There’s no greater privilege for me as a photographer than to shoot a labor. It’s a phenomenal thing to witness the birth of a child! Since Maralee posted a few images on Facebook, I thought I’d let a few photos tell the story of the birth of her youngest, big-little Theodore.
Hey, all you who participated in the December Photo Project, I am SO PROUD of you. Thank you for giving me the energy and incentive to complete yet another year of this photo project. This year in particular, it took all my strength to simply pick up the camera and then post a photo each evening. In one way it felt kind of rote, but at the same time it was completely satisfying. I felt carried by your zeal for the tradition of the DPP—so really, thank you so much!
Another huge thanks goes to Christine and the Eleanor Creative team who produced the beautiful imagery we used. What a boost for the DPP! Thank you!
I am going to start off 2015 by posting some unused images I shot during the month of December. I love this one in particular. Love my Liv.
After anticipating Tredway Christmas all day, the grandkids made quick work of unwrapping and then put some gifts to good use. Kitty robe, on. Art supplies, out. Canvas, colored. I wouldn’t mind late-night art being a new Christmas Eve tradition, especially if it means us adults can drink something hot and have a conversation with complete sentences.
My other competing DPP shots for the day included sunbeams from various angles in the car (because THE SUN WAS SHINING, WHAT?!), thumbprint Christmas cookies baked this afternoon, and slightly blurry candles beautifully lighting Redeemer Church at the Christmas Eve service.
My eyes are tired tonight, but my soul is full and content. The babe born of Mary, God became man and dwelt among us. How beautiful to remember His birth with candlelight and carols, gift-giving and eating together.
Much love to you, my friends. And Merry Christmas.
This is the fourth year my favorite gift-wrapper has graciously come to my house and cut, taped and stacked gifts alongside me. We put Elf in the dvd player and get the job done. Liv’s assigned task is to lay on the couch and not look at what we’re wrapping. It just gets better and better each year and Rebecca brings me much happiness each time.
These are the in-between years. The years where one fluctuates wildly between pursuing maturity and wanting to remain little forever. While everyone reaches for the babies and the lisping preschoolers, the ‘tweens remain in their own awkward location, caught between wanting to grow and not wanting to at the same time.
This image will forever remind me of the wisdom of my husband in the pew tonight as he encouraged me to enjoy the moments of “not wanting to grow” a little longer. A split second after his verbal nudge our tween turned and rested her head against me, a solid reminder that he was right—she was still little and it was okay for her to find comfort in stuffed animals and mom’s warm body. He muttered something like, “I am a half-genius after all,” which is a family joke of ours, and my mind and body relaxed and enjoyed my ten year old girl and her armful of babies.
Photography lessons learned from my DPP shoot today:
1) White dogs aren’t always photogenic. In fact, you can hardly see them sometimes.
2) It’s always a good idea to experiment with shooting from various angles—for sure you should try moving around when you’re working. However, candy canes in silver buckets do not look that interesting from the bottom side. Go figure.
3) When shooting glassware, make sure it’s clean.
The end. And you’re welcome.
My beautiful friend Rachel and her girlies, decorating cookies on this December morning.
The Redeemer Christmas party is always a fun time. Lots of yummy food, great people, and a white elephant gift exchange that is always hilarious.
Tonight I am very tired, but will go to bed laughing. Laughing on the inside. External laughing would require too much energy. Goodnight!
