I ask you this...honestly, how am I supposed to photograph this kind of beauty every day and NOT want to have another baby? It seems like, as soon as I put the thought into the back of my mind, a stunning little babe like this comes to the studio and it all comes rushing back. Her full head of black hair reminds me so much of my first son, Sayer, when he was born. It looked just like hers.
Finnian just turned 5 and Sayer is going to be, gasp, SEVEN! I feel like a broken record when I say it but, really, where did the time go?
Today the boys are with my parents being spoiled having a grand old time. I'm still up at work at 7:10 pm. I might go for a run and then meet Steven for dinner. We'll wake up tomorrow without any kids in our bed. We'll enjoy some peace and quiet and within a day we'll be missing them like crazy. I'm not 100% sure how we got to be so lucky but I'm just grateful.
Shenequa Aranda says:
What a beautiful baby! I want another one already!
(03.17.10 @ 08:58 PM)
Catherine Evans says:
I love, love, love these detail pictures! The bangs are phenomenal.
(03.18.10 @ 10:26 AM)
Memoria says:
Oh, these photos are killing me! They make me want a child, too!!
(03.19.10 @ 03:40 AM)
The past 2 weeks have brought me a lot of newborn babies. It seems to be what I am shooting most this month and I love it. Newborns sessions are one of my absolute favorites. It just never ceases to amaze me that we start out so small and so helpless. I also love watching my clients navigate their way through those first few weeks of a first baby. In watching them move through the big changes, it helps me remember it too, and I do, pretty vividly. I remember being too scared to cut their fingernails and taking forever trying to dress them without making them mad. I remember the bleary eyed feeling of not enough sleep and too many questions. How hard it was trying to figure out how much to let them cry, when to step in and how much they should be sleeping, eating or pooping. I read every book I could find searching for the feeling of competency that only comes with time and doing. Then just as soon as you think you have it figured out they go and change it up and start doing something new. It definitely keeps you on your toes.
One of the best pieces of advice that I ever got was not to get too wound up about any one thing because as soon as you get that one figured out, it will change on you again. That advice helped me through some tough times because it proved true, time and time again. Now my babies are no longer little babies and starting to become big boys. In fact, Finnian will be 5 in a few weeks. You might think that, once they get a little older, you stop worrying about sleeping, eating and even pooping but it doesn't work that way. In fact, I woke up at 4:45 this morning to Finnian crawling into my bed.
The worries never go away but instead they ramp up and become about things like worrying about learning, school, testing, friends and fitting in. It's so much harder when their little hearts on the line. Sayer came to me just yesterday and told me about someone at school who had hurt his feelings. That's hard stuff because you can't just fix it with a diaper change, a call to the pediatrician or a fresh bottle. I guess it's not quite accurate to call one harder than another because it's all relative and "hard" never stops but, like the advice I received back then, just changes from one thing to another.
All I can offer from my vantage point (almost 7 years into it and a long way to go) is to breathe it all in and really try to be in the moment. 5 (6,7,8...) pounds only lasts for so long. You'll turn around and the next thing you know they're walking, and then running and then...
Happy Love Thursday friends, go grab your babies and hold them close!
Cari Chee says:
I love these images, Farrah! Really gorgeous photography! My ab fabs are the first one and the last one. And your website is just beautiful!
(02.05.10 @ 07:24 PM)
what can happen in a single year? Actually, a lot! For the Ruchs (a family that I have been photographing for the last year or so) 2009 was a really, really busy year. Travis was born (in late '08), a house was lost to Hurricane Ike, Travis grew up, a new house was built, and 2 front teeth were lost. That's just the stuff that I know about! Here's a walk through 2008-2009 with Michelle and her family...
Many, many thanks to Michelle and her family for letting me photograph them over the last year! It's been amazing! Our kids are growing up so fast that it makes my head spin sometimes. Get those cameras out folks! The next thing you know, they'll have a driver's license!
Every year I struggle with the holidays. It's a stressful time for me and I wish it didn't have to be. For many portrait photographers the holiday season is a very busy time. For me it means a lot of sessions, a flurry of holiday cards, late nights at the computer, busy Saturdays, lots of juggling and tight deadlines. As much as the workload can easily overwhelm me and it does, I feel extremely grateful that people choose me for such important work.
As I get older too, it seems like the "holiday magic" is more elusive. It feels so commercial (so many ads, a sale here and 50% off there). My family makes gift lists and we all exchange lists. It makes sense on one hand (you want to get something that people actually want) but it does take something away from my gift giving process. I don't know when the shine wore off of the lists but, for me, it definitely has. I used to love them when I was younger and it was all about getting tons of stuff and by making lists I got exactly what I wanted. Now that I'm older my "list" issue has more to do with my giving of gifts to others. The gift buying that requires me to really think about someone is the warm fuzzy part for me. I am thinking of the ones I love, why I love them and what they love. I'm not a religious person so, for me, the thinking about my family part is a huge part of the holiday magic and the list just sucks the joy right out the process.
So to combat my holiday stress and fatigue this year, I decided that I needed to find my holiday spirit in my own new way. Whenever I am feeling stressed out or down, the best redirection is gratitude. With this in mind, I turned my attention to ways that I could truly express gratitude. I am most grateful for two things in my life - my family and my talent. I don't know where or who I would be without my tribe and my camera.
I had been inspired a few months prior by another photographer named Tim Walden. We talked about a charitable project that he does where he gives a family one of his amazing relationship portraits. I knew that I wanted to do something similar but I just couldn't figure out who, how or when. Then I heard about a project / movement called Help Portrait, which was started by a photographer named Jeremy Cowart. It was perfect timing. I now knew exactly what I was going to do.
I have done volunteer work for the Houston Area Women's Center before and feel so strongly about the work that they are doing with families, women and children. HAWC helps women who have been victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. They shelter women and their children when they flee abusive homes, they counsel rape survivors, they offer legal help, have weekly counseling groups, a food pantry and so much more. They give families a second chance at finding peace, hope and joy.
So, on December 12, 2009 I opened my studio to a small group of HAWC families and took portraits of them completely free of charge. It was amazing. Many of these families have been working with HAWC for a while now. They all had to start fresh with a new vision of what their family was going to look like. Many had to leave everything and start from scratch. I see the power of portraits every day and I knew that it would be the best gift that I could give.
Today we got them all ready and tomorrow we'll be delivering them to HAWC so the families can pick them up. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they open up these bags. Just the thought of it makes me feel full inside. So, thank you to the families that came and let me take their portrait and thanks to HAWC. You helped me find the magic again.
As I get older too, it seems like the "holiday magic" is more elusive. It feels so commercial (so many ads, a sale here and 50% off there). My family makes gift lists and we all exchange lists. It makes sense on one hand (you want to get something that people actually want) but it does take something away from my gift giving process. I don't know when the shine wore off of the lists but, for me, it definitely has. I used to love them when I was younger and it was all about getting tons of stuff and by making lists I got exactly what I wanted. Now that I'm older my "list" issue has more to do with my giving of gifts to others. The gift buying that requires me to really think about someone is the warm fuzzy part for me. I am thinking of the ones I love, why I love them and what they love. I'm not a religious person so, for me, the thinking about my family part is a huge part of the holiday magic and the list just sucks the joy right out the process.
So to combat my holiday stress and fatigue this year, I decided that I needed to find my holiday spirit in my own new way. Whenever I am feeling stressed out or down, the best redirection is gratitude. With this in mind, I turned my attention to ways that I could truly express gratitude. I am most grateful for two things in my life - my family and my talent. I don't know where or who I would be without my tribe and my camera.
I had been inspired a few months prior by another photographer named Tim Walden. We talked about a charitable project that he does where he gives a family one of his amazing relationship portraits. I knew that I wanted to do something similar but I just couldn't figure out who, how or when. Then I heard about a project / movement called Help Portrait, which was started by a photographer named Jeremy Cowart. It was perfect timing. I now knew exactly what I was going to do.
I have done volunteer work for the Houston Area Women's Center before and feel so strongly about the work that they are doing with families, women and children. HAWC helps women who have been victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. They shelter women and their children when they flee abusive homes, they counsel rape survivors, they offer legal help, have weekly counseling groups, a food pantry and so much more. They give families a second chance at finding peace, hope and joy.
So, on December 12, 2009 I opened my studio to a small group of HAWC families and took portraits of them completely free of charge. It was amazing. Many of these families have been working with HAWC for a while now. They all had to start fresh with a new vision of what their family was going to look like. Many had to leave everything and start from scratch. I see the power of portraits every day and I knew that it would be the best gift that I could give.
Today we got them all ready and tomorrow we'll be delivering them to HAWC so the families can pick them up. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they open up these bags. Just the thought of it makes me feel full inside. So, thank you to the families that came and let me take their portrait and thanks to HAWC. You helped me find the magic again.
Sharon Chandler says:
Yes, I know that feeling exactly, Farrah! And I feel the same way about lists in our family too. What a wonderful thing you have done for these families! I know they will treasure these images forever!
(01.07.10 @ 11:25 PM)
Lori Luza says:
Farrah, I applaud you for participating in Help Portrait. I'm in a new market now and while I heard of the project in plenty of time to participate, I didn't know how I could be the best benefit to the cause. You have inspired me to create a mental list of ideas for next year. Your spin on the concept set my brain a workin'! Thank you for all your contributions to the photography and greater community.
(01.07.10 @ 11:26 PM)
I bet a few of you have wondered where I've been. My blogging has been terrible. I was so busy in November and December that something just had to give and, sadly, it was my blog. My very first new year's resolution is to get back in the swing though so I promise in 2010 I'll be back to posting regularly.
I am so grateful to my clients. Our holiday season was busy! When times are tough like they have been I can only say a sincere thank you to those that came and had their pictures made with me this year. I appreciate you all so very much. I started to compile a post that had my favorite images from 2009 but there were too many! So, instead, I thought I might break it up and just share some of my recent favorites with you.
Meet Castle and Ryder...
One of my favorite additions to the studio this year was my new blue wall. I love it and I LOVE these amazing little pigtails!
These two were so much fun! They laughed at all of jokes too, who wouldn't love that?!
Sometimes the serious face is even better than a big smile...
These two are just so beautiful together.
I photographed these two crazy kids last year for their holiday card and we had so much fun doing it. Their parents are a joy to work with and the kids are hilarious. This year was awesome as well and I love so many images from their session.
I can't quite put my finger on what it is about this shot that I just love but I do. Just so sweet and peaceful...
And this outfit that makes me laugh because she looks like a little mime or something. Well, a mime with a big happy smile that is!
And there are just so many more but, for today, that is all. I am so excited about 2010. We're going to be having new photography classes (at least one per quarter), a new series of digital scrapbooking and graphic design products, some fun new promotions and a lot more. Now if I could only clone myself...
I hope you all have a great 2010!
I am so grateful to my clients. Our holiday season was busy! When times are tough like they have been I can only say a sincere thank you to those that came and had their pictures made with me this year. I appreciate you all so very much. I started to compile a post that had my favorite images from 2009 but there were too many! So, instead, I thought I might break it up and just share some of my recent favorites with you.
Meet Castle and Ryder...
One of my favorite additions to the studio this year was my new blue wall. I love it and I LOVE these amazing little pigtails!These two were so much fun! They laughed at all of jokes too, who wouldn't love that?!Sometimes the serious face is even better than a big smile...These two are just so beautiful together.I photographed these two crazy kids last year for their holiday card and we had so much fun doing it. Their parents are a joy to work with and the kids are hilarious. This year was awesome as well and I love so many images from their session.I can't quite put my finger on what it is about this shot that I just love but I do. Just so sweet and peaceful...And this outfit that makes me laugh because she looks like a little mime or something. Well, a mime with a big happy smile that is!And there are just so many more but, for today, that is all. I am so excited about 2010. We're going to be having new photography classes (at least one per quarter), a new series of digital scrapbooking and graphic design products, some fun new promotions and a lot more. Now if I could only clone myself...I hope you all have a great 2010!
D'Andra says:
Castle & Ryder, yay!!! Such a sweet picture of them!
(12.30.09 @ 10:17 PM)