Some Thoughts

I've been thinking lately. About photography--and what it means to me.

In the beginning, all I knew was that I wanted to learn it. That something in me felt drawn to it.


Then I had kids. And time started to bother me more than usual. As though it hadn't bothered me enough in the first place, right?


So I started practicing more.

And I was blessed by two people that saw how hard I was working to learn with my point and shoot digital camera... and they placed a digital SLR in my hands. Something we never could have afforded for me at that point--practically still newly weds with a 7 month old baby.


I LOVED that camera. And what a gift they gave me--so much more than just something to take pictures with. It was a learning tool. It was saving the moments I was so scared to let go of. It was finding the artist in me again when I no longer had time to write.



I felt I was good at photography and I was proud of the work I was doing... until I fell in to a group of photographers on my diapering forum. One in particular took me under her wing and mentored me. And I learned not only how to master my camera--but what makes a "perfect picture," and that sometimes the perfect picture isn't so perfect by those rules anyway.


But most importantly, I learned that photography can express who I am. It can represent me.

And it can speak to people.


I realized that with my camera, and with my eye, I can show people things. And I can capture things that mean something to other people too.



Recently photography has been overwhelming me.



There are things in life that only happen once. And if you can catch those--then you have done something unique. You have done something amazing.

In the years before I met my husband, I was a nanny for two little girls. I think I will always look back on those years as some of the best of my life. The entire family was a blessing to me, and I loved those little girls more than I'd ever loved anyone.

My last week of working for them was two weeks before my wedding. We knew after my wedding, we would be seeing eachother much less. It was a huge turning point for all of us. And when it was time for them to leave, they came to say goodbye to me...




I have no words for what that moment was like for me.


But I have this photo. And it still makes me cry. And I am so thankful my photographer wasn't too shy to get down there with her camera, when everyone else had backed away to let us have our moment.


Thank you Jean.


Then there are moments... that only happen for awhile. And they are routine. But only for awhile.


And to capture those... it's to remember before you forget. To look ahead and think about what you will want to savor. Because things change faster than we think they will... and things that are so familiar... go away.





I can't say that I have ever been a very chipper person... or even an inherently happy one.



But photography for me, is to find the joyful moments. And to hold on to them. Or to embrace the painful ones for what you learned. To look at the small things in life that are hard to saying goodbye to--and claim them.



In my heart, photography feels the same as writing. And it almost feels miraculous to me that I have been able to advance in it, learn it, and then jump off at almost the same point I'd left off with my writing.



It is a gift to me.

It's something I can grab on to, when the world feels so fast, and so big...


So here's to taking photos... no matter what camera you have... whether you know the rule of 3rds or not; own photoshop or not...


Here's to holding on to life... and all the things that make us smile. And cry. To all of the Littles that grow up too fast. And all of the "grown ups" that don't realize how fast it will go.


Here are some of my favorites. Perfect or not.









And just because it's adorable...


I hope that both of my children find something that they can grab on to... as they grow and find themselves... and learn how to swim through this life.

Update Overload

Okay, so I'm going to give you some photos this time.

How about a beautiful squishy newborn? He was 10 days old and absolute perfection. It was hard to leave him.








And my girl, proudly sporting her mullet-hawk. She works her 80's look something fierce.

My little boy, so full of joy. He's so fabulous. I just adore him.


And a snap shot from a proud mama. Asa told me, "Mommy, I'm going to write my name."

I was on the phone with Grandma Susi so I told him, "Okay sweetie!" and went on.

He came to me a few minutes later and dragged me over to his beautiful easle (thanks Grandpa Bob!!) and showed me this. Sure, he spelled it wrong but he did get an almost "S" and two "A"s. All on his own. Way to go little guy.


And now for my most recently edited shoot. I love these photos. These are my friends the Haskins and they are such a gorgeous family. So real and so fun. And good-looking to boot!

Surprise!!

Turns out I am going to be doing some commercial photography for Art & Soul, Bercot Children's Wear!!

We're doing a sneak peak photo shoot in about an hour. I'm so excited!

I just had to share this one.

Busy Photography Week

Well this week I got a taste of what it would be like to own a business. I had three sessions, two with people I had never met.


It has been great experience for me doing photos for people that are not friends. It's building my confidence, cementing my style, and teaching me what I want out of my business.


On to the photos.

Wow has summer gotten us busy!

Last weekend, we had two parties! I am not finished editing photos from them yet. Friday my friend Kristen had her baby!! I need to see if she minds if I post a photo of him here. I took some yesterday. He's gorgeous. I've been sewing in what spare time I have, which doesn't feel like much.

I'm wiped out tonight, but trying to catch up on blogging a bit, and photo editing. I have three or four photo shoots this week so I don't want to fall behind. :)

Thanks for checking in with my blog! As usual, you can click on the photos to make them bigger.

I will try to update more often.

-Molly


Ellis in a dress I made her this week:



Asa and Grandad, hand in hand:


Cleaning for Grandpa Bob's surprise party.







I wanted to get some photos of the kids in their Matilda Jane/Might Acorns clothes, but all of them ended up being dirty (spur of the moment thing--lol). I was still happy with some of the sibling shots I got. It's hard to get a good picture of them together!