Archive for the ‘children’ Category

Finding Heart

Sunday, January 26th, 2014

heart garland studiocharm

Today I gathered Valentine colors of felt from my bag of scraps and a few select pieces of beautiful bamboo felt that my friend Melissa generously supplied me with. I cut out various hearts– 1″ tall up to 3″ tall freehand (folding each scrap in half and cutting a symmetrical half heart) and turned them loose in a pile. This project was assisted by my four year old C. and her playgroup buddies who helped to sort and organize the hearts by color, size, etc. When it came time to sew them together, C. stood by my side and supplied me with a random very sophisticated pattern of fuzzy hearts to be linked in a straight stitch in white thread on my sewing machine. I then sewed all of them in one continuous strip from top to bottom and we ended up with about 7′ of garland! We are currently trying it out as a window swag in our living room. We’ll see where it ends up for Valentine’s Day. This was a fun project with kids and was very simple and quick to make.

I also love this scripture- I read it again today and wanted to share it with you. My heart is full.

Still A Round . . .

Friday, April 24th, 2009

. . . bellied, pregnant mama tonight. This week has been quite the whirlwind with one visit to the hospital on account of false labor, one non-stress test (just got home from this one tonight), one ultrasound (earlier today), two birthdays (DH and DD on the same day), a first ever soccer practice, and possibly a baby’s arrival this weekend. If not, I’ll likely be induced in the middle of next week. With all of the craziness, life is good and we are ready for our baby’s arrival.

We’ve been on “high alert” for a couple of weeks now, as the babe has been measuring small in the tummy and femur but her head measurements are right on. There have been many NST’s, a few ultrasounds, plenty of prayers, eating excessive amounts of protein and fat (thank you to my good friends who have supplied me with the most decadent foods known to woman-kind!), and lots of nesting going on. My wonderful DH even caulked the bathtub for me because for some reason it was high on the “must do before the baby arrives” list. We’ve been so blessed with help from neighbors tending kids and a brief stay from one of my sisters and her husband which really made a difference when we had to make a late night trip to the hospital. During all of this, our sweet little A. developed an abcess on one of her front teeth which affected the neighboring two teeth as well and so she had three extractions in one fell swoop. This was a hard one for me as a mom–and she is now finally getting used to having a window in her smile. The same day S. had one tooth extracted and we were confined to eating soft, squishy foods for a bit.

I share this because many of you are close friends and family and perhaps it is also my therapy– I want to remember the craziness that surrounded to the miracle of our little girl’s arrival. Even though things can seem difficult and overwhelming at times–there are SO many blessings squished in between everything. THREE of my best buddies from college have given birth this month. The very day I was “rejected” from being admitted to the hospital with false labor, a good friend was admitted and experienced the safe and healthy delivery of her baby. Miracles happen all around us–and many seem to go unnoticed. I hope to recognize each one.

Lest I go on and on, I’ve got to share a few images captured by my wonderful business partner Kimberly of Tilt Photography during a studio session last week. Kimberly captured some images that I will treasure always–especially that I feel they really show the connection I feel with my children. While I am shy about sharing my baby belly with you all, I am proud of the work my body has done to grow a baby, and I am thankful to have these pictures to remind me of the blessing of motherhood. Be forewarned, this belly hasn’t seen the light of day, well, since I was a baby. 😉

Marvel.

Monday, March 30th, 2009

One month ago I had the amazing privilege to document the arrival of my newest niece H, daughter of my older brother and his wife. Being able to document their experience reaffirmed to me that I am a photographer for the right reasons! I was at the hospital within 20 minutes of the phone call, and with only ONE MINUTE to spare before she arrived. Talk about timing. I think I could make a decent firefighter with speed and timing like that! 😉

{The most astounding thing to me was at how alert she was at only minutes old. All of these images were captured in H’s first 27 minutes of life outside the whom. I have never witnessed such an alert, wide-eyed baby. Her eyes had the wisdom of a lifetime of experience!}

I just posted a studio session of baby H. on the Tilt Photography Studio Blog– you can see how much she changed in just a week. Those first few weeks can be such a blur for parents of new babies–so these photos take on a whole new level of significance for me, because it documents something that is so fleeting!

Valentine Mini-Sessions

Friday, February 6th, 2009

Hey everyone– just getting the word out about our crazy, spontaneous, fun studio event to be held tomorrow (Saturday) and Monday. Please visit the Tilt Photography blog for details!!

Right Back At Ya!

Monday, December 1st, 2008

{this little guy knows who’s boss around here–he’s pointing at his reflection in my lens!}

Thanks people for continuing to check out this often neglected blog. I have about 100 posts lined up in my head–even with photos to illustrate them, but alas, my time is more limited than ever. I consider my blogging time a luxury, which follows family time, church time & work time. Interestingly enough, at the end of the day it comes down to two choices: sleep vs. updating my blog. You can see who the winner in the past couple of months. I feel blessed with friends and family members who have checked in to see how things are going on account of my blog absence. Thank you. I have been more diligent with updating my tilt photography blog, in case you want to see more photo sessions.

As you may have noticed our updated family tree (see previous post). We’re so excited to be expecting a baby in the spring . . . May 7th is the due date. Almost half-way there and ever since Thanksgiving dinner my pregnant shape become more obvious! I guess my sister’s coconut cream pie really did stick to my ribs!

We have our 20 week ultrasound scheduled for next Tuesday. I think I’d be up for a surprise in not finding out the baby’s gender, but DH wants to know. We have our work cut out for us in naming this little one–A’s suggestion was “Crayon” but I’m thinking something else would be more appropriate. (Today she made another crayon comment- asking for the “naked crayon” meaning the red one with out the wrapper. I thought it was quite funny.)

We decorated our Christmas tree tonight, mostly following the lead of the kids who were so excited to pull ornaments out and string beads and hang anything with a string. It is amazing how many ornaments they remember from last year. They are sure growing up!

I hope to add more pictures soon of our latest adventures. Thanks for checking in!!
~Amy

In the Spotlight

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Just got home from S’s school. Today she was in the spotlight and we were able to prepare a brief presentation all about her to share with the class. The two of us stayed up late last night going through pictures, reminiscing about different activities, discussing favorites, and sharing some sweet mother-daughter time. I love this girl!! A few things we documented about S:


{I’m Daddy’s girl. I was a special birthday present for my Dad.}


{A. is my little sister.}


{M. is my little brother.}


{My Dad is an engineer. My Mom is a photographer and artist.}


{“Andy” is my pet bunny. We let him out in our backyard sometimes.}


{A. has a bird named “Sparky” and he is a cockatiel with rosy cheeks.}


{My favorite foods.}


{I love to find bugs and play with friends.}


{I like to ride my bike with out training wheels and go on hikes.}


{I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Maybe a doctor, or firefighter, or a storekeeper, or maybe a photographer or an artist, or a librarian.}


{My favorite thing about first grade is math and recess. I love my teacher!}


{this one is from Mom. Love you, girl!}

Little Rascals

Friday, September 19th, 2008

A recent “Little Rascals” shoot was a lot of fun and required collecting some unusual props (see frog comment below). We will offer a “Little Rascals” event in the spring, but in the meanwhile we are offering this style of shoot as a signature collection session through tilt photography.


{Don’t worry, the “one-legged” frog is a fake. No frogs were harmed in the making of this portrait}

Click here to see more Little Rascals pictures by Kimberly & Amy . . .

Adventures With a Family of 6

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

This shoot was a blast– when I saw the family pull up, I was truly giddy with excitement. They looked great and their darling daughters arrived ready for a fun family session with a side order of fashion photography. Their clothing choices were fun, spunky yet conservative and worked out great with our rustic location. I have to admit being hung up on this one–it was so hard to not post the whole bunch here– so I’ll just save some surprises for later!! Enjoy~


{my favorite wall in the entire planet! 😉 }


{she makes my job easy– natural beauty, I tell you!}


{blue eyes & beautiful smile . . . she’s stunning!}


{she has an awesome laugh and the most darling dimples!!}


{baby sis was so sweet and fun I had to post an extra for her!}


{a little urban texture action here– so FUN!}


{gorgeous mom with the most sparkly eyes ever!!}


{dad couldn’t escape the fun–I really like the GQ look here juxtaposed to the old shed door.}


{the girls with my “aged pecan” processing in adobe lightroom. This could also be an advertisement for studiocharm steaks, but many of you know that I’m a vegetarian, so they’d likely be tofu steaks and not very tasty. SO no steaks as part of your photo session, sorry folks!}


{I literally got goosebumps on my arms when I snapped this family shot in front of the red wall–even before I had seen the results. Something just “clicked” and it felt like an authentic moment was captured and preserved for this family. This is the high that photographers get once in a while–WAHOO!!}


{Last shot of the shoot- COWABUNGA! We all got a good laugh looking at the facial expressions on my viewfinder}.
Thanks H fam for such an adventurous, non-stressful shoot!! I am so excited to present your images to you!!

A Great Thought

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

A good friend of mine sent me this quote recently. I just love it- and I love the author, Marjorie Pay Hinckley:

“I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden. I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

Isn’t that great? For me it is so visual, and I can especially relate to the part about being covered with grime.

For our weekly photo news and updates . . . I have a TON of photos to process, SO MANY to blog about, and we are on the mend from a sick spell at our home. In fact, I began the day with my little M. getting “sick” on me at 5:00 a.m. Soooo- as soon as I am able, I will get everything done (in order, right?) and it will be lovely. The fairy canvases turned out amazingly well- I am so excited about what will come next with these designs. Photos of the installation and exciting business updates on the way.


{Sometimes they really act like they love each other to pieces! Other times . . . not so much. I am so happy to have captured this image earlier this evening as the sun was setting.
Technical settings: f/8, SS 1/320 @ 500 ISO. Lens- 70-200mmL (focal length set to 70 mm)}

No. 2

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

You may recognize this familiar face, as I have photographed him a few times. He just turned 2 and it was a lot of fun to document this milestone. Can’t get enough of those curly locks!!

{His big brown eyes are like melted chocolate! So sweet–}

{J. feeding the goats at the farm}

{I love this one- and the great bokeh from the new lens adds that lovely background blur!}

{Big brother is there to help extinguish the flame on candle no. 2}

{Happy Birthday big guy- thanks for allowing me to tag along on your bday no. 2!}