The Washabaugh Family | Michigan Family Photographer

The Washabaugh family contacted me for photos to be done the day after Thanksgiving. I don't normally work on Holiday weekends but i have known them for some time and knew their girls were only in town for a short time. We had no idea what kind of weather we would end up with in November in Michigan. Man was i excited to have such a glorious beautiful day. The Sunlight was amazing and perfect. I love SO many of these images. The light is just stunning. I rarely get this perfect of light. And can we say gorgeous? What a beautiful family!

I couldn't decide if i liked this better in black and white or color

The Argo Family | Grand Ledge Michigan Family Photographer | Michigan Child Photographer

Say "Hello" to The Argo Family! I adore this family. I photographed their girls last year in Bellevue Michigan and this year we went for Grand Ledge Michigan instead. The morning was absolutely perfect. Cloudy soft light. Just loved it. Dad got a call and had to head off to work during the session. But not before we took some pictures with him of course. After that it turned into an about Maddie and Piper session. Which they loved. These girls love the camera and it loved them back. I do have to add that just a week or so after this session Miss Maddie crashed her bike and broke both arms. You better believe i will be stopping by to get a cast photo. Don't worry, i will add it here. 

2011 Permissions and Wife-ing is not a word | Michigan Photographer

New years resolutions should have already been made and broken by now. I am a little behind the game. But that's nothing new to a constant creative. I am always creating something. Just probably not in the order i should be. Like for instance right now i am here, blogging. But i started out cleaning off the couch to create a clean room. And then somehow ended up sitting on it with my laptop on my lap. How does this happen?! I don't even realize it.

2011 just feels like my year. I feel myself completely morphed. I have passed that young 20's mom and wife trying to find her way, to a Mom and wife who is on her way. I am feeling more confident in my mothering and wife-ing(totally NOT a word by the way) skills. I have made the decision to be a better home maker this year and all around better mother and wife. I have given myself permission to just be. And i like just being. It feels good to be me. So i made a list of permissions and goals for myself.


1. Take better care of myself
2. Be a better homemaker
3. Listen more and talk less
4. Learn to hoop
5. Read more
6. Rid my life of negative influences
7. Try harder to understand those i don't understand
8. Give more
9. Write more handwritten letters
10. Over use the words I. Love. You.
11. Grasp the concept of being organized
12. Learn about true forgiveness
13. Read my bible for real this time.
14. Use the computer less
15. Play on the floor more
16. Take the kids to do....anything!
17. Grow my own garden without relying on others to take care of it
18. Learn to Sew, Can, Crochet and Bake.
19. Find patience.
20. Think before i speak.

I feel like there is more. There probably is. But this is enough for now. I should probably get back to cleaning that room.

Happy Wednesday to you! May you pick up a pen and send a hand written letter to your aunt in another state. She will love it. I promise.

A bit of life | Michigan Photographer

 Many things about life bring me joy. Waking up each day and thanking the lord that i actually woke up is on the top of my list. Life has been going and going lately and i have given myself permission to slow down and enjoy moments. Its the moments in between that i love to photograph. Yet i forget to enjoy MY moments in between. 

 Jer and i took off for an adventure last week. We had high hopes for the day. It didn't end up working out quite like we had hoped. It ended with me in tears that my favorite restaurant was closed and i was overly hungry (hence the tears). I am no fun to around when i am hungry. Ask jer. He will tell ya! So instead of sushi we had pizza. 

BUT i did get to go to my favorite store and buy my baby girl her big girl bed. I did get to spend alone time with my husband. I knitted on the way. It was a good day. I of course took the camera along just in case hehe.

 

 

On our way!

"Hello favorite store"

 

Just hanging in a Bathtub 

 

My Favorite Boots (In the bathtub)

 

My peace offering to the birds. 

We cut down a tree and i felt bad. I hope they can use these scraps to rebuild.

 

I knit my first Newborn hat.

 

 It didn't quite turn out right. So i thought. 

Jeremiah loved it and so did his beloved snowman

"May the little things and unexpected moments bring you some smiles and perspective this next week" ~Me

Hello 2011, so nice to see you | Michigan Family Photographer | Michigan Child Photographer

I opened my business officially in January of 2010. At that time i was still totally scared out of my wits. With this last year there have been so many changes. LOTS of learning took place, huge equipment upgrades and one gigantic confidence boost. Along with so many great moments shared with fabulous new friends and clients.

When i started out i knew i wanted this to be my career. I wanted this to be my lively hood. I just did not know how to get from opening my new Nikon camera box, to getting paid to actually use it. I have finally made it across that bridge. Of course not without the help of many many people...Teachers, fellow photogs, youtube etc HAHA. The learning is never done, i will always be learning. But i come into 2011 knowing that this IS what i am meant to do. Creating art for the walls and hearts of wonderful families.

I do not consider what i do just taking a photo or just capturing a memory. I consider it an Art. I expect to see it hanging on walls not locked in a shoe box somewhere. I take my work very seriously. When you invest into your session i know you are investing into your future. How? These are memories for a lifetime. These are images that will bring back a time in your life, a feeling or even a song. Anyone can take a photo. And anyone can charge you to take a photo. It takes a real true artist to capture your soul, your love, the little things that you remember. Anyone can tell your child to say "Cheese" and snap the shutter. But it takes a true artist to capture the right moment where your heart skips a beat because of that deep look in their eye or that silly face that always makes you laugh. I want to be a true artist. Not just a "Photographer". These days everyone is a photographer. Just ask anyone with a Dslr they will tell you so.

2011 is my year to really set myself apart from others. I don't want to just be that girl who takes photos anymore. The changes that are coming are exciting. New branding, New products and packaging and with that new pricing and policies. You can view some of the new pricing on my website here.


I am just so thankful for all the folks who have stood behind me these last few years pushing me and supporting my dream. I really could not have gotten here with out all of them who let me practice on their families time and time again. I hope you will join me this year and let me create the art that is your family.  Happy 2011 to you all!!!!

~A

True Love | Lansing Michigan Family Photographer

True Love is something only the person experiencing can really ever understand. True Love comes in many forms. None stronger than the Love between a parent and a child. To me it seems to be the strongest,  most joyously painful love of all. Only those with a child can ever really understand the love we have for such a small soul. Not even the child can ever really truly know the love we have for them. This picture screams TRUE LOVE to me. So i felt the need to share it.

 

***Remember: A perfect picture is not always formed from the one you have in your head. But by the one that is formed in your heart or soul from a moment that really happened.

Party Time with Miss "M" | Charlotte Michigan Child Photographer

Miss "M" turned 1!! She celebrated in Charlotte Michigan at Grandma and Papa's house. "M" Mommy and Daddy actually live out of state and came back for a visit. I was very excited when her momma called for me to photograph her birthday party. Check out her celebration below. I think she had a pretty special day complete with lots of family, friends, gifts and CAKE!

 

Thanks Again for having me!

Playing Catch Up!

I have been going off on tangents about so many things on here. I am feeling guilty i have not shared any photos of all my beautiful clients. So here is a catch up post on the wonderful people i call my photography family.

 

These are just a few. I think i may have to do a second catch up blog. Shame on me for not keeping up!

FAQ: Winter + Studio | ?

So with the blustery weather on its way i seem to get asked the same question a lot. And i have some fun answers. Outside of the box fun answers.

Q: What do you do in the Winter time since you have no studio?

 A#1: I have fun! In your home! I know what you are thinking...In my HOME?! Whats fun in the home? You are fun! Your family is fun! Think more documentary style. You and the kids making cookies, Bath time, Silly time, Story time, and Bed time. Are those not the true moments of a family. THAT is a true family photo. Doing what families do. Where do i come into this? I am the fly on the wall documenting the moments. No saying Cheese, No yelling look at the camer, just you , your family and your life....Being documented.

 A#2: SNOW BALL FIGHT!!!!!! How fun would it be to just go sledding, have a snowball fight or make snow angels together? And then come in for a cup of Hot Cocoa. Another real family moment!


Q: Why don't you have a studio/ When will you get your studio?

A: I do not have a studio for quite a few reasons. Reason # 1 I feel confined and so do children, Reason #2 I feel like studios produce the same image for everyone,  i like to let my clients create their own moments not create a moment for them and then set them on the proper spot, Reason #3 Studio lighting does nothing for me as of yet,  Reason #4 I am a rebel, i have always been different, and well i choose to remain that way into my adulthood.

A: When will i get a Studio? Probably not anytime soon. Studios are a dime a dozen, you however are one unique creature. I plan to take my Photography (and Family) on the road. Opening a studio now would make no sense at this time, as i would have to shut it down.


I hope these have helped answer maybe a couple questions about my Photography you may have had. On-Location Photography is so much fun and can really become whatever you want it to be. Just have to get yourself out of that Mass Production Portrait Studio box.

Hope you have a Fantabulous Weeked!!!




 

The right way to Pose

Just a quick thought i wanted to share. I always say i don't like posing people. Its true. Kind of. Sometimes the best pictures come from posing them and waiting.


So I think i now believe it's not about the "Right" way to pose, its about any pose and waiting for the "Right" moment.


Here are two examples of what i would consider the "Right" moment.

These are two people very special to me. Travis and Carli are not just clients of mine they are my good pals. If only you could hear the conversation during these..."Smile like you love me", "Mmmm your hair smells so good". HAHAHA Guess you had to be there.