Is There Life After Marching Band?

I have no idea how they do it. Music is only half of what Marching Band is about. The Drill (the actual marching and formations displayed on the field) takes up the rest of the practice. Practice that occurs after school for 2+ hours, and in the early fall in Central Texas, that means practicing in scorching heat. Then comes performing. Coming home at midnight after a Friday night football game, and to rise and be at school early on Saturday morning to travel during competition season, is the icing on the cake.

But he loves it. And he's never once complained. And when I'm beyond exhausted (and sometimes a grumpy mama), because I have to get up at midnight on a Friday night after a long work week, or 4 am on a Sunday morning to pick up my teen, I have comfort knowing that I'm not going to retrieve him from running the streets, but instead, knowing he was making music with his peers and an award winning band.

Sharing some photos cumulated from this season's performance, from the field and the stands (which I cannot take credit for). But I hope to be able to capture some of my own next year, by spending some time chaperoning, or if I'm brave enough, in the pit.

Capturing Real Life

Meet Corbin



I LOVE this kid.

I do.

He's one of my Terra Luz kiddies and for those who know this little man, know why I am in love.

Last weekend, I had the priviledge of hanging out with Corbin and his family on a Saturday morning. Sharon's good friend from London was visiting, and they wanted to capture some moments of their young children together. And even though I see little Shephard several times a week, for the first time, I actually got to spend time with this sweet and cuddly bambino, and I'm quite smitten.

There was such a warm feeling in their house, and it reminded me of how it was for me growing up, with music playing on Saturday mornings. The good stuff.

SO many great photos, but here are a handful.

My Gift

La Paz, Mexico :: Summer 2009

I went to see The Horse Boy this weekend. And boy, the first 20 minutes hit home. Hard. Rewind 12 years. I was there. I had almost forgotten. I had almost forgotten because of who and where my son is now.

He went with me. At 17, he watched this film, as the Isaacson family gave us a painful look into the daily routine of their lives. He says he doesn't remember the challenging parts of his childhood. When my now 3 year old daughter, has her [normal developing] meltdowns, Domi more often than not, is horrified at her behavior, especially if its in public. I chuckle when I witness his response, and I gently remind him this is normal development for a 3 year old, and that he did it too. Tenfold.

And then he smiles. And he tries again with her.

The inconsolable tantrums have been replaced with sophisticated conversations.
The self-stimming hands have grown into refined hands that create beautiful art.
Hands that create music with his vintage Bach trumpet and baby grand piano.
The unsociable child is now a humanitarian, surrounded by a strong circle of friends whom he loves.

Time moves so quickly.

Years ago, going to the grocery store was a daunting task, and often ended in both of us crying. Now, I'm relishing what time we have left with him under our roof. I ask for his company when I go to the store. I look forward to, and cherish, our short morning commute, with a stop for a cafe au lait and a mocha while listening to NPR. It's a routine that I've grown to love because I'm enjoying the young man he has become, and at 17, that time left with him at home, is slipping away.

Like the Isaacson family I, too, have had my own little miracle, and seeing this film, helps me remember, that my amazing son, my son with Autism, is my gift.

Turning Two

When Natalie's family asked if I would take photos to commemorate her 2nd birthday, I was thrilled because look at this darling I got to spend time with. Natalie enjoyed showing me her all of her toys and vast collection of books. Thank you, Val and Mike, for allowing me in your home to capture these moments.

Remembering You On This Day

1954-1992

We think of you all the time, but this day, this 16th of September, always brings me back to that time and place in 1992.

In Loving Memory, Papa

With a heavy heart,
Andrea

The Day Before She Was Born

No words needed.

Hello Blog

Hello?

echo echo...

...

I know, it's been quiet around here, but I haven't forgotten about you, blog.

You see, with some [exciting] changes for my preschool--purging, packing, stopping and putting the brakes on to pack the family up to take our trip to Cozumel and New Orleans, coming back to moving the very next day, cleaning, placing huge orders for materials, answering phone calls and emails galore, assembling furniture (thanks honey!), setting up the new space (still not done, but its close enough to start), wearing 5 different hats for my business (even though I'm still a small program, we've had a large spurt in enrollment and hiring a director to take over the administrative portion has crossed my mind more than once!!), throw in appts galore for my children (I was able to knock out 2 physicals for the teens and an appt for the tot in only 3 hours) oh, and top it off with a 3 day trip to San Antonio for Jay's baseball tournament the days preceeding my open house.

Was it a surprise that one of my parents showed up earlier this week while I was setting up with a six pack of Dos Equis? (Thank you, friend!)

Can't wait to come back and share photos of the space, and also photos I've accumulated over the summer.

For now, I'm putting my feet up, and enjoying what's left of that beer...

Partida | Maternity

Mandy and Paul are expecting their first kiddo any day now. I've been friends with Mandy for over a decade and I'm so incredibly happy to see her enter the crazy world of mommyhood. I tried talking her into entertaining the *crunchy* ideas of homebirth, cloth diapering, babywearing, having a blessingway, etc. without being " that" pushy friend. Anybody who knows the both of us know that even though we have different views on many things, we get along beautifully and love each other dearly. I did show up at her shower with a traditional cake instead of this one that I [jokingly] told her I ordered (giving her a heart attack...I know, bad friend) but I did gift her a Beco for her shower gift though. Hey, even the mainstream mamas are babywearing now. ;)

She also told me straight up (cause that's how Mandy is) that she would not be showing her exposed belly, or anything of the sort. Although I was a tad disappointed, I had to respect that (but I did ask a couple times during the shoot if she changed her mind. Heh). I captured many beautiful images of Mandy and her hubby, and am posting some of my favorites here. And of course, they're not the most traditional ones of the batch, so Mandy, your hair may not be perfectly groomed in all these, but I love what I see here.

A beautiful, expecting woman with her husband-- who is incredibly in love with her.

Vintage Villas Wedding | Second Shooter

I had the privilege of second shooting a wedding with Melanie of Peace Love Joy Photography. Not only did I get to work alongside my pal and photographer buddy, I got to relive my own wedding since it was the same place my husband and I exchanged vows in back in 2002. The couple even had the same minister officiate.

As a second shooter, my goal was to complement the coverage of the primary shooter, which was nice because I could be in photojournalist mode, which is how I like to photograph. I often had to remind myself not to jump in front of Melanie and start snapping away in certain situations because I was not the primary photographer. Heh.

Weddings are amazing, and are also a LOT of work to photograph. I cannot image doing another one without a second shooter. I only processed a few of my images, and I look forward to seeing the beauty Mel captured with her camera and the magic she creates with all the photos.

Thank you, Mel, for asking me to work with you. It was my utmost pleasure.

¡tornaboda! | Let the Party Continue

A Mexican wedding tradition is to have a party the day after the wedding. We had a section of Playa El Tecolote sectioned off for our large group, and with THE MOST delicious and fresh seafood, and plenty of cervezas to boot. This family knows how to throw a wedding party. I captured many shots at their tornaboda and it was hard for me to choose which ones to post here, but did get it down to a handful.

papá cariñoso | Luis

I felt these next photos deserved a post of their own. These girls have such a loving and affectionate father. I've known their mother all of my life, so it brought me much joy to meet her husband and daughters, and see the happines they all share together. I enjoyed sitting back and watching from afar--the playing, cuddling, and laughter.

boda | Sonia y Kenichi

I finally have a moment to sit down and upload photos from Sonia and Kenichi's wedding. This lovely couple held their nuptials in La Paz, Mexico and I was thrilled to photograph my first wedding at such an incredibly gorgeous venue. When I asked the bride what she was wanting for photography, she simply replied, "we do not want anything posed." And when she said she wanted nothing posed, she meant nothing. Just about every single shot I captured, was candid. Which was fun since that is my style, but also quite the challenge given it was a wedding.

These photos take on more of a photojournalistic feel, so I hope I was able to deliver what they had envisioned for their wedding day. I have hundreds of images, but these are some of my personal favorites.

Sonia y Kenichi espero que mi trabajo haya captado la esencia de la boda. Fue un honor haber sido parte de ese bello momento.



























































I'll be posting some more images from the Torna Boda. I'll save that for a separate post.

Fathers Day

A Happy Father's Day to all the daddies.
Even to those who are about to meet their first child in the next few weeks.

preparándose | Getting Ready

Photos from my first wedding photo shoot coming soon...

Playa El Tecolote | Mexico

Some photos from this pristine, white-sanded beach in Mexico, which overlooks the island of Espiritu Santo, (and where Baja Camp is situated.) I plan to get my family there next summer to enjoy that small piece of paradise. Until then, the gorgeous sunset at Playa El Tecolote was enough to fill me up.