Sara and I go back a long way...and we have a shared love for photography. She was one of my first clients that I actually saw print, frame and hang right after a shoot! I know that seems obvious but you'd be surprised at how often pictures get left on the CD - ahem, my summer photoshoot still hasn't been printed and displayed!
I have been shooting portraits all summer and when I get at chance to shoot in a brand new gorgeous location...I'm so happy! This shoot was taken Pioneer Park, Stillwater, MN. It's gorgeous! The advantage of having an hour and a half for the photo-shoot is the pace. We get to capture life as it happens and have fun doing it. I am going back to shoot in Stillwater, MN on October 1st...I HAVE ONE MORE SPOT AVAILABLE for the morning. It you're wanting to capture fall colors for your Christmas cards THIS WOULD BE PERFECT!
Back to our lovely family.
As promised here's the second half of the portraits from the Willcock Family shoot. AND EVEN BETTER, Vicki talks about adoption in her own words, "I’ve always had a soft spot for adoption in my heart. It’s just a good thing. In the years leading up to 2010, adoption seemed to bounce into my thought life frequently. At the time I was maxed out with my three young children and trying my best to keep up with life. So why did adoption keep peeking at me around every corner? Well, I thought, maybe when our kids are grown up we can adopt.
Then I got an itch and started doing what I love to do – roaming around on blogs and looking in bookstores – this time, for information on adoption. I kept coming across families who adopted and were in a similar stage of life: small children, doubting they could add much more to their plates, the absence of a huge bank account, feeling a call from God. My heart began to swell. Maybe this wasn’t so crazy.
I felt like the Lord was opening my heart to desire to give up what I strived for since I became a mom – peace and quiet. J At the time my youngest was one. Oh and I forgot to add that the Lord asked me to home school the previous year. So it was going to get a lot crazier if we added another.
I had seen enough families who were radical and giving up every comfort to help children in need. Some adopting multiple children and those with special needs – and living in houses smaller than ours!
In a story that’s as dramatic and awesome, my husband was given the same heart for orphans. So we started to know that adoption would be in our future (when we had more money and had a better handle on our lives, of course). Then the earthquake in Haiti hit in January 2010 and our hearts about jumped out of our chests. This begged the question: would you adopt any of those children? Of course! Well, if you’d do that why wouldn’t you move forward with adoption otherwise? Doh! After wrestling with the Lord, we said yes.
We were moving forward now. Right away we got an egress window put in our basement to make another bedroom and started our homestudy in February 2010. We started the process of adopting a little girl from Rwanda in March. We were homestudy approved in July of 2010. We were approved by the Rwandan government in August 2011 and we currently wait (not so patiently) for our referral.
We have learned so much about the Lord’s heart for the poor and needy through this process. We have met so many people who are walking our His commandments in radical ways and it challenges us to live more sacrificially, intentionally, and simply.
I want to appeal to a few people right now:
*those whose hearts are beating a little faster right now - I know the feeling
*those who think they don’t have enough money
*those who don’t think they have enough room in their home
*those who are afraid their spouse will never agree to adoption – pray!
*those who feel weak (I promise I have you beat on this one) “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” I Corinthians 1:27-28
*those that feel you’re too old or too young
*those that think your children are too young or that you have enough already
*those who are just scared by the idea
I don’t think everyone should adopt, but I know there are people out there who have similar thoughts as I did and need a boost.
Here’s a list of blogs and online resources – most are ones that moved me personally :
http://thezoefoundation.com/ - Awesome foundation that has many adoption resources
http://weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/ - Blog of a family who adopted the cutest little girl. Watch her coming home video – you have to scroll down a bit. It moved me big time.
http://joiningthejourney.blogspot.com/ - Adoptive mom blogs their journey. Especially touching is their story about Josie who has HIV
http://www.projecthopeful.org/ - Blog advocating for HIV orphans and other waiting children
http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/ - Christian Alliance for Orphans
http://www.safe-families.org/ - Safe Families – organization that finds temporary homes for children whose families need support for a short time.
Here's more pictures for their FAMILY PHOTO-SHOOT!
I want to tell you about commitment. This next family accidentally scheduled their photo session smack in the middle of the VIKINGS game AND THEY STILL CAME! I love that. Tivo is a wonderful thing. Hope these pictures make you smile...even when the Vikings loosing streak gets you down!
I love this family! and we had such a great photoshoot. I love repeat family photoshoots...getting to capture a family year after year means so much to me. Thank you Angie and Bernard for choosing me to capture your family again!
I'm going to do 2 posts for this family. The first is going to be a sneak preview and the second is going to share their about their adoption journey so far! Check out this lovely family!
I love being challenged, seeing things change and grow before my eyes, eating things I KNOW are good for me and sharing the experience with my kids! That's why I planted a "raised bed garden" this year. I'm no green thumb but I'm getting closer! There's no turning back once you've tasted success in gardening. I get it now!
Kinda makes me feel grown-up.
Julia Chapman! Come on down... Please email me your mailing address and I'll get the headband to your asap!
Congrats on your win and thanks to everyone who entered.
Fun Fact: I chose the winner using random.org and it was super easy...and legit!
When I like something I tend to tell everyone about it in hopes that they will LOVE it too! Then I get to be apart of that perfect purchase...I like that. Whether you are running, working out, hanging with family, going out with the girls OR on a hot date - THESE ARE PERFECT! Urbanhalo is a unique and fashionable line that is breaking all the rules of typical headbands… they are comfortable, designed to stay in place, keep us free from headaches, and come in each season’s hottest prints and colors!
Urbanhalo headbands are functional for workouts, spice up the typical ponytail, and are fashionable enough for a night out. Perfect for athletes and fashionistas alike, women (and girls) LOVE them!
But, I don't need to say anything really...I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
So having said that...let's have ourselves a little giveaway shall we?
This giveaway is open now until Sunday, Sept 11th at 11:59 CST, when a random winner will be selected. There are several ways to enter (please leave an ADDITIONAL comment for EACH entry in order for it to count!). Start typing...
1) Leave a comment telling me where you are going to wear your Halo!
2) Post a link to Facebook
3) Follow me on Facebook (click here to do so)
4) Follow Urbanhalo on Facebook (click here to do so)
5) Follow me on Twitter (I’m @noemiphotograph) and tweet this post by saying – It’s another @noemiphotograph giveaway! Enter today:
ONE lucky winner will receive an Urbanhalo in the mail next week...I LOVE FREE STUFF!
(side note: I won a pair of tickets to the MN Zoo by entering a giveaway this week AND I NEVER WIN GIVEAWAYS! This could be you chance to win!)
Have you ever met someone and thought, "I really hope I'm going to be friends with you!" You know from the start they are a "kindred spirit?" That's how I felt when I met Jen Joas. She is absolutely lovely! I've gotten to know her and her kids through the blog world...and I'm so thankful. I'm getting to know her family and they have already found a special place in my heart!
Muah!
Love is one of my favorites to capture...Morgan and Levi made it easy!
Thank you for being so lovely.
Thank you to my lovely models and the women who came out for the Workshop! We had a great time together. Here's what the attendees are saying:
Do you have any other suggestions for future Workshops? My only suggestion is that you to invite me to all future workshops you have! :)
I would LOVE to attend a photography round table workshop! Definitely count me in! I think that it would be so informative and answer a lot of questions in my head regarding those topics!
Thank you again! I left your workshop feeling so inspired and more confident. I feel like attending your workshop was just what I needed and gave me the push I so desperately needed to really get serious about pursing my love of photography. You're awesome Noemi, It was so great to finally meet!
~Chris
Noemi, Thank you for the workshop! First of all, I learned so much at your workshop. It was a perfect fit for me. I feel like I was able to apply many new things the next day. I practiced on my kids and although they were not as cooperative as your models, I got some very nice shots. I was able to "embrace" the sunlight a bit more and try some new things. I love learning and growing. You are a natural teacher and fun to listen to and interact with. Sarah
I've heard back from a couple of the attendees and they've posted some pictures. Here's where you can check them out! www.rhondaharrisphotography.blogspot.com www.unexpected-joys.blogspot.com
www.snappyapplephotography.com
http://www.annetteparephotography.com/
I'm already planning the next Workshop! It's going to be JANUARY! And it's something new...Business FOCUSED Photography Workshop!
It's only going to be available for anyone who has attended a NoemiPhotography FOCUSED Workshop before. We are going to have a "roundtable" of sorts. We're going to sit around my dining room table and talk shop!
This is going to be your opportunity to ask every question you want to ask a PRO Photographer but can't or won't or have tried but no one will answer you.
I'm going to have one-on-one time and group discussions about:
blogging,
website design,
marketing,
social networking,
packages,
pricing,
Lightroom
and I am going to have you send questions ahead of the Workshop so I'm sure to answer them!
Doesn't this sound like so much fun?
More details to come.
Email me if you're interested and I'll contact you when the details have been firmed up.
I'm limiting the number of attendees to 6 to make sure I have a good chunk of time with everyone!
And the hits keep coming...more great shots from Lakefront Days, Prior Lake, MN
You've heard me say how much I love our little town/suburb Prior Lake, MN. It's adorable and as far as I'm concerned, the best place to live and raise kids! Every year we take advantage of Lakefront Days at Lakefront Park in Prior Lake AND WE HAVE A BLAST! This year we went to the Classic Car show AND I brought my camera along. You may not know this about me but I love old cars...love, love, LOVE old cars. I think they are...ummm curvy, shiny, lovely and worthy of being captured. Not to mention full of untold history!
First up is the "bee" car!
I know I have been slack in getting these pictures to you but for those of you who have never had a perm let me explain... 1. You can't wash your hair for a good 48 hours afterwards.
2. Perms need to be groomed and gotten-used-to.
3. New product is a must and figuring out the right combination is not always easy.
So, I'm finally getting to the place where I've washed and defused a couple of times and I'm ready to show the world. But first, let's look back on the day of my perm.
I want to say a special thanks for KASIA Organic Salon for making this dream come true!
Pics of my hair before the perm. Flat ironed to show contrast.
I love change. I love risk. I love challenging myself in new ways and pushing myself to do things other people may think is crazy. This applies to every area of my life...including my hair. So, that being said, I'm getting a perm tomorrow. The appointment is set and I'm ready to go.
I won't be swayed.
I will be taking before and after pictures.
I can't wait!
Monday will be the day of the big reveal.
You never know, maybe you'll love my hair so much you'll be making your perm appointment this time next week!
Got this in my inbox this morning! What a great way to start off my day! A picture of my beautiful girl cheering her heart out at last year's Viking's game...I had to share. I'm including info below for anyone interested in joining in on the fun!
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Give me a good children's museum and my camera and I'm good for hours! We found this little Children's Museum in a renovated old bank...one of the "dress-up" rooms is in the old vault! Between dress-up, a crazy vent, and my nephews loving taking shots of their own...we had a blast!
Have you been to a great Children's Museum lately? Or any crazy spot that I must check out with my kids? I'd love to hear about it.
I think the hardest part of adoption is learning patience. AJ has walked an incredible journey I asked her to share more of their story with us today!
"What we have gained on this journey thus far has been nothing short of AMAZING! There have been many bumps and even total heart ache (when we were matched and our adopted baby to be, Liv, died at birth), but the desire to adopt has never been stronger than it is now! I always say God is the master of hitting three birds with one stone. He takes us on a journey that is completely stretching and then we choose to obey Him, but that is just the beginning. We have learned things that we knew with our heads, but now feel that it is a true heart knowledge. When we lost our little Liv, although very hard and incredibly sad, we had a peace and knew that Liv was not our daughter just as our biological kids are not our own. They are on loan to us so that we raise them to know Jesus. God has that right to cut out the middle man and bring her straight into his arms. Her name means life and she started hers in eternity...I think it's quite fitting. We will hold her when we meet her with our Father. We really felt that God used Liv, in order to minister and be there for this 16 yr. old birth mother who had no support at all and endured abuse during the pregnancy. This mother was our first adoption. We have seen just a glimpse of the real life stories that are out there and in experiencing all of this, the Lord has also shared a bit of his heart for them, with us. Oh how he loves them and oh how he longs for the fatherless to be loved on and to know him. We are responsible. We have learned that when one is called to adopt that we need to walk in obedience and accept the call and allow God to make the rescue. We need to know that it may not be the child we expected, but He knows exactly what child we are to have and he will bring that child to us. The Lords timing is perfect and better than ours! How foolish we can be when our patients runs thin and we try to work it out ourselves. Micah and I have many reasons and excuses to justify paving our own way, but God is a beautiful Father who's word never returns void. I stand on 1 John 5:14&15 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us- whatever we ask- we know that we have what we have asked for." We know that adoption is his will for us and therefore he is hearing our prayers and he WILL answer them. His timing is perfect! We are so excited to meet the child that God has for us and are so thankful that God has called us to adopt. We feel blessed that he has shared his heart with us in this area. He is our father and always wants what is best for all His children. This doesn't always mean that the road is going to be easy and straight, but the reward at the end is magnificent!!"
We pray for grace in the weeks, months or years to come...only God knows when more children will be added to this lovely family!