Happy Birthday Baby...well not so much a baby anymore...

My little boy is growing up...sniff

In February, most people celebrate Valentines Day. I know we do in our household, but it's definitely NOT the most important date we celebrate...the MOST important date to us is our oldest son's birthday! Normally the LAST day in the month, with exception to a leap year. I can't believe that it was 11 years ago that he was born into this world. I remember the feelings I had when I found out I was pregnant...what a rush of emotions. I had been told previously that it was going to be a little more difficult for me to conceive due to some internal "girl problems". But God had other plans. After finding out I was going to be a mom,  I often wondered if I could be a great one~not just a "good" one, being that I didn't have a mother growing up. And if I could really handle the responsibility. From day 1, being Thomas' mom has not let me down. He was born in 4 hours (wow! it went FAST! No complications or complaints here) and he was a perfect baby! I really couldn't have asked for an easier child for my first born. From the very beginning he has always been very bright. His father and I taught him sign language for a few words, so he was able to communicate at a very early age. And once he started talking, there was NO stopping him. He is still that way to this day! (not sure where he get's THAT from! LOL!) Thomas was reading before kindergarten, and still continues to read way above his grade level. I am so delighted to share a favorite hobby of mine with him. I'd like to think he got his reading skills from me! ;) We have always been big readers at our house, and what better gift for him than a Kindle for this special occasion? Happy Birthday Thomas I hope you like it! I am so proud of his achievements at school. He has been on Honor Roll every single time! Something I only accomplished once, that's right ONCE in my life!

Anyways, with his birth,  my love of photography was birthed in me. He was my first subject to photograph and he was always willing to be in front of the lens. Today, it takes some bribing, pulling out of hair, and a few wrinkles of the nose in order to get him to let me photograph him...LOL! But I know both of us will be happy years down the road that we documented his growth... As soon as I got my first camera,  I had found a passion that was deep down inside me, just waiting to grow into something bigger. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to school at the time to learn more, but I continued to tinker around with my camera and learned little by little. Fast forward to a couple of years ago...I was able to take a correspondence course and learn more about my passion. And here I am today, capturing life's fleeting moments for my clients. I couldn't have asked for a better career path for myself. I am constantly learning and growing and always looking to improve to the next level.

Being a photographer is the best job in the world BECAUSE, you have the power to be of service to others. It may sound corny, but it’s true. The service aspect of our profession is often ignored. But it shouldn’t be. In all the talk of post processing, digital cameras, worfflow, etc., we need to remember that all that stuff comes second to this – service. If we are of service to others, we will be successful, and that success will bring us the usual trappings thereof. But chase the success, and you’ll be lonely forever. Chase the opportunity to be of service, and you’ll always be rich.

Thank you Thomas, for coming into my life, and birthing a love of photography in me and teaching me that important life lesson, as well as many others I have learned by being your mom...I love you bubby! Happy Birthday!

25 years later...Baby Jake Arrives!

It's hard to believe that I have know this little guys mommy for 25 years. Wow! I must be getting old! Jennifer and I were instant friends when she moved to Virginia in 3rd grade. She introduced herself by scooting her desk up to mine and accidentally yanking my hair in the process. We were friends instantly! We shared many childhood memories like that, but thankfully that was the only one where I got my hair pulled! Unfortunately as life goes on, and people grow up, things change. I moved, and we lost contact...<- insert sad face here. But don't get all sad just yet, because a little over a year ago we reconnected! Gotta love Facebook! She contacted me about setting up a photo session with her first son Brody.  I was so excited that she chose ME! Well, what can I say about Brody? He is 150% BOY!!! He had me chasing him all around the park! I definitely got my workout for the day! But it was well worth it! We got some great images! 

And now, baby Jake enters the scene...When I did some Christmas cards for Jennifer this year, she asked about setting up a newborn session for the soon to be baby #2! I was ecstatic! Newborns are probably one of my FAVORITE subjects to photograph! I just get all "ooey-gooey" over them! So of course I jumped at the opportunity! And to photograph a childhood besties new baby...was just icing on the cake!

So, last Saturday I got to meet baby Jake! I melted immediately. This little boy was just precious! (I am a little partial to boys...being that I have 2 myself!) Jake has a head-full of dark hair and not to mention, some hairy little arms and back! Don't worry Jen, it'll go away with time! ;) Well, we attempted to get a family shot, but big brother wasn't feeling it. He wasn't interested in getting his picture taken that day. So we snapped just a few, and then moved on. (Jen, I'm sure you'll share this story with the boys when they get older, for a chuckle!) So...Dad took big brother to the Bass Pro shop to check out the fish, so mommy, Jake and I could get to work. 

Jake did not want to go to sleep. He fought it for a very long time. But that was okay. I like a challenge! LOL! But finally, he gave in to us! Muahhhaaahhaaahaaa! Mom's always win! So I immediatley starting snapping away. Here are some of the images from that shoot. I hope and pray that they will melt your heart, as they did mine. Jen, thanks so much for the opportunity to photograph a very special gift given to you and Grayson. I can only hope that you will continue to bring Jake to see me as he grows so we can capture those fleeting moments and milestones. May these pictures capture the beauty of your baby boy...now and forever. 

The Shutter Shack Photography

Can we say the next Gerber baby?

Just look at this face, and I'm sure you'll agree, this baby boy needs to be a model! These are baby James first official professional photo's! And I was honored to be his photographer. He was such a "ham" for the camera, and gave me a range of emotions to capture! His mom had expressed to me how she was so upset that she never got his photo's professionally taken when he was a newborn. She said looking back, she really regrets it. But, the past is the past, and she brought him in this past weekend! And that's all that matters! Way to go MOM!!! 

Children grow at such a fast rate and sometimes we don't realize it when we see them everyday. That is why it is so important to photograph them often. I've never heard anyone say "Gosh, I wish I didn't have all these pictures of me when I was growing up! ". Instead I hear the opposite. Maybe that's just the photographer side of me??? I doubt it! Anyways, I hope that by learning from this mothers (and other moms) past situation, you decide to take more photo's of your children. Be it professional, or just your own... You and your children, and their children, and generations beyond, will be glad that you did! AND, I do know of a photographer if your ever interested! ;) 

*By the way, this is my first ever blog. Please know, I am not an English major, nor do I claim to be grammatically correct in any of my blogs. So hopefully that's okay to you! 

www.theshuttershack.net