I’m uploading cards tonight from some recent shoots and was floored by this image.  Looking at this photo, my heart hurt with sheer joy.  As I began to edit it I realized more and more why I reacted so strongly to this simple photo file….

I am often asked what caused me to get into photography, and what inspires me.  This photo would sum it up.  Almost 10 yrs. ago when I had my first child, I saw a beauty in her that I wanted to share with the rest of world.  This is why I love photographs. I wanted something that could point me back to that day-that moment, and that feeling I had when I spent time with her.  Just she and I, laying in the grass, playing with her toys…..a very simple everyday scene, but seeing her face as she discovered and learned, was a place where my heart would love to live.  You parents out there know…..if it were possible to bottle it up for later, we would.

Taking my daughter to the local department store for a photo brought us both to tears, and I almost always hated the photos.  So I quit going.  One day I picked up my point and shoot, I quit making her look at me and smile, and I waited for those moments.  I fell in love with watching and waiting for those moments.  And the rest as they say, is history.

When you look at this photo what do you see?  Being the mother, the power of this photo is quite different for me, I’m sure.

I see a photo that 20 years from now will be posted in my house, and a cute moment that Adin and Riah will look back on fondly.

I see:

a summer day

the warmth of the sun

a beautiful place

two precious boys

a relaxed moment

a big brother’s love

a proud little brother

and the stillness of life.  simple + sweet.

I find it an incredible joy, honor, and an absolute dream to be able to capture these moments for others that perhaps can help them feel an *inkling* of what I feel for this little photo.

Thank you for being a part.

Meet Stacey and Morgan!

These newlyweds are super adorable and fun!!!  When Stacey emailed me about doing photos of her and her husband, I was super flattered, because she is a fabulous wedding photographer in New York City.   They were going to be traveling to Ohio to visit some of Morgan’s family, and she said they would love to do a session with us.  So, of course, we made it happen.

They drove 3 hrs. to the session from Morgan’s family’s house.  Can I just say, it’s enough pressure shooting another photographer, but to have them travel in for a session puts even MORE pressure on!  :)   As soon as we meet them though, we knew it would be fine.  They are fun and laid back, and were up for any adventure we wanted to take them on.  So that’s what we did- went on a little adventure.

I love light.  The way it moves and paints people.

Not to mention they were super hot in it.

body language…

HELLOOOO Stacey!!

(you are beautiful)

Big, beautiful, open field- Yes we’ll take some of that.

Since these two call Manhattan home, they were up for crazy “ruralness”….as long as I could keep the bugs away.  :)

It’s been a while since I have done one of these:

Here is Brett’s view….

And my view of the same shot.

I am in love with this scene…{this moment}.

ahhhhhh….to love and be loved.

What else can you ask for in this world…

my favorite shot from the session.

Morgan your eyes are UNREAL.  Gorgeous!

New location…same hotness.

If you haven’t noticed, I added some new banners at the top of the blog, and one from this scene is up there.  :)

BTW, Brett was standing and had me on his shoulder’s to take this shot.

(Sorry honey for giving you a backache for a week!!! )  ;)

So them.

Love this shot, and the flowers in her hair = perfect.

NO, THIS is SOOOO them.

(I think Morgan was saying he was about DONE.)

:)

The cutest “chimper” around.

Stacey and Morgan, you guys ROCK.  Thanks for driving down and spending an evening in the “burbs” with little ol’ us.  :)  We had so much fun with you guys.  Make sure to let us know when you are back in the wonderful midwest, and we’ll take you out for drinks instead of to a field of grass.

xxoo  jess+brett