365 People Pictures: Day 39--Go Reds!

JoLynn, this photo is for you! Cassandra sure misses you and talks about you a great deal. Thanks for loving her and taking her under your wing. You have been a Titus 2 woman to my baby girl, and I'm so grateful!

365 People Pictures: Day 37--Nothing Better Than a Baby's Giggle

Our 19-year-old daughter, Cassandra, with her 12-month-old niece, Brielle last month on a walk during our visit to Cincinnati.

365 People Pictures: Day 28--Cell Phone Surprise

As I learn to capture people with my camera, I want to work on catching emotion. Here I was blessed to snap the shutter just as my 11-month-old granddaughter seized her aunt's cell phone. I love both their expressions. My daughter's joy over her niece's antics delights me. Being the mother of twelve means that our oldest daughter is now having her children before our younger children are grown and gone. What a gift to watch the two generations interact!

I also love Brielle's wonder in this photo. Her face may look like it holds the expected curiosity of a baby with a new object in her hand. But such is not the case here! Brielle's mommy and daddy are of the social media, techno-everything generation (I can't think of a more articulate description.). Thus, this little girl has been grabbing for cell phones since the moment her motor skills allowed her to sufficiently elongate her reach. I believe Brielle's is generated by the fact that she's snatched a phone and no one has yet snatched it back!

Ah.... I love people photography...expressions captured that are so fleeting they would otherwise be missed...personalities on display in a way that reminds me what a blessed mother and grandmother I am! God has been so good to me! I love people photography.

365 People Pictures: Days 27 and 28--In! and... OUT!

Most of my people pictures have been some sort of portraiture, but this time the moments captured include plenty of action.

In April, our family was blessed to travel to Santa Monica, California. That gave our kids, normally nestled amongst corn stalks in the upper-Midwest, the chance to experience wonder of the Pacific Ocean. Cassandra (18) and Mark's (17) first reaction to the chilly water was priceless. Thank You, Lord, for this precious chance to travel. Thank You for the wonder You provided two former orphans. You are a good, kind and generous God!

Project 366 -- Perfect Backdrop

Day 75 -- April 1, 2012

My friend, Jason, (a talented photographer whose work I study) says that much of people photography is being in the right place at the right time. His understanding of his craft certainly applies to this photo!

Our family was saying good-bye to the dear aunt and uncle we visited this weekend in Kansas City. As everyone was hugging one another and exchanging farewells, I noticed that Cassandra (17) was standing in front of an American flag waving gently in the breeze. I had the camera hanging 'round my neck so the shot was easy to catch. I'm so grateful to God that He had this mom in just the right place at just the right time!

Project 366 -- Homemade Valentines

Day 33

One of our family traditions is to make Valentines for grandparents and the kids' widowed great aunts.

Here Cassandra (17) is making use of her drawing skills. The day my husband and I met Cassandra and her two siblings, Jaynie and Mark, in their orphanage in July 2001, we got the opportunity to watch them draw at the table in the orphanage director's office. We commented to each other that we were surprised at their skill level since they were just eight, seven and five.

Over the years, God has grown Cassandra into a young woman capable of creating the most winsome creatures. I hope some day she gets the chance to illustrate a children's book!