Henley family

Sunday afternoon session with Steve and Abby and their two fur babies, Macy and Ali! I love it when people bring their dogs. Especcially if they truly are a part of the family like these two obviously are! Such pretty and well-behaved pups. One of them is a hunting dog so we had to get a picture of her with a duck dressed in her hunting outfit.  We couldn’t get too close to the pond for fear they would jump right in and go swimming. LOL. Now THAT would make a great picture but not so sure wet dog for pictures is what they had in mind Thank you, Abby and Steve for having me take your family pictures!

The Callarmans

Steve and Carol got married last year and recieved a gift of photography as a wedding present.  So they came yesterday for pictures on a perfect November day. Carol’s daughter, Emily, and her son, Nathan, joined them for family pictures too.  It isn’t often I get to do a session with an all adult family! A refreshing change of pace, everyone cooperating by actually staying put and looking at the camera

It was fun getting to know everyone. It was heartwarming to see the close relationships within this family. Steve and Carol are practically newleyweds. They were so cute together. Nathan gave Emily a piggyback ride over the mud…now that’s a great brother! I loved it that this family laughed together and had fun while they were here.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Finally! Whew. I’ve been blessed this fall with so many great sessions. I’m excited to offer all those families custom holiday cards. I have many gorgeous templates to choose from this year! If you’re interested in having me create the perfect card for your family this season please view the card slideshow to pick the template you would like to start with. Once you have an idea of the one (or two) you like best,  just email me at copykatoriginals@aol.com so we can work together to create just what you had in mind!

http://www.copykatoriginals.com/index2.php

Under Client Proofing the password: xmas

All cards are offered in 5×7 flat postcard style, printed on linen paper with envelopes included. They are available for purchase in sets of 25/$40

Some things to keep in mind:

All of the cards come with customized backsides. Some are shown in the slideshow, some backs are not. Please note the last series of numbers always starting with zero (like your proofs). If it’s the backside of the card shown it will say back after the proof number.

 

The Powell Family

I was so excited to meet up with my old friends, Sean & Donna, yesterday. Donna and I grew up together in the same little town all those years. Sean grew up with my husband. We introduced them to each other! About 20 years ago, was it? I was trying to remember the details of how this went and I recall riding 3 in my little 2-seater car over to introduce Donna to the gang. Was I sitting on your lap or who was driving? LOL details I havn’t thought of in some time making me smile I love this story because it has such a happily-ever-after ending. These two are the most genuine and down-to-earth, fun people. I cannot believe this much time has slipped us by and we lost touch. It made me so happy to meet up with them again and to meet their girls, Lauren 5-1/2 and Campbell 2-1/2. Larry and I agree, Lauren reminds us of Donna and Campbell is all Sean. The farm life doesn’t allow for much free time out of the fields so we we brought the photoshoot to him! Thank you, Sean and Donna. It was so awesome catching up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maleah – day 9

I met tiny little Maleah today. All 6 pounds of her. Sweet little sleepy bundle of joy.  Brand new parents, Jessica & Myles are so in love with her! Thank you for inviting me into your home and sharing your family with me. It’s an honor to capture a bit of this very special time in your lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Curtis Family

I met the Curtis family yesterday for pictures. These days I love photographing families. I enjoy meeting them and getting to know them the short time they’re here. I like it the moment they relax and realize that it’s not so bad, getting pictures. That’s the moment they let their guard down and stop posing for every shot. It’s always the moments in-between I’m after, not the look-at-the-camera-say-cheese. So my job, really, is to make them feel comfortable and forget about the camera which allows me to catch something that you can’t really plan in advance with a pose or prop.  This first image is my favorite. It wasn’t planned this way…in fact, their sister was supposed to be in this one. While I was telling her where I wanted her to stand I noticed the boys doing this. They really DO like each other, Mom & Dad!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OB Office Display

I have the wonderful opportunity to have my work displayed in Dr. Dignan-Moore’s office. There’s a certain thrill to see an image you created printed this large, framed and matted professionally, turning it into a work of art. The pictures here really can’t do it justice. This is a 20×24 print matted 2″ making the final size 24×28. Woo hoo! Now THAT will make a statement in the prenatal exam room!

Two week old Brookelyn was the perfect model for this. And thanks to her Mommy for her hat addiction And for giving me permission to use this image as my first OB office display piece.

 

 

 

 

Veterans Day

Ryan went to Washington, DC to meet up with his Grandpa’s war buddies. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him, meeting a great group of guys who made a strong impression on him. I asked him to be a guest blogger today. The following is what he emailed to me from the hotel room on his last night there.

“This is the first time I have come to any reunion, of any sort. My first time meeting… all of you- except grandpa over there. I wanna say thank you all, for serving the United States. It’s…. uhh… It’s really important to me. Thank you”

My speech to the Combined Action Marines was definitely a short one, I was undoubtedly ill-prepared, and out-spoken by all those who came before me. But I will never regret giving it.

We came together here for the Marine Corps birthday. I visited museums, houses, and plenty of statues with my grandparents, but that’s where the normal vacation ends. It really started up when the first Marines rolled in.

Bill and Jackie were the first. Then “Loco” Joe Molina, who I could tell from the second I met, was a real special guy, then Fred, who is actually more computer-literate than 17 year old me!

And after a week of Brian’s words of wisdom, Gunny’s mid-hallway hellos, and everyone’s stories of the war, I feel like I’m really one of them. They really did a good job of making sure it felt that way.

Wrapping up my message, I want to dedicate this edition of my mother’s copykat blog to the veterans of the Vietnam war, and specifically the Combined Action Program Marines.

Here’s some history on their unit:

The Combined Action Program that they served with, was an experimental program designed to train Vietnamese villagers to defend themselves against the communist threat. This ideology is used to this day, under a different name, because it works.

Here are some statistics, compliments of the commandant:

Of the approximately 5,000 Marines who went into this program, less than half survived. Of the survivors, it has been estimated that 70% were wounded once, 40% twice, and approximately 70% were awarded for heroism. In 1968, the CAP comprised less than 3% of all the personnel in the corps area, yet they accounted for 43% of the enemy KIAs. This program was the smallest combat unit in Vietnam, but it was also the most highly decorated.

I got the opportunity to see two cake cutting ceremonies, where they take the youngest and the oldest marine present and present cake to both of them. I filmed both of them, and hopefully will post them on youtube soon. It’s a really emotional tradition. I’ll have mom post a link when I get the video up.

Happy Birthday, USMC!

SUN FLARE! This was a really great view I couldn’t pass up…

Thank you, grandpa, for all the doors you’ve opened for me, and the dedication you volunteered to our great nation.

I spent some special time with Joe Molina, a great guy who has a lot of character.

I went to the wall. Out of respect for the upward of 58,000 on that wall, I want everyone who reads this blog to find a

Vietnam veteran today and thank them for everything that they did that went unrecognized for so long.

Thank you,

Ryan Kane

a boy and his puppy

Meet 6yr old Riley and his puppy (yes, I said puppy), Junior. I photographed Riley last year in the fall for the first time. I was thrilled to have him back this  year. He’s a natural in front of the camera. I love his personality and cuteness. His Mom brought all kinds of fun stuff to use for props which I always love. We had a great visit yesterday, Amy! Thank you for choosing me to be Riley’s photographer

 

 

 

 

The Cowdrey Family

Sunday’s session with the Cowdreys. This is the third time I’ve had the opportunity to photograph this family but the first time for baby Bryce who is 5 months old. His big sister, Morgan, was the most cooperative 2 yr old ever. I was very impressed with how sweet she was with her brother & talkative she was with me. And did I mention CUTE? Is she ever! No meltdowns even though she was missing her nap. I got lost on the way to their house even though I’ve been there twice before without getting lost, I was 30 minutes late arriving. Thank you, Scott & Lesley, for being so understanding and flexible. We got some great pictures today! Here’s a little preview for you, as promised.