Lifestyle Photography: Your story on display!

One of the beautiful things about lifestyle photography is that the photos tell a story.

When I do a session, the client gets bunches of photos.  

It's the collection that gives the big picture, rather than one image.

The challenge is, how do you put all those photos to good use?

1.  Make prints.

Just go ahead and make plain old 4x6 prints.

Put them in a box in a place where you'll see them.

(And yes, Stella actually did come and plop herself down there
as if to enjoy the pictures--after all, there she is with her favorite girl!)

I love having my most ordinary moments at my fingertips.

Any given morning.

My baker.

My comedian.

My sweet (and often goofy) husband. 

That day our kids were both on the field.

For rival schools.

One of those "Mom's choice" outings.

Ah, yes.

2.  Make photo books.

I love these.  I make them every year.  Almost.

They are priceless.

Really, the perfect way to tell your story.

I've used a lot of services, 

and I think Shutterfly is the most user friendly by far.

Definitely a matter of personal preference.

3.  Make a wall collection.

The possibilities are endless.  I've been working on a few at my house.

I had a friend make this frame with chicken wire for me.

There were so many different possibilities for materials, but I wanted simple and pretty rustic.

I painted the quote on it, and used decorative magnets to put my photos up.

When I swap them out, they'll go in my box.  :-)

Alongside them are some of my old favorites through the years.

We used to play these games at my grandma's house when we were kids.

I made a wall grouping with them, and a simple frame I found at Michael's.  Same idea.

There are so many collage frames and frame sets out there

in every imaginable style, size and price range.

They can be repurposed easily with fresh photos.

4.  Photo canvases

You can obviously make canvas prints or framed prints to hang on the wall, 

but I really like these easels for smaller canvases.

My robin photo up there is an 8x10 

(I remember when I thought 8x10 was a really big print!), 

and below is an 11x14.

When I want canvases, I go to Groupon and look for the best deal in the size I want.

They're very affordable, and so far I haven't found a lot of variation in quality.

That bunch of crocuses is one of my favorite photos.  

I took it a few years ago, and it just came out looking like a painting.

Plus one of my favorite photos of my babies.

At a studio.  Because that's what we did back then.

Hopefully these ideas will help you get started,

or they'll prompt you to think of some others that will work for you!

Your photos are too precious to stay on a computer.

They deserve a special place in your home.
Because you and the people you love are a priceless work of art.
Your story isn't like any other.
It deserves to be told.
And remembered.

It's Your Move

Meet the lovely Therese.
She is graduating from high school this weekend.
She is ready.

Therese has a huge heart and several loves,
but the highlight of her high school career was being
captain of the chess team.

It just made sense for us to do her photos at the depot,
among the giant chess pieces.

It was really great of her to give me a little tutorial about how the game goes.
It turns out that it's all about making the king your top priority.
Therese does that.
Jesus is her King.  She loves serving him.
She served him on a life-changing trip to Mexico last summer.
It's all been a process of learning that serving him
means receiving from him so you can pass his love along.
She reflects him quietly and beautifully.

Now it looks like she is just waiting for the train to take her to her next destination.

Therese, it's your move.
You have wonderful plans to pursue a career that will help others live a healthy, productive life.
Your college sees your heart and your potential, and they are wisely making an investment in you.
I'm so excited for you!  You do not move alone.  Your King has led the way and is going with you.
Congratulations on all you've accomplished!
I'm looking forward to hearing how the path unfolds before you
as you continue to walk with the Lord Jesus and honor him.

"Now to the King eternal,
immortal, invisible,
the only God,
be honor and glory
for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Timothy 1:17

Here's to the Moms

Here's to the moms.

The ones helping their kids fly high, 

who don't seem to mind when they fade

into the background.

Here's to the moms whose lives have been turned upside down,

but they wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's to the moms who never stop teaching,

and the ones who don't take it for granted that they have their hands full.

Here's to the moms who let dads be dads,

whose kids' excitement is equalled only by their own.

Here's to the moms who have their priorities straight,

whose clutter will wait while they share a game

or a story.

Here's to the moms who indulge their kids' hair-brained ideas,

against their own better judgement,

because sometimes they turn out pretty awesome. 

Here's to the moms whose babies are furry,

and who are furry themselves.

Here's to the moms who help each other stay sane and realistic,

who do what it takes to keep their own attitudes in check.

Here's to the moms who are learning to put their kids in the driver's seat,

who are passing on the baton of faith,

and who are beginning to see their own mom when they look in the mirror.

Here's to the moms who are taking the time to honor family traditions

by handing them down to future generations.

These are the moms who need to be in the pictures.

As Mother's Day approaches, do yourself a favor. 

Take the camera out of their hands for a little while,

and turn it in their direction.