Mali turns 2!

Don't worry, baby. Mama is just as melancholy about you turning 2. 

In all seriousness, it is always hard when one of my children grow a year older. I sit back and reminisce about them being younger and all the cute little things they used to do as babies, or toddlers (in Olivia's case) that sometimes I have to slap myself back to reality before I miss the big picture and miss all the NEW stuff that they are learning because I am too busy missing the old. That is why pictures and video are such an important part of my life. (Okay Charles-I am taking this time to publicly say I am sorry I haven't taken any photos or videos in months. Now get out of my head already!!)

Now back to my little ball of fire... MADELINE. She is seriously one of the funniest kids I know. I am pretty sure all parents say that but this girl has me rolling on a daily basis. She can be as sweet as sugar but can also have the temperament of an angry UFC fighter about to enter the Octagon. Either way, we embrace her for who she is and try our very best to nurture her and encourage her differences that she has from Olivia (because boy are they different!!). It has been the best 2 years of my life to watch these two little girls grow and man oh man... does Olivia love her sister something fierce! I cannot discipline the child without Olivia's mama bear personality coming to protect her (which then I must explain that we discipline because we love her and she has to learn). I wouldn't have it any other way. 

A Day at the Farm with Friends

Okay, Okay, we didn't really go to a farm. We just happened to go to my sweet friend Grace's house and she just happens to have this massive, magnificent, majestic (can you see my M adjective trend here heh...) backyard equipped with a chicken coop, and plenty of our kids to run wild and be the hoodlums they are. Okay, hoodlums might not be the word I am looking for but sometimes they (well my kids at least) need some space to run and play, otherwise, their energy levels go through the roof and I can barely contain them myself! Not to mention, I was so happy to see my friends and catch up with them. Seeing how this was actually a couple of months ago, I think it is time we have another get together (okay, ladies!?). 

Now for the good part- some snappies of our playdate. 

Motherhood Mini Sessions

If you have ever followed my work, you will know that I have NEVER offered mini sessions. I do not have anything against them, I just haven't personally offered them until NOW. 

I wanted to offer Moms out there something special that they could have on Mother's day. Something that reminds them of why they love being a mother and most importantly, reflect on their special bond they have with their kiddos. 

The Motherhood Mini Sessions will capture the special bond between mother and child not only in photographs but on video as well. There is just something so special about video and it brings on feelings that sometimes you just can't get with photographs. 

Due to the nature of video- spots to this very special Mini session will be EXTREMELY LIMITED. Editing video is quite different than photographs and I have to make sure I leave enough time and space to pay close attention to all videos and deliver something special to those moms. I also have two young kiddos who need their mommy as well. While I wish I could give this to every beautiful mom out there, it just isn't possible with the amount of time I have. 

So without further adieu- here is the information to my MOTHERHOOD MINI SESSIONS.

I will be offering SEVEN spots on April 10, 2016 and ONLY THREE of those seven will have the option to have the "moving portrait" (video). This will be on a first come, first serve basis. If you want to snag a spot, please email me at info@catherinelubbat.com and please specify which session you would like to book. Thank you for the support!

An Afternoon with the Smith Family

What can I say? I just freakin' love this family! I have known Hayley and Josh since they were just dating and now they have babies-a-plenty! This wasn't your typical photography session either. Everyone was super relaxed... not much posing going on and everyone was doing their own thing. It was honestly my favorite type of session. I enjoyed just being a fly on the wall and watching them interact with each other. I did also enjoy chasing Henry around the house a few times ;). This session was also different because I didn't just take photos, but I took video to make their family a little film (which will be at the end of this blog post... so please stick around to the end... it is worth it...PROMISE!)

Thank you Hayley and Josh for trusting me enough to capture and tell you guy's story. I had so much fun. I know we aren't exactly neighbors but we need to get our kiddos together soon!

So without further adieu - Here is the Smith Family lifestyle newborn session... to welcome their newest addition... Josie!

I thought I would leave the grand finale at the finish. Here is their family film. I hope you guys enjoy!

*If you are interested in having your family's story told through photographs and film, please contact me and we can chat!

Father's Day 2015

To my dearest husband-

Words cannot begin to describe how absolutely thankful I am to call you my husband. You are an amazing father and there is no greater joy I get then seeing you with our girls. They both absolutely adore you and nothing can make their faces light up then when they see you. Even when you are exhausted, you never turn down Olivia's invitation to play dolls or to "throw her into the sky". These things are so special to her and I know she will always remember them. Thank you for working endlessly for us and most of all... thank you for loving us. 

With all our love-

Your three girls.

New Adventures!

I have a deep adoration for people who have learned the craft of making films. My camera has the ability to record video but it is a lot harder than it seems. I can't get the focus right... I shake the camera too much or my exposure is all off. Despite all the set-backs, I have finally decided I want to try to dive in head first and start taking videos of my family. Just small little snippets... nothing too serious. 

Here is my first film! I may have cheated.... because it isn't actually a "video"... rather tons of pictures glued together to make a stop motion film, but hey... I am trying. Enjoy!

An afternoon with the Garvey Family

Kelly is such an awesome photographer. I would be lying if I said I wasn't super intimidated to go to her house and photograph her family being awesome; however, Kelly being the super sweet and supportive friend she is just shook my nerves out and we had a blast! No... seriously... I had so much fun. It didn't really feel like a session at all to be honest. It felt more like being a fly on the wall watching a family engage with each other and just love on one another. She is such a great mother too. I feel like I need to step up my #momgame (HA! DID I JUST SERIOUSLY DO THAT!? I am just trying to stay hip and with the times) after watching Kelly interact with her kiddos. You can tell her family just adores her as well. Did I mention that her house is amazing! It was so perfectly decorated and just all around beautiful

I felt like kicking off my shoes and joining them for dinner when we were done taking photos, but... duty calls and I could hear the cries of my little munchkins at home from across town.  Love you Kelly!

Making time.

Photography and I have a hot and cold relationship. I am either head over heels for it or I'll go an entire month without snapping a single photo. As I was browsing through my Lightroom catalogue and looking back at pictures from years ago when my oldest was just a little baby, it brings back a wave of emotions and memories. I am able to remember the rolls that engulfed her little legs, her baby face (which is way too grown now) and all the activities she adored at each stage of her life. The pictures were not works of art or even technically correct, but you know what? It doesn't matter. I was celebrating those tiny moments and capturing how she was... right then. I get into this state of mind where I am chasing the golden sun and perfect moment and if the settings don't meet that criteria... I don't snap a photo. I have come to realize that it isn't the perfect setting (ie- field of flowers with beautiful backlight) that are my favorite photographs. It is the imperfect moment that reveal what was happening at the time. It is the photograph that is full of emotion, whether one of my children is laughing or even crying. It is honest. Those are the pictures that I hold so dear.    

How is this for honesty? This is Madeline's favorite thing to do right now. She climbs up my legs and just stares at me. She is attached to me, and though I am tired, I don't want to forget how this feels because she will be grown before I know it. 

These are the moments that I do not want to forget. You do not realize how fast time goes by until you stop and reflect and look at old photos. Her face has matured drastically from the little baby cheeks that she used to have. 

Going a month without capturing who my little people are is inexcusable for me. I don't want to forget how my children are. Right at this moment. All their quirks, imperfections, and messy hair. I don't want to forget Mali's little gap toothed smile or the tufts of ginger that take over her head. I don't want to forget Olivia's wild and unruly golden locks or the sour expression she get's when she doesn't get a piece of candy. These moments are fleeting.  

Honest moments are what I want to capture. The photos that speak about who my girls are, what they love, and how they live. There is nothing wrong with those beautifully styled outdoor photos, but I want to capture the everyday and if I get some awesome perfect scenario photos where they are getting along and smiling beautifully... well.. that is just icing on the cake.