It’s so hard to plan a photo shoot when members of your family are as busy as they are these days. One kid has practice, the other art lessons, another has a job…it gets tough.  Well, you know what’s harder.  When one kid lives in Indiana, one lives in Alaska and one is on their way to Texas soon.  So when Allison emailed me from Alaska and was trying to coordinate a time to get family photos taken…I was going to be there, who cares if it’s the day after Christmas. There are only so many chances to photograph this family together…unless they want to take me to Alaska next time they visit Allison ;)

The point is…family photos are important.  People are busy, but in 5 years you wont want to look back and think…did I really not have one evening to dedicate to documenting my family at the time.  I know I stress this all to often, but it’s also all to often that I see families go 5 to 10…to 20 years without a family portrait. It’s a shame, and I hope to be a small part in changing that habit.

I am positive that 30 years down the road, Jackson is going to call up his Aunt Allison and thank him for setting up a session…because when it comes down to it, he is going to love seeing his family when he was just 1 year old.

Love this shot of Jackson & his Great-Grandma.

Crazy cute.

Jackson…you are too cute for words!

Only one more 2009 post to go…then I’ll show you some from this year ;)

Remember this little girl?  Well, her and her brothers are growing up fast!  There is not much in the world that makes me happier than a family that wants me to photograph them every year. It’s an honor.  So when Paul emailed me about setting up another session for Christmas Cards this year, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.  The kids are growing up & getting more cute by the second, and it was great to see them all again.

Here are a few of my favorites to help make you smile on this Monday morning. Don’t forget…it’s March, doesn’t that just sound spring-y?! Have I mentioned that I can’t wait till Spring? ;)

Does this not show a some personalities or what?!

Love this family portrait.

Miss Rose:

At the end of our shoot, William turned into a little model.  He was posing & picking out spots, it was so adorable!  Of course, it was at the end of the shoot…oh boys ;)

William, Rose & Benjamin, see you later this year :)

Ok, I’m going to interup my consistant posting of shoots to confirm a thought you may have had.  A few of you out there might have thought (in all this wintry bliss), wow, I bet this would be beautiful in photos.  Answer = you are right.

Here are two sneak peaks to show how great this time of year is to schedule your shoots.  Everyone loves the fall leaves, and don’t get my wrong, they are beautiful, I love them too…but honestly, this snow is so amazing!  On, that note, it is metling today.  So if you would like to set up a session to play in the snow for an hour or two, email me and I’ll get you on the list for when the next round comes in!

*Yes, I am secretly hoping we are done…I am completely ready for spring.  It’s beautiful, but it sure is cold.

More of these shoots coming soon ;)

There isn’t any possible way I can sum up the way I feel about the Ash family in a blog post. Sorry, I just can’t do it. As you’ve probably read, Hayley & I have known each other since we were 4.  We met in “preschool Sunday school” and  other than my sisters, she is my oldest friend.  Do you know how amazing it is to watch one of your best friends get married & have babies…well, it’s amazing.

Early last year Justin & I were at the Ash home playing cards & Hayley kept knocking everything (and I mean everything) over. She casually mentioned that last time she was that clumsy was when she was pregnant with Sophie.  We all laughed about that, and continued our game.  When we got home Justin was just as clumsy…and he said, Hayley better be pregnant, cause if she isn’t, you are.

And here we are now. And I am happy about that on many levels ;)

I thought I should combine this post and just go from event to event…so get ready for some maternity pictures, hospital pictures & newborn pictures :)

The maternity shoot was actually pretty unplanned. I was in Columbus and had my camera, and Hayley had a feeling that Laynie wanted to make her arrival before our scheduled shoot.

Love these…

The minute Richard called me to let me know they were heading to the hospital I was putting on my shoes.  Of course I had to wait a couple hours till Justin got home from school…but I was so excited!  *and surprise…Laynie decided to come about 1 month early!

Love this too:

My favorite:

Remember this shoot?? The day I posted Heidi’s maternity photos on the blog, she went into labor to deliver the cutest little “Em” I’ve even seen.  Instead of rambling on like I typically do, I thought today I would let the images speak for themselves…and I may add a tad every now and then, but come on, you know me ;)

She is so precious.

Love this one…

Oh, I just love a good feet shot ;)

*favorite*

Heidi & Nathan have created the most warm & loving home for little Emmalyn to grow up in.  It’s just picture perfect!

I’ve said it a million times, but when a family finds their “family photographer”, it makes me so happy…and when it happens to be me, well, you know.  I’ve photographed Heidi & Nathan’s wedding, maternity shoot & now little Em. To see a family begin is one of the most amazing blessings in my life.  My next shoot with Em will probably involve a 4 year old, 2 year old & 3 babies under 6 months…you know I can’t wait for that one!!!

My job is centered around love, and I realize not many people can say that.  The purpose in what I do is to document the love people have for one another.  Whether that be a family, newborns, wedding days…it’s all centered around people that want to document their relationships.  A perk that comes along with this job is that I have made the most amazing friends from my clients.  I typically leave a wedding feeling like I’ve known the bride & groom (and usually the entire wedding party & families) for years.  I am in awe that I get to watch kids grow up…maternity shoots, newborn shoots, 6 month shoots, 1 year shoots…it’s amazing to watch them grown and become the amazing people they are.  Megan Steve & Cade are no exception, they are as sweet & kindhearted as one can be.  Megan and I have been emailing back and forth since before her shoot…we even are having lunch just to catch up!  The best part…I have been asked to document these first amazing years of Cade’s life (and hopefully many more to come…I better do those senior pictures Megan ;)  We already have a date planned for Cade for his birthday shoot in October.

Obviously I am feeling very grateful today ;)

Thank you to all my amazing clients.  Thank you for not only allowing me to photograph your lives, but to become your friend.  It’s an honor.

**love** this photo…so much.

What are you thankful for today?

Remember this too cute family…The Reed Family?  So adorable right?  Well, the thing is, they’ve gotten even more good looking. Seriously…4 boys, you’d think it might be a little challenging of a shoot.  The truth is, this is the easiest family I’ve ever photographed; they get the award.  Every shoot I walk away thinking, geesh, those boys are so well behaved!  All so polite, and it doesn’t hurt that they are all so photogenic ;)

Jayme & Todd values photographs and it’s important for them to document her changing family, and this is why we did another shoot this year (last year we photographed in the summer).  Not only am I thrilled that they want to keep a record of their family growing, but I am honored that they has chosen me to photograph them.  It’s important to find your family photographer, and if I happen to be it…well, let’s just say, I’m grateful.

They had hoped to catch the beautiful fall leaves, but unfortunately when we had the chance to get together most of the leaves were gone.  To get that great golden look, we just photographed right as the sun was going down…I just loved the light!

I’m back! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to settle down at my desk and work…and it feels so good :) I love that I have a job that I miss when I’ve been gone!  While my office is still barely an office right now, it’s feels good regardless.  Imagining USA (photography conference) was so wonderful.  I met some great photographers, learned so many things & was able to see so many great new products that will soon be offerings here at CDP…yay!  Some changes will take place over time, and some immediately. On that note, all pricing will be changing over the next few days for 2010.  Print pricing on the ordering site will change early next week, and session/wedding fees have already changed.  This is something that happens every year, just a bit behind because of all the events that 2010 has brought in.  So in order to take advantage of the current print/product pricing, but sure to place your orders in the next day or two!

Now for some photos!  Here are a few of my favorites from a too cute family session back in October.  I photographed Stephanie’s sister’s wedding back in May and I was so excited to see them all again.  Aren’t they the sweetest?!

Look at the red trees we found…don’t you just love fall :)

I can’t begin to tell you how much I was looking forward to this shoot.   Whitney and I had been emailing for some time before the shoot and I knew how much it meant to her.  She had the entire thing planned out, more than just outfits and a great location.  She had asked a total of 10 people to be involved because she wanted to record the love of this amazing family.  I was soo excited to meet everyone.

I had gotten to know them a little through their too cute blog, so I knew the boys would be so fun to chase around.  You can imagine my disappointment when our date arrived and it was full of rain & cold weather.  After many attempts to find another date that all 10 people could join in on, we settled for a chilly day that looked to be on the sunny one of the week.  Only the 4 of them could make it.

As soon as those cute boys were out of the car, they headed straight to the playground.  We stayed their for quite a while, letting the boys warm up to my camera.  I chased them around and photographed them playing and making leaf collections…it was the perfect shoot.  I am so happy with what we got, and I can’t wait to meet all the other amazing people at next years shoot.  I’m already praying for a sunny day :)

The classic family shot.  We worked really (really) hard for this one…

Definite favorite:

Whitney wrote me the sweetest letter after our shoot.  It’s a letter that put a smile on my face when I received it…and it’s still there.  I am honored to be their photographer and I can’t wait for all of our future shoots :)

the letter:
Cassidy, we are in awe of your talent. Anyone can photograph poses and even some detail, but you capture emotions, moments and real memories. Thank you!
I couldn’t believe how easy your personality was (and is)! I had a glimpse into your schedule and knew you were insanely busy and overbooked. Yet, on the day of our shoot, you drove to us. You smiled easily and lived completely in the moment of our kids’ insanity around the park. I immediately felt like I’d known you for years–and we’d just met!
Anyone with even a cursory view of your life knows you love what you do. The great thing is that you’re also incredibly gifted, and we, your clients, get to benefit!
A friend (and one of your former clients) warned me that we’d walk away from our family photo shoot, thinking you hadn’t gotten any good images. In the midst of muddy knees and strong-willed toddlers, I was hoping for just one image! The fact that we got dozens of awesome photos blew me away!
As we look back on our experience with you, we have two recurring thoughts: 1. You don’t charge enough for all the time and talent you so selflessly give, and 2. We can’t wait establish a Cassidy Dawn Photography tradition! We tell everyone about our fantastic experience with you! Thank you for sharing your gift!

-Whitney Scully

See what I mean?!  Have a wonderful Monday…I have some BIG news to share with you later this week :)

To finish up my stay in Bardstown, I met up with the Sharp family…actually our session was right before the Nelsons!  There was a big storm coming in, so we did the sessions in a short amount of time a bit earlier than we had planned (I just got them out of order!).  Just moments after we finished with the Nelson’s shoot, the sprinkles came, then I wasn’t but a minute down the road and it was pouring.  I mean ‘I had to pull my car on the side of the road pouring.  I am soo glad we weren’t still roaming around the field when that came, It would have happened right in the middle of this shoot!  I had a great time photographing this ridiculously-good-looking family…oh my, my clients make my job easy!

You wouldn’t know the storm was coming…just check out this light!

These too are absolutely adorable!

Note to clients: I am working feverishly to finish up all sessions that have been photographed before today so that you will have time to order photos before the Christmas deadline…so if you’re session isn’t up yet, it should be soon.  Thanks for your patience!  Oh, and the Christmas deadline is: December 1st!!!