My mom, dad and I :: circa fall, 1979

We owe a lot to our moms. (And probably more so now for putting up ridiculously old pictures from the 70′s. Um, sorry ’bout that. ) They sacrifice. They sustain us, comfort us, provide for our most basic needs. Our moms give us life. Breathe their energy through us so that we may be everything that we aspire to. The things that we dream for ourselves, they dream bigger.

We moms don’t ask for much. Plenty of please’s and thank you’s are nice. Integrity. Honesty. The determination and passion to stick up for what you believe in. Maybe a little peace and quiet every once in a while.

Maybe she hasn’t asked for anything for Mother’s Day. Maybe she has. Imagine the wonderful gift you could give her, to have beautiful portraits made of your wife, your mom, or to a special person who’s just-like-a-mom in your life. To always remember her as you remember her. Laughing, smiling, loving :: being the incredible person that she is.

Because I know that I don’t have nearly as many photos of my mom as I would like. Do you?

Gift certificates for sessions or products are available, and this year, you can give her the one-of-a-kind memory that will last lifetimes. (Gift certificate orders for Mother’s Day are due by this Saturday, May 1…email me at info {at} cathymoresphotography {dot} com for details.)

Hooray! These gorgeous kelly green and navy flourish wedding invitations were posted at Groom Sold Separately on one of their inspiration boards.

I love this combination together, especially with a little kiss of ivory–so sassy and modern, but so elegant, too! Love!

I think I have to have these. Wait…nope. I NEED to have them.

via Twig & Thistle

I’ve talked before about decorating your home with your images after a session. And while I love the big eye candy/statement pieces on the walls…sometimes you may decide that there are too many images that you just can’t live without. Because of the way she looks at him. Because of the story that their sweet (or sometimes mischievous) eyes tell.

Because they are moments you don’t want to forget long after the day has passed.

Signature and Gallery Albums are a perfect, fantastic way to preserve those moments :: from size small enough (5×5″ or 8×8″) to carry in your handbag to a big, beautiful coffee table book, at 10×10″ or 12×12″.

These albums were created with buttery-soft chocolate leather covers and a luxurious gold foil stamp with the family’s name and session date. Covers have so many options and ways to customize…like my studio sample.

The larger one in the back is a 10×10 Signature album, and the smaller 8×8 size is a Gallery offering.

Both are printed on photographic paper, with rich, beautiful, vibrant color and a slightly textured finish. I love these albums because there’s no break across the spine–so you get big, wide images across the spread, and the pages lay wide open for a great big image area.

Each album is entirely custom-designed. We can choose the images together, or you can select the ones that you feel best represent the story that you wish to capture. You can add messages and wording, if you like. Things that your little ones say that make you smile. Or special stories that hold a significant memory.

There are subtle differences between the two, as well. You’ll never worry about bent pages with Signature albums–pages are mounted on heavyweight board, giving a sturdy, substantial feel. The pages of Gallery albums are more lightweight, making them easier to carry (especially the smallest size :: it makes a stunning gift for grandmas to show off their beautiful family!).

Their spines are wonderfully classic, too :: never going out of style, and will sustain through the years as it becomes a family heirloom. Both albums are completely archival, and with gentle care will be a signature memento that your family will appreciate and cherish for the future.

Packaged securely in a dustproof box, you’ll be able to treasure your heirloom for years to come.

Interested in creating a beautiful album like one of these? Email me at info {at} cathymoresphotography {dot} com and let’s talk more!

We walk.

Big steps. Little steps.

We put one foot in front of the other because we know that with each step, we are one inch closer to a cure.

We walk for Multiple Sclerosis.

I’ve talked about Tracie on the blog before. Where we met. The ongoing, kindred conversations we’ve had since — over Twitter, on email, our blogs. Our recent, delightful rendezvous in Las Vegas. Not long after Tracie and I met, she was diagnosed with a syndrome linked as a precursor to MS. (Sorry for being so link-happy…you can read more about it here.) And above all of the challenges that her physical body may face due to MS, her spirit absolutely shines.

Saturday, we walked for her. And for another family member of mine with MS. And thousands of others who may find hope and comfort in the support that the MS Society provides.

Even though Little Man and I couldn’t be with Tracie and her amazing tribe of supporters, I wanted to help. And making a donation didn’t seem like enough, so we participated in our local walk on Saturday morning at the zoo. Members of the community came out, a couple hundred strong :: and it was powerful. Inspiring. Hearing stories of those who are living each day with their symptoms. How encouraging the new research is.

We had a beautiful, beautiful morning ::

I highly encourage you to see if there’s a local event coming up in your area. It was a fantastic experience, and I definitely look forward to participating again.

Here’s a sneak peek from Nathan and Lauren’s e-session earlier this week! I get goosebumps from this image…

I dare you to look at one of these sunny-faced beauties and not smile. There’s such beauty in their simplicity and sophistication—and all it takes is a single stem to make an impact. Kinda like wearing red lipstick or leopard print-heels. For this reason, and so many more, gerbera daisies just make. my. day. I’m not partial to a specific color—the brighter, the better.