Voight Family

I just adore this family!  I first met the kids in the fall.  A friend of their mom's arranged for a special secret photo shoot of the three kids together as a present for the mom.  What a sweet gift!  Back in the fall, we got some great shots, even with one recovering from recent surgery!

The next time I saw them, it was with the whole family - all five of them.  Mom and Dad were just as awesome as the kids - relaxed and enjoyed the shoot.  It was great to meet the parents because the kids were so awesome the first time I met them, I was curious to meet their fun folks! 

We were lucky and got a great day with mild temperatures and full sun (just the way I like it)!  We selected Quarton Lake for the family shoot, since it provides a beautiful backdrop, but also a very relaxed setting.

5 Years Old - Portrait Session

I will never be able to explain why it is easier to photograph someone else's child, but photographing my own daughter is difficult.  Maybe it's because she knows how to press my buttons.  Maybe it's because I know what shot I want, not what shot I'm going to get.  Or maybe it's just that we're so similar and stubborn.

If photographing large groups at weddings is like herding cats, then this is just one cat.  One small, cute, insistent cat.  My cat.

I loved the hat and glasses and so did she.  We had a lot of fun playing with props.  A lot of clients ask me about props and I certainly encourage them when the enhance the photo and don't distract from the actual subject - the person!

Props don't always have to be baseball bats and varsity jackets, but they certainly can be. Sometimes, it's fun to bring something sentimental (a baby blanket made by a family member) and sometimes props are just pure fun!

We found a dandelion and it was huge!  She had a wonderful time, playing with it, waving it around, and then trying to blow the pieces onto my camera.

If you book a session in a location with tall grass, be sure to dress all participants in long pants and long sleeves.  We don't want little buggies ruining the shoot!

I just love rain boots!  In my mind, they go with everything and they are a fun fashion statement.  Plus, you can buy them a little big and let the kiddo grow into them ;)  Gotta love a good bargain!

This is one of my favorite shots from the day.  First, I love her belly button.  A funny thing to love about my kid, I know, but she has the best belly button.  It's neither an innie or an outie.  Second, I love that she looks like an explorer, which is exactly what she was doing in the wide open land.  From where she was standing, she could see the lake and probably some animals and looking at this picture makes me wonder what she was thinking.

Uh oh.  We're starting to pout...someone just found out that it's almost time to go home.  She spent quite a bit of time not cooperating, so I threatened to take us home.  She didn't like that.  Daddy tried his best to help and she tried her best to stay mad.  This is her I'm-mad-I-swear-and-you-can't-make-me-smile look.

 Crying and telling me not to take her picture while she's throwing a fit.  But, as most people know, I like to capture it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  That's life.  So, as I chased her around, snapping away, she screamed that I should stop taking pictures.  Then, she stood still and gave me this devil stare.  Uh oh.  Time to take a break and give the kiddo a hug.

All in all, we got some great pictures, had an awesome picnic dinner, and enjoyed our time together.  We didn't budget nearly enough time to drive there (in traffic) and spend time playing, but we'll remember that for next year.  Maybe by the time she's 18, we'll have this down pat ;)

Let's party!

Just about every year, I kind of dread my daughter's birthday party.  Not her birthday - let's be clear on that.  Just her party.  Why?  Because I have no clue what we're going to do or where we're going to go!  There are only so many indoor places you can take a group of kids and family to celebrate a little one's birthday.  And in the early part of June, you never know if it's going to rain or be marvelous.  It turns out it drizzled a bit and was cold so I'm glad we didn't plan a water adventure of some kind, but it certainly affirmed that we should stick to mostly indoor activities.  And it didn't break the bank!  Score!

Now just for the record, I can't wait for her to be at the age of girly sleepovers.  No, I'm not kidding.  I've got those down to a science and can't wait to paint fingernails, play silly games, and send each girl home with a different color hair than she came with.  Yup.  Better not send her to my kid's house for a slumber party unless you want her coming home with pink/purple/green/whatever streaks in her hair.  It will wash out - I promise.

So, this year, to celebrate my kiddo turning five, we headed to Bower's Farm.  If you live in the Detroit area and haven't checked this place out, you should put it on your list.  They have animals that the kids interact with and learn about, fun activities, cheap birthday parties (we got to hold and pet baby animals, ride a pony and horses, and chat it up with pigs, ducks, and bees)!

To my Sophie on her 5th birthday...

To you, my Sophie, on your 5^th birthday,

I love how you say things in an odd way or say them incorrectly, but that too is starting to fade.  Your growing up so quickly and already I can tell that you’re bound to be an incredibly graceful and kind young woman.  Though that’s still a ways off.  Thank goodness.

Your wisdom and compassion amazes me and feels beyond just five years old.  You know things about people and sense their inner soul in a way that makes their eyes sparkle.  You win hearts easily and I pray you never break any – though I know you will. 

I love that our dogs are your best friends and you are somehow able to see the good in each pet, even Morgan.  I love that you’re so loyal to your best friend Eliza and treat her like a sister, since you have none of your own.  I’ve always thought of Auntie Rita and Auntie Ne as sisters and I hope you will have your own Rita’s and Ne’s, even as you get older and get your “own life” and boyfriends.  Never let go of the people who will paint your toenails, eat junk food with you, and let you cry uncontrollably on their shoulder or lap.  They are true friends and you should always remember to be there for them.

Remember to love ice cream, just as you do now.  It is the comfort food of our family and, when properly mixed with chocolate, really can turn a bad day around.  Trust me.  Find something physical you love and do it constantly.  Blend the two together (ice cream and something physical) and you’ll never worry about your thighs.  Don’t worry about your thighs.  You are so beautiful and you always will be.  There is no reason – ever – to doubt your beauty, inside or out.

I asked you a few nights ago if you’d always talk to me – always tell me everything.  You promised you would and I plan to hold you to it.  I don’t care if you made the promise when you were four.  So call me.  I’m your mother and I love you and will always miss you unless you’re sitting next to me.  Scratch that - cuddling with me.  And we’ll never get too old to cuddle.

We’ve become great friends, you and I.  I love shopping with you (you’re always honest about what doesn’t look good on me) and I love watching our girlie shows and painting our nails.  I always knew, deep down, that I was meant to have a daughter.  I just never knew she’d be such an incredible person.

In ten years, you might be slamming the bedroom door, yelling something about how all of your friends get to do this or that…and probably something about how it’s just not “fair”…but I’m here to tell you that as long as you’re able to grow up and you’re healthy, as long as I’m able to watch you grow up, and as long as you always know how much I love you, life will be fair enough.

Beyond good health, I wish for you a lifetime of kisses (both chocolate and real); friendships with humans, animals, and even imaginary friends (I apologize for stepping on “David” that one morning in your bedroom); respect for yourself and others; laughter so hard that no noise comes out and your cheeks hurt afterward; love – unconditional love; and passion.   

For selfish reasons, I wish I could freeze time.  Freeze your little hand in mine as we cross the street, freeze the faces you make, the way your laugh sounds, and the giant bear hugs you give freely and in public.  I wish I could hold still the way we feel about each other and how quickly you forgive me for putting you in timeout or making a parental mistake.  I know these things won’t last long.

So please, if you’re reading this and you’re “old” – like slamming the door, hanging out only with friends, and giving one-word answers kind of old, come find me and give me a hug.  Tell me one thing I don’t know about you (because I bet at this point there are many) and reassure me that, no matter what, you’re still my baby.  My little girl.

I love you more than life itself, shayna punim, and I couldn’t be more proud of the person you are and the person you’re becoming.

Love,
Mommy