Little baby girl R. – just five days old =)  Thought I would send you all into your friday and weekend with a little precious baby smile.  She’s beautiful and looks just like her mommy!

Wedding weekend for me – see you all soon! Oh and thank you so much for the kind comments and messages lately, be it on posts or in general.

You all make it worthwhile.

xo

dani

Mom and Dad were so laid back, and I have a lot to look to them to for their wonderful example of patience.  When I brought this up to A., she said “Listen, we learned a LONG time ago that this is their show…” and while it was indeed their show, they were all so relaxed and playful.  I love when mom and dad can let their kids just be their silly selves and let me take off with their kids on what ends up being an adventure =)  I always tell parents, “it is, what it is” when it comes to young children. You never know what youre going to get, but often get more than you thought was in store for you.

Mom kept referring to her children as “my loves”…”Come here, my love”… I adored that.  They really are her loves and it showed.  They are what she’s grateful for, what she breathes for, what she lives for.  And how do I know this, only having met her twice in this short time?  Because she dresses them in white in such a trustworthy manner and brings them balloons and a bubble machine to play with =)

But seriously, I know this because Mom and Dad showed it.

Show your children how much they mean to you today by letting the world know it – and letting the world know it just by being the family that you are.

xo

dani

I met Kelly when we were 8 or 9 playing slow pitch softball.

I was blessed enough to rekindle that friendship over the last few years.  When I say blessed, I mean it truely.  She’s taken the path she was given head-on, with a smile that was larger than the sun – and with unwavering faith.  She always shared this with her friends on her facebook page, and her mother made it a point to tell everyone today at the funeral home that these were the words she lived by;

Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

When we got together for these pictures, it was five (yes 5) degrees outside. But she didn’t care, this was going to happen – she’d waited long enough! 

We did them two weeks before Christmas, and being the sweetheart she is, she grabbed some of my photos off facebook and made me a mousepad out of it as a thank you.  Don’t mind the cellphone picture, it’s all I can do right now.  I will always treasure it and the thought behind it, and will try to remember when I am working and frustrated or overwhelmed with my kids nagging at me while trying to do so, that there is a precious little girl out there who now only has her mommy in spirit.  When I work I am reminded of her kindness and determination to overcome whatever it was that needed to be overcome.

” and he will raise you up on eagle’s wings

bear you on the breath of dawn

make you to shine like the sun

and hold you in the palm of His hand “

I think for her family and friends right now there is a plethora of emotions – torn between the relief that she is FREE and healthy now, and between the fact the world lost one amazing woman,  friend, girlfriend, daughter, sister, and mother.  Man was she an awesome mom – please pray for little Jade and for her family, they need the comfort so terribly.

I dont think I ever took the time to say thank you to Kelly for all that she has taught me about life and what it means to really seize the moment.  In the months of time this transplant bought her, she truely got out there!  I will forever remember the phone call sometime shortly after her transplant. I saw her name on my phone’s caller ID and I picked up the phone and heard a squeaky little “hiiiii!!” and I just cried.  She spoke of her first breath on her own with her new lungs, and how the air just kept coming… and coming… and she was just so full. 

Be grateful for the deep breaths you take, and breath them in often. Treasure them.  We are so lucky to take them in.

Let nothing stop you.

Say thank you. Today – to someone you have thought to say thank you to, but haven’t.  Let them know.

Consider organ donation.  When we leave this earth, our bodies are free.  They are complete in our makers hands.  This gift of life is the greatest gift of all.

Please visit www.organdonation.gov for more information.

Here’s to you, Kelly Wagner.  You fought the good fight, and have won a place in His home with your Lord and Savior.

May angels lead you in

Hear you me, my friend.

xo

The sparklers were a surprise, I didn’t know they were going to happen and really haven’t ever shot fireworks before – but this my photographer friends, is ISO 6400!

We were on the shores of Lake Erie at Camp Perry, where the sun set so beautifully over the lake right out the back windows and balconies… so peaceful.  I cant wait to share more and am behind on blogging (by four sessions and a wedding) … so far behind it has gotten rediculous even for me.

Thank you Sandy and Nyle, and all of your awesome family members for the good times, laughs, the fabulous dinner and cake (and cookies!) you provided Christi and I with on YOUR wedding day.  And to quote the new Mrs. Douridas…

“I feel like I have new FRIENDS!”  =)

Info regarding MINI SESSIONS IS NOW AVAILABLE and will be posted soon.  IF you wish to receive this PDF right NOW, please email me!

xo

dani

It has been so neat to watch you go from just a baby-turning-toddler to this handsome little man that you are.  I consider myself lucky to have been able to be there to create these timeless images that your sweet little face puts out each time  for your pretty mommy.

Big guy N. was one of my very first clients I ever had. He is an avid hunter – so if you ever need to find a snake or a bear or a bird, he is your man… as long as you can keep quiet so he can listen for them.  He likes walking in water fountains as long as mom can keep the bugs away and running up and rolling down hills.

He’s just awesome =)

xo

dani

“Those” front teeth are on their way in.  I can feel the profit margin for the orthodontist going up already… and those SILLY BANDS! Whod’a thought… and animal bracelet that doesn’t look like an animal when worn, is all the rage.

Having this time off with my children has made me realize so much.  I needed this.  Maybe I’ll explain sometime.  I have so many sessions to blog, two to finish up, and two coming up.  I’ve really, really cut back this year and I think it was the best thing I could have done.  I have really, really missed being a Mom.

Happy Schools-out-for-summer to you and yours.

xo

dani

… your heart needed a little tug today:

Just a reminder to appreciate the small things in life, they change fast.

xo

dani

We’ve returned from our vacation, and it was great! Just a reminder that DLP is closed until June 19th and emails will be returned starting the 16th.

I did cave on vacation, however, and shoot with one of my favorite families two sundays ago.  I met J & C and their super cool mom  in 2008 and have had the chance to photograph them several times since.  When Mom contacted me a few weeks ago that they would be in town I couldn’t resist the opportunity… especially when I just had to meet new baby sister L.!

I look forward to sharing more from this session, these kiddos have the most amazing, piercing blue eyes and are just darling.

What do you get when baby decides location number one is not the choice for a nap? You shoot at location number two after a quick car ride and become Urban Baby. It worked out well, and she’s awefully sweet!

 I hope everyone is enjoying their June.  I have made a huge decision to scale back this year in the amount of appointments I book.  I am booked for regular appointments into October and will be offering a “sort-of” mini opportunity for any remaining bookings.  There are two weddings coming up in July, and I am really looking forward to them.

See you on the 19th,

xo

dani

…where I have been…

Little Mackenzie is a new addition to our family, my son is happy to now be a “big” cousin, as he’s been the littlest =) I love her middle name. In Polish, I am told this means “Lucky” – you can swoon now if you need to.

Then there is Baby J. who is quite possibly one of the most content little smoocharoos ever.  His little eyes were open most of the time, I can only pretend to know what he was thinking of the colorful light patterns he was probably taking in.

I love a good sequence.

Big Brother D. and Big sister M. were digging their new status’ as caretakers.  Tiny guy J. probably would have hung out on his sister all afternoon had that been in M.’s plans!

 I can be found plastered to my PC screen finishing up a wedding for the next week should you need me.  I am anxiously awaiting new contact lenses, as this “holdover” pair is much harder in texture and irritating the you know what out of my eyeballs.   Astigmatism sufferers unite!  I had a 2.75 diopter on my right eye when I really needed a 4 (yes, blind) and I’m finally after so many years of knowing this, changing lenses -  I’m looking forward to having a bit more depth of field.  I use my left eye through the viewfinder, supposedly, that is weird =)

Wishing you a happy monday,

xo

dani

(I prepared this post last week on sunday, as I have been doing them ahead of time – lucky me when I decided to post this that it said “wishing you a happy monday” – love when things work out – silly, eh?  These sessions are two weeks old, sorry for the lack of a preview to these families, as they have already received their galleries)

D.’s beautiful momma and daddy – she’s glowing, and for good reason =)

If the reason she’s glowing isnt born a girl, there’s a chance that D. will be calling him by the girl name he has already appointed to it!

Auntie C. came along per D.’s demands.  And thank goodness she did, she was obviously put to good use handing D.’s new friend. Lake Erie Special find, right there.

It was so nice to spend a good portion of this day with D., his mom, and my kids.  It’s hard living far away from friends I care so much about!

Next up… a post full of tiny babies that I am sure you will enjoy =)

Have a great tuesday,

xo

dani

ps: there are a few new images weeded into the slideshow at the top!