Brothers always make me smile...

As a mom of two boys I love seeing the relationship building between my sons.  Most days they argue and fight over whose toy it is, or whose turn it is, but the moments when they get along, pure bliss.  My youngest emulates every single thing my oldest does so when I met Michelle's boys I noticed it was not different.

Michelle's youngest idolizes his big brother.  The photo below is one of my favorites ever taken because it shows the bong between both of them and it makes me smile..


The whole family is just so adorable!



Thank you so much Michelle for choosing me to photograph your adorable family!! It was so much fun working with your boys!

For more photos from this session head over to my Facebook Page.  :)

When a client becomes a friend...

I've often written on this blog how grateful I am to have people wanting "me" to photograph their memories.  It is a feeling that makes my heart smile because I truly love what I do.  But when a client, someone I've never met before becomes a friend, well, that is a bonus to this business that I hold dear to me. 

Please let me introduce you to one of those clients that has turned into a friend....

Gina and I met when her daughter Antonina was born.  She was referred to me by a family member that I had photographed.  I went to her home to capture a newborn session with her family.  (Photos here).   Well fast forward a year, four photo sessions later, and I can safely say that I would invite Gina and her family over to my home for a BBQ because that is how comfortable I feel around her and her family.  I cannot say enough about Gina and her Mom Mary.  They both understand and love custom portraiture and how important it is to capture memories and moments and totally blame me for their addiction to Etsy too!

When my husband became ill in the Spring I had been working on an album from a session I did for them a few weeks back.  I told them that I had to put their project on hold because my family had to come first.  I not only was told don't worry about it, but to take my time.  Do you know that when they received their albums months later that they did not complain once?  I am not only grateful for how they have opened up their arms to me but how they value family and did not fault me once for putting my family first. 

Gina and I may not hang out, or talk on the phone, but I can tell you that there is a bond I have been able to create with her, her son, daughter and Mom that is irreplaceable.  When I go to her home, she opens the door and it is like I am seeing a friend.  

Thank you Gina, Mary & Richie for allowing me to be there to capture such precious moments of Richie and Antonina.  Your patience, and friendship is something I keep tight to my heart. 

Here are my favorite images from two sessions I had last year with their family.. One was from early Spring and the other was capturing Antonina's first birthday.

 
There are more images from this session over on my Facebook Page..  Click here to see them.. :)

Inspiration Through Art - Meet Little Emma

I am lucky enough to belong to a wonderful organization called Inspiration Through Art. Photographers around the world donate their talent to photograph the little heroes that surround us all.

"Inspiration Through Art is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people to give back, and make a difference through the beauty of art. We are artists with a passion for giving and inspiring others. Through our own artistic talents we are able to come together as one, to let children around the world know that they are loved,despite the challenges they face everyday."

Back in August I was contacted by Suzanne for session with her baby girl Emma.  I was immediately touched by her story.  I asked Suzanne to write a few words telling Emma's amazing story...

"Emma Grace was born on December 17, 2009.  Her Dad and I had an idea that she may have Down Syndrome from some early tests that were done but deep down I think I always knew.  Emma had 3 holes in her heart and a bicuspid valve that should be a tricuspid.  Two of the holes have closed and we hope the last one will as well and she wont need surgery.  The valve is working well and it is being watched. She has hypothyroidism and  reflux that she takes medication for to control. She is our miracle, and has blessed our family in so many ways.  We love her extra chromosome and every little thing about her.  Emma started walking at 20 months and I don't think anything is going to stand in her way. She has taught me to slow down and cherish the little things as well as the big milestones.  We had to wait a long time for our little Miss Em, almost 9 years but she has definitely been worth the wait!"

Here are some of my favorite images from the session:



Thank you so much Suzanne for choosing me to photograph your beautiful family.  It was truly an honor to meet you all!!

Hellllloooo Hunter!!

Hunter is one of the original Kim Pace Photography clients.  And by clients, I mean I begged my very awesome friend to constantly take photos of him.  He was itty bitty when I first photographed him. (I didn't even have a blog then.. wow!)  Then I photographed him again.  And again.  (you can click those links.. )  Needless to say Mister Hunter has my heart!

Early last October I was able to photograph little Hunter again!!  Hunter is so full of smiles and giggles.  Well except for this photo when Mom said no he can't go swimming in the water.  He pouted and still made the photo adorable.. see....

But the pout did not last too long..

Look at how much he looks like his daddy..

And this may not be a fireplace portrait, but can you take how adorable his smile is while he literally is running on air!!

I love this one..

You can head over to my Facebook Fan page to see more of my favorite images from this session. 

Thanks again Brandy and Eric.. I love that little man to pieces!!

Portraits + Canvas = Big Happy Smiles

I say that every home should own at least one canvas of their favorite portrait.  The impact of the image is magnified and the portrait is instantly turned into art.

 Two weeks before Christmas the canvas I ordered for my Mom was delivered.  I feverishly (and carefully) opened it.  I never imagined the image of my Mom and my sisters would make me sit and stare with tears in my eyes.  I am so thankfully my husband was able to capture this image for me on Thanksgiving.. and so was my Mom.


Why not try and turn one of your favorite images into a canvas?  You won't be disappointed. I promise.

Wasn't it just yesterday we were in third grade?

So you're in third grade, learning about school stuff never thinking that in a million years you would ever be parents right? 

Well I have known Justin since the third grade.. see exhibit A (we are the ones with the big white arrows pointed at our heads):
 
Fast forward a few decades later and we are both parents. Crazy how fast time flies because it was literally just yesterday we were all in Mr. Kaplans class trying not to kill the guinea pig.  (whoever cut my hair like that should have never had a beauticians license.)

Justin couldn't make the session because he was out playing hockey with his friends, but I finally got to meet the Mrs. Justin and she was so easy to chat with and didn't seem to mind that I asked her kids to take off their jackets in 40 degree weather! (thanks Melissa!! )

The boys look just like Dad:

And their baby girl looks just like Mom:

What was adorable about Melissa & Justin kids is that they really, really liked taking pictures with one another.. It was really sweet to watch out Big Brother was always looking out for his baby Sis.  Can you hear her laughing in these photos?

I love this one of the their little guy.. so pensive:

Look how sweet they all are:

And how silly they can be:

Thanks so much Melissa (it was so great getting to meet you!) and Justin! Your children are adorable and they didn't mind my camera at all!! 

To see more from this session head over to my Facebook Fan page.

Sometimes awhhhh is all that is needed.. Baby J and Big Sis M

Kami and I have been friends for yeeearrrss.  We used to work together and have a ton of laughs.  She used to make me laugh making fun of me doing my knee slap when I laugh.  And now that my youngest does the knee slap when he laughs it makes me think of her all the time because it really does look funny.  LOL

Over the years we kept in touch through Facebook but it has been hard to get together because of well .. life.  But when she contacted me to take photos of her new little daughter I was so excited.  I get to see her and her older daughter and take newborn photos of their newest family member. WIN WIN!!

Baby J was such a good model. She slept, and then slept and then slept some more! 

Look at the lip!

and doesn't she look so comfortable here?

Baby J's big sister is stunning!  Look at how beautiful she is..

I love this photo of the two girls..

And I have to share one more of my favorites.. How cute is this little one?

Thank you so much Kami and Todd for allowing me to photograph your princesses!! 

To check out more from this session head over to my Facebook fan page.  :)

Boys being boys.. does it get any better?

It has been so long since I blogged a session!! I have been busy, busy, busy!  Which is so awesome but it left me so little time to show off how amazing the sessions have been that I have been photographing.

Back in October I met Valerie and her boys at Belmont Park. I love it there because there is so much variety for photos and I knew I was photographing three boys so I had to keep it interesting.  I can admit now I was a little nervous.  My own boys hate getting their photos taken so I was crossing my fingers that I was able to make them smile a little.

BOY, was I ever wrong for being nervous.  Look at them.. I mean they were born for the camera..



And not only did they nail every shot.. but they laughed AND had fun!


There are sooo many more that are my favorite from this session.  If you head over to my Facebook Fan page you can see them!! 

Thank you Valerie and Jason for choosing me to photograph your boys.  They were charming, funny, and could not have been more receptive to me.

Finding my About Me

It took a long time for me to find an identity.  About 35 years to be exact. 

Let me back up a bit.  You know when you were younger and some of your friends danced.  Or played an instrument.   Or maybe they are amazing writers or artists. 

It seemed they had something that helped define who they are and where they were going to be in life. 

My friend Lisa for example, even in her late 20's was dancing in performances.  And to boot, she is a kick ass writer.  I remember sitting at one of her shows and being is awe of her talent and her dedication because of the happiness dance brought to her life.

I never had an identity outside of being Kim.  Quirky, not funny, corny Kim.  Then something amazing happened.  I became a wife and a Mom.  And being just Kim was not enough anymore.  I tried on a bunch of hobbies.  I really tried to be a scrapbooker, but O.M.G.. who has the patience for that?  Then I tried knitting.. Really?  that is fun?  Not for me.  

And then Photography found me. 

It is totally my husbands fault.  I joke all the time that he purchased my first SLR as a gift, little did he know that it would unravel into a business and my continuing love for yummy lenses.

Photography has given me patience to wait.  Wait for the shot.  Wait for the moment.  Yet, I laugh because I am still trying to find my patience when I ask my boys to hurry up and they decided they want to pretend they are stuck in slow motion mode.  :)

I still can't believe it is me sometimes.  When people ask what I do now, I say I am a photographer and it gets me each an every time.  I get to live my dream that I didn't even know I had. 

Once a person hears you are a photographer they always ask, how long have you been doing it and what kind of work do you do?  When I tell them it has only been four years since my husband bought me my first SLR they look confused. 

And I get that. 

I would be confused too.  Because like I said, most people have their hobbies already planned out when they are younger. I waited until I was 35, and I didn't even know I wanted it.

Yet now it consumes me.  I am constantly learning and trying to push my limitations.  Learning all about light is my biggest challenge.  Anyone can learn how an SLR works.  But introduce light, yummy, ever changing light and that is where I find the challenge and beauty in it all.  Each friend, family or client I have ever worked with teaches me how light can change the look of any photo.

I guess what I am saying is that one day when my boys are old enough to understand I will be able to say take your time when finding your own "About Me" because you never know when it will happen, but once it finds you, you will know.

(my boys at the beach this past September)

Candles, Cake and Mush OH MY

I may not be the best cook.
I may put the coffee spoon in the dishwasher before he finishes stirring his cup.
I may make him play "Where did Kim put my stuff again?" wayyyy to many times. 

But birthdays I never screw up.  I own them.  I truly believe that birthdays are the "SPECIALIST" day of the year.

My husband Don's birthday is today.

Today I make sure I don't do any Kim'isms. 

Like burn dinner or forget to make it.

I can't wait to make a big deal out of his day.  Because he is a big deal to me.  And to our boys. 
**************************************

Dear Don,

I see how hard you work.  Even when you think I don't.  I can't pretend I understand it all, but I try.  I won't get any mushier, because I want to say everything in my heart to you in person later on today.

But for now please know that I would be lost without you. 

Thank you for every single thing you do for us.

More importantly, thank you for loving me. 

I love you Donald Joseph.
I love us.
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