I’m not sure who was more nervous on the ride over to the ceremony — B, with anxious anticipation to see her best friend, or me, who had no idea the outpouring of emotion I was about to witness. People who hadn’t seen their loved ones in months were finally getting to say hello again. New babies, children who hadn’t seen their moms or dads in months, were going to be reunited. The anxious energy in the room was palpable, as spouses white-knuckled their signs and patiently waited while the kiddos played around them.

Two video screens hung from the ceiling with a live feed as the soldiers loaded the buses to come to the building for the ceremony, and small cheers bubbled from the crowd with there s/he is’s and I can’t wait‘s. Soon, the doors opened and the soldiers came running in for their final lineup of this deployment.

When the first soldiers entered the room, the whole house erupted with cheers. Like you’re standing in the front row of a concert. Within moments, the energy in the room shifted from nervous to cheerful and excited… it was deafening at some points, especially when people in the crowd started to recognize the faces of those that they were welcoming home.

A few words from their superior and everyone started running. Hugs. Cheers. Tears. Kisses and hello‘s. I have never fought back tears so hard as I tried to maintain the focus of my lens. After a few tense moments on her tiptoes, she finally saw him.

I don’t think that smile will leave her face for days.

It’s especially poignant since Veteran’s Day is tomorrow…. it made me really grateful and was so humbling to see firsthand the sacrifices these families have given for our freedom. I’m so honored to have been here for B&T. So honored. Thank you, T, for your service; and B, to you, I am in your debt with gratitude for documenting this for you. Cheers to both of you — enjoy this time together.

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.)

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!

New places, especially with children, inspire such a raw and beautiful curiosity about them. There’s such a desire to seek out the cool parts of this new place. Discover what makes it interesting.

I didn’t tell Little Man where we were going that afternoon. Just that we were going for a drive and were going to end up at a big park :: that we were going on an adventure. He fell asleep on the drive, and when he opened his eyes, we were nearing our destination and had to cross the river. Literally, tires in the water. (It was shallow…promise, Mom.) Little Man’s eyes opened up REALLY wide and asked why we were in the water. With fear in his voice. I said it was OK and part of our adventure. He asked again. “Momma, are we getting out of here soon!?”

I convinced him after we parked that we weren’t in the water anymore. He got out of the car…and quickly stated, “you said we were going on an adventure. This is our adventure? Where’s the park?!” Oh. OK. Good luck selling him on this one.

He quickly warmed to the idea that there weren’t swings or a slide nearby. That we were going to create our own adventure. I taught him how to skip rocks. Make “Witches’ Brew” in the shallow pools of the creek bed by stirring up the dirt and rocks at the bottom. We climbed on the rocks. We listened to the rush of the water as it moved downstream. We saw little schools of tiny fish dart from one shaded area to another. Traced our fingers along the bare wood remnants of Box Elder bug trails.

And he talked about our adventure for days after. Asked when we were going on another one. Now…if the weather would just cooperate.

And the sweet bonus about photog friends :: new headshots!

Heeellllooo gorgeous! Seriously!

We ventured out for a little while after and visited the tradeshow :: it was so fun to share ideas (and we giggled about our similar tastes) and oooh and aaaah over beautiful prints, new packaging, and more new products than you could shake a stick at.

T, thanks for the adventure! Cheers!