A month or so ago I was asked if I could take pictures of a family reunion. I was a little nervous because there would be 15 in all. I had never taken pictures of such a large group and I really wanted to make it look special and unique. I've seen other photographers take furniture outside for photos and I really wanted to try this for myself. Now I considered just showing you the family with the couch in the middle of a grassy field with no explanation of how it got there. So you could assume that I have this staff of people who just drop off couches where ever I want them. But, I'll admit, I don't have such a staff. I borrowed this couch from my friend Julie. She's an artist too, and was fully supportive of my project. In her words, "For the sake of art, girl!" So on a hot and sticky Sunday, my husband and I (mostly my husband) managed to maneuver that couch into the back of our SUV. And down the road we went with our front seats pushed forward enough to the point of where we thought we'd eat our knees (we're both really tall). If I were a half inch taller this couch thing would not have been possible.

This family is great too. I love this kind of family. They are happy, carefree, and up for anything - it also helps that we all know each other.  After the big family shot they all had a turn to be on the couch for smaller, individual family photos.  At that point I kinda wished I had a second shooter to take pictures of how they made each other laugh behind me.

Love getting shots of kids just being kids.  I think the little guy in the picture above just learned this move because I caught him doing this a few times.  So sweet.

My disclaimer on the above two photos is that this was his mother's idea.  It was all I could do to hold the camera steady and take the picture because I was laughing so hard.  Too cute.

"Tired of hearing your kids whine and complain at the dinner table?  Desperate for fast and healthy recipes your entire family will love?"  That is the intro to the podcast, "Cooking with the Moms." When I heard those words, I was captivated.  The moms are Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss are registered dietitians who also author the website Meal Makeover Moms.  From these moms I discovered many tips and tricks on how to get my kids to try new healthy food in a fun way.

One way is to get kids involved with making a meal. Because Janice and Liz are working on a new cookbook they asked their fans to taste test recipes. We also had to take photos of the process and send them into them for their book. And since I always thought being a food stylist would be a fun career, I wanted to try a photoshoot with food.

Below is recipe we tried out, Fruity Chicken Kebabs, and I have to say two out of my three kids loved this. The other child, who shall be nameless, needed coaxing, but had to admit this was really good.  Just in case you are curious, the recipe calls for deli chicken or turkey, sliced 3/4-inch thick, wooden skewers, strawberries and grapes.  You'll just have to get their book for other great recipes.  It's going to be called "No Whine with Dinner."  Love the book title - it's so hopeful.

The crochet doily in the above photo is a family keepsake made by my husband's great grandfather.  Isn't it beautiful?

The above embrodered runner is also a family keepsake made by my husband's great grandmother.  I just love all the colors.  Getting back to the kids, here is my three year old (above) really enjoying her work.  I was pleasantly surprised that she could skewer fruit so well.

Even the boys joined in with the careful supervision of Spiderman.

I first met this family when they had three kids (six feet), watched them as they adopted their fourth child, and now see them celebrating baby number five, which brings the feet total to 10.  As you can see, this group is a warm, fun loving family.  And I think you'll agree with me that the kids from head to toe are all adorable!

Today my little guy had his last day...ahem...hour of school.  All year I've kept his papers...I'm not sure why.  I think I wanted to compare work from the beginning of the year to the end of the year and show him the progression.  Well that didn't happen.  Instead I went down to our basement and brought up the overflowing banker's box that I kept everything in. I spread it all over and had him just lay in it.  Is it lay or lie?  I wasn't the best student.  My son, on the other hand, takes after his dad and loves school.  He was kinda sad today that it was all over.  He did great this year and we are so proud of him.  I'm just thrilled to have him to myself a little more.

This is my first photoshoot of a newborn.  Let me just tell you this little guy is very smart.  At less than two weeks old, he knew exactly who his mommy was and fell into her arms so contently that we decided to keep him there for these pictures.  I love the one where he's looking at the camera, as if to say, "You are not the mommy."  He had so many great faces for me, what a sweetie.

A few weeks back I got together with my dear friend Julie and her beautiful family for a photoshoot.  Julie and I have known each other from our days working together at Tyndale.  Julie still does freelance for them as well as creating her own amazing art - check out lifeverse and lifeverseblog.    As you can see this family knows how to have fun and were up for anything!  The two below are pictures from around their charming house.

Loving the great outdoors they lead me to one of their favorite spots out on a beautiful field for some great shots.  When we weren't shooting pictures, their son was off hunting for frogs, their oldest girl liked climbing trees, and the youngest was waaay up high, looking for wear we parked...see below.  Their kids were such a joy to shoot.  They played along with the crazy camera lady even though they were late for dinner time.

Is this a fun dad or what?  From the photos on the lower right...no photoshop tricks and no toddlers were harmed in order to shoot these pictures.  Their little one loved being launched in the air.  As you can see they adore their daddy.  So sweet.

On Easter Sunday morning I planned for two things.  One was getting the kids dressed up, and two, was attempting a mini photo shoot with them before church.  I know, I know, I can dress them up any time and take pictures of them.  But will I?  No.  I promised myself that a few years back and I watched them grow out of those dressy Easter clothes.  So this year I was determined.  It was now or never.  My sassy, sweet, two year old gave me about five minutes of cooperation before she was on the run.  And the boys were all sorts of silly, partly because I let them run outside with just their socks on.  Oh the simple pleasures of childhood.

Warmer weather and sunshine means big wheels, baseball bats and sidewalk chalk.  I love taking pictures on bright, warm days.  In fact, I'm hoping to establish myself as a natural light photograher.  There really is no substitute for how the sunshine lights up happy faces.  The kids seem more at ease outside too so capturing candid, genuine expressions is a little easier I think.  Anyway, I have noticed that currently, my little girl is getting quite used to the camera.  It's been routine for her to go outside and expect me to take her picture.  I'm happy to record that little, sassy, two year old personality.  The boys, however, might pause for a moment or two, but then are on their way.  Sidewalk art to create and pretend NASCAR races to win.

This is the day that I went with my son’s class the Shedd Aquarium.  His teacher mentioned to me that one of her joys of teaching 1st grade is watching the excitement of first discoveries and I have to agree.  However, it got a little worrisome for me when, in their excitement, they would run in opposite directions.  To my relief, all were present and accounted for before we pulled away on the “Happy Cruiser.”

My boy enjoying a very theatrical presentation at the Oceanarium.  I couldn’t help but wonder about the meeting marketing had with the trainers pitching the Fanasea concept.  “We envision you in a penguin costumes.  At first we don’t know if you are evil penguins or friendly penguins...”  I guess I am just used to the old way of watching one of these kind of shows...dolphins flip in various ways to a recorded, or worse, a lip sync narration outlining every detail of their care.  Not that I’d remember any of those random facts, I was just kinda waiting for it.  Ah well.

My little guy and his class watching the beluga whales sail by the glass.  The above photo of the beluga whale above was taken while he was staring down us weird looking visitors.

This was the day that my oldest son got his two team basketball shirts.  Before my husband walked in with the shirts I was trying to take pictures of the boy.  By this time, you have to realize, my kids are now acting like bored zoo animals in front of the camera because of all the pictures I've taken of them.  I feel a little bad about this, but I was reminded that they will fondly look back on all the pictures I'm taking of them.  I believe this is true, so I continue to snap away.  But my boy could care less about me and my aperture settings.  But then basketball shirts arrive.  Immediately he puts one on, my husband tosses him the basketball and I suggest that we capture this moment!  Ah...I learned something.  Get kids in an environment where they are happy and genuine expressions will come through. 

After reviewing these pictures, I realize how much older he looks than just seven.  Where did that baby go anyway?  Sigh.  I'm just glad I caught this moment.