365 People Photos: Numbers 131-134 -- Water Babies

365 People Photos: Number 130 -- One I'll Frame

In my last post I mentioned that I was an English major in college. Needless to say, a mind trained to recognize symbolism sees a wealth of material in this photograph. I'm not even going to dip into meaning I see in this picture. Before I share my thoughts of deep meaning hidden in this unposed capture, I'd love to know, what, dear reader, do you see pictured here? What strikes you about Brielle's real-life effort to make her way into the building behind these massive doors? I'd love to know!

365 People Photos: Number 121 -- The Best I Could Do

On my last night with Aaron and Anna's family, I was outside toward sunset with their two oldest girls. Brielle asked me to draw a picture of her with sidewalk chalk. I'm afraid my best effort was a bit simplistic. Thankfully, after this moment of contemplation, the 3-year-old was happy with result, although I didn't manage to catch her delight with my camera. God abounds in steadfast love!

365 People Photos: Numbers 118-120 -- Happy Sister

Brielle has been so gentle and loving with her newborn sister. I never would have imagined that a photo shoot with a 3-year-old and a baby who is only 3 days old could be so effortless! I thank God for the opportunity to capture this brand-new sister love!

365 People Photos: Numbers 115-117: Unexpected Treasure

When I packed to come help our oldest daughter with the birth of her third child, I packed a few lightweight scarves. My hope was to have the chance to use them to photograph Anna and Aaron's newborn daughter. This afternoon I dug the scarves our of my suitcase. Baby Jillian was sound asleep and I had my chance to take some photos. As I was photographing the newborn, her oldest sister was playing with one of the scarves. When I glanced over my shoulder, I was stunned by how beautiful the 3-year-old looked draped in pink. I snapped these shots as Brielle danced around the room in a world all her own.

365 People Photos: Number 113 -- So Summer

Evelyn and Brielle playing in their family's driveway this morning as I weeded the front gardens. God is so good to give us the warmth and color of summer! Shorts, sundresses and flipflops. Life just doesn't get much better!

365 People Photos: Number 102 ~ Peace

I've been in so many orphanages. I've heard so many stories of the hardships endured by the fatherless. I've watched so many times as my own children ~ added to our family through adoption ~ have had to wrestle through trying to make sense of a past that doesn't make sense. As a result, spotting my granddaughter, Brielle, intent on something as innocent as a favorite picture book while sitting on her nursery floor is like a breath of peace to me. Childhood as it should be. (For the effects on a child whose life has been marked by trauma, watch a 12-minute video that just may change you... ReMoved.)

365 People Photos: Number 99 ~ Whatcha Gonna Do About It?

On the day of her sister's 1st birthday party, Brielle was sent sent into the family's backyard during preparations for the birthday party. Eliana, who was ten, was assigned the task of watching the toddler. Unsuspecting Eliana soon learned how determined two-year olds are to test their boundaries. Brielle was enjoying an ornery game of 52-card pick-up.

365 People Photos: Number 97 ~ Love The Lashes!

Brielle at two

365 People Photos: Number 95 ~ With Help

One-year-old Evelyn was able to open our family's birthday gift of Duplos with help from her daddy. The birthday girl received assistance in assessing the new toy from her intrigued sister, two-year-old Brielle.

365 People Photos: Number 91 ~ Lemonade Anyone?

365 People Photos: Number 90 ~ Just Happiness

Doesn't a happy toddler just brighten a day?

God abounds in lovingkindness!

365 People Photos: No. 77 ~ The Wonder of Natural Light

In my last post I mentioned that one of the important ways to improve photography is to dish your camera's flash. Make use of window light instead! The result is a soft illumination. In this photo of my granddaughter, Brielle was right up against a glass door in a church foyer in which our family was attending a wedding. I was parallel to the window as I took this photo. A special detail in this picture is her chubby little toddler hand resting on the glass. Window light ~ without harsh sunlight ~ can offer magic!

365 People Photos: No. 75 ~ Embracing the Less-Than-Perfect

Like no other time in history, much of humanity now has access to a camera. While not everyone has a DSLR, many carry a camera with them nearly all the time in the form of a cell phone. And for many people, the ability to take pictures comes with a desire to grow in skill as a photographer. I know I've been bitten by that bug. And the desire to improve as a photographer puts us at risk for being quick to delete what we consider to be less-than-perfect photos.

However, with this post, I'm here to say *HURRAH* for some of those pictures we'd quickly label imperfect. They may be the very photographs that capture some truly significant moment. Let's put our eye on the milestone marked rather than being too quick with critical self-critique.

This photo of my granddaughter is one of those imperfect treasures. I took the photo on Thanksgiving day as our entire family of 18 was gathered in a small condo on the shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. The kitchen was crowded with folks preparing the feast we would share as we thanked God for His countless mercies in our lives. While all the hubbub was going on, 17-month-old Brielle, who was still a full-time crawler, raised herself to an unaided standing position in the midst of the chaos. Our nine-year-old Eliana called attention to the feat, and we all gleefully clapped for our little champion. Brielle who was, of course, delighted with our accolades, then repeated the stunt a number of times, each time to our happy cheers. In fact, she would rise up into her pyramid-shaped stance and clap along as we clapped.

For me, this photo reminds me of that important developmental step for Brielle. The picture also brings to mind the beauty of being a family that encourages and supports one another. Isn't that really the most important role family members can play in each other's lives?

All of this is captured in a photo that will never win an award. While the quality of the photograph is low, but the quality of the memories it holds and sentiments it carries is sky-high. So, as photographers, let's not be too quick to hit the delete button as we evaluate our work. Treasures can be quite imperfect!

365 People Photos: No. 72 ~ A Glimpse of Baby Teeth

 

Brielle at 20 months

365 People Photos: No. 71: The Blues

This time...just the eyes.

 

Brielle was rolling around in her bedding as Oksana, our nine-year-old daughter, played with our favorite toddler in her bedroom. The blanket casting the yellow glow is her favorite. The birth-grandmother of Brielle's mama, Anna, made the blanket for Brielle. Adoption is creating the most beautiful legacy in our family! Thank you, Sharon, for your love for Brielle!

365 People Photos: No. 70--Painterly Pose

 

I honestly don't know how this picture turned out this way, looking as though it was painted. I couldn't begin to replicate it, but I will forever treasure how the photo captures 20-month-old Brielle in such a thoughtful moment. God so faithfully provides!

365 People Photos: No. 69--In Grandpa's Lap

 No words necessary. Just...thank You, Lord.

365 People Photos: No. 63--Stars and Stripes

Our granddaughter, Brielle, in the arms of our daughter, Jaynie. We visited Brielle's family in Ohio last summer to celebrate her first birthday. I love the joy on both their faces. Having our grandchildren and children take such delight in each other is a thrill that defies words. God has richly blessed us. Our cup overflows!

365 People Photos: Day 56--Chubby Hands

Our daughter, Anna, recently pointed out how she loves Brielle's chubby little hands. Her comment has made me more aware of what it means to be a toddler. Now I, too, am relishing this feature that says, "I'm young...and new at life. I often struggle to get my hands to be able to do what I have seen grown-ups do." This thought leaves me with a good reason to have compassion for my granddaughter if she gets frustrated trying to master her surroundings. May I give her grace as I hold her chubby hand, just as God has given me grace as He has held my hand.