Life as a Mom... & a Photographer

So, when people hear that I'm a photographer one of the first things they say is, "That must be so nice! You get to set your own schedule & be there for your family!" Yes, setting my own schedule is amazing. I wouldn't change it for the world. But think of this, when you're eating dinner with your family, I'm out at a session. When you're taking that impromptu weekend getaway, I'm photographing a wedding celebration. I LOVE my job. I mean LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I enjoy making others smile & capturing memories for families. Getting to witness that first moment a groom sees his bride & tears come to his eyes. I get to photograph DAY old babies people. I mean only DAYS old!! Who wouldn't eat that up?!? I wouldn't change it for the world. BUT when a day like today comes along, & I have a cancellation, batteries are all charged up and I'm packed & ready to go...what do I do? I certainly don't let it go to waste. I am a mom. :) I grab that kid up and take him to somewhere pretty!

Photographing the child of a photographer comes with it's own set of challenges & rules. Believe me, I'm right. You see, they're used to a camera being in their face & they've lost interest in it. They could simply give a crap less & are usually a whine fest when mom (or dad) wants to try something new. A new location, a new lens, BUT I bought this outfit especially for this session!!! (You know you've all done it...) For the last 2 years, getting #CmanMySweetBoy to look into the lens has been like pulling teeth. I've tried it all with him, looking like a moron, making crazy noises, that stupid scrunchie character at the end of my lens...oh the list goes on... Now, he's 4. It's a whole new ballgame folks. Starting today.

Or, maybe I just got lucky. Today started out with him waking up early, and drinking half of the coffee in my mug. I was trying to get all our stuff packed because we leave for Orlando, Florida in 2 days. I was due to have a session tonight & a wedding tomorrow. So, we're talking crunch time. He was pretty much free to play with his toys to his heart's content. (The choice today was his playmobil RV & legos.) When I said, "HEY! Let's go take some pictures!" He said, "OK! But, will it be fun?"

Apparently, it was.

 



Well, except maybe that last one, but we were practicing his "straight-faced smolder..."

Some of you may not know, but I lost my grandfather about a year and a half ago to lung cancer. Cancer is a horrible thing that rips families apart & they really need to find a cure, that's all I'm saying in this post, I'll save that one for a post on it's own. ANYHOW, among his things was an old camera. An old Samoca 35mm. My Grandma wasn't sure what to do with it. She figured it wasn't worth much (about $50 on e-bay), but thought I might like to have it, or that I would know what to do with it. I've hung onto it. I wasn't sure why at first, I had intentions to talk to a few museums & see if they may want it. But then I got thinking, I don't have much of my grandfathers. So, to me this felt special. (Thanks Grandma Bobbie!) To be able to hold something he held. He was an amazing musician, which I'm not, so it is a way I feel like I can still connect with him. I will probably keep it forever. Today, we used it as a prop. Because afterall, it was his 'Grape Poppa's" camera. I can not tell you how much the following photos mean to me. Not only that my kid seems to be developing a love for something that means so much to me (photography) but to see him holding a camera that belonged to my Pop-Pop. I'll cherish these ones always....

Seriously, right?? He's growing up too quickly & I may be biased, but is probably one of the cutest kids I've ever seen...

& one more of a new processing I'm trying out...

Got the smolder look a bit better the second time around... I'm not usually one to over edit like this, but I'm kind of diggin' it! At least for a shot like this :)

Until next moment, hug someone you love & squeeze your babies tight, they grow up too quickly!