River Falls, Wisconsin was the setting and on the scene were a set of twins and their sparkling mom. The boys are the finest gentlemen I’ve had the privilege of working with and their mom’s personality bubbled over the top. Our day included the sites of this charming little town and ended in a fireworks session that was so fun, even the geese wanted to be part of the action. Rock on River Falls!
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On a quintessential Minnesota Fall day, I met this blonde haired, blue eyed family at their local park and magic just happened. The kids showcased their magnetic personalities, struck pose after pose and then went to play their hearts out at the park. And their equally as magnetic parents didn’t miss a beat. Pure perfection!
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Three lovely kids, two doting parents, and one cherished dog would normally be a dream to photograph. Kids that not only so graciously follow my lead to get the best shot, but also look out for each other and look for opportunities to make them all shine in unison. That’s family photography gold. But we got even luckier with the beauty that is Minnesota in the fall. And how can you resist lakeside settings without skipping a stone or two. In all, I would consider this a supremely successful family shoot. Take a look.
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On a recent Sunday morning on the verge of a rainy day, I met Jake and Will, their hysterical mamas and their ever prepared grandma and we set out to have some good old fashioned boy fun. They swung, they jumped, they slid, they raced, they showed off their basketball skills, and they impressed us with their excellent Lego creations. All we needed was a park, some favorite toys, and pure boy energy. The rest just happened.
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It happened. To me. Something I never thought I would become has snuck up on me and given my mini-van purpose.
I have become a Sports Mom.
Please know, I have nothing against other sports moms, even prior to my recent transformation. I just had visions of my child-filled evenings full of spontaneous mini adventures and spur of the moment water fights.
Naturally, as any photographer sitting in the rain, sleet, snow, glaring sun, or blistering heat would, I decided to make lemonade and seize that photographic opportunity. And so I did. And that’s when the transformation to Sports Mom no longer had a hint of bitterness to it. Because what I saw on the other side of my lens was the epitome of girl power. And that’s really what this post is all about.
Look at these girls. They wear goggles whose design was borrowed by 1980 orthodontic head gear. They wear mouth guards that make their lips protrude. To properly defend their goal, they scream in the opposing girls’ faces. They’re 12 and they’re powerful and they’re learning the lessons that this Sports Mom had always hoped 12 year old girls would learn. And they’re wonderful.
The team worked together to learn the ins and outs of the (highly complicated) game, cheered each other on and helped build each other up, they listened to and respected their coach who embodies girl power, and they not only prevailed, but they excelled with grace and joy. I sit on the sidelines so proud not only of their athletic achievements but of the strong and confident women they are becoming. Take a look for yourselves.
