Beauty is Photography | Coeur d' Alene, Idaho Photographer

I have a son-4 years old. He loves riding his bicycle and playing in the dirt will keep him content for hours. The idea of kindergarten makes me shudder-middle school is the furthest from my mind… and high school is out of the question. In my mind, he’s still my baby.

If I sit and truly think of how quickly 4 years has passed-it continues to simply amaze me. I FEEL like I just brought him home from the hospital—that my husband and I were learning how to change a diaper for the first time just days ago. But it wasn’t-4 years have passed. I FEEL like I remember watching him take his first steps-blowing his first bubbles just recently. But it has been 4 years.

My specialty in photography is newborn and children. I get to capture those moments when they were *just* brought home from the hospital. I am right there as they are learning to take their first steps or blow their first bubbles. Senior sessions are a reality check for me. They make me realize that time does fly by. That childhood doesn’t last forever. They do grow up. This driven young man is another mother’s “baby.” She too can remember bringing him home from the hospital—watching his first steps—his first bubbles. I’m sure it seems like just yesterday. But now it’s time for another first… Graduation.

It was so nice meeting you at our session—It is also a nice reminder that although I will someday be seeing my own son graduate—that the excitement of riding your bike and getting a little dirty never changes

I firmly believe that life is a choice. Yes-there are things in our life that may happen that wasn’t OUR choice. But we still choose the outcome of that choice. The perfect example of choice is having a child. It may be planned or unplanned. Nonetheless, it still started in the form of a choice.

I recently met some amazing people and it showed me firsthand the power of choice. Having kids will change anyone. The emotions you go through when you hold your baby in your arms for the first time cannot be put into words. Now imagine handing that baby to someone else to take home and love. Adoption is an amazing thing. It requires the ultimate faith and trust on the ends of both parties. Realizing that you are not the best person to raise a child at this time in your life is a hard thing to fathom-But actually making the choice to give the gift of a child to a couple who has made the choice to have a family is pure and simple-selfless.

As a perfect ending, this is also an open adoption and the amazing mother to this little boy allows the birth mother to share in the joys of his childhood. Our session documented a few moments with this sweet 15 month old and his beautiful birth mother. Life is full of choices-I commend the one you all have made.

Holding the hands of two of the most important people in his life.

I will admit that I am a little depressed even writing this post since it doesn’t seem like I should be even close to be thinking about fall… But low and behold-I am starting to slowly see the sun disappearing earlier and earlier and in certain areas the leaves are slowly losing their green vibrance—sigh…. So to lighten your spirits a little I am passing on a special deal! Its time to start thinking about family pictures. If you are anything like me, the idea of dragging your husband and children into a studio is about as stressful as you can get! So get away from the boring confined space of a studio and do an outdoor session Any guy can manage a quick 30 minutes so it is a win-win for all!

Limited spaces available so email me at beautyis@beautyisphotography.com for more details!

Arriving at my most recent session was quite a bit different than what I am used to. Occasionally there will be a 4 legged animal at the session but usually it is a furry panting thing that barks. During this particular session, it was the horses that were the center of attention. Such amazing creatures they are—so intelligent and full of personality (and sometimes attitudes ) These are just a few of my favorites Tess-It was so nice to see you and I can’t wait to see what you guys choose for your canvases!!

Being busy has it’s ups and downs-unfortunately one of those “downs” comes in the form of a lack of time to complete blog posts of recent sessions! As I was editing tonight I came across these and I just couldn’t resist sharing! These two adorable kids stole the show! Thanks again for our session last week and the rest of your pictures will be ready soon!

Sacrifice. What does this truly mean? At this moment, to me, sacrifice means giving up a good nights sleep so that I can finish up editing some pictures, getting blog posts done, and checking emails. Everyday we are faced with sacrifice. What are you willing to give up in order to better your family? Better your life? Sacrifice… few words can explain the sacrifice this family is making to better their family-and ultimately better my life—your life. At 6 weeks old, this little guy is adored-but their family faces challenges ahead. It will be about a year before this family is reunited. His daddy is in Iraq and it is times like these that make me realize that my current “sacrifice” of losing a little sleep is nothing in comparison to what this family faces on a daily basis.  ” T ” family-I commend the choices you have made and will continue to pray for your safe return.

A picture says a thousand words. How many times have you heard that phrase? When is the last time you really thought about its meaning? This couple has dealt with a lot in the last 8 months after the loss of her father to cancer brings on a whole new meaning to the idea that a picture truly does say a thousand words. Thank you so so much for allowing me to capture these moments for you. You know better than most that this time in your life is not one that you can repeat—but now the memory of this moment is here to stay. I cannot wait to meet your little boy and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

As most photographers do, the morning of a session, I immediately peer out my window to see what the weather has in store today. Unfortunately for me, I live in North Idaho where the morning weather means nothing. I woke up to gray skies on the morning of this session which quickly made me wonder if a “sunset session” was going to happen today even though the weatherman had promised me sun. Throughout the day, the sun would be shining bright and quickly change to clouds until it finally came time for the session when the sun decided to make it’s final appearance and gave me about an hour of the most beautiful light. The perfect lighting, the perfect location, along with the most perfect couple, made for a wonderful evening session. Thank you both so much-hope you enjoyed your cardio workout and hopefully the bugs stayed off of your clothing for your car ride home Hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

And thank you Chris and Shannon for allowing me to use Settlers Creek for pictures!

My husband knew that our weekend trip to Boise was going to be a very long drive when my first question of the 8 hour car ride was “How old am I?” We were driving to Boise to attend a wedding, and was also able to do a session for a friend who I hadn’t seen, in what, at first-didn’t seem more than a couple years. Which led me to my question of how old I was. No matter how I did the math it just didn’t sound right-but lo and behold it was correct and I realized it had been 5 years since I last got to see her. It is one of those times where you realize that amidst the schedules, the diapers, the cleaning, and our everyday lives… that so much time passes. There is always a certain way that we remember our old friends from a time before we had those busy schedules and families. Taking on sessions for friends is always very interesting. It’s amazing how my own memories of the person I remember, slowly fade. I get see them in a new light-a different light, taking on the role of a parent. I get to witness that connection between a mother and her son as he smiles at the very sight of her. I get to see a baby who, when he fusses, finds comfort when his mother snuggles him in close and he slowly drifts off to sleep.

Sasha-I had so much fun seeing you guys. Boise or not-let’s not let another 5 years pass before seeing each other again! Nate will gladly sit on your couch and watch TV any day

There were two things I definitely was not expecting when preparing for this session. One was the fact that this sweet little gal would be a dream to photograph-being the perfect sleepy little model at 16 days old. And two-that this mommy would have a flat belly at 16 days post partum  (Ummm… not fair!)

Unfortunately this North Idaho weather has kept us from going outdoors lately and I was thrilled to finally get the chance to do a few outside! Thanks again K-hope you enjoy your sneak peek!