Photo Shoot Success

When Sophie was born we chose to hire a very expensive professional photographer to take her newborn, three months, six months, and one year old pictures. We went all out and ordered the posh photo book, gigantic framed portraits, a CD set to music, etc. Our final photo session, just after Sophie's first birthday, took place in an exclusive park only a handful of photographers from Tulsa are allowed (with a hefty fee) to use. When we went to the photographer's studio to view those photos, we were overjoyed at the quality. The photos were spectacular and the price tag was excessive. We ordered everything and the kitchen sink. Buying these photos was a financial sacrifice. We were investing in what we loved. We didn't go on vacations and Judd still drives a 1997 Honda Accord. But capturing our child and family in gorgeous photos meant the world to us, so we shelled out the big bucks. A few weeks later, when our photographer still hadn't called to set up a time for us to get our products, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Phone calls went unanswered so Judd stopped by the studio only to find it empty. Our photographer skipped town with our photos and money along with other families' treasures too. The local news reported the incident, but we were out of luck. It was bad enough she stole our money, but to show us such breathtaking photos and then disappear without giving us any was heartbreaking. Maybe it was because of all we went through just to have a baby in the first place, but I was crushed. She stole our opportunity to capture our family in that moment in time. Sophie would never be that little again.

When the twins were born we had my dad take a few pictures of our family. He did a good job and we certainly appreciated having a couple of shots while they were itty bitty. Time marched on. Piper and Riley turned one - still no professional pictures.

When the twins were sixteen months old I happened to be checking out items for sale on our local Craigslist. I came across a lady named Lori Boyd who wanted to barter. She offered a photo shoot at a secluded little park in exchange for a baby stroller. She was heading up a pregnancy outreach ministry at her church and needed baby items. I jumped at the offer. What did I have to lose? I still had Sophie's single stroller which we didn't use anymore. No money was involved and we received all the pictures on a CD with the release form to print them anywhere we wanted. My trust in photographers is becoming restored and I have some beautiful pictures of my girls. I am so thankful for Lori. She captured the essence of Sophie, Piper, and Riley and enabled us to freeze time, if only in portraits, of our precious daughters.

Thank you, Lori, for the amazing gift of captured moments in the lives of my children.