Catching Keepsakes

Pretty Little Ladies

2011-03-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of getting to do a few photo shoots over the last couple of weeks. Since I haven't shared anything in a while, I thought I'd start the spring off with these two sweet little girls. Both of them just turned 6 months old.

Miss M.

Miss K.

Something about music...

2011-02-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

Music is such a beautiful emotion. I love how you can find just the right song for any day, any feeling, any situation you might have. It can cheer you up when your really down, or give you that release when you just need a good cry. It can give you strength, power and faith. It can make you dance, help you sleep, motivate you, make you fall in love...

There's something even more beautiful about watching people and the music they love. I had the pleasure of helping a friend photograph a 50th wedding anniversary last weekend. I just love being around older generations, listening to their stories, watching them interact. The beauty of their wisdom and life experience is something to treasure. While we were there, a couple came in playing the accordion, harmonica and the saxophone. What a treat. As I held back the tears from memories of my Oma in Germany playing the harmonica in the kitchen on many a late night in the summers of my childhood, I enjoyed watching the faces of the people in the room. There was nothing like it. The way their faces lit up, the way their eyes came to life and all attention turned towards the music and the couple who were celebrating their big day. It was extraordinary to watch the lifelong friendship these two couples had built and the way it was celebrated through the music that day.

If I could live in a musical I would. Do you ever think about the perfect soundtrack for a situation you are in? Ever feel like breaking into song or dance? I do. All the time :)

Time to breath...

2011-01-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

We had a sweet little visitor at our house today and after a few weeks break from almost everything photography I broke out the camera and snapped a few pictures of this little gem. She's so cute and such a puppy. It was fun to have her over to play with us and the kiddos for a little while.

I'm looking forward to jumping into 2011 well rested and ready to catch hold of many fun images this year. Here's to a great year ahead!

Newborn special...

2011-01-16T09:28:00.001-08:00

Don't forget, through February 15th, save big on Newborn sessions.

Gift Certificates available.

Newborn Specials for 2011

2010-12-30T09:21:00.000-08:00

Hoooooooooooray!!!

2011 is almost here!

As some of you know 2010 was not the best of years for us. Though we had many blessings along the way as well, I am ready to say goodbye to this year and start anew! We look forward seeing what will come in 2011 and have faith that it's going to be an amazing year. I pray that it will be an amazing year for all of you as well!

Now, for the fun stuff...so, many years ago, back in 1978 I was "New Years Baby" on the cover of our local paper. Here's a little momento my aunt made for me from the newspaper clipping. Enjoy the 70's charm ;).

So, in honor of this blast from the past, I am running a New Years Baby special from January 1st-February 15th.

Newborns grow up quickly and only keep that sleepy, wrinkly, tiny appearance for a few weeks before they move on to the other wonderful stages of babyhood. I prefer to do newborn shoots around their 2 week birthdays. This gives families a little time to get settled in but also avoids the 3 week growth spurt which can bring on more feedings and a little bit of restlessness.

Newborn shoots are done in the comfort of your own home and everything is brought to you. Things to remember if you book a newborn shoot:

~Many newborn pictures are shot showing their gorgeous newborn skin, so you will want to crank up the heat more then usual to keep them comfortable. Somewhere around 75 usually keeps them happy.

~Think about favorite or meaningful items you might want in the portraits. Handmade quilts, a favorite toy etc.

~Don't worry! Please don't worry about feeding, cuddling or changing your baby during the shoot. I am willing to take as much time as needed to allow babies to feel comfortable and secure during the shoot. If they need a time out for any reason I am always willing to stop and let them get comfortable before continuing the shoot.

If you have any further questions or would like a more detailed price list for the New Years Baby session please email me at catchingkeepsakes@gmail.com

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

Well, as promised I'm going into the new year with a more dedicated blog schedule.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank all of my clients from 2010. I have enjoyed capturing each and everyone of you and your famillies. These are posted on our facebook page as well. :)

As we close out the year here are some of the years cards to wish you all the best this Christmas and love, hope and many blessings in 2011!

An Early Resolution...

2010-12-12T23:37:00.000-08:00

Okay, well, 2010 wasn't my best year for blogging. In fact, there was no blogging to be found. But my early resolution for 2011 is to blog at least weekly and keep up to date all of the exciting things going on in our little part of the universe.

Where has the time gone...

2009-10-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

I haven't been the best at keeping up with this blog. But I will try to do better. The summer came and went and I have started a second job working at my girls school. I'm really enjoying it and having the same schedule as my kids has been perfect.

Along with life's shifts and changes, I have had the opportunity to do some portraits over the summer. For the moment it's not letting me post any images, but I will be back soon to see if I can fix that.

For those of you who follow, thanks for your patience and again I will work on keeping up more regularly.

Goodbye Juergen and Elke

2009-05-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

"The b.e.s.t. part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family." ---Danica Whitfield

Well, another vist from my family has come and gone. It's always such a sad day when they leave. This year my Uncle Juergen and Aunt Elke were here from Germany for 3 weeks. It's always so comforting for me to have my family here. I appreciate each day that I can spend with them since they are so far away. We plan to make a trip next June to see everyone in Germany. It's been 5 and a half years since I've been...too long!

New look....

2009-05-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a new website, though it could take a while because of my complete lack of web skills. But along with my site I'm overhauling my look. I'm loving bright and colorful, so my new packaging etc. will go along with that. Check out my twitter page and new blog for a sneak peak of what's to come :)

Spring is here....maybe.

2009-04-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Can we trust that spring is actually here this time. I'm not sure, but I am sure enjoying the warmer weather and so are my kids. They have been having a blast out in our yard!

My little monkey just turned five and thought she was ready for shorter hair. She's been trying to convince me to cut it shorter for some time now....and while I'm still sad to see it gone, she's loving not having to brush through it every day. Since I knew it would be hard, we did one last photo shoot with long hair. Here are a few of those shots.

Another sign of spring....spring soccer season. I was able to do shoots for a few teams here in town. Go Beetles!! Go Bobcats. Here are a few of the shots from them.

Have a great week!

2009-04-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a long while again since I've blogged. I'm including a few of the shoots I've done in between then and now. I've had the opportunity to work with some beautiful new babies, great families and some fabulous older children as well.

Winter has been a wonderful time of change for our family. Troy, my husband, changed jobs and has been blessed with a wonderful new schedule and a great place to work. It has given us much more family time then we've had in years.

The girls are really enjoying having Daddy home in the evenings and it's been such a treasure for me as well. No more bedtime routines on my own and no more staying up late waiting for him to get home. It's been something to get used to, but all for the better! It's also really, really nice to have dinners together again.

Tatum is enjoying first grade and almost done...WOW. I can't believe that in a few short months I'll have a Second Grader and a Kindergartner. Babies just don't stay babies for more then a second!

I'm looking forward to spring and the beautiful green it brings with it. I'll be working on soccer portraits this week and hope that it's warm enough for the kiddos to enjoy.

Thanks for staying in touch and I look forward to more updates coming soon!! Check out my website in the next month for some great new changes!!

Recent Work...

2008-12-08T00:05:00.000-08:00

I've had a few photoshoots over the last few weeks that I haven't kept up on blogging so I thought I'd put some images on now.

2008-11-17T12:15:00.000-08:00

I did a pregnancy shoot a few weeks back and am finally getting the images up on my blog and site. It was a wonderful shoot. Pregnancy is such a beautiful thing and it's always so much fun to be able to share it with excited new parents.

Mickey Mouse, Here we come!!

2008-09-06T22:24:00.000-07:00

Yay. We just arrived in Anaheim and we are getting ready for our big Disneyland vacation tomorrow through Tuesday. It's going to be so much fun. The girls are so excited they can't hardly stand it. Tatum said it's much prettier here then in Colorado and Teagan thinks we should buy one of those beautiful houses on the beach and live here. When I told her we'd be far away from Oma, Opa, Grammy and Grampy she just said..."well mooooooooom, we can just drive there to see them!" So...I guess she enjoyed the beach today. We can't wait to go back and spend a whole day there!! The only sad thing is I had to leave Juno (my new puppy) at home. But luckily we have an awesome house sitter (my mom) to watch over the dogs while we are away and the rabbit went to his second home (our friends) for the week.

I'm sure I'll have plenty of photos to post soon!

Blessings!
Tania

Ethiopia Pages

2008-08-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

I am working on an album of pages for a dear friend of mine from their travels doing dentistry in countries where there is not dental health available. What a blessing to all of those people whom they can help.

First Day of School

2008-08-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

Now it's Teagan's turn to go back to school. She started school last Tuesday. I can't believe that we've begun our last year of preschool for our little family. I'm trying to cherish each day because my girls are getting too big, too fast. I just know next time I turn around they'll be in high school.

Teag got some new sparkle princess shoes for school. She was most excited for school to wear her new shoes! It was pretty cute! And, Teagan being Teagan, she gave me one shot of her grumpy, NO MORE PICTURES, face before she took some nice first day of school pics.

Missing my Dad

2008-08-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

In about week it will be six months since my Dad has been gone. It's been a tough past three weeks for some reason. I'm dying to pick up the phone and call him. It's really hard to not be able to do that. I used to talk to him every day or two. If it had been three days, I knew I needed to call...now! It's funny how I expected for so many years to loose him and the process isn't any easier. I've been trying to focus on the good times we had together. Rafting, convincing my mom to let us get new baby animals every spring, building things in the back yard, watching him build his train set. . . and as an adult visiting him with my children and watching him enjoy them. I will forever miss him. I just read 90 minutes in heaven and it gives me great hope to think that when I get to heaven he will be standing there waiting to walk me in. Here is an old rafting photo and the way my Dad will forever be burned into my memory. On the river, in his kangaroo hat, with a grin that says....'this is the life'.

Here is a scrapbook page I did about a conversation I had with Tatum, something I wanted to remember.

Tatum: Mom, why did Grandpa have to go to heaven?
Mom: Because, God was ready for him to
come home.
Tatum: Oh...well...I was ready for him to
stay here!!
Mom: (smile) Yeah, me too!"

2008-07-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

Tatum's first day of first grade. Wow!! I can't believe she's going to be in school all day now. It's the beginning of growing up. So hard for any parent I'm sure.

She just loved school though. When she got in the car after school I asked her "so, did you like it?" and she said enthusiastically "Yes! I REALLY liked it!!!" When I asked her if she liked her teacher she said "Yes, I want to keep going to Caprock so that I can meet all of the teachers there!"

It's so comforting to have her at a school that she loves and is comfortable at. I look forward to seeing how she grows this year. I'm sure it will fly by just like last year and before we know it we'll be heading off to the next grade. . . so we'll enjoy it one day at a time while we can!

Finally up and running...

2008-07-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've finally have come back to my blog and plan on getting it up and running! I look forward to keeping everyone up to date

Today is my best friend Becky's birthday (Happy Birthday!!!) and they are in the process of building a new home. Their youngest daughter Abby is going to have a storybook room so I made this 10x20 print of her little girl with a photo I took at a birthday party. It is on a standout board so it will hang directly on the wall above her new bedroom.

Besides that we are getting ready to start school again on Monday. Tatum (my oldest) will be going to first grade this year. We went to the meet and greet on Thursday night and we are all excited about the year ahead. Her teacher seems to be really great and they have lots of great projects planned for the year. Teagan, the 'baby' of the family will go back to preschool at the end of August. We wish she shared Tatum's enthusiasm for school...but...hopefully once she starts she'll learn to love it too!

On the business side of things...here are a few projects I've been up to over the summer:
Here are a few layouts froma wedding album I did...

These are from a graduation book I did for Katie. I used to babysit her when she was little, so I had a blast working with her on her college graduation album (though it made me feel a bit old ;)).

These are both announcements I did this summer. One for a graduation and one for an adoption. . . both exciting days!! The adoption announcement is a candy bar wrapper. I've worked with Cynde on several projects now and love coming up with new creative ideas with her!

These are from the wedding of a good friend's Dad. I wasn't asked to do the photos until the night (10pm) before the wedding, so though it was last minute and I wasn't sure what to expect, I think we got some good shots! It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun reception!

And my most recent shoot was this family session. This is another long time friend of mine who I hadn't seen in a long time. It was so wonderful to see her beautiful growing family and get to enjoy some time capturing her family together.

Okay, it's getting late and I need to get into bed. There are a few of my projects from the summer...I'll work on being better about blogging from now on. I hope you are all well! God Bless. Tania

Welcome!

2008-01-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

I thought this would be a fun way to keep everyone up to date on new projects and ideas that I have for Catching Keepsakes. I hope you enjoy browsing through my blog and checking out what's new!

Thanks! Tania