our storybook morning

Dear, dear friends of ours Bobbi + Mike came into town this past week from Indy and we got to go see Ave. Q together, which was soooo much fun. Bobbi + Mike and John and I all run our own businesses, so we hardly ever make time for ourselves. So a double date night pretty much blew our minds. It was a pretty rare event and much over due. The only bad part? Time always goes by much too fast when we get together. šŸ™

While they were in town, Bobbi took some time to photograph the 3.5 Kings early that morning. The shoot took place in this gigantic field with a huge story book tree.

Bless Bobbiā€™s heart, she had to try to photograph a very adventurous three year old who LOVES to explore nature and LOVES to RUN. So she had her work cut out for her and, of course, still did an amazing job. Wanna see?

We did the shoot early in the morning (though we ran a smidge lateā€¦.opps!) to get this amazing light. Truth told, Iā€™ve never done a morning shoot like this. So it was a great learning experience for me. Iā€™ve never been a morning person, but after being a part of this, I can totally change my ways. Plus, thereā€™s no time to get all nervous before the shoot if its the first thing you do in your day!

Miles just entered this new stage where he makes weird faces when heā€™s watching someone or something. Like heā€™s super focused or something. So as Bobbi was doing her best to entertain Miles, he was doing this thing where he moves his jaw side to side. So getting a shot of Miles smiling here was a feat that I wasnā€™t sure was going to happen. (Though of course, those faces are part of his story too!)

Reading is such a big part of our life, so we had to make sure we brought a book along for our shoot. Iā€™m so glad Bobbi photographed the tree all by itself. That tree is so amazing. Our friend Gail had pointed it out to me last year when she was in town and itā€™s always been in the back of my head of places I wanted to visit. (Thanks for the location share Gail!) How old do you think that amazing tree is?

Look at this little sweet punkin. He loves to pick flowers and of course blow the dandelion seeds. Though the seeds on this one wouldnā€™t budge with the morning dew.

Oh Miles, you are gold. Just pure golden, squish-able, lovable, punkiny goodness. I want to eat those cheeks and kiss those tiny little perfect lips.

Ok, so I swear I really am in my third trimester and have a belly! I didnā€™t realize how that shirt makes my belly look smaller than it really is. I need to do some belly shots in a tighter shirt sometime, but I have just been so busy wrapping up orders. So look at how John looks at Miles. He is SUCH an amazing father. I love how you can see Milesā€™ crazy blue eyes here too. Oh and Bobbi totally blew our minds by taking that out of focus shot of us walking in the field. Itā€™s like she took a snapshot of a memory in our minds or something, if that could be possible. Genius!

If you know me, you have probably seen me wear that pink scarfā€¦many times. If you are a client of mine, youā€™ve probably seen me shoot in that scarf. I got it for my birthday a year ago and have worn it at least once a week for a year now. I LOVE IT. (I have it in yellow too but I think I look like crap in yellow.) I decided to wear it for my shoot because I know the Miles has seen that scarf a million times and I hope that 20 years from now, seeing this scarf in these photos will spark memories of our life during this time of his life.

Oh how blessed I feel that I have such talented friends that are willing to come and capture my family. Bobbi + Mike are insanely busy photographers (like the hardest working photographers Iā€ll ever know) so it means even more to us that she not only gives of her creativity and energy but her time as well. Also, being photographed by one of your best friends is so special and means so much. Bobbi + Mike are truly a blessing in our life. Not just because we get to spend time in front of her camera, but because they really are super awesome people. Itā€™s just a bummer that (like most of my friends) they donā€™t live in the same city I do!

Before I shush and send you to Bobbiā€™s blog, you must know that doing a shoot in nature like this took some preparation and lots of post shoot clean up. I didnā€™t want anyone seeing this shoot and trying one without being prepared. It was the morning after a rainy weekend and morning shoots are wet anyway from the dew so I brought extra shoes for all of us, including boots, garbage bags to protect our knees and bottoms, snacks and blankets. (Though I sure was fooled by my supposed ā€œwaterproofā€ blanket, which was SO not waterproof. Thanks for nothing Eddie Bauer!) When we were done shooting we were all filthy, damp, hungry and wore out, but totally exhilarated by the beautiful morning. Miles and I took the best naps ever that afternoon. Hereā€™s an iphone pic of the clean up I had when we got home. Iā€™m still scrubbing muddy shoes, but it was all definitely worth it to have such a precious shoot!

Bags

Ok, Iā€™m going to shush now and send you over to Bobbi + Mikeā€™s blog to see the rest and read her adorable and sweet commentary: CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BLOG POST.

Thanks again Bobbi doll! We feel so very, very blessed to have these photos and your oh so real friendship. I canā€™t wait to hear what Miles says about them someday.

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  • MicheleMay 8, 2010 - 9:24 am

    Beautiful pictures, Iā€™m sure to be cherished by your family for years to come. I have to ask, where the heck is that fabulous tree, canā€™t believe itā€™s in Northern Indiana?

  • Wendy ZMay 8, 2010 - 10:32 am

    Betsy I can’t believe how wonderful these are. WOW! Amazing work bobbi, as always. You have so many options for very large canvases in your home! Love them all. Wendy Zippwald

  • melMay 8, 2010 - 4:14 pm

    your family is beautiful! wonderful pictures!

  • MichelleMay 8, 2010 - 11:03 pm

    These pictures absolutely capture your warm and loving ā€˜Mommy gazesā€™. Beautiful.

  • CaraMay 9, 2010 - 8:08 pm

    Those photos are AMAZING! What a wonderful memory you will all have! Do you know by any chance what lens Bobbi used to capture the photo of the tree with the 3 of you in the corner. I am pretty new to photography and love how she was able to capture that shot! Thanks!

  • JennaMay 10, 2010 - 3:10 pm

    Betsy – these are awesome photos. I can’t wait to see you share what you’ll print and hang. I always need ideas! It is SOO important to document each stage of life, isn’t?

  • JamieMay 10, 2010 - 9:03 pm

    Where is this tree?! It’s wonderful!

  • Maya LaurentMay 11, 2010 - 10:26 pm

    Love the photos Betsy! You 3.5 are so adorable!!! And, yes, please post a belly shot because I think I might look like you now at 3 months!!!

  • Heidi GarciaMay 13, 2010 - 2:32 pm

    Love Bobbi’s photo’s šŸ™‚ you all look great!

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