Jasper House Mini Sessions

Hello Dears!

Back in July, I told you all about a special opportunity to give back, and boy did you take it and run with it. Jasper House is a program in Haiti that provides resources and healing for women who have been abused and traumatized. Until Jasper House was founded in 2015, there were virtually no resources for women facing assault or abuse. That was a major issue, considering 1 in 3 women in Haiti ages 15-49 have experienced sexual and/or physical violence. 

The Healing Centre at Jasper House was founded in 2015, and here women are provided with therapies such as counseling, art, yoga, and self defense so they can heal, restore their self worth and be empowered to transform their lives. They weren't merely a safe home, the Healing Centre was a place where hope is restored and new life begins to take root. 

Since 2015, Jasper House has grown!  The majority of the women at Jasper House were over the age of eighteen and had reached an average academic level of second grade.  There were no adult alternative education options in Haiti so Jasper House created one. The Women's Academy for Learning provides basic education and literacy in addition to 3 vocational tracks so that the women are able to support themselves and have professional careers. 

Their most recent program is Rise and Empower, a type of non-profit business that employs people and earns income in order to help address perceived social or environmental issues. With the creation of handcrafted clothing and accessories, made primarily with locally sources materials, R&E is a business that will not only provide cutting edge fashion pieces that will long outlast the trends, but will also provide our women long-term sustainable income, empowering them to take back the keys of autonomy and independence for their lives. 

Jasper House recently expressed the need for a Tap-tap. What's a Tap-Tap you might ask? A Tap-Tap is a painted bus that is used to transport people around Haiti.
Jasper House currently has no form of consistent, reliable and safe transportation for their students to and from school.  Having a Tap-Tap would increase educational performance by decreasing the amount of class time missed due to the lack of safe transport.
They began raising money for a Tap-Tap in June and were about 25% of the way to their goal.

We wanted to pitch in so that they could be closer to their goal by the start of the new school year. I announced my plan for the Tap-Tap minis, and you guys responded! Through all of our lovely mini sessions, we were able to donate $1800 to the Jasper House Tap-Tap fund! That was only possible through YOU wonderful people! We can't thank you enough for your willingness to give back. 

If you missed out on the mini sessions, don't fret! Jasper House is still accepting donations for their Tap-Tap fund, and you can find that by clicking the button below. Just click on the drop down menu and choose the Tap-Tap fund.

Another great way to help out is to purchase a t-shirt from Jasper House! They recently launched the release of their 'Tomorrow is for Women' t-shirt, and all the proceeds from the t-shirt sales will go directly to the Tap-Tap fund. Go get you one! Just click below to check it out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Baby Lilliana ·OKC Newborn Photographer·

Hello Dears!

I had the privilege of documenting this sweet family while they were in the hospital for their Fresh 48 session and I was just as excited to have them visit the studio for a newborn session shortly after.

You may think that a few weeks isn't a long time, but you know how 1 human year = 7 dog years?  Two weeks in newborn time is HUGE.  It's not uncommon for some babies to grow as much as 2 inches in the first two weeks! Their faces change so much.  Their little eyes are starting to focus and they're becoming more comfortable and secure in this very loud and bright world.   The babies aren't the only ones that change during those first few weeks.  When I see parents during a Fresh 48 session, they're usually still in the shock of it all (I mean...who wouldn't be?).  When the time comes around for their newborn session, it's tremendous the amount of confidence that has grown in that short time span.  Tasks that were slightly terrifying in the beginning have become second nature.  They know what each of the different cries mean (yes! babies cry differently for different reasons!). Everyone is settling into their new normal, and I love capturing that transition in a family.

It came as no surprise to her parents that Lilliana was a total dream during her session. She slept through the whole thing and made my job super easy! Truth be told, I'm almost as smitten with this session as Charisa and Jeremy are with their sweet girl!

Thanks for stopping by!

Frankie Archer ·OKC Studio Newborn·

Hello Dears!

Streeeetch! I don't know about you, but I am finally ready to tackle 2018 (only a month behind)!  Lots of exciting things are happening over here, but I'm sure you read all about that in the newsletter.  Wait...what did you say?  You didn't get the newsletter?  Well, we definitely have to take care of that!  Click here to sign up and receive the latest edition. You'll also want to read this whole post (like you weren't already) because there's a surprise at the end!

psst...there may or may not be a discount special for newsletter subscribers so sign up now before you miss it!

Whew!  Now that we've got that squared away let's turn our attention to Baby Archer and his wonderful family.  I first met Bethanie and Eric during now big sister Caroline's newborn session back in 2015.  I've loved watching Caroline grow and change over these past 2 years and I was absolutely thrilled that I now get to experience that with Archer as well!  We did Caroline's newborn session at Bethanie and Eric's home in Edmond, but we were unable to do the session in their home this time because they are in the process of building a GORGEOUS home in Choctaw.  They still wanted to have a lifestyle session and fortunately I am able to do that in the studio, so they still got the look and feel they desired for these precious memories.  

Archer has everyone is his family absolutely smitten, including his big sister.  Her favorite thing to do right now is press her cheek against his tiny face, which is so adorable. And what parent doesn't love that precious show of affection smack dab in the middle of flu season, amiright? 😂

Most photography sessions that involve newborns or young children can be very unpredictable but you know what? That's life!  I know that it makes parents nervous or anxious when their children can't stop sticking their tongues out or running around.  Heck, I even feel that way when we have family portraits done with our son!  BUT...trust me when I say that's when the real magic happens.  Tickles, silly faces, and belly laughs are the things I live for and, despite how chaotic it might seem, those moments are so beautiful and you will cherish them forever.

You made it! Woo!

This is the part I'm SUPER excited about! We are now offering "home movies" as an add-on option to any session! Squeee! I secretly shot video during this session and surprised Bethanie with this film at her portrait viewing. After the few I've made for clients so far, it's safe to say I'm in love! My little man turns 4 soon (wut) and I can't wait to do a fun interview with him so I can always remember how silly and sweet he is right now. It will pair nicely with some wine and a full box of tissues because howismybabygrowingupsofastidontwanttoforgetanyofit.

If you're interested in planning your own home movie, contact us for more info!

Thanks for stopping by!