The C Family 2011

She has been asking for family pictures...for quite a while now.

He is your typical husband/dad...they don't ever enjoy pictures. 

However...in our consultation meeting...I noticed he was already thinking about where the pictures would go in the house.  He asked how big I could print one...my response: "Bigger than you will need" :)

The day of the session finally arrived this past weekend...poor mom was a nervous wreck!  She wanted these to turn out so great.

I think she got her wish!

They have a very handsome son...and they are super proud of him.  I loved watching them interact with him.  He's just ALMOST too cool for mom and dad.  Almost.

While waiting for everyone to change their clothes and prepare to head to our second location, I heard Dad talking to his son.  Boys/Men....let's face it, they never really like taking pictures.  They do it to keep momma happy...and that is how it should be.  What made my heart smile was him telling his son "we need to spoil her a little more often"

Dad...I do believe you might have just banked some serious brownie points after this past weekend :)

Check out these two beautiful women.  Mother and Daughter...so beautiful.

The whole family

  Thank you for allowing me to spend time with you and capture some AMAZING pictures.

  

Much Love to you C Family!

xoxo

Brooke

http://www.maddiepiecreations.com/

maddiepiecreations@yahoo.com

817-564-3068

The W Family 2011

The W Family is pretty awesome...but poor dad, he is a little bit outnumbered.

I met this family before the school year started.  I had been late to a end of summer party and when I got back I was told that some parents had run my son up to the band party.  They had a couple of girls in the band as well....hmmm.  Girls...freshman year...oh goodness.

When the parents came back to the party we were still at, the dad told us that our son was the first boy, other than him, to have been in their car.

Oh man!  the pressure!  Please son of mine, please have been on your best behavior.

He was.

Momma W took advantage of a special I was running and booked their family pictures.  I am so glad she did.  I had the honor to spend some time with them a couple of weeks ago. 

What a sweet family. 

The W Family has 4 daughters.  Four BEAUTIFUL daughters.

 

I am honored that they chose me to be their photographer. Thank you for allowing me to spend some time with you and see the love that you share...

 Well....I think that it's love....



Much Love to you W Family

Brooke

http://www.maddiepiecreations.com/

maddiepiecreations@yahoo.com

817-564-3068

Inspired: Dana Suggs

I met Dana on Facebook thru ...well, I don't really know how we were connected.  She was a photograher in Tulsa.  She knew a friend of mine, somehow she knew my sister in law, and she took beautiful pictures.

A few months later, I heard about this fantastic workshop in Tulsa...so I stalked them and found out they were giving away free seats to a workshop.  I knew Dana wanted to go..so without ever having talked to her before, i found her phone number, told her quickly who i was and how to get a free seat...and prayed she would get one before they ended the contest.

She did.

We met.  We laughed. We learned. We became friends.

Fast forward a few months, I was headed back home and told her I would be in town and would love to catch up.  She had a twin newborn session scheduled and offered, so kindly, to let me tag along.

She is amazig like that.

We laughed. We worked hard. We learned. We became even better friends.

We don't talk too often, but we really don't need to.  We are there for each other in our artistic/nonbusiness melt downs... There for each other to vent.  Happy to brag to each other about our accomplishments. Proud of each other at all times.

This year, Dana was given a new project.  She and her family felt led to be foster parents.  They have been blessed with 3 children.  Read this blog post to hear the amazing story about how their sweet family grew so suddently. From Chaos to Grace: God's sense of humor

I am so very proud of her.  She is such a remarkable woman and these 3 little children are so incredibly blessed to have her loving them every day and every moment.

Dana posted a few weeks ago she was going on vacation...uh jealous!!!  They were going to Florida to the beach - oh how I love the beach.  I was so excited for her.  They had some obstacles to overcome with the foster children, but they got the details worked out. 

She posted pictures. She facebooked. I got to live vicariously through her facebook and her status updates.  Then one day I was checking my Facebook, and something was wrong. Something had happened to the baby. 

Prayers were said all around the world.

I finally got through the blog post that she wrote taking us through each moment and each heartbreaking minute. Here is my disclaimer: it is heartbreaking.  However, the end result is good and positive.  Just brace yourself.

 From Chaos to Grace: To appreciate life...

Dana continues to face the struggles and joys of fostering.  I cannot imagine the turmoil she faces every day.  I cannot imagine how good it feels in her heart with each and every positive step forward.

Dana, you are amazing and I just know that wonderful things are in store for you and your family....of 8.

Much Love

Brooke



And....they're back! Archer Family - October 2011

The Archer Family ... if you know them, they have left a lasting impression on you.  I was thinking the other day - I have known this family since before they were a family. 

I love them so incredibly much! 

A season, a reason, or a lifetime...

They are for sure the last two

Cherie understands how precious pictures are.  She drives Matt crazy with them, because we do them a couple times a year.  However, I know better...he is super proud of his family and loves to show them off.

Cherie said it perfectly the other day

"When you can't remember a specific moment in your life, your picture are there to remind you"

Well Said!

Family pictures this time around are a little different.  They have the amazing opportunity to have a foreign exchange student living with them. 

We call him Jakob...because frankly, none of us Americans can say his first name correctly. 

Jakob is this amazing kid who has fit in so perfectly with their family.

Here is what I know about Jakob in the 2-3 months he has been here

He LOVES American Football

I mean - he REALLY loves it.  I think he could easily put some grown men to shame with the stats that he knows.

He LOVES hamburgers

Well, maybe just food in general...but hamburgers, watch out!

He is happy

He always has a smile on his face

He is a pretty funny guy

I love to listen to him crack jokes with Matt and the kids

Jakob is a perfect addition to the Archer Family.  He already fights with TJ & Tatum like a real brother would - you would never know he has only been here a short amount of time.

Oh...and let's not forget about Stoney.

Cherie will tell you that he is THE perfect dog

He was off his game on picture day...but he's still pretty cute!

Much Love to you all

xoxo

Brooke

http://www.maddiepiecreations.com/

817-564-3068

Inspiration Through Art {Cayden}

If you have followed me over the last couple of years, you already know that I am a part of an amazing organization called Inspiration Through Art.  I have the honor to be amongst some fabulous photographers in this group that use our art to give families a little extra love.

"Our mission at Inspiration Through Art is to help provide and capture memories for families who are dealing with hectic schedules due to having a child who is suffering from a serious illness or life altering disability. We are here to offer emotional support through the beauty and expression art has to offer, as a way of healing and coping. We understand that in the midst of being thrown a diagnosis and having to switch from a “normal” life to a life that is totally different, and often scary, things like getting photos taken is sometimes a huge challenge and is one of the last things families are thinking about. But when everything is done, and either the child has reached the end of their battle, or has proven the odds against it many wish they had more time to stop, and capture the journey that they lived through for so long."

A few months ago I was contacted by Cayden's mom.  She had applied to ITA and had chosen me to be her photographer.  I am so glad she did.  I fell in love with all the sweet faces staring back at me when I met them this past weekend.

Cayden and his brother DJ have both been diagnosed with diabetes.  Cayden actually has an insulin pump, he looked at me a little funny when I asked to see it. I think these kids are so brave to deal with the circumstances that they have been given, all while having the biggest, brightest, sometimes toothless, smiles on their face.

 

Here is a little of how mom described her sweet kiddos.

"Landon is the oldest and my first, he is smart kid and always concerned about his little brother. He LOVES legos! Cayden is my baby and is my little hero. He is brave, strong, and very much all boy. He loves anything country. DJ is my step son, he is a few months younger then Landon, he was recently diagnosed with diabetes as well. He likes to talk. Kailey is my step daughter, she is very much a drama queen and princess. She seriously thinks the world revolves around her."

Uh...mom, she is the only girl surrounded by 3 brothers...it IS all about her :)

Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your family.  Your children are amazing and together you have such a strong family.

Much Love

Brooke

If you know of a child or family that is suffering from a serious illness or life altering ability - I encourage you to check out the Inspiration Through Art website. There are so many wonderful photographers that are a part of this group - choose one that is right for your family. Let us love you!

MaddiePie Creations

http://www.maddiepiecreations.com/

817-564-3068



J Family 2011

I have been lucky enough to not only photograph this family from their beginning, but I am also friends with them.  I have watched their story unfold.  With each chapter in their story, I am more and more proud of them.

They have proven that love really can conquer anything.  

Together, they can take on the world.

Sweet, sweet Evan.  I am so proud of his pictures.  Up until probably 6 months ago, he wouldn't look in my direction must less talk to me.  Something changed somewhere along the way.  Now...he runs up and gives me a great big hug each time he sees me.  

He makes me heart smile each time I get to see him.

Much love to all three of you.  Thank you for allowing me to take part in your story and be your friend.

Much Love,

Brooke

www.maddiepiecreations.com

817-564-3068

H Family 2011

I love all of my clients.  I especially love it when clients become amazing friends. I love that I get to be a part of their lives and see how they grow and change.

I have said before that our lives are like a story.  When I have the distinct honor to be a part of that story, or even just a chapter in your story...I am beyond happy.

This family is beautiful.  One of the greatest things about them is the love for their boys. 

Their wild

goofy

amazing boys

We spent some time together at the botanical gardens this past weekend.  Lots of laughter, a minor mishap, a break in between... and we ended up with some fabulous pictures.

Thank you H Family for loving me just as much as I love you!

Much Love

Brooke

http://www.maddiepiecreatoins.com/

817-564-3068