These were taken just the other day.
{Yes, spring & summer are on their way!}
A (Spring) Snow Shoot (Alaskan Style)
Do you know how we do winter, “snow” photo shoots around here? More importantly, do you know when we do them? Not everyone understands the advantages of my scheduling, but Cindy got it. And without any hesitation was behind every idea from the get go. And this is how we get a snow session, at 40 above, with still yet a TON of snow on the ground. As I’ve said plenty of times before, we can’t do this in October & November! (And December, January + – fuhgetaboutit.) In those months we get a lot of darkness & plenty of cold to go with it (& guess what, not always a lot of snow either!).
I was so happy when Cindy contacted me. She wanted her family captured in an authentic way: relaxed, natural & happy – not a formal studio setting. I knew we were the perfect match! The view was beautiful, the weather was gorgeous and the family … well, see for yourself … they made it look easy.
Make sure you make it all the way to the end of this post so I can share Cindy’s wall display at home. I love seeing what you guys come up with & how it all looks up on the walls. That is a huge part of what makes my experience so special with all of you. I just love knowing that you get to live with the love of your family.
Love the way the sunlight just topped the trees here, almost like a bit of dust from the Gold Rush.
LOVED the facebook interaction of this (61 Likes!!!)
They were fierce!
Another favorite here.
Gosh I just loved the winter setting here. This is Alaska.
And the grande finale. (+ digital files to top off their wish list)
Cindy wrote to me, “I fell in love with my husband when I was 14 and am still crazy about him. We have two great kids that are the spitting image of their father who think their parents are kinda neat too. We are an extremely lucky family.”
Happy, loving family in a spectacular place … I think this fits the bill.
Thank you so much S Family – you guys are extremely lucky, in so many ways. Thank you for celebrating that luck in love with me & allowing me the chance to show you your family, through my eyes.
(pictured above: 16×24 + 4- 11x14s)
Sometimes I don’t know what to say …
It’s been a trying few weeks in our house as of late. Colds, coughs, what sounds like croup, allergies on all levels, going from warm to cold and cold to warm (mostly the weather’s temperament there), end of the year festivities, end of the year chaos, crank-happy days. I just keep trudging along. We all do. Some days better than others.
Which is why when these notes to me, surfaced in the past 24 hours I may have become a little emotional. I am so happy, so blessed, so honored to do the work that I do. Soul work? I don’t know, that just popped into my head. I’m not sure what to call it. One says Time Lord. Another says “baby whisperer”. Others just wipe away tears.
I’m not sure what to call myself or what I do … but I do know it’s important work. It’s work that fulfills me and brings me happiness. I do know it is what I am meant to do.
These love notes came within hours of each other, just over the past day.
I really loved all the family pictures you took. You captured the love in our family and I wanted to thank you. We are so truly blessed to have our family healthy again and we are able to laugh, love and live again!!!! Thank you again
Always, Ginger
I cried because I know the story, I know that when she means they are truly blessed to have their family healthy again … she truly means that. Blessed.
And then, not even an hour later, I received this:
seriously, I love your work and totally trust you with my family and that precious newborn window of life! I couldn’t replace what you do.
And again … my heart filled so much I thought it might burst. It means so very much to me. I can’t even write a complete thought on paper.
In life, if you don’t risk anything, you risk everything.
So I put my heart out there and I risk everything.
This is a Kaleb sandwich.
Grandma Ginger & Grandpa Dave style.
“Sometimes beautiful things come into our lives out of nowhere. We can’t always understand them, but we have to trust in them. I know you want to question everything, but sometimes it pays to just have a little faith.” ―Lauren Kate
Thank you for letting me do what I do … and share what I see.
This is it.
Hubs reminded me last night, “this is your 8th Mother’s Day”. In some ways, I can’t believe. It’s all gone by so fast, these eight years. I read a post from my friend Gigi (who has five girls mind you), her words rang so true. Eight years later these are my most cherished gifts ever.
*images courtesy of DrewB Photography ~ thank you Drew. You made so many of my dreams come true, capturing these moments with my babies. A thank you just doesn’t seem enough.
It’s become tradition, now that they are getting older, that they each pick out their own card for me. Some are even signing their names and writing little messages inside. My heart bursts with joy. It’s hard to finish reading the cards through the happy tears that flow.
This past February I again knew the ache of almost losing my mom. This is the fourth or fifth time. About half of those times occurring in adult years. I held back the tears while in ICU at FMH, but my voice was shaky. I focused all my energy on comforting her and giving the best damn instructions I could to the flight EMT who was one half of the medivac team.
When we arrived in Anchorage, I spent time with her. And as she got stronger every day, I would take a few pictures here and there.
I may not know how many years I have left with my mom, but I do know how special she is. And I have told her. This is it. This is the time we have. Now.
I am so lucky (as in how did I stumble across these amazing little people that were chosen for me? and then I remember Gillian’s words: I was also chosen for them). How incredible to be their mama (& mo-mo – as one of mine calls me when he gets so excited).
My mother has given me an incredible gift. I try not to hold on to it too tight. I try to remember that this is it.
The time we have is now.
♥
What I’m reading: Finding Happiness
You guys know me, when I find something worth reading, worth sharing – I share it.
This article from the Happiness Guy: Read it. And really, it’s four paragraphs long. You have no reason not too.
Happiness and meaning are linked, and if you separate them, you lose both. Trying to do something meaningful without using the advantage of happiness is impossible to sustain. We must find happiness in meaningful things, and use joy to propel us toward more meaningful actions.
You won’t hear this often, but there are a couple ways you can actually buy both happiness and meaning. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
And then this -
And this too -
Doin’ my part to keep you in-the-know 
The best & most beautiful things in the world
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart” – Helen Keller Read
♥
We are Family.
One of our favorites (mine & Cindy’s – the mom of this crew) … can’t get over that deep intake of “mom, I love you so much” on his face here. It’s hard not to feel that when you look at this image.
A few that I’ve shared over on The Facebooks.
I’ll be back with a “what they got” post soon.
I am so thankful I got the chance to work with this incredible family – they brought the right amount of playful energy & sweet calm that night. They were so much fun to work with! I can’t wait to do it again!
And seriously, spring winter sessions = the best!
♥
until next time.
PS – see the social sharing ↓ buttons below? You can use those too (thanks for sharing)
Like walking in the rain and the snow
Name that tune?
We had soooo much fun! And really, the things we do for love, right? *wink
More up on The Facebook just us over there & say hi!
Posted in Fairbanks Photographer, Fairbanks Photography
Travel. Sessions. Fall. Get on it.
I am considering some travel sessions this year and wanted you to be the first to know! If you are interested, email your name, city/state and what month you’d be most interested in hosting some sessions. Travel hosts will receive some special goodies. You can email me at chelsey@machcphotography dot com.
If you are one of those people that always says you want me to come to you … well geez, get on it already!
I plan on opening up fall dates May 1st. Those who are signed up to receive the e’newsletter (click here) will be the first to know. Better make sure that’s you.
Help spread the word!
Also if you are in town and would be interested in a short n’ sweet session, email me! I’m going to pull something together if there’s enough interest. This would be a great way to update a recent shoot or get some gifts for family (or yourself ) without the time and committment of a full session.
Gosh I love this family!!! Aren’t they just the cutest?!!!
What’s been happening …
a little look into instagram …
A little look into our instalife (that is going instafast – man these kids can grow!)
I do love me some instagram.
If you want to follow along leave your IG name so we can meet up!
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