"is your mama a llama?" i asked my friend fred.

(no she is not, is what freddy said)

We just had the most amazing weekend in Cedaredge, Colorado for their Apple Fest. Other than the apples, the thing we enjoyed the most was the llamas.

The llamas?

Yes.  The llamas and our new friend, Lizzie.

Lizzie lives at our very most favorite B&B.  You can look at the beautiful surroundings, and eat Ray's amazing poppyseed muffins, and sit in the gazebo, and throw the tennis ball with Lizzie, but most importantly...

You can hang out with the llamas. --xo

Lovingkindness

Today I had the pleasure of taking lots of pictures of adorable 3- to 5-year-olds.  The adorableness nearly killed me.  It was such fun to see their quirky, shining, cute, stubborn faces through my lens.  There is no better way to start the day off than with little children in a good mood.

I photograph children almost exclusively.  Yet, I do not have a squeaky toy or funny hat to wear as their photographer (don't you remember the yearbook photographers from your past?).  I don't tell knock-knock jokes--and I usually don't have very long to spend with each child.  However, I find that something I do well is getting them to SMILE.  Or LAUGH.  Or just turn their faces to me with trust and openness.  

How do I do it?

I'll tell you my secrets:

First, I ask them what they had for breakfast.  I hear "cereal!" quite often.  Then I tell them I like lasagna and cotton candy for breakfast (or something similarly silly).  They either laugh and smile (WIN!) or they look puzzled.  If they look puzzled, I proceed to--

Telling them NOT TO SMILE.  I tell them that the rules are quite clear: no laughing, smiling, giggling, chuckling, AND ESPECIALLY NO FUN whilst I am around.  This usually brings down the house.  However, if that fails, I proceed to--

Asking them what they like to do with Mama or Daddy.  This never, ever fails to bring lightness and joy to their faces.  Just saying those powerful words, the names of their dearest, most beloved parents, always gives me the look that I have been searching for on their sweet little countenance.  

I wonder if parents realize how powerful their love and strength and attachment is to these little people.  Those children relax, they breathe, they smile, they look lifted and lightened just when I say two small words.  

Mama.  Daddy.  

I want to shout it from the rooftops sometimes: parents, your lovingkindness MATTERS.  It MATTERS.  It shows.  I see it in your children's faces.  It's a gift to be able to see that brightness in your children.  Thank you for allowing me to capture it--but briefly--on film.