My latest work

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.” ~Audrey Hepburn 

Studio shoot with Korbi

 Upon returning from South Carolina I had to find my “normal” again.  The best way for me to do that was to jump back into the studio and start shooting again.  This is one of my favorite shots with the amazing and beautiful Korbi.

“We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves”

Do not ask that your kids live up to your expectations.  Let your kids be who they are, and your expectations will be in breathless pursuit.  ~Robert Brault 

Pvt. Harris, Anthony J.

I think that it is an ingenious invention, a mother’s heart; able to feel so many emotions at once without breaking apart.  It only took a moment for that realization to come over me.   

It began on Wednesday morning as we watched the sun rise over Hilton Field in Columbia, South Carolina.  We were there to watch our youngest son graduate from Army Basic Training.  It has been rough at times to not have him here at home, the only contact being the occasional letter to let us know how he was doing. 

While it was 7:30 in Columbia, we were still on west coast time and it felt every bit of 4:30 a.m.  The wind was chilly but the air was warm.  There was the quiet murmur of voices hushed by the morning air.  Flags were waving gently in the breeze as it carried with it snippets of conversations as parents passed the time visiting with each other.  People literally came from all corners of the world to bear witness to the event.

 

Shock & Awe

Smoke grenades were launched from the far side of the field, followed by flash bangs and cannons.  The earth shook with the noise and the smoke rose in green, red, white and blue clouds.  Bursting through the smoke came the soldiers, including my son, every bit as anxious to see their loved ones as we were to see them.  That’s when it hit me, as he was hugging me.  It wasn’t the hug of a little boy hugging his mom.  It was strong and purposeful.   

I have spent the last two decades raising, teaching, guiding and nurturing in the belief that he needed me to do those things.  In that hug, I realized that he didn’t need me anymore…at least not in the ways he used to.  My job was complete when I turned him over to Uncle Sam’s care.  The army fulfilled the process by molding and forming him into who he is today.  That hug confirmed that my son had grown up and into a young man.  Gone was my little boy.  My heart was so full of pride for the man before me and at the same time was breaking for the loss of my little boy and the realization that he needed me less to nurture and guide now but rather to just be there in his life, to provide an anchor and unwavering support. 

His decisions are his to make now and I have to trust that he will make the right ones for him.  It was difficult for me to hear that he wanted to serve his country but he persisted despite my efforts to persuade him otherwise.  I realize now how selfish I was, depriving him of his opportunity to grow and mature.  I am proud that he stuck by his convictions and I am pleased with myself for being able to let go; to let him become the man who was hugging his mother, the man he is meant to be. 

As the old year closes

As the old year closes…

 

I had the best of intentions this year.  I was going to update this page way more frequently than I have.  Unfortunately though, life got in the way.  So many things happened this year!

Admittedly I was busy with lots of shoots this year.  The bulk of my work was portraiture.  I attended several workshops, some ISO shoots, senior and family shoots and even found a few hours here and there to work on my own projects. 

We lost some people dear to our hearts (Mary Jo) and yet still found room to welcome new people (Ella, Emma & Hailey) into them.

My new normal now includes one less child as Tony is now attending Army boot camp inSouth Carolina.  I keep expecting him to slide down the hallway in his stocking feet to check what’s for dinner.  It is odd to not see and talk to him every day. 

Travis & Tyler both turned 21 this year.  Watch out world, they are now legal adults. 

I have begun to let go, realizing that my job of preparing my boys for the “real” world is nearly complete.  While bittersweet I have found that I now have time to appreciate some of the things that I was overlooking because my attention had been focused on them.  So besides family, friends and pets, here are 10 things that I love and appreciate.

1. the smell of a summer rain
2. sunny cold crisp fall days with the scent of wood smoke in the air and the sound of a distant rifle shot
3. hot sultry August afternoons with the smell of field burning smoke heavy in the air knowing that the particulate matter will make for awesome sunset photos
4. watching a cat wash it’s face
5. choirs singing Christmas songs
6. gold leaves, white bark and the sound of the wind as it blows through an Aspen thicket.
7. the sound of rain beating on the roof
8. the fury of a winter storm
9. the smell of brewing coffee
10. the feel and smell of fresh bed linens. 

I hope your 2011 was void of regrets and that your 2012 is full of hope and joy.

My Soldier is Home For Christmas!

PVT Harris, Anthony J (Tony Harris) is home for Christmas! We just rolled in from PDX. He says he is most looking forward to “real” food, sleep and freedom to do what he wants when he wants. I’m just happy to have all of my kidlets home again!

Merry Christmas!

2011 Harris Christmas Card

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!  May your holiday be joyous and festive! 

As the old year closes

As the old year closes…

 

I had the best of intentions this year.  I was going to update this page way more frequently than I have.  Unfortunately though, life got in the way.  So many things happened this year!

 

Admittedly I was busy with lots of shoots this year.  The bulk of my work was portraiture.  I attended several workshops, some ISO shoots, senior and family shoots and even found a few hours here and there to work on my own projects. 

 

We lost some people dear to our hearts (Mary Jo) and yet still found room to welcome new people (Ella, Emma & Hailey) into them.

 

My new normal now includes one less child as Tony is now attending Army boot camp inSouth Carolina.  I keep expecting him to slide down the hallway in his stocking feet to check what’s for dinner.  It is odd to not see and talk to him every day. 

 

Travis & Tyler both turned 21 this year.  Watch out world, they are now legal adults. 

 

I have begun to let go, realizing that my job of preparing my boys for the “real” world is nearly complete.  While bittersweet I have found that I now have time to appreciate some of the things that I was overlooking because my attention had been focused on them.  So besides family, friends and pets, here are 10 things that I love and appreciate.

 

1. the smell of a summer rain
2. sunny cold crisp fall days with the scent of wood smoke in the air and the sound of a distant rifle shot
3. hot sultry August afternoons with the smell of field burning smoke heavy in the air knowing that the particulate matter will make for awesome sunset photos
4. watching a cat wash it’s face
5. choirs singing Christmas songs
6. gold leaves, white bark and the sound of the wind as it blows through anAspenthicket.
7. the sound of rain beating on the roof
8. the fury of a winter storm
9. the smell of brewing coffee
10. the feel and smell of fresh bed linens. 

 

I hope your 2011 was void of regrets and that your 2012 is full of hope and joy.

You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons.

“You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes.”
Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

Monday night we said goodbye to our youngest and left him in Portland. Tuesday morning he boarded a plane to Columbia South Carolina (Fort Jackson) where he will complete boot camp. Last I heard from him he was on a bus from the airport to the fort but haven’t heard anything more. I am sure he is doing fine, his father and I however are having a challenging time. We keep expecting him to come downstairs to ask what’s for dinner. The house seems a little bigger and a lot quieter. How and when did he go from being a little boy with his shoes on the wrong feet to being in the army?