I was so excited to photograph this sweet family again. I photographed them about 2 years ago and absolutely loved meeting them and spending time with them. I knew I was going to love this session because when mom contacted me she wanted me to get some outdoor family photos and to get some of them in their home just documenting their everyday. Which is one of my favorite things to do! Enjoy this sweet session of this beautiful family. 
I love to photograph this family. They are the best. I think I love them so much because they remind me so much of my own family. Our sessions always consist of lots of knock knock jokes and plenty of little boy humor, aka, replicating sounds of certain bodily functions. haha! I'm always so excited to see them and catch up with them. Enjoy their sweet session from this fall.
My first session of the year was shooting this sweet little guy and his family for his first birthday party. It was perfectly done. Beautiful home with adorable decorations and lots of friends and family to celebrate this little one. Happy Birthday Nash!
Wow! What a year. Thank you all so much for being a part of it. I am so, so grateful for your support and for trusting me with these moments for you. Have a happy and blessed New Year and I hope to see you in 2016!
2015 has been a really great year for me photographically. I started the year really wanting to see more growth in my work and also really wanting to keep the business side of my passion from taking over and destroying the reason I originally fell in love with photography, which is documenting the life of my family. If you aren't a photographer, that may sound odd to you but when your passion is also your business, it's easy for the lines to get blurred doing what I love, and before I realized it, I looked back on our images from 2014 and I just didn't see "us." Don't get me wrong, I had taken lots of photos but most of them were just at events, birthdays and holidays, or me trying to wrangle us all up for a posed shot when we were all decently dressed. Ha! But I didn't feel like, when I looked back over the year, that I could see our story, the real Sams fam. So, on New Years Day, January 1st 2015, I decided to do a project 365. I decided I would document my family every day and be committed to it. I have heard photographers over and over say that they think that's one of the main contributing factors to their growth and that was another one of my goals for the year so I figured why not! I won't lie though, I was super skeptical going into it. I had attempted a project 52 before, which is ONE photo per week, and I gave up after about 4 weeks. So, I gave myself a starting goal of 100 days. Once I made it there, I had fallen in love. Fallen in love with shooting for myself again, fallen in love with the images I had captured of my children and felt truly refreshed as a creative. I was beginning to study the light in my home, seeing things in a new way, and feeling energized to shoot client work again as a result. I have had such incredible feedback throughout the year that I wanted to share some of my tips to successfully complete your own project 365.
1. Don't follow rules
This may seem odd to a lot of people because I know following a themed 365 or even project 52 can really push you creatively, but ultimately, it's the reason I never completed my first project 52 years ago. I have 3 small children, run a small business and homeschool our oldest so my plate is pretty full. So for me, from the get go I knew I couldn't follow a theme or place too many rules on myself. I knew if I had to follow rules for each picture I would never get it done. When I started, I had no theme for my overall project. In the end, I do think it evolved into our beautiful everyday but sometimes I included a landscape or even client work. I do think weekly themes can be really beneficial for a project 52 but for a 365, I would leave it open to whatever comes your way so you don't feel overwhelmed daily with an extra task. Sometimes it's enough to just take one photo, much less follow a theme. So for me the only real rule I had was: take a picture every day. :)
2. Use your phone
I'll admit that my goal was definitely to complete this project with my DSLR but from the beginning I told myself it wasn't against my rules to use my phone. (Again with the "no rules") After all, it's almost always with me and editing is fast and easy. Plus it's so much easier than lugging around a huge camera with you. I know lots of people who complete their 365 completely on their mobile device and they are fabulous! So that's also a great idea as well especially if you don't own a DSLR.
3. If you miss a day, don't throw in the towel
Like I said before, I was really skeptical that I would even make it to 100 days in the beginning, so I told myself, I wouldn't give up if I missed a day. And I did. (hangs head in shame) I missed 3 days. I didn't miss my first day until about 6 months in and the other two were during my busy season when I was also in my first trimester and very sick. But! I didn't let that stop me. I kept going and even though I missed 3 days, I still consider this 365 day project a total success. I mean don't you remember ^^^ I have THREE small children with a 4th on the way. Sometimes life is just busy and if there is anything I have learned as a mother it is to have grace upon myself and others. So, if you do miss a day, don't give up!
4. Share your photos somewhere
I really think sharing my photos with others really encouraged me to continue the project. Now, I'm not saying I place value on an image based on the amount of likes or comments it gets, in fact probably most of my favorite images got very few likes or I may not have even shared them, because I know the story behind each one, so they all have their own personal significance to me. But, the words of encouragement I've received throughout the year have really helped me to press on when I didn't feel creative or even have the energy to continue. Things like (these are direct quotes) "your children will cherish these", "When she's fully grown you will still hear her sweet voice at this very moment in time. I love all your pictures BUT these dailies they're ordained by GOD.", "Bethany my work environment is, um, oppressive. Yes. Oppressive. You have no idea how much I look forward to your pictures. The innocence of their beautiful faces brightens my day. Really." I mean seriously. These words encouraged me SO MUCH. I heard over and over that my children and I will cherish these and nothing could be more true. When I started, I thought I would share every photo on my Facebook account and instagram but life got busy and although I was shooting, I didn't always have the time to edit every day and I fell behind on sharing so I just started sharing my favorites when I had time. So, again, I didn't place a big rule over my head that made me feel like a failure (and ultimately make me quit) if I didn't get a chance to edit and share every single day. There are lots of places to share...Facebook, IG, Flickr, even emailing a loved one privately. You choose and you can make it as public or private as you want. Just share with someone so you will receive encouragement along the way to continue and complete your project.
5. Know that every image you take will not be portfolio worthy and that's ok
Whether you are a professional photographer or not, when you take on the task of completing a project 365 every image is NOT going to be compelling, creative or even interesting. Ha! But just remember the ultimate goal here is to document your life and experience growth as a photographer. Well, those were my goals and if those aren't your goals just keep YOUR goals in mind and know that every day won't be perfect. In fact most days won't be. But remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Growth takes time. But I promise that if you stick with it, you will see growth and you will be so grateful to come out on the other side and see where you came from and where you are at that point and ALL those beautiful memories you made a long the way.
So, in conclusion, I encourage you to start a project 365 this year. You won't regret it. If you do, and want some encouragement along the way use hashtag #BSP2016365 and I'll be looking for you and your images on IG. I'd love to even regram some images weekly on my account to help encourage one another. I hope this encourages you guys and you go for it this year! As a result of my 365 this year and the interest I've had from other mothers, I've also decided to teach some basic photography classes for moms who want to learn to better document their every day. The details are still in the works and I'm currently writing my teaching materials but the class will be one full day and will be focused on using a DSLR in manual mode, basic editing in Adobe Lightroom as well as lighting, composition and how to tell a story with your images. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for details when they are available. I hope you guys have a great New Year in 2016!
I get to share a really special birth story with you tonight. It is always such an honor to photograph a birth because it's such an intimate day for a family. The days your children are born are right up there with your wedding day. It's one of the most important days. So, to be invited into that space is very special to me. And this family is so incredibly special to me. For starters, I photographed the birth of their last son and I've been able to photograph them several times in between there. I've had the incredible blessing of getting to know them and they are the real deal. Incredibly loving, generous spirits, hearts for Jesus. Spending time with them during 2 births has truly been like spending a morning with great friends. Two years ago this Spring, I photographed Ashley's brother Hunter and his beautiful bride Amber for their wedding. I had never done a wedding before and they called me the Tuesday before Easter to say Hunter and Amber were coming in town and decided to get married and they wondered if I would consider photographing it on Saturday....in 4 days. Ha! Since they promised me it would be a really small wedding and I just loved their family so much, I agreed. Let me tell you, I have never seen two people more in love. I still remember when I was photographing them after the wedding alone, I could have sworn they forgot I was there. They were just so happy to be together. It was such a special day and I am so grateful I got to document it for them. Two weeks before this birth story unfolded, Ashley's brother Hunter passed away tragically. The weeks that followed were excruciatingly painful for Ashley and her family as they mourned their incredible loss. Those two weeks, the Lord sustained Ashley's pregnancy and she was able to deliver after they had returned home from their travels.
Ashley wanted me to include..." After a minor complication, I was sent for induction on the two week anniversary of his passing. It was both a joyful and heartbreaking experience. My family, including my brother's wife and child were able to make it shortly after delivery. We changed Judah's name from Jonathan Judah to Judah Hunter, in his honor. We were so grateful that you had met him briefly and were no stranger to the full circle experience that was Judah's birth. We truly believe you were meant to be our birth photographer for this birth and that the Lord began orchestrating that years before we could even comprehend the steps."
The Lord truly was present on this day. I got to see this family experience joy through an incredibly painful circumstance. The day was filled with love and laughter and full of joy. Judah Hunter is a very blessed boy to be surrounded by such a loving family. I pray for continued peace and comfort that only our Father can bring for this family. Congratulations Williams family! Looking forward to seeing your family grow in the Lord.
*Ashley wanted me to also include a few photos from Hunter and Amber's wedding.
Now for this family's beautiful birth story..... Be sure to watch the video at the end. Enjoy!
https://vimeo.com/149233152
So, if you haven't heard me talking about how in love I am with Nicole and her styling services and how much I love offering that to clients, PLEASE let me introduce you! :) Nicole has been a wonderful friend of mine for years and I have loved that we partnered up this year to start offering these services to my clients. All of my clients that have worked with her, love her. I even had clients at my Christmas sessions that were scheduled between two other families that were styled by her, immediately contacting her after their session to book her services because they were so impressed after seeing her work. She's fabulous. Really, I can't say enough about her. If you want more deets on her styling services be sure to check that out here. BUT besides that, I just LOVE her and her family to pieces. I mean, really, she is a dear friend and am so thankful the Lord put us together as friends. This fall, I got to photograph her and her beautiful crew. And of course, she styled them. Don't they look amazing? Love you Wise family!
I'm wrapping up these Christmas tree farm mini sessions tonight and I just loved getting to meet and photograph this sweet family. They were truly a joy to work with and their kiddos were the sweetest. Merry Christmas Robinson Family!
Out of all my Christmas sessions this year I only had 2 new clients (because my previous clients snatched these sessions up so quickly :) ) and this sweet family was one of those. I am so glad I got to photograph them because they were just such a joy to be with. Their boys were so sweet and I immediately hit it off with mom. Their session was one of my favorites this year because it was just so easy to see how much they love each other. Merry Christmas Raby family! I look forward to getting to know your family more! HMUA by Nicole Wise
I love getting to photograph this sweet family. I've been photographing them since their last baby was born and I just love getting to spend time with them. Merry Christmas Parker Family! Style by Nicole Wise
I love seeing my BSP babies grow! Sweet Caroline is a Christmas baby and I got to photograph her for the first time as a newborn, you can see that here. I've completely fallen in love with their family and I just felt instantly connected to her mama the first time we met. You know those people you are just completely comfortable around as soon as you meet them? Yep, that's her mama. I am so glad I've been able to photograph them over the past two years and see this sweet girl grow. Merry Christmas Hunt Family!
Merry Christmas to you and yours this week! I am going to try my best to get all these sweet Christmas tree farm sessions blogged since most cards should be out now. (although I just sent mine today, yikes!) I love this sweet family and it is such a joy to photograph them. I can't wait to meet their new little one just next month!
Oh my goodness how I love this family and if you know them, you do too. They were some of my very first clients and I have been able to photograph them many times and I am so happy to say that they have become much more than clients, but treasured friends. Lexi and I have connected through motherhood and I love that the Lord has brought us together to pray for and encourage one another. I was so glad we got to do a family session this year with them at the Christmas tree farm. This crew always keeps me laughing and this session was no exception. I hope you enjoy these photos of this beautiful family. Merry Christmas Rice Family!
I can't believe that today we celebrated our Ellie's 4th birthday. 4 just seems so big to me. She is definitely the wild card in our family. She keeps us on our toes and definitely keeps a smile on our faces. Her smile seriously lights up a room. I am beyond blessed and so so incredibly in love with her. I always thought I would only have boys. I just thought it suited my personality more but I cannot imagine not having her and how she brings such a sweetness to our family. She's got her daddy wrapped around her finger. Tonight he was looking at photos of her with me and he said "when she gets married, you're going to have to carry me out of there on a stretcher because I'll be weeping so much." My heart. I love her. Thank you Jesus for the sweet gift you have given us in this precious little life. Happy Birthday baby. -Mama
I can't say enough how sweet it was to photograph this sweet family. I've gone to church with Mark and Ashley for years and it's been a blessing to see their family grow. Their little ones are precious and they made my job so easy. Enjoy these sweet photos of this lovely family.
I love getting to photograph this family. They have been with me since the early days of my business and I am so thankful to still be photographing them! Merry Christmas Martin Family!
Continuing on the Christmas tree farm mini parade tonight! I love getting to hang out with this wonderful family. These boys are seriously sweet as pie and so much fun!
Oh my goodness! I love Christmas tree farm sessions. Every year I love them more. I don't usually post these until close to Christmas but since Thanksgiving is over, I figured I could go ahead. Plus I officially got the go ahead from mom because the cards went out today and I have seen it and I didn't spoil it! :) I've been fortunate enough to photograph this family several times and I always look forward to spending time with them. They are just so sweet and loving with each other as you can see! I look forward to sharing more from these fun sessions over the next few weeks! Merry Christmas!
I recently got to shoot a very special and wonderful family. I've known Staci for several years because we used to go to church together. This year their family experienced a tremendous loss in the tragic and unexpected loss of their husband and father. When Staci reached out to me for their session, she told me how now she realizes how important family photos are and that she wanted to capture her family right now. Even though they have experienced great loss, the Lord is sustaining them and has even brought them joys through their sorrow. Photography is so much more than a business or even a hobby to me. The Lord has brought me several families this year who have been going through gut wrenching trials and He has used me for His Glory to minister to His people with this gift of photography. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to toot a horn when I say that. I only say that to bring attention to the incredibly loving God we serve and how He cares about even the details. We are His beloved. He calls us chosen, his children. He loves us so much. So much, that he would use something as seemingly insignificant as a photo session to bring us joy in the midst of pain. He cares for us. Even through the trials and most difficult seasons, He is there. Always. The whole time I edited this session, I listened to "Ever Be" by Kalley Heiligenthall with Bethel. You can hear it here. I wanted to write the lyrics here because I felt it was so fitting for this family.....
Your love is devoted like a ring of solid gold Like a vow that is tested like a covenant of old Your love is enduring through the winter rain And beyond the horizon with mercy for today
Faithful You have been and faithful you will be You pledge yourself to me and it's why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips
You Father the orphan Your kindness makes us whole You shoulder our weakness And Your strength becomes our own You're making me like you Clothing me in white Bringing beauty from ashes For You will have Your bride
Free of all her guilt and rid of all her shame And known by her true name and it's why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips
You will be praised You will be praised With angels and saints we sing worthy are You Lord You will be praised You will be praised With angels and saints we sing worthy are You Lord
and it's why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips
I just realized today it's been almost a month since I've blogged! This busy season has been wonderful but with busy season+homeschool+first trimester nausea and exhaustion, I've been whooped! Thankfully, things are slowing down a bit and I'm not hugging the toilet quite as much these days so I'm finally able to start sharing these gorgeous sessions I've been doing this fall. I have so much to share and am so so excited to show all these gorgeous families to you. I wanted to start tonight with this sweet family. I recently shot their oldest son Jake for his Senior session and just a few weeks later we had a full family session together. These guys were so much fun to spend a gorgeous fall evening with. Enjoy these sweet photos!
