Dad gave me my first SLR camera when I was 17 and I quickly started practicing in manual mode. My high school photography teacher channeled Ansel Adams and was a great motivator. My younger brother, bless his heart, was my first subject in black and white.  I took action shots of him riding a motorcycle around our backyard--which in no way was large enough for such an activity- or giving a moody stare into the distance with his grungy white t-shirt and jeans.  Ah, to be a teen in the 90's!  I guess between my own curiosity, my dad's encouragement, and my brother's love of motorcycles, I learned to shoot.  By God's grace, no little brothers were injured in the creation of those pictures!  

My motivations have changed since those days.  After living through more joys and sorrows, I value these keepsakes in a new way.  Do you think your little ones will remember the photo session? Maybe not. Will they want to look at those pictures when they're 4, 5,  56? Yes!  And when they see the smile on Mom's face, your kids will know they are loved.  They were loved.  True, authentic photography transports us back to those moments.  We are reminded of who we are and the connection we share with each other. 
Anyone can pose people to look attractive through the lens, but the real value is in capturing your true feelings for one another.  Family is worth celebrating! 

This is what I do...

and why I do it