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4 Under 4

How do you know when you are done? Having kids that is. Some people would never stop untill their bodies were done. Some people know without a shadow of a doubt that a certain number is all they can handle. This amazing family has 4 under 4. It was amazing to hear mom talk about knowing this was her last due to medical reasons. I believe her when she says she would have loved more. I have had the privledge of getting to know this adorable little family and it’s not an understatement when I say, “They make it look easy.” Being with them makes me think I could have more. This has been a constant prayer for the last three years of ours. Do we try one more time? Are we content with the two amazing kids we have? Everytime I commit myself to really praying about it and seeking an answer our life gets crazy. Well, be careful what you pray for… I was praying last week asking God to let me know in some way if we were meant to have a third, or if what I have now is all I can handle. My answer for the time being came in a funny way but I’ll take the hint. My husband broke his ankle last night. 8-12 weeks before he can walk. So be careful what you pray for, you may just get a direct answer!

Workshop Update – there are a couple more spots if anyone else is interested in coming this saturday. Email me if you would like to come.

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Population 30

These two little cuties came to meet me in a little town with  population of 30. The Sun peeked out half way through the shoot and helped warm them up … a little. January is  a hard time for outdoor shots when you want them in cute little outfits. Layers, beanies and scarfs always look good in the cold weather. That little outfit won’t look good if there isn’t a great smile to go with it. 

Update on the CMP Client workshop. Last day to send in your money is the  feb 2nd. Many of you have signed up but hav not payed yet. Remider that your spot is only reserved once payment is recieved. I can’t wait to hang out with you guys and spend some time behind the lens. I have some child models coming and we have some great prizes to give away including a sitting fee! If you need a little extra justification to come…ask for it as your valentines gift. Way better then a card and some chocolate!

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CMP – Client Workshop

Yes – It’s finally here. I have only been talking about it for years. For you my fabulous clients… I am doing a workshop so you can learn how to take better pictures of your children and feel more comfortable taking your camera off AUTO. I have helped so many of you buy just the right camera and then left you alone to figure it out. So come hang out with me on February 6th at the Kingsburg Gun Club on the River. We will cover all kinds of stuff and get to spend some time shooting together. Shooting pictures not guns… even though it is at the gun club! (just coincidence)  I would like to keep the group to a minimum so first come first serve. The price is $150 and that covers lunch, materials, and the workshop. we will have tons of fun, prizes and I’m sure lots of laughs. You must have a DSLR to atend and your spot is reserved once your payment is received. Email me if you are interested at kmfriesen@yahoo.com.

* This is Superbowl weekend ladies so… If Sunday is for the boys, now you have Saturday for you!

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Can’t get enough of these girls

They’re back!!! The famous Karlee and Kolbi. I mine as well make these gilrs my spokesgirls because I can’t seem to get enough of them. Doesn’t hurt that Momma is a dear friend. The last time you saw these two they were on a bed in the back woods somehwere. Thanks to those pictures  every time I show up at a shoot clients are  wondering where the big ol’ props are…like the bed. Yes I do drive a suburban and many shoots I feel like I have a small furniture store in the back, but feel free to bring your own props! So momma (of the girls) calls and says, ” Ok kori tell me where we’re going and what to bring.” (Love when clients are willing to get creative with me). I told her about a location I had been shooting for the last few months that had some great old doors I pulled out of  a heap and said,”Hey why don’t you go paint some vintage windows and a chair or two and we’ll mix them in with the doors. “While your at it why don’t you monogram the the window with your initial.” (sarcastically speaking) . The next thing you know there we are with some vintage windows, chairs and the monogram!!!  So for those of you wondering why this family continues to get all the “good” Props, we’ll are you willing to yank out your old windows, stay up late painting them and some chairs all the while finding perfect matching outfits and bows?  Just saying. Like I said I love when your willing to get creative with me. I have some crazy ideas swarming around in my head it’s just a matter of who’s willing to run with them.

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Showing off my sis… and my niece and nephews of course!

She’s 6 years older, if you can believe that and drop dead beautiful. My older Sister Kimberly. Yes that is her natural color and it’s the color that she has loved and hated throughout her life. They say a lot of things about red-heads, but I must say they are not all true. This red head holds the dearest place in my heart. It wasn’t until she was married and I was old enough to understand a lot of things that I truly appreciated her. As sisters we share a lot; our laugh, the size of our smile, our love for the Lord, stubborness, confidence, love for organization, and many others. She has taught me, encouraged me, cried with me, been mad at me, and held me accountable for many things. I can truly say that I still look up to her as she goes before me in child rearing, and marriage. Her Family is evidence of an amazing job that they (love you too Cory) have done. I hope and pray that we can grow old together with our families and continue to laugh at our mishaps( and our hubbys) and make memory after memory together. I love you Kim and I am so thankful for you in my life. I am a better person for the influence you have had on me.

Here are some pictures from their family photo shoot this last fall.

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STUD -An Irresistible Fragrance for Men

Not really…this is just a fake ad for a picture I took of my Brother and Sister in Law. After having them crawl into the old truck I remembered a men’s cologne ad that I saw and so I thought I would play a little. Here’s a sneak peek Amy of just a few fun ones.  May not be what you envisioned for over your mantel but bedroom might work.  I Love Old Cars!!!

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Beach…Coming soon

Working on the beach pictures – Thought I would share this one. I was waiting for my first client and this was the view behind me.

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Fall Families

During this fall season I shoot on a few weekends here and there. I pick the spot and my clients come along for the ride. Finding great locations is always tricky. It’s hard to expect everyone to hop a barbwire fence or run quickly away from the crazy farmer with the shotgun, all because of the cool barn I saw on the side of the road. Amazingly I have so many wonderful Clients and friends that have wonderful resources and great property’s. Often when new clients show up to a location they give me that trustful look like, “OK…I guess this will work?” This particular day I shot in the backyard at a clients parents house. Funny thing is she asked me for a neat yard location for her shoot 1 month prior. Ha! The place I took her wasn’t quite what she had right at home. Thanks Adrea and your parents too.

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Here are some more from that Saturday

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

(WARNING! This may be a tear jerker)

Imagine if you could only have 1…just 1 picture of your child for the rest of your life and you never got to see them again.

I have been needing to post about this for a long time. I feel compelled to get the word out about an organization that I am a part of that does amazing  work. Now I lay me Down to Sleep or NILMDTS is a national community of photographers who go to hospitals even mortuary’s for families who have lost or are about to loos their baby. I have the privilege of being one of these photographers. Privilege you may ask? Well let me tell you a little story of how this came to be.

October of 2006 I was logged onto one of the forums I belong to. The topic was a photographer who was asked to take pictures for a family of their baby who just passed away in the hospital. She wrote about how there was no way she could ever conceive of doing something like this. Asking for the appropriate way to decline the invitation, another forum member wrote about her experience. She herself  thought she could never do something like that until she realized what these families got from the hospital. When a child passes the hospital may take a few extra pictures of the child and give the family 1 copy each. We all know how bad that 1st hospital picture looks. This is the only memory these families have of their beloved child. So as I sat back and looked at the beautiful images she was able to give to families I thought to myself, “Maybe I could do that for someone someday.”

Fast Forward to January 28th, 2007. I am home watching a movie with my husband (The Guardian actually) when I get the phone call that my best friend who was almost 30 weeks pregnant just had an emergency c-section and she lost her son. He was born alive but not capable of breathing as his lungs never expanded. He (Raymond) died in his mothers arms after Doctors and Nurses spent what seemed like forever working on him. I can’t explain the anguish that I went through. Can’t even imagine what they were going through. Then a thought… “Oh no, did someone get any pictures of him at the hospital? Would they give them to me so that I could make them look better or so that I could make a slide show for her? How do I get my hands on these pictures?”  Through the sleepless night I thought, and thought back to that forum discussion that I saw. It was no accident I was logged on that night and saw it. The Lord placed a idea on my heart and I began praying that I would have the opportunity to provide my best friend with some beautiful memories. I called the hospital photographer (who never returned my call) and realized it was up to me. Later that day on Jan 29th at about 7 pm God allowed me the opportunity to photograph baby Raymond at the funeral home alone. I was able to meet him, to photograph him, take foot prints and hand prints, and through it all I felt this amazing peace. He was a beautiful baby and all I could think was as a mother this was the only memories she will ever have to cherish. The swirly hair on his head, the peach fuzz on his shoulders and back, the big feet for such a small little wonder. He was BEAUTIFUL! I was able to make a coffee table book and a slide show of their baby boy. To this day that was the most meaningful gift I have and will probably ever give to someone.

It was shortly after that I heard about NILMDTS. When a baby passes or is going to pass the hospitals give us a call and we go… In a families deepest sorrow we are there quietly to capture the precious life that they have to say good bye to. It took knowing someone for me to realize the importance of this organization. I can’t think of many things more important in that moment. We are still trying to get the word out. We want to make sure that every hospital has the resources. We need more photographers! It’s a donation of your time and we don’t charge anything for the images. I think there is only about 8-10 in the valley signed up and I get many calls each month. Like I said I consider it a privilege to associate with this organization. God gave me a talent and I want my photography to mean something, not only to benefit myself but most important to help others. It’s not a glamorous part of my job but it is hands down the most fulfilling.

Here are a few links if you are interested in more information.

NILMDTS Home: http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/ 

Here is how NILMDTS began: http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

If you have time to read the letter to Maddux … it’s amazing. the slide show of the images are on the beginnings page. (Read the letter first and the images will truly touch your heart.)

A Great Article

http://www.editionduo.com/publication/?i=19736&p=85&search_str=when%20the%20bough%20breaks

Here is 1 picture of Precious Raymond.

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I know September is over ….but

Here are some more from September. Each photo shoot is unique and I never know what I am going to get. Many parents look at these pictures and expect the perfect smile starring straight into the camera, but that’s not always the case. I get a lot of tears, and grumpy frowns, even those can be precious. The best advice I can say to parents is to pick a time of the day when your child is generally happy and try not to make such a BIG deal over the appointment. Kids have a crazy way of knowing when things are expected of them. Keep them in clothes that they can run, jump, and play in. Lastly, parents come in clothes that allow you to be active while you help, and bring some fun songs and silly expressions with you.

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