She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbour:
“Winter is dead.”

Spring has finally arrived…and the entire earth is blooming beneath our feet. It’s my favorite time of year for outdoor portraits. If you think living near a beach means the best photo sessions are at the beach, maybe these will help change your mind. My dear friend spotted this nook of wildflowers, so we gathered up our kiddos and headed out. I love the vibrant colors, the sense of renewal and symbols of God’s creation scattered everywhere. This is the beginning of a spring season in my family’s personal life too — so maybe that’s why I’m especially drawn to the time and its gentle reminders this year. Meanwhile, if you’re considering a portrait session, don’t wait for the blooms to fade…this scenery is magic.

xoxo
stephanie

“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” – Albert Szent-Györgyi

At first, their mamas were excited when I asked if the girls would mind modeling for me. I had a photo shoot idea and thought they’d be a perfect match. Their excitement quickly turned into perplexity — *where* was I taking them? To a flooded strip of forest next to a playground? In the muck? The dresses may get muddy — and wet? Still, these women were such good sports — and so were their girls. I think they let them come along, in part, out of curiosity!

The Hampton Roads area was recently flooded due to a Nor’ Easter. When I took my son to the playground a few days later I noticed a golden patch of light dancing on the flood waters — the autumn leaves bursting in the background. The water was only a few inches deep, but cut like a river through the path. It was magical — and then the light was gone. I knew I wanted to come back — and two days later, we arrived at just the right time. The magic hour. And, the waters hadn’t receded yet.

The quizzical looks (followed by the snickers) of the playground moms and the small crowd that gathered as I shot made me smile:

“She’s taking pictures of those girls in that water?”
“That’s disgusting!”
“Well, that’s interesting.”
“Bizarre.”

Yes, the doubters.

As artists, we must realize that it’s okay to break convention, to pursue a vision that others don’t see (and never could). To see potential in a group of weeds at sunrise, or a flooded forest path at sunset. Pursue your ideas with gusto and aplomb. Although sometimes you will fail — often, you won’t.

I am grateful for you — my friends and clients (and these mamas) who trust my vision. Who without hesitation, will work in a setting that they don’t understand. I wish the doubters, who looked at the process with disdain and laughter, could see the results. My guess is that their tone would be different.

Reserve your opportunity for a lifeography mini shoot — an economical alternative to a full session, lifeography’s Holiday Minis are abridged versions of a full shoot that offer the opportunity to purchase prints or holiday cards in lieu of digital packages. Even better, all proceeds from the sessions benefit Orphan Network, an amazing organization that benefits orphans in Nicaragua. Date + details:

Lifeography Holiday Mini Sessions to benefit Orphan Network
Cost: $200
Saturday November 14 at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Five slots available, starting at 2PM

Includes 20-minute oceanfront session, online image gallery with 5-10 fully-edited images and ONE of the following packages:

1. Gift Prints: 1 8×10, 2 5×7 + 8 Wallets
2. Holiday Cards: 25 Custom, press printed holiday cards in pearl finish – 5×7 flat, double-sided
3. DIY Greetings: 50 4×6 prints with envelops (same pose) for DIY Holiday Cards

Details:
-Additional packages may be purchased a la carte for $100 each.
-Sessions include up to four people. Add $25 per additional person.
-100% of profits to be donated to Orphan Network.
-Session fee due at reservation (credit cards accepted)

See 5×7 Holiday Card Samples here.

Please use the contact page to reserve your session ASAP. Limited sessions are available and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Our church friends had become family — and we kept in close touch over the next four years as we moved from place to place. We celebrated birthdays, births and marriages from afar, and occasionally during quick return trips for. I remember holding Liam a little closer the day I learned that Dalynn’s baby Cole was diagnosed with leukemia (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Our boys were nearly the same age, and their lives had just changed forever. Cole had just turned two when he was diagnosed in 2007.

I’ve prayed for their family from afar over the last two years and kept up with their blog. Their amazing journey has been a living testimony of faith, perseverance and God’s grace. I am humbled simply by knowing them.

When we finally returned to the beach, I knew that I wanted to serve this family in some way…and beautiful Ava’s three-month portraits were the first opportunity. I’m not usually a fan of three-month sessions. Babies at this age are difficult to photograph. Typically, their expressions and movements are awkward. They can’t quite sit up and need help. But Ava has made me reconsider this age group altogether! If every one of my three month sessions looked like hers, I would shoot them round the clock. It helps that she has such a radiant mama who was an eager participant.You’ll see that Cole and his little brother Logan made some cameos too. The chaos as our kiddos played in the playroom while we worked on capturing Miss Ava was nothing short of hilarious.

Thank you Mike and Dalynn for allowing me to photograph your precious girl. I can’t wait to get my camera on your handsome young men next

Ava was all smiles (and a tad mini-me in the first one)

Dalynn still has her mama glow.

The happiest girl i know!

Her baby blues are amazing.

wide-eyed, beautiful girl.

She tuckered out for us. How can you resist those lashes?

Cole was monkeying around during the shoot.

But then, things got a  little more serious.

Logan made an appearance too. Cookie crumbs and all.

The Rollins’ series is part of lifeography’s “Give Ten Project” – the blog is just launching and more is coming soon.