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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
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!
I fell in love with Lainee and her sweet family the moment I read their client questionnaire. Amid all the junk going on in the world, work, family and our personal lives, the last thing Lainee wrote in the questionnaire was spot on. I get bogged down by life but her words are ones to truly live by.
"Our life is exhausting. Especially this year, but there is SO much to celebrate. That's what I want, pictures to celebrate what our life is like today, because honestly for us, we don't know what life will look like next year."
So much love to this family. I admire your honest and beautiful words <3
xo, L.
I love this little family & so happy I got to meet some extended family! I feel like this post is going to be filled with Miss Sherry...my 4 year old is in her prek class and MIGHT just have a little crush on her. He did make her a Christmas card ;)
Tyler's sister is a friend of mine. One day she showed me Tyler & Kassi's Facebook photo announcing their pregnancy. I was immediately in love with how ADORABLE they were and knew they were the PERFECT models for a location I'd been hoping to try out.
Kassi is one brave chick and didn't even bat an eye at basically rock climbing at 37/38 weeks. Congratulations to this gorgeous couple!
xo, L.
Family is not an important thing, it's everything.
-Michael J. Fox
When Stoni contacted a while back and told me this would the FIRST time her family had photos together, I felt so honored she choose me. The way she spoke about each of her kids and how much she adored their family, was something truly special. <3
I loved everything about the Clark Family! When I read through Jennah's answers on my client questionnaire I fell in love with them; and then we had their session and I fell in love with them even more! They are such a sweet family and laughed with me with I made a complete fool of myself TWICE during their session. And ending our shoot with a few first birthday shots and Captain America didn't hurt either. ;) <3
xo, L.
I'm a bit of a location snob--and it showed at The Ptak's session. The original location I was nervous it was too close to a busy street, the second location had patches of poison ivy growing near by, and finally I settled for my back up of the back up location and it was perfect. PLUS, are they not the most gorgeous family you've ever seen?!?!? These girls are sweet as sugar AND they let me put flower crowns in their hair...so they are basically my most favorite people.
Enjoy!
xo, L.
Erin sent me a message a few weeks back, asking if I'd be in town anytime over the summer...I responded, "Yes! we're coming tomorrow! Don't feel pressure to book! I take weeks to plan outfits." With, of course, a embarrassed emoji included. She books and they show up like they had coordinated outfits for four just lying around!
I adore Erin & Matt, they've been with me since the beginning--literally--they've been with me before I had studio space, and stayed though a move. I'm so lucky to have them. AND the fact that Claire came around to me at the end of their session was a personal feat for me. Without further ado, The adorable Robak Family <3
PS This is not their entire gallery. I just fell in love with alllllll of it.
PPS And I'll fall in love with allllll of yours too. <3
So I did it. I hemmed and hawed and stressed over it. But I finally entered my photos in Shoot & Share contest. I went "all in" and submitted the maximum number of photos you could enter. It's pretty gut wrenching--for me at least--putting myself out there, and waiting to fail; but I've failed before. So what's another one? I could fly too. I don't expect to place--I mean there was something like 225,000 photos submitted last year. And EVERYTHING was beautiful.
Here's the fun part--YOU can vote! Anyone can and it gets pretty addicting. And you MIGHT just happen to see a photo from your session too. Check it out!
Voting starts Feb 1st at http://shootandshare.com/photo-contest/
Tis the season for cold & flu. I have been dealing with sick kids for the past couple weeks--amazingly I am the ONLY one in our house who hasn't got sick (cross your fingers)! Not the flu, or an ear infection, just a really (really) gross cold. I'm up waiting for the next kid to cough him or herself awake, I figured I might as well blog!
The Wheelus family were models for me a few weeks ago. They were awesome at getting their wardrobe all together with me--I don't know how many dress options Becky and I texted back & forth lol. The boys were adorable and Becky was gorgeous in the perfect dress! They were awesome--their sweet expressions just speak for themselves. It was a warm and perfect day to go hang out at Turkey Mountain. Which by the way--I think looks it's beautiful now, I can't wait to see what it looks like in the spring! Enjoy!!
The Blevins Family! These kids are so full of personality! I love them for it because it makes my job so much easier and I can edit with a smile on my face. We had a blast at their mini session and even had an eagle...?...maybe it was a hawk? heading straight for us. Dad thought it was cool...I was like, "I'm not a nature photographer." Birds are frightening for a reason. So are a small herd of deer close up...or wild turkeys! I mean all the animal life I come across on locations...but I digress.
Thanks Blevins' family for letting me switch up locations last minute and squeeze your sweet littles for a bit! <3
What can I say about these four? They are 100% fun, silly, awesome, and loved. They are so, so special to me. This was a top 10 night. The photos speak for themselves. <3
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Cor. 16:14
The first time I met Ms.R I was a mess...like my babysitter didn't show up, I need to bring my kids to our meeting, mess. It was crazy embarrassing. But somehow she pushed that awful first impression aside and decided to let me meet her family. <3
I adore this gal and her family--I mean only the coolest kids share their old Pokemon cards to help brighten a friend's day. ;) Thanks for all you do--we are so lucky to have you in our world.
