kyler, kamren, chase, peyton | children session

I can't believe that it has been 8 (!) years since Kelly and I moved in to the same neighborhood and were pregnant together. How does the time slip away? Since then, her family has moved twice, and we have moved to a different state. Oh, and she went and had a sweet little girl!

When I was visiting friends this summer, we were able to connect for a very short visit, and a mini session with her kids. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with our photo plans, as a HUGE thunderstorm rolled in about 20 minutes after I arrived. And the nice glowy evening light quickly grew too dark for a natural light session.

I did get to finally meet Peyton, who is quite a firecracker! She is the recipient of a lot of love from her three big brothers, and don't even get me started about how she has her mommy and daddy wrapped around those still-pudgy little fingers!

Peyton's arrival meant the end of the "R3SONS" custom license plate too. I could not believe how Kyler has grown and morphed from a boy into a young man. His changing voice kept catching my off guard! He was just 10 when I saw him last, and now he's this young teenager. Kamren is just a few months older than my son, and while he's grown taller, he still has the same sweet face I remember. Of course, Chase was only 4 the last time we hung out in the old neighborhood, and I wasn't prepared for how handsome he has become!

What I want to know is how these kids keep getting so much older when my friends and I just stay so young! *wink*

Seriously. He's killing me with those eyes! But don't let that serious look fool you... he is a complete joker and a ham. I just managed to snap this picture in between all his goofiness.

The light in the picture of Chase was the last glimpse we saw of the sun. The clouds rolled in. The sky opened up. The rain POURED down.

We waited under an overhang for the heaviest rain to pass, and then made a dash back to my van and their house.

Chase couldn't resist the puddle, despite being told to stay out, and I couldn't resist grabbing one last, quick pic.

Thanks, Kelly, for letting me photograph your beautiful family! We'll have to get together again for a full session the next time I'm in town.

abigail | newborn session

It's been a while since a new baby has joined our neighborhood, so we were all excited to welcome Abigail, but I think her big brother and sister were the most thrilled!

It doesn't matter how many newborns I see, I am always amazed at just how teeny, tiny they actually are. What an absolute miracle to have this brand new little person in the world!

I had so hoped for some sleepy newborn pictures for her parents, but she was wide awake and alert the entire time I was there. Seven days old and she did not want to miss one thing! She's going to keep her parents hopping...

I loved seeing how she was so connected to her big sister, Ava, and vice versa. As soon as I placed her in Ava's arms they could not keep their eyes off each other. It was like they were in their own private world.

Nicholas is such an energetic little boy, but he was completely gentle and relaxed with his new baby sister

Thank you for allowing me to document this special time for your family!

Matthew M. - Mooresville, NC Child Photographer

While traveling to visit my parents over summer vacation, I was blessed to have my best friend from childhood visiting her family during the same week! Since we moved to North Carolina and she moved to Indiana, our visits are few and far between. I couldn't resist taking some pictures of her vivacious, curious, handsome little boy.

She was apologetic that he wasn't "dressed up" for good photos, but he looked absolutely perfect to me. Exactly like the little boy he truly is. I could get lost in those gorgeous eyes! And don't even get me started on those pudgy little dimple-knuckled hands--those are some of my favorite baby bits... 

Her mom came down to play in the creek with us for a while too. I have so many memories of Miss Elaine (yup, I'm 41 years old and I still don't feel right calling her by just her first name!) being out in nature with us while we were growing up. She is a true farm girl, and so enjoys passing this love of nature on. I loved standing back and capturing some of their interactions and documenting the special relationship they share.

Valentine's Pictures - {Reunited}

I met my bestie, Steph, when we were both pregnant with our first children back in 1999. We were in the same Lamaze class, and our class had so much fun that we ended up having several reunions over the first few years of our babies lives. Steph, being the super organized, fabulous coordinator that she is, got the whole thing rolling with our first reunion about 6 weeks after the first baby was born. We discovered that we both had been doing scrapbooks for our babies, and started getting together fairly regularly in the evenings to work on them together.

And as our children grew, so did our friendship.

When our babies were just over a year old, we decided to do a Valentine's photo shoot together to make gifts for the dads. And of course we had to get some pictures of Ryan (mine) and Samantha (hers) together too! Because they loved playing together. And so a tradition began.

Each year we would get together just before, or on Valentine's Day and take pictures. The next year, Cameron (hers) joined our group. And I was VERY pregnant with Olivia and Katy the following year. And now we are five.

But then we moved. And timing just didn't work out for the next three years to be together at Valentine's. We were so excited when we realized that she and the kids would be traveling to visit us over Valentine's weekend this year!

We planned to get the kids all dressed up in red and white, and hoped that the weather would cooperate! I had just gotten my new 50mm lens and couldn't wait to give it a try.

There has been an old canoe abandoned by the lake in our neighborhood's park for about a year, and it made a perfect seating spot.

Steph and I are great complements to each other when it comes to taking pictures of our kids. She has a knack for photo styling and posing and getting them to smile (or act goofy...) while I stand back and fire away.

My focus fell a little soft on Cam--I used a bit too shallow setting for my depth of field. So glad that I tried this lens out for the first time on framily instead of a client! But I should mention how much I am loving this new lens overall. Look at that beautiful creamy bokeh (blurriness for you non-photog types) in the background! It is just so lovely and ethereal

I can't believe how old my boy has gotten. How have ten years gone by so quickly? And it just doesn't seem possible that he's gotten so much older when I haven't aged a bit! Okay, maybe a little bit.

See how Ry is smiling so nicely? This is so rare! But we always seem to get amazing pictures when he is totally relaxed and hanging with Sam. Their friendship has grown over the years too, and Steph and I may or may not have big plans. Or at least hopes. But we mostly just want them to both be happy. Honest! Livie is getting ready to totally crack up here, and Katy has that particular look because Steph is behind me with a HUGE branch and lifting up my hair. And possibly threatening to whack me upside the back of my head with it...

Ooops. We asked Katy to lean in a little closer. She's a very literal child, that one. And that beautiful bokeh! I think I'm in love with this lens.

Had to sneak in another one of my handsome little man. Loving those natural, relaxed, genuine smiles!

Sometime over the past 6 months or so, Cam suddenly grew up. Maybe it's the braces? I know his orthodontia has changed the shape of his face, but there's something in his eyes that looks so mature too. Or maybe it's because I got him in focus this time?

And when you put Sam and Cam together for a picture? Pure magic, I tell you! They are such pros thanks to a certain shutterbug mommy (I'm so jealous, Steph!).

By the way, have I mentioned how much I'm loving this new lens? Because it sure is loving these beautiful kids.

Will the Real Livie-lu Please Stand Up?

Everyone who meets Livie thinks that she is shy. They think that she is very quiet. And to be fair, that is the way she acts around people she doesn't know very well. It's also the way she acts at school, because the thought of getting in trouble for her behavior is not something she can handle.

It takes her a long time to show her true self to people, particularly adults. She needs to know a grown up for a while. Like years. And folks are always amazed when they get to meet the Livie we live with for the first time!

You see, she is a complete ray of sunshine in our home (except when she's not, and then she is rather whiney...). There is very little about her that is quiet.  And she has an amazing, dry sense of humor. She is forever making us laugh!

Oh, and she is nothing like her brother when the camera comes out... Then she really turns on the charm and begs me to take her picture! We always get such a kick out of looking back at outtakes from group photo sessions that she's a part of because her facial expression is so animated, and it changes in every. single. shot.

So while we're thankful that she is well-behaved at school. And it is probably a good thing that she is wary around strangers (even if she's known them for a year). We always look forward to the moment that she decides to introduce her true self.

Finding a Smile

I can not imagine what a challenge it must be for a somewhat shy child to have a professional photographer for a parent. I remember that I absolutely hated having my picture taken from the time that I was about nine years old. And that it didn't really improve until my braces finally came off after I turned sixteen.

When cameras were pointed in my direction, I'd hide behind my hands, hide behind furniture, quickly turn my back, or make a goofy face. I'm fairly certain that I drove my parents (and others) crazy with my unwillingness to be photographed. And now, unfortunately, there are very few good pictures of me at that age.

Of course, that was in the days of film. When it cost money to develop a roll of film, and you even had to pay for the bad ones!

Ryan isn't much different than I was at that age. He'll even hide behind a handful of pine needles!

Sometimes he hides behind his longish hair, and sometimes its behind his "too cool" attitude.

Perhaps if there had been digital cameras, there would have been more decent pictures of me (although with that l-o-n-g awkward phase I went through, this is still questionable!). I've found that at some point, after enough clicking, even Ryan's guard comes down and I begin to see his true, handsome self shining through.

Carolina Winters

There really is nothing like a gorgeous, Carolina winter day. Not every day can fall into this category, but they pop up with amazing regularity throughout this traditionally cold season.

They tend to start off like a typical winter day: brisk, chilly, warm coats required. But during the course of the morning they begin to warm. And by the time the kids get off the bus around 2:30, the coats have been crammed into the recesses of their backpacks.

These are the kinds of days where the option of playing indoors isn't even considered.

These are the kinds of days when your neighborhood friends come over as soon as they've finished their homework and you go exploring together. 

These are the kinds of days where you just can't stop smiling. 

These are the kinds of days where you enjoy that golden sun for as long as it shines.

These are the days where you can't wait to get more sticks and rocks and bricks to work on that fort that you've been building with your buddies in the woods.

These are the days that you will remember, and look back on fondly when the true chill of the season returns. And these are the days that will make you smile again as you look back on them once you are grown. 

There's No Birthday Like a First Birthday

I absolutely love living in North Carolina, except for how little I get to see my parents and my sister and her family. We made a special trip to visit over this weekend to celebrate my niece's first birthday, and it was just ONEderful

My girls got to play with my older niece, who has developed a fondness for doing art projects. My sister loves this new hobby too, as it is one of the rare times that Ally will sit still and quiet for any length of time!



The party theme revolved around winter and Beth had decorated the house with paper snowflakes she and Ally had made over the previous week. She had also found some crafts for the older children to make that had a winter/snow theme. Little did any of us realize how appropriate this would be given the two HUGE blizzards that hit the area where they live in the upcoming months!

Katy enjoyed her snuggle (and tickle) time with Grandad. It is such a wonderful thing to watch the relationship grow between my children and my parents. It fills my heart with love and adds a whole new dimension to my relationship with them. They all enjoy each other so much.

Gram especially enjoys the way that the youngest children in our little crew need her, and we all appreciate the break from some of those day-to-day tasks.

The house was filled with laughter as we played some of the games that we had received as Christmas gifts this year. 'A to Z' is one of our particular favorites, as is 'Apples to Apples.' There is nothing like being away from home so that time can be spent enjoying these simple moments of being connected. Focusing on the things that matter in our lives, as opposed to the chores that seem to steal our attention so often.

Mandy so enjoyed her new bell toy! She had all of us just beaming as she would carefully press the button on top of each bell.

Each time the bell would make a sound, she would just stop, as if she weren't quite sure where the noise came from.

Katy is such a care-taker, and has been for as long as I can remember. She loves to help other children. Throughout pre-school, she would take it upon herself to make sure that Livie was doing okay, to the point that she would worry about Livie excessively. Splitting them into different classes in Kindergarten was the best decision we made for both of them - Livie has had to learn to fend for herself, and Katy can concentrate on just herself. Although any time we are around younger children, Katy's little mommy instincts kick right in. She is going to be an amazing mama someday.

Of course I had to take the opportunity to attempt a few "formal" pictures with Beth and Mandy. After all, you only get to turn one once! And it is such a special moment for a mother since our memory of our child's arrival in our world is still so fresh.

In keeping with the winter theme of the party, Beth made amazing cupcakes decorated with silver sprinkles and sparkly snowflakes. While they look beautiful, the picture doesn't begin to describe just how wonderful they tasted! The cupcakes themselves were fabulously moist (especially the chocolate ones, although I may be a little partial since chocolate is my most favorite flavor). But then she frosted them with a swiss meringue buttercream frosting recipe that was pure heaven in your mouth. Perhaps it had something to do with the 2 POUNDS of butter?

I would love to know what the birthday child is thinking when everyone sings 'Happy Birthday' to them at their first party? Obviously they've never experienced this before: being the focus of attention while lots of people sing to them all at the same time. It must be a bit overwhelming! I know that it was also quite an emotional experience for me at each of my children's first birthdays.

It is quite easy to figure out what the birthday girl is thinking when she gets her very first ever taste of cake! I love the way that Beth is watching her--Beth's absolute adoration just fills my heart to the brim.

YUM!

You don't have to be the birthday girl to enjoy a cupcake...

Happy Birthday, beautiful girl. May this be the first of many more wonderful celebrations!

The Start of Something New

The thought of taking my love of photography to a new level has been simmering in my brain for years now. But the time has never been right. First the extra time required to take pictures for other people wasn't a commodity that I had. An energetic pre-school boy plus twin girls drained most of my time, and just about all of my energy!

Then my boy started school, and there was a little extra time in my day, but there was no extra money in our bank account to purchase equipment to take that next step.

And then we moved, and it took me a while to get acclimated to the changes that being at least 4-hours away from our closest family entailed.

And then the girls started school, and the idea of "going pro" began to seem like a possibility.

Sure, there were all kinds of things still taking up my time, but the reality is that there will always be something taking up precious time. And why not spend some of that time doing something that I adore? Why not start building a business? Why not? And I couldn't come up with any honest reasons not to do this.

So here I am, world! Anne Zirkle Photography (original, eh?). Join me in my journey while I build my portfolio, and document my life and the lives of others through photography.