Capturing Memories by Robyn Manhalter

I love this photo! I love the moment that is being shared between a papa and his grandson. What you don't see in this image is the chaos going on behind the scene. A houseful of people are busy, rushing around trying to get ready. Yet, it doesn't phase these two, as papa puts his hat on his boy, and the little boy looks at his papa making his favorite facial expression at the time. It's these quiet encounters that can so quickly pass us by, but this picture captures a moment that will be able to come back to life time and time again. #TellaStoryTuesday

What exactly is a "Life Unscripted" session, and why do I want one?? I have heard these questions many times, and I'd love to take a few minutes to answer them for you. First, a "Life Unscripted" or sometimes called "A day in the Life" session captures real life. It captures the little things that ultimately become the biggest and most meaningful things in life. We don't worry about what to wear, or getting that perfect pose. Actually there is no posing at all. It is si...mply you and your family living life while I capture those little details that are so easily forgotten. It does require some vulnerability on both our parts, but it is SO worth it!! Let me ask you this...is it the posed family pictures that mean the most to you, or is it the snap shots that tell a story? For me it's always the story! How many pictures do you have with your whole family interacting? I know for me I have a lot of pictures, but I am only in few because I was always the one behind the camera. This is what Capturing Memories is all about for me. Our babies grow up so quickly, and our mundane life can pass us by in a blink of an eye. We want to hold on to all those little moments but many times our memories fade. Amazingly, a simple photo can bring back those memories in such a way that it can transport us back in time and ignite old senses. We can physically feel those little fingers wrapped around ours. We see that face and/or attitude that drove us nuts, but now it brings laughter or tears of the how quickly it all changed. At different times we are often faced with the fragility of life and we cling to those captured memories that may be a single photo, but it reignites a whole story packed with memories and emotions. If you have read this far...thank you!! I'm almost done...but I figured you'd want to know what a session like this would look like. A "Life Unscripted" session can range from a couple hours to several hours based on what works for your family. I would come to your home to shoot throughout the day. Sometime families plan special activities such as making breakfast together, painting, going to the park, the ideas are vast, but ultimately just being together as a family. If you'd like more information on these types of sessions I would be happy to talk your ear off , and book one just for you!!

For my #FridayFeature this week I wanted to share a photo of my sweet niece Sam. This was her senior session that I was honored to have the opportunity to do for her. She is one of my favorite people to take pictures of because we just get to play and act crazy together. This girl has been through so much in her short life, and her strength and resilience is so inspiring! The talent that pours out of her is absolutely AMAZING!! I can't wait to take more pictures of you this summer Sam, Sam!!

Disclaimer: No babies were harmed in the making of this photo! For this weeks #TellaStoryTuesday I decided to feature one of my favorite (that's what I say about A LOT of their pics though) pictures of my grands. It all started with me asking my daughter if Amari could color on his little brother for a photo challenge I was doing. She gave me the "are you serious" look she likes to give me, and then the coloring commenced. It still makes me laugh to look at how content Zeke was to just lay there and let his brother do whatever he wanted. These two are still besties today, and they like to keep their mama very busy.

When's the last time you had pictures taken with someone you love? I have had friends tell me they have never done photos with their love, and it makes my heart so sad because I think those pictures are absolute treasures. For that reason I am running a special on my mini sessions. So grab someone you love and book a session with me! Maybe it's not a spouse or a significant other, but some one else you love. Mama/Daddy with her/his babies, besties, grandparents with their grands, or maybe even you with your fur babies. I am so excited to feel the love!!