Love Languages: A New Blog Series

I'm starting a new series on the blog, entitled Love Languages. I've always been intrigued with how people give and receive love, and it is one of my favorite things to witness when I'm photographing people: how they show love to one another. 

I've you've never read the book, The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, then I highly suggest you click over right this minute and grab a copy. It's not just for couples; there is a wonderful version for children that is so insightful. I think about love languages every time I'm with my own kids, when I'm planning sessions with clients, and when I'm actively shooting and talking to them from behind my camera. 

The five love languages are: 
Quality Time
Physical Touch
Words of Affirmation
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service

According to the author, we all have one primary love language that we cannot do without. In addition, we may have secondary love languages that we enjoy as well.

My own three kids each have different love languages, and it's a joy to be keyed in on their individual brands of heart-speak and to be able to love them how they each need to be loved. When I'm loving them in their love language, that's when they feel it most... why would I want to love them in any other way?! So during this forever-ongoing blog series, I'm going to show you what love looks like between myself and my own sweet babies, for me as a mama/wife/sister/daughter/woman, and for my clients and their families. I hope you'll join me... I cannot wait to share this insight with you!

To start us out, I thought I'd share one of the love languages of my daughter: quality time. She's an amazing little girl with a heart of pure gold, and it is my pleasure and great honor to love on her! Lila sweetly says that she wants to stay home with me every single day, even though she loves school. To make her feel loved, all I have to do is simply spend one-on-one time with her. Doesn't matter what we do, as long as it's together. We braid hair, we take a walk, we bake gluten-free goodies together, we ride bikes, skip down the sidewalk, read together, snuggle in bed, I have lunch with her at school, we hold hands or play games or go shopping together. Just the two of us.

I also find that when I love her the way she needs it most, I fill her little love tank to its brim. And with that, she is more open with me in return, more patient, more well-behaved, more helpful and cooperative. (And in our house, friends, we high-five and call that a win-win.)

Interestingly enough, Lila's love language to me is often acts of service or giving me gifts. She writes me letters (check out the hashtag #lilawrites on Instagram), leaves me little notes, she does extra chores to help me out, even tells me I'm beautiful when I don't wear any makeup... she is just a delight. She is so kind to her brother and sister, and loves her daddy like no other.

So tell me, dear friends... how do you find yourself giving love? What does your spouse do that makes you feel adored, noticed, beautiful, appreciated, loved? What do your children do for you that makes your heart light on fire? Let's find your love language. Then find that of your significant other and your children. Spend this next week consciously showing love in the ways that your family receives love best, and see what it does for their hearts... and yours!

Love to you,
Stacey

Expectation vs Experience

"Do not let what you expected keep you from what God wants you to experience." 
-Steven Furtick, Crash the Chatterbox

What did you imagine for your life, friends? Is that your reality today? I will be honest with you and say that I did not expect to still be where I am now. My life's plans and grand expectations for this point in my life included a bigger house with a pool, far more financial security, more alone time, actual family vacations, less stress, more clients, and maybe a beautiful natural light studio with a gallery and entertaining space. Oh, and a housekeeper. Just keeping it real. :)

But God had other ideas in mind for me first.

I have no way of knowing for sure if all of those dreams will ever become a reality for me, but I choose to believe that God wanted me to experience these warm naptime snuggles for a little while longer. To be home to greet the kids when they get off the bus. To lean on Him a little harder with less money, so I'll know how to rely on Him when we have more of it. He wanted me to stop and be grateful for this tiny (cozy!) house before He gives us a bigger one someday. He wanted to give me a blessing in my struggle. A light during the darkness. A third baby who will change the world right along with her older brother and sister.

Steven Furtick says that "God schedules every season in your life, but He doesn't post the schedule for you to see." Ahh. Isn't that both frustrating and comforting all at once?! It is for me. But then again, I'm still learning to let go.

So today, and every day, I will choose to enjoy these precious moments I've been given during this sweet season of life, while it lasts. I will snuggle them close, and I will breathe in this tiny little girl who wants to lie on my arm and twirl my cross necklace until she falls asleep. And I will be grateful, so very grateful.

Because the next season is coming soon enough. I can feel it. And I hope I be just as grateful in the next season of my life.

How about you? Are you enjoying the season you're in? Do your days look like what you imagined them to be? Would you change anything if you could?

Road Trip Summer 2014 | iPhone Collection

The kids and I have been traveling this month, roadtripping to Kentucky to visit my family and then to North Carolina to visit Chris's. Thirty hours in the car with little ones? Yes, I am certifiably crazy. But we made memories. We saw my grandma who is very ill (it was hard leaving her house, knowing it's likely the last time I'll kiss her soft cheek this side of Heaven). Lila learned how to swim and Charlotte splashed and pretended she was a mermaid. Parker wanted to take home every dog he saw (bless his heart). We caught lots of bass and bluegill from the best little fishing hole ever, we sipped honeysuckle and picked blackberries and we ate yummy homemade country food. We visited my sisters and my kids' cousins and all three of my remaining grandparents. We met new friends and played with old ones, we fed bread to ducks and grilled hot dogs and paddled a boat on a pond in the twilight and touched lilypads. We watched a field of cows graze on grass and we climbed apple trees and ate fresh tomatoes and corn on the cob. We swung on porch swings and tire swings and rope swings. We caught "lightning bugs" and kept them in a jar, and we slept late and stayed up even later. We watched movies and played games and ate cake and celebrated two birthdays. We took lots and lots of photos, more than I can count. WE LIVED LIFE TO THE FULLEST. And it was beautiful.

So I thought I'd share some simple iPhone photos from our trip with you. I have a lot more from the "big camera" that I'll share soon too. I also had the honor of photographing some sweet folks from back home during my visit, so look for those to be featured on the blog in the next week or so.

“People, there's no such thing as, THE BEST CAMERA BRAND, but yes there will always be THE BEST CAMERA AT ANY GIVEN TIME. Technology will change, but not art.”  ― Ashraf Saharudin

///

I post a lot on Instagram these days, because it's easier than blogging and lets me post short, one-image entries rather quickly. Sometimes I post client work, sometimes you'll see more personal reflections and my kids' memories-in-process, but whatever you see will always come with a lot of heart. If you'd like to get to know me a little better and catch up with me more often than simply here on the blog, then I'd love for you to FOLLOW ME  @staceywoods on Instagram.

Have a wonderful Friday, my friends.

Sweet When They're Asleep | What I Love About Being a Mama

"God gives us kids so we'd know how He feels about us."  - Bob Goff

Do you ever wonder if God looks down on us throwing our "tantrums" and disobeying Him, and instead of getting angry with us, He just thinks, "but she looks so sweet when she sleeps."  And then He is merciful to us, and forgives us when we ask Him to.  He shows us grace instead of the justice we deserve.

I don't always show grace and mercy to my kids.  Sometimes consequences are necessary.  They do receive their fair share of discipline and guidance, and I am quick to throw out the "no screens for a week!" card when the rules are intentionally broken or one kid is picking on another.  But I yell too loudly, and too often.  I lose my patience more quickly than I'd like to.  Sometimes I forget to return a permission slip, or I have to break a promise.  I don't always have it all together; in fact it's a rare day when I actually CAN say that I have it all together.  I let them play electronics more than I probably should.  I nag them about their chores and I expect far more help around the house than they ever want to give me.  Sometimes we have to say, "sorry, no company today," or skip a class birthday party.  (Speaking of which, I did not send in cupcakes for Parker's birthday last month and we didn't throw him a big party, and I did not feel guilty about either one.)  I'm not always attentive, my iPhone is in my hand far too often, and I do not bathe them every single night.  Poor Lila has been asking for gymnastics classes for over a year now, and I've yet to sign her up.

But.  BUT.  I open my arms to them when they creep into my bed in the middle of the night, scared from a bad dream or that monster under the bed.  I hold her like a baby because she asks me to.  I show him how to stick up for himself and how to be polite and how to respect women and teachers and grandparents and adults.  I know each one of their unique love languages and use them to lavish affection upon them as often as I can.  I pray with them and for them and in front of them.  I read an extra chapter at bedtime just because.  I love their Daddy absolutely to pieces and try to set an example for them for how a strong marriage should be.  I teach them good manners 24/7 it seems (oh little boys, you are so gross).  I tell them about God's love for them and about Jesus' sacrifice and about Heaven waiting for us someday.  I encourage sharing and respectfulness and kindness and asking nicely and thinking of others and not spending your allowance all in one place.  I am real with them and show them that I am human as well, and I try very hard to explain truths to them in ways they can best understand them.  I chaperone field trips and help with homework and shuttle them to school and soccer practice and birthday parties.  I pack Lila's gluten-free school lunch every single day and I bake gluten-free brownies and buy gluten-free cookbooks and make homemade granola bars because they love them and eat them all up within a day.  I nurse fevers and administer Tylenol and hold cold washcloths on their foreheads and pour orange juice and hold their hands and say extra prayers.  I change wet sheets and find missing blankies and dolls and I French-braid hair over and over until it looks like Elsa's.  I "holdju" and help them clean up their messes, and I fix endless meals and snacks and cut off all the crusts.  And I love them, fiercely.  With all my heart and then some.

I'm not the perfect mama, because there is no such thing.  Repeat after me, THERE IS NO SUCH THING.

But I'm the perfect mama for my children.  And that is enough.  Because He says it is.

I'm convinced that Bob Goff had it right when he stated the quote above, and I am trying daily to view my children the way God sees them. I want to parent them the way God parents us.  He's not always gentle (after all, even natural consequences do sting), but He always cares for us and even His discipline comes from a place of love and protection and guidance.

Being a mama is a full-time, exhausting, rewarding job, no doubt.  And if I do all of those things above and more, can you just imagine all the little things that God does for us, day in and day out?  And even after we've been disobedient and rude and disrespectful, He still thinks we are worth saving.  That we still look sweet when we're asleep.

Just like our babies.

xoxo,

Stacey

"Mommy, I'll Carry You." | What I Love About Being a Mama

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I asked some of my favorite mamas a few questions about motherhood, how it's changed their lives, what they love the most.  Some of the things they shared with me made me smile.  Some answers made me giggle, and other responses made me cry.  (You know me!)  I'm very lucky to know so many amazing mamas who have hearts of gold! I've known these sweeties since Ocean was in his mommy's tummy, and I'm so blessed to have been able to document his sweet family every year since.

Best. Advice. Ever.

Ocean's Grandma got to join us for our session too, and it warmed my heart to see them playing together.  I know that little boys tend to have their own ideas of what constitutes "fun", so we decided to sneak up behind the ladies and "trick them".

Grandma was a terrific sport!  Mamas and Grandmas of little boys are pretty lucky, I think.

And so are those little boys.

Don't forget that Mother's Day is this coming Sunday!  All this month, I'll be featuring photographs of some really inspiring mamas, who are offering their best advice and thoughts on motherhood.  There is even a giveaway or two in the works, so be sure and check back or add this blog to your reader/rss feed.  

And if you're thinking of having your own photo session sometime in the future, make sure you sign up for our newsletter over there to the left!  I promise never to bombard you with email, but only let you know of fun things, special announcements, and upcoming dates and events.  If you're sold on a session right away, then click on the word "contact" below this post, or in the menu bar at the top of this blog.  I can't wait to chat with you.

How have you evolved through motherhood, like Ocean's mama says?  Do you stop folding laundry and play with your kids?  (That one convicted my heart.)  I'd love to know your thoughts, so leave a comment below this post!

xoxo, Stacey

A little break, and some recognition too. | Mother's Day Photo Sessions

You deserve a break.  You deserve a little recognition too, for all you've accomplished.

Whether you work from home, at home, or away from home, I know that you are busy 24/7, and that you have a BIG JOB no matter what.

Just think about the roles you play on a daily basis...

• You're a mama.  And maybe a wife, a fiancee, a sister and a daughter.  And maybe you play the role of Daddy most days too, which means that you totally win my award for Parent of the Year.  Hats off to you, my sweet friend.
• You're dependable, and you're always the friend with diaper wipes on hand or a safety pin in an emergency or the number for a fantastic hairstylist / dermatologist / family photographer (ahem) and your friends just adore you for it.
• You're a full-time nurse, and the most fantastic splinter-surgeon with the coolest band-aids ever.
• You're a nutrition expert.  You are a sous chef for picky eaters and kids with three different food allergies and a gluten sensitivity.  You're also a server.  (And the entire clean-up staff, most times, if we're being honest.)
• You're a taxi driver to ballet classes, a baseball coach, a cheerleader for your son's soccer team and an expert time manager to just keep up with it all.
• You're a housekeeper, a lunch-packer, and a laundry specialist. (My most favorite made-up title to date, ha!)
• You're an infant-sleep-expert by now, and a toddler-tantrum-diffuser as well.
• You're a psychologist.  (Even mamas of the youngest babies have to know a little "sly-chology" from time to time.)
• You're still in school, and will be for as long as your kids need help with homework and science fair projects and book reports and learning how to write cursive.
• You're a stylist for your family's wardrobe, your little girl's hair (and your own), and a master at finding tiny lost shoes under beds at the last minute.
• And let's be honest.  (I already know anyway.)  You're a photographer too. :) You've got thousands of photos on your iPhone, your point and shoot, or your dSLR.  Your Facebook timeline is peppered with photos of your children, and who could blame you?  They ARE adorable, we all agree.

However.  YOU are rarely in the photos.  And if you are, it's just a quick snapshot taken by Dad or a passerby at the beach.  (Sorry, Dad, we know you mean well.)

But guess what?  That's not enough.

You deserve more.

You deserve a professional photo shoot with you and your little ones snuggling and singing and holding hands and swinging and laughing and hugging and tickling each other and giving Eskimo kisses.

That would make the perfect Mother's Day gift, wouldn't it?  Either from someone else, or even as a gift you give to yourself (and indirectly, to your children as well).

And my whole reason -- my very heart's desire -- for this special event is that it might just give you a little encouragement to pull that mini-album out of your purse during soccer practice or week's they're away at camp.  It might make you stop and be grateful for these fleeting moments when you look at that sweet framed photograph on the wall, after dropping them off at preschool (or middle school) on the first day.  It may make your celebrations sweeter to be able to flip through photo albums with your children each year, as you reflect on how much they've grown, and they see through your photographs just how much they were loved, even way back then.

Photographs of my children are my most treasured material possession.  They are what we will grab in an emergency, only after each other.  They cannot be replaced or duplicated or substituted.

And you deserve them on this special day... the day that reserved just for hardworking, well-intentioned, sacrificing Mamas like you.  No matter if your children are still babies or if they are teenagers already.

It would be my honor to give you such a gift.

Session availability is extremely limited, and mini-sessions begin tomorrow.

Friday morning, April 11th Friday evening, April 11th Saturday evening, April 12th

Several sessions have already been booked, but there are a few openings left.

They are waiting for you.

Reserve your Mother's Day Mini-Session now by calling 727-698-0344 or by replying to this email. Your Session Fee will be required to book; all major credit cards are accepted.

xo, Stacey

What I Love About Being a Mama: One Hundred Kisses

"Mama, I want to give you one hundred kisses!"  ~my Lila (about twice a week) And I'd happily let her.

One of the things that I love most about being a mama is... getting one hundred kisses in a row.  :)  Truly, I love the affection my children give me, and the affection they allow me to give them.  It's a wondrous thing.  Snuggles are one of our love languages, and we always hug and kiss each other every time one of us leaves the house.  Even if it's just to the grocery store.

Our favorite way to watch a movie is cuddled up on the couch together, pillows thrown all over the place.

Lila kisses the palm of my hand every morning when I drop her off at school, a la "The Kissing Hand."  Just this morning, she held up the car line because she jumped back into the van to kiss Charlotte on the head.  No one minded a bit.  :)

Parker melts into a puddle when I scratch his back or run my fingers through his hair.  It's how I used to get him to sleep when he was a baby, and he still adores it.

Charlotte won't go to sleep at night without running into the living room to "get Daddy's kiss" first.

One of my favorite quotes ever is this one:  "Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives."  ~C. S. Lewis

How do you and your kids show that you love each other?  Do you have your own little "love language" or bedtime snuggling rituals?  I'd love to know more about how mamas love their babies, so tell me in the comments below!

//

From now until Mother's Day, I'll be doing a blog series on motherhood, entitled What I Love About Being a Mama.  Yesterday, I shared with you a bit about sibling relationships and asked you for tips on fostering friendships between your children.  Today, I'm shared with you how much I adore their sweet cuddles and affection.  Stay tuned for the next few weeks of this series... I'll be featuring interviews, giveaways, and special gifts just for my readers.  I promise, you won't want to miss a single post!  :)

//

Also, don't forget about Mother's Day Mini-Sessions happening this weekend!  It's a terrific gift idea, and one that most mamas will appreciate far more than flowers and dinner out.  Photographs last forever, and I hope you'll let us encourage you on your motherhood journey by photographing you with your own little loves (and even your own mama too!).  Click here for more information, and register through the CONTACT button at the top of this website or by calling 727-698-0344.  Sessions are limited, and several have already filled up, so don't wait!  Book your Mother's Day Mini-Session now!

What I Love About Being a Mama: Sibling Friendships

Undoubtedly, one of my favorite things about being a mama is when I get to witness how much my kids truly like one another.  Not just "we-love-because-we-have-to", but actual friendship.  Snuggling, tickling, laughing, playing because-they-want-to friendship.  It warms my heart to no end to see these sibling friendships developing and growing.

I was folding laundry on Lila's bed yesterday, and Lila climbed into Charlotte's crib to play with her, like she so often does. They just began snuggling under the covers and tickling each other and giggling like little girls do. My heart melted into a puddle when I saw them being so loving toward each other, all on their own.

My camera was in my office, but my iPhone was nearby, so that is what I used here. After all, "the best camera is the one that's with you."  ~Chase Jarvis

I actually texted this photo to my two sisters immediately afterward, because it made me think of them. We're still best friends to this day, even as mamas ourselves.

Parents, never underestimate the importance of fostering real friendship between your children! I'm so very grateful for my sisters... the way we have always helped each other through different stages of life, having all of those inside jokes that no one else thinks is significant, much less funny. How we support each other even if we don't agree, how we can call or text in the middle of the night if we need a listening ear or a bit of advice about a sick baby.  How we've comforted and encouraged one another through breakups and boyfriends, marriages and babies, through life and death and sickness in between, through prosperity and heart-breaking loss, through cross-country moves and changes that cannot be reversed. I am sp grateful for our undying friendship and our unconditional acceptance and support of each other.  I know that my sisters always have my back, even though we are scattered across the country.

Our parents gave us these most wonderful gifts: each other.

It is my intention to guide all three of my children to not only love each other, but to truly like each other now and forever.  To give them what I have with my sisters.  And it's a beautiful thing to witness this unfolding before my eyes.

So what about you?  Are your children also friends? Let's talk!  I'd love to know your tips and ideas on how to develop sibling friendship in the comments below!

I'll go first!  :)  There were three of us girls, but only two bedrooms upstairs. So the two who were arguing the most would have to share a room until we learned to get along. We didn't like it at first, but it worked like a charm.  Mom was pretty brilliant like that.

Now it's your turn!

//

Today is the first day of my new blog series entitled, "What I Love About Being a Mama".  Stay tuned for the next few weeks as we celebrate mothers all over the world.  I'll be featuring interviews with other mamas, special gifts, and giveaways just for my readers!  Be sure and subscribe so that you don't miss a single post!

//

I also hope you'll join me this Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, for Mother's Day mini-sessions at Honeymoon Island in Dunedin!  I'd love to melt YOUR Mama-heart into a puddle when you see images of your children loving on each other, and loving on YOU.  Register now by emailing me through this website (contact link above) or by calling me at 727-698-0344.  It would be my honor to celebrate you and your children, even if they're grown up and not-so-little anymore.  They'll always be your babies, after all, right?

xo, Stacey

Better Than Flowers: Mother's Day Mini Sessions

Ever since I was a little girl, Mother's Day has seemed so happy and magical to me.  At church, our pastor would give special recognition (large, full hanging baskets of flowers) to the youngest mother, the oldest mother, the mother with the most children present in the service that morning, and the mother whose child(ren) traveled farthest to be with her that day.  My own mom actually won once.  She tied for "mom with the most kids present" by having us three girls there.  She tied with Donna Prichard, who usually won that title, but tied that year because one of her four kids didn't make it there in time.  ;)  Donna graciously let my mom take the basket of flowers that day, and I've never forgotten that.

Mother's Day has always been a big deal, but even more so when I became a mama myself.

And not because it meant that I'd get a gift.  ;)  Like many of you, I don't think it's really about the gift itself... it's about the thought behind that gift.  Right, moms?  It's an opportunity to teach our children how to love well, to give with intention, to show honor and respect, and to make someone feel amazing and appreciated for the job they do and the sacrifices they make.

Truly, I could not be happier if I only receive homemade cards from my children, because their love is pure and sweet and simple and these precious art pieces are straight from their little hearts!

But.... Daddy doesn't get off the hook so easily.  ;)

My husband knows that I want to be recognized, appreciated for all I do for our family.  Whether that may be shown with a sweet gift that he thinks I'll like, or a special dinner out alone or with the family (so I don't have to cook or clean up the mess), or a bouquet of my favorite flowers, or lavish attention and a day of extra-special honor in front of our children.

Just notice me.  Recognize me and pay special attention to me today.  Encourage me that I'm really doing okay at this motherhood thing.  Tell me you love me and that I'm making a difference in our children's lives, even if it doesn't feel like it some days.

Because some days, don't you think that being a mama is the most challenging job in the world??

SO.  DO.  I.

Here's the thing: we all know that even the most beautiful flowers still wilt and fade.  Stylish jewelry goes out of style eventually or it gets shuffled around and forgotten in the jewelry box.  Dinner is only delicious for an evening.  Eventually I'll have to cook again, and the dishes will pile up in the sink tomorrow.  (Those handmade cards, though?  They'll be precious forever!)

What I'd really love is a memory.  A keepsake.  A way to freeze this precious time of life, to actually see how much my children love me, how happy they really are, after all.  An encouraging reminder on tough days (cause they're coming) that I'm still doing a good job.  That I'm doing meaningful work, and that I matter to these tiny people who call me Mama.

Do you feel the same way?  I thought so.

With that in mind, this year I'm planning something wonderful for my photography clients:

MOTHER'S DAY MINI SESSIONS.  

Sweet mamas, these are just for you and your children!  (Or you and your own mama.)  A few wonderful minutes, captured on film, with your children on your lap, in your arms, and holding your hand.  Your place of honor.  A printed, tangible reminder of their love, on the wall for years and years (because don't we all have kind of a sinking feeling that the teenage years are going to be worse than the teething ones??).

So I chose a gorgeous new location with lush greenery, sand and sea.  I have fun, sweet ideas in mind for getting you and your babies snuggled up close for real, beautiful portraits that will be an encouragement to you for years to come.  I've got special Mini-Collections that allow you to own digital files, matted prints and/or a beautiful modern album telling the story of your day.  And I'm offering them to you now, in plenty of time to have your prints in hand (and maybe even framed) by Mother's Day.

Now.  Tell me that isn't better than flowers.  

(Mamas, forward this post to your significant other TODAY.  If they are anything like my husband, they truly do appreciate it when you spell out exactly what you want!)

Or, gift this special session to yourself, to your mother, or to your children!  I promise, you'll never regret making the investment in photographs of your sweet loves.

Stay tuned this week for your opportunity to register for one of these limited-edition sessions.  I can't wait to give you this beautiful gift and to encourage you in your mama-journey.

xo, Stacey

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

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