yes, Papa, it's all yours.

if you're local...

...and if you're not, hop in the car and come on down!  we're having a gallery open house for Loving Legacy Photography next Wednesday, March 11, and we'd love for you to come.  there will be special on-site offers, and a gift for anyone who brings a (new) friend!  come hang with us.  can't wait to see you!

mom-tography {the growing art of taking your kids' pics!}

for those new to my blog, i'm a homeschool momma who decided a couple of years ago to learn what i could really do with my digital camera.  ever-so-quickly, i became addicted to the art of photography and haven't looked back.  i started a portrait photography business when i realized the passion i had along with the desire to connect with others was something people appreciated, and were willing to invest in.  (and i jokingly say as i realized i needed new equipment to get better at the craft, i had to find a way to pay for it.)  :) 

along the way i've had lots of friends ask for help and i'd like to share some tips you can use right now in your everyday snapshots of your kids.  (and if you're local ask about the mom-tography workshop we're working on for this spring!)  i thought i'd call it mom-tography... after all, just because you don't do it for a living doesn't mean a mom doesn't want to get better everyday pictures of her own gang!
How low can you go?

which do you like better?  why?

anyone driving by when I am doing a photography session, especially a session that involves kids, would get quite an amusing view. i’ve been known to climb onto a willing assistant (my father-in-law volunteered, and I really wanted the shot!), a wobbly railing, and a park bench. i’ve also been attacked by fire ants four times so far lying on the ground (and thank goodness, it’s always me and not my clients who get it!). why on earth? well, some of the best shots you’ll get of your kids will be when you’re on their level. think about it: when you “shoot down” on your kids, you emphasize how little they are, and how far you are “above” their world. sometimes that’s a cool thing – but sometimes it’s a good thing to enter into their world – both in real life and in capturing their lives with your camera.  it's known as "perspective," and it can determine what you "say" about your subjects to those who look at your images!

i challenge you: next time you take a snapshot of your littles, get down on their level. you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in capturing them at home in their world!  leave a comment and let me know your thoughts... or share an image and i'll feature you in a future post!

p.s. if you enjoyed this thursday tip, visit

storybook cottage... before

this is our little portrait cottage. in small bites. because at this point you can't see all of the vision coming forth, haha!
this little gem is such a blessing - a "happenstance" appearance on the horizon of what we've been dreaming for the photography business. (as if there is happenstance.) our landlords are a sweet Christian couple who have a counseling practice in the pretty two-story victorian next door. the wife tells us she's so glad we've "moved in." really? Lord, can you spoil us more??

really? "my office?!!!"






as we paint and scrub and prepare to lay flooring, i find myself daydreaming of and praying for the clients who'll visit us there... that they will leave having been blessed... and having a glimpse of themselves as you see them, Papa.

a few shots from NYC...

so spoiled i am. this trip almost makes up for the fact that my precious studly husband of over 14 years just bought me a huge, white, custom van with teal shag carpet, mood lighting, and teal leather seats. just a few shots banged off at the wedding photography workshop i attended this week. pier 17 and times square were our two manhattan locations. happy, happy!

date night and shooting practice

my husband is the hottest man i know. he is also faithful, and indescribably supportive of my pursuit of artistic endeavors. when i felt led to pursue photography (amidst tv appearances and invention ideas and writing commitments...) he didn't hesitate a second to encourage me to run for it. he is learning to shoot, along with building the graphic design, album and web design, and "business side" of loving legacy photography. there's nothing more romantic than photographing a wedding together, and it's something he'd like to do more often either in the absence of, or in addition to, our dear friend brooke's addition to our photography biz! anywhoo, a little coolness is that we are planning a series of "minidates" to go shoot together. we had fun doing "ring shots" with our well-worn 14-year rings, shots of our toes (me. need. pedicure.), and each other.

baby in the bullrushes.

that's what i thought of, anyway. for more of this beautiful two-weeks-new baby boy and his family (our precious friends!) click to the loving legacy photography blog!

c-baby,

i love you!! you're such a big boy, and you're really cool. i love your whole family... but today, you hooked me for good. thanks for letting chase you today, all of you guys!

for more of this family, go here.