I'm Out Change My World

Several years ago, my mom passed a book down to me that had impacted her when she was my age. It is called, I'm Out to Change my World by Ann Kiemel. Great book. You can borrow it, if you'd like. Just ask, and I'll send it your way.

I was reminded of the title when out shooting for the St. Louis Continuum of Care website yesterday- my little part of helping to end chronic homelessness. This is not the final shot for this particular part of the project, as the weather was "muddy" not as crisp and beautiful as we'd hope for. But I found the location I'd been sent to discover. I count that as a success.

I thought I'd include bits of the process here on my blog until the final pictures are ready to help end homelessness!

Would you like to join me in praying for the end of homelessness in St. Louis?

.prayer.
God, will you do that for St. Louis? Will you end chronic homelessness? I pray that you give wisdom to the 50 not-for-profits in St. Louis working to this end and perseverance to press on to that end. Jesus, bring about compassion in your people to make that happen! Amen.

Friendliness

This past weekend, after my family and I recovered from H1N1, we headed to the Lake of the Ozarks to a leader's retreat with church. I got to take pictures of everyone for some church publication stuff and convinced everyone to gather 'round for a group picture. These are some of my very best friends.

It is tempting to put up all the pictures of the small group leaders since they were all so photogenic, but I'll refrain... In lieu of that, I'll throw in a few extras.

Alliteration from a former poet

While putting my son down for a nap, I wondered what I should call this post. Something clever. Something witty. All I got was Fall Family Fun... or something like that, which was done by a friend the other day (see here).

That, did however, get me thinking about alliteration. Wikipedia describes it in the following way. "Alliteration is a literary or rhetorical stylistic device that consists in repeating the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in close succession."

So here we go. The Schaeffer Family in (mostly) alliterative terms.

We set off on the soggy sidewalk, striding, singing silly songs, and speeding on a tricycle. I was there to capture Chad and changing leaves, Kaylee kickin' it with her red boots, Brady bouncing and doing "butt bombs" bringing him to bawl some big boy tears (which is the same as a minor whimper), and lastly JoAnne jumping when she threw Chad's changing leaves into the air.

In less poetic terms, this shoot was a dream come true. Thankfully I didn't have to dream too long. I had taken a walk on this path about a month or two ago, discovering it on accident with my family as we took a short walk near our home. I thought to myself- "WOW- won't this be great when fall comes? I must photograph a family here." I scheduled a session with this fabulously fun family and it didn't take much convincing to get them to come to my new special spot. When we scheduled it, it wasn't very colorful yet, but a week later about a million gallons of rain fell and we had a perfect location.





My favorite.

Movin' on up...

I was spying on my kiddo from my desk, and wow... look what he can do! I grabbed my camera, silently got ready, and right when I was about to expose the frame, he peeked at me. How wonderful is that?

Scratch and Sniff

I wish these pictures had scratch 'n sniff possibilities! Let me just say this steak smelled amazing...


The Bridge, frequently seen here on my blog, had an event this weekend- a steak dinner for their guests provided by Bonhomme Presbyterian Church! Let me tell you that when the man who was announcing things said to praise God if you got a big FAT steak, cheers erupted! I was told that if I didn't eat this cookie, it'd be a sin. I agree. It was tasty!

Their youth choir sang...

This young lady must be gifted at service, as she never stopped smiling. Even when I put the camera down.

Who doesn't love a good picture of salt and pepper shakers on a rainy day?

This guy called me "Camera Lady"- which I'd say works pretty well. I knew he was talking to me. We had a nice chat about my camera, as he is in the market for one, and the Polaroids pictures he used to take years ago in downtown St. Louis. The pictures I am to take of the guests are to help bring a face of dignity to the people served by The Bridge, and this experience did that for me. It is easy to think that the homeless population doesn't know what's going on in the world or are out of touch. But the group of people I spoke with, including this man, all could tell me more about the news, hooking up my DTV converter box (that hasn't ever been done), and local camera stores than I could share with them. Dignity was found.

A special gift

Saturday there was a trio of special gifts that all led to a fabulous maternity shoot!
Cristina is getting a special gift- her little baby. Her best friend gave her a special gift- a maternity package. And God gave us a lovely day, which is a great gift for me, because I was inspired by some warm-toned pictures and I got sent to Lens-Flare-Heaven!









When I was in middle school and high school, people always commented that I "chopped people's heads off" in their pictures. I still do. But when I get enamored with pregnant bellies, it's more readily accepted. Don't get me wrong, I love faces (and hair, expressions, smiles, etc.), but there is something about showing something else about the human form than the head. In this instance, the amazing pregnant belly. (oh my, that sounds like a circus act.. The Amazing Pregnant Belly!- sorry Cristina- that was just too amusing for me to pass up)


Congratulations to Cristina and Micah on your first child!

Baby Claire

Welcome to Baby Claire! She is #4 among an amazing clan. Each time I enter this home I stand amazed. It is clean, quiet, smells good, and there are 7 people living in this house! The children are polite and helpful and on this cozy Saturday morning, dear friend Jesse took his 3 other children to the grocery store so I could capture some one on one time with momma and baby (rare at this home, I'm sure). It is so amazing how faithfully this family serves our church; Tiffany, who does an amazing job mothering her own four kids, also serves all the kids at City Lights Church as our kid's director. Love you, Tiff!

Here is one to represent a series I shot with this softer, cozy look to represent the peace and "hush" that always fills their home when I come over- which, I'm sure isn't always the case with a bunch of little ones runnin' around, but even so... I think this home really understands God when he asks us to "be still and know that I am God."



And this blanket that Claire is wrapped in was Tiffany's as a a little girl. Love those details!