I posted A PERSONAL COUNSELING SESSION ‘the first part of Tinsley’s Lifestyle Session’ HERE:
https://christymartinphotography.com/index.php/robbie-marcy-tinsley-3/
But, there was MORE.
A lot more, actually!
I used my Nikon, my GoPro and my video and we had a BLAST doing some fun water and video coverage!
For more information about my Lifestyle Photography, watch this video!
It was an amazing session. The kind of session that I ended-up writing about in my Happiness Journal when I returned home from Georgia.
But, as much happiness as this particular session gave me, honestly, I pulled out of that long, beautiful Athen’s driveway feeling confused and a little afraid…
There’s a long story (that I hope to write about one day), but, basically, my family recently decided to change the direction our lives were going. A year ago, we left our family, our friends, our church, a job my husband loved and everything we knew to intentionally step away from our ‘busy‘ lives. This move not only took us away from a convenient area (with family all around us) to a new place (where we found ourselves surrounded by cows and horses), but most importantly, it changed our daily pace from ‘busy‘ to super-intentional.
And part of my commitment to this new, quiet life, I knew the plans God desired for my family meant me stepping away from the photography business that had brought me so many wonderful memories and great friends for so many years.
So, for the past year, the only photos I’ve had inside my camera to post or write about were of my OWN children (…most likely, super muddy in a creek somewhere). That was, UNTIL my family recently visited Georgia and I opened-up a few days for sessions…
But, after letting Tinsley lead me to the same spot we photographed her four years ago…
And watching her run around the same spot we took her photos less than a year ago… 
And, just listening to her talk- noticing how much she’s changed since her 5th Birthday Party…
…I guess it HIT me.
I’ve gotten SO much JOY from my clients.
I’ve formed SO many relationships that, like this family, now feels more like friendships.
I’ve made SO many memories that I wouldn’t take anything for.
And, I’ve been able to capture SO many moments that have, hopefully, meant as much to the family as they do to me.
So, my heart is officially torn.
I love my new, quiet life. But, I miss documenting moments in other families lives.
Praying for direction.
Check back this weekend for MORE *UNDERWATER* photos from their Lifestyle Session!
AND, if Marcy gives me the ‘okay,’ I’ll post a special video with some fun moments during our session.
(And, thanks for anyone who took the time to read this entire (LONG) post. I know it was heavier than normal, but, it certainly helps me process my feelings when I allow others to be part of my journey!)
The only think I love more than getting to know a new child is getting to photograph the SAME child year after year! After 4 years of being Kate’s photographer, I feel like I’ve watched her grow-up. But, looking back at all our sessions together, there’s a common theme that has not changed… Kate’s love for the outdoors and finding cool things in nature!
Thank you, Kristy! Look forward to our next session together!
I was talking to my sister-in-law on the phone about our new area and, after going on and on about the restaurants, events, festivals and natural beauty, I told her I could be “the spokesperson for Bentonville” because I adore it so much.
And if I WERE the spokesperson, I know which lil’ girl I’d vote for to have a turn representing it… 
Yes, I think my kids love it just as much as me… 
When the 5 & Dime gives away free dimes to ride the truck, sometimes (after the 13th ride), you’ve just gotta’ put your feet up… 
Jackson, Mississippi may not be the 1st place you think about when considering a Spring Break destination, but it’s VERY high on my list! As a matter of fact, a few months before our school break, Matthew suggested a few spots our family could visit and when Jackson was mentioned, the kids and I all CHEERED & STARTED-COUNTING-DOWN-THE-DAYS ‘agreed’.
But it’s not the fried catfish and turnips that makes Jackson so great. (Although that’s almost worth the trip!) It’s the PEOPLE who live there…
Ruthie’s good buddy (Matthew’s brother) is one of the folks we love seeing. As I was trying to get Ruthie to fall asleep one night, she tells me (in her most unhappy-little voice), “Ruthie so sad… My need Uncle Dennis.”
We spend LOTS of time in our pajamas…
(I hate to admit it, but I’m pretty sure this pajama photo was taken after we ate LUNCH! And, yes… my kids will ONLY wear big t-shirts to bed. As a result of not owning any ‘real‘ pajamas, when it’s ‘Pajama Day’ at school, I end-up having to borrow sets from their friends!)
We sneak-in as MUCH time with my niece (and one of Rayna’s favorite people on earth) as humanly possible… 
(This delicious chocolate milkshake was made in the same spot where “The Help” was filmed!)
Then, I see the way the sunlight is catching Madison’s hair outside and I then yell at her, “Don’t Move… while I go grab my camera!”
Lots of eating… 
And LOTS of things ONLY Martin-men would come-up with…
Like, in this case, Matthew wanting to SHOOT the Water Moccasin snake that we kept seeing by their creek…
At least Ross and Ruthie were well-entertained before we headed out for pizza!
She’s got a sweet smile… 
…but, even MORE silly moves!
“Here ya go, Buddy!”
Oh, another thing Martin-men do is come up with crazy challenges for everyone around them.
THIS challenge was to see how much water the kids could catch in their mouths without dropping any… 
Thanks for checking my blog!
There’s a few MORE pictures from Jackson (coming soon!), then we’re off for a SUPER-QUICK stop in New Orleans!
It’s not everyday that your husband’s laid-back, childhood friend ask you to take a few, quick photos of his family. So, I did what any true professional would have done…
I BRIBED BEGGED ASKED Rayna to go with me.
(Ice-cream may or may not have been part of our agreement.)
It was a super idea!
Before she lost my plastic snake and spider in the field, she was able to help me keep the boy’s attention by balancing the funny toys on my head…
But, after a few minutes of ‘helping,’ she decided she wanted to do her own thing. Anyone ELSE notice the problem now?!?!
(Thankfully, I can Photoshop her out on the computer quicker than I can actually help her down in real-life!)
But, we STILL got lots of fun shots in just a few minutes!
After our friends left and we found my plastic snake and spider, I had one last idea! (If you read my last blog post and the one before, you probably know EXACTLY what I was going to attempt.)
I wanted to remember our fun night, so I used my little stool-prop and set my camera on it.
Switched to timer… RAN… Grabbed Ray… And, got a picture of us together!
…and forgot I had my camera set to take 10 consecutive photos, so we ALSO got THESE (which I like even MORE)!
I’ve had a few people tell me they ALSO want to be in MORE photos with their kids.
Anyone else want to try handing the camera or phone over?!?! Or, learning the timer-option on your camera?!?!
Try it! It’s FUN! And, you may get your new-favorite-picture from the experiment!
I really wanted to take a few photos of Ross, Rayna and Ruthie. But, I had 2 problems:
1. I’m new to NW Arkansas and totally clueless about pretty, legal, unpopulated and unique places to take pictures.
2. I allow my kids to wear pretty much whatever they want ‘don’t dress my kids super fancy’. So, clothing is never something I look forward to when it comes to a session with my kids.
So, Rayna and I headed to the thrift store and bought her a pretty dress for a few bucks that matched another thrift-store shirt Ross already had. Then, I took the kids to the vacant field across the street from my house and, 20 minutes later, we were back home!
Yes, there were a few melt-downs and tears, but all of those ‘real’ pictures went straight to the trash!
Although I’m glad I finally have “official” photos for this season, I think I DEFINITELY prefer more real, authentic and playful photos of everyday life!
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