Entries Tagged 'children' ↓

More of these photos are on facebook

I graduated with my Early Childhood Education degree a little over a year ago and I am not a teacher.

Even though I really love what I get to do now, it still sometimes bums me out that I haven’t put the degree to functional use aside from my parenting.

I studied children with a passion.  I delved into readings on cognitive development and learning styles. I often take for granted how much I enjoy being around children, and getting to interact and relate with them.

But today I understood that photographing children is the little niche where my interests can come together.

On this photoshoot I felt those nuances of child observation seeping up.  I spent some play time with each child individually, looking for their personal little traits to come through and for them to get comfortable with me.   Then I could just watch for the moment that they reacted to the fun time we were having.

In those moments of play children become themselves.

I felt so privileged that these children wanted to hold my hand and give me hugs and enjoyed spending some play time with me.  And I got to bond some with two new loving little people.  I hope I gave them them something they can look at when they aren’t so little and still make them smile.

It’s been a while since I had photographed these awesome kids.   It’s often shocking to see how different kids look in such a short amount of time.  I guess they all have to grow up, but in my mind they had stayed exactly the same as when I photographed them the year before.  I had a lot of fun with this group, and they got along sooo well!   Good job mom.

Also…I’ve finally created a facebook fan page.

Mwangaza: (Swahili)  shining light

On Tuesday the always fabulous Miss NeKa coordinated the appearance of The Mwangaza Children’s Choir on Great Day SA, and invited me along to enjoy the performance (oh yeah- and to take some photos).

According to The choirs site “The group, based in Ggaba, Uganda, tours for Africa Renewal Ministries (ARM) to raise awareness and resources for churches, schools, orphanages, medical clinics and child sponsorships to worship, minister and share their message of hope through song and dance.”

The pureness,  joy, and abilities of these children’s voices was uplifting, and the harmonization of the chorus was awe inspiring.  What got me the most was when host of Great Day SA Bridget Smith let it be known that the orphaned children in the process of touring were also hoping to find families.  Can you imagine the lives that could be changed if one of these ambitious talented children was given the opportunities afforded to us?  Most of these children are of age that they only need a house to reside in for a few years, but a family to continue to look out for them as they make their way in the world.  It makes me think that my little miss Scarlet Sky may have hope for a sister after all…give me a few years

If you haven’t seen the group yet please check them out either in SA or out SXSW for FREE!!!

The Goff family picked a jewel of an afternoon right smack dab in the middle of a week of grey clouds.  This family was so genuinely sweet.  It is always wonderful to see parenting with gentleness and respect to the child.   I don’t know how Kelly manages three boys under five…hats off to her!

Check out the blues on these boys!

I can hardly believe my little angel brought to earth will be turning five this Thursday.  I am so blessed to get explore the world through the love and light of such a precious child.  If only I could just press pause and keep her cuddled close like this forever.

Monday was Scarlet Sky’s first day in Pre-K at The Carver Academy, and I’m happy to say everything went as smooth as butter!  My little fashionista was super excited to get to wear her new uniforms which she had been waiting oh so patiently for.  First matter of business for her was to give papabear a call and let him know that she was about to go to school!  We got there just in time and I was able to accompany her to chapel.  There is nothing sweeter than to hear a room full of children’s voices worshiping the lord with all the passion of a pure heart.  I had held back the tears until then, but it was just so beautiful I couldn’t help but shed a few.  We are so happy for the coming school year and all the opportunities she will have at The Carver Academy.  She will be studying Spanish, Japanese, and German every week; Music class twice a week were she will begin learning to read music, play the recorder, and the piano; chapel every morning;  she gets her own XO laptop, palm pilot, and iPod; the school had a recording studio with top of the line equipment, a broadcasting studio, a planetarium, and sooo much more!  It’s going to be a great year!!

It was a real joy having the opportunity to photograph this family at the Japanese Tea Gardens.  I first met Susmita, Prabir, and little Aryan when my daughter was a new born and their family lived a few doors down form us.  Scarlet would hang out in her sling while one year old Aryan toddled around, and Susmita and I would chat.  We moved away and didn’t see them again until it was time for Scarlet to begin Montessori school, and who should be in her class but little Aryan!  Now Aryan and Scarlet have renewed their friendship as full blown kids.  Aryan is such a wonderful child…full of life, energy, with excellent manners, and smart as can be! Susmita asked me take some pictures of her family while her parents were visiting from India.  We had a great time at the Tea Gardens…here are a few of my favorites.