The Fancy Parts of Easter 2013

Here we are seconds before church.  Macy was so so tired so she wouldn't move a muscle in her face.  Marshall is going through "the phase" that all kids get to where they think way too much about what their face looks like when they smile.  Tyler didn't want to wear this suit but started catching on to how cool it was.  

I'm gonna dig out the picture of Colby in this same suit so I can dedicate a post to the work of art all it's own.  This is the coolest kind of hand me down.

Macy and Daddy.

Now prepare yourselves for the many faces of Macy.  I saved my very favorite picture of her for last.

Our pretty little girl.

So grateful our Savior made it possible to return to him and our Father, in a perfect resurrected body and have the chance to be all together as an eternal family.

Outtakes

Goettsche Family Pictures

the mis-haps

I'm not sure what Marshall was doing... all I remember was hearing someone tell him to lift his shirt and this is what we got.

This is what happened when we were told to act like we love each other.

Lauren ate a bug.  INvoluntarily.

When I saw this picture I asked if this was typical.  I heard a resounding yes.  I'd like to clarify... I do not typically look like this.  My few family members are a very small percentage of this world that would say that.  And as the one in question I can confidently say this rarely happens.  Haha.

Jon must not have understood what we meant by "girls only." 

I'm honestly in love with the way our family takes pictures.
The one we have hanging in our living room looks quite similar to this one.

Don't be fooled.  Marshall is not giving out kisses.  He's blowing giant raspberries.  Poor Grandpa.

I'll post the "traditional" ones soon.

Going PRO

Baby Taft is going pro.  He's being featured on my "professional" blog now.  Don't miss out.

...a sneak ...

It is a humbling experience to be the one to capture rare family moments in just a few photographs.  
Here's a tiny taste of the fun we had out in the sand.

Bliss

One of the greatest steps I've taken in this endeavor to run my own photography business was to attend a workshop put on by Tonya Joy. She has been (and continues to be) a fantastic mentor to me and I was beyond excited to learn alongside her. The day was full of info that was invaluable to me and we were treated with two fantastic shoots. This first one just gets to me.
This was the sweetest family. I felt like I could totally relate to them. It must have something to do with having a toddler. Their sweet little girl was full of energy and independence... much like my own children.
And mom and dad were still full of love and attention for one another... in the midst of their life with a little one. It's sessions like this that make me want to grab my own hubby and give him a big wet one. (Yep, I just leaned over and gave him a little kiss.)

Aren't these two beautiful. They took old time glamor to a whole 'nother level!

There's something about having children that completes a person. I was noticing that a majority of my photos from this family session revolved around their little princess. I think that's because of the way my boys complete me and I love how my world revolves around them. Around and around and around :)
This little girl was such a doll. And a trooper too. She had 13 crazy photographers in her face and she kept up.
I love taking pictures of little ones like this because that day is the last day they will be just like that. Our babies change so quickly and its my favorite part of my job to capture their playful nature right in the moment.
Learning from Tonya Joy was such a delight. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and I wouldn't change a thing. Well actually, I might. I'd pay for my very own private workshop so I wouldn't have to share my beautiful subjects with twelve other cameras :) Thanks to this beautiful family and the beautiful Tonya Joy.

Another month has gone by.

Dear Taft,

You grow so quickly and you make my life feel like its flying by! And I'm not even your Mommy. Could you please slow down a little? The way I see it, it will be like the next week when you are almost twice your current age and the Christmas season will be upon us. And if Christmas comes as quickly as your 4 month birthday... then I'm in deep doo-doo. I'm sure you can understand the feeling.

I'm begging you...

Love, Your friend Andrea

Another beautiful family...

I should thank Andy for letting me take these pictures. What a treat it was to document some happy times for these darling children. It was a sweet reunion and I'm so glad I got to take a small part of it.

This is the daddy that is keeping this family strong. Way to go!
You'll be their hero someday...

We love you guys. The future is looking BRIGHT!

Playing "Catch Up"

I've survived the latest crazy period of the summer and I have one week to catch up before a new kind of chaos consumes me.
So here it goes...
This family session comes from a highlight of my summer. It was a weekend full of love and family and a lot of catching up.
Shane is my cousin and his wife, Traci, is a talented Wyoming photographer. She asked me to take these while were all together at a long overdue family reunion. This is their beautiful daughter, Rylie. I have a hard time taking her grown up beauty seriously. She really should just be four years old or something, but no. She just turned TEN. These three are the sweetest little family. They love each other so much and I truly believe they are one of the last "old fashioned" families in this crazy world of ours. They live in a small town, have a ranch, work hard, and love each other to death. Colby and I had the best time chatting for hours with them about our similarities. Everything from our habits to our good old fashioned values. I still laugh when I think about our conversation! Good times. I love the way they are so devoted to each other and have an understanding about the way things get done. Both Shane and Colby know that they are not to touch the laundry, dishes, or pretty much anything domestic... unless they can be man enough to watch it get done a second time... the right way. Seriously, I'm still laughing! A little love for both parents. Pictures like these are treasures if you ask me... Someday (like tomorrow- not really, but you know what I mean) Ry will be married with kids of her own and they'll look at these and remember this fun time of life. That's when pictures become priceless.
I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did.

Family time makes me happy.

As I try to juggle the many hats I wear during the summertime, I've been reminded to re-evaluate my priorities. While I sit here typing, I am smiling... watching Tyler fling a bag of cereal through the air... miraculously NOT spilling it everywhere. Some is finding its way to the ground, but not enough to stop him. It seems that a "clean" house has neared the bottom of the list- right next to wearing make up, blow drying my hair, and baking- while spending "family time" remains at the top. I've really enjoyed adding "documenting other families' time" to my list through this new business.
I love the way it connects me with so many wonderful people. Like this beautiful Mommy. We've known each other since grade school and I was humbled when she asked me to capture some sweet moments of her and her family.


These are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy.

*sigh*

Last weekend I was able to attend a workshop put on by none other than my incredible mentor and friend, Tonya. She styled the shoots in true Tonya Joy fashion and I wish I could do it over and over again. I picked up on some incredible tips for making this business more conducive to the life of a mommy and I left with a renewed confidence and passion for this work that I do.
I was also reminded of a time when I wished I could have lived when my grandparents were growing up- during the years that everyone looked like this gorgeous family. Red lipstick and all.
And then I was treated to this bridal shoot complete with such unique flare...
... and a bride who's legs would NOT quit!
The experience was everything I imagined it to be. And more. Thanks T. Now don't worry... I have so many more gorgeous images to share with you. I can't wait!

And for anyone who's still drooling over this like I am, I hear there's another workshop in the works for later this summer. *sigh* How I wish I could be there.