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texas a & m

Over the Years: The Cardwell Family

The other day I was talking to my favorite person (my grandma Jo) on the phone and we ended up talking about the career paths we chose.  She was a nurse for most of her adult working years and I was an elementary school teacher for five years until I decided to resign and begin my photography business.  She told me there have been times when she thought about doing something besides nursing, but looking back now she couldn't imagine doing anything else.  She LOVED nursing!  Then she asked me what I career I would have chosen if I could start all over again.  As I thought, I honestly couldn't think of any other career choices I would have made.  

I loved teaching, but I didn't love the confines of teaching.  I loved that no two days were ever the same.  I loved having to adapt and be flexible throughout the day as different situations arose.  I loved the students and coworkers.  But I did not love the schedule.  I felt very confined.  When I decided to resign I immediately felt a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders and I could now breathe freely.  

I absolutely LOVE being a photographer!  I love nearly everything about it - besides paying taxes.  I love making my own schedule.  I love creating wall art for families that will be treasured for years to come.  I love it when clients tell me that my work captures so many emotions.  But most of all I love meeting new people and connecting with them!  I love to capture them year after year and create beautiful wall art that showcases their family!  For this reason I have decided to begin a series which focuses on my loyal clients over the years titled, "Over the Years."

THE CARDWELL FAMILY

I first photographed the Cardwell children in 2015 when I took their school portraits. I continued photographing the children in the school setting for three years. In December of 2018 I finally had my chance to photograph their entire beautiful family! Since that time I have continued to photograph their children both in the school setting, as well as outdoors when I offer mini sessions. It is such an honor to be their family photographer.

December 2018 - The Cardwell Family had their first family session in Downtown Waco

December 2018 - The Cardwell Family had their first family session in Downtown Waco

Two months later the Cardwell children were again in front of my camera for their Valentine Mini Session. That year they would actually participate in THREE of our Mini Session events - Valentine, Easter and Christmas!

February 2019 - Valentine Mini Session

February 2019 - Valentine Mini Session

April 2019 - Easter Mini Session - and the Cardwell family brought along their real bunnies!

April 2019 - Easter Mini Session - and the Cardwell family brought along their real bunnies!

December 2019 - Christmas Mini Session

December 2019 - Christmas Mini Session

Throughout 2019 I also photographed them at school for spring and fall portraits, basketball portraits and class portraits.

I continue to photograph them in 2020 and so far they have already had two sessions - one was a surprise A & M session for their dad as a gift and another was a fun summer session. We hoped to find a big field of sunflowers, however they were mostly gone by the time the session arrived. Their mom decided to let them have a fun summer session and they got to pick their own clothes and just have fun…and it was very HOT outside!

February 2020 - Surprise session for their dad with the kids wearing Texas A & M shirts

February 2020 - Surprise session for their dad with the kids wearing Texas A & M shirts

July 2020 - Fun Summer Session on a VERY HOT day in Texas!

July 2020 - Fun Summer Session on a VERY HOT day in Texas!

I have captured many memories for the Cardwell Family over the past five years and I LOVE being their family photographer! I am looking forward to capturing many more memories for their family for years to come.

We don’t remember days, we remember moments.
— Cesare Pavese