Last year I was invited to come and take portraits of the children. I got there a little early and one of the camp directors graciously walked me all around. There was a huge lineup of bikes for the kids to use, several crafts, woodworking, dress up, nail polish/pampering station. There was swimming, activities, chapel and lots and lots of activities planned to show the love of God to these children, through adults that genuinely care.

What a gorgeous lineup of children I had. They are just kids, full of hope and dreams. So responsive to care and the connections they receive there, it was a blessing to be with them. I wish I could show you the images but in the interest of protecting foster children, I am not permitted to share pictures of their faces. However, as I edited them, I wept at how precious they are. We had them printed, framed in 5 by 7′s and wrapped with a few extra copies to put on their bags when they returned from camp. I was told that the response was extremely positive from the kids and foster parents. I was also told that when our pastor saw them, he remarked that they were given their dignity and looked loved….which is exactly as it should be.

I’ve been asked to come again and I have the date on my calendar for the third week of June. Last year, I put out the opportunity to partner with me in the producing of these images and frames and the response was so wonderful. People donated 5 by 7 frames and also gave me money to pay for the remainder of frames. In fact, we got more money than I needed and were able to purchase four, brand new sleeping bags for the leadership to give to some of the kids who arrive without proper blankets or sleeping bags.

So, I’m asking again . I know that there are many things to support out there but if you have it on your heart would you consider:

1. donating any number of new 5 by 7 frames (any color is great).

2. donating money to purchase frames and pay for the cost of extra prints.

There will be 60 kids there so I am guessing we’ll need close to $300 for this project.

A portrait that captures a special child like this is a gift.

So even though I can’t share his face, I do want to share a cropped picture of the coolest hair that I photographed at Royal Family Last Year. I’m going to be looking for that green stripe again!

One person he never wants to get in trouble is Ruby. Ruby hung the moon. Ruby is fun and sweetness and crazy entertainment all wrapped up in one big sister.

I love to see them laugh. (I counted seven holes in his Animal shirt the other day.)

Here is Amanda.

I was loving how the sun was just lighting her up and shining through the blossoms. What a gorgeous girl in such a pretty location! Every time I checked the back of my camera I was feeling pretty happy.

Yes, I want her blue polka dot blouse. Too cute.

She’s a smart cookie, heading off to study a subject I know absolutely nothing about .

Photobombing sisters. These girls are close. Seeing the affection they had for each other and the way they laughed and teased was really heart warming.

Here’s the little man. Oh boy, the cute parted red hair and bow tie. Senior session or not, Urijah needed to be in plenty of pictures!

Amanda, may God bless you richly as you head off to school. You are full of promise and life.

I love real laughs.

At the very end, they showed me their family trait of being able to inhale their nostrils shut. I was laughing like crazy as I shot this last one with a look of concentration. Denniel has passed along not just a great heart and personality to her boys, but an awesome party trick as well! Thanks, guys!

]]> http://www.cassandrahamiltonphotography.com/blog/the-nose-trick-gene/feed/ 0 http://www.cassandrahamiltonphotography.com/blog/maggie-in-a-field-of-yellow-flowers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=maggie-in-a-field-of-yellow-flowers http://www.cassandrahamiltonphotography.com/blog/maggie-in-a-field-of-yellow-flowers/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 22:05:21 +0000 cassandra http://www.cassandrahamiltonphotography.com/blog/?p=12595 Many moons ago, when I had my first digital camera and had read a few pages of how to take pictures, I had my friend, Tammy, bring her girls over so I could practice on them. Most of the pictures were blurry and out of focus but I found this little gem of Maggie in 2005.

Well, she’s grown up since then (and thankfully I have learned how to focus my camera a wee bit better). Maggie’s been our babysitter for the last few years and our kids whoop and holler when they hear she’s coming and usher us out the door. She’s loved them up and though she will ‘fess up on who misbehaved when we press her, she always insists that she’s had fun and they are a great bunch. It’s been such a blessing for us to see her grow and mature and become such an incredible young woman. She’s smart and kind and funny and has a soft heart.

She’s graduating soon and though we are so happy to see her head into college we are secretly bummed that we’re losing our amazing babysitter. She truly is a wonderful person.

A couple weeks ago, we headed out to find a field of flowers that our friend had told us about and when we came to the spot, we discovered that the field had been mowed under. What???? I had those yellow flowers stuck in my head and a dirt field wasn’t going to cut it. So I went down the road, knocked at the door or an organic farmer and begged to use their yellow field. They laughed and waved us in. We had a good time playing around in there. Maggie was ready to have fun and you can see her awesome personality and willingness to try anything I suggested.

Maggie’s baby sister was there that night and we plopped her down in the field for a couple pictures too.

We are proud of you, Maggie! We are so thankful for how you have loved our kids and believe that the Lord is going to use your life and heart in big ways. Much love!

Here’s Gabi and her sweet, mama, Kelley. You can tell them have something special going on.

Brother and sister, Zoe and Tyler, who had the best giggles.

Brother and sister, Devin and Alissa. (Hello, genetics! Right?)

Here’s Christina with her kiddos.

At the end we played around and got some funny shots.

Thanks, Washington good sports, for having fun together with me…even in the rain .

At the end I told the boys that we’d do a family dancing picture. They instantly let it rip. Michael wasn’t too keen until I told him he couldn’t leave for lunch until he busted out his best dance move. Then he cut the rug. Fun times!

Hope’s awesome boyfriend asked if he could surprise her and be in a few pictures with her. She was very surprised when he came walking to the gardens where we were having her mini session…but that surprise soon turned to a big smile.

Hope, many blessings on your graduation and your future!

For clients, I am making a collage of some of my favorite images to use as a facebook cover photo and including them in your packages. There’s a whole lot of happiness going on here!