Love her!

Cannot even believe we are already at Olivia's 9 month session. Olivia is exactly 9 months old today!!! INSANE how fast this time has gone.

Olivia is part of my Bebe' Collection. She has done so much changing in 3 months, at her six month session, she wasn't interacting near as much as she was today... she is SUCH a joy to be around... happy, smilie, loveable, and totally fun! I can't get over how close she is to walking already! She's crusing furniture and im sure at her 12 month appointment she will be full fledged walking...mark my words!

I love you Olivia! Ashley, thank you for being so diligent in getting her pictures done! I can't WAIT to do her book after her next session. Im sure it's going to make me cry... I got a little choked up looking back at her first session today! YIKES!

She rocked her session!

Meet Hilary! Senior 2010. We had a GREAT session today. It was unusual because it was seriously relaxing! Her and her mom were great to work with, very relaxed and fun to try different things with for her session!

I envy Hilary because she is just one of those people who are very natural in front of the camera and she looks stunning in some of these.

Hilary's future plans are to become a pharmacist and she is currently looking at schools to find which will best suit her needs. She will be wonderful at whatever she ends up doing. She is a super sweet girl and she's good at Chemistry LOL... I am TERRIBLE at Chemistry so Pharm school im sure will be a breeze for you!

Thank you very much for the opportunity to capture you as you are starting your last year of High School! You are going to do great things!!! Enjoy your sneak peek!She has some super fun hobbies. She used to live in Alaska and loves snowboarding... check out that board isn't it an awesome one?! And horseback riding... she used to do a lot of jumping competitively, and has just recently gotten back into it.Blogger doesn't do this picture justice, but I love the color.

Congratulations!

Ok so BIG news in our area!

Holly Frey Photography has opened in the Grass Lake Area!

Holly has become a good friend of mine and she is a WONDERFUL photographer. I first met Holly about 3 1/2 years ago when she was a nurse at Foote Hospital (now Alligence) and she took care of Carson (and I) post pardom at the hospital! I absolutely loved her as my nurse and never forgot her. I had heard her name in the photog world, but never had met her... it wasn't until a few months ago and I saw her in the barber shop where I take my son to get his haircut and put two and two together and figured out who she was!

Anyway... we have had such a great time enjoying our crazy kid filled lives. Holly and her husband and family have worked so hard to get her studio up and going. If you get a chance be sure to drive by in Grass Lake (right downtown) and take a look at her new spot. She has a huge window outside so you can't miss it!

I spent some time with Holly in the studio tonight. She has new studio lighting... and if you know me at all... you know that I am a natural light girl. It's what I use as MUCH as I can no matter what my subject is... if I can find natural light... I will! However... Holly's youngest (Kenzie) is about 4 months old but she is so tiny! You likely also know me and babies... I have a hard time keeping my camera off of them! So... this afternoon I played with Holly's lights and got a few good snaps of her and Kenzie. It's so infrequent that us photog's are on THAT side of the camera and most of us prefer right where we are (behind the camera), however... I don't think I can stress enough how much you will love these pictures with time. Those memories of little toes, soft baby skin, sweet grins... those memories fade way too fast. I wanted to grab a few for Holly just so she has them. In the craziness of life it's easy to skip tiny milestones or relationship portraits, but it's also a very important part of life that is so fleeting. So... if you have a little one... don't hesitate... have your pictures taken SOON!

Holly, I have already said it so much, but I am so so happy for you and all that you are about to embark on. You are a true inspiration to all of us and I wish the absolute best for you. Cheers to a sucessful kick off Holly Frey Photography as the studio!!!! Very proud of you! The best is yet to come!

I love this picture above because if you know Holly, that's her smile... I think that is what people first think of when they think of Holly! I have yet to see her without a smile! Very refreshing to be around someone who is so happy!Look at Kenzie!!! She is the best baby... and the perfect subject! Just easy-going and so loveable!

Holly with her baby girl! She has several more cuties at home... sometime between Chelsea (Holly's assistant) and I we will get a picture of all of them!

Chloe & Carson .... again! ;-)

I have only ever photographed Chloe & Carson in their home. Their mom is an amazing decorator and it's a great place to do photos... however... Chloe and Carson are WAY too comfortable in their own home. ;-) So we decided that we would take them somewhere they have never been and see what we could come up with! Here is a mini sneak peek of what we got! It was entirely worth it. This is the first time I have ever gotten anything with Carson smiling and actually looking at the camera.

By the way... this is NOT my Carson! This is Carson Gray and his mom and I both think they both look similar and even have VERY similar manerisms and their personalities are SO much alike that its almost eery!

I showed these proofs to some photog friends today and one of them even asked if that was my Carson, so I figured I better clarify!

Carson totally worked the camera! Who knew he had it in him?!

And the camera just gravitates towards Chloe... look at those beautiful blues!

I ADORE this picture and the story it tells! That's what it's all about for me!

Playing catch up

How is time flying so fast? I don't get it.

First and foremost, the scrapbook rummage sale was a success. I got rid of a ton of stuff, still have a lot, but made a nice dent! We raised $70 for table sales and I just made the donation to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep in baby Levi's honor. Levi is a precious little angel in heaven who I photographed just a short time ago. I asked his parents if they would be ok with me making the donation in his honor and they agreed. Thank you Peterson family. If you are not familiar with NILMDTS you can view the site @ www.nilmdts.org I have a huge passion for this mission and have made some amazing connections and lifelong friends.

Scrapbooking Rummage Sale

What: Scrapbooking Rummage Sale during Karmen's Crop

Where: Christian Family Centre
1800 W. US 223
Adrian, MI

When: Saturday, August 22, 2009 will start selling about 9am until stuff is gone (definely done by 4pm) Crop continues through 9pm

Why: Looking for some great scrapbooking supplies to pick up for a really great price? Or is it time to clear out old stuff you won't be using ? Are you going to digital and don't want to lug anything but your laptop for scrapbooking? This is a great place to sell your stuff or purchase new things! Karmen will also have some great new product from Creative Memories available to purchase. See her for all your Creative Memories needs.

All proceeds from table rentals will be donated to: Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (http://www.nilmdts.org/) Infant Berevement Photography

If you would like a table to sell your items, the cost is $10/table
If you would like to rent a table, join in the crop (you must register) or if you have any questions, please contact: Karmen Wilharmes @ kwilharms@frontiernet.net

Parker Bryon

Ok so I know all of you must remember this beautiful couple from not too long ago:
I had the huge honor of meeting Parker Bryon just a few days ago! Well they have their little guy in their arms now and he couldn't be anymore perfect.He is a really good mix of both mom and dad. I kinda think he looks a tad more like Bryon, but I see lots of mommy too! Kristine, as I was looking through his photos, I noticed he has a little dimple in his chin and then I looked at some of your maternity photos and noticed you have one too! Im kinda partial to the chin dimple thing. My son has a HUGE chin dimple and it's one of my favorite things about him ;-) I've heard that when they are made in heaven that's where the angel kissed them!

Bryon and Kristine didn't find out if he was a boy or girl and they also didn't share his name at all! I give them so much credit... such a fun way to keep it a suprise! It was almost like Christmas opening her email when she let me know he was here!

Congrats to all of you! He is absoultely wonderful!!! Thank you for the opportunity to share this exciting time with you! Final proofs will be up shortly!

One last thing that I have to put on here... it's blogworthy ;-) and I haven't had the chance to tell Kristine and Bryon... forgot all about it when I was so overwhelmed with Baby Parker the other day. If you read my facebook this may be repetive.

I was editing Bryon and Kristine's maternity photos to use them on my new blog header. Well when I had the picture up, Carson (my 3 year old), came up to me and said, "mom, why that guy kissin her belly?" I said, "well there's a little baby in there".

That seemed to do the trick, answered his question and off he went to play.

Or so I thought....

About 5 minutes later, he came back over to the computer with a confused yet very serious look and said, "mommy, why that lady swallowed a baby?"

LOL

Miss Taylor!

I know you havent forgotten this sweet little face! (below, Taylor at her 3 month session)

She sure has grown a lot! She is just as beautiful, and sweet as ever and SO smart. It seems to me that she is an old soul... I couldn't believe all the things she comprehends already and the commands she already follows! SO impressive!

It's no secret around here that I photograph a LOT of little boys! For some reason my bebe' collection is full of all boys with the exception of two girls so when it's turn for Taylor or Olivia (who both are right around 9 months ALREADY!) you know I get all excited about what kind of fun things I can do with them!

I made Taylor this little tutu and also the little butterfly clip in her hair. See, I wasn't kiddin' when I said she is BEAUTIFUL!

Thank you Taylor for another great session! I just love this girl! How couldn't you?!

Back to Reality~

I wanted to focus on the contest this past week, so I let the contest finish before adding any more session, so I have some catching up to do. For those of you who had to wait... thank you very much for your patience! I promise the rest are coming VERY soon.

First up:

I love this story...

At Hosta Hillside... back to the location of their first date!

Joe met Robin at his brother's wedding. Robin was one of the bridesmaids. When Joe saw Robin... it was love at first sight! For Robin... Not.So.Much.!!!

I asked Robin why not love at first sight? Her reply.... "because he was obnoxious and unrefined"!!! LOL I don't think ill ever forget that description!

Somehow, someway... Joe made his way into Robin's heart and must have found refinement! For me looking in from the outside, there's no doubt that Joe's wrapped tightly around her heart! Whenvever she is near him, a smile on her face, isn't far behind! Their first date was at Hidden Lake Gardens... so what better place to choose to have their wedding ceremony?

I can think of a few places... especially since it decided to thunderstorm and DOWNPOUR right at 2:00pm... just in time for the ceremony! Go figure!

The great thing about Joe and Robin... they have learned to roll with the punches and roll with the punches they did! They ended up having their ceremony inside the Arborteum at Hidden Lake and even though it was not what they had planned it was beautiful and very intimate. You don't need big fancy things or beautiful hosta gardens when you have that much love and passion for each other! It was truly a unique experience to witness them just roll with the punches... I know a lot of couples (myself first ;-) who would have been totally frazzled if it hadn't worked out the way they had planned! They each wrote their vows to each other... I don't see this done much anymore, it was amazing. However... I completely understand why some couples don't do it... I would NEVER be able to hold myself together and not break down and bawl! I got teary just watching them!

The only thing I could do to keep from not crying over those vows was to watch Robin's daugther Macy pray. Im sure this looks super odd to some of you, but Macy was SERIOUS about praying. She got down on the floor each time they prayed and folded her hands, JUST like this!!!Joe and his son, I love the connection you can see between them here! TOUGH guys! When I met with Robin and she drew the verbal picture of her wedding day for me... the number one thing she kept saying was.... "it's just all about family for us, nothing else matters". She was so right. A super touching moment when Robin and her father danced to "I loved her first" by Heartland. If you haven't heard it... go listen to it and you should be able to imagine how sweet it was. It was beautiful and then I looked over to her mom and her mom was just in tears... I seriously did not think I was going to be able to pull myself together... MORE tears.... what the heck Kari... you are supposed to be the photographer not the sappy emotional girl! lol

Joe, Robin and family.... Thank you all so much for letting me be a part of your special day. I wish you all the best. Never forget "it's all about family"! It's going to be a fun journey with 5 kids no doubt!