Birth is one of those miraculous events in this world - it changes us. Baby R's birth even changed me, and I was only the photographer! Her birth forever changed the lives of her mommy, daddy, grandparents and all the loved ones around her.
I am having such a difficult time to write about it, I think I'm still processing it all. And even though I made the video above, and have seen it many times as I tweaked it, it still makes the tears flow down my face. I am so thankful Baby R's parents invited me to document this special day in their lives.
I was in awe of how calm, collected both mom and dad were. Dad and Baby R's grandmother were so supportive, too. It was very peaceful in this hectic setting. Does that make sense?
Congratulations to Baby R's family, and welcome to the world, baby girl!!
If you are interested in having me document your baby's birth, I am offering 50% off of three Birth Story Sessions in 2018. Let me know when your due date is, and let's see if you can be one of the three families.
Fall Update/Coming Up for Air
I don't know how it is possible for it to be November, and my last blog post was in August. Wait, I guess I do know how. That 50% off special was so popular it left me no time for blogging (or much else, for that matter!).
Now I have quite a bit of catching up to do to share some of the beautiful and fun and funny and touching images I've been making. But first I decided to start with an update.
Last month I found out I was a finalist in Clickin 2017 Voice Collection - a highly competitive photo contest. From over 45 000 entries about 200 were chosen, and mine was included in Joyfulness category! The image is the one above, taken during a Disney Day in Life Session at Epcot this past January. (So when you sign that model release, you never know what might happen!) That was definitely one of the highlights of my photography career. To see all the amazing winners and finalists, click here.
Another highlight was this week as I had a Birth Story Session and documented the birth of Baby R. I will make a separate blog post of that session, so stay tuned! What a miracle birth is...
I feel so fortunate to have my own business, where I can set my own hours. Despite the busy fall photography season we have made time to go to Disney with our own family, and my little girls and I had a fun homeschool field trip to Seaworld last month. First time for us! It happened to be on a cool quiet day, so we really enjoyed our visit.
It is an interesting balance to be a working mom - and a working homeschool mom, at that. There have been days I have felt like a Supermom, only to realize something really important didn't get done. I know my house will need to get a deep cleaning soon (please send any cleaning people's contact info to my husband... ;-).
Despite the busyness this fall really has been so incredible. I have loved meeting new families and capturing special moments with repeat clients. I find it so satisfying to create meaningful images for families for their walls, for photo books and for Christmas cards. Images that will be treasured for years to come. Seasons change so fast - too fast! I am honored I get to help preserve what life is like right now.
Fall 2017 season is wrapping up, but stay tuned - I will release a few available dates for January and February soon.
And of course, if you're a planner or if you'd like a head start on scheduling, contact me asap:)
Finland Photo Sessions!
It has been such a crazy summer, and the plot thickens. So far we have been in Florida, Maine and Virginia. Next up is Georgia, Maine (again), and then Finland!
I am offering three photo session dates during our short stay in Finland, and the first one will be in my old hometown - Seinäjoki - on July 26th. I will also offer a date in Virrat, and hopefully one in Helsinki area. Contact me for availability and find out what my friends and family offer is. Pricing and Finnish info below.
Tällä viikolla vihdoin varmistui Suomeen tulo! Tulen kolmen lapseni kanssa, ja vain kahdeksi viikoksi. Jos sinua kiinnostaa Day in the Life (koko päivän dokumentaarikuvaus), tarjoan vain yhden tällä kertaa, kysy lisää, jos kiinnostaa! Seinäjoella kuvaan keskiviikkona 26.7 (mahdollisesti myös toinen päivä seuraavalla viikolla), ja aion kuvata myös Virroilla Perinnekylässä tai laivarannassa (ei vielä päivämäärää), ja mahdollisesti myös Helsingin lähistöllä 5. tai 6. elokuuta.
Minisessiossa on aikaa vain perinteisille perhekuville, tunnin sessiossa voimme ottaa perinteisten kuvien lisäksi myös dokumentaarisia perhekuvia, joissa tallennetaan aitoja tilanteita ja hetkiä esim. piknikin tai jonkin yhteisen leikin tai pelin yhteydessä. (Minulla on tarvittaessa iso lista ideoita, joita voimme yhdessä käydä läpi.)
Koko päivän Day in the Life-kuvauksessa kokoan tarinan perheenne päivästänne, eli tallennan arkipäivän yhteisiä hetkiä kuvin. Aloitamme aamulla kun lapset heräävät ja olen kanssanne kunnes lapset menevät nukkumaan. Parhaista kuvista teen lyhyen elokuvan (tämän postauksen lopussa esimerkki), ja minulta voi tilata myös valokuvakirjan näistä päivän parhaista kuvista. Täältä voi lukea lisää.
Oikein ihanaa kesää jokaiselle, ja toivottavasti näemme Suomessa!
Fort Monroe Virginia Mini Session Special!
Stories of Joy Photography turns ONE years old today! It has been an amazing year, and I plan to blog separately about my wonderful clients and sessions. But today, I get to announce a Fort Monroe Special for NEXT WEEK!
I met Jeni, The Village Midwife, a little over two years ago when awaiting for my niece's birth. I was immediately impressed with Jeni's professionalism, knowledge, experience and warmth. My sister was planning on a home birth, and I knew she was in good hands. Even since then I have wanted to collaborate with The Village Midwife somehow, and this coming week we get to finally join forces!
Anyone is welcome to join us at Fort Monroe Virginia, for mini sessions. Families, children, seniors, expectant mamas, pets, or come for a professional head shot or updated Facebook photos! Sign a model release for The Village Midwife and Stories of Joy to use your images for our online presence to receive $25 discount!
The 15 Minute Mini Session is perfect when you are ready to step in front of the camera and get your pictures taken and done. See what I can do in 10 minutes here. With The Village Midwife discount your session is only $75.
If you know you or your kids or your husband or pets need a little more time than that, then the 30 Minute Session is for you. We can document a short activity (some ideas in image), or do traditional posing. The Village Midwife pricing for this session is $130.
The One Hour Session is most fun. We get to do an activity AND get traditional poses done as well. If you have a larger family, or want to bring grandparents along, this session is the right one for you. Discounted Village Midwife price is $170.
I will be in Virginia for two weeks, and if you're interested in an in-home session, a Day in the Life Session, birth photos, newborn photos or Fresh 48, contact me for discounted Virginia pricing.
When booking, don't forget to mention The Village Midwife to receive your discount! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. A non-refundable $50 deposit toward your session is required to book your session, the rest is due at session day.
The time slots are in 15 minute increments. You would pick two for 30 minutes, or four for a One Hour Session.
Contact me to reserve your spot, and see you SOON!
Fresh 48 - Family S
This is Baby O and her amazing mom. They have a very special story to tell.
Last week I met mom and big sisters to talk about documentary birth photography.
And very early on Wednesday morning I got the call, baby is coming! I had all my photography gear ready to go, and as I was stepping out the door to meet family S at our local hospital, the phone rang again.
Baby O had been born in the car.
On the way to the hospital.
Delivered by dad, surrounded by both big sisters.
Mom and baby were doing fine, but we obviously didn't get to do a birth documentary together.
So, instead, on Thursday, we did a Fresh 48 Session at the hospital.
Baby O was sleeping when I first got to the hospital, but she soon woke up, and calmly looked around her. She was very alert, and intently looked mom and dad in the eyes, and could definitely hear my shutter clicks, but seemed to take everything in stride.
This family. Super heroes! Rock stars! These were my thoughts as they were telling me of their crazy morning the day before.
And thankfulness. My heart filled with thankfulness. Our heavenly Father was watching over them the entire time. Everyone is fine. Actually, more than fine - this family is thriving!
I am so happy for them. And if there's a next time - I recommend a home birth, and I will move in a few days before the due date :-)
If you have followed me any time on social media, you know my passion is family documentary photography. I am a visual storyteller. To me there is nothing better than to document the real life as is, to help us remember everyday life for years to come.
My specialty are the Day in the Life Sessions. I spend a whole day with the family, documenting their every day life, and then compile a movie documentary, and usually a photo book for the family, as well.
I am so excited to offer Documentary Birth Photography as well as Fresh 48 Documentary Sessions to families. These both are a wonderful additions to my documentary sessions, like the Day in the Life Sessions.
(And don't worry, I can still do portraits, and hybrid documentary one hour sessions at the beach, park, at home or anywhere really, but my specialty will remain the documentary work.)
Are you an expectant family? Would you like me to help you document this precious time in your life? In a blink of an eye life is in another stage. First birthday is approaching! Your baby is graduating from Kindergarten, and now headed to college (like mine)... Don't miss the early years!
My husband and I wish we had realized how important photography and documenting our life with our babies was. I am here to help you not to make the same mistake we did - forgetting how fast time goes by...
Please contact me to find out more about hiring me as your photographer! I will be back in Vero Beach to document births, Fresh 48 Sessions, Day in the Life Sessions and other Life Events this August. If you are in Virginia, New England or in Finland, please ask me about summer sessions! The earlier we plan and book, the better. Birth and Fresh 48 Sessions are a bit trickier to plan.
Sometimes our story has some unexpected twists and turns ;-)