Last August I visited my family in North Dakota.  Unfortunately I only get back home on average once every two years.  While I am very happy calling Tennessee my home now, it saddens me to think how much I miss out on by being so far away from my Grandma Vera, parents, siblings and their families.  This last visit I initiated a very special portrait session with one of the most beautiful ladies (inside and out) I have ever known…my 94 year old Granda Vera. Though her life (like most people) had it’s moments of challenges and loss; she grew up during The Great Depression, her mother died when she was only 15 yrs. old, she outlived two husbands and a son just to name a few. Regardless of all of this, Grandma Vera has always maintained a positive attitude.  She has continually reminded me that there will be times in life that are difficult and sad, but that you have to make the best of things and keep living.  I hope if I live to be 94 that I am as healthy, able bodied and social as Grandma Vera.  It is a blessing to have had such a great role model all these years.

Being so camera shy, it took a little convincing on my part to get Grandma Vera to be the only one in the photo.  I explained how these portraits were important to me and the rest of the family…that we wanted to have these portraits to cherish down the road when she is no longer with us.  Once Grandma agreed to the portrait session I then asked if she would wear her black and white floral dress and some of her beautiful costume jewelry.  It is a favorite of mine that she looks so beautiful wearing!  I also chose to photograph Grandma in and around her home…a place I’ve always loved visiting!  To have her in her own environment, with her own things, seemed like the perfect backdrop.

Not everyone is lucky to have grandparents when growing up.  I count myself lucky to have such a treasure trove of memories associated with my grandparents and especially Grandma Vera.  It was always so much fun to go and stay a week at the farm with her and Grandpa Ted.  We would spend our days taking walks on the country roads, admiring their flower and vegetable gardens, playing cards, and eating delicious food.  Many visits were also filled with watching the beautiful creations Grandma would be making with her sewing machine for myself and my siblings.  She made my sister Erica and I the most beautiful dresses…maybe that’s why I still delight in wearing summer dresses so much!  She made us doll clothing, stuffed animals…you name it…Grandma could create it!  For this reason I photographed Grandma at her sewing machine last summer. With that, I am thrilled to have these beautiful portraits of a a very special and lovely lady!  To see more photos you may do so by clicking here.

Portraits of a Grandmother

Top
ShareTweetPinShareEmail
  • Diane Gentes

    Wow Angela, this is so very special. I love all of the photos. She looks so young, I see where you get your beauty from. What a wonderful memory you have created for all of your family and good for your sweet Grandmother to jump on board and pose for you. Fantastic!!!!

  • Thank you so much for the kind words! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do a special portrait session of my grandmother. These are memories that will be cherished forever!

  • Joey Gallagher

    Angela – Erica shared the link with me. The pictures of Aunt Vera are absolutely beautiful. She is the sweetest lady that I know too. You were very blessed to have such a great person in your life. I wish you could of met my dad Earl. He was so full of life and so loved all his brothers and sisters. Oral and Vera took him in when he was a young boy anHow I wish things could have been different for all of the family losing their mother at such a young age.

    Big hugs to you.
    Joey

  • Joey,

    It is great to hear from you! Glad you like the photos. I think Grandma Vera looks so beautiful and vibrant in the portraits! It has been a tremendous blessing to have her as a Grandma. I wish I could of met your dad too. Grandma always speaks so fondly of all her siblings. They seemed to have been really bonded. How nice it would’ve been had their mother lived to a ripe age. She sounds like she was a wonderful mother.

    Big hugs to you too!
    Angela

  • Diana Moon

    Angie, What a wonderful tribute to your Grandmother. My Mom, Vera and Elsie all look so much alike. I have such wonderful memories of times at the farm in Rolla, and the many visits when the Disrud’s came to Montana in the summers. These pictures will be a treasure to all of you as the years pass. Thanks so much for sharing!
    Love you, Diana

  • Diana, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I have wonderful memories of your mother and Grandma’s her siblings…at least the ones I had the pleasure of meeting. It’s sad that some passed so early in life. Whenever I think of your mom I see her smile and hear her laughter in my head. She sure seemed to enjoy life! Thanks for looking.:.)

    XOXO
    Angela

Two years ago I had my first solo experience photographing Rachel’s Bat Mitzvah and Josh’s Bar Mitzvah.  Both experiences were at Congregation Micah…a place where I love to photograph. Both experiences were a nice change of pace from my years of photographing weddings. Since, I have discovered that Mitzvahs are without a doubt my favorite life cycle event to photograph.

Parker’s Bar Mitzvah a few months ago was no exception.  The day passed so quickly!  Looking back it was a smooth blur of happiness.  The combination of Parker’s nervous excitement, mixed with the love and pride gleaming from his family, was so endearing and memorable. Truth be told, there were several moments throughout the day that were real heart moments…moments that made my eyes a little glossy.  Seeing Parker’s parents tear up during the ceremony and party were moments that were especially moving.  Hugs and kisses from the grand parents and extended family were also sweet and memorable.  Last but not least, one of the most memorable moments was seeing Parker’s great grandmother dance like a thirty-year old during the party at Maggiano’s!  The thought of this fills my face with a big smile.  It is a powerful reminder that life is about living, loving and celebrating all the good that fills our lives.  To celebrate the big moments like Mitzvahs, as well as the small moments like witnessing the first flower of spring.  These new moments are all special and are the collective memories that make up our lives.

To see more images from Parker’s big day you may do so by clicking here.  Congratulations Parker!!!

 

Top
ShareTweetPinShareEmail

It seems like just yesterday I was photographing Brandon as a toddler who had just learned to walk.  It blows me away to think he is now a young man, enjoying his last year of high school, and eagerly anticipating college!  Where does the time go?!  Throughout the years as I have photographed Brandon, he as always been such a patient and wonderful subject.  Some of my favorite images where of him with his pet parakeet Rainbow.  To see those click here.  Choosing images for this blog post was no easy task and I’m seriously thinking Brandon should model to help pay for college!  Anyway, to see more images of this young heartthrob you may do so here.  Thanks for looking!

Top
ShareTweetPinShareEmail

When you ask people what family means to them it is not uncommon to get a different answer from person to person.  To many people pets are important members of the family, with the most obvious being cats and dogs.  My friend Jodi has multiple fur babies who are important members of her family.  One distinct member is her pig who she named Pig Pig.  When I was given the chance to photograph Pig Pig as a baby I jumped at the opportunity.  It’s not everyday such an offer is made to me, so I was thrilled!  These photos were taken two years ago when Pig Pig was still a baby.  Besides gushing over how cute Pig Pig was, it was so priceless to see how well he got along with the dogs.  Seeing Pig Pig run and play alongside the dogs and Jodi’s son Jacob was a sight to behold!  Looking back on that day my only regret is that I didn’t take more photos, and that Jodi’s husband and other son (James) weren’t around for a family portrait.

Fast forward two years, Pig Pig is very much a family member.  He lives inside the house with his dog siblings.  Weighing close to 100 pounds, Pig Pig will eat anything and everything in sight.  I cannot even begin to imagine what his food bill is every month!  More importantly Pig Pig is an intelligent, loving and cherished member of the family.  To view more photos of Pig Pig and his family you may do so here .

PigPigBlogCollage-001

Top
ShareTweetPinShareEmail

Many, many years ago a wise woman once told me “a mother’s love is second to God’s love.” The woman who shared these words was a mother herself.  Though I did not fully comprehend the meaning of this sentiment, since I was a mere 20 yrs. old,  these words of wisdom have been forever embedded in my consciousness.  Though not yet a mother myself, I can only begin to imagine the love a mother feels for her children regardless of their age.  The photos below were taken of my dear friend Jodi (who might I add is an amazing photographer) with her son Jacob, on a gorgeous fall day two years ago.  Jodi has another son as well, but he wasn’t available the day of my visit.  The setting was their home located in the countryside of Tennessee.  The day was magical, the moments fleeting and the love flowing!  Whenever I look at these photos I can almost feel the meaning of the words shared by a wise woman many years ago…

Jodi and Jacob Blog Collage-001

 

 

Top
ShareTweetPinShareEmail
A w a r d s
R e v i e w s