So many gifts

I love this sweet girl and her precious mama and daddy. I met them when this very big preschooler was just a babe in her mama's tummy, and I've been so blessed to be able to watch her grow these past three years.

Earlier this summer, to mark Isa's 3rd birthday, we went back to the Sand Pearl, which holds very special meaning to Isa's parents. We read her favorite books, we twirled in tutus, we giggled, we dressed up, we played Mommy, we played on the white dunes, splashed in the Gulf, jumped a few waves and got a little bit wet :) and snuggled in blankets with her Mama at the end. 

I left the session so full and happy, nostalgic and thankful. Like I'd just opened a gift that meant the world to me. 

Isa's grandparents were in town to visit her (they're from Kentucky too... my favorite kind of people!), and they told me how many of her photos they have up in their home... how they sometimes tear up when they look at them, and how much they appreciate having these photographs to keep Isa close, even though they can't see her every day. 

It was precious of them to share this, and it was encouraging for me to see them so delighted about something that I can give them. A connection to their sweet girl miles away. 

And I will use this gift of mine somehow, someway, until I don't have anything left to give anymore.

Just for old time's sake... the last photo (with her cute fur brother, Spencer) is from 2014. It's unbelievable how much Isa has grown and changed in a year! Time passes quickly, friends. Don't waste a minute of it.

xo,
Stacey

The Del Bassos: A Family Session on the Beach

This beautiful family was an absolute dream. If I could photograph them every day, I would. Adoring, brilliant parents. Crazy-smart kids. Fantastic senses of humor We met one recent evening at the Hyatt Regency on Clearwater Beach, but of course it's Spring Break here and we didn't want to fight the crowds (read: shoot around a hundred people in bathing suits). So we hopped on over to one of my favorite quiet beaches just south of CWB. Sand Key Park is one of my best little back-pocket beaches, and I love sharing it with my families. I can get so many different looks from one beautiful place. Things like that make a photographer immensely happy.

You know I adore documenting the connections between the people in my portraits. So one way I get families to think more about each other (and less about having a big camera in their faces) is to ask them questions while I shoot. Often when shooting pairs (mom with her son, dad with his daughter, etc.) I will ask the kids to tell me one thing their mom or dad does for them that makes them feel special. Or tell me one thing they love about their mom or dad. And it's a great way to find out their love languages too! See for yourself...

So I gathered that one of Mom's love languages is Physical Touch. I'll bet you noticed too? Her contented smile when she reached out for her children (and her husband) melts my heart every time I look at these. You can see that her son shares her language because when she reached out to tousle his hair, he closed his eyes and just enjoyed it. He also said that he feels loved when his dad encourages him to do his best at everything. (Words of Affirmation for the win!) And love that Dad put his hand on his son's neck too, as they were walking. The littlest one was really snuggly with her mama this evening... made my heart nearly burst. As did the sweet way daddy and his middle daughter laughed together as he was tickling her and throwing her into the air. She was delighted to be center of attention and have her turn in front of the camera, and I'd be very willing to guess that one of her love languages is Quality Time. :)

Truly, what a gem of a family. I am so very blessed to have spent this evening being inspired by them and getting to know their hearts.

XOXO,
Stacey 

Possibilities

Sometimes the most interesting parts of a photograph are the details and possibilities that are suggested.

I'm not sure what I love more about this photograph: the seen or the unseen.

I love the visible part of this sweet girl's legs and feet, as she's jumping ever so slightly above the edge of the wave... Daddy standing tall nearby to protect her and lift her should she lose her balance.  It's a quiet, gentle image of a father and daughter that I find myself coming back to again and again.

But I'm also drawn to the reflection of her, arms stretched upwards in a ballerina's pose.  That water-filled dip in the sand that suggests that she was just standing in that very spot, just before the tide washed its most recent wave up to the shore.  Just before she leaped over that wave and into the deeper tide.  Bravery and spirit, confident youth.

Daddy -- and his shadow -- planted as firmly as possible in the soft, wet sand, watching over his little girl to make sure she doesn't dance too far from his protection.  He knows that someday she'll dance a little further and further from him as she grows up, as she moves confidently into her life's path, into her own oceans.

So I'm curious... what do you see?  :)

Where I Belong

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong in a boat out at sea.  Sail away, kill off the hours.  You belong somewhere you feel free. Run away, find you a lover.  Go away somewhere bright and new.  I have seen no other who compares with you.

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong in a boat out at sea.  You belong with your love on your arm.  You belong somewhere you feel free.

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong somewhere close to me.  Far away from your trouble and worry.  You belong somewhere you feel free.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  --Jeremiah 29:11

//

Unlikely combination, I admit... but Tom Petty, the sound of seagulls and shallow waves spilling onto a warm beach, and the book of Jeremiah make up the soundtrack of my life this week.

Friends, here's hoping you find peace in your heart, when and where you search for it.  For me, it was on a beach on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico.  Right where I belong.

xo,

Stacey

Merry & Bright Mini-Sessions

It's Mini-Session time again!  Every Fall, I offer Holiday Minis so that you can update your family's photos if you've had them done earlier in the year.  Lots of clients see me every few years for those big milestones (pregnancies, new babies, birthdays, etc.) and then opt for a mini-session in between.  And sometimes, families who aren't quite ready for a full Signature Session opt to try a mini-session and dip their toe in slowly. So which one are you?  :)

I have THREE open spaces left:  Saturday September 28 at 6:30 (the sun sets at 7:20) and Saturday October 5 at 5:15pm and 5:45pm (the sun sets at 7:12pm).

The location we've chosen offers the best of both worlds: a lush green setting.... rows of pine trees, clusters of sea grapes, and a pond surrounded by reeds and rushes.  And it just happens to be on the beach as well... a picturesque boardwalk leading to the Gulf of Mexico, soft waves lapping over the sand, a huge stretch of white sand beach, dunes covered in sea oats and wildflowers, and even a tiki hut.  (How cool would a tiki hut be on your Christmas card this year, right?!)

To reserve your family's reservation, just send me an email using the contact button up there on the right sidebar.... ----> or give me a call at 727-698-0344.  All sessions must be paid in full to reserve your spot; all mini-sessions are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

I can't wait to see you!

If you have to take cover from the rain under a tiki hut....

...then make sure you do so with a super cute and fun family with a great sense of humor!

What an amazing family!  They were such good sports about our infamous Gulf of Mexico / Tampa Bay evening thunderstorms, even despite dodging buckets of rain and having to take cover inside a tiki hut on the beach.  Not quite what we had in mind for our session, of course, but I think we got some pretty awesome images from our time together.

Best of luck to Drew and Morgan on your senior year!!  I hope it's your best one yet.

They Had It All.

The prettiest smiles.

The bluest eyes.

The most fun.

The best giggles.

The sweetest love.

Thank you, Schemery family, for being in front of my lens while you were in town, and for sharing your evening with me.

xo,

-Stacey

Mini-Sessions 2012

I'm bringing back mini-sessions this year!!  And I'm keeping them super-simple.  Here are the details.....

You can reach me at the number and email above to reserve your session.  I hope to see your family soon!!

Dreaming of Summer

The Gulf beach is calling my name.  My sweet, calming, peace-bringing friend.  We shall meet again soon, I promise.

Elevate: A Fine Art Photography Exploration | December 2011

This image spoke to me as soon as I pressed the shutter.  My little girl is in between waves.  One has just swept over her, and another is breaking and tumbling toward her.  But she's peaceful, focused, and she takes each wave as it comes.

Some days I wish I could just slow down and take it one wave at a time, don't you?  In the family portrait photography business, these late months are always the busiest of the entire year.  We squeeze in extra sessions, we stay up late at night editing, we rush print deliveries and we package them up just as soon as they come in.  We appreciate this time while it lasts, because we know that January and February will be much different.  The phones won't ring as much and we will get a bit of a break until the next wave comes onshore.

My goal this season is to be peaceful in the midst of these waves, to focus on my tasks as well as my own family's contentment, and to make sure I get up from my place at the edge of the water and take my kids for a stroll on the beach.

I read this quote on Pinterest some time ago, and I whipped up a very simple art print to remind me to slow down and take the waves in my life as they come... one at a time.  You're welcome to click the image to download it.  Print it for yourself to always remember that the tide does ebb and flow.  I hope you don't simply dip your toes in the water, but that you jump in with both feet and enjoy the surf.

The Elevate Project is a circle of photographers who long to indulge our artistic sides at least once a month, by exploring photography as a fine art form.  You can see my October and November posts here if you'd like to.  As we think, and shoot, and think some more... we grow, and we develop, and we become better at our craft.  I encourage you to follow our circle by visiting my very talented friend Gina Oh  |  Arroyo Grande, CA Photographer next.

xxoo