Month: February 2011

Maternity & Newborn – two of the brief moments in time.

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Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Ok… so you’re pregnant feeling radiant, with glowing cheeks and a smile on your face.  Well – lets be honest, some of us feel that way for some of the pregnancy or pregnancies.  EVERY pregnant woman does have a beautiful glow and the state of pregnancy is such an amazing thing as it is.  Maternity portraits are a great way to document that amazing time in your life and remember what a beautiful journey it really was for you and your family.

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

I tell people this all the time, and when you are pregnant – it is likely that you hear it from more than one of your friends, family – and even strangers.  Your new baby is born and before you blink your eyes they get big.  I’m not just talking about the difference between tiny bundle to crawling and walking either.  I couldn’t be more serious when I say they only look like a “newborn” for a couple weeks in most cases.  Don’t put off those amazing first couple weeks when your newborn is still in a slight state of slumber is the best time to get those curled up, sleepy time newborn images that make you say “Awhhhh”.  They make amazing birth announcements and a perfect way to start your child’s memories.  My children still point to photos of when they were newborns with pride and always ask for us to tell them stories of when they were babies – and my boys are only 3 and 4 years old right now.  It means the world to them as much as it does you.

For the LOVE of chocolate

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Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

I personally don’t think I found the “Love of chocolate” until around the time of my 2nd child.  Now – well…. sometimes I can’t stop thinking about it.  It is a nearly universal “sweet” and therefore…. perfect for weddings where so many people and tastes come together.

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Now, I’ve seen chocolate cake, chocolate cupcakes, chocolates, chocolate fountains (the fountains FYI are a disaster on a bride’s dress), so want to offer up “fondue” as a possiblity for some sweetness at the end of the wedding day.  Fruit with chocolate is divine.   It may still be a tad messy… but at least at the table, you can “tuck” a napkin instead of standing near a splashing fountain!

So for a CHOCOLATE FONDUE SENSATION I have to direct you to the MUY BUENO blog for some yummy recipes – and in particular, a mexican style fondue chocolate that makes you say mmmmmmmmm.

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Memory

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Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

~From the television show The Wonder Years

 

My boys: Jeanine Thurston

It is hardly ever more apparent that memories are so important – than the moment you bring a child into the world, fall in love or lose a loved one.  Each person, place, thing that we love makes us who we are and guides us to make choices on where we will go in life.  Photographing love & life… or maybe it is photographing the Love of Life is what has made me notice the little things that make each of us who we are.  Because the older we get the faster time seems to pass; our lives can become so busy that we loose some of those precious memories that brought us to where we are today.  Images allow us a joyful recollection of past events – and take us to places we once were, back to feelings we once had, and are a gateway to what brought us to where we are today.  It isn’t just people… it is expressions, giggles, smiles, pouty lips & tears, it is creations of our work anywhere from building, to art or even cooking – and encompasses a lifelong journey.  These memories are not only precious to us in preserving some of the footprints of our path, but are a joyful way to share our past with our future.  Our children, grandchildren and generations to come can learn from our beaten path.  Learning how we once once lived, and who and what we loved helps them in their journey to their future.

It is way beyond a picture on a piece of paper – it is about melding the past & present, gaping  generations, healing old wounds, and shedding tears in memory of the love and life we have had, and sharing with everyone.

I remember my first dog, going to school, blowing bubbles, my grandma’s smile, the smell outside after a spring rain, photographing my first wedding, my wedding day, my home growing up…. and yet, the visuals of people’s faces, expressions can be faded at times.  I have an image of my son’s tiny feet with my husband kissing them, and one of me snuggling my 1st son, and although I remember it happening – there is nothing like looking at that image and actually feeling that same feeling, as if it was just yesterday.

– Jeanine Thurston

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston