This month has just blown by me!  I kinda feel like I spent it in a whirl wind of sessions, editing, planning, and just working working working! 

However it has all been worth it, lots and lots of great sessions coming out of the studio lately. Lots of new little ones, popped in for their first portraits, plenty of girls and a sprinkling of twin boys to try to even up the mix!

A handful of milestone mini’s from all the summer babies who are on the grow with me plan. Then of course all the fun smash cakes and Christmas sessions.

So I feel a little behind on this whole blog thing! So sorry to all of you devoted readers.

I will say this month has been a learning curve for me. First I plan to approach the new year with even more focus on my passions, creative Maternity, Newborn and Birth photography work. I will be directing more and more of my sessions towards a creative twist, really working on branding and creating my unique look. 

This year and most importantly this month have brought to my heart a greater respect and love for all mommas out there. I have three kids, I have labored, given birth, nursed and loved my babies many times over. When I see a momma give birth I am renewed in my awe of the mothers love, determination and strength.  I have witnessed several births, been present to joy,  and I was asked to help a family grieve their loss. This year was a year of many emotions, but all of them help to grow my desire to continue to do what I am doing.

Here is just a taste of the last few months, from the vast variety of session of the last month! 

Enjoy and see you in the New Year. 

Little Mother's Gifts of Grace was able to gift another little girl with a special photo session last week.  Angel is the recipient of this months session, and she is amazing. 

At five years old Angel knows who she is and what she wants! She entered the studio and went right to the toy basket! Full of questions and a contagious grin.  She loves pink and sparkles, and according to her momma dances around the hospital like a ballerina when she goes in for her treatments.

Angel's diagnosis is Wilms Tumor. This is a childhood cancer only affecting children ages 2-5, and affects the kidneys.  Once Angel beats this tumor (which her parents hope is very soon) she will not be able to get it again. However, because she has undergone chemo therapy, her system is at risk for other cancers as she grows.

Angel went in for what they hope is her last Chemo the day after her session. So we were so glad to be able to give her a fun day before her appointment. (Update: since I wrote the first draft of this blog, Angel got to ring the bell for finishing her las Chemo, and is in remission!)

Angles mother was so excited to bring her daughter in for the Little Mothers Gifts of Grace session, she said, "Angel loves girly things, pink and sparkles!" Her make up on and a fluffy pink tutu gracing her little self she rocked her session. Alternating between singing, dancing, and posing Angel is a triple threat! 

Angel's mom was so happy to share with me several other organizations that help area children and families of children who are dealing with childhood cancers. One of their most memorable adventures was family camp, at Camp Rainbow, a summer camp staffed by doctors and nurses! The entire family was able to go and have a normal camp experience! 

Here is Miss Angel and her beautiful smile, folks this little lady is beautiful! 

When I first started my journey with this business, the business of photographing mommas, babies, and children, I had no real knowledge of the places it would take me. 

While I don't consider myself an expert or a birth worker, I do work with momma's who labor and deliver babies when I photograph births. I do talk to mommas who struggle during the first few days of motherhood at newborn sessions, and answer questions based on my personal experience. When momma's ask questions during milestone sessions about, "is this normal?", " did your children do this?". I answer honestly from my memory bank of those times with my little ones. 

So in a sense I do see my work as part photography and part ministry to mommas.  

Recently I started Little Mother's Gifts of Grace in an effort to give back to our community, especially the members of our community who's children were suffering. I can't take away that pain, I can't take away the illness, but I can provide some moments of innocence to a life that has known more pain and sadness than is right for a baby. 

This week I was asked to preform a service I hadn't yet done. I was asked to be with a family during a trying time, and photograph this for them.  I will be honest, I entered this task with serious trepidation, fear, and sadness. After conferring with my amazing group on Facebook for support and advice, I went in and did my job. Not with out tears and not with out grief.

As I sit here on my couch, surrounded by photographs of my family, my healthy children, and the assorted clutter that comes from a family of five. I realize I am so blessed, so so blessed. I realize that this journey I am on is just starting, and I have a powerful tool at my disposal. My camera will take me places I never planned to go, it will take me places I don't want to go. Through my lens I will see things, capture memories, and even if they aren't always happy moments they will be forever available to those who cherish them.

I don't have any images to share with this blog post. It really is just a forum for me to tell readers to pay heed to Gods' plan, follow his gentle nudges. It may not always be pleasant, or easy, but it will be oh so rewarding. 

​Kandi