Help-Portrait 2009

As I sit here sipping my hot cocoa and listening to the popping and crackling of the fire next to me, I cannot help but realize how absolutely totally blessed I am. I mean, seriously....it's ridiculous how good I have it.

Between my husband and me, we have 3 steady jobs which maintain our income. Our home is never too hot or too cold due to changing weather patterns. Our children never go without a clean change of clothes for the day. And our stomachs rarely rumble with hunger. We have one vehicle sitting in our garage and another one in our driveway. Hot showers are a daily ritual and clean and sanitary facilities have never been in question. We go to the grocery store and fill our cart to overflowing. Then we come home and prepare the food and eats to our heart's content. Our closets are stuffed to the brim with blankets, sheets, clothing, shoes, and STUFF.

Not only do we have all of our needs more than covered. We also have many of our wants taken care of as well. When we feel like renting a movie, we drive to the closest Red Box and pick out whatever sounds appealing. If I have a crazy day at home and dinner never gets started, we pack all of our hoodlums in the van and visit the restaurant of our choice. We have televisions, cell phones, junk food, musical instruments, toys, and loads of other completely unnecessary items in our home.

But more than any of these things, we have a beautiful family who loves each other and is striving to live for the beauty of the Lord. We desire for people to see our works, and by seeing, to glorify our Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5.16)

God has blessed our family in monstrous ways. And we are so grateful. But there are many families/individuals/couples/children who do not have it so good. Job loss may have altered their family. A house fire may have destroyed their belongings. A car accident may have created stacks of unexpected bills. Divorce may have torn their family apart. Or death may have caused a crippling pain.

It is because of circumstances like these that Help-Portrait was created. To help those in need by giving them beautiful photos of themselves during whatever stage of life they may be experiencing right now. December 12th, 2009 is the official date for photographers worldwide to step out of their box and help. Help create memories. Help boost self-image. Help keep minds focused on the good in life. Just help.

So....in cooperation with this event, it is my pleasure to announce that Indy Photography will be giving away a very special portrait package this Christmas season to one family/individual/couple/child who is in need in some way. Here's how it works:

You nominate someone for this special portrait package, telling me why you think they deserve to have this opportunity to shine in front of the camera. I will read over the entries and choose the one I deem most worthy. The nominated person/family will be contacted and scheduled for an absolutely free portrait session with a load of free prints. No obligation. No contract. No nothing.

Your nominee doesn't have to be homeless. They don't have to have experienced a tragic lifetime event. They don't need to be low-income. They just need to be in need. Of encouragement. Of hope. Of friendship. Of attention. Of love.

I encourage those of you who live in the Indianapolis area to forward the link to this post to others who may wish to nominate someone for this giveaway. There are so many people who are in need - in need of something - and I hope to offer encouragement by offering my services as a part of this worldwide event.

To nominate someone, please visit the contact page of my website and enter "Help-Portrait" in the subject line. Then simply proceed to tell me about your nominee and why they should win. Entries must be received by Wednesday, December 9th at midnight EST.

Sarah | Indianapolis Baby Photographer

Yesterday I had a sweet little girl come visit me. She is almost sitting on her own, but not quite there yet. It's kind of a rough stage for shooting because babies this age are too old for sleeping pictures but still need to nap often, which can sometimes result in difficulty getting great images. BUT Sarah did awesome!

Oh! And I also must mention that his girl has the greatest hair on earth. I'm not even kidding. It's AWESOME. And Katy, I'm not making fun of her. I really do think her hair is awesome. :)

Beasleys | Indianapolis Family Photographer

I've done pictures for this sweet family several times over the past year. I took their Christmas pictures last year, their daughter's 3-year pictures this summer, and most recently, their son's newborn pictures last month. Today I was so happy they were participating in my November Servant's Heart Fundraising event!

Thankful

I have so many things to be thankful for - my beautiful healthy family, our home with all its American luxuries, an abundance of food, my church family, and so many other things. The Lord has truly blessed my life and I am so thankful to Him!

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful day with family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving!

Hip To The Jive, Baby

I'm not doing this for me. In fact, I'm not sure I know how to do this at all. But it's been said by more than one person on more than one occasion that increasing one's internet presence is a great way to boost one's business. So I'm giving this Twitter thing a shot. A half-hearted shot, but a shot nonetheless. I'm not really keen on everyone knowing exactly when I'm sitting at a stoplight, what kind of toilet paper I am using in the restroom, and the exact moment in time I received a paper cut. But that should work out well considering I don't have a phone that allows me internet access.

I tried my best to use a name that would be logical. "IndyPhotography" was taken by a man who runs a different photo business here in town. "HeidiStone" was taken by...well...my guess is another person whose name is Heidi Stone. And the list goes on. I finally wound up using "IndyPhotoTweets" because my resources were running low. And also because I really wanted to incorporate some sort of animal sound into my name.

That last part is a lie.

My husband suggested that I start by "following" people I know. I told him I didn't think I knew anyone who Twittered. Tweeted. Tweets. Whatever! But if you are someone I know who (fill in the blank with the appropriate Twitter verb), please follow me! And even if I don't really know you....please follow me! It'll make me feel cool. And feeling cool is obviously so high on my priority list.

In the upper right-hand corner of my blog, you will now see my most recent tweets. I can't promise much on the delivering end of things, but I'll do my best.

Nighttime Caller

*Tap tap tap tap tap tap*

The sound was distant, almost as if I was dreaming. But then I heard my husband's voice. "Was that someone at the door?" My sleepy eyes glanced toward the clock. 2:32am. I had been up on and off throughout the night with a sick child, so my level on consciousness was lower than normal. "That's what I though too........Will you go see who it is?" I whispered to my husband. But then remembering that he too was sick, I got up myself.

I heard him grab our bedside weapon, the fireplace poker. Oh yeah, we're up with the times. I was a few steps ahead of him and heading to the stairs when I heard it again.

*Knock knock knock knock knock knock knock*

Yep, it was definitely someone at the door. My mind wandered through the possibilities: someone in trouble? a drunk? I probably should have been more concerned than I was. But my husband was nearby so I felt safe. I peeked through the blinds and saw a familiar face.

"It's just the neighbor," I whispered up the stairs. As I opened the door, the cool air penetrated through my t-shirt causing me to instantly wish I had slept in long sleeves. "I'm SO sorry. I just wanted to let you know your garage door was open. You don't want to leave it open in this neighborhood." I thanked her and my husband went to close the garage door.

Lest you think we live in a bad neighborhood, we don't. But we have had our share of burglaries over the past several years. Not us, but many of our neighbors. I was grateful to have a neighbor so thoughtful as to come and tell us, but next time we leave it open, I hope her movie ends well before 2:30am.

And because I simply cannot post a blog entry without a picture, here's my Sienna helping me test out my new lighting....

Exhausted

It started with a sore throat. I woke up with it yesterday and was hoping it was just a fluke. When evening rolled around, I noticed my back was hurting. I chalked it up to sleeping in a strange position the night before. But then the exhaustion hit.

I was at church with my middle daughter making embossed Christmas cards when I suddenly realized I was tired. Very tired. Like, so tired I was a little concerned about driving home. We headed home and on the way I called my husband. "I'm not feeling well." Even I spoke the words into my cell phone, I began to feel worse.

How could this come on so quickly? I was feeling fine a few hours ago.

By the time we arrived at home, my body was aching and my head was throbbing. I managed to nurse my daughter, take some vitamins, and drink a mug of echinacea tea before crawling into bed.

Then began the delusions. All night long I kept thinking about how I had to make 50 Christmas cards and was actually doing this in my dreams. (For the record, I don't make Christmas cards nor do I send any out, but I blame my evening activities for this one.) Then I remember thinking how it was absolutely AMAZING that my youngest daughter would go right back to sleep if I gave her a pacifier. I mean, this was going to be a revolution! I just knew it!

When I finally pulled myself out of bed around 7a this morning to feed my daughter (after the pacifier no longer satisfied her), I began to think through all my delusions from the night before. Funny stuff.

And because I know you want to see it and because it has nothing to do with anything, I'm now going to show you my newly-decorated mantel. Actually, things have been moved around a bit since I took these pictures. (There is now one tall vase on the right with the wreath to its left, but you get the idea.) I found these fake flower things at Joann for 70% off and since I love a good bargain, I had to get them. I had actually envisioned something a little different for the wreath but when it didn't work out as I had planned in my head, I just went with the flow. Please ignore the fact that there is no beautiful fire burning for these pictures.

And now I am going back to lying on the couch in the fetal position, hoping the pounding in my head will soon cease and the children who bring me such joy will take beautifully, wonderfully long naps.

Olivia | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

This little girl was quite the fighter! She didn't sleep a wink from the time we removed her clothing until we put them back on! But she was darling. :)

Hansen Family | Indianapolis Family Photographer

Just wanted to share my favorite image from Saturday's family session. This family was the first to participate in my Servant's Heart Fundraising event!

Holiday Cards Are Here!

I've spent a good portion of this week getting my holiday card templates created. And let me just say, I can understand why people pay money for these rather than doing it themselves. It's A LOT of work. Or at least, it's a lot of work for someone who doesn't have a degree or even the tiniest bit of training in any sort of designing.

But, after much toil, my complete holiday card collections are here! If you're a client who is planning to order holiday cards, please email me and I will send you a link to a gallery where the cards can be seen at a larger size. :)

Behold, the beauty:

Ari | Indianapolis Child Photographer

I've seen this little man a few times now. He is suuuuuper cute and has SUCH personality! All he did was laugh the whole time!

William | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

Just 12 days old, this little man was a total cutie! His mommy brought along some great hats!

Baby E | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

This little guy was such a well-mannered child! He slept through almost the entire session! And since he slept and slept, I shot and shot. :) Meet Baby E....