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Welp, Junior year was insane. Hopefully senior year isn’t as crazy. Cross your fingers it doesn’t get any weirder—I mean how could it. Let’s create something amazing instead! Something to look back on other than cancelled plans and face masks. You have one hell of a story to tell future generations, let’s document it.
“I got you Boo.”
-Me, to every senior client past, present, and future
Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to say. I’ll be honest I’ve been putting off blogging Addie’s session, because how am I gonna make a 13 year old girl see how amazing she truly is…via blog post.
This is not a letter to my 13 year old self, or advice for Addie, it’s just some thoughts.
So, for me, I feel like people see me differently than I see myself. The way I see myself isn’t always in the golden sunset light I’m chasing. I see my flaws loud and clear. To hear someone say otherwise is a surefire way for me to 1-deflect, 2-find another flaw to discount myself, or even as low as to 3-question the authenticity of the person. So for me to post on-FREAKING-line, how cool I think this 13 year old is, it’d probably be devastating.
I remember being a teen. I remember losing my voice per say. I remember the hard, the fun, the rises and falls. I remember some of those moments as a teen shaped who I’d grow into as an adult. Some moments I’d go back to in an instant; others you couldn’t pay me or even promise me the world to go back. The bad comes with the good; and it flows like a river as a teen. But it’s our choice to see it as the bad or the good.
Addie, I think you’re pretty freaking cool. Like waaaaaay cooler than I was at 13. I’m pretty sure you were awesome from the moment you were born. Honestly, age 13 to 22, are kinda the sucky years. But they can also be pretty awesome. In the moments that do suck, I hope you choose to see the good. I choose to remember the friend who spoke up when I didn’t have a voice, the people who had my back when I didn’t think I could go on; and the ones who’d fight for me.
ANYONE who tells you they had it made or knew what they were doing at 13…peaked or is going to peak in high school. I know this isn’t your style, but I think it fits.
I will fight
I will fight for you
I always do until my heart
Is black and blue
-Don’t Give up on Me, Andy Grammer
Without further ado, Addie.
PS My 5 year old is OBSESSED with you. Not gonna lie, I’m not showing her you flipping the bird quite yet ;)
Three completely unrelated things happened this week and it made me want to have a Ted Talk. So welcome to my Ted Talk! Thanks for listening!
Time. I've been trying to edit whenever I get free moment these past few weeks; and it's hard. You get it. Your time is valuable to so many who depend on you. It makes your day to day hectic. Or life can just be too crazy. But my family still needs me, and daily things sometimes get put on hold.
I'd love to meet the mom or dad who works full time or stays at home full time to raise children, who says, "Yes we're free; We have nothing going on!" 😂
Riiiiight. Maybe after practice, lessons, tournaments, school, activities, homework, feeding the children (all.the.time) and lord knows what else. Hell, I feel like I have barley enough time to finish a REPLY text, before I get interrupted...and NEVER get the text sent. I don't know about you, but come Friday after work or Saturday morning, there is nothing else I want to do, besides NOT cook dinner and sink into my bed and watch my favorite movie.
But here's the thing. We only have so much time.
The three unrelated things:
1. My town had a teen killed in a car accident. When I heard, the boy's name and age wasn't given. My heart sank like anyone else's and I prayed it wasn't one of my seniors. He wasn’t a client of mine. But for someone, somewhere, he was. Almost daily I can go in a photography group, and find a story of “These are his last photos.” “She passed before we could get the session scheduled.” I could go on.
2. I had an inquiry for an extended family session. It was the first time this potential clients children were going to meet their (just shy of 100!) great grand mother. In her email the client wrote, "the sad likelihood that this is the last time we all will be together."
3. My middle child, and his wiggly tooth. He has been waiting and waiting for that first wiggly tooth to fall out. He's in first grade and feeling the pressure of not missing any teeth. 🙈 You know, once the first one falls out, they all start going. As much as I love those toothless grins, I LOVE more that we got photos of his (probably last) smile with all his baby teeth. I know he's growing up, but losing those baby teeth confirm how much time as really passed.
So yes, jumping into jammies, getting take out, mixing up candy corn and popcorn, and watching Harry Potter with my family on the couch sounds incredible. But the time we take to remember what's valuable and means the most to us, is worth YOUR time. The couch will still be there tomorrow. It'll be fine without us for one night.
Last thing, I promise. When I scheduled our family photos, it was a bit out of our budget. I went back and forth over if I wanted to spend that much. Then my budget conscience husband, came in with the ringer. "They're only this little once." He's right. Once in a life time.
Recent clients who made the time (and made the couch wait!) for the ones we love most, pictured below.
You’ve heard it all before. As a photographer I get told secrets…and I love it! I’ll venture to say you might not find another photographer in Tulsa who loves it more than me. We find out before anyone else about some of the most exciting seasons of peoples lives! As someone who loves—I mean LOVES to surprise others, this is like me getting to live vicariously through Oprah—but with a camera. In my mind, “You’re getting engaged! You’re getting a grand baby! You’re getting a great grand baby!” Usually, not all at the same time, but you catch the drift. Seriously, the fun of it all is too much.
When I get one of these special secrets, I’m usually just so excited for the clients. I can keep secrets, no problem, but damn, if I am not BURSTING on the inside waiting for the official announcement from my clients! Although, when I personally know the client, it’s a whole other level.
This was one of those times. Jess is a teacher at my son’s school. Jess is hands down, just adorable in general, PLUS she wanted to bring their fur baby and incorporate her in the shoot. We shot this all the way back in January or February in Tulsa. It was like the skies parted and the cloud of a long winter vanished. Yes, baby announcements are the best surprises!
Downtown Tulsa is one of my favorite spots for sessions. The light is fabulous. The architecture is interesting and there is always something going on. I seem to notice or encounter a few odd occurrences when I’m downtown, Tulsa or otherwise. This baby announcement session was no exception. But isn’t that what makes it fun and memorable? Hopefully, right, lol.
The weather was great. The light was magical—thank you Tulsa! Obviously, the love and excitement for this baby was palpable. I loved hanging out downtown with this sweet little family. Baby boy will be here very soon, and I know his mama, daddy and big sister cannot wait to meet him! Enjoy!
