Capturing the Heart and Soul of life... {Michigan Child Photographer}

I recently shared this quote on facebook, and had plans to share it in a post on my blog as well. But life is crazy busy right now and so it took me a bit longer to get to it than planned. Our family got hit with illness again and the proofs of the little one who is featured in the slideshow hadn't even been sent off yet. But alas, we are healthy and the mom has seen the proofs...so onto blogging :)

One of my photog friends posted this quote of hers on facebook a bit ago and I fell in love with it, I asked her if I could share it and I am thankful that she let me. Thank you Nadia for sharing this quote, it is perfectly said...

"You have two choices when deciding on a photographer for your child - Do I want images of WHAT my child looks like or do I want images of WHO my child is?" ~Nadia Smith

Those of you who have been through children's session with me will "get" this quote and know that is exactly who I am ...someone who wants to give you memories of "who" your child is at this point in their life. Moments that tug at your heart and reach into your very soul. You won't find me sitting your child down and asking them to say cheese :) Your child is experiencing new things everyday, they see the world with honest eyes, and through my camera lens I want to capture that for you. It truly is the details, the little things...like how they discover, the way their eyelashes fall gently on their precious face, the curls in their hair, the way they hold a flower with their tiny hands, or the way they play with their most treasured toy...yes, I could go on and on.

I truly love working with children, they are so honest, so innocent, so full of life. I love to just sit back and watch them...observe them. If you've read the details section part of my website, you've already read this...but here is a section from it...

"I often refer to myself as "the silent observer" during sessions because that truly is how I approach them. Especially when working with children, I will stand back and let them be and click away as they discover their new surroundings. Children are at ease with this type of photography as they feel no pressure to sit and perform. And honestly it is in these moments of them just "being" that you will get the best photographs."

Yes....it’s the “heart and soul” moments of life that I strive to capture and turn into beautiful pieces of art that you will cherish forever. I am thankful to all the families who have let me be apart of their lives and capture these moments for them. I have said it before and I'll say it again...yes...I love my job :)

Here is a video of a recent session that captures just "WHO" this little one is at this point in her childhood. Yes she is full of smiles, but she is also serious and soulful. She is playful, and from her session I know she loves to chase bubbles, she loves the touch of her mommy's hair, she has the most beautiful curls in her hair, and she likes her shoes ON...LOL. She can climb a chair all by herself and she has a gentle kindness to her. What do I mean? When I was sitting to take her picture as I proceeded to get up, out stretched a little hand and from her mouth came the words up. She was reaching her hand out to help me up. All of these things are "WHO" this child is and I am thankful that I could capture "HER" for her mommy and daddy. Watch the video and you'll see. Might want to grab a tissue mom :)

Enjoy...
Remember...When viewing videos turn OFF main blog music at bottom of blog :) Also, this is a very low resolution video for blog use. I see now they are giving an option to view full screen but it's only going to distort the video and not recommended :)



Thank you for letting me apart of your life...
Hayley