Real Necessity | Keepin' It Real Blog Series

What do you need? A question we ask ourselves on a regular basis as we take inventory of our homes and businesses. But, it's so much more than that.

This topic struck a chord in me as I sat to write it, hours after a FaceTime call from my mom, who is volunteering at Sister Stan's orphanage in Ghana. It was my birthday, and after chatting with her for a few minutes, she turned the camera around to the children that lived there and, with gusto, they sang "Happy Birthday" followed by a beautiful dance they had been rehearsing for the Independence Day celebration.

They are clothed, but they wear no shoes. The only family they have is each other, Sister Stan (the nun who runs the orphanage), teachers and volunteers.
For food, they eat beans and rice. There is no running water.
They play with rocks and sticks in the dirt outside - not a toy among them.
Nevertheless, their smiles are contagious, their zest for life is unbroken.  This place provides shelter and the love and care they need to thrive. Basic necessities are met because of this place, these people that have the passion to support it and maintain it.

For most of us, our necessities are right here:  a click away on Amazon or a trip to the store.  Running water, all the food we need in crazy varieties from all over the world, our climate-controlled homes, clothing and shoes for any occasion, books, tech gadgets, nice things, nice toys... too many things, too many toys. We take it for granted. Many of us are not content with what we have because we are chasing after "things" and "more things."

Take a good look around you and you will see how lucky we are to have much more than our basic needs met for ourselves and our children.

Check out more Real Necessities from Katie Bork Photography.  Katie is an amazing Lifestyle Family Photographer serving Wilmington & Wrightsville Beach.

 

Cuteness Overload | Charleston Lifestyle Family Photography

I have been honored to photograph this family since their eldest child (the sweetest little guy I've ever met) was a wee little baby.
Just a few short months ago, I also captured his little sister's newborn session. It amazes me how quickly babies grow and change in such a short time.
My favorite part about this session was how big brother is already showing how much he cares for his little sister. I just can't stand the cuteness!

Real Adventure | Keepin' it Real Blog Series | Charleston Lifestyle Family & Child Photographer

Just hearing the title of this month's edition of the "Keepin' it Real" blog series awakened my wanderlust.  Real Adventure... {deep sigh}

I would love nothing more than to take off for a week's adventure (heck, even a day's adventure) bringing nothing but my curiosity and a camera.  Unplugged.

And here we are at the mid-point of the summer, having gone as far as the library, the beach and the pool with our three children - and I realize that the adventure is what you make it.

For my youngest, it's discovering that her toes are the best toys ever invented. For my middle child, it's finding new ways of getting around in the water. For my eldest, it's dusting off old toys and inventing new ways to play with them.

For me, it's carving out time each day for the people that matter most, enjoying the adventure in our everyday lives - when the "littles" are still little and the summer world is still our oyster.




Next, check out Kami Friday Photography's Real Adventure blog. Kami is an outstanding lifestyle photographer in southern NH. Enjoy!

Jody Mack is a Charleston Lifestyle Newborn, Child & Family Photographer. "Keepin' It Real" is a blog circle of fellow Pinkle Toes Workshop alumni throughout North America where we are free to share our real moments. Please click through the links provided at the bottom of each blog post and explore!

A Mother's Day Present for my Future Self

This month's blog entry for the "Keepin' it Real" project is entitled, "Real Simple." So, I chose a simple project:

All the simple things I love about my girls.

Looking through these images (taken with a 100mm macro lens while they were watching TV... of course), I began to realize what these photographs really mean to me. All of the sweetness and innocence of childhood. The way my daughters are right now.

The sad thing about "right now" is that "right now" is always over when the moment ends. The only way we can keep these moments locked away in a vault is to capture them with our words and our photographs. So, I am putting these images away in a time capsule - yes I'm even PRINTING them (gasp!), along with this letter.

A Mother's Day present for my future self:

Dear Me in 2024,

Happy Mother's Day! These days you are busy running around town to various activities with your 2 teens and 1 "tween." You are guiding them through some tricky situations and some "growing up" problems. You may have already had some yelling arguments or been told that they "hate" you or you are "ruining their lives."
Keep persevering.
Guide them to make good choices.
Let them learn from their own mistakes - and not yours.
If you ever get too frustrated and feel like throwing in the towel, take a minute to enjoy the simple things.

Look at these photos. Do you remember when they were this young?

Close your eyes and go back in time. You can almost smell the chicken nuggets warming in the oven and the sour burp cloth that fell behind the couch.
Sweet baby feet on the couch (with the ever-overgrown toenails that they don't like you to cut), blonde ringlets,
plump, rosy cheeks... those eyelashes.

Keep calm and parent on. You can do this.

Love,
Me in 2014

For more "Real Simple" moments, visit the Amanda Faucett Photography blog. Amanda captures real moments for every milestone - from newborn to senior - in the greater Houston area.

Keepin' It Real | Charleston Lifestyle Newborn, Child & Family Photographer |

What drives my creative side most is capturing real moments.  
Unscripted. 
Off the cuff. 
An amazing moment happens before me and I am fortunate enough to be there with my camera ready. Or - I stalked, like a primal huntress, holding up my heaviest telephoto lens for what seemed like an hour until the anticipated movement or gesture happened. It happened and I got it. 
Simply one of the best feelings in the world.
Sometimes I know it right away. Other times, I catch a moment serendipitously. 
Either way, real moments happen everyday - and when they are caught on camera, it is simply magic.

Today marks the first in a new monthly blog series, "Keepin' it Real." I am joining some talented lifestyle photographers from all over the US and Canada (all fellow Pinkle Toes Workshop alums) in a quest to share our favorite "real" moments from the past month. Unfortunately, I did not prepare photos of my own family for this months edition (epic mommy fail). However, this is my reality. I strive to capture more of the everyday moments with my own kids. This project will motivate me to do so on a regular basis... at least that is my hope.

Nonetheless, this month there were several moments that screamed "real" to me. So here they are -  my top 6 "real" moments of March 2014. 
I hope you enjoy!

1. Flying baby

2. Dog crashes lifestyle newborn session

3. Pre-recital hairspray (Ballet Academy of Charleston - The Rainbow Fish Ballet Performance)

4. Escaping toddler (notice the cracker dad is trying to use to bait him)

5.  Victory (a glorious moment during the rehearsal of the Listen to Your Mother Show - Charleston, coming up on May 4th).

6. The Hairstylist

For more "Keepin' It Real" moments, head on over to the blog by 
Kelly Kuntz Photography
Kelly is an awesome lifestyle family photographer in Bozeman, Montana! 

The winner of the New Year, New Website Giveaway is...

The results are in!
The winner of the FREE mini session and 8 x 10 canvas is...
Stacey Godwin Gamble
Contact me to schedule your session!

Sharp Dressed Fam - Lifestyle Family Beach Session

Love the colors, the warmth and the joy that this family brought to their beach session! Their little boy was so happy and energetic (although, he was a bit distracted by the concurrent Santa mini-sessions going on nearby - but who could blame him?)

I love the moment where he looks like he's going to throw a rock at the Morris Island Lighthouse (bottom left). Go for it, buddy! You never know until you try!

This beautiful mama is expecting a sweet little bundle in March that I can't wait to meet and photograph.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes {D} family!

Feeling the Love

My last mini-session of 2013 was the perfect ending to a great season!
4 Kids + Lots of Energy + 2 Loving Parents = Crazy Good Fun
Thank you everyone for an awesome year!

Sometimes, children make the best teachers

Meet Conor.  

He's a handsome and active, 8-year old boy who loves sports, surfing, and - like any boy his age - provoking his older sister.  I had the opportunity to get to know Conor and his family at a photo shoot on Folly Beach, one of their favorite family hangouts. 

What you don't see, at first glance, is that Conor has been fighting neurofibromatosis and endured multiple surgeries to combat this condition for most of his life. What you do get at first glance is a boy that is full of life, love and positive energy.  

Whether or not he realized it, I left that session "schooled."  Conor and his family taught me a huge lesson in such a short time.  

Live in the present moment. 

Be present.

Enjoy your family and the people around you. 

Be grateful. Be happy. 

More importantly, be happy to be YOU. 

There is no one else in the world like you.

Conor's condition has required multiple surgeries, including the removal of his right eye.  He has yet another surgery coming up at the end of this month. Please read more about Conor's story on his YouCaring website and give to his medical fund if you are able. 

Summer's End

I adore this family. (Not just because they are simply adorable). I have known them for quite a while and it has been an honor to watch their bright blue-eyed little boy grow!

One of my favorite things about photographing a family (whether I've known them forever, or just a short time) is seeing their personalities come alive and capturing their interactions - both with the environment around them and each other. 

The best moments are real moments. This is my passion. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this everyday.

Holiday Mini-Sessions

What you get:

• 45 minute photo session (for a family of up to 5 people) on the beautiful grounds of Boone Hall Plantation (shown above).
• 15 hand-edited, high-resolution images in color and black & white with a print release. 
• The ability to give back: Families that bring 5 non-perishible items for the Lowcountry Food Bank will receive a free 8 x 10 print. 

Holiday sessions will be available to a limited number of clients each day to give you the best quality photos that I can provide for your family (and also get your photos turned around within a week, so you can make your holiday card deadlines).

We are family (sing it!)

I adore families that are as laid back and fun-loving as these people! The group of them reunited at Seabrook Island to celebrate their mother, Bonnie Compton's, 29th birthday (or an anniversary thereof...).  I won't give away your exact age, Bonnie! You look amazing and your children are as beautiful as you are, inside and out!

You can listen to Bonnie on her WebTalk Radio program "Whole-Hearted Parenting" HERE and her interview with me about my career change HERE.

Happy Mother's Day!

In celebration of all moms everywhere. May you enjoy the memories you make this Mother's Day! Here are some of the highlights from this year's Mommy & Me Event.  Thanks to all of the beautiful moms (who usually hide behind their cameras) and their delightful little ones!