365 People Photos: Number 106 ~ Daddy Love

Last night we had a long wait at our local airport waiting for our daughter, Sarah, to return from Zambia. (For more on this, see our family blog Unto Him We Live) During that time 12-year-old Hope, our eleventh child, talked and talked with her daddy, sharing her heart with him. During a break in their conversation, I couldn't resist urging them to pose in front of the airport's flag. Hope is a curious child, and her daddy is willing to field question after question as she wraps her mind around her ever-expanding world as she prepares to enter her teens later this month. I'm so thankful to God that my man is such a great father!

365 People Photos ~ Number 93: A Tired Teen

Recently our family had a long wait at an airport. One of our daughters and my husband were starting a journey to Zambia. Sarah was on her way work at an orphanage in the African nation. Because the two of them would be traveling internationally, the travelers had to arrive at the airport three hours prior to the departure of their flight. (Posts about Sarah's travels can be found at our family blog: Unto Him We Live.)

The whole family traveled to the airport to see the duo off, and we had a long wait after Jim and Sarah checked in. The kid's dad took advantage of the opportunity and read aloud to our kiddos in a quiet part of the airport. He managed to finish a chapter book he'd been reading to the kids during recent weeks. Our son, Matthew, wasn't able to stay awake during the read aloud time, but we all understood the reason. He had just started college and was still adjusting to the rigorous demands. Matt will turn 19 the day after Thanksgiving.

365 People Photos: Number 87 ~ On the Move (With Photo Tip)

One of the suggestions which I've read repeatedly in my books about photographing children is to get down on their level. Obviously, I did just that to capture this picture of my granddaughter.

In this photo, I love the implied movement in the photo as Evelyn rises from her crawling position to a stand, emerging from under the family's kitchen table pushing a chair. I love the take-charge look on this one-year-old's face. I also love the wee bit of green on the far right in an otherwise pink-and-brown picture. Evelyn's parents do their best to keep older sister's crayons away from their little tyke because at this stage Evelyn's preference is to eat crayons rather than utilizing them to make art. This toddler must have felt like she'd found treasure when she came upon the "forbidden fruit" as she crawled under the table.

Photo tip:

For more compelling pictures of children, 
get down on the child's level.

365 People Photos: No. 82 ~ Lending a Hand

I've been near the inner workings of so many weddings lately. As a result I've come to realize just how many friends and family it takes to successfully carry off the big event. If a number of people don't pitch in to help, the event is at risk of flopping...or at least the mother-of-the-bride is at risk of a mental break down! 

At the recent wedding I attended in Houston, the bride's college roommates were staying with the family in advance of the big day when they would serve as bridesmaids in Ashley's wedding. I was impressed when I saw one of the young women, Chelsea, pitching in to washing dishes. I appreciated her servant's heart. As a people photographer, I also immediately noticed just how beautiful she looked in the morning light pouring in through the big window over the sink. I had my camera in hand and couldn't resist snapping a shot. Don't you love the glow around her face and the water droplets which are forever frozen in time?

I love people photography! You just never know where your next opportunity to record a special moment with appear!

365 People Photos: No. 81: The IT'S-ALMOST-TIME Wait

I recently posted a photo of this beautiful bride sitting in a chair in the bridal dressing cottage. In this picture Ashley is just minutes from being given the signal that it's time. I love Ashley's wedding-day glow in this photo. I love her ceaseless smile. I love how she's got got a grasp on the train of her dress, prepared to take the walk on her daddy's arm. I love the soft light pouring through the windows in the late afternoon. I love the illumination of the bride's veil and the flower girl's dress. This photo exactly what I most enjoy doing with a camera in my hands ~ capturing a moment that isn't staged or posed but will none the less bring back a flood or memories for those in the photo. I thank God that he enabled me to take this picture.

In this photo, Ashley's three sisters are to the left of the bride. Amy, in the long, gray gown served as her maid of honor. Shannon, is immediately next to Amy. These two lovely beauties are twins. They are also Ashley's older sisters by two years. Right next to Ashley is her "little" sister, Natalie, who was born when Ashley was 8.

The three young women on the right were college roommates. You may be guessing that the man in the picture is Ashley's father, but her dad was just out of the frame. The man pictured her dad's brother, Ashley's uncle. He is also the father of the flower girl. His assignment on the day of the wedding was to help the nervous petal-dropper muster the courage to walk down the aisle just in front of her cousin, the bride.

I felt so honored to be invited to take these photographs. I love any wedding, but this one was extra special to me. Ashley and her sisters were just a bit older than the flower girl when I first met them. In the late 1990s our two families were living in England as American ex-pats. At the time my husband and I had only had three children, and after we'd finish our home schooling the four of us would often spend the afternoon together. I hadn't seen the four sisters in many years so my joy was overflowing to get to spend time with their family and get reintroduced to them as young women. The God I serve is so kind to give me an opportunity like this!

365 People Photos: No. 79 ~ Elegance Personified

This weekend I was blessed to attend the wedding of the daughter of a dear dear friend of 16 years. I met Sheila during the years our family lived in England in the late 1990s. Her oldest three children and our first three were great friends during those years when both families lived as American ex-pats.

Again, I was granted the privilege of being invited into the bridal suite to photograph the process of the bride and bridesmaids preparing for the biggest day in Ashley's life. When this young woman was fully dressed in her champagne-colored gown, I was entranced by her elegance. What stunning beauty! The best part for me, however, is that after spending a few days with the family, I know that Ashley is as beautiful on the inside as on the outside as a result of her relationship with Christ.

365 People Photos: No. 78 ~ A People Picture?

You may be wondering why I've included this in my collection of people pictures.

However, if you look closely you'll spot a pair of farmer's legs between the second and third horses on the photographer's right.

Last year we drove through Amish country in southern Illinois at sunset. As we made our way west through the well-manicured farm area, we were stunned to see six mammoth workhorses tromping heavily toward us. We slowed down to nearly a stop as we took in this unusual sight. As we stared, we came to realize that behind several tons of horse one man had these staggeringly strong animals under control with just a set of reins! As we approached, the young man slowed his beasts to a near stop, waved and smiled. We rolled down our windows to compliment him on the beauty of his beasts. He thanked us and then told us he'd better keep moving because his team was hungry and eager to get home. We waved good-bye and drove on silently, our hearts filled-to-overflowing with the gift we'd received from God. The Lord 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 Pictures: No. 76: Seeking the Right Light

Lovely, even light is thrown on baby Evelyn's face in this photo because of a window that was just behind me, which cast soft light on her face. Natural light is a photographer's friend. When indoors, making use of window light is the secret to flattering photos. On the other hand, using the on-camera flash will produce harsh, unflattering shadows. The first step to revolutionizing your photos? Turn that flash off!

365 People Photos: Nos. 65-68--The Power of Black and White

In one of my favorite photography books, Mamarazzi: Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids, author Stacy Wasmuth, owner of Blue Candy Phtotography mentions the power of black and white pictures to draw attention away from superfluous elements to the emotion of the moment.

Here my 81-year-old father's concentration as he fights the effects of congestive heart failure to inhale deeply enough to blow out birthday candles becomes the focus when I convert the photo to black and white.

In this photo, the black and white image seems to emphasize the sweet intimacy of the bride and her mom. When the image was in color the crowd behind the two women was the focus of the picture.

This is another favorite black and white from the same wedding. The bride's grandfather was widowed several years ago. Now, however, when his friend Jackie is at his side his smile is unending. Again, when this photo is in color, the emphasis becomes the busyness in the room rather than the happiness of this sweet couple.

This photo, was taken in a Tajik Teahouse in Boulder, Colorado, of all places. The room was full of beautiful Central Asian art. The many colors, however, distracted from expressions on the cousins' faces as they enjoyed ice cream on a hot August afternoon.

Some stunning black and white images can be seen at Marla and Shane Photography.

365 People Pictures: No. 64.--Dance of Love

Our family attended a wedding last summer in the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire. The ceremony took place in the early afternoon, but the celebration carried on until dusk. Warm sunshine kissed the afternoon as those in attendance ate and fellowshipped and danced. I was captivated as I watched the brother and sister in the foreground gracefully sweep the gravel dance floor. Their bond as friends was evident in the unison with which they moved. Then something caught their eye and the pair paused, watching their father dance with their little sister. The thin waif of a child is a former Russian orphan, now doted on and enveloped in the love of a family. Now she has a daddy! Now she has a daddy who wants her as his dance partner! Adoption is beautiful!

365 People Photos: No. 62: A Rosebud

Granddaughter Evelyn Rose at 3-1/2 months

I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams!

365 People Photos: Nos. 59-61--All in a School Day

Many of you may have guessed that we educate our children at home. This time when I pulled out the camera, I tried to take pictures of our "typical" school day. These three photos only do a so-so job of representing what school looks like in our home. I didn't catch much action. I'm posting the pictures any way because they will always remind me of our routine.

In the first picture our eleventh child, Amy, is listening while one of her siblings is reading the Bible. Each morning we read a Psalm, followed by the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the day of the month (Today, February 12, we read Proverbs 12.)

In the second photo, Amy is being taught multiplication by her dad.

Finally, I caught Daria just as she stood up from the lunch table. We eat both breakfast and lunch as a family, and the fellowship is a highlight of the day. We have to eat at our dining room table because nine of our twelve children are still being homeschooled, and that is far too big of a group to fit around the kitchen table!

We began educating our children at home when we moved to England in the fall of 1997 when our oldest daughter, Anna, was a first grader, and our twins, John and Lissie, were in kindergarten. At that point we only had the three kiddos. We did much of their schooling cuddling on my bed. Now if all my students climbed on the four-poster with me, we'd fall through the floor! This year we have three in high school, two middle schoolers, and the youngest two are in elementary school. All nine were adopted from Russia between the ages of three and almost 16. None of them spoke a word of English when they joined the family. God is so good; all of them are dedicated learners. With the exception of the youngest, our adoptees have caught up with their peers after starting their schooling in orphanages! And nine-year-old Eliana is progressing at a happy pace. Isn't our Lord amazing?

365 People Photos: No. 58--Kindred Spirits

On the rocky path that is life there is that rare person who brightens your world from the first moment. You somehow just click. For our daughter, Jaynie (on the left), Rachel is one of those special gifts from God, a precious kindred spirit. The girls live several states apart so they were overjoyed last summer to be able to spend a day together at the wedding of Rachel's brother.

There is an unusual bond between the girls. We adopted Jaynie from Russia at age eight, while Rachel's family has adopted three preschoolers from that country in the past couple of years.

365 People Photos: No. 57--A Redhead's Coloring

This is our second granddaughter. With just two grandchildren, we're already relearning the lesson every parent of more than two kiddos knows; they're each unique. Our Creator has fashioned Evelyn Rose to be wonderfully, marvelously unique!

As a still fairly-unpracticed baby photographer, I do have to confess that my skills are being stretched by Evelyn's coloring. She doesn't have much hair yet, but the little bit she has is definitely reddish. And with that red hair has come red eyebrows and fair eye lashes. All this is set in skin so fair that at times, this sweet baby seems almost see-though.

As a photographer I've been challenged because the same lighting that worked for close-ups of her sister overwhelm this little princess. She washes out. To this grandmother, that is a no-no because this little peach is full of personality. While her fair features may cause a photo fade, her bright smile won't let her recede in a room. Her ready laugh is a constant reminder that she is a remarkably happy baby.

My hope is that this photo captures the wonder God placed in the coloring of this delicate redhead. I have much to learn about how to best play up this little one's features, which leaves me praying I will get to see her often as she grows.

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.

365 People Photos: Day 55--Georgetown with Grandpa

Last fall our kiddos had the opportunity to stroll the streets of the picturesque hamlet called Georgetown in the Colorado Rockies with their grandpa. My dad will be 82 in a few weeks. I thank God for the blessing he has been in my life and the lives of my children! This photo is one of those magical pictures that I will treasure for the rest of my life. My dad and my children...happy sigh...smile. I thank God when a people picture comes together like this. He breaths His grace into a moment that is already special because family is together. I just happen to be in the right place with a camera. A picture like this is nearly effortless...and yet somehow...timeless. I'm reminded to cease striving and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

365 People Pictures: Day 54--We Do Donuts!

When we traveled to New England last summer, I was surprised to find a Dunkin' Donuts on nearly every corner. After all, I love a good sour cream glazed doughnut! On that trip I also came to enjoy Boston Cream donuts, thanks to an introduction by our daughter Lissie's soon-to-be father-in-law.

However, this photo wasn't taken in Massachusetts. In November we drove to Denver to celebrate my mom's 81st birthday. About seven hours into the 11-hour drive we stopped in North Platte, Nebraska. To our surprise we came upon a Dunkin' Donuts there. We boosted their profits on their very first day of business by purchasing a dozen for our mini army, and then the kids were kind enough to pose for a photo.

(My husband and I have the rare blessing of parenting twelve children. Our three oldest children weren't able to travel with us on this trip. The kiddos pictured here are the nine Russians we adopted as older children--ages 3 to almost 16 at adoption--over the past 12 years.)

365 People Photos--Day 53: Brielle's Blues

 

I got so caught up in staring at the deep blue of my granddaughter's eyes that I didn't notice her face still had part of her breakfast on it! This photo was taken in December in her nursery while her sister's diaper was being changed by one of the girls' many aunts. The natural light in Brielle's bedroom is wonderful. When I heard her crawl down the hallway toward her room, I went running with my camera. The pink paint in the nursery does lovely things for the 18-month-old's fair complexion.

365 People Photos: No. 52--Daddy's Girl

 

Last month the family visited Aaron and Anna and our "grand-girlies" as I love to call them. Following church we grabbed lunch at Five Guys. The restaurant chain that used be located in our small city in Iowa but has since closed so the burgers were a yummy treat. The wait for the food was a long one a tired, hungry toddler because of the enormous order for our super-sized family, but her daddy's affectionate attention helped pass the time.