Hissyfits Photography Blog

For those of you who don’t know me or much about my past, before I was a mom {actually, before I was even married}, I worked in foster care. My college degree is in sociology. I have a minor in psychology. People fascinate me. I love watching the interactions of others and trying to figure out “their story.” Where are they from? Why are they here? What are their careers? For those who have seen Date Night, remember the scene where the husband and wife were out to dinner and assigning stories to the couples around them? So me. I even caught myself trying to discern what was going on with the couple who sat in front of us at church on Sunday. The body language going on between them was FAR more powerful than words! {She seemed to be thoroughly annoyed. He tried to put his arm around her on more than one occasion and she kept pushing him away. Chris even picked up on it so it had to be pretty obvious!!}

Birth order. I really wish I would have studied this more in school when I actually had time because this is one subject that peaks my interest like no other. It is beyond interesting to me how we all find our niche within our families and how birth order plays into that. I am your “typical” first born. Perfectionist. Nurturing. Responsible. Control freak. Rule follower. Achiever. Yep, that’s me. Or it was anyway. As time goes on and I am, ahem, getting older, I’ve changed. I’ve mellowed and the traits aren’t as strong as they once were.

When I think of my kids, I wonder how their birth order will play into their lives. Huntler is very much like Chris and I. {Chris is an only child but has lots of first born traits!} But Gentry? Ohhhh my. Based on a list I found online, she has very strong “last child” traits. Outgoing. Risk taker. Sense of humor. It will be fun to watch who they grow into and how, if at all, Brighton plays into that.

Meet Annagail. She is a first born. She’s three. I didn’t get to spend enough time with her to figure out which characteristics she portrays, if any just yet! I was far too focused anyway – when I am shooting that is literally all that is on my mind!

And this is her baby sis Harper. I LOVE her red hair and would be more than happy if Brighton’s grows in this same shade of happiness!

Right now they adore each other. ADORE. Here is the proof.

I loved this next shot – it screamed vintage to me!! {And thus the reason why I edited a bit different in case you notice that kind of thing!!}

Family photos are challenging. They are. Small kids have minds of their own and at times even the best of bribes won’t work. So managing to get four pair of eyes on the camera at the same time as four smiles? Nearly impossible. But that’s okay. Because that’s real life. Everyone lined up and smiling perfectly for the camera? While of course those shots are nice to have, they aren’t real. I LOVE THIS SHOT. I do. I even edited it two different ways I love it so much. This is real people. This is real. Annagail is so over this photo business she can’t even pretend to be happy. Harper is so eager to move that sitting isn’t an option. This is time standing still for this family right now. It’s them. And it’s perfect in every sense of the word.

Bill and Katie,

It was so nice to meet you. Your family is adorable and your girls too cute for words! Thanks for letting me freeze a little bit of time for you all! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

I talk often and openly about our move here. I can’t help it – it has forever changed me. And yes, it was four years ago so one would think I would hush about it already, but I so desperately want to move home that it is never really far from my mind. I’m not the same person I was when we moved out here. But how could I be? I was forced to leave everything that defined me. Every single aspect of my perfect world was turned completely upside down. I had no choice but to find a new normal. To create a happy life for my children who really didn’t know any different.

That was the very end of September of 2006. At the beginning of October of that same year, I joined a playgroup. It was just a random one I found online through meetup.com, but it has proven to be the single best decision I have EVER made. Nearly every single friend I have here in AZ was made in that group. I’m a thinker. Although you can’t tell from my short and sweet posts of late, I love to write. I love to ponder life and daydream. I love to reflect. I often wonder how my life would be different had I not joined that group. How I would be different. How my kids would be different. It’s quite fascinating to think about how single decisions can impact the entire path your life takes…

So mid-October I loaded up my littles into the back of our Trail Blazer and headed out for our first ever playdate with this new group. Nervous. Excited. Hopeful. And completely irritated that it was mid-October and we were headed to the pumpkin patch in 90 degree heat! The sacrifices you make when you are desperate to connect. I drove for what seemed like forever in parts unknown to me. I unloaded the massive double stroller out of the back of the vehicle and in we went. That day I made my first Arizona friend. Her name was Mistie. She had a son Huntler’s age, Bailey, and a daughter Gentry’s age, Arianna. She was new to Arizona. She had an SUV and a double stroller. She was my age. She was normal. Really. Could it possibly get any more perfect?

Time went on and our friendship continued to grow. Playdates. Birthday parties. I would say Mom’s Night Outs, but I always skip out on those!! And our kids continued to grow. But then Mistie moved. She packed up her cute little family and they moved away. That was March of 2008. We stayed in touch off and on through email and then a lot more often once I finally jumped on the bandwagon and joined Facebook. In March of this year they welcomed their third baby, a girl. In June we of course welcomed our third baby, a girl. Kinda crazy. And then in July Mistie and Co moved back!! Same peaceful suburb. Same crazy summer heat. Same adorable family. And yes, I thought she was absolutely nuts to “want” to return {and I’ve told her so!}, but I am so glad they are here again!

We picked right back up where we left off. Playdates. Birthday parties. Dinners out.

The photos I posted last week of the little girls in the orchard are Mistie’s. We met up on Saturday afternoon to take photos of the whole fam and go to dinner together. Pictures were taken. Tears were shed – poor baby Mya was so worn out! Bribes were issued. Dinner was eaten under the stars. But most importantly? Memories were made. There are the memories forever frozen in time that I captured on my trusty camera, but there are also the memories that replay in my mind that aren’t on camera. Walking to the restaurant. Sitting outside in the cool autumn air listening to the chatter and giggles wafting through the air from the end of the table where the kids were gathered. Simply knowing that I can be exactly who I am and be accepted for it – flaws and all.

Tony and Mistie – thank you for allowing me to freeze just a smidge of time for you. We are all so excited to have you back and look forward to making many more memories!

Here is just a tiny peek at what we captured…

Something about this image totally caught my eye – I really love it!

And a couple of the whole fam…

Last week I met up with THE very first friend I ever made here. I have so, so much I want to share about her and our friendship, but I am saving that until I blog the rest of their session! I snapped these of the girls while big bro was at school! But we are meeting up again this weekend for the full family shoot!

Until then…

And my own personal favorites…

Friday night I wrapped things up with Hissyfits until sometime after the baby is born! For this last session we met in a historic part of town and spent the evening snapping away!

Big sister Faith is in Gentry’s dance class. She is such a sweet little thing and it was so fun to see a different side of her! She is so focused and quiet at dance but was happy and carefree at the session! She was a dream to work with – listening well and having fun with what we were doing!

Her baby sis Ariah is Huntler’s absolute FAVORITE thing about having to go to dance every week. He takes along his stuffed reindeer and shoves it in her face constantly! He ADORES her!! She is normally so happy and full of smiles but she wasn’t quite sure about what was going on at the session! Her smiles were few and far between but we did manage to capture a couple of them!

I love this next shot!! Faith is very much into dress up and pretending and was so cute in her twirly skirt and beads!! I love the motion I caught as she was spinning around! What a true moment in childhood!

And little Ariah, still not super sure what in the world was going on!!

And one last shot of them together…sweet, sweet sisters!

Charise,

Thanks for loading up the girls and making the trek to meet me!! I know Ariah wasn’t her typically happy self but hopefully I managed to capture a little bit of who she is!

I complain a lot about living out here. I know I do. Not constantly, but frequently. I can’t help it – that is simply where I am in life. I could pretend that I love it here and I want to raise our kids here and spend forever cultivating our life in the desert, but that wouldn’t be keeping it real. What’s real is that tears flow frequently and my heart breaks often because I long for home. For Kansas. For the family that awaits us with open arms. For the country roads lined with trees as old as time. For the wheat fields swaying in the summer breeze. For the dandelions. For the fireflies. For the memories just waiting to be created. That’s real.

The truth of the matter is that life doesn’t always play out like that fairytale we envision when we say our vows. And while we may not always be where we pictured ourselves years ago when daydreaming about the future, that’s okay. That’s life. That’s real. Do I love it here? Of course not. Would I pack up and move tomorrow if Chris said we could? In a heartbeat. Am I sad for my kids because I know what they are missing out on not being close to cousins and grandparents? You bet. But will my heart break and tears fall freely when the time comes to say goodbye to our life here? Without a doubt.

When we moved here I made a promise to myself that I was going to get us involved. I was going to join a playgroup and we were going to make friends and meet people. That was three and a half years ago. That playgroup and the people we met? They are more than just people – they are friends. Forever friends that have given comfort. Friends that have provided encouragement and laughter. Friends that have shared advice on everything from the best doctor to directions to the new Carter’s store. Friends that have had babies. Friends that have closed the chapter of their life in Arizona and have moved on yet still stay in touch. Friends that see your faults, listen to you whine and yet still love and encourage you anyway. They are the constants in my life here {other than Chris and the kids of course!}. They are the bright spots on dark days. They came into my life at a time when I really needed them and I will forever cherish the place they hold in my heart because of that.

Meet Lindsey {and her man}! She is one of those friends. A forever friend. I remember the day I met her like it was yesterday. It was a Valentine’s playdate at my house – 2007. She showed up looking all cute and trendy with her bowl full of strawberries, a toddler holding her hand  and a baby on her hip. I can’t believe that was over three years ago. I can’t believe that day I made a friend whom I love and my kids adore. Lindsey gets it. She gets that our family is what seems like a million miles away and I can’t get back there fast enough. She knows how hard it is to be pregnant and miss your mom. She understands…wholeheartedly. I love that about her.

And Lindsey, if you do not have this image printed big and hang it in your home, I am going to do it for you!! I LOVE THIS MOMENT!! This is exactly why I love this gig – freezing real life snippets like this for people to look at and remember long after they have passed!

Lindsey and Bobby aren’t from Arizona either. They moved here from California –  she left behind her family too. Her mom. Her sister. Her dearest friends. Her life. Sometimes you don’t have a choice…I get that. But she too made the decision that they were going to meet people, to make friends. They were going to make the most of their life here because that is all you can do. Shortly after we joined the playgroup, she joined the same one. One decision. One simple decision that has created a friendship that will last a lifetime.

I had fun shooting Lindsey and Bobby! I RARELY photograph adults so it was something new and different. And easy! Oh my gosh! It is so easy to take photos of people who listen and cooperate without having to bribe with candy or a trip to Toys R Us after the shoot!

These two  have three beautiful kids…Jakob, Aiden and sweet Lucy.

Jakob and Huntler were in the same preschool class last year and while they knew each other beforehand, they grew to be good friends over the course of the year. But when Huntler returned for another  year of preschool, Jakob moved on to kindergarten. He is sweet and shy…much like Huntler. He rolls with the punches and is low maintenance. He enjoys school and is soaking up all of the new knowledge like a sponge!

And then they had Aiden! Their Aiden is the equivalent to our Gentry. Cute as a button but ornery as all get out! This little guy gives his parents a run for their money numerous times a day! Personality just exudes from his little body! He is so candid and real…

And eight months ago tiny little Lucy joined the world and won the hearts of her parents and adoring big brothers! Happy, adorable, petite little Lucy girl!

It’s been so fun watching these kids grow up! Jakob wasn’t in school and in a few short months he’ll be starting first grade. Aiden wasn’t even one yet when we first met him and now he is four. Lucy was just a dream and now she is here. It is amazing how much has changed and how much we have all grown in the last three years.

When my mom gave me this vintage white bowl at Christmas, I had a vision. A vision that involved a baby girl and strawberries! I had no idea how it would all play out and it was admittedly a bit more challenging than I had pictured {I’ll blame that on my large stomach and inability to get up and down in a timely fashion!}, but it was fun to bring an idea to life!

Little Miss Lucy was VERY interested in the strawberries…she couldn’t shovel bites in fast enough! And her outfit? Well, about two minutes into this set of photos it was gone! But the thing is, it was okay. I know Lindsey well enough to know that she would be able to just roll with it…that a few strawberry stains weren’t going to be a big deal! And they weren’t! Lucy girl was so focused on the strawberries I had a terrible time getting her attention for a few photos! In most of them she is far more interested in the strawberries and hanging out of the bowl to get them than in having her picture taken! But I did manage to get this one!

And this next one? It just makes me giggle. Laugh out loud really. Because it is Aiden. It is 150% orneriness and personality. LOVE it!

And of course a few of the fam! I will be perfectly up front and honest here in saying that this is the first time I have ever shot more than four people at a time! For some reason I have just never had any more than that involved in a session. It was challenging for sure…but I love a good challenge from time to time!

I kid you not when I say this is the first frame I fired off at our session {other than the one I took to check my exposure and get my settings right}. FIRST SHOT = FAVORITE SHOT.

And then we changed it up a bit! I promise Bobby’s eyes are opened in this one!! His allergies were really bothering him and I felt so bad! {Note Aiden and his ornery grin!!}

Lindsey {and fam!},

Thanks for meeting up with me for a fun family session! Thanks for humoring my ideas and letting me experiment with your family. But most of all, thanks for being such a good friend. I meant every word I said – while I can’t wait to move back to Kansas, my heart will break when it comes time to say our goodbyes. You have been such a great source of strength and encouragement in our journey out here and I am forever grateful our paths crossed. Big hugs!

Enjoy your photos!

Let me begin this post by saying that my kids ADORE this little guy. And I mean ADORE. We spent yesterday morning with him, his too cute for words big sis and their sweet mama. Huntler and Gentry haven’t stopped talking about them {but mostly Baby James!} since. They have an affinity for babies. Especially Huntler. He is going to make SUCH a great big brother! He actually wants to name our baby James if “it” is a boy and dress him in the exact same outfit. Mary, you have a great sense of style because this is exactly how I dressed Huntler when he was tiny and how I’ll dress this one if it is a boy!

I have known the mama of this little guy for awhile now, but only last fall did we find ourselves reconnecting again…through our mutual love of photography. Mary is an amazing photographer {I think she was a tiny bit hesitant for me to share the link because she is in the process of getting her blog set up now…but you’ll get it how you want it soon Mary!!}. She has a great eye and she can totally nail exposure! Believe me…I have seen her straight out of the camera shots and they are fab! Anyway, you may be wondering why I would be taking pictures of her little guy when she undoubtedly has thousands of her own?

Well, you see, we have a little trade going on. The plan is for her to come up to the hospital and take pictures for us when we have the baby {depending on the timing and everything she may even be there for the birth!} and I am in turn taking photos of her kids! My style is very different than hers so we thought it might be fun to switch things up a bit! I truly enjoyed editing every single one of these. No stress. No pressure. Just embracing my style for what it is and going for it! Thank you for giving me this opportunity!

Mary, I truly enjoy you and your friendship. I am so thankful that our passion for freezing those priceless moments in time has strengthened our friendship. It is so much fun to have someone to chat with, bounce ideas off of and learn from! And once we get our new computer, you can rest assured I am going to start shooting in RAW! Thanks for the mini lesson – it looks amazing!

I hope as you look at these images you’ll remember our afternoon at City Hall and how sweet and cute James was!

I won’t lie, this next one was a total happy accident! I was bent down {very awkwardly and uncomfortably I might add} to attempt this and it happened in a flash! It is a miracle my exposure was correct and that he was in focus! You don’t realize how much harder it is to squat and get in picture taking position when you are seven months pregnant!

There is something about this next one I just love. His look is so real, so innocent. And he has those same big brown eyes my own little guy does!!

I couldn’t decide whether or not I liked this last one in color or black and white so I decided to try it both ways!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I am taking it off from blogging in an attempt to get MANY things done! I am already working on party stuff for Gentry’s party in July {I want it all done before baby comes}, cutting out sets of ruffly pants, editing, crafting, Quicken…the list goes on! Hoping that somewhere in there we also do something FUN for my birthday…come Monday I’ll be the big 3-0!!

Ummmm….how darn cute is this little guy? Spent some time with him and his mama last night! I can’t wait to share more!

Sorry to keep this one so short, but my mind and body are both exhausted! Funny how that happens when you try to be superwoman and are six and a half months pregnant! I have been working hard to get things done and even though it is still early in the day, everything I type seems to make no sense whatsoever, so I’ll just let the photos do the talking this time around!!

Sunday evening I met up with little doll face Peytra and her gorgeous mama for some photos! Peytra is ten months old and was a total ham for the camera!! She was full of smiles and sweet grins, as well as baby babble and drool! Gentry tagged along with me for this shoot and I think she would have went home with Peytra if I would have let her! She adored her!!

A little retro fun to kick things off with!

Her mama has a background in interior design and loves black and whites so I edited several that way!

Check out those vintage baby blocks! They were MINE when I was a baby!!

And a splash of soft color!

And I saved my personal favorite for last! LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!

Thanks so much for scheduling a shoot while you were in town Lisa!! It was so great to meet you and Peytra! As much as she likes to work it for the camera, you better watch out! I wish you the best of luck as you welcome your new little guy into the world this summer!

Here are just a couple from my session last night! This little one was FULL of smiles and so easy to photograph…which was a great thing considering her mom and I are both over six months pregnant and getting around isn’t quite as easy as it was a few months ago! Her full sneak peek will be up later this week!!

Over the weekend I had the chance to meet up with sweet little Abby and her mommy and daddy again. You may remember when I did her six month photos back in May. Well, as time does, the months have passed and this little princess has now turned one! And not only is she celebrating her first year, next month she’ll be a big sister! It was so much fun getting to catch up with Bob and Lacy again. They were my very first “official” clients and are from Kansas…they will forever hold a special place in my heart and I wish them the best of luck as they bring another baby into the world at the beginning of the year!

Since things are obviously a bit on the chaotic side for many of us now, I am only posting a few images in their sneak peek!

LOVED her next outfit!!

Thanks for letting me capture your family once again! I had a great time meeting up in your neck of the woods! Have a WONDERFUL holiday season!

On a side note, I PROMISE I have not forgotten my blog! It has just taken a back burner for the time being! I have lots of snapshots of my own two littles to share! My parents and Chris teamed up and pulled off a HUGE surprise and they flew out the day after Thanksgiving so things have been busy! Tis the season, right?!