Happy Birthday! Nachshon's 3rd Birthday Party // Milwaukee Photographer

A couple weeks ago I was honored to photograph a very special birthday for my very dear friend!

In February, Nachshon, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. He underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor and has had intense chemotherapy treatments to fight the disease that spread to other areas of his brain and spinal cord.

Right before his third birthday, he had an MRI to see how effective the treatment was. With immense gratitude to The One Above, Nachshon's scans came back showing extremely positive reports!

It was a truly humbling experience to be privileged to photograph such a monumental birthday party, for my super special friend and her family!

Aside from reading ALL.THE.BOOKS (that kid loves to read - or have books read to him), his one birthday request was... Quiet. 😉. He wanted the whole throng of family to take their voices down to a roar. Which they did. For one whole minute!

I have to mention that the spread that Chai Lifeline Midwest put out was so impressive! I was truly touched to see the generosity, and fullness of heart and spirit they put in to making Nachshon's party an amazing event! The food, the music, the Tzitzis, I mean it was truly awesome!

And of course continued wishes for a full and speedy recovery for Nachshon. (Nachshon Meir ben Temima Chaya Sara Shlomit).

Real and Beautiful Love Story Promotion for Milwaukee Families

Celebrating Real Life Love. Family Photography Promotion 

$200

February is my birthday month! This year I am celebrating a "BIG BIRTHDAY"! And in honor of my special day, I am going to make this amazing offer, so you can document your special day - which is every day.

Let's celebrate your every day. Real life. Real love.

What does real life love look like?

It's not just about heart shaped chocolates and red roses. Love isn't what we may be made to think and believe.

Love is sharing our lives with someone (or someones), and it's sometimes messy and chaotic.

It's taking turns getting up at night with a crying baby.

It means going to work after a sleepless night, or going to the doctor's office when you had 100 other errands planned for that day.

It's appreciating that you don't always see your spouse as much as you'd like, because they're taking care of the family in a different way, while you stay home trying to work on some of your creative ideas, while dealing with tantrums and food fights.

It's picking up some take out, so dinner doesn't have to be made.

Love is having the patience to repeat yourself calmly, even when your 4 year old persistently asks for the same thing, and you've already said "no".

It's having a date night at home, playing a simple game, because you don't want to leave the kids with a sitter for the second or third time in one week.

It's washing endless loads of laundry for your family, and never seeing the bottom of the hamper. 

It's potty training, and newborn poop explosions, and bath time. It's wiping tears, bandaging skinned knees and validating hurt feelings.

It's relinquishing the urge to protect your child from making silly choices, and letting them experience the natural consequences of their actions (obviously not if it will harm them in any way)

It's filling the car with gas, so you don't have to worry about it when taking your daughter to the dentist, then soccer practice then swim class.

It's letting your 10 year old follow a recipe from start to finish, and (probably) dealing with the flour, sugar and eggs all over the place.

And sometimes, it's saying nothing at all - just sitting together, sharing a knowing glance at the end of a long day.

Because after all, real life isn't about the gloriousness of golden fields and sun kissed hair.

Real life is sticky and gritty and messy, but oh so beautiful in all its ordinary simplicity.

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Milwaukee people (and those of you in surrounding neighborhoods and Chicago!)

This cold February, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your real life love with a family storytelling session!

For $200, you'll receive a 2 hour Slice in the Life Session.

Includes a beautiful 8x12 fine art print, professionally matted and ready for framing (artist's choice). 

Afterwards, you’ll get the opportunity to purchase what you love from an a la carte menu of prints, products and collections - a stunning way to celebrate the love of your family every single day.

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Let's make meaningful art of your family's real, beautiful love.

(Send this link to your husband so he can get in touch with me. Or buy it for yourself. You deserve it)

Secure your session now.

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*Fine Print: This story session voucher can be used to book a family session, an in-home newborn session, or a fresh 48 story. As well, the value can be applied toward a longer Half Day in the Life and a Full Day in the Life session. The session can either be in your home, or at a favorite location of your choice or a combination of both. (No digitals are included in the session fee.)

All sessions are unposed and documentary in nature - they're intended to capture real life. Check out my family gallery and newborn gallery and check out my blog for some of my blogged sessions if you aren't currently familiar with my work  (goodness I have so many more to blog).

Sessions are for immediate family only and must be booked by February 28, 2018 and take place by July 31, 2018 to take advantage of this promotion. (Don't worry about choosing a specific date for your session yet. Reserve it now with your session fee, and we'll book the exact date as we get closer).

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Let's make meaningful art of your family's real, beautiful love.

(Send this link to your husband so he can get in touch with me. Or buy it for yourself. You deserve it)

Secure your session now.

Bar and Bas Mitzvah Party // Milwaukee Photographer

I love photographing birthday parties. When you think of documenting a birthday party, you might think it's only for little kids - like first or second birthdays or for 5/6 year olds.

But in truth, every age and stage is a huge milestone. Especially for a girl turning 12 and a boy turning 13. And when you have both in one year, you get to make a combined Bar / Bas Mitzvah party for all your extended family!! 

This special family, who I'm lucky to call friends as well, celebrated with a beautifully intimate event for all their family and closest friends. And I was lucky enough to document it. I got one instruction and Amelia left the rest up to my creative vision. Her one instruction was to get photos of her Mom. She is the last living grandparent on both sides and they want to make sure they have their memories preserved with her. 

I have to say it was a pleasure meeting Bubbie (Mrs. Weitzman), who is so full of joie de vivre, happiness and great attitude!

I hope you enjoyed the slideshow. I love getting to meet extended families, watching dynamics, and seeing how everyone's personalities come out when they're all together! 

Are you planning a birthday, are your parents or in laws coming to visit, or do you get together with your friends and/or family for bbq dinners during the summer months? These are all special everyday moments that deserve to be documented and preserved!

Contact me to discuss your next session!

Sweet Baby Girl (aka Chicken Nugget) // Milwaukee Fresh 48 Session

Oh my darling!! I was privileged to come and document the first precious hours of this little girl's life. Literally, I was there when she was only four hours old! She has the cutest head full of hair, and clearly has her parents wrapped around her little, flaky finger!

It's such a treat to see new parents fall so gracefully into their new role. Learning baby cues, emotions and new relationships all come with the territory. And I'm sure this beautiful girl will grow up surrounded by all that love!

Now offering Weekday Mini Stories // Milwaukee Family Photographer

I have an announcement to make. I know custom family photography is an investment. I honestly feel like it's the single most important investment your children will thank you for! And all too often, we only realize just how precious these memories are when they are no more. (So on a side note, don't wait for something drastic to push you into booking a session! Do it now. You'll be so grateful you did!)

Okay, back to the topic at hand. I am a mom too. I have expenses. Household. Clothing. Groceries. (Target...) and what not. So I understand if you can't make a full session a priority right now.

That's why.... (drum roll please...)

I am now offering Weekday Mini Stories.

FOR THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE ONLY!!

These sessions:

• are a 30-45 minutes long. Perfect for one family activity like a walk to your favorite ice cream store, planting in your garden, bedtime routine, Mommy/daughter manicures followed by a special treat, picnic at the beach or just morning hangs.

• take place during the week only - Monday to Thursday. (mornings generally, but we can be flexible on that point)

• include 10 high resolution digital images

• include 1 framed 8x10 print.

$450. (Amazing deal, I know!)

Non refundable retainer of $150 due to book your session. Remainder due 1 week before session.

If you think 45 minutes is not enough for your awesome family, don't worry! I still have my regular sessions available at any time (weekends included). You can see the details for that HERE.

5 on 5 - March // Lensbaby Experiment // Milwaukee Family Photographer

Can't believe we're already up to the 5th of April! March here has been quite crazy! I felt like February was forever and March has just suddenly come and gone! From snow to sixty degree weather and lots of other things happening, it was all a blur! In a good way!

And talking about blur, this past month I borrowed a Lensbaby to add some variety in my day to day images. (For those of you who have no idea what a Lensbaby is - it's a lens that creates interesting blur effects on your images.) My kids funnily enough called it a Baby Lens! So apparently there are a couple different ones and they each have different effects. The one I borrowed, the Sweet 35 optic, had a very strong linear blur - almost like leading you into the scene - which kind of made me dizzy in some of the images. 

It worked well for these images taken on the swings - because you could almost feel the motion and movement.

And then I tried playing around with it indoors. It was so tricky and the backgrounds felt so disturbing, so I converted those images to black and white. 

And just in case you're wondering, no we don't usually brush our teeth in the bedroom! 

After all is said and done, I was not super excited with this lens. So now I have to decide if I want to try a different one, or just continue freelensing!

Make sure to check out Becky's 5 image story here. Becky is Milwaukee, Wisconsin Storytelling Photographer and a really great friend of mine!

Storytellers Blog Circle // Milwaukee Photographer

I am so fortunate to be part of a wonderful group of artist who contribute to stock photography websites. Within that community, we have come to admire and respect each other and appreciate the stories our photos tell.

Fo the Storyteller's Blog Circle, we choose one photo and give the background story into what makes this photo the strong Storytelling Image.

Lately, my girl's favorite snack is an orange. (To the point that we ran out of oranges, and she wouldn't eat a clementine!!) She loves when I cut it in wedges and she can suck all the juice from each piece.

This was a Friday morning snack before nap time. I basically just let her eat her orange and I worked the scene, shooting from different angles. I wanted to capture the one photo that sums up her personality - the enjoyment she has while eating the orange. I want the viewer to be able to feel her happiness and wholesomeness of how much she enjoys eating the orange.

So while I love the three images above, I feel like the one image below really gives you the full feeling of her intensity, and how seriously she takes her orange!

See the concentration in her eyes!! And the way she's holding her orange - as if not to miss one tiny drop of orange juice!

Settings: 1/250, f/2.0 ISO 800 Canon 6D, Sigma Art 35 mm

And since this is a blog circle, make sure to check out Jen - from Jen Lucas Photography's post to see how she tells a story with one image.

5 on 5 - February // Airport Delays // Milwaukee Photographer // Everyday Family Storytelling

For those of you who are new here, 5 on 5 is a series of blog posts by fellow documentary photographers, where we tell a story with 5 images on the 5th of every month. To see our January story click here and make sure to follow the links all the way through to complete the circle.

Anyway, for this month I was thinking about what story I can tell in 5 images. We had a very busy month which included winter break for my kids. We took advantage and headed south to family friends to soak in sunshine and warmth.

But when the weather isn't so cooperative, and there are storms and tornadoes sweeping the area, it makes for delayed flights. And bored children. 

So what does a mom and her camera do? Document the ways we spent the time warding off the boredom. Watching airplanes take off. Go to the kids play area (thank goodness for that!). Watch the airplanes take off. Go to the kids play area. Did I mention watching the airplanes take off? Oh and eat lunch somewhere in there too. And watch people. And play in the play area again.

Yeah. That's pretty much what we did for three and a half hours!

To see the beauty that Margaret, a family documentary photographer in Spokane, WA, documented this month follow the link! Make sure to click through to complete the circle and be inspired by all the wonderful women who I'm luck to call my friends.

{Personal Project} Documenting Everyday // Real Life // One Photo A Day // Week 2&3 // Milwaukee Family Photographer

So I thought I would be able to keep up with blogging my 365 weekly, and turns out I wasn't so successful last week. Actually, I shouldn't say it that way. I sort of interrupted my flow with my own Day in the Life session last week - SEE IT HERE - and couldn't get around to blogging my "regular" 365 images last week. So today you are privileged to get 2 weeks worth of photos!

Something during my second week, I took it upon myself to document our day too. So I may or may not have cheated and used some of the images from throughout my day for some of my 365 days.

Days 7-12 we did very exciting things. 

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We had meetings. We baked. We hugged. We brushed our hair. We took awalk in the snow.

This week I've been challenging myself to try and find light in unexpected places.

13. So on our only sunny day of the week, we discovered beautiful golden hour sun, streaming through our living room windows.

14. I was going to write, "On laundry day...", but it feels like every day is laundry day. In any event, she loves helping me with the laundry (whatever day I do it).

15 & 16. Keeping busy indoors when it's too wet and icy to play

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17. Getting together with local, like minded artists and their kids is always a fun activity. 

If you recently received a new DSLR and have no idea what anything means, I can help you! I am running a Beginner DSLR Workshop for Moms on Sunday, February 19, 2017. 

If you'd like some tips on capturing your everyday moments, sign up here for my email list and I'll send you a quick cheat sheet! As well, if you 

Camera 101 // Beginner Photography course for Moms // Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We all work hard as parents. You enjoy being present and appreciate the beauty in simplicity and reality. And you want your children to look back at their childhood and remember all the love, devotion and connection they grew up with. This is why I am so passionate about Family Storytelling Photography! You're making memories every single day, every single moment and they deserve to be recorded and documented for posterity.

Photographing other families and their daily routines fuel my passion and fills heart and soul, which has led me to offering workshops to moms so they can take advantage of their DSLR and capture their day to day moments. (After all, as much as we'd all love for a professional photographer to live in our homes, it's not really so feasible).

This workshop will be held in Milwaukee (Fox Point) from 10-1 on Sunday, February 19, 2017!

This workshop is designed specifically for mothers. I will be teaching you how and why to use your camera in the manual mode to create a quality image. We go over the camera basics, touch on photo composition, you get to practice with a model, and there is plenty of time for question and answer during and at the end of the workshop. Space in this workshop is very limited to ensure that I can spend plenty of time with each attendee and make sure that everyone walks out the door confident. In addition to the class time I also have a facebook group that all attendees have access too. This is a place to ask questions while you are practicing and I can give tips and feedback on your images if you'd like. The fee for the workshop is $97. 

If you have any other questions shoot me a quick email at blimietphotography@gmail.com or click here.

 

Motherhood // Real Life Documented // Milwaukee Family Documentary Photographer

Last January, I set out to preserve the daily memories we were making as a family. Morning routines, homework, shopping trips, the occasional meltdown, and the ever-present love and laughter. I realized that these natural, unscripted moments are what my children will always remember.

This year, I have made a couple resolutions, as I'm sure most of you have.

Firstly, to take one photo a day - a 365 project. To see what my first week of 2017 looked like head over here.

Secondly and more importantly, to get in the frame at least once a week. To be in a photo - either with my kids or without, so that when we relive our memories and pore through albums in years to come they should see their mother!

Which brings me to my third commitment. To document a day in our life once a month. I hadn't truly considered this until a fellow photographer, Sandi, challenged a group of us to take a photo each hour and document our day. I ended up making it more of a personal Day in the Life session and I'm so happy I accepted that challenge. 

This is an ordinary Monday in our house. Simple. Authentic. Beautiful.

From early morning stretches, carpool, nap time, carpool again, homework, dinner and bath time, I documented our day from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. 

There was no golden hour sunset. We didn't all hold hands and hug each other. We just lived our Honest Real Everyday. 

Love. Laughter. Teamwork. Persistence. Joy. And even a meltdown (or two).

But this is my life right now and I love it! It's hard. It's tiring. And there's lots of responsibility. But it's invigorating. And rewarding.

Seeing the photos I made of my day, and watching them in the slideshow just gave me goosebumps all over! The beauty inherent in each moment that makes up my day is so hard to miss when you're not living in the moment.

This here is motherhood from my point of view.

And you can have the same experience and feel those goosebumps too. You might think your house is too small. Or too dark. You want to lose those extra 10 pounds first. Or "we don't do anything exciting". Guess what? I want to lose those extra 10 pounds too (okay fine, more like 20). And we don't do anything exciting either, unless you consider carpool, cleaning the kitchen and taking baths exciting! 

As well I joined a group of like-minded photographers who will be documenting one day a month too. If you click here and go to Laura's blog post you can see how she documented her day. If you keep clicking through you'll get to see the beautiful days of more of my fellow talented photographers.

Let's get real this year. ME AND YOU!

I'd love to help you preserve your family's everyday beauty. It can be the simple everyday. Or it can be a favorite activity you do as a family. DROP ME A LINE and tell me what memories you'd like to capture forever.

Also, make sure to SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST to GET YOUR OWN GUIDE with tips to help you capture your everyday moments.

{Personal Project} Documenting Everyday // Real Life // One Photo A Day // Milwaukee Family Photographer

I officially joined a 365 group this year. I've been documenting our daily life since last year, but I skipped many days last year. 

So this year, I joined some accountability groups and I'm aiming to do it right. I know there will be days when I don't get a photo, but as my friend Becky says, "Just do what works for you". And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I'll just photograph our everyday moments. The beautiful. The mundane. 

So without further adieu, I present to you: Blimie T's Week 1 photos.

1. I started out the year with a self portrait (of sorts). Granted it's not in focus. But when I've got an overtired, cranky little toddler sitting in my lap, I take what I can get.

2. I don't know about your kids, but when my kids come home from school they are so famished they can eat a house. Okay, maybe not a house. But a container of cream cheese. By the spoonful.

3. When we woke up and saw fog, I was thoroughly excited! As a photographer, it's not often I get to photograph in foggy weather. You can read about our Foggy Day Story here.

4. This is what making breakfast looks like in this house. What do you do for your breakfast?

5 and 6. Winter in Wisconsin can be very drab. I've been focusing on trying to find light, and I was surprisingly awarded with some sunny days. For about 25 minutes every morning (when it's sunny) we get this one streak of sunshine that comes right through our kitchen and ends in the corner of the hallway. 

Capturing some house glitter (aka dust) has been on my list of wants (yes, photographer's like getting good dust shots!)

And just reading her favorite books.

And that's about it for this week.

If you'd like some tips on capturing your everyday moments, sign up here for my email list and I'll send you a quick cheat sheet! Also, if you'd like to join a 365 group please let me know in the comments below and I'll create a VIP Blimie T 365 group.

Family Holiday Traditions // Lake Country, Wisconsin Family Photographer

Imagine decorating 125 sugar cookies for the holidays with all the womenfolk in your extended family?

When it comes to the holidays, The Lake Country Mom and her family do it right! Grandma, Aunts, cousins and grandchildren all get together for a cookie exchange. Everyone brings baked goodies, packaged neatly for each family member and they eat a light brunch. Then the fun begins. Decorating Holiday themed sugar cookies, one at a time until they finish every last morsel of frosting, sugar crystals and reindeer antlers.

Here's a glimpse into the holiday preparation of a close-knit, fun loving family!

January 5 on 5 // Foggy Days // Milwaukee Photographer // Family Photojournalism

I'm generally a sun person. I love sunny days. They make me happy. But once in a while when we get fog - that makes me very excited too. Yes, everything is gray and damp. But the depth and dimension, or seeming lack thereof, gets me every single time.

So when I woke up on January 3, and saw that it was foggy, I knew I wanted to find a park with a tree-lined trail so I can get some really cool photos in the fog.

But I have little opinions that matter too. And when my 2 year old insisted on going to get her morning treat from her grandmother, (part of her daily routine), I realized that my illusion of a picture perfect foggy photo won't happen that morning.

And I also realized, that this is really our reality. Our busy street, cars coming and going, people walking, and no symmetrical pathway with trees on both sides. But when my children look back on these photos, they'll remember the street we lived on. The way leading to their grandparents home, and they'll surely feel the excitement they always feel when running down the block. And the photos I took on this day are the picture perfect photos for our family.

For more picture perfect everyday images, check out Jennifer, who is a Maryland family documentary photographer.

2016 Year End Thoughts // Milwaukee, Southeastern Wisconsin Family Photographer

It was just about a year ago that I started my official photography journey. 

I've always loved taking photos and freezing memories. It's just something I've always done since forever. I remember when I still had my disposable cameras and I would go through them like - well like they were disposable 😊. Then I graduated to a real camera. with film. and lab processing. and always ordering doubles. (remember that?). And then I got my first digital camera as a birthday present and I treasured that for a very long time. Until the day I got my first DSLR and it opened a whole new world for me.

Of course, like many moms with cameras and an overflowing passion for preserving precious memories, I wanted to offer this gift of capturing these treasured moments to other families.

So last December I decided to start portfolio building for my photography career. I learned very quickly that in line with my own natural leanings, I didn't like to interrupt moments or create faux connections. 

And that's how I discovered the big beautiful world of family storytelling photography, also know as family photojournalism and family documentary photography. Learning the skill and technique from giants in this industry, joining supportive communities, learning some more, practicing, and learning some more and then some more has really brought me to the place I am today. 

Starting with a 365 project last January in which I set out to take a photo a day, has enabled me to see and use different lighting opportunities and challenges as they present themselves. Admittedly I didn't make it too far into my 365 journey, but I do make it a point to pick up my camera every day. I may not have a portfolio worthy photo everyday, but I have a memory for us, unique to our family for (almost) every day of the past year. Slowing down and seeing every action and interaction and has helped me be more present in our day to day lives.  

Over the last couple months, I have been privileged to photograph some of the sweetest families. Documenting a typical evening routine, a trip to the bakery, holiday preparations and long summer days, I have been able to create images that show them just how beautiful their simple lives really are.

I can not wait to see what 2017 has in store for me, for my family and for my clients.

If you want to start documenting your everyday moments sign up here to get my top 6 tips that will help you preserve your precious memories.

End of Summer Bonfire Fun // Milwaukee Family Photographer

This is a little peek into our summer finale. We have an annual traditional bbq - well it's more of an actual fire, with our friends and family. The kids love helping build the fire, and scouting the woods for sticks to use for roasting their marshmallows. It's hard to compare the taste of freshly grilled chicken (and meat and of course hotdogs) on a real fire. You know, a bbq grill is great for everyday, but for special occasions the fire just adds that touch. 

And of course dessert is the ever popular - roasted "shmarshmallows"! 

And the truth is, little campfires are so fun during autumn too. Cozying up to the fire in the chilly evening with some freshly roasted s'mores? Hmm, I can taste them already! Call me today 414.9090.0127 to schedule your family fall fun session. Only a few more spots left until the end of 2016! I would hate for you to miss out!

Local Outing - Blog Circle // Milwaukee Family Photographer

I am so excited to be taking part in this monthly Local Outings blog circle. Firstly, it will make sure I'm blogging consistently. Second, it will be fun to explore new and different places around the city.

This summer has found us exploring activities we enjoy doing together. Our local libraries are always a fun place to visit. On August 11, we visited the Wauwatosa Library to join a special Lego activity. John Payne, an architect for many years, has amassed quite the lego collection and helped guide the children with their project. Each child received a board, and a card that indicated the type of building they were to build to create a lego city. It was delightful to see all the little projects slowly form a colorful, bustling virtual city.

Please make sure to check out my friend Susan Ryan Kalina's fun outing in Downtown Chicago.

Let me know in the comments if you have any ideas for fun local activities - especially as we move towards fall and winter!!