Waverly, Iowa, Family and Children Photography

I've gotten into quite a great rhythm with the Tatroe family, making sure we document their ever-growing kiddos at the beginning of each school year.  Every year it gets a bit more challenging to find a date that works with everyone's busy schedules, but luckily their mom always keeps it a priority. 

With thunder in the distance we escaped a storm and they brought their favorite babysitter to play funny music and make lots of laughs.  AND, got some great photos of these awesome kids!

Thanks for letting me be a part of your family fun Tatroes!

We planned this large family session for the Fogdall family for a couple of very good reasons.  Jim and Judy are celebrating 50 years of marriage this year, and their actual anniversary was the DAY of the photo shoot.  Their son and his family were visiting from Texas, and it's not everyday this family is ALL together!  

We wanted to do an evening shoot, as we thought it would be cooler, and it had to be that Saturday.  I was on vacation with my family until Friday, and the Texas Fogdalls were headed back home on Sunday!  As we watched the weather forecast throughout the week, the chance of rain and storms kept increasing.   The day of, we anxiously watched the radar and did our best to be arm-chair meteorologists with a prediction of the best hour to shoot.  

We found a window of weather we could work with, it was pretty hot but a nice breeze kept it bearable for them.  Their three grandsons had fun clowning around and kept everyone light-hearted.  It was so nice to see Jim and Judy so sweet together, and joking around with their kids.  

What a privilege to hang out with this family on a very special day in their lives, and document their lovely family.  Wishing the Fogdalls many more happy anniversaries!! 

xoxo

Meet Kim.  She is a mother of three, who tragically lost her oldest son Justin at the age of 11 in a school bus accident in 2011.  Kim was nominated by a friend in her community who has seen Kim face adversity with grace and true beauty.  Something no mother or family should have to face, where some would retreat and hide Kim and her husband have turned it into a positive.  In Justin's memory, the Bradfield family started the Smile Big Foundation.  It began with bus safety, even changing state legislation to do so.  The foundation continues to work towards general safety issues for all the children in their community including fences, security locks and cameras at entries.  She has also bravely spoken at safety fairs in the area to educated children on dangers they may not have suspected.  His smile and memory live on.

The day we finally got to meet to do their family session was a bit chilly, but better than the first TWO times we had scheduled.  I was worried it may never happen, but we finally did meet a few days before Easter.  It was meant to be!  Kim let me know that they had not had family photos taken since Justin had passed away.  She agreed this photo session would be tough for them, but was happening for a reason.  We wanted to honor Justin of course, so we decided they would bring a photo of him, a photo blanket, and his favorite orange fleece. Through laughter and tears we spoke about Justin and how their family has changed over the past 4 and a half years.  I was blown away by their courage.  Even now writing about it, tears well up in my eyes.  Our children are only lent to us, a gift with no guarantee on time.  Hug your babies, everyday is a precious gift.  Meeting this family has been nothing short of a gift in my life, placed for a reason. 

I am so glad I was chosen to do a session for Beauty Revived, a beautiful organization that allows photographers to give back while highlighting true beauty.  It has truly been an honor and pleasure.

It also highlights to me how truly important it is to have your photos taken! And moms especially, I'm talking to YOU!  Get IN the photos! You won't regret it, your children will have precious family heirlooms to treasure forever. 

Do you need your own session to celebrate the people in your life? What a perfect gift to receive or treat yourself for Mother's Day!  I would love to meet your family and celebrate everything beautiful about you!  Email jen@jennersphotography for more information and let's get this done together!