Shadows.

I am blessed. 2-3 times a week, give or take, I have the awesome job of capturing happiness. The joy that children bring to their parents, a young couple in love, or the awe of a new daddy as he stares at his newborn. I am thankful every day for my clients, old and new, and how you let me share in the light that makes up your lives. In reflecting on this, I am constantly trying to find ways to give back to others. I have spoken of one of my volunteer positions before on this blog, but in light of the fact that October is infant loss awareness month, I wanted to blog about it again. I am an affiliate photographer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. We are a group of photographers from across the country who have joined together to capture memories for familes who have lost or are losing a child. I am passionate about this organization. My husband(and maybe many of you) doesn't understand fully why I would want to do this. Why would I want to take pictures of a baby that has passed? My simple answer is that if it was my baby, I would want something more than a hospital polaroid to remember him by. I would need some tangible evidence that she was here and my life had been blessed, even if it was for a very short time. I have a hard time remembering how my boys looked when they were one day old. If I didn't have pictures, I don't know that I could really remember at all. And what if I had only gotten to see them for an hour before they left my arms? Pictures of that hour would be more important to me than anything else I can think of.
Recently, I had my first NILMDTS session. I had not conducted one prior to this past week because I didn't feel I could handle the emotions of it until Fin was at least a few months old. I can't share images or many details from this experience, because the family needs their privacy. However, there are a few things I think it's ok to share. The way the sweet baby that I photographed had a whistful smile on her face, as if she knew that mommy and daddy would be sad, but she wanted them to know she was ok. That will stay with me forever. Her little feet. Oh, they were tiny in their perfection, no bigger the tip of my pinkie. The way the nurse gazed at her with a mix of sadness and resolution. Knowing that this would not be the last time she hovered over a sweet angel. I left with tears in my eyes, but knowing I had done something amazing.
Perhaps it's because this is still so fresh in my mind, but I really want to encourage you to consider giving to this astounding organization. I know the economy is taking its toll on many of us, and that it may be hard to think about giving to one more thing. If you are able to make a donation to NILMDTS in the month of October, please let me know. If you send me a copy of your receipt, I will match your gift with a print credit of up to $200, which you can use at your next session. Please Click here to make a donation. I do want to warn that some of the images on the site may be hard to browse, especially if you are pregnant or have a newborn. By clicking the above link, you bypass the main page and go straight to the donation page.

So much to share

But first thing's first! This family has been waiting for a sneek peek,and they're finally on top of my "running list"! "L" is the owner of Kidz Club here in Tampa, and her little "B" just turned ONE, so they had a session to celebrate.

The Birthday Boy


As a mom of two boys myself, this one makes me all melty inside.




Oh those eyes!




They love Starbucks!






Handsome big brother .


This is the look he gave me when I asked him if I could go to school with him.


Ok, I had to add this one. Look at mom's face. Yowza! Hot mommy on the loose!


This has to be my favorite!

Bigger is better!

And I'm going bigger on my blog! For the past couple of years I have been encouraging folks to go BIG with their prints (8x10 is not big) but the images on my blog have been pretty eensy. Well, thanks to a tip from another photographer, I figured out how to get them big without you having to click on them. YAY! So, here's S & S, a fun couple who I had so much fun with this past weekend. I am super excited to shoot their wedding in March!

Oh snap.

The passenger in this ambulance was definately having an "oh snap" kind of day. The guy in the truck that hit them (not pictured) probably wasn't having a great time either. I, however, was quite glad I had my camera on hand. It didn't look like anyone was severly hurt, so I found it all a little amusing to watch. I do have a strange sense of humor I guess.

Baby {bump}

If I was this gorgeous pregnant, I would stay that way. Nuff said!

The little man's face in this one CRACKS me up. He was a trooper, but by this shot he was done!

Bakin' cookies!

Big G and I have been lacking quality time lately. So, during little G's nap on Monday, we made some cookies! I love that his hands are still pudgy. They're the one trace reminder that my little guy used to be a baby.

The "S" family.

Just a little peek for this sweet family from Sarasota. I am short on words tonight because I am super tired, but some of you may be thankful for that ;)

Both kids played me a song....

Met their cute furbaby "nugget"
"M" thought about sharing for a moment,

And then thought better of that plan! Love the way the sunflare is hitting them in this one!

I'm Back!

YAY! Ok, maybe no one else is as excited as I am. We've all been sick in the Vickers house of late and I am finally feeling a little more like normal. Add to that the fact that I now have a sitter coming to watch the boys 2 days a week (yay for "L", Grady is in love!) and I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Anyway, I am behind on peeks. This little lady's gallery is already up, but she's too cute not to share. Mom and Dad were great and really wanted me to just capture her being HER! You all know that's my favorite thing to do.