I am busting at the seams and profoundly excited [do I have your attention yet??]

Please allow me this opportunity to announce my affiliation with the Pictures of Hope Foundation!  As you know, photography is my passion and I could not be more honored to be able to share my gift in this way.  Please read on for more information on just what POH is and how you can be involved too…

What is the Pictures of Hope Foundation?

Pictures of Hope is a charitable organization of professional photographers who provide complimentary, documentary-style, photography sessions to babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their families.  The Pictures of Hope Foundation is comprised of photographers (many of whom are “NICU mothers” themselves) from across the United States and Canada who are dedicated to donating their time to a cause they believe in, and sharing the gift of photography with families in need.

Why Pictures of Hope?

Throughout pregnancy most parents don’t anticipate the possibility of their baby needing to stay in the NICU after birth. Whatever that reason may be, time spent in the NICU is often an unexpected journey for families, a journey full of overwhelming emotions…sadness, confusion, hope, celebration, and unfortunately, at times grief. Throughout this roller coaster of emotions, many parents do not consider the importance of documenting these precious moments in their lives nor do they think about how much they will truly cherish these images years down the road. In some cases, a little extra TLC from the NICU is needed to be sure the little one gets off to the best possible start, for these families on the road to well being, photographs are a wonderful reminder of just how far their little one has come, however, photographs also play a necessary and very important role in the healing process for other families. In the most heart breaking circumstances, photos may be the only tangible keepsakes some parents have of their precious little one. All Pictures of Hope participating photographers are dedicated to providing NICU families with invaluable images you will cherish forever, captured in a sensitive and caring manner.

How you can be involved?

Do you know a family in this situation at the moment?  If so, please contact me today!  If not, please keep us in mind should this situation present itself in the future.  Feel the need to do more?  Share this post with friends and family, feel free to promote this post via your facebook page and help us to spread the word!!!

For more information, or to find a photographer in your area please visit the Pictures of Hope website:  Pictures of Hope Foundation

Thank you for your support and for helping me to make a difference!

Much love,
Jill

It’s been a good.long.while since I have blogged about everyday life.  So, I thought it might be fun to go a different direction today!

I had an errand to run out of town today.  We were headed to a quaint, downtown type area… great old buildings and fun alley ways-super excited!  I had this grand idea to take photos of my children after I completed my errands.  I actually don’t take as many photos of my children as I would like to…  for one reason or another I just don’t make it a point and I am looking to change that this year!

As my luck would have it Holden fell asleep in the car, and so goes my attempt at getting a few photos of just Bella…

First of all, it was too bright out to look up or remotely in the direction of mommy.  It was cold outside (which it was, I’ll agree with that).  I wanted one pose, she wanted to do something altogether different… still deciding not to look at me.  Flat out tells me she does not want her photo taken.  Ugh!  I give up, for fear of getting [any-more] frustrated.

BUT mostly because this is how the attempted session ended:

So, I try to chalk it up and realize that it’s not worth getting worked up over.  I’ll take what I get today.

Fast forward about 2 hours later…

We are cruising down the freeway headed home, I spot an almond orchard off the frontage road (several actually) but there was one in particular that literally looked like snow!!!!  I had to double back so we could see it up close.  Oh my!  It was beautiful Central Valley snow in all it’s glory ::sigh::

Bella was in heaven in this beautiful white bliss and I was finally able to capture the images I wanted, win-win!

My mom was with us, she captured the photo below of B and I, and several others of just me.  As Bella was playing and I was capturing the beauty of the blossoms my Mom says she wants to take some photos of me.  I cringe and allow her to-all but willingly.  I realized at that moment that even in my 30’s, my mom loves to capture me, the way I love to capture my children.  Special moments frozen in time, I totally get it!  I realize that one day I will cherish these memories and be thankful that I have something tangible to hold close to my heart.  Thank you Mom.

So, truth be told…

Enjoy your moments and don’t be afraid to capture the here and now.  My mom has taught me that I ought not shy away from having my photo taken, especially while I am still young.  She often reminds me that there will be a day that I will wish I had taken every opportunity to capture my youth, beauty and happiness and I cannot argue with that.  I love you Mom, you are wise beyond your years!!  xo