these are the days we remember

I went to my parents’ house a few weeks ago and saw these yellow flowers.  I decided that day to take this mom and her baby out there- it didn’t matter that the baby was a “he”.  Overall, it was good idea, since I think things turned out nicely.   That’s not saying we didn’t have trouble.  One bit of trouble came in the form of two slightly overfed canines.    My parents have a yellow lab, Bella, who loves people in general.  They also have Sally Biter- a pleasantly plump basset hound who generally loves me.  That dog has an intense fondness for Shanna.  She will knock over anything in her path padding her way out to greet me, ears and flaps of fur bouncing around.   She’s not a compact dog at all- she must be at least 70 pounds and 4 feet long.   So, I spent the majority of this shoot with that dog rolling over on me, trying to use those short little legs to jump on me or just shooting around her wagging tail.  I learned my lesson about shooting where the animals are familiar with me.  

I also asked my mom to help me out with getting this baby’s attention: he was intent on studying the varying types of grass growing around him.   I never mind that, but I know moms are suckers for a nice smile.  My mother, in particular, has the uncanny ability to make all babies smile.   So I asked if she minded helping.  While she was behind me trying to coax a smile from this child, she started doing the unthinkable:  talking about me.  Oh lord….   me as a baby, silly stories about my childhood or how difficult I can be.  (I am paying my dues now, by the way.)  Doesn’t she know I have to be a bit professional?  Make a good impression? I was embarassed wondering how this mom was reacting- wondering  “why” my mom was talking about all that.   But,  it’s how we relate to other mothers.  No matter how old I am, I am her baby.   She was looking at herself decades ago-  this young woman with a baby, and sharing her own experiences- she wasn’t trying to embarass me.  We have our children, our babies and we never forget.   The father was supposed to join his family, but in the end had to work. I know it was disappointing.  However, I also know this mom will never regret having pictures made with just the two of them.. since 30 years from now, she’ll be telling the stories she’s living today.

 

Every day is a winding road

My poor poor blog- the mistreated stepchild in my life.   I feel almost indulgent when I post here- like I’m taking something away from one of my children,  time mostly.   Most mothers I know feel guilt over simple pleasures in life, as if they are denying their children something by taking care of themselves.   I am that mother-  no salon visits- very few new clothes that come from stores that do not sell diapers, dishwashing liquid or milk- I have taken up a curly hairdo because it allows me to airdry… my favorite accessory is my hairclip.  Basically, this blog suffers because I feel I should spend what free time I have doing something related to this huge experiement in home economics that I am undertaking.  I hope there is a learning curve.

Speaking of that home economics project- Claire turned 3 last week,  Jack is growing webbed feet from swimming so much and Spencer…. well he has entered the mobile baby stage- and “scream like Jami Lee Curtis when I am on the floor” stage-  which makes the house louder and makes everything more interesting  when it’s done with one hand…

So here’s the Garrett family.. I have photographed several families named Garrett lately and a few kids named Jett, oddly enough!   Doesn’t this baby have such a carefree boyish charm to him?  He just bounds though the day, content to be alive and exploring… no guilt in those simple pleasure found here….

 

The Page Cannot be Displayed

My site is down the week!  I got several calls and emails last week informing me that my site wasn’t loading.  Sure enough, it’s not!  In an internet age, a website not running smoothly makes it seem like I’ve disappeared or shut my doors!  But, have no fear- my tech guy (Stu) has narrowed down the problem and we thought it was fixed.   It’s just taking a few more days than expected to get the site going!

I know lots of people are waiting to see their sessions!  Hopefully, things will once again be running within the week.

 

   

Happy Girl

Just a few of McKenna- whose session ended abrutly with a huge downpour!  It’s okay- we had enough in the first 10 minutes to be done!  I love how her entire face, especially her eyes, lights up when she genuinely smiles…

One more that’s not really a smile, but I like it!

 

 

My what big eyes you have

Spencer will be SIX MONTHS old tomorrow.  He’s now officially a mid-sized babe. 

deer in the headlight impression:

the only thing better than this smile are the little coos that go with it

 

peace

I saw this image and wondered, wow, how in the heck did this happen?  They all look so posed and peaceful?  Little brother was like all 4 year olds, busy and jabbering- he actually was quite the talker.   Somehow I managed to pull a pure moment of bliss out of it all.