Possibilities

Sometimes the most interesting parts of a photograph are the details and possibilities that are suggested.

I'm not sure what I love more about this photograph: the seen or the unseen.

I love the visible part of this sweet girl's legs and feet, as she's jumping ever so slightly above the edge of the wave... Daddy standing tall nearby to protect her and lift her should she lose her balance.  It's a quiet, gentle image of a father and daughter that I find myself coming back to again and again.

But I'm also drawn to the reflection of her, arms stretched upwards in a ballerina's pose.  That water-filled dip in the sand that suggests that she was just standing in that very spot, just before the tide washed its most recent wave up to the shore.  Just before she leaped over that wave and into the deeper tide.  Bravery and spirit, confident youth.

Daddy -- and his shadow -- planted as firmly as possible in the soft, wet sand, watching over his little girl to make sure she doesn't dance too far from his protection.  He knows that someday she'll dance a little further and further from him as she grows up, as she moves confidently into her life's path, into her own oceans.

So I'm curious... what do you see?  :)

Where I Belong

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong in a boat out at sea.  Sail away, kill off the hours.  You belong somewhere you feel free. Run away, find you a lover.  Go away somewhere bright and new.  I have seen no other who compares with you.

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong in a boat out at sea.  You belong with your love on your arm.  You belong somewhere you feel free.

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong somewhere close to me.  Far away from your trouble and worry.  You belong somewhere you feel free.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  --Jeremiah 29:11

//

Unlikely combination, I admit... but Tom Petty, the sound of seagulls and shallow waves spilling onto a warm beach, and the book of Jeremiah make up the soundtrack of my life this week.

Friends, here's hoping you find peace in your heart, when and where you search for it.  For me, it was on a beach on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico.  Right where I belong.

xo,

Stacey

If you have to take cover from the rain under a tiki hut....

...then make sure you do so with a super cute and fun family with a great sense of humor!

What an amazing family!  They were such good sports about our infamous Gulf of Mexico / Tampa Bay evening thunderstorms, even despite dodging buckets of rain and having to take cover inside a tiki hut on the beach.  Not quite what we had in mind for our session, of course, but I think we got some pretty awesome images from our time together.

Best of luck to Drew and Morgan on your senior year!!  I hope it's your best one yet.

Dreaming of Summer

The Gulf beach is calling my name.  My sweet, calming, peace-bringing friend.  We shall meet again soon, I promise.

Elevate: A Fine Art Photography Exploration | December 2011

This image spoke to me as soon as I pressed the shutter.  My little girl is in between waves.  One has just swept over her, and another is breaking and tumbling toward her.  But she's peaceful, focused, and she takes each wave as it comes.

Some days I wish I could just slow down and take it one wave at a time, don't you?  In the family portrait photography business, these late months are always the busiest of the entire year.  We squeeze in extra sessions, we stay up late at night editing, we rush print deliveries and we package them up just as soon as they come in.  We appreciate this time while it lasts, because we know that January and February will be much different.  The phones won't ring as much and we will get a bit of a break until the next wave comes onshore.

My goal this season is to be peaceful in the midst of these waves, to focus on my tasks as well as my own family's contentment, and to make sure I get up from my place at the edge of the water and take my kids for a stroll on the beach.

I read this quote on Pinterest some time ago, and I whipped up a very simple art print to remind me to slow down and take the waves in my life as they come... one at a time.  You're welcome to click the image to download it.  Print it for yourself to always remember that the tide does ebb and flow.  I hope you don't simply dip your toes in the water, but that you jump in with both feet and enjoy the surf.

The Elevate Project is a circle of photographers who long to indulge our artistic sides at least once a month, by exploring photography as a fine art form.  You can see my October and November posts here if you'd like to.  As we think, and shoot, and think some more... we grow, and we develop, and we become better at our craft.  I encourage you to follow our circle by visiting my very talented friend Gina Oh  |  Arroyo Grande, CA Photographer next.

xxoo

off and running

Ya know, when I signed up for this photographer gig, no one told me I had to also assume the role of IT Tech as well.  ;)  I've just spent the last week-and-a-half performing diagnostics, trouble-shooting and repairing my poor overworked Mac, so that I can get the images off my hard drive and onto my blog!  Oh my Photoshop ~ it pains me!  I guess it's a small price to pay for being able to do what I love every day ~ photographing the most amazing families in Tampa Bay.  I get to meet and cuddle with the sweetest babies, laugh with the funniest kids, and hang out with the most adoring parents in the entire world.  And then when our playtime is over, I get to give them a piece of art that encapsulates how much FUN their family has just being together... how beautiful and fresh their babies are at one week old... how perfect their first-grader's smile is even with that missing front tooth... how utterly precious their children's lives are at that very moment.  I get to give them a piece of their history to pass down through the generations.  Honestly, how lucky am I?! Thankfully, I'm full-force again as of this evening.  Whew!  Just in time to post a sneak-peek for a very patient Mama and Daddy....

Nicholas was just shy of his first birthday at our photo session.  And let me tell you ~ that boy was MOBILE!  Not only was he walking (and very well, I might add) on his own... but he was also RUNNING.  Barefoot.  Down the streets (well, okay, the sidewalks) of downtown Clearwater Beach.  He was so much fun to play peekaboo with, and I had a wonderful time with his parents, who came ready to play!

I love that he "missed" his eyes during peekaboo.  :)  Hey, cheeks are close enough!

Sweet mercy... could you not just eat him up??  Those squishy rosy cheeks, those gorgeous warm brown eyes, the soft wispy hair?

And, in what is quickly becoming a Stacey Woods Photography "beach session tradition" ~ we stopped for ice cream cones!  (Oh how I wish I could juggle a cone and two cameras at the same time.)   ;)

I told ya... that boy's a runner!  :)

Thank you so much, P. family, for a gorgeous evening by the Gulf of Mexico.  Your session was a dream, and I can't wait to see you again soon!  And Happy Birthday, Nicholas!!  :)

like mama, like daughter

You know I had to keep that title Southern.  LOL! Nicole contacted me recently and shared the news that her Mom was going to be in town from Arizona for a visit, and that she'd love to have me photograph their relationship together, as mother and daughter.  And for me, it was an honor.  Let me just tell you... I had an absolute blast with these gals tromping all over Clearwater Beach.  Thankfully, they trusted in my vision for the session, and let me have at it.  Even when, during our wandering, I stopped quickly and instructed that they sit down here, yes right here, in the middle of the sidewalk!  :)  I love it when clients "get" my style and just go with the flow. We have such a good time, and hopefully, the results speak for themselves.  I'll let y'all be the judges...

I looooove this combo.  Love how relaxed and beautiful they both look here....

We had the most gorgeous light to work with!  I loooove the golden hour.  :)

We even stopped for ice cream at one of my favorite little hideaways.  :)

Now.  Don't these just make you want to call your Mama??  :)  Remember that this Sunday, May 10, is Mother's Day!  SWP is offering Gift Certificates to give the sweetest ladies in your life.  Show them how much you adore them by giving them the priceless gift of custom photography... either a session to celebrate themselves or one to capture memories with the kiddos.  Inquire for details!

Y'all STAY TUNED to the blog for the next few days.  I have TONS of sneak peeks and sessions to showcase here, plus lots of personal "stuff" to share too.  Bear with me as I catch up from this crazy week!  :)