Monday morning bliss

How often do we wake on a Monday morning and think "Today is going to be GREAT!"? Given the nature of Mondays, probably less often than we would like to. I photographed a wedding in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, so how bad could my Monday be by waking up in such beautiful surroundings? If that wasn't good enough, mid morning I headed about a mile down the road to photograph eight of the most fantastic people I know!

If you've been a follower of my blog for any length of time, you may recognize this photo. Tiffany and Charles were married in '08, and one of my favorite images of the day was this one of Tiff with all the "men" in her life! Over the last four years, Tiff has become a good friend, and I love any opportunity we have to see each other. One of the reasons our relationship has grown from client/photographer to friend status is that we both KNOW that blood doesn't make someone family. We both have people in our lives who we consider family and couldn't survive without! Here are her nephews of her heart-the five sons of her best friend, Lesley.

Fast forward from 5/08 to 7/12, and here is what Tiff looks like with her guys. A couple of months ago, Lesley called to ask me to photograph her second oldest son's senior portraits. As we were chatting about what the summer would hold for each of us, she told me that she was making her annual 4th of July pilgrimage to Tahoe with Tiff and the entourage that joins in on the fun every year. Knowing that Lesley and Tiff have been friends for 25 years made me think that while they were having their yearly celebration, they should have portraits done on the shores of Lake Tahoe. When I actually spoke those words, I'm not sure how I thought Lesley would respond. I could hear the disappointment in her voice when she said, "But, you're probably booked with a wedding that weekend." My response to her was, "Yes I am....but the wedding is in Tahoe!!!!". Talk about planets aligning!! Knowing that I was going to spend the night in Tahoe on Sunday night, it just made perfect sense that we should take this opportunity to do the portraits Monday morning.

As I packed up my bags and loaded up my gear, I was getting ready to implement the ideas that I had been planning for weeks. Let's just say that I should have known better...nothing about this session was going to be structured ;) Upon arrival, I was greeted with hugs from Tiff, her mom-Sue, and Lesley, but I wasn't sure how the boys would feel about having their vacation interrupted with portraits. The ladies told me when they said to the boys that they were going to have portraits taken, the boys moaned and groaned about it. When the young vacationers asked who the photographer was, and they were told it was Debbie Brown, they said "Oh, okay, we like her!". To say the nine of us had a great time, would be an understatement!

Every combination I can think of was put before my camera. Bare feet, sand, water, smiles, laughter, friends and fun make for INCREDIBLE images! What I love so much about these people is that there is NOTHING off limits when it comes to taking their portraits. These portraits involved ALL of us getting in the water, and I was completely surprised at how warm the lake was! As the session progressed, we pushed the envelope a little bit more with each grouping. We started off by everyone taking off their shoes, and ended with all the guys taking off their shirts. Not sure I've ever had that happen! Believe me, I didn't just say, "Hey guys, take off your shirts". Scroll down and you'll see what caused the end result.

As you look at these images, you're going to wish you knew these people; and if you do know them, you're going to wish you had been there with us!!! I absolutely adore these three ladies, and the young men who are lucky enough to be in their lives. You're probably thinking "Debbie, it seems like every time I read about one of your former clients, they've become a good friend of your's.". Trust me when I say that there are worse things that can result from one's job, and why do you think I love what I do!? It doesn't always happen, but if you ask anyone who knows me, it does happen fairly frequently :)

As you look at these images, you're going to wish you knew these people; and if you do know them, you're going to wish you had been there with us!!! I absolutely adore these three ladies, and the young men who are lucky enough to be in their lives. You're probably thinking "Debbie, it seems like every time I read about one of your former clients, they've become a good friend of your's.". Trust me when I say that there are worse things that can result from one's job, and why do you think I love what I do!? It doesn't always happen, but if you ask anyone who knows me, it does happen fairly frequently :)

Tiff, Sue and Lesley, thanks so much for a fun morning. I smiled all the way back to Lincoln!

To see more of their images, visit Debbie Brown Photography on Facebook.

Shirley and the love of her life!

I met Shirley about a year ago when we were both at the Relay for Life in Lincoln. Recently I photograph Shirley, her husband Ken and their beautiful 4 GENERATION family! What a spectacular time I had, and getting to know this group made my heart smile. Ken has Parkinson's and will soon be 89. He was such a trooper and Shirley adores her man!

Where have you been?

"Where have your been?" That may be a question you've been asking yourself when you've come to this blog in the last few months. Yes, it's been very quiet in the blogosphere of Debbie Brown Photography. The reason you haven't seen much activity is that I had rotator cuff surgery just before Christmas. What was supposed to be a very simple procedure, with about six weeks recovery, turned out to be surgery where the surgeon fixed multiple tears and I was in recovery for four months...no weddings, no portraits...nothing!
Now, if you know me, you know that I DO NOT do well with sitting around. I have to say that the entire month of January, and a good part of February was absolute torture for me-physically and psychologically.

In the end I went back to work about six weeks sooner than I should have (did some portraits, and some preschools-both of which allowed me to get back into the swing of things, but for short bursts at a time), but it all worked out well. In anticipation of this surgery, I turned down multiple weddings for the spring because I did not know what I would be facing--I knew that booking a wedding and then possibly having to send another photographer in my place, was not something I was willing to do. I take my relationships with my clients very seriously, and I knew it would not be fair to them, to send another photographer, when they were expecting me, at their big day.

It was a difficult choice to turn down weddings, but in the end I'm glad I did it, because I know that my prospective clients would find themselves in good hands with the photographers I referred them to. I also know that got the recovery time that I needed, to be able to come back at 100%!

Now, to blow the dust off this blog, and show you a little of what I've been doing in the last month! As you can see, the blog is taking on a new look. It's a work in progress, but didn't want to be away from all of you any more than I had to be, so please bare with me as I update it over the coming weeks.

Although I've only been back to work a month or so, I have lots to share with you. However, in the meantime, here are just a few images for you to take a look at. Check back periodically over the coming weeks, and I'll try to get you all caught up in the world of Debbie Brown Photography!

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Thankfulness

As you can tell from my previous two posts, last weekend was one that was packed (I'll be getting the wedding slideshow up later today)! When my head finally hit the pillow on Sunday night, I had an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. Thankfulness for having a career that allows me to meet so many wonderful people; thankfulness for being able to be a part of paying it foward; thankfulness for learning things to remind me not take my blessings for granted; thankfulness for life!

Jon and Kristin are relatively new to the cancer fight. Jon was diagnosed with brain cancer a short time ago and after reading his journal on Caring Bridge, I have NO DOUBT this couple will be triumphant and not only win the current battle, but be victorious in the war!

This doesn't happen very often, but I cried as I was taking their portraits (thank goodness it wasn't the "ugly cry", but the tears came, nonetheless). The time that really got to me were the ones where mom and dad are standing in the field. When they gave each other a kiss and their daughter laid her head on her dad's head, I KNEW I caught a moment in time that will be cherished for generations. Actually, as I'm sitting here writing this, I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. It's been a pretty emotional week, so I've been kind of sappy lately ;)

It's working with families like this that make me speechless (and for those who know me, you know that's a difficult thing to do). Awe, inspired, wonder, blessed-those are just a few of the adjectives that come to my mind when I think about the families I've been working with lately. When I donate portrait sessions to families who are battling cancer, they are amazed that I do this and don't look for anything out of it. I should probably admit to you, that there is a selfish reason that I do it. I love the feeling that I walk away with after spending an hour or so with people who are this brave and strong.

Thank you Jon and Kristin for allowing me into a little piece of your lives for a brief time. You made me smile all day! To see more of their photos, please visit my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Debbie-Brown-Photography/132190279226  Off to a 10:00 session to photograph Sherry, another survivor!!!! I hope it doesn't rain on us.

The first of several inspirational stories

I met Josh a few weeks ago at a survivor's reception that the RFL committee had organized. On Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting his wife, and two adorable children. From the minute we began chatting until the session was complete, we laughed and had so much fun! I learned a little about their family, some exciting things that will be happening for them in the near future, and I also heard about their fight with, and triumph over, cancer.

 

Josh was diagnosed six years ago with a brain tumor, and he has been cancer free for two years. Although the odds were against them having children, you can see that God smiled on them and they are truly blessed. It never ceases to amaze me when I meet a couple who have fought such an battle and come out even stronger, when all is said and done. I think the thing that is most remarkable about Josh, is that he said cancer was a blessing. He told me he has lived his life completely different since being diagnosed, and if it weren't for cancer, he doesn't know where he'd be.
There are no words for how much respect I have for this family, and I hope I can watch them grow and their blessings prosper, for many years to come! To see more of their photos, visit my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Debbie-Brown-Photography/132190279226

A little sugar and spice

Yesterday I photographed Heather and Bob's adorable new daughter. Finnley is just a few weeks old, so the newborn photo window was running out. This little girl is so adorable, and her parents and big brother absolutely adore her! Big brother, Ledger, is so gentle with her and they are so cute to see together! Finnley wasn't sure what she thought of her first modeling session, but after we figured out the "secret" to getting her to stay asleep, she didn't seem to mind it ;)

To see more of their wonderful images, visit my facebook page.

Until next time!

An afternoon with Kenz

Just before New Year's I spent a couple hours photographing Mackenzie. I couldn't think of a better way to end the year, but to do a fun, nonsensical, "just because" session with my favoite pre-teen! I've been photographing Kenz since she was about three. In fact, I put a couple of her previous photo sessions on here as well, just so you could see how little she was when I first met her (click on the photos to see them larger). Wow, time sure has flown by! One of the best things to come out of the time that I've known her is that she and Cassie have become as close as sisters. You should see the funny looks from people who know that Cass is the youngest of three girls, when she introduces Kenz as her little sister!  

Cass and Kenz "cooking" their crispy treats. Awww, I can't believe how little they both were!

A couple weeks ago I asked Kenz if she'd like to do a fun photo session and she JUMPED at the chance :) We knew we wanted an urban look and had planned on doing the session in Lincoln. Since I wanted to run out to Roseville that day, it suddenly dawned on me that we should go over to the old Tower Theater in downtown Roseville. We...struck...GOLD! I loooooooved the teal color building, and the fact that the old railyard was just across the street meant we hit paydirt. We had a blast-even taking photos on the dumpster! Obviously a session with Kenz, meant adding Cass into some of the photos.

  Cass and Kenz are as close as sisters. They picked out these shirts months ago and I knew I had to use them for the session! 

Other than having an unlimited credit card, I don't know anything that two young girls have more fun doing, than to ham it up for a photo session.

 If you know a pre-teen, then you know they are all about the 'tude! They are SO full of attitude that sometimes you have to remember how much you love them, just so you can get through the daily drama (believe me, having three daughters, I know that all too well!).

What made this so much fun, is all I'd have to do is say "give me some attitude", and away she went with the looks. She is always such a happy kid that it was fun to let her go with some really atypical expressions.

I've been trying to come up with a song that I wanted to use for the slideshow (and that would also be appropriate for a pre-teen's photos), and thought the song I selected would be perfect! Kenz loves GLEE, so it was a natural choice to select something from their repertoire. If you want to see more of her images just go to my facebook page.

Tis the season...

...for everyone to want family portraits done. I love working with families, and have really been having a great time working in a variety of locations, with some many laughs and smiles! Yesterday was Edward and Jess' turn to photograph their family. We were in a race with the light, but it looks like we won...what do you think? To see more of this fun family, visit my facebook page!