Courage and Grace. As I learned Kay’s story, I was continually impressed by how she exemplifies these qualities, even as she has braved an abundance of grief and pain. I am thankful to Kay’s daughter, Emily, for sharing with me the story of her selfless mother.

Kay and Norick happily married in 1982. Together they had five children: four boys and a girl. After twenty years of marriage and during some of the most vital stages of their children’s adolescence, Kay’s husband opened up to their family about his narcotic drug addiction. Facing down a grim situation, Kay made the decision to stay with her husband and support him through this trying time. Norick would often have to be away from the family for long periods of time attending rehab therapy or receiving treatments to overcome his addiction. Kay always strove to make their children’s lives normal and happy. She built her home into a safe haven.

Sadly, Kay’s family became the subject of vicious rumors. People openly ridiculed and belittled Norick for his struggles and would even scorn Kay for staying married to him. Nonetheless, Kay stood by her husband and was a steady support for him and their children. While her world may have seemed like it was crashing down, Kay stood strong, with a smile on her face, and showed her children how to face trials with grace, courage, and selfless love.

Just a few years after Norick admitted his addiction, Kay was struck with another huge bump in her happily-ever-after. Her husband of twenty-four years was tragically killed in a car accident. Kay was widowed and became a single mother of five children. She picked up the pieces of her life and continued to make her children’s lives as stable and happy as possible. Kay never put herself first, or even second. She put herself sixth. Her joy came in ensuring that her children were well-cared-for.

Two years after the accident, Kay found love again, was married, and took on the role of stepmother. She opened her heart and arms to 4 more children and has loved them as her own for the past 7 years. Three years ago, Kay entered a new and exciting stage of life; she became a devoted grandmother. Kay’s daughter Emily says, “My mother is more than a mother. She is a mother, stepmother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and anything else you need her to be. Her name should be listed in the dictionary under selfless.”

Emily refers to her mom as “the coolest mom,” as she recalls many happy memories her mother made with her and her brothers. Kay dances down grocery store aisles to whatever music is playing. She dressed up like a pirate on graduation day to deliver a present to her daughter. Once she even back-flipped off a forty-foot cliff in Hawaii, not wanting to be shown up by her sons. If it’s your birthday, you can probably expect a call from Kay’s silly alter-ego, Tina, who will sing to you.

Despite enduring more trials in just a few years than most experience in a lifetime, Kay has bravely maintained a joyful and caring presence in her children’s lives. She always puts her children first and the example she has given them is priceless. Kay is graceful, courageous, selfless, loving, kind, and fearless. But above all, Kay is a mother. And she is Beauty Revived.

Moving to a new place is never easy. Especially if you've lived in a very tight-knit community your whole life. Moving to Arizona was bitter-sweet. I had a hard time leaving my family and friends. It made it even harder that I had a two month old. But my family was headed to the next chapter in our lives and we couldn't wait to start it. Thank goodness for Allie for making the transition easier for me!

I first met Allie when she sat down next to me at church. She was new too, but I was a little timid. She immediately turned to me and said "Hi! I'm Allie!" (hey Allie, if your reading this, don't think I'm creepy that I still remember this..). I quickly learned that she just moved here as well, and her husband was also starting school. Allie was the friendliest person I had met in Arizona so far. We immediately "hit it off", for lack of better words. And even though we may not talk everyday, I feel like we've known each other forever. From our spur of the moment, late night shopping excursions to her teaching me about health foods, I love everything about her! It's also a bonus that she is so non-judgmental and let's me spill my deepest darkest secrets. 

She is just as gorgeous inside as she is outside. Take a look for yourself.

My dad has a million talents and traits I wish I inherited: extreme patience (he was forced into that one with me as a teenager), compassion, hard-working, honest, reliable, out-going, intelligence, and the list could go on and on. However one trait that tops my list is his ability to arrange words to describe exactly how his soul his feeling. He is a phenomenal poet and through his words it's like you can see into his soul. Growing up my dad would write songs and poems for every occasion. In the past, my favorite song or poem he has written was Our Christmas. There are multiple verses to this song, some funny, some serious. This song is (or was) a perfect description of our little families thoughts on Christmas. I try to be like my Dad and write poems to express my feelings, but they will never trump the beauty of his words.

A couple days after Isla was born, when I was in the deepest darkest sadness I have experienced, I logged onto Facebook to find my dad's latest piece:

Isla Jean

Isla Jean sweet Isla Jean

How you pull on my heart's string

Though I've never seen your face

Just pixels bright from a distant place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isla Jean sweet Isla Jean

I yearn to hear your voice sing

The sound of simple infant cries

So I can sing you lullabies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isla Jean sweet Isla Jean

What gifts from heaven do you bring?

Mere moments from our Fathers home

You bring to us His love bestowed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isla Jean sweet Isla Jean

To hold you close is what I dream

l cannot wait to feel your charm

All snuggled in your grandpa's arms

 

 

 

The Desert. When I first moved to Arizona I got a little depressed. Not just because I moved away from family (don't worry, family, I love and miss you), but mainly because I didn't think it was aesthetically pleasing. I laugh just typing that out. I was literally sad because I had moved to a place the my eyes didn't like. It also seems extremely ungrateful. There were so many wonderful reasons for why I was moving to Arizona and I couldn't get around my disgust for dirt, rocks and skimpy trees. It probably didn't help that I moved from the eastern benches of the Salt Lake valley. It was there that I was surrounded by lush trees and abundantly colorful flowers. There were rivers and streams and beautiful, shaded, hiking trails within a 10 minute drive. The summers were full of outdoor barbecues and popsicles and the falls consisted of colorful trees, crisp air, and wonderful smells (I love the smell of dead leaves). Then there was winter, which wasn't always fun, but if you glanced up at Mount Olympus after a snow storm you'd be in awe of the majestic beauty. But then, after a couple of months, the tulips would pop up and blossoms would start exploding all over the resurrecting trees. Grass would become green again and going outside become a wonderful treat to a starved body. 

Arizona wasn't really any of that. We moved here in the middle of summer. Have you ever heard of what summers are like here? They are 3 things: hot, hot and HOT. The day we moved in it was 99 degrees and that was a good day. I had to grow to like and live with sweat and sleeping on top of covers instead of underneath. After a couple months of living here, monsoon season hit. And I was loving it. The drenching rain was so cleansing to my negativity. And the sunsets. THE SUNSETS. They were sunshine to my soul. The weather also started to cool and now my Utah friends were jealous of me. I was slowly starting to gain appreciation for where I lived. This was also around the time my love for photography started to bloom. I was discovering, through my camera lens, that I was surrounded my beauty. It was just a different kind of beauty. A new beauty. I was loving what I was seeing, and to this day I will squeal with delight when I pull my images up on my computer and notice that I captured the beauty of this desert. This barren desert of beauty.

My Brothers. Who doesn't love brothers? Growing up they were annoying pests who wouldn't stop asking questions and stay out of my room. They have since blossomed into some of the only people in my life that understand my humor and immaturity. I don't know what I would do without someone to drive down a crowded street in the middle of the day and roll down the windows to scream Taylor Swifts most recent hit with. My husband does not jive with that. In fact, if I did that with my husband in the car, he would immediately remove himself from the vehicle and claim to never have known me. I say this from experience. With my Ben, I will never be left alone stalking celebrities or shopping. With my Josh, I will also never go laugh-less; his imitations are perfection. Seriously though, perfection. So thank goodness for brothers. They bring out the best in me. And my the best I mean, the 16 year old. I am not ashamed.

The Camera. This one is obvious.

So what happens when I combine these 3 things? Perfection. That's what. See for yourself. 

Love you bros. Now let me go finish setting up your Tinder accounts using these pictures. MWAH!

It’s hard to believe this sweet little one is already six months old! The time has flown since I was in the hospital and at his home photographing him as a fresh newborn. I really enjoyed this session with Ashby in his gorgeous and intricate Christening gown. It was sentimental for quite a few reasons. First of all, the location. This is at Midwestern University, the school his dad, Davis, attends. Photos are so much more fun when there is more to the story than just the subject. From the trees to the benches, sidewalk and insanely green, soft grass, this family has a lot of memories here. In addition to this being Asbhy's dad's school, it is also the location I took his twin older brothers photos at the same age just 18 months ago. Lastly, Ashby's Christening gown came straight from his Great Grandmother's lace shop in Montgomery, Alabama. His Great Grandmother is an expert in French Hand-sewing who has travelled the world teaching classes and published books on the subject! Check out the details on the gown. What an amazing opportunity it was for me to capture these memories so this southern family can remember their time in the Arizona desert.

*Winner receives a full session of their choice from By Emily Photography (up to a $315 value)!

Here's how to play....

Go to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/byemilyphotography

Like my page

Share the pinned post (the link to this blog)

and Comment with the session you would most likely choose if YOU won

Giveaway will close August 6, 2014 and winner will be announced on August 7. 

But wait! There's more...

If you enter in the giveaway and do not win, schedule a session with By Emily Photography in the month of September and receive 20% off your entire session!

*Does not apply to packages

**Winner's session will be shot in the Phoenix, AZ area

Being able to share moments so special and intimate is what makes being a photographer one of the best and sometimes most difficult job in the world. Everyone is counting on you to capture those shots and freeze those memories that happen in a millisecond.  I was so excited for the opportunity to photograph one of these special day for Karri and Les. This was my first wedding and, to be honest, I felt a bit nervous. What if I missed that shot? However, the wedding was in a beautiful backyard with a fun group of people that were so great to work with. It was so easy to get good shots when there was so much happiness going around. Karri and Les were so happy and fun to work with. I am so grateful to them for letting me share such a special day with them!

The moment a child is born into this world is one of the most exciting, beautiful, spiritual and peaceful experiences I have ever witnessed, whether for myself, a family member, or client.  A lot of emotion goes into the process of birthing a child, and not just for the mom, but for the dad, grandparents, nurses and doctors as well. When I gaze at the pictures of my own labor and delivery for I immediately feel the emotions I felt in that moment, but I crave more. I want more pictures. The ecstasy of feeling my baby's warm body against mine for the first time is indescribable. I want to see look was on my husband's face while watching his child gaze at his mother for the first time, and remember what is was like when he first saw his child's face and realized his life was never going to be the same, it was going to be better. There is so much emotion that can be captured through a lens in this moment. And while you will never experience that exact perfect moment again, you want to remember it for as long as you live. I want to capture these moments for you. I want you and your spouse to remember this moment forever without the stress of documenting it for yourself. I want this beautiful moment to be perfectly remembered. 

There are many questions that arise when clients are thinking about having a photographer document this extremely critical and exciting moment in their lives. I'm hoping this Q & A will help you understand my goals as a photographer while photographing your labor & delivery

Are you in the room at the time the baby is delivered?

I can be. There are many times when a husband and a wife want to share that special moment alone. However, most clients request I photograph the actual delivery. When doing so, I am a fly on the wall. I will stand behind the mother at the most critical moments and only take photographs that are respectful to each family and situation. 

How many photographs will you take and how many will I get?

I treat this shoot differently than I treat any other. This is a moment in your life you will never relive, I do no pose or manipulate in any way. I photograph moments as they happen. Because of this, I give the clients almost every photograph I take. Usually there are over 100. I really  want to you to remember the emotions you had on this day forever.

I'm worried about my privacy, who sees these photos?

Once again, this shoot is treated differently than any other. The contract you sign states that I may not share any image of you or your child without your permission. I also make sure that no one can access your online gallery without a password. I do like to be able to share a few images from each labor and delivery and will get  your permission prior to doing so, and will always wait until after you make an announcement before sharing any images.

What if things get complicated during my labor or delivery?

The health of the mother and baby is always first priority. If there is a time where there is a health scare, I may leave the room depending on your's and the doctor's request. Your information is always kept private as well. I will not divulge any details of your labor or delivery without permission. 

What if I need a C-section, can you still photograph?

Most hospitals and doctors have specific rules about this. It is important you talk to your doctor about this prior to it happening. You may need to let them know you are having a photographer and ask what the protocol is in the case of a c-section. If photography is approved in the operating room by all needed sources (doctor & hospital) I will tactfully photograph a c-section.

If I don't have you in the room during the delivery, what do you photograph?

If you choose not to have me in the room during delivery I will wait outside until you are comfortable with me entering the room. I will then take pictures of whatever is going on in the room at the time; the baby getting weighed, measured, and cleaned, Dad holding the baby for the first time, you holding the baby, etc. I will also take some pictures of your labor, right before it is time to deliver, until you ask me to leave the room.

What if my labor is extremely fast, will you make it?

I ask that you give me updates whenever possible. Once you hit 36 weeks, or so, it is best to contact me and let me know how things are progressing so we can plan accordingly. Other than that, I am on call. As soon as your admitted to the hospital, you contact me and together we decide when the best time is that I should arrive. 

Will you take newborn shots at the hospital?

The only newborn photos that are included in the Labor & Delivery shoot are the ones taken immediately after the delivery. I will usually stay 1-2 hours to capture those first moments. If you would like me to come take more photos after you and your new family are settled, you will be charged for a mini newborn session. These photographs may include the siblings or other family meeting baby for the first time, nursing shots, etc. The cost of this is $100 and I will usually stay for 1 hour to complete these photographs.

I hope that this cleared things up as to what a Labor & Delivery session entails. If you have further questions about this exciting moment in your life please contact me!

Family Mini Includes:

~25 Minutes of shooting time

~5-10 images

~1 8x10 print of your family or 1 5x7 print of each child in your family

~All for only $50

Child Mini Includes:

~20-25 minutes of shooting time

~5-7 images

~1 5x7 print of each child

~All of only $35, each child is an additional $5

Contact Emily for more information or to schedule your shoot.

*There is also a possibility of Springtime Mini Sessions in St. George, Utah. Contact me if interested.

How many times a day do we see a moment happen and think where is my camera? where is my phone? I am guilty of doing this all day, every day. One day while snapping some pictures of my kids  I realized I LOVE this! I am not just talking about motherhood (I love that too!) but photography. Since then I have invested time and money to creating something I really love to do. Some may see the learning experience as stressful and time consuming but I see it as exciting. There are moments during a photo session where I feel like I am finally catching on to something I have been struggling with. The adrenaline rush I get during these epiphanies is indescribable. Because I am so passionate about photography and my outcomes, I am dedicated to continue my learning and molding for as long as my fingers can click!

I am obsessed with capturing things as they are, but also love capturing things as I set them up to be. I mentioned that photography is a creative outlet for me. Before discovering my passion for photography I would never describe myself as a right brain, or a generally creative person. However, photography has pulled that creativity to the surface. There is so much of it that goes into a photo shoot! Whether it's location, lighting (this sometimes takes the most creativity), props, posing my subject or entertaining my subject, creativity is HUGE. But it is what I crave!

When I have a scheduled shoot I am constantly thinking of ways to make it different and better than my last shoot. It takes over my brain. I will turn my house into a set just to experiment with ideas that are formulating in my head to see if they can actually work. But I don't consider this work, I consider it fun! No seriously, I love doing this.

If you would have told me 2 years ago that today I would be writing this post, I would have laughed it off. Me? A photographer? But it is ME! It is my niche, I have finally found something that I love doing and I love learning more about. I feel so blessed to be able to combined joy and work into one. I hope that you enjoy following my blog and can learn and grow with me.