Contemporary Expressions Photography

Extreme Techical Difficulties

So....as many of you know....my web host has been migrating their server --- and with this migration have come several "issues" - the latest and greatest is that the online gallery and ordering system is down.  So, if you are trying to view galleries/place orders, please be patient as they get this bug worked out!  I will extend all active galleries a couple of days to compensate!   AHHHHHH Technology!  My sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may be causing.

Where did that 3 months go

Take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves. - Lord Chesterfield

Ah, beautiful miss H - it does not seem possible that you are 3 months old already...honestly, I was shocked when your mommy called to schedule this appointment.  What a beautiful (albeit squirmy) little lady you are.  And what a lucky photographer I am to get to watch you grow.

A Garden

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.  - Elizabeth Lawrence

Have I mentioned that I love my Celebrating Adoption families!  Honestly, this is one of the most wonderful organizations to be involved with not only for the giving, but for the receiving.  Each family I meet through CA gives me so much joy...so much hope...and, yes, once in a while - even a scowl! 

A mind of ones own...

I will dare to do just what I do.  Be just what I am.  And dance whenever I want to. - Beverly Williams

This is little miss A...toddler on the go.  She was so darling with her purse and sunglasses and just chatted and chatted with me - I LOVED it!  Where, I ask you, do toddlers get their energy?  It is like they have reserves in their little toes that they can draw on at ANY time!  Little A did not stop moving, jumping, dancing.  I sure wish I could bottle that energy and tap into it when I need a little pick me up...but what I really need is a pair of these stylin' sunglasses...

Delight...

We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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... and this little man was PURE delight!!!!!

Two fantastic families

Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world... - William James

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These two great families wanted a photo of thier little men together...two 2 year olds with boundless energy...

we got the first set of siblings...

   

and the second set of siblings...

   

...and lots of outtakes

we tried sitting, standing, running, jumping,  bribery...LOL...and we finally got the keeper!

and I loved every minute of it - capturing kids being kids...that's what it is all about!

More beautiful sisters....

  Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of.  You know whatever you do, they'll still be there.  -Amy Li

I met this lovely family after they adopted thier first little one, miss S.  She has only gotten cuter!!!  and now...she has a little sister!!  I am absolutely thrilled for you guys and wish you all the very best on your next grand adventure.

Let's hear it for Virginia Tech...

I am here to live out loud... Emile Zola

This absolutely incredible, fun, spirited family contacted me a few weeks ago from Virginia wanting photos of Heather who is graduating from VT in May.  Little did I know what I was in for...what a complete and utter hoot they all were - I want to adopt them!!  Congratulations Heather - may all of your dreams and more come true for you!

Making a Miracle Happen...

Imagine having a beautiful child.
Imagine finding out your beautiful child won’t survive past two years old.
Imagine having ONE wish for your child.
Imagine everyone banding together to make the wish a reality.

This is the story of Lilie’s family, and this is the story of a nationwide community of caring people coming together to make a miracle happen! Lilie is terminally ill. She has been diagnosed with GM1 Gangliosidosis. It is a rare, incurable lysosomal storage disease (enzyme deficiency) that will ultimately take her life according to the latest research. . . by the age of two. She will continue to degenerate, go blind, have seizures, and eventually lose all ability to move and succumb to this disease. She is all but blind and her mom (Jen) is spending her last days enjoying what life is left in her daughter.

All Jen wants to do is take her daughter to the Ocean before she dies and Make a Wish will not grant them the wish because she is under two and they believe that Lilie will not get any benefit from it that it would only benefit the family… Jen is devastated.

Visit their Caring Bridge page here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lilieclark

This family is a dear friend of a photographer friend of mine. I’m asking for your help. I (along with a group of fabulous photographer friends) would love to be able to get Lilie and her family to Florida. If we can get them to Florida (there are 6 in their family), they can stay with family…but with tons of medical expenses, right now it just isn’t possible.

So I’m asking for your help….anything that you could donate to this fabulous cause….$5, $20, $500...between us all, we can make this happen!

Sarah Ulrich (a phenomenal photographer and even more amazing gal) has set up a Paypal account for the donations. If you are willing to help out, please go to Paypal and send funds to the following address sulrich@neb.rr.com.  Please put "Lilie" in the comment block.

Thank you, Amber, for sharing Lilie's story and thank you Sarah for coordinating donations!

Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Z.

In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours.  In all the world there is no love for you like mine. - Maya Angelou