December 5-on-5: Trimming the Tree

Every year I purchase a new Christmas ornament for each of my children, so that from the time of their very first Christmas to their eighteenth, they garner a pretty little collection that they will someday use on their own tree in their own home.

By far, my daughter, has been the most enthusiastic ornament lover in our family. Her excitement each year as she goes through her box of ornaments elicits memories of my sisters and I gathered around our very own boxes ohhhing and ahhhing over the ornaments our mom had hand picked for each of us. I remember the excitement I always felt when we would begin the Christmas decorating and nothing was better than going slowing through my box of ornaments enjoying every single one like they were brand new treasure.

This year the tree decorating was left to just 3 of us, but Lauren couldn't stand not having her two older brothers' ornaments on the tree, so she went through their boxes, too, exclaiming with joy over each one that was her "favorite". 

Our tree decorating definitely has different dynamics these days, but I'm completely thankful for the joy Lauren brings and the child-like wonder. It is a good reminder of days gone by and of new to come.

 To see more un-posed photography that documents daily life in 5 photos head on over to the wonderful Amy Thelen, a Portland, Oregon Family Photographer

Tony & Rebekah Documentary Session- Elmore, Ohio

Documentary photography is the perfect way to capture the day to day life of a family or individual.  This genre of photography tells a unique story in a specific moment in time.  These are the photos that will bring generations together.  Children and grandchildren will ask to be told about the events portrayed in the photos. Documentary photos are a visual journal, a keepsake, and life documentation.  They hold the memories and tell the story of life.

Last month I headed down to Elmore, Ohio to document Tony and Rebekah.  Rebekah has just recently opened a new business called Wine Flight in the quaint town of Elmore.  We planned to go check out her new business and document some of what takes place on a daily basis there, but before we headed into town, Rebekah and Tony took a few minutes to make a salad for their dinner.
Since opening the new business both of them have been extremely busy working long days and nights.  Most nights they just grab something quick to eat, because there hasn't been much time for cooking.

Watching them work together, to make this salad for their dinner later that evening, was the first glimpse of how this couple operates.  I saw it time and time again as the day progressed.  They worked well as a team and there was a comfortable togetherness that permeated their relationship.  It was beautiful to watch their give and take, to witness their friendship and love as they flowed together to get things done.

Tony and Rebekah don't have any children, but they do have a fur baby named Oakley.  He was quite the ham and soaked up all the extra attention he received that day. He loves to play fetch with great stash of toys.  Rebekah and Tony often play with him and so we took time to document life with Oakley.

After relaxing for a short while at their home, we headed down to check out the amazing wine bar that Rebekah has created.  She designed the interior herself and has made this new entrepreneurship a great success.  Tony and Rebekah got to work preparing one of their popular meat and cheese boards and then pouring themselves a wine flight, which consisted of 4 different wines chosen from their current wine selection.

As our time together drew to a close we headed to a park that Rebekah and Tony often visit.  They often bring Oakley here to play fetch and so it was a great way to end the afternoon.

If you are interested in a new way to record your families stories, interactions, hobbies, and love contact me.  I would love to show you the beauty that can be captured through a relaxing, family focused photo session.

November 5-on-5 Shipshewana

Last week my mom and I took my two youngest to Shipshewana, Indiana.  When I was a young girl a Shipsee trip was an annual event. My mom would take my sisters and I to the outdoor flea market. We would spend hours wandering the aisles looking for treasures to spend our small bits of money on.
When we eventually conquered the myriad of sellers and their stalls, mom would make one final stop downtown. We would head to Lolly's to pick up fabrics that she most likely couldn't find anywhere else. 

So in a show of great tradition keeping, we made it our last stop (well almost our last, we bought huge soft pretzels to eat on the way home).  Lauren's first  stop was at the wooden boat that was full of remnants.  She has plans for some pajamas for her dolls and need a couple pieces of fabric. There were so many beautiful pieces that it was hard for her to narrow down what to buy. Eventually, though she made her selection and we moved on to investigate the rest of the store.

It was a wonderful day showing my kids around Shipshewana, taking them to our favorite shops, eating out at one of our favorite Shipsee restaurants, and walking down memory lane with my mom.

 For more documentary photography head on over to Nicole Austen, she is an Orlando, Florida Family Photographer and she tells her life stories with gorgeous photographs.

September 5-on-5: The Braces Edition

Last month Lauren's braces adventure began.  For weeks she had a mountain of questions and what if's. So when the actual day arrived there was a little anxiety due to the unknown. I could tell she was a bit nervous about the whole procedure and the resulting hardware that she would have in her mouth.

If it had just been braces I don't think she would have been so unsure, but because of some bite issues she has she ended up needing a herbst appliance along with the braces.  It was that added hardware that made her question.

Thankfully the staff is wonderful at her orthodontist's office.  They made her feel very welcome and assured her that it wasn't going to be bad.  Our time went quickly and an hour later she had the beginnings of her new smile.

Now almost a month later, she has adjusted to having a whole lot of metal in her mouth.  It wasn't as bad as she had imagined (she has an amazing pain tolerance) and she knows that even though it isn't the easiest thing to get used to, she will see the benefits of it down the road.

 For more storytelling images continue the circle by visiting my friend Melissa who is a St. Charles, MO documentary family photographer.

A Beautiful Five Years- Britton Michigan Documentary Photographer

It was a beautiful summer evening. Perfect for capturing the details and love of Zach, Debbie and their daughter.  An added bonus was that it was Debbie & Zach's  5th wedding anniversary, what could be more special than to document this time in their lives. 

We kept it simple and all about who they are right now.  What follows is a beautiful story of a family. A story that is unique to them.  It involved playing with water, tossing pears to their dog Birch, feeding the neighbors fish, making amazing bruschetta, capturing the beauty of their two-year-old daughter, and celebrating their anniversary in the very spot they were married five years ago.

In essence it tells of their love, their commitment, and their connection to one another.  It's their life, their love, their story.

 

 

Are you interested in a relaxed family photo session that tells the story of your family?  Visit me at Sycamore Lane Photography to find more information and details on how you, too, can have your beautiful memories preserved for generations to come.