Kendra + Toby's Wedding Day

I remember the day I married my husband 15 years ago.  Saying our vows that we wrote ourselves to one another in a church filled with loving family & friends.  It was, without a doubt, one of the very best days of my life.  We took a chance on love, on family, on commitment, on each other and the guiding forces that brought us together.  It was a magical day.  

One such individual, a dear friend of mine was sitting in that church on that cold, winter day witnessing our union.  A friend that I've known for a good long time.  When she contacted me this past spring to see if I would photograph her wedding day, well, let's just say that I was completely honored and thoroughly excited for her and her long-time partner to be tying the knot.  :) We found time to get together so that I could photograph them as an "engaged couple."  Photographing friends is always such a great time together, and if you'd like to see some of the photos from that May day, please click >here<    

Kendra & Toby's special day arrived, and I was filled with nerves for them and for me, too.  Thank goodness I had another long-time, dear friend of mine (who was also a witness at my wedding!) to assist me as my 2nd shooter - Thank you, Anj!  She was amazing and did an awesome job for me, and the happy couple, too.  :)  Kendra & Toby's wedding day was another magical day for me, and one in which I will never forget.  Thank you again, my dear friends for honoring me with the job of witnessing your day while documenting it with my lens.  I loved every moment!  My wish for you, Kendra & Toby, is that your marriage will know loving balance, that each of you will nourish your own interests as individuals, and encourage one another's as you grow as a couple.  I wish you to know the promise of many days together, and not only just a long, happy marriage, but one filled with laughter.  Keep making one another smile, and those home fires burning.  I wish for you hopeful years ahead, strong faith, and enduring love.  All my best wishes to you both! 

Please enjoy these photos from a full day of fun and loving moments.  And join me in congratulating Kendra & Toby on their happy union!  Congratulations, friends!!! 

With love, light, and the best of wishes for you, 

Barb

T'is the Season ~ A Second Round of Holiday Mini-Photo Sessions Offer

The first round of Holiday Mini-Photo Sessions was such a success that I decided to offer a second round!  This time though, instead of coming to my home, I am willing to come to yours!  Get your decorations out, set up your tree or other holiday favorites, put on your Sunday best and I'll be over in a jiffy!  ;)  I hope to see you soon! 

my3girlsphotography@gmail.com

Super Baby | Inspiration Through Art

I miss my blog.  And posting more frequently.  But, lucky for me, this fall has been beyond busy!  So, now it is time to get caught up - show off some of the beautiful people I have been surrounded by lately!  You may get inundated with posts over the next few weeks - fair warning! ;) 

I absolutely, thoroughly love my job.  And I love meeting families like the one you are about to meet.  They have a unique story.  A very special one.  They have been blessed with a "special needs" baby (if we must put a label on her).  I do believe she's going to break out of any and all labels ever placed on her, though.  

I was contacted by baby "M"'s mama.  She found my information through the charitable organization that I am proudly a member of, Inspiration Through Art.  This organization is a liaison, working partnership connecting professional photographers with families living with & loving special needs babies & children; or any family with children that are somehow effected by medical issues, needs, trauma, or otherwise.  How fortunate for me that after contacting 3 photographers, I was the one she chose!  I am honored and forever strengthened by working with families like this one via Inspiration Through Art.  If you are a photographer reading this, I would highly recommend that you apply for ITA membership.  You won't regret it.  

Please meet this littlest hero (as ITA lovingly refers to her) baby "M" and her gorgeous sister, too. 

Here she is with both her big sister and her big brother.  

They share an amazing bond, these three.  

And the whole family, too. … 

From the original email I received from this brave one's mama: 

[My daughter], "M" is currently 7 months old and is on a feeding machine 24 hours a day. "M" was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome. She is missing a chromosome. She was in the hospital for a month after her diagnosis and had a G-tube placed. "M" has a cleft palate and a VSD. She might have other issues but we won't know until she gets older. I pray that "M" is a lucky one and hopefully won't have too much to deal with. Due to our financial situation we haven't been able to do a lot with [her]. I would love to have pictures to show her when she's older of how strong and beautiful she is right now. I see other families go out with their children without a care in the world. I always end up feeling sad that "M" is always stuck at home. … Thank you for taking the time to read this and bless you for the time you give to all these super babies.

Caring for "M" requires extra special attention.  This is a regular occurrence, a way of life now for this family.    

I cannot say it better than her loving mommy does:

"I love the one picture where I am venting M's G-tube. It shows my new normal and my new life, which I can't say is too bad. I am thankful for my 3 children and anything that comes with them."  

That's the heart of bravery and fierce love.  Of strength and courage.  A wonderfully dedicated mother.

M's siblings had time to play a little hide and chase around the large trees.  Children being children, releasing their joy in playful games.  :) 

M adores her brother and sister… enough to taste!  So sweet and such a natural reaction for a baby.  

 She's saying, "Just look at those cheeks on that sweet face!!"  *Pinch* 

She has a good grip! ;) 

Baby M, your light shines on everyone that comes close to you.  I am forever changed by meeting you and your incredibly devoted family.  It's moments and times like these that make us all appreciate the beauty of life, the hardships we endure, the terrific joys and laughter, the struggles, the wins and losses.  The fact that life may not be perfect, but we make the best of what we have and by doing so, make it perfect for us.  I cannot thank you enough for gracing me with your amazing, strong, beautiful spirit and for the chance to meet an angel.  You are super, baby! 

God bless you, your family and the physicians and health professionals that take tender care of you, too. 

With deep appreciation,
Barb  

A Time to Give

Four and a half days without electric power gives an individual a chance to reflect - a lot.  (Not to mention, lots of time to read, too!).  And, right before Halloween, time to carve pumpkins!  Carve, I did.  Read, I did.  Reflect, I did.  

As hurricane "Sandy's" pounding winds beat against our home late into the night on Monday (10/29/12), I sat in my bed reading, terrified of what might happen; of what could possibly happen.  The mature trees that surround our property could have easily fallen on our home, or worse.  Tornadoes popped into my mind.  I was scared, thoroughly, intensely.  But somehow, I managed to sleep, a little.  I said prayers, my friends - many prayers that night.  

The next day brought lots of rain, but the winds had subsided (thankfully!).  And rainy days without power bring lots of playtime, too.  I decided we needed to cheer ourselves up by carving pumpkins!  Alanna drew the faces for the pumpkins, and I carved.  The girls were curious about the innards, the fleshy part of the pumpkin - smelling it and touching it only briefly with expletives like, "Eww! Yuck!"  So, I dug my hands in and removed the pulp and the seeds.  I separated the two, thinking that once the power came back I would coat the seeds in olive oil and sea salt and roast them up for a tasty treat.  The seeds sat in a bowl on the countertop, drying.  I didn't give them much thought after that, especially since I had so many other things on my mind (like all the work I should be doing!!).  

Time slows down when you're off the grid.  My days were reminiscent of that of a pioneer woman.  Starting the fire in the kitchen's wood stove; tending that fire all day; boiling water on the stove to wash dishes and ourselves; heating meals on the stove.  Life pretty much revolved around the basic elements of water and fire.  No, we do not own a generator.  They are costly to purchase, and also to run.  We do well without one, and are happy to have our wood stove (thanks again, Jeri & Scott!!).  We feel like we are camping - but without a tent and the great outdoors, we are home-camping. ;) 

Anyhow … I'll stop my rambling about pioneer days and camping at home and get to the point.  I want to help those in need - those who were devastated by the likes of hurricane "Sandy." I feel incredibly fortunate that our biggest dilemma over the past week was the loss of power.  If that's all, that's nothing compared to the devastation that "Sandy" ended up wreaking havoc on.  Here's my plan: 

I am preparing to donate 10% of my profits throughout the month of November to the American Red Cross.  So far, to date, I have raised $24.50 and it's only November 4!  These profits are coming from session fees paid by client-friends, gift certificates for future use, and client-friend's gallery sales (prints, cards, merchandise, including album sales).  The holidays are coming and photos (and gift certificates for photo sessions) make for wonderful gifts from the heart for those we love.  Now, you have even more reasons to make abundant purchases! 

Also, I plan to donate 100% of my profits to the American Red Cross from any and all sales made from purchases through my Fine Art Gallery.  Prints, mugs, mouse pads, canvasses, puzzles, cards, framed photos, etc.  The sky's the limit!  The more you purchase, the more generous I can be!  As easy as that!  I will gladly keep you up to date on a regular basis as sales come in.  I'd be grateful to you if you would pass this blog post along to your friends & family so they may also contribute to sales and the success of this little idea of mine - let it grow.  Thank you in advance. :) 

Speaking of things that grow!!  This morning as I sat down to write this, I heard the excited squeals of my 6 y/o as she came running into my office - "Mom! Mom!! LOOK!!!" 

She proudly showed me with the excitement of discovery that the pumpkin seeds left drying on the kitchen countertop had indeed sprouted!!  ;)  Wow!!  I had an epiphany moment and got caught up in her excitement, as well!  Just as this idea of giving back to those in need, however small it may be, will grow.  I have faith in that!

To visit my Fine Art Gallery of photographs, please click on this link: 
http://my3girls.smugmug.com/Art/Open-Art-Gallery/18975059_W9XbQT

Gift certificates lock in the current session fee price, are valid for 1 year from the date of issue, and come printed on recycled paper in a beautifully wrapped gift box.  To purchase a gift certificate for future use, please contact me by either calling or emailing:
610.856.1783
my3girlsphotography@gmail.com

If you are a past client of mine and would like to have access to your expired gallery for purchases, please contact me and I will reinstate your gallery at no additional fee for 2 days. :)

I am so very grateful to all of my client-friends:  past, present and future ones!!  You make my life as an artist and an activist well served and incredibly meaningful.  

With warm gratitude,
Barb

P.s.  I do believe I have some pumpkin seeds ready to be seasoned and roasted! ;) 

P.p.s. For more information about the American Red Cross and their tireless efforts to help those in need, please click on this link >American Red Cross<