ann beck photography

Monthly Archives: June 2008

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Trust Me.

June 24, 2008 – 9:16 pm

I say that to clients often during a session… when the lighting seems contradictory to what they would have done, or the kids are running amok, and all hopes seem to fly out the window of any possible usable images.. just trust me.

It’s not that I’m conceited, and by no means do I think I am some wizard of the camera world… but I just know it always feels crazier and harder than it really is. It’s just part of the stress we put upon ourselves in the never ending quest for the perfect.family.portrait. I am fond of reminding clients that often the *perfect* portrait is the one with a few imperfections. A giggling face instead of a frozen smile, or a tender snuggle instead of a stiff pose. Those are the images I love the most, when the real personalities shine through. One of the greatest things about kids, while they can’t always be the perfect angels you want them to be, they can’t help but be themselves.

Last weekend was no exception… lots of busy kids and reassurance on my part.. trust me, I said.. I’m sure we’ve got something.

Saturday, that meant this set of images, two proud big sisters who couldn’t contain their excitement (or giggles!)

And Sunday, two more darling little girls, one precocious almost-five year old and her new baby sister, just recently adopted into what could not be a more loving family. Yes, she was on the move..

but I still managed to catch her a few times!

And now, some official work to take care of.. we will be officially closed for the next week. All calls and emails will be returned begining next Tuesday, July 1st.

We’ll also have some big-BIG-announcements at that time, some exciting stuff you won’t want to miss…Trust me!

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in kids | Comments (2)

From the Homefront…

June 15, 2008 – 10:20 pm

Been a while since I’ve had any home front updates so I figured post-Father’s Day was the perfect time! Hope all the dads out there had a wonderfully pampered weekend of golf and car washes and naps on the couch! (it worked for ours!)

Thought you all would enjoy these pictures.. a very minor bike spill left my oldest with a very curious bruise on her cheek. She landed with her cheek just perfectly on the end of the handle bar, and between the round handle and the two plastic streamers hanging off it formed a definite imprint that made us all giggle for the week it too for the marks to fade. I’ve outlined the shapes in the second image if you don’t see it right away.. it’s much more evident in person but still there in the first picture if you know to look for it…

Honestly, how is a person supposed to carry on a serious conversation with someone who has a smiley face imprinted on their cheek?? It ended up in her favor, it was nearly impossible for her to get in trouble this week, I’d start laughing before I could yell!

(by the way, when I took these pictures my monkey in the middle asked “are you going to blog this?” and I said OF COURSE and got the most priceless sigh from the other. Gotta love the tween angst!)

And in other news.. meet our new family member! My sweet husband has wanted another dog to play with our chocolate lab Hershey for a while, so we thought it was the perfect Father’s Day gift. Meet 2 month old Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, otherwise known as “Reese,” “Peanut,” or “MOMMY THE DOG IS CHEWING ON MY HAIR AGAIN!”

Wish me luck!

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in homefront, random thoughts | Comments (3)

Friday Five

June 12, 2008 – 9:15 pm

Is it just me, or was this one of the fastest weeks on record?? Happy Friday again, hope everyone has a nice, peaceful Father’s Day weekend planned!

U Pump It Up
A fascinating concept, sponsored by Crystal Light, this site is a place for women to set a goal for themselves-everything from improving their global footprint to learning a new language or getting healthy & active.. and more!- and then with the site tools and other members they inspire and encourage each other.. just one big virtual hug! Plus, it’s hosted by the impossibly cute Mandy Moore… how can you not love it?

20×200
I love this idea! A huge selection of art and photographic prints from up and coming artists, all for just $20! For less than one dinner for two, you can have a beautiful original creation in your own home… a win-win for everyone! The $20 prints are all small, easy to display sizes, reproduced in limited runs of 200 copies each.. when they are gone, they are gone for good! But new images are coming out weekly, so there’s always a reason to return! For those of you who have told me the Friday Five has been rough on your pocketbook… don’t click here, it’s a guaranteed spender!

Couch to 5k
Since I’ve announced the 3-day walk I’ve had lots of people comment on how they would love to do something similar but just aren’t in the shape to handle it. This site is for you! A full training program designed specifically for the beginners.. it promises to get you from the couch to running a 5k race in just 9 weeks!

The Slow Movement
Loved this story from CNN… a new movement aiming to get people to.. what else.. slow down! The leaders go as far as to claim our current fast paced lifestyles are destroying our health, families, and environment. Not sure I buy it all.. but I can’t argue with a call for more naps!

Baby Namescape
Finally this week.. I sent this one to the mother of the.most.photographed.baby.ever. with the email subject line that this was quite possibly the coolest.site.ever. And I still mean it. Nevermind searching the social security site for baby names throughout history.. this site lets you pull up the top 10 baby names for boys and girls BY HOSPITAL. How cool is that? Just bring up your city or area and then pick from the drop down menu to get a specific hospital and their list. Love love this site.

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in kids | Comments Off

Any day now

June 11, 2008 – 8:47 am

This nightly ritual of mommy & daughter story time will have a new set of ears to listen in..

This group hug will have a new set of arms to cuddle in tight…

This nice, round canvas for little sister’s masterpiece will disappear…

Giving way for this yet-t0-be-named little one to join the family…

But I’m guessing these hands will still find a way to be this messy.

Congrats, family.. can’t wait to meet your newest little bundle!

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in family, maternity, newborn | Comments (1)

The Prodigal Son Returns

June 9, 2008 – 4:20 pm

Yes, it’s true.

The. Most. Photographed. Baby. Ever. has returned to me once again for his latest session. Brace yourselves.. he is THREE MONTHS OLD now.. I know.. time flies.. and amazingly enough, I think he has gotten even cuter with age! No, I didn’t think it was possible either… but see for yourselves!

Would you believe I could post about twenty more of my absolute favorites? Unfortunately, we have to save some server space for his six month old session!

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in babies, newborn | Comments Off

An Almost Perfect Day

June 7, 2008 – 9:53 am

This was posted on PostSecret, one of my favorite sites (and recent friday five feature!) and I just loved it… what a great outlook… in fact I liked it so much it’s my new desktop wallpaper.. because who couldn’t use the regular reminder?

Have a great weekend!

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in random thoughts | Comments Off

Summer Friday Five

June 5, 2008 – 9:55 pm

School is finally out, the long Texas heat has set in… looks like summer is here! We marked the occasion with a sleepover party and the return of an old classic… the slip & slide! (new name now, same simple but dangerous concept!) The girls were fascinated and entertained themselves (all six of them!) for hours…

And with that, our summer kickoff to the friday five:

Family Fun Summer
My gold-standard for kids’ crafts, recipes and more.. family fun magazine! They do not disappoint with their summer fun collection… just about everything you could imagine and more! Fun backyard games, cool rainy day crafts, innovative recipes that are healthy, yummy, AND kid friendly… yeah, this website is a lifesaver!

Pinkalicious
A fun summer-kickoff activity.. this is a musical based on the popular children’s book and sure to be a hit with any little girl you know! Only runs for another week, so get your tickets fast!

Summer Smarts
Great article from FW Child that looks at ways to keep the kids busy and still learning as the summer months off from school threaten to turn thier budding little minds into jello melting rapidly in the Texas heat. Great ideas and food for thought!

Travel Writing Contest
Another way to keep the kids thinking over the summer is to create family scrapbooks or journals of your activities. To sweeten the pot, check out this contest for young writers, looking for the best travel stories! Let them recap the trip to grandma’s or even just a day at six flags.. even if they don’t win, their words will keep the memories alive!

DFW Everything Family Directory
Need to find the closest water park, or a mini golf course on the other side of the metroplex? This site is your ultimate resource.. just pick a category and get a full, detailed listing from across the area of everything you might ever need to find over the summer… and all year round! Bookmark it for future reference.. it’s a sure timesaver!

Hope you all enjoy the long summer days… we’ll be splashing for you!

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in kids | Comments Off

Walk with Me

June 2, 2008 – 8:35 pm

Many of you remember Sheri, my first Mother’s Story client, whose battle with breast cancer I helped chronicle for three years, until her tragic death last fall. She was the inspiration for the entire program, and I am truly a better person for having known her and her sweet family. Today, June 2, would have been her 44th birthday, had breast cancer not cut her much celebrated life short.

In her memory, as well as the honor of all the brave women whose lives have been forever changed by cancer that I have met through the program and in my personal life, I am participating in the 3-day, 60 mile walk this October. We will walk 20 miles a day for three days straight, hand in hand with survivors and their families, raising both awareness and much-needed funds for research and treatment, so that one day no one will face the pain and heartbreak of losing a wife, sister, daughter, or mother. We will walk to write a new chapter in the story of breast cancer, this time one with a happy ending.

Here’s where you come in. Walk with me! I’ve got a few friends already signed up but we’d love the company! Not a walker? Help me raise money! Each walker needs to raise at least $2200 to participate, but of course the more we can raise, the better! All funds raised go to the world-renowned Susan G. Komen Foundation, a truly respected and reputable cause. Short on funds? I’ll take the morale support! The training has already begun, and I’m sure it will be a long, difficult track. And of course the weekend after… be patient with me while my body recovers!

You can find out more information about the race, including how to sign up and/or donate money by clicking here.

And of course, I’ll have my camera along with me every step of the way… so be sure and stay tuned as the date approaches for images from my journey. And until then, look forward for updates on the event, as well as regular breast cancer awareness PSAs.

The road to ending breast cancer is a long one, no doubt. But together we can get there, one step at a time. Walk with me.

By Ann Beck Photography | Posted in charity, news and info | Comments Off

What I did this weekend….

June 1, 2008 – 10:29 pm

Catch up on laundry? Nah, it’s almost summer, the kids are hardly out of their swimsuits anyway they can wear the same clothes tomorrow, right?

Clean my house? Um.. plead the fifth there.

Sleep? Overrated!

No, I found a much better option for a children’s photographer dead-set against wedding photography… shoot a wedding!

The bride just happened to be one of my dearest childhood friends, so it was a request I could not even consider turning down.. it was my honor! Just a few to share as I recoup.. my hats off to you photogs out there who do this on a regular basis… six hours straight of corralling extended family members and chasing flower girls just about did me in! Luckily they were all so worth it… and I can’t wait to share the rest of them!

the preparations…