Valentines Day {Waxing Philosophical)

Happy Valentines Day, Everyone. I hope your lives are as filled with love as mine is. As I was falling asleep last night, after having played nurse to two kiddos with Influenza B all day, I was suddenly overcome by how blessed and full my life is. And, I felt I had no choice but to get it out of my head and onto paper (or screen, as is the case).

BJ lost his job back in June. Since then, he's been drawing unemployment, working as a Sub in the VCSC schools, and going to school to finish his teaching degree. Needless to say, with four kids, times are tight, especially now that Illinois Unemployment has taken away his pay because he's in school. We have appealed it, but we won't know anything until they contact us with an answer. Why do I share this? Well, because despite our financial situation, I've never felft 'richer' in my entire life.

Yes, I know that sounds cliche, and cheesy, but it's absolutely the truth. My family lives in a 1600 sq. foot house. With two big adults and four BIG kids, that's not a lot of space, and nerves can get jangled easily when it's loud. BUT, I love that we are crammed together. I love that we have no choice but to be in each other's company. I love that my boys have to share a room and that usually, one of them ends up in bed in our room anyway!

I feel so blessed to have a husband who is bettering his future for himself and his family. It's surreal and wonderful to be having discussions with him concerning Aristotle! Aristotle? Really? I love it. I couldn' have asked for a better friend and partner in life. Sure, I want to brain him 25% of the time, but I can deal with that. It's the other 75% that's so important, and I totally lucked out there.

My kids are truly the light of my life. I've changed my mindset on few things, and it has opened me up to so many more moments that truly are the 'richest' ones in my life. When Sam, (Number One) turned ten this year, it hit me like a ton of bricks. He is on the downward slope of the time he will be with me. AND, it will be less than the first nine years because so much of his time will go to friends and sports and all things that teens do. And while it does knock the wind out of me to realize this, it has also pounded home what I've known to be true all along: love every moment now, for they won't last. I'm not saying I enjoy every moment. Oh no - I don't enjoy the sibling screaming matches, the whining, the incessant messiness, the crabiness. But, I do LOVE them. At the end of the day, despite what the day has held, I love the moments - crazy ones and all. And I'm making more of an effort to show my kids the joy I'm getting from just the small stuff. And since I've been opening myself up to it more, the kids have been giving me more.

With my business, I couldn't feel more blessed and happy. I love that I get to meet and 'know' so many families with what I do. I feel like I have learned so much about my own family by interacting with so many others. I'm striving everyday to continue to improve, and I'm hoping it shows. I run my biz in a way that's probably not conducive to the most successful business model. In fact, I often don't collect payment when I should, or I don't charge what I should, but I sort of feel like everything comes back around, and that's why I have so much joy in this job. I was burned a while back when someone canceled a wedding because they found another alternative. I hadn't made them sign the contract when I did the engagement shoot because I felt bad about them having to pay so much at one time. Because they didn't sign the contract, they went with someone else - even though I had held that date - one of the most popular wedding date weekends - for them. I had turned down two other inquiries for that day because I wanted them to have the date - even though I hadn't gotten a down payment. Needless to say, I was really hurt about the situation, and at first, I thought of changing how I handle my biz practices to prevent a future event like this one. And while I have changed a few things, I'm not going to let this change me. I've put a few things in place, like collecting a down payment at booking, but other than that, I do trust that people for the most part are true to their word. AND, I hold no ill will for the couple. I truly do hope their wedding photos are everything they hope for. As for the photographer who booked them, I can only hope he/she didn't know they had a verbal contract with someone else. And if they did, I hope I never resort to running my business that way. Everything comes full circle, and I feel like the true joy I feel from this 'work' is payback enough.

So, I've rambled a lot. I've cheesed out, so to speak. But, I had to get it down. I had to let my little family unit of love know how I feel. Even in the most desperate times, I know that I can squeeze together with my babies and my husband and feel richer than I could have ever imagined. I hope that on this Valentine's Day, your life is full of all the love you want and need.

B

Weekend in Chicago {REAL Family Moments}

This shoot embodies everything I want to capture in families this year. True, real emotions - families doing what they do best - loving, laughing, and LIVING. This family was amazing, and the two feet of snow they got in last week's snow storm made for a perfect backdrop. Thanks, Johnson's, for making my 'job' the greatest one on earth.

Fave shots of 2010 {Part 2}

This is HARD! I loved so many shots from 2010, that it's killing me to narrow them down. I've decided that since I'm putting so much thought into choosing these, that it's only fair that the subjects IN them receive something. If you see a pic of you, or your child, listed in my faves posts (there will be several more to come) contact me and I'll send you a voucher for 30% off your next shoot in 2011. You have to contact me within three days of the posting, so if you see someone you know, drop them a line!

Anyway, here we go....

The mood, the light, the day itself was such a phenomenal thing to be a part of. These wedding pics are definitely some of my all time faves and this shot just exudes happiness.

Really, Landon? Do your eyelashes have to be as long as fingers hanging from your eyes? I love the inquizitive look he's got as he searches for 'the bird' that flies across my lens as my shutter closes. :)

This is probably my fave shot from the year. Pure, real, moments. I LOVE this so very much, even though it's technically far from a perfect shot.

Love the action here. Boundless energy of a child on a summer day. Doesn't hurt that the child in question is gorgeous! Wish I had an eighth of that energy.

Be still my heart. I. LOVE. THIS. SHOT. I love that hair. I love that beautiful dream coming across through his sweet little smile. *sigh*

Fave shots of 2010 {Part 1}

Okay, I know this is a tad late, but I still want to do it. I'll post a five part series on my fave shots from last year. I love to do this because I get to talk a bit more about the images and why I love them so much! So, here goes...thanks for tuning in, and PLEASE leave me a comment or two!

Ok, I love this one for obvious reasons...can you get over his expression?! He's looking at me like I have two heads for putting him in the dumptruck. Love it.

I love the moment here. I love the look of awe on her face as she starts her magical relationship with the Big Guy. I like the soft feel of it as well.

I love the lighting in this shot, and I love that Kate is making the goofy schmooshy face as her brothers strike a serious mug!

Does happiness not just flow from every pore of her body?! I just loved this capture, and I can't wait to capture her again very soon!

First, the kid is stinkin' gorgeous. Second, the expression he is making melts my heart into a big puddle of mush. I LOVE this. This is probably in my top five faves, but I'm not posting the faves in any particular order, so it's going in the first set.

Also, my special has been going REALLY well, but I'm going to wrap it up next Wednesday, Feb. 2. If you'd like to purchase a gift cert., just drop me an email!

B

New Year ~ New Special!

Well, thanks for making it over here. Even after having blown off about getting this blog going again and never following through, I'm going to give it another try! Because of this, I'd like to offer you a special:

With the New Year under way, I’ve revised my website and added some exciting new options to my product base. With this, I wanted to offer my loyal friends and clients an opportunity to have a photo shoot and save some cash this year!
So, I’m offering gift certificates at a reduced rate. You can purchase them for someone, or you can purchase them now and use them later for your own shoot!

Here’s the deets:

$75 gift certificate for $50

$125 gift certificate for $75

$200 gift certificate for $100

$350 gift certificate for $200

If you’d like to purchase one (or more), you can pay by card or check. If you choose to pay with a card, I will email you an invoice and once I receive your payment, I will email you the certificate. If you purchase one with a check, I will email you the certificate as soon as the check clears.
This is great deal, and the gift certificate can be combined with other specials and used for any shoot in 2011.
And, now that you’ve made it to my blog, I am going to run periodic specials throughout the year, so make sure you stay tuned to my updates to take advantage of them.
If you’d like to purchase a gift certificate, drop me an email at brandie@bthornephotography.com, or just leave a comment in the 'comments' section of this post.

Happy New Year!

b

Ages and Ages and Ages...

So much time has passed since this neglected blog of mine got any attention. I blame it on facebook. It's so easy to post there that I forget how many wonderful readers I had here! Well, no more. This is it. I have to return to blogland. I WILL!

Long overdue Birthday Post for my Biggest Boy...

Dear Sam,
I can't believe my oldest baby - my oldest son - is nine years old. It sounds so cliche to talk about how it just seems like yesterday that you were born, but in reality, it's so true. The time I've had with you has been the best nine years of my life, in part because of your flair for the dramatic, your ability to become excited about ANYthing, and your passion for life itself. You don't do anything half-way - it's all or nothing with you, and although at time, the nothing does want to creep through, your exuberance for everything is contagious.

I love that you are so kind. I love that you think about even the little bugs we see and how they're just trying to make it like we are. I love that you take great care not to hurt anyone's feelings, and that when you do hurt them, you grieve and immediately take action to make up for it. Your baby brother Max adores you. He wants to do everything you do because you make it a point to include him. And, what a great role model you are. I love your crazy blond curls, and your deep chocolate eyes. I love that you hold doors for everyone, and that you never fail to give someone a wave if they let you cross in front of them. I love that you speak to all strangers in a kind voice and ask them how they are. I love that you're mine.

You have lived with us over half the time that you ultimately will. And while that thought brings me to tears - almost to my knees - at any given moment, it also gives me so much excitement and anticipation about what your future holds. Something big is in store for you, my boy - I know it in my bones.

I love you to the moon and back, more than you'll ever know, and I'm so grateful and proud to be your Mama.