suggestions below. I need to stop by the library and get a few books anyway!

4. I am really starting to love doing MACRO photography.  It won’t replace my other passion, photographing people, but I love looking at everyday objects in a new way.  I am dying to try out water droplets — maybe one night when the kids are tucked away in bed!

5. I hate to buy shoes. That is the truth. I NEED new shoes this fall and I just dread going out and trying to find the ones that I want.  Again any suggestions would be appreciated. I am certain my husband does not want me wearing my dirty old keds much longer!

Their faces just Melt my heart!!

I am going to start a new thing here on my blog: Wordless Wendsday. I wish I could say that the idea was my own.  However, it is something I have barrowed from my friend and fellow photographer Chelsey Mach, of MachC photography in Faribanks Alaska. 

You can check out her wordless Wendsday posts here: MachC and see for yourself how a picutre really is worth a thousand words~

This is image needs no other words — because every Mom can relate to how amazing it is to get one image of two kids together and happy!