Share Your Gift

Hello Everyone,

Andy here, it’s been awhile since I’ve sat down and written an entry to the blog. I’m going to make an effort to make it a more regular thing.

Since I’m the one writing this entry and not Kippi I wanted to talk about my partner, my wife, my everything. Several years ago Kippi and I attended a program with a photographer named Sam Puc’. Sam (Sandy) is a Portrait Photographer from Colorado. Her program changed how we looked at everything as photographers and individuals. I feel no shame in saying I cried, everyone cried.

Sam talked about the organization she Co-founded “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” It’s grown to an international network of hospitals, photographers and other volunteers that work with families that have a child still born, or their baby passes soon after birth due to complications. The images help with the loss and healing process. It’s an opportunity for the family to have baby pictures, a family portrait something to remember their child that was taken too soon.

We received a call from the area coordinator a good friend and fellow photographer. A family had suffered the loss of their baby boy. He was born two weeks prior but never left the hospital due to complications. This was the second NILMDTS session Kip and I have had the honor of being a part of. The truth is I couldn’t imagine being able to even attempt this work if it weren’t for Kippi.

When we arrive at the hospital we are loaded down with lights, stands, cameras and so on. I have to be honest Kippi takes the lead of interacting with the grieving family with words of comfort a hug and ultimately posing the family for the images we are about to create. I look on with amazement. Here grace and gentle strength leave me speechless, inspired and thankful. I am proud of the images we create together. We both feel the importance of the work we do as photographers.

I guess the main point of this particular entry is remember to share your gift. If you are going to leave a footprint make sure it’s something other than a carbon footprint. I have friends that volunteer by cleaning the river bank and walking dogs at the SPCA. I hope we all make an effort and find someone/something who can benefit from your gift.

History in the making!

Wow! What an amazing day. Whether you voted for Obama or McCain, today was a momentous event! Isn’t it something to witness history in action? I wonder how many of you made the trek up to see it in person. I was a little bummed that Andy & I weren’t able to go, but I am a weather weenie (not to mention the crazy crowds to endure), so I think I am happy to have watched it on television. I may not be able to say I was there in person, but how many of you can say you watched it on a portable tv in your car? Yes…I’m a bit of a nerd, but I was going to be out & about for about 3 hours today & I wanted to make sure I saw it.

Well, on a different note, Andy & I just got back from Arizona. The Professional Photographers of America had its national convention last week & we had a blast! The big highlight of the convention was Anne Geddes speaking. Believe it or not, Andy & I skipped it! We were just so exhausted, we just couldn’t make ourselves go. We had been out there for 5 days on the night she spoke & with classes running from 7am until 6:30pm, we were ready to “hit the hay” by 8pm every night. But even though we skipped her event, we still saw a lot of really talented people. It was very inspiring! We are looking forward to putting some of the things we learned into action right away. Check Andy’s facebook…I think he put up a few pics. One of the pics is of a man holding a bible in the air. It was really interesting…it was lunch time & people were everywhere & this guy was out in the middle of the food court just proclaiming away to any & all. But what was really funny was to see how many photographers rushed over to take his picture!! I’m curious to know….out of the 7,700+ photographers that were there, how many took a picture of this man??? Yeah…can you imagine over 7,700 photographers all compiled in one little town? Well, Phoenix is not exactly small, but still, that many photogs in that one town was interesting.




Don’t forget…the bridal show is this weekend! Come visit us if you are going to be there.

Ta ta for now!

It's A New Year!

Happy New Year!!!

I can't believe it's 2009 already! This past year just flew by so quick. We had a great year & hope this one is better! We are starting off our year by going to Phoenix for a national photography convention. We leave this week & are so excited about all the great photographers we will get to see & learn from. I'll try to update the blog soon after our return & tell you all about all the fun!

We hope you all had a great holiday season. Ours was nice & spent with family. Well...my family...Andy's family all live out west in Oregon & Washington. My family usually gets together the weekend after Thanksgiving & the weekend after Christmas. It's so much fun getting together. It's such a huge crowd!...Mom, Dad, all the sisters, their husbands, and tons of nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews. This year, two nephews are overseas in the military. Jason is in Italy & just sent pictures of his first trip to Milan. It was neat seeing all the beautiful places. Caleb is in Japan & during our Christmas party, he skyped in & we all got to talk to him & see him & his place. It was really nice & I'm sure it made him feel like he was home.

We wish you all blessings & happiness in the new year!