Welcome to the world, baby Lauren! You are so very very loved!!

Baby William is on his way and we can’t wait to meet him. Until then, this super silly duo will have their hands full preparing. Jenn is a dear friend of mine from middle and high-school who I’ve adventured many adventures with over the years. I could not be more honored to capture this amazing time in her and Chris’s lives.

*Who wants to be one of the first to see William’s newborn photos when they’re up? Go here and click “Like” to follow our page! Enjoy!

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***Priddysweet is very serious about newborn safety (it is THE number one priority). I hope to be extremely clear that casually setting a baby on anything (including a saddle) to get a photograph is NOT something we do nor do we recommend it.***

If you know me, you know that this is a huge reach out of my creative box… I’m the most modest person I’ve ever met. But it is a step out of the box that I do not regret!

If you have any questions about these sessions, just drop me a line! I’m always happy to help!! Ps- Priddysweet has new baby plan coming soon too… Pass this on to anyone who might benefit!

“No! come all the way outside! Then…close your eyes…”

I realize that the most this child has seen of my face all day was at breakfast and I hear a voice inside say, “you. are. missing. it.”

I walk out onto the driveway, close my eyes and ignore the phone ringing in the background. This is their time. “SURPRISE! Open your eyes!!!” Ah, the most gorgeous primary colored troll bridge I’ve yet to see. I stand there, breathing in the pre-spring air, watching the breeze blow their hair back off their faces. This was one of those moments that makes up the story of this stage of our lives. I don’t want to forget this. I want to stamp it on my heart so I can remember it and revisit it forever. Siiigh, wouldn’t that be nice if it were that easy? To tell myself “I want to remember this” and bam! Its remembered!!

We went and heard a storyteller last week at church. I’d never sat and listened to a professional storyteller before and I will say, if you haven’t either, I HIGHLY recommend!! As he told stories from his perspective of the first through the 4th grades, I was naturally envisioning my very own classrooms from that time period. I saw the 6 year old faces of my own friends, I recalled being a proud line leader and opening my carton of chocolate or white milk at afternoon snack. I was kind of teary when I left the parking lot that night. I realized what an incredibly precious GIFT that storyteller gave to me…the ability to revisit my childhood through story using the images from my memories. A huge light bulb flashed over my head…this is photography’s gift too.

There are lot of new photographers out there right now. And a lot who are unintentionally undermining the value of what this gift is because they don’t see that value themselves. I wish I could convince you of how special a treasure this art is..but I can’t. Until you experience the loss of it (or a lack of quality in it), you won’t value it. (Those of you who have had unfortunate experiences with photographers are screaming AMEN!!) You hired (or will hire) someone to photograph landmark moments in your life (weddings, babies, generations of family) because that is what everyone does but…have you ever considered why? These are incredibly important memories. They are portals to our past. They are clues for future generations. They. tell. our. story.

I sit here staring at the troll bridge made of cardboard blocks and try to burn this image of these precious small, innocent beings into my memory bank. I inhale and exhale. I try to soak it all in. Until I noticed what I had missed… until I saw these babies growing into little people, I didn’t understand the value of this art either. I can tell you every shot of them that I do not have. I can tell you each milestone I’ve missed. (There are many). I see these little beings changing, growing…so fast I feel like I just blinked and I want my babies back. I can’t get them back. I want time to slow down so I can absorb this all. Time won’t slow down. This is all changing way too fast. I see myself as a mother of teens, college graduates…a grandmother. Will I remember this moment in time? Will I be able to re-experience this amazing, sunny, windy day outside with my toddlers when I am 60, 70, 80 years old? Will I long for this when my children move away? Will I wish I could go back to this stage of my life? even for just a day? (Oh how that perspective is a gift).

Only our stories can repaint this picture. Images capture the stories. They capture smiles of the ones we love–smiles that we take for granted until that moment has passed and those faces are gone. The truth is, it’s not a matter of “IF” you value photography but “WHEN.” Don’t miss the opportunity to preserve your stories sooner. You won’t regret a single moment captured.

Have an awesome week, everyone!! and ps- happy LEAP day!

I close my eyes and dream a little. I imagine horses galloping across a tall sunlight field at sunset. I see colors: pink, orange, yellow. I see texture: flowing manes, blades of tall grass, dust, dirt. I see light. I see peace. I see inspiration.

My heart starts to soar as I imagine what the image in my mind will look like huge on a wall. This is the essence of creating. I imagine this is what God does when he dreams up a new soul in heaven… This is creation. We are unique. Each and every one of us. And we all have something awesome to contribute. Closing our eyes to the distractions and looking inside will reveal magnificent ideas, stories and images all within our own capacities.

When you close your eyes, what do YOU see?

Can’t see it on your iPhone or iPad? No worries! Watch it HERE on YouTube!

Was your experience with priddysweet “something to write home about?” If so, share your story below for a chance to win!!*

* Winner to be chosen by random selection drawing on January 16. Each story will get one entry for a chance to win $100 in prints!!! Share your story on our Facebook wall (priddysweet . portraiture .) and via Twitter too (make sure and tag @priddysweets) for additional entries to win! “Like” our page while you’re there and “Follow” us on twitter if you haven’t yet! Its worth it, I promise!! Thank you ALL!!

HAPPY 2012!!!!

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