the moyer family :: 09.02.11

strength in friends.

strength in family.

strength in self.

 (love you jen)

xo

dani

Welcome baby Mackenzie – and a special thank you to your BEAUTIFUL Mommy and your loving Daddy for coming over to be our models!  Taylor, my student, was an amazing help and took a few really nice ones herself.  I got two neat new wood tree pieces from an awesome woodmaker in California and I couldnt be more delighted with how they turned out. I cant wait to use the other one, too!

There really isnt too much for me to say here – I think they speak for themselves <3 Mom Keri and I used to be in a local bridal show for a bridal shop my grandparents owned when we were little. I think it’s so neat when you have the opportunity to know someone almost your entire life and see all of the wonderful things they accomplish and the beautiful families they grow.

And THANK YOU for the awesome feedback on my post yesterday. Whether it was a “like”, a comment here or on facebook, or an email – I am so thrilled that I reached you, if I did.  I like to write and always wonder if my personal life fits in on here. I suppose yes and no.  But I am so blessed to have such awesome support(ers).

All of my love,

xo

dani

- George Eliot

When we are sad, we are in a depressed state of mine.

When we are elated, we are in a happy state. Not moving, static state.

This is the state of being a family, of three.

Amiee and Zeb will be married July 30, 2011.  We did their engagement session back in November, before Thanksgiving but I am just now getting around to sharing a few (okay, a lot) from their session.  Given the sun came out right as we finished, I was a bit nervous about the potential lacklustre of an extremely overcast and windy day.  I’m not talking gently cloudiness that is diffusingly pleasent, here, either.  The wind calmed and the sky opened up a bit and the perfect mix of color and memorable black and whites came alive.  I’m not a huge fan of too many black and whites when you’ve got beautiful color all around you, but some images are too timeless and simply call for a classic conversion.

Every now and then I get to shoot a wedding where either the couple, or the bride or groom has a child or children.  I get it that at times certain traditions or religious experiences frown upon it – but seriously? What in the WORLD is greater than a family coming together in this way? No, we do not need paper or a legal status to make a family.  But is sure is glorious when the joining of people, of families, is brought out in joyful ceremony and celebration.  I know first hand what this day will feel like for Amiee and Zeb (and Jr., as he’ll enjoy cake and dancing) and this is special.  When I shoot engagements for couples with children involved I love to have them come along.  I do not think it creats a “family photo opportunity” but a way for each member of this party to feel happy and comfortable. 

We are at best when surrounded by those who can see us when we first wake up inthe morning and still give us a smooch or a huge hug, so photographing everyone together preserves our  “at best”… at it’s best <3

There is no greater bond than that of the heart and mind – some people say it’s a blood thing – however the heart facilitates the life to our blood, combining it with the air we breathe when we laugh.

I share a special bond with Amiee.  We’ve met in passing via facebook and another client and friend of mine.  However we were both mutual friends of sweet Kelly – and I’ve shared moments of grief with Amiee that have given her a little space in my heart (not to overuse the word today).  I think once you cry with someone in A. walgreens and B. a bathroom – you’re friends for life.

xo

dani

Lots to do, lots to do.

Wedding weekend this weekend (YAY!).  I’ve only got oh… 9 different galleries to host by friday morning.  No stress! =)

It was obviously a busy last week with every make-up on the books and lots of next years wedding couples scheduling their sessions for late fall.  I am a bit tired, but not sure what that has to say for someone who’s up at 1:45 am and has to do reading group to a bunch of 1st graders in the morning… hmm!

The first two images are two girls I’ve known for a little while now, and one of the very first I ever photographed.  Littlest C. was under one year old at the time!  Oldest sister E. went to pre-school with my daughter and they were cute buddies together.  I always enjoyed their mother’s company, but as our girls went to different schools – we didn’t get to see eachother much.  It was crazy refreshing to see Mom and how much her beautiful, amazing daughters have grown up.

Baby B. is turning ONE here soon.  His session came in with some family portraits as well – dad was overseas when B. was born, serving our country.  These were their first family portraits and I decided to let them view them first before blogging them.  Thank you, Kyle – for your service to our country and for all of the sacrifices you made on our behalf.  Thanks also to technology; Kyle was even able to be “in the room” when little B. was born via computer connection.  I know very few military men and women but I admire each and every one of you who work so hard to maintain a family unit.  I cannot imagine what you go through, but I thank you.  B.’s mom was there for me at a challenging time in my life when I was in college, and I don’t know that I ever thanked her appropriately, but maybe only how I knew how to at the time. I hope she knows I am grateful. She’s a tough cookie, too.

Lastly, Jenny + Mitch.  I’ve known Jenny since… ohh…. well, our dads played softball together since I know for sure I was in diapers so I’m guessing it just goes back that far.  Our parents were friends growing up and we spent many a nights at eachothers houses while our parents would enjoy “wing nights”.  There was a lot of insane karaoke, hair-doing, and crazyness between Jenny, her brother, and my brother and myself (and a few others!) for years.  Then we all grew up (she’s a DOCTOR now!) and had our own activities to keep up with and life just happened.  I’ve had a lot of jobs or even just run-in’s with long lost child hood/high school/college friends and lately, they have just been such a pick-me-up.

Our lives may have went on in bewteen the times that we were in touch on a more regular basis…

…but it is always so cool to meet up with the people who, in one way or another, shaped who you became.

xo

dani

I’ll be the first to admit, this got bigger than me, and fast. Three years in, I never expected this and I’m still learning how to manage my time with my kids, home, and work.  I see my husband in there on occassion, too.

I had this big dream of E. going to a friend’s daycare for a few hours each week.  These hours were supposed to be magic and fly me through my september and my october, but guess what. He took time to adjust and it hasnt been as glorius as I’d anticipated.  Every mom knows any hours are precious that are even remotely free of the kids for just a little while.  I struggle with what to do in those three hours.  Photography work? House work (poor, poor neglected housework)? A nap (laugh)? An uninterupted shower? Groceries?  When he gives me chaos at drop off that knocks a good chunk, as does chasing him around the yard to get him in the car.  He does fine for his daddy-o – but he’s going through a “mom thing” where he doesnt want to leave my side and it’s heartbreaking sometimes.  But I have to almost force this – or he’s going to have problems later.  I suppose thats the downside to working from home, when they are here, they come first and my work becomes the slack.  This isnt fair to anyone who is waiting, however I ask your forgiveness.  I’m a young (how many more years can I say that?) mom and I admire the rest of you who’ve got it all figured out – or at least appear to.  Maybe I wont any time soon, but I will learn to manage it even better.  It’s been a hard year of personal hardships and losses, and I forgot to leave all of that at the door.  I need to refresh and get back to a better schedule that doesnt consist of a 3am bed time.  I need to get back to what I love – these guys, and the other little stinkers on my lineup

Meet birthday girl R. =)  Little sister to E., who’s been around all 3 years now.  Clients come and go, but the few I have that have been so supportive from the start are the ones who I have grown close to.  I know they say business and friendship/family do not mix, but I have met some of the most inspirational moms who have become such great friends to me through this.  I am blessed.  I even got a few in of sweet cousin L., who really didnt care a lot about me – but let me sneak a few in anway =)  We went back to Mom Angie’s homestead like we did when E. was just a bitty thing – I love going places that mean a lot.

E. has kind of become a little friend to me too – I hope I always know you and your fashionista self.  She took my shoes… stinker!  Watch out world…

So long for now.  So much going on, SO MANY SESSIONS to blog, so much news to report… so little time.  Please if you stop by, I’d love to hear from you.  I don’t get much interaction on here and it makes it hard to come back sometimes.  Did that sound desperate? It might have been. Eek.

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

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!

To start with…  I suppose, like the ones that were actually supposed to be mailed, I could have shared this with my readers BEFORE the Holiday Season, huh?

Hour Christmas was filled with bits of Toy Story, Hamsters that crow for some reason…

…and a sweet piece of vintage that was GOING to be mine on ebay at all costs (unfortunately!).  I remembered playing with a garage exactly like this as a kid at my Grandmothers house – hours of it, with my cousins. 

When I took it out of the original box it just blew my mind!  This thing is pristine – straight from the seventies – high quality goodness… ahh!  I got E. the 2008 version of this last Christmas and it was a hunk of JUNK like most toys now-a-days.  The bell dings, the elevator works no matter which way you turn the handle ( just like I recalled!) – it’s just a blast.  It’s the first thing the kids go for when we have little ones as visitors.  Doesn’t that take you back a little?

That’s about as far into my personal Holiday photos that I’m going to go But they are all in good fun.

Over my vacation I had the pleasure of photographing the S. family, who were in town from Tennessee staying with family the week before Christmas to visit

This little miss – right before I was winding down got suited up by mom in her cutie pie tu-tu – lollypop in hand, makes me love it so much.

Dad plays the guitar and the kids really dig it

Okay, onto other news!

You can now find two brief PDF guides that are current at my portfolio, or by accessing them below:

www.danielleluc.com/guides/sessionfee

www.danielleluc.com/guides/prints

There are a few minor changes in the way proofing will go this year, and each will give a brief detailing of general investment and expectations.  I’ve never had anyone question it until now – but as far as “delivery” – in terms of my business, this means your boxed items and presentation.  You will be asked to pick up your prints when they are available, however if I will in your neighborhood or if you are absolutely unable to swing by, I understand and will do my best to bring your purchases to your home.

As of this year, I will NO LONGER BE PHOTOGRAPHING SENIORS.  I’m begining to find my niche and where my abilities side best, and Senior Photography just simply isn’t one of them   I need to be able to put my heart and mind 100% into what I do, and I know there are plenty of amazing photographers out there in the area who can photograph seniors very awesomely   Sorry for any inconvenience this causes to anyone.

Fall Mini Sessions will also be available to my 2010 regular clients for the first selection.  Mini’s will proof 5-10 (I have yet to decide on this as of yet) images.  I get a lot of first-time clients for mini’s and they end up being  just as much work and almost the same amount of proofs as a regular standard portrait session (I cant help it!) – so this needs to be adjusted, so that each and every family that books is allocated time and talent fairly according to investment.  There will potentially be a standard mini available throughout the year, but this, too, as of yet is undecided.

A few new guidelines with what happens to your unordered images – at the end of the week long proofing, any UNORDERED images are discarded.  Any digital files on my harddrives that prints were ordered from are cropped to 8×12 format and will be stored on my harddrive at that time.  Should you wish to be able to order other prints  in the future that weren’t ordered from in your initial ordering session, you will need to consider a digital collection so that they are available to you for…ever! For example, should you decide you do not want to order any of image number 4, 16, and 18 – and you decide at a later date you wish to reactivate your gallery to order, those images will not be available – as only the ones you have ordered from will be present.  This cuts down on me adding undesired images to harddrive space.  This isnt typically an issue as Digital Collections are of huge demand at this point – but it is in effect for 2010 and beyond.

In likeness, the same goes for web images. Web images (facebook, myspace) are available for any ordered image.  You will be unable to obtain a web sized image for any unordered portrait.

I thank you all for your understanding in some of these changes!

Full pricing and wedding catalogs are available upon request, should you have any other inqueries for 2010 that are not answered in the above PDF’s.

Once again, thank you ALL for such an awesome 2009 and I’m just squealing inside with delight over starting my 3rd year, and the BEATUFIUL BRIDES that are awaiting this season!  Which brings me to one more thing:  THERE ARE NO MORE AVAILABLE BOOKINGS FOR WEDDINGS IN 2010 and JUNE AND JULY 2011 are currently booked.  If you are looking for 2011 – now’s about that time.

Okay, goodnight and glad to be back!

xo

dani

This post is special to my heart and so are these girls.  Take a deep breath – in… out…. good.  Okay – remember from here on out how good it feels.  Every breath we take is so special, it gives us life – and sometimes a moment of clairity and refresh.  K.  is the BEAUTIFUL mother so precious J.  She is one of the most positive, amazing, faithful go-getters you will find on this planet.  Her rage of love for J. and the hope she represents is mind blowing.  A few weeks ago K. became the recipient of a new set of puffers – thats right – they do lung transplants and they work and they are unbelieveable.  Please consider supporting Organ Donation causes and becoming one yourself if you are able - these beautiful smiles, these moments – they will keep happening now because of such a precious gift.

K. – I am ever grateful for your friendship, your inspiration, and for just knowing little J. – she makes me smile every time I see her and will certainly grow up to be the fabulous woman that you are.

Aren’t they just… lovely? I didn’t want to share more until I knew what she picked for her holiday cards, so I will wait for that!

I also wanted to share a bit more of G. and his perfect family – so sweet!

Another of precious Norah, too – how hard it is to wait when I post sneak peeks to pick and choose what I post before mom and dad get to view them all! I just adore this image.

Now meet Mr. & Mr.s D. and their brood – I love strong  bonds and the awesomeness of a coming together of families!

Hello, beautiful children.

I hope this finds everyone well, warm, and healthy.  Keep your eyes out for one more post before Christmas, I’ve been waiting since before Halloween to share my family photo because I only have one (thanks Jessie!) and it’s for my holiday cards!

Take care everyone, and thanks for reading.

Her teeny little blonde swirl on top of her teeny little head and those little ears… oh the joys of my job   I’d like to steal mom’s patterned chairs too, but she has a few kitties who like to use them as scratch pads that would fight me for them.

Doting Dad, Smitten Mom – Life is good

I have momentarily returned from my crisis that caused my LOA for a few days.  Trying desparately to get caught up.  Please be patient when waiting for responses to your inqueries

xo

dani