Adoption Adoption Adoption! (Whitman County Family Photographer)

I spy with my little eye...

Two adoptees (only one is a child in this photo)

Two Birth Moms

One Adoptive Mom

One regular Mom

Two Biological children

and....

(the only thing that really matters...)

A lot of love.

With freezing cold temperatures, rain and wind, a sick little girl, and cold baby and a last minute location change... well... let's just say that the shots from this shoot are a miracle!  I'm so glad things turned out, as this was a rare opportunity for all of these people to be together, an opportunity that I was honored to photograph. 

The Church Librarian

I usually photograph young families.  Children.  Babies.  People new to the business of living.

I recently had the honor of photographing Nadene, who just happens to be one of my favorite people.  Ever.

Nadene is an adoption pioneer.  Forty-two years ago, after raising six children (the youngest was 10 years old), Nadene was inspired to adopt a little Native American baby who desperately needed a home... back when that sort of thing "just wasn't done."  I never tire of hearing Nadene's story, her longing for this child, the undeniable feeling of love and commitment to bring the baby into their home, the feeling that this was 'meant to be'. 

I know this feeling.  I have been guided to each of my adopted children with similar intensity, commitment, similar conviction that they were meant for me and I for them.

Nadene now has a quiver of 7children, their spouses, 27 grand children and 26 great grand children.  She hand makes them each a personalized birthday card every year.  She tends to her not-so-little flock with great care, much prayer and similar commitment and drive that brought her youngest child home to her arms.

I learn a lot from this spunky church librarian.  I make it a point to stop in there every Sunday to grab a pen or a book or whatever. There is always a kind word to be found when Nadene is around.  And some great vintage jewelry to marvel over.

Location Location Location

What's a Natural Light Photographer to do in the middle of the bleak grey cold endless winter?

Why scout for new photo locations, of course!  I found some great new locations to use when things warm up a bit.  I can't wait to find some willing subjects to try it out.

But for now, here is one of my favorite tried and true locations for a family photo shoot... The Perkins House, Colfax, WA.

This has, in the past years, been one of my favorite locations. It's close. beautiful public gardens, they do not charge to photograph there (I've checked and the caretakers are always very kind and welcoming... they have also offered many times to teach me about flower gardening in exchange for a few hours of help in the gardens. As my Littles are a little big older now, I am seriously considering taking them up on the offer). 

But I digress.

Yes. The Perkins House has afforded me many lovely family portrait sessions, and I imagine I will continue to photograph there as time goes on.

It was fun to scout around the county for new places and to actually find some very promising ones.  I can't wait for Spring to Spring, for grasses to green and for temperatures to go up so I can explore new locations with new faces.

Last of the Littles - Whitman County Newborn Photographer

My time in Utah, the land of perpetual babies, is over.  I can't believe the great opportunities that presented themselves to me in the form of brand spankin new babies just waiting to be photographed!  There is no shortage of babies in that state, this is a fact.  My last trip to Target (peace be upon that glorious store) yielded pregnant lady sightings in the double hands... like 7 or 8 of them. In the same store!  At the same time!

It was so very nice to get the amount of practice that I did during my short stay in the Beehive State.  Thank you, dear people, who let me hum and haw and try to work my way through a newborn photo session with your wee ones.

This little man, however, is the Last of the Littles for a while...

Due to time constraints, diapers, nursing and all manner of newborn-typical delays, I ended up with no more than 35 minutes total to shoot.  If I had not been leaving the state just days after our time together I would have certainly rescheduled for another chance.  But it was nice to see how much I could get done in a short time. 

Note to self:  Be prepared to spend three hours minimum at a newborn shoot, and don't be surprised if you have to return to get the shots you want.

I'm confident now that I can do a newborn shoot well, in fact, I think from now on I will feel very comfortable charging the full session fee for a newborn package (gasp).  I'm not saying this is my specialty.  Oh no.  Lots of work.  Lots of planning.  Lots of sweat. but they really are sweet, aren't they?  And what  a blessing to capture their newness before it disappears (all too quickly).

Thank you, dear Utahns, for being so good at what you do!  Such beautiful little babies come of all that multiplying and replenishing... A+ I say.  A+ indeed.

Baby Girl - Whitman County Newborn Photographer

Newborn sessions are always a lot of work for me.  I am sweating bullets by the time a session is over, and not just because it's so hot.  These babies make me work!  This little one slept the entire time, though... a first for me.  In fact, when I went through and edited I lamented the fact that I didn't capture a single awake photo.  I love the results, though, and I'm happy I had a bit of advance notice so I could knit up some accessories. 

And, in case you happen to visit this little photoblog of mine from time to time, you will notice that it is a work in progress. 

If I were more on top of things, I would finalize the entire site in a separate location, then unveil the new and improved product in one giant sweep, complete with a red carpet and refreshments.  But.  Alas.  I am a work in progress sort of girl.  Keep checking back and one day it will be exactly how I have imagined it in my head.  Ha.

I Heart Faces ... Innocent Wonder

 A brother and a sister finding amazing things in  a simple pasture.



I Heart Faces....Smile!

My Ivy Bug's smile is addictive and her laugh is contagious.  She lights up the room wherever she goes (unless she is grumpy, then watch out!)... this is one of my all time favorite photographs I've taken of her.





 PS - I feel like a dork.  A few posts ago when I made my first entry in this contest I claimed I've been following I Heart Faces for 'years'... I guess (since it is their second birthday) that it's only been two years.  But it's been a great two years, and I'm glad I've finally kicked my butt into finally participating in some of their contests.