Family Portraits: The Knaebels August 7, 2008

Last night, I met this cute family of four at Loose Park in Kansas City, Missouri (this has been a popular spot lately!). The rain held off just long enough for us to finish our shoot, which was postponed once already for rain!

Their boys are so adorable, although they weren’t exactly into having their photos taken! We let them be themselves, though, and eventually the smiles came out! Check out these little cuties:

Ty really was just interested in finding water and geese…he led the way to the pond with the big fountain (and all of geese, who put up with me hiding in the trees with them to capture some true-to-life images of the family!).

Little Eli didn’t quite know what to think of the big 70-200 lens pointed in his direction while he was trying to play, but he at least gave us a few great shots of those big baby blues!

Mom and Dad were GREAT in front of the camera! They are both so photogenic — I love this classic shot:

Thanks so much for choosing ericamay photography to capture your family’s memories!

OpLove Session: The Sumpters July 8, 2008

“I’m an American soldier,
An American.
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand.
When liberty’s in jeopardy
I’ll always do what’s right.
I’m out here on the front line –
sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier,
I’m an American soldier.”

– Toby Keith, American Soldier

I don’t think I’ve ever cried editing photos before. Sure, I still get teary and emotional during every wedding ceremony I go to (that’s just my girlish heart!)…but something about these photos just pulled at my heart like no other photos before. Perhaps it’s the story behind them. Perhaps it’s the innocence in the little girls’ faces. Perhaps it’s the fact that this session took place because their Dad is helping to keep us safe.

I volunteer my services for an organization called Operation: Love Reunited. It’s a collection of photographers from across the country who offer free portrait sessions for military families before, during or after military deployment. I see it as a way to help families stay connected during the year or more apart during deployment. The deployed soldier receives a 4×6 album of photos directly from ericamay photography with photos of their family. It’s really a wonderful idea and a great way for me to share my talents with families who are sacrificing so much for our country’s freedom.

I couldn’t think of a better way to end the 4th of July weekend but by doing an OpLove session with the Sumpter girls — mom and two daughters — whose huband/daddy is currently deployed to Kuwait. The photo shoot is a surprise to their deployed soldier, who will receive a package in the next few weeks with these precious photos of his girls.

(The pink camouflage lanyard around her neck has a picture of her Daddy on the end in the shape of a dog tag. She takes it everywhere.)

(The bracelet on Mom (Kristy)’s arm is from her husband’s dog tag. She never takes it off.)