I’ve been lucky to have met so many incredibly talented and wonderful photographers during this journey. People who share the same desire to capture their own families in a real and beautiful way. I’m teaming up with twelve of these women on a very personal and meaningful project called, “What ________ Looks Like.”
Our goal is to capture our own families in a real and beautiful way. Some people call it “lifestyle”, some call it “real life”, some call it “unposed”. No matter what you call it, our desire is to snatch the moments that represent the relationships, the dynamics, the reality, the beauty, the truth, and the life of our families and record them here on our blogs as well as in print at the end of the project.
Each month we will each choose to fill in the blank with our word of choice. Some of us may choose to use the same word all year and some may choose to change it up each month. We will each link to the next photographer until our circle is complete.
We hope this project inspires you to take more pictures of your own families so that those unique moments that make your family unique will never be lost or forgotten.~ Wendy VonSosen.
Each of us will put our own spin on this project, making it more meaningful to us. I wanted my monthly post to be in the form of a letter to Brooks. When the year is complete, I hope to compile the monthly letters and images into a book. My gift to him and to myself. Here is our story of May 2012.
Dear my little 7 1/2 year old ,
What remembering looks like … I want to freeze time and remember every little thing about you. I want to remember how you love to hold my hand … at school, on errands, on walks … always. Every time you reach for my hand, my heart melts just a bit. I want to remember the way you blow me kisses when I need to ask your teacher a question. I want to remember that you still love to give me kisses (even in front of your friends). I want to remember your confidence and independence, which has grown so much this year. I want to remember how important it is to you to make healthy choices, both at home and at school. I want to remember that our favorite time of the day is bedtime conversations and snuggles.
Our month started out with the heartbreak of Grampy’s passing. I’m forever thankful to Auntie for calling on Friday to let us know that we needed to come to Santa Barbara because Grampy wasn’t doing well. We arrived in SB early Saturday, May 5 at MomMom’s house. Just two days earlier, Grampy was placed in a care facility and we were planning on visiting him later that evening. The whole family joined us for our favorite lunch out at the Habit and Backyard Bowl. As always, you have so much fun spending time with your cousins. I love watching you with them.
But then everything happened so fast. Within just a few hours, Grampy was admitted into the ER. I was able to spend his last hours in the hospital with Auntie, Uncle Mike, Uncle Phil and MomMom, holding his hand, praying, crying, and remembering so many wonderful things about him. I gave Grampy lots of kisses and love from you since you didn’t have a chance to say goodbye. Trust me, he knew how much you loved him. We have so many ‘Grampy-isms’ that make us smile and laugh… and remember.
I want to remember that two towels are supposed to be hung here… but now there will only be one.
I want to remember you and Sky and your hysterical laughter listening to Uncle Phil snore. I was around the corner listening to you tell Sky to come over and listen at the door and couldn’t help but smile. :)
I want to remember our morning dog walks … and the millions of roly poly bugs (iPhone snaps).
I had my camera at school for my class end of the year photo, and as I was passing through the village I couldn’t help but snap a few of you hard at working with your Eric Carle art project. It turned out awesome. We will for sure have to frame it!
I want to remember yet even more lego creations for your battles. Every weekend … this is what you do.
Last weekend you mentioned that I don’t ever take any pictures of you anymore, so we walked down to the creek to explore and take a few images. I can’t believe we didn’t go to the field all spring, so we missed out on all the gorgeous green and wild flowers.
I want to remember your laugh. This just might be my favorite of the evening. I LOVE your smile and your laugh. When you are with friends or your class, your laugh can be heard above all the others. It’s the best laugh that comes from deep down in your belly. I always want to remember that.
And finally, I want to always remember your sweet heart. This past year we have been writing letters back and forth to each other each week in your ‘write back book’. Now you are loving using ‘notes’ on your iPod to write me little notes. This is the one I got from you yesterday. I plan on ordering a print of it and saving it forever. That’s how much your sweet words mean to me.
I’m so proud of the little boy you are. This is going to be the best summer ever! Just 4 more days of first grade … I’m looking forward to spending them with you.
I love you to the moon and back.
xoxo
Mommy
Be sure to continue on with Christy Williams | Bradenton Florida … she has such a beautiful style!
If you missed the beginning, you can catch up on…
What Responsibility Looks Like
What the Last Days of Summer Looks Like
What Almost 7 Looks Like
What Making Memories Looks Like
What December Traditions Looks Like
What The Magic Of First Grade Looks Like
What Being a Tourist in My Own City Looks Like
What Easter Looks Like
– PS I might have a client for you that just moved from Dallas to SD. cute little family!!
by Jules
tabitha - SO beautiful!
Kim Hill - What a beautiful family. LOVE the lighting here and the playfulness of the photo under the pier.
Melissa - Such a beautiful family – and you found the perfect light!
Hope - These are perfect Jules! So wish I was closer to snatch up one of those openIngs
Sarah Albert - Love these Jules! The lighting is beautiful (as always) and you rocked these (as always).
amy grace - this. is. beautiful. the light alone has me enchanted, and the love, joy, and connection you captured in it are stunning. what an amazing session of a gorgeous family!
Debbie Wibowo - Adorable family pics, Jules. Love how you captured their connection and the light.
Stephanie Moore {Tucson AZ Photographer} - What a GORGEOUS family. These pictures are so beautiful, the light is just dreamy. And I love the running shot, perfection!!!
Cherilyn Haines {Baton Rouge Photographer} - Gorgeous lighting!!! Great job on these pictures.
kelly klatt - This session is fabulous! I adore the outfits they chose~such a beautiful family!! That running shot is my fav
Skye - That first one is just stunning! I love the light in all of them, its like they are bathed in it. Gorgeous family, and beautiful images, love!
Casey - So gorgeous!!
Rachel May Virginia Photographer - Absolutely stunning light here, It’s SO golden and bright. Love this session!
Laura - What an incredible beach portrait session, they are fantastic!
Kelly Q - So fun! Love the under the pier feel!
Britt Anderson - Seriously Jules, I will be heading back to San Diego at some point, and I will have you do our family portraits…you are amazing!!!
Angela - Gorgeous! Love the fun location!