Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Evan & Cooper

These two extremely handsome brother's totally blew me away with how well mannered & polite they were for their session. And big brother Evan was so helpful with Cooper!!

And in a few months, as you can see below, there will be a new bundle of joy being added to this beautiful family!











Saturday, November 26, 2011

Kris My Booty & Family

Meet Kris from Kris My Booty & her beautiful family. She is one of the greats in personal training and Zumba!! I am so proud of all that she has accomplished in her career since I met her a year and a half ago. Please check out Kris's schedule and what she can do for you at www.krismybooty.com!!









Monday, November 14, 2011

The "R" Family

I love families of five. (Gee, I wonder why?)

Meet The "R's": Three very well behaved kiddos. Two super smart (and super sweet) parents. Five majorly wonderful, majorly beautiful people.

I hope you guys enjoy these as much as I do!








Sunday, November 13, 2011

Matthew & Samantha/ E-session

Four wheelers. Hiking. Climbing. Elk fights. Mountain lion horror stories. Electric shocks.

You should never have THIS much fun at "work!"






Friday, November 11, 2011

Thank You Veterans

I am thankful for our Veterans. Those of the past. Those in the present. Those who will be in the future. Thank you for defending our country. Thank you for dedicating your lives.



Saturday, November 5, 2011

Rawlings Christmas- Part 1

I debated, and debated, and struggled, and changed... (this isn't the sign of insanity is it?)

I went back and forth over whether or not to put the "haze" on these Christmas "trial" photos of the boys. I was throwing ideas around with their indoor shoot (outdoor to come later) and I just felt like I was in a fog over the whole thing. My children are the most complicated and difficult children in the world (at least my world) to photograph! I have parents who come to me apologizing in advance for their children. They warn me that their child is difficult and does not like their pictures taken. When we are through I let them in on my little secret. YOUR CHILD WILL ALWAYS BE AN ANGEL for the camera compared to attempting to photograph my three boys. I have yet to have a child as difficult as my redheaded hot temper three year old!

I love my boys more than life itself. They are my world. My moon. My stars. My sun (sons... hehe.) But some days I would like to just hand them off to another photographer for Christmas pictures.

Before I put my equipment away I remembered the adorable Christmas dress I got for our family dog, Gracie. Jon chuckles at me... "She'll be easier than the boys!"

I do not often admit it... but my husband was right!

My performer!


If he only knew how cute he really was... he'd beg to have his picture taken!



My chubs! The happiest baby on the block!





And then there's Gracie... our princess who doesn't like to go walking around in her "birthday suit." She really does like to play dress up!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Magic Hour

The Magic Hour is defined as "the first and last hour of sunlight each day." I love the last hour of daylight... especially in the fall. The crispness of the air... the colors... even the smell. Tonight I chased the light. I waited. I attempted the nearly impossible by keeping three little boys occupied while I waited for just the right moment. After one session, I'll call this the "headache session", we waited for this short window of time and took full advantage of my favorite hour.

The "headache session" left me asking myself a question that my husband and I have been asking ourselves more often than we'd like in recent weeks. "What have we done wrong?" Our older two boys just refused to listen. Every word either ignored or the opposite done. I had three other adults helping me with my three small boys for crying out loud! This should be a piece of cake! Social situations leave Jon and I exhausted and frustrated. Where one child runs around like a crazy person, the other throws a temper tantrum large enough to frighten the scariest of monsters! Is it like this always? No. I can plow through Target with all three with the greatest of ease... and leave with all of my sanity... and even thankful for such wonderful behavior. But take the family trick-or-treating. We have one child running into people's houses completely driven by impulse. Another child lacking focus or restraint near vehicles. This is where Jon and I look at each other and ask... "Where did we go wrong?" This question doesn't start and end with this situation. It is school for both of them! When you have one child with a certain set of issues it is one thing... but then a second having them... one begins to question if you are doing a good job as a parent.

I know it shouldn't have been this difficult. People say "oh, they are just boys being boys." No, some of this is NOT boys being boys. Some of this is a child who is five years old reading four years ahead of himself. A child who gets overwhelmed and over stimulated in large social situations. A child who gets bored... frustrated... and emotional where other children "deal." Then we have a younger brother following in some of these footsteps with behavior.

After the "headache session" I watched the sky start to glow and watching my opportunity for the photo shoot that I was hoping for slip away. "Ok guys, I am going to give you a chance to redeem yourselves after that nightmare of a session. You've got one shot here... do you think you can do this?" I gathered my equipment and said a little prayer: "please let me be able to do this on my own." Then I unloaded my three little monkeys and instructed them on where to go...

After ten minutes of pure bliss... watching my three beautiful children... close as brothers can be... I realized that we have been asking ourselves the wrong question.

The question isn't "What have we done wrong?"...

It's "What have we done right!"

We have a brilliant five year old. He challenges us, makes us laugh, and loves with all his heart.
We have an amazing three year old. He is strong, affectionate, and driven.
They both march to their own drum. And we may not understand everything they do... but it's not our job to. Our job is to love them for who they are.
(Oh, and we certainly can not forget our cute-as-can-be ten month old who has the entire family mesmerized by his cuteness and funny antics.)
We certainly have done a few things right!















Now that you have had the opportunity to get to know a little about the girl behind the lens, I'd like to get to know a little about you. Comments, questions, and general chit chat are always welcome. Please enjoy the following photo shoot teasers of some pretty amazing people and beautiful subjects.

Thank you for considering Ashley Rawlings Photography for your creative needs!

Please visit my main site at: www.ashleyrawlingsphotography.com

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Ashley Rawlings
570.541.6915
info@ashleyrawlingsphotography.com
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