The Haines family summer portraits

Gotta' love a warm summer afternoon for a photo shoot! This beautiful family became our friends when they were our neighbors (we were just married and so were they, this was LBK, "life before kids.") Although they have moved, thankfully we have kept in touch and I was super excited to meet them for this session this past weekend. Their sweeties are almost 3 years and 7 months, so we have lots in common!  Both kids were great but Miss Payton especially loved my camera! Get ready for an epic post because I can't contain my excitement for these photos!

For photogs out there that are curious - these were all shot with a Canon 5D Mark II with the 50mm 1.2 lens...it's seriously like 'butta' when you use it correctly! Don't ever sell yourself short with your gear - it does make a difference! And not to sound uppity but there was absolutely no "eye sharpening" techniques in these images. Sometimes we photogs need these tools to adjust less than perfect images but some people go crazy with it. If your gear and skill can meet up to make a great "in camera" image - that's ideal!  

 

This is what I mean by a "straight out of camera" image - no retouching. 

Beautiful Family!

Sweet little Payton...sneak peek!

I had the pleasure of photographing friends and their beautiful family this past weekend. I am currently editing the images and am in love with sweet little Payton who is 7 months old! Here's a sneak peek...

Monday Confessions

Is it really Monday already?! Time to confess then I guess :)

1. I haven't had any running confessions since last week because I did something to my knee on the first run out and need to give it a little recovery time. I have been walking instead and I think that the stroller adds a little resistance...or at least that's what I am telling myself!

2. My hair hasn't seen a blow dryer in weeks! Thank goodness the "natural wavy look" and the front braid are in for the summer!

3. My best quick makeup tips for the summer are tinted moisturizer goes a long way and so does a little mascara! Not that a soul in the world has ever asked me for a makeup tip :)

4. I finished the book The Help, and truly loved it. Of course it's about a sad and difficult time in our nation's history but what I loved about it was the humanity it shared. I loved the bravery of Kathryn Stockett to try to write in the voice of both African Americans and Caucasians in such a challenging historical time. I can't imagine the challenge it would be to stay true to the vernacular but I thoroughly enjoyed it...things like "sweating like an iced tea in August" will stick with you :) Obviously the point of the book stuck with me more though, we are all just people trying to make a life for ourselves and be happy! Can't wait to check out the movie with some girlfriends!

5. I also finished reading Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic. It was simple and yet very convicting about mothering small children. I am sure I will revisit it lots for reminders I need to love my little ones every day!

6. So friends, I have not yet touched the Hunger Games - is it a DO or a DON't?! Tell me if I should join the fun!

7. The twins broke my bathroom scale, aren't they sweet?!...I am attempting weight loss and should really have a scale in the house but for some reason I am dreading the reality of looking at one! I mean who wants to pay for that humiliation?!

8. We had our own family portraits taken this past weekend and I really can't wait to see them. A friend did them for us, Libby Portraits. It has been great to be on this side of the photo shoot and experiencing what my clients experience all the time!

9. Here's a conference I would LOVE to go to...any sugar daddies out there or friends that would even consider doing something like this with me with connections in MI? http://herconference.com/ I would love to hear from all the ladies but especially Amy Wenzel!

10. What's for dinner friends?? I am thinking of turkey burgers and pasta salad...we will see what the twins think of that!

Have a great week and there will be some photo sessions showing up later this week on the bloggity!

Max Week 7

The big boy grows over night I swear! Here's week 7 for your enjoyment :)

Summer Family Photo Session!

We got a beautiful summer evening for this particular family session. Matt & I know this family from our current church where Terry (the dad) is the associate pastor. His wonderful wife Libby is a fellow photographer and friend so we have been chatting for a while about setting up a session. I was super excited when it all came together but there's also a little extra pressure when photographing another photographer's family. Their kids are super sweet but the little 2yr old decided that she didn't want anything to do with me :) I have two 2yr olds of my own that don't want anything to do with me so I am used to it thankfully! We made the most of it and had a lot of fun capturing this sweet family. By the way, Terry and Libby just celebrated their 15th anniversary so congrats to them! It made for a perfect time to capture their family as they have been together 20 years and married for 15 with four beautiful children (And Libby - you definitely don't look like a mom of four kids - you go!). May we all be so blessed!

This is for all the photogs out there - even the best idea for a shot might not work out if you have an unwilling participant ;) We just went with it though and captured this family true to life!

Running Confessions

I do some of my best thinking either in the shower or running....I suspect it's because it's some of the rare moments I am alone to think. I went on my first run in 10 mos yesterday afternoon and I came to a few realizations that I thought might fit into the "confession" category of my life.

1. About one minute into my run I realized that I turn 30 in exactly 7 months! This was the perfect motivation to complete the entire two miles that I set out to run...it's one thing to get old but another entirely to "let yourself go."

2. Running motivation also came yesterday in the form of a nice new adidas running tank top to "hold it all in" - lets just say children and gravity have not been kind! Whatever works girls - if you need to bribe yourself to workout with a cute new workout outfit - do it!

3. I realized that my cardio condition is great, chasing two toddlers, constantly carrying things and running stairs have been good for it. What is not so great is my knees, shins and other bones/joints that are not a fan of all the extra weight I am carrying. I thought of the biggest loser contestants on their first workout and how they must feel....helped me to just keep going.

4. This is probably more of a comment on their standards and not my current appearance but I still got sideways glances from the trashmen, Artesian guy and the Clear Channel dude while running.... or maybe they were just scared of the way my thighs moved as I approached their passing vehicles?

5. Lets just say a little tan goes a LONG way...this definitely applies to the appearance of the aforementioned thighs! Tan helps!

6. When I have quiet moments I get to thinking about my Dad and how towards the end it winded him to even get up and walk across the room or to even try to talk to me on the phone. For those that don't know, he succumbed to lung failure in May due to many years of smoking. As I ran and felt the air push in and our of my healthy lungs I thought of him in better days when he used to be so active. I commit to continuing to run and take care of myself so that my kids won't be standing at my funeral (God willing) at the young age of 29 because I know what that felt like. I know smoking is terribly addictive and a hard life habit to change but if you are addicted please think of the years that you want to spend with your family and let that help you fight it!

7. Even the longest run can be tackled like life's most difficult challenges....simply put one foot in front of the other and pray it through when you need strength!

That's all for now friends but as I continue to get into running again I will probably have some more of these posts..the simple musings that run through my head while putting one foot in front of the other, hoping to drop some pounds, and gain some endurance!

Max Week 6

Max is a happy boy, growing every minute! Sometimes I swear his cheeks grow over night! I am a little late with this post but that's a theme with some things in my life right now, better late than never! We actually caught him sleeping for this one.

Monday Confession

1. I have a new dryer after two weeks! I have to thank my friend and neighbor, Steph, and my mother-in-law for the usage of their dryers to keep us going! We got a good deal on a brand new dryer but had to wait for delivery...I keep telling myself it's all good - if I was Amish I would have to wash it by hand and hang it out to dry! I am a fan of modern appliances :)

2. My hubs is the best, he's letting me go get a much needed pedicure tonight once kids go to bed!

3. I am glad to be back to work, so to speak. I never really felt "off" but I am back in the mostly full swing of things with photography. This week I will start posting photo sessions again!

4. I know I am behind on Max's weekly - working on that!

5. I am reading a very convicting book about being a mother with little ones called, Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic. It comes from a biblical perspective but I believe it yields wisdom for everyone. So much about being a mother is our perspective and our own attitudes! We definitely don't want to hear that but it's very true.

6. My 2 yr old daughter locked me out today while I already had one kid in the car while it was running. She locked the glass storm door which we rarely lock. She was looking up at me with her big blue eyes somewhere between laughter and tears once she realized I was stuck on the outside looking in. Thankfully I had a way back in after unsucessfully trying to coach her how to unlock the door! SO I had to refer to the book I talked about in confession number 5...perspective and humility....I couldn't freak out but had to gently explain to her the error of her ways!

Ok friends..that's all for tonight!

Family Portraits are a definitely a "do"!

We all say it all the time (unless of course you are 5), "time is passing so quickly" or other comments like "where did this year go" or "when did the kids get so big?" I say things like this a lot and think that I hear my mom or Grandma's voice coming out of me! Well what better motivation do you need to take some time to do some family portraits? Here's a session from earlier this summer that I love because it's multi-generational. I LOVED it for that very reason and many others (because these do happen to be dear friends)! What a treasure it is for not only parents to capture their family in time but to include the grandparents as well makes it extra special. I know all these boys love their "Nana and Poppy" and someday they will look back at these photos to see this little slice of time. It's so precious to see families grow and change!  

The whole gang!

We did individual family groupings and I heart this idea with the name sign!

 

Giving love to the grandparents...

And I love this shot because Z is definitely a fun 4 year-old to know! I am pretty sure every time I have seen this kid he has had on these Toy Story boots. It's adorable and I am sure he will someday cringe when his mom shows him this picture and talks about how she couldn't get him to wear anything else...like I said people, lets not miss out on these moments! 

**As as not of business, Max is now 6 weeks old and I am "back to work" booking sessions again for all portraits and weddings. Please email me if you need more information or would like to book something soon, summer is filling up fast! emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com**

Maxwell Week 5 & Tuesday Confessions....

Hope everyone had a wonderful fourth of July celebrating our United States of America! I am treating today like Monday because it feels like it to me!

Here's Max's week 5 photo from last week...time is passing quickly and his is growing so fast! He is much bigger at his age than the twins were. Max is blowing right through Dean's old wardrobe :)

A few confessions for this week...

1. I really need to get on the "get in shape plan" because I am now about to reach the 6 week post-baby mark. I realized I better start dropping some pounds or I will be stuck in maternity clothes forever...not cool! I am working through my envy of all you ladies out there that wear you own pre baby jeans after like 4 weeks and dont even look like you had a baby!

2. I decided I need to do some summer reading here and there for pleasure to keep my mind sharp. I am in the sleep deprived mama stage and reading is a good easy way to keep from feeling like my mind is total mush. I am still working through some parenting books but just finished up a novel, The Island by Elin Hildebrand . It was a good, quintessential summer read about a family and their relationships, set in beautiful Nantucket. If you are going on a trip or need something to read by the pool, it's perfect!

3. The next pleasure read is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I am only a few pages in and I am totally enjoying the southern vernacular! Nothing like "puttin' it like it is!" I know that they are making this into a movie that will be released shortly so this might be a 'read with your girlfriends and then go to the movie together' type read.

4. I am eating a leftover hot dog for lunch...so much for the dropping the pounds for now.

Enjoy your week everyone, that's all I have for the moment! And remember...it's Tuesday already :)

Max's Birth Announcements

Hey blog friends, hope your holiday weekend is off to a great start! Just thought I would share a digital version of Max's birth announcement. My designer hubby pulled it together but we have to give credit where credit is due on this one - I saw an announcement that I fell in love with by designer Jody Worthington on Minted.com & I couldn't get it out of my head. Using a close inspiration is touchy in the design/photo world - "copy cat syndrome" its called - but usually it's cool as long as you point back to the source of the inspiration. MY hubs is my favorite designer but I asked him to use her idea for inspiration for the announcement and add some touches to make it personal to Max. SO YES I JUST PUT IT ALL OUT THERE, the icons were not our original idea but we loved it and wanted to use it!! It is an original Emily Troutman photo when Max was one week old. 

Max One Month

Are you tired of the personal posts yet?! Sorry if you are...it's just the world I am living in right now with 3 kids under the age of two! I am lining up some fun sessions starting in July so will be back to business with some photo posting but for today I will share another personal post.

Max is already a month old! In a way it has gone very fast but in another way it feels like little Maxwell has always been here. He fits right into our crazy with his sweet, easy going self. It was (and sometimes is still) hard for me to imagine how I will effectively mother these 3 little people but each day I am given God's grace to do so. Max is such a great addition to our crazy bunch ;) Here's to being one month old and a little bit cuter (& larger) every week! As of last Friday Max was already weighing in at 11 lbs!

Today I love...

• Mango Peach Salsa
• Sleep! We are missing each other but I still love it :)
• Yo Gabba Gabba music rocking in my car...
• Sleeping Kids :)
• Quiet
• This awesome poster! 
• Paula Deen - the woman does not give a care in the world about a calorie..just cares that it's yummy!
• Ice Cream...mmmm
• Costo - bless you for having double seats on the front of your carts & free samples to snack on!
• My Mini Van - fo' real!!! Who doesn't love touch button doors, "in flight" movies, and room for all our crazy kids?!

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Max Week 3

So I have to be honest, can't wait for the intentional smiles from baby boy as opposed to the random stares I get right now at the camera :) Max is growing so fast, he was actually weighed today and he's already over 10lbs! Go Max! Here's his picture from week three! (He's reminding me a little of Austin Powers in this one :) Hope you are all enjoying your first day of summer!

Monday Confessions....

1. My hubby got an ipad yesterday, which was a combination Father's day gift but mostly a "job well done" gift from his Father (who also happens to be one of his bosses). No, I am not jealous because he's great at sharing :) Anyone have ipad apps they love or hate? Tell us what to get! Any really cool kids books or games we should know about?

2. If you don't already know this, my husband and I have completely opposite musical tastes which used to be considered cool on both our parts but now it pretty much drives us nuts around the house, in the car, etc. Do others of you struggle with this? Do you compromise or just not listen to anything in each other's presence? We do have a little overlap but you can only listen to so much Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville on XM :)

3. As we were taking an after dinner walk in our 'hood - a sweet neighbor commented "my how your gang is growing" and I repiled "we look like a stinking parade!" I laughed at myself but we really did! Matt walking Dozer on the leash while pulling the twins in the wagon (they were eating the firecracker popsicles dripping red, white & blue all over one another). I was on the other side pushing Max in the snap n go. My how life has changed in the last 5 years...our poor dog :)

4. My husband is dancing right now with our 3 week old to try to get rid of his hiccups..it's hilarious and endearing! Lets just say hubby isn't known for his rhythm!

5. Wanna' know what I got Matt for Father's Day? These Toms Shoes! If you aren't familiar with Toms, it's a really neat company who gives a pair of shoes away to a child in need in for every pair of shoes purchased. So Matt got a pair and a kid some where in the world got a new pair too!

6. Ladies, this is no joke if you ever need a fast & cheap pedicure check these out...SERIOUSLY don't be freaked out...they really work and look like perfection! Ask me how I know next time I have a perfectly french manicured foot!

7. I confess...I have the Bachelorette on right now. Every season after constantly rolling my eyes at all the shenanigans I swear the show off...but summer Mondays are dead otherwise on the tube so I return...only to eye roll some more! I mean Bentley...REALLY?! I give Ames two thumbs up right now & hope the rest of those turkeys run! **The fact that they are literally fighting on this episode has even drawn my husbands attention**

8. Summer to me is warm days, windows down, lemonade and good country music with some splashes of classic rock thrown in (Matt would completely disagree on the country part of that statement).

I came to the realization today that maybe the reason I can relate is that my life is a combination of country song's at the moment..so indulge me and check out the similarities!

Lets start with Phil Vassar's "Just Another Day in Paradise"

The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Which leads into "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins

'Cause You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Which leads into "Alright" by Darius Rucker

Cause I've got a roof over my head,
the (man) I love laying in my bed
And it's alright, alright
I've got shoes under my feet
Forever in (his) eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright
And I've got all I need

Which can all be summed up by "Blessed" by Martina McBride

At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones
That love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Be blessed friends! Hope your Monday was a good one!

Dear Matt,

Dear Matt,

 Seriously how do I thank you for almost 5 years of marriage and 3 wonderful children?!! You are a great, fun-loving dad who tries to make memories with our kids every day.. which I love. Even if you're running in between jobs (which speaks volumes about you already) - you make time for a tickle fight. I love when I hear the kids laughing because you are in the room.

When we first became parents I always noticed that you weren't doing something the same way I would..but I slowly learned that you were doing it your own way & that it was just as good :) Yes, it might mean that our kids think that poundcake is a breakfast food or that it's ok to watch a movie at the dinner table or that popcorn is totally a good snack for 9am on a Saturday! I love that you see our 3 little people and want them to love life. That was something about my dad's character that I treasured and I see it in you. Even just yesterday you let Dean fly a kite for the first time because a couple weeks ago you just wanted "to do something fun for the twins" & ordered them a beautiful kite! These are things that they will not soon forget either.

Here's to you on Father's Day Matt! You are my favorite teammate, partner, and friend!

Love you!

Em

Monday Confessions

I really don't want to have to confess because what I have learned about myself today is that I am not really a nice person so I will keep it short.

1. I am running on little sleep which translates into very little patience...recipe for disaster when combined with a newborn and two toddlers. I have already raised my voice and cried today...it's only lunchtime! 

2. I drove through McDonalds for a $1 sweet tea which equals small sips of bliss for Mommy even while people are fussing.

3. I keep having dreams of me running - not sure what that means for me metaphorically but I know that I can't wait to exercise again and attempt to get back in shape. Not looking forward to those first runs though, they are so difficult especially when you feel the extra baby weight flapping along as you run. The first time I ran after the twins I swore I was wearing someone else's butt...no joke.

4. I need to stop eating junk food or I really will be wearing someone else's butt...

5. My 2yr old son is apparently cutting his molars..explanation for lots of testy behavior and some other issues he was having. Sorry Deano...

6. I am now addicted to watching Paula Deen on the Food Network - love that woman mostly because as if Mac n cheese isn't good enough alone - she wrapped in bacon and DEEP FRIED it in an episode I watched last week! Amazing! But about all that healthy stuff...

 I think I will keep all the rest of my personal uglies to myself today but just putting it out there that we all have good and bad days. It's naptime right now so I will attempt a little rest myself and hopefully be a nicer mommy to all later today :) Happy Monday friends!

Better late than never..Max Week 2

Hey blog reading friends! I am a little late to post Max's week two photo but better late than never right?! I have 3 good little excuses...Macy, Dean and Max! Max's hair is looking a little red in this photo but it's not so red in person as far as I can tell... he was mesmerized by the ceiling fan at this point in the photo! I don't have to much to say on this fine Sunday eve so just enjoy the quick pic of my little man and his quasi-mohawk :)

And another quick pick of Macy holding Max yesterday morning...

Monday Confessions

1. I just ordered stuff for my twins SECOND birthday! Is that even possible?! Two Years old already...I guess by the steady stream of "no" and defiance at our house I should realize this...but Macy & Dean started out even smaller than Max, which is even hard for me to remember. And who knew that in just two short years of the twins birth God would've added another sweet boy to our family?!

2. Yes, I allowed the hospital photographer to take pictures of Max (I didn't with the twins, I was too crazy and still delusional about what I could accomplish while caring for infant twins) and YES I am even purchasing a print of one image. What does this prove? There are great photographers everywhere - never be too proud to allow someone else to help capture your life moments! In fact, plan to invest at least annually on a photo shoot for your family!

3. Max is being such a good baby - part of it is that he's a laid back go-with-the flow kind of kid & the other part is that I have half a clue of how to care for a newborn. Lets hope this is really his personality for the long haul!

4. Enchiladas for dinner made for a long night last night for both Max & I, sort of forgot that what I eat he eats :) TMI? my apologies! you want me to confess these things right?!..Got him down this morning just in time for M & D to be in their cribs saying "dada, mama"

5. I am actually really looking forward to a trip to Target today! It's funny that routine errands become a fun outting when you are home nursing a newborn & your life revolves on a feeding schedule.

6. My hubby is off today and I am sad that he goes back to work again tomorrow. We love having him around more & he's been a major help rangling the twins. He's been making days fun for them because Mommy still can't even pick them up.

7. We forgot about our dog yesterday and left him outside for like 4 hours before one of us rememebered. He doesn't tolerate heat well so he usually isn't out for that long at a time. Luckily it was a beautiful day! Sorry Doz!

8. Macy just walked over to me wearing my nursing cape that I wear when nursing in front of others..had to laugh. Sorry for any male readers and the abundance of nursing references...my bad...

9. I have really been missing my Dad. Of course you always miss a family member when they are gone, but it's especially hard when there's something so big to celebrate like a new baby. I am mostly sad that Max will only know my dad through my memories and he won't get taught things by him personally. My dad was a great teacher of all sorts of things....everything from math times tables to how to properly handle and care for a firearm. I will attempt to do him proud and teach these kids everything he taught me.

10. Today is my mother in laws birthday (& she is one of my consistent blog readers :) - so I want to say Happy Birthday Christi/Grandma! I know that there are a world of "mother in law jokes" out there but I have to say that I am truly blessed by my "MIL". We are so grateful to have her as a second Mom to me and a Grandma to my kids. Christi especially is always hospitable, generous to a fault, and very patient with most things - especially my kids! She has loved me from day one and for that I am so thankful. Christi, I hope you have a wonderful day! Can't imagine our lives without you!

Max, One week old!

Ok so this is sort of a "fad idea" right now but I think it's a super one - take a picture of your baby every week of his or her first year! I am going to attempt it and even if I do miss a week here or there, Max will still have a decent record of his first year of life. I am already feeling a little worried about the "third child" issues that people joke about so I am trying my best to give Max his own little traditions. I am sure that it will be especially hard to be the third kid after a set of twins...anyway, I digress.

This idea is robbed from a design and style blog I like - Young House Love.

So here is to Max's first week of life! I keep calling him the "dream baby" and he pretty much is. Thank the Lord, who knew I needed a sweet little easy-going bundle of love :) And yes, Max is really giving Donald Trump a run for his money in the goofy hair category...