Life Through the Lens

I lived overseas in Oberarnbach, Germany with my family when I was younger. My dad is a German-born Serbian, so he couldn’t have been a better ‘tour guide’ during his time in the Air Force that we spent in Europe.  Yesterday was St. Nicholas Day (a day when we would put our shoes out overnight and hope to find goodies in them in the morning!), so I couldn’t help but me reminded of all of the fun we had in Germany!  I’m so grateful that I was just old enough to have so many fond memories of our time there, the beautiful sites, the cultural immersion.  And I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience so much of the world as an Air Force brat.  It snowed so much every year that my dad would pull me on a sled around the neighborhood and town, he would build me igloos (wish I could find a picture of this!!), and I, of course, would make snow angels.  I live in Texas now, so not quite the same sites or winter snow, but those memories that I hold onto are what encourage and drive me to want to provide just as equally memorable times for my own family. Max needs to experience igloos and snow angels, so we need to go to the snow!  I asked my dad to dig up a few photos for me so I could share them with you.  The first is from 1989, and the rest from 1991. Enjoy.

Zugspitze DE - 1989 - with mom and dad... what was that kid on the right doing!?

Oberarnbach - 1991 View From Our Balcony

Oberarnbach - 1991 - me and my sister going sledding near our house

Oberarnbach - 1991 - sledding!

Oberarnbach - 1991 - me making a snow angel

I’ve been fortunate to be a part of lots of beautiful family photo sessions this holiday season, and while each family I work with is awesome and loving and fun, there is one in particular that stood out to me.

When the Stern family came to me for a lifestyle session and explained how they were as far from formal, stuffy photos as one can be, and South Congress would be the ideal fit for them and their personalities, I was over the moon! I love nothing more than a family that lets their guard down and thus silliness ensues.  It took me all but two seconds to fall in love with their adorable girls (and made me hope for a girl of my own in the future!! I mean who could resist buying clothes like what you see below for their own little girl(s)!?). It was a fun and relaxed morning, a session unlike any other I’ve done, and I can’t wait to try to top it the next time I take their photos! And, what better way to wrap up the session than with candy and sweets and ice cream and cupcakes!? Just have a look for yourself… P.S. I’m glad I was just the photographer and didn’t have to deal with the wrath of that sugar high later in the day…