After my children were born, I had a huge desire to learn photography so I could take better pictures of them. Not styled sessions, Christmas card pictures, or before school pictures, but every day real life pictures. So I dove in and learned all I could and was so happy when I gained the knowledge to be able to take better pictures. Of course I went crazy and started taking picture after picture of every ridiculous thing they did, I was infatuated. Well eventually this new love of mine turned into a business. I was so excited to finally have something in my life that gave me the opportunity to stay home with the kids, but also make money. Business started picking up quicker then I ever expected. Some Saturdays I had back to back shoots. Holiday’s were a blur of session after session. And guess what happened? I stopped picking my camera up at home. Although I loved my job, it was now a job and no longer the hobby that benefited my children and our posterity. Some days I would sit down at the computer to download a card from a session, and I was so ashamed when I realized I have several folders filled with pictures for other peoples memories, but very little in my own families folders. There were months that went by when I wasn’t taken any pictures of my family. I knew that needed to change but I was too overwhelmed to do anything about it.
I was beyond thrilled when I was invited to do a new project with some fabulous photographer friends I have met along the way. We all stay busy photographing our clients and knew that we wanted to sit back and capture the real life moments that were happening every day in our own homes. We decided that our project would be very personal to us and would allow us to capture our families in a personal way. Not posed pictures, but every day real life pictures. That means that you might see pictures where my kids are in their pajamas, with food on their face, throwing tantrums, but hey that is real life, my real life.
We came up with the idea that every month you will fill in the blank to the following sentence, “what _______ looks like”. This month, since we were moving and life was hectic, I decided to capture what moving looks like. There was so much emotion that went into this move. We have been living down south for the past 6 years and finally get to move back to AZ where we are both from. It is always bitter sweet to leave behind new friends to come back to old ones. But this was such an exciting journey for us. I am so grateful for the last 6 years. We have grown closer as a family than I could of imagined. We have memories to last us a lifetime. And now we get to make new ones, in a new house, with family less than 2 hours away.
Once a month I will be documenting a new theme. There are no rules but I am challenging myself to take pictures with my timer that include me in them. I am so ashamed of how many memories I have captured of my family that don’t include me. So as part of this project, I am hoping to add myself to many more of our pictures.
There are 12 photographers doing this project with me. At the bottom of this post, you will see a link to go to the next photographer, Andee Tate’s, site! Be sure to visit all photographer’s sites, we have incredibly talented women in this group!
We said our goodbyes to Tennessee
The kids loved our huge Penske truck
Enjoying the 24 hour drive in the passenger seat
Crashing at the hotel in Oklahoma
Welcome to Arizona
The men putting furniture together
Finally having their own room after sharing a room the past year in Memphis
Spending every night at the park we scored right next to our house
I am so grateful for this project that allows me to capture every day moments with my family. Stay tuned for next month to see what I capture. I have a fun idea in mind I can’t wait to share.
Now head over to the fabulously talented Andee Tate from Crave Photography’s site to see what she documented!
Andee Tate Crave Photography|Utah Photographer
[...] hope you’ll now head on over to stephanie moore’s blog to see what she had to share about her project this month — stephanie moore | tucson family photographer. [...]
I’m so happy for you to finally be back “home” Steph! What a fabulous thing to have to document you all moving pretty much across the country! What fun memories to have…you may not have thought they were fun at the time but you can look back on them and giggle later.
What a great time in your life to document! You did it beautifully. That moving truck image is priceless
What you said about not being in your own pictures, hits so home for me and I am so inspired to do the same for myself. Cannot wait to see what you do with that timer!
Love this idea! Thanks for taking us along on your move:)
Love this series in B&W! How fun that you documented your move…and did it so beautifully!
You didn’t miss a thing! Love how you captured every detail. I especially love the image of the kids in the moving truck. BTW, I love your blog!
I am so glad that you all are finally getting settled!! xo
So fun, Steph! What a great memory to capture…to new beginnings!
what a great documentation of your move, steph… i know you must’ve been tired from packing, but kudos for being on top of this project…
Aren’t you glad it’s done? I’m so glad you all made it! Yay for new beginnings at home again. Well done.
What a move! I know you are happy to be back close to your fam. Love the shot of the hotel bed.
you are awesome! love seeing the move and the children happily settled in their new home with their very own rooms. i love that you also included that last one … perfect!
hi! Stopping by on my way around the circle. Im LOVING all the talent in this wonderful group of photographers.
I had to comment since Im a Tucson girl also. I live in CA now (right down the road from one of the other photogs in this group) but I was born and raised in Tucson. My first baby was born there also. I love living CA, but sometimes I get a little homesick.
Love the whole set!
Steph, I LOVE this new project!! I love seeing your work, but I am so excited to see your cute little family through the next few months. This is such a great idea!!
Absolutely incredible images! So very special, and so very real
Welcome back to Arizona. Are you feeling more settled in? You’re in Tucson right? My hubby went to UofA so we’re going to hit some of the football games this year up there – yay! Hope you’re settling in well. If you’re in the valley let me know and should meet for coffee or a bite to eat
luv these…but i can’t help but me mad that you crashed at a hotel in oklahoma and i didn’t get to see you… j/k
Beautiful captures of your family. I can’t wait to follow you on this journey each month.
Oh Steph, I’m just now getting caught-up on all my blog reading and I can’t believe I hadn’t seen this yet! I love this circle theme, what a great idea!!!!!!! And I’m in love with how you documented your move, makes for such special memories!!!!!! I’m in super duper love with that last image, I love seeing you with your beautiful family!!!!
[...] of our new project, what___ looks like. If want more information on this project, go back to our original post and read all about it! We have a wonderful group of 12 talented photographer’s, so please be [...]