Monthly Archives: September 2008

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Big News - Big Plans ; Michigan Photographer

I am a firm believer that God has a plan for all of us, but sometimes it takes that plan slapping us in the face before we can see it! :D

Many of you know that I have been wearing many hats:

A Mother
A Wife
A Daughter
An Occupational Therapy Assistant at a Brain Injury Rehabilitation in Mason, Michigan

&

A Photographer

I was literally being stretched too thin! Thank goodness for my wonderful husband who is a wonderful cook, housekeeper, and father.

But seriously, something had to give!

Then we were hit by the news that my father-in-law’s health was not very good and my mother was taking my grandmother in to live with her. My mother and mother-in-law babysit for me 2 days a week, which allowed me to continue working without the astronomical daycare costs - so these major life changes in their lives were also going to affect us - in a GOOD way!

My husband and I sat down and had a heart to heart. Quiting my job of 6 years was a scary proposition, but my need to be home with my children more and my growing photography business on top of losing our two key babysitters was too much of a sign to ignore.

My last day at Origami will be October 10th and it will be a very bittersweet day for me. It has grown to be a second home for me and I hope to continue to make visits with my girls there to see how everyone is doing.

By the way, just on a side note, keep an eye on their website. They are updating their website and my photography around the facility will be featured.

Our family will have to make many sacrifices in order for me to stay at home, however, I think the payoff is going to be immense for both my family and my business!

I appreciate the support of my clients and readers so much that I just wanted to share my big news with you all.

Okay - a post without a picture….I KNOW, I KNOW….but I will post one later tonight to make up for it.

Thanks Again!

A Favorite Location…; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

East Lansing - Michigan State University to be more specific - is one of my FAVORITE locations for senior portraits. There are just so many options, from waterfalls, to open fields, to the more urban city shots. This wonderful senior is a dear friend of my niece (who you have seen on my blog before). She also has some of the greatest parents I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I hope my husband and I can do as good a job raising our girls as these two have done.

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Bonus Points ; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

Okay…..How do you earn bonus points with a photographer?

Introduce them to an AWESOME new location (okay, I know I am probably showing my age by using the word “awesome”….maybe “SICK” is the new term I should be using :D )

This fun senior did just that. Thank you “C” for a great shoot. You were a lot of fun to work with and up for the adventure of trying out a new location that you showed me.

I had a super hard time narrowing down a few to show, but here is your preview….

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Did I not say that I get seniors with the most amazing eyes?!?!

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Twins Everywhere….; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

I can scarcely believe that I have been photographing these two sweethearts for almost 2 years! It is an amazing thing to have the opportunity to watch these kids grow up.

I made a rookie error - I knew better then to have my bubbles out before we were finished with the family portrait - but we made the best of the situation. Poor Ms. K was not feeling like herself, but her mom knew the trick. Put on a little “The wheels on the bus” music - and set to repeat - and you have the recipe for some great dancing and some even better smiles.

Here is little Ms. K

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and her 2 handsome brothers

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Here is Ms. K’s amazing smile (well worth the wait!)

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Here is Ms. K trying to give her brother a little kiss - but he wasn’t having it :D

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And I think this is just the sweetest moment. Twins have an amazing bond and they are often communicating without even speaking!

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Catching up….; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

This is one of my great friends from Lansing, Michigan and I have been photographing her little guys every since they were little babies. She is a great supporter of my love of Children and Family Photography.

Believe it or not the two handsome guys on the right are twins and that is their big brother on the far left.

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And these are their two handsome cousins…

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These boys are all going to be handsome heart breakers some day!!!

Back from my workshop….; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

I am back from my fabulous photography workshop. It was so much fun to meet other photographers and talk shop. Thanks for being so generous with your time and knowledge Susan!

Here is out great group!

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and here is our fabulous instructor interacting with our little model while holding the reflector:

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Gone for a couple days….; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

I will be at a photography workshop for a couple days and will have limited email access. I will return calls and emails as soon as possible on Sunday evening.

Thanks so much!

OK, OK, OK……I really tried to post without photos…..but I just CAN’T!

These are some fun pictures from this summer when we took my brother’s girlfriend to the Balloon Festival in Howell, Michigan.

These first ones were taken by Sandy:

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(This is why you don’t see me on the other side of the camera very often…ugh)

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And these are taken with my good old Canon Point and Shoot….

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Senior with grace; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

Again I have been so blessed to meet such a wonderful young woman who is such a great role model; involved in so many great activities within school. She also has more grace then I could ever hope to have (take it from someone who trips over her own two feet ;) ).

This is also a girl after my own heart when she asked for some urban ballerina photos!

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Great Friends…; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

I am so blessed to have gotten to know this wonderful family. Dawn is an awesome person who wears many hats and is good at all of them. She has been one of my biggest supporters and was actually one of the first people that I began my portfolio building with.

So this was the only session that ended up happening this weekend because of the rain. We took a trip to the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing, Michigan. A WONDERFUL place to take kids.

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This smile warms my heart!!!

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And how do I know when a session is done???? I think the last photo of the series says it all ;)

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Brag Books (5×5) ; Howell, Michigan - Photographer

Here is a wonderful new product that I am excited to be adding to my line up. They are miniature (5×5) coffee table books that make perfect brag books - what a great gift for the grandparents!!! ;)

These also come in sizes 8×8, 10×10, & 11×14

(PLEASE forgive me for these photos. I am NOT a product photographer.)

Also, this is just one design of many. I am hoping to get some samples for myself soon.

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