My Little Boy Grew Up!

My little boy is 18 today.  We are about to experience another transition.  He will soon graduate and go off to college to start his independent life away from me.  This is what I worked to prepare him to do and I am excited for him.  But, I am not sure I am ready to have him not at home with me.  I really don't know where all the years have gone.  They have flown by, really.  I remember when he was just a couple of months old and a mother with older kids told me to appreciate every minute because the time would pass very quickly.  Of course, I thought she was crazy because at that time every day seemed like it was 72 hours.  I was exhausted and couldn't wait until nap times and bed times.  But, how right she was.   I am so glad that I have these images to actually remember exactly what it was like to have him with me and be his mother.  

He was the most cuddly baby.  He used to just nestle into me.  That snuggly front carrier was his favorite way to travel around - and mine too because I could do anything while I was wearing him - including cook dinner (probably not the safest thing).  He still gives the best hugs and doesn't ever get embarrassed to do so, no matter who is watching.

He was and still is curious and thoughtful about everything around him - as long as it was/is to do with nature.

He loved to be outside, preferably without any clothes.

He was a little moody when things didn't go his way.  That is because he feels deeply.  I remember how sad he was when his gram (my mother) died.  And he is still sensitive about it, and hugs me if I get emotional talking about her.  When his uncle died a year and a half ago, he wept openly at the service and was so kind and sweet to everyone who was also grieving.  

But he was/is quick to smile and laugh and was/is a fabulous big brother.  He was so proud when he his little brother was born and told everyone that it was his baby.  He has a great sense of humor.

Everything was a new adventure to him and he still has the most fun just experiencing life.

He loved the ocean - still his greatest passion.

That happy, happy smile melted my heart and still does.

Happiest at the beach and in the water.

Sensitive and kind to people.  He gives of himself to others without any reason other than because it is a good thing to do.  He has coached a third and fourth grade boys basketball team for the last three years (the first was for service hours and the last two were just because they needed more coaches).

He has the best smile in the world, even with braces.

Never cares about being cool, just does what he likes and treats others with kindness.

He loves quiet places, fishing and anything to do with water.  He was always obsessed with animals - as a small child he would watch (horribly boring) documentaries all the time.  He would always choose those over any type of cartoon or Disney movie.

He definitely has his own style, not caring what others think is hip or cool - he prefers old cars, bow ties, Hawaiian shirts, and old time rock and roll.

Happy Birthday Nick!  You are a great person and I can't wait to see what you will do in your life.  You are kind and sweet and smart and funny.  It has been a pleasure watching you grow.  

Happy Father's Day!

Today is the day my mother died - five years ago to the day.  I miss her every day.  But, I am so lucky because I still have my dad here with me.  He is a great father.  He has taught me so much, not just about photography and business, but about life and living and loving.  He loves life and could so easily have shut down after his best friend and wife of 40 years died.  Instead, got out.  He joined a various groups, started working out every day and took a trip.  He lost 30 pounds and went on a river cruise to Russia.  He said yes to every invitation that came his way.  He decided to live and enjoy the rest of his life.  He decided to be happy, and he is.  He met a lovely woman who is now his wife.  For many people happiness is a decision.  Most of us don't wake up feeling happy and great - maybe because of all the stuff that can and does happen in our lives.   However, those who make the decision to be happy, despite what has happened, are an inspiration.  My dad is one of them.

Me photographing my Dad on his graduation day from Brooks Institute of Photography, 1975.

I have had the privilege of photographing some very special fathers this year as part of my book project, A Celebration of Fatherhood.  These fathers come from every walk of life but each takes their role very seriously and their love for their children and commitment to fatherhood is obvious.  In this month of Father's Day, I would like to recognize all of these great dads!   xoxo

A Celebration of Motherhood is on Amazon!

I am so excited to announce the release of my new book, A Celebration of Motherhood!  It is on now available on Amazon.  It is a wonderful book of inspiring stories about the mothers among us, illustrated with beautiful black and white photographs.  It is the culmination of a year-long project that had me documenting some really great women.  It makes a great gift and the net proceeds will benefit two local Arizona charities that are close to my heart, Ryan House and CASA of Arizona.  This is the second in my Celebration of Family series.  A Celebration of Childhood was released at the end of 2012 and I am currently working on A Celebration of Fatherhood.

Create a Visual Legacy

In this age of digital everything, it is very rare for families to actually have printed photographs, let alone those of heirloom quality.  We take photographs with our phones, and then our phones are lost or stop working and those images are lost.  Maybe we take photographs with actual cameras and then fail to download those images from our camera and the memory card is lost or corrupted.  Or maybe they stay on the memory card for years.  Maybe the images actually make it to a computer but there they stay, until the computer crashes and they are lost.  Maybe you are very efficient and actually make an album or ibook with the images you download - kudos to you!  However, we are all so very busy, it is unlikely that many of us actually complete a project like this on a regular basis. 

Creating a visual legacy is a more than just a pretty wall.  It is a way to link our children to the past, to make them feel connected to us as children, their grandparents when they were young, and to those relatives who might have passed on.  It is a way to spark conversations, to ignite curiosity, to offer a different perspective of our family history.  Below are walls that I have created in my own home that have done just that.   

One side of a hallway wall in my home with older photographs of my parents, grandparents, myself and my husband when we were children.  

Another side of a hallway in my home all my children as they have grown.

Wedding photographs of myself and husband, my parents, his parents, our grandparents and great grandparents.  

I was lucky because my grandparents put a high value on beautiful photography and saved to be able to have those photographs.  During that time, photographs were created in a beautiful way that ensured the image would not fade off the paper and would stand the test of time in both quality and style (the same that we still offer our clients here)  But, don't worry if you don't have all of these beautiful heirloom photographs!  You can always start with what you have now - your beautiful family!  Below are some examples of what I have created in my clients' own homes.  You do not have to have a large wall to be able to create a visual legacy - one portrait over a console table or a small grouping in a bathroom can also be very beautiful and enhance the warmth of your home!  

These walls were created over time as the family and children have grown.  They can be framed in different but coordinating frames as above, or the same frames as below.  They can be in a hallway, family room, or any other area that you and your children see often - because it is for you after all!

It is fun to incorporate different sizes and layouts on a wall, adding to the visual interest.  Depending on your style, space and decor, we can help you create something that is unique to you.  

Perfect on a wall in her bath!

Over a console table

A grouping of three on a small wall between two windows

Let us help you to start your visual legacy - beautiful, archival, timeless portraits that your children and grandchildren will be able to share with their families for generations.  What a gift this will be - rather than having a cd of 100 images, that goes in a drawer and creates more work for you!  Yes, it is an investment.  But isn't that designer purse?

A Traveling Summer!

Summer is the perfect time to document your family!

I will be at the beach for a few days in June, and the whole month of July!  

It is the perfect place for your children to relax and be themselves..

To really document them at this special time in their young lives...

To see their beautiful child souls..

But, maybe you are not going to the beach this summer!  Maybe you are going to the mountains?

Perfect!  I am available for AZ mountain session June 1-19.  Or, maybe you head to the East Coast???

Great!  I will be on the East Coast the last week of June!

Don't wait another year!  

How will you remember???

Call today to schedule your session 602.263.5098

Give a toy, get a gift!

It is sometimes a good thing to procrastinate!  Now you can get your holiday portrait session and help a child!  We are hosting a holiday toy drive to benefit the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.  Help to make a child's holiday season a little brighter!  Bring in a new, unwrapped toy between now and December 17, and receive a gift card for $150 towards your next session, a portrait, or whatever you would like.  Also, during the week of November 26-December 1, Mara is photographing special, limited Toys for Tots Sessions!  During this week only, in return for your toy donation (one per child photographed) you will get a complimentary session PLUS $150 credit toward your order.  These require a reservation so call today to reserve your time, spots are filling quickly! 602.263.5098.