a little drawing inspired by spring and my healing hand

I’ve been on hiatus for the last month with a hand injury. You probably don’t want to know all the details, but it involved an ambulance and follow-up surgery, and even some physical therapy for good measure. Yikes! The time away has reminded me to appreciate the little things because you truly never know what might happen.

But now I’m on the mend, and back in action! I had a great session last week, and I’ve got a couple coming down the wire. But if you’re looking for a session soon, it’s a great time to get in touch with me – no month-long waits or anything like that. I’m also planning my summer, and looking to schedule some time in the midwest. If you’re in Chicago or Iowa City and interested in photos, be sure to let me know!

I’ll be doing free people & pet portraits at Broadway Veterinary Hospital on Saturday, May 12th, and I’ll be hosting a sample session event on Tuesday, May 15th. Mark your calendars, and be sure to check out future posts for more information!

Having lived the first 31 years of my life in Illinois, I was quickly brought to tears by this image. I could deeply relate to the feeling of longing for those places, and the people who live there. While we have a nice home here, and we’ve made a lot of friends since we moved, there really is, as Dorothy would say, “no place like home.”

With Thanksgiving upon us, I began to wonder how I could look at this simple little drawing and be thankful for our life as it is today. It would be easy to get caught up in the sadness and the longing for something I can’t have. But this holiday is for being thankful. It is meant to bring joy as the weather turns cold and dark.

I’m thankful for our move to Seattle because it has helped me appreciate the true meaning of family. We all get frustrated with our families, and we often can’t help but take them for granted. I won’t be taking my family for granted any time soon.

I’m thankful that I get the opportunity to go to the Midwest often, so I can continue to know my family, as well as my true home.

I’m thankful that my children recognize the importance of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Being far away highlights that for them like nothing else can.

I’m thankful for my friends here in Seattle who acknowledge my longing for another place, and help me feel at home here anyway.

I’m thankful for our neighbors who are friendly and supportive.

Moving to Seattle has been a Grand Adventure. I never could have known what I would experience here. Whatever the future may bring for me and my family, one thing is for sure: I am grateful for my experience here in the beautiful Northwest. I have gained a new perspective on life and relationships, and found unexpected learning and growth. These lessons are uniquely credited to this crazy place we live in.

It’s November! Join me in sharing with the world all the things you’re thankful for! Please add your comments below, or on the YouTube page.

As school has come back into session, I’ve noticed that the teachers are asking the kids to take part in setting the ground rules. I love this idea. I think we can all remember as kids what it felt like to be “bossed around,” and to not be in control of our lives. I can’t say those times were fun for me. It even made me want to misbehave because I wanted to have a say in how I would live my life.

I’ve taken that notion forward with me into adulthood. I find that people of all ages, everywhere, want to feel like they’re in control. I’ve learned to make my goals known, and let people figure out how they might be able to help me reach them. This is one of the ways I’ve been able to have so much fun with kids in photography. I let them know that I have plans to take their picture, and I ask them to help me come up with a way for us both to have fun in the process.

I remember during one session, a little boy I was working with decided he wanted to go to the basement of his house. I could tell he was trying to be difficult because he didn’t really want to have his picture taken. His mom and I had planned on outdoor pictures, but there was time to be flexible with him, so I decided to go with it and give him some control. I asked him what was in the basement, and discovered that it was full of toys. So, I grabbed a light, followed him down the stairs, and lo and behold we came out of that basement with some of my favorite pictures from that year! Later, we had a chance to head out to their back yard for more pictures, and everyone was happy.

Listening to children and giving them a little bit of control can be a great way to get them to relax and share their spirit with you. Do this when your camera is out, and the difference in your pictures will really shine through.

There’s always the closed eyes,

or the stiff and unnatural bodies and expressions (loosen up, people!),

or maybe they’re not looking in the right direction (Yoo hoo, I’m over here!),

or maybe the people are just completely silly!

But with a little bit of direction, a tiny bit of patience, and A WHOLE LOT of clicks of the shutter, you’re bound to get something good. I’ve learned not to worry so much anymore. Nobody’s perfect, and I would never hope to be!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope your day was a blast! I’d love to see some cute pictures of all your kiddos in costume. Send me an email! lara@laragrauer.com

As noted early this spring, I will also be available for portrait sessions in Iowa City on August 1st and 2nd. Thanks to those who have already reserved times. You’ve made it possible for me to offer these travel sessions without travel fees! If you’re in Iowa City and you haven’t booked your appointment, contact me soon – there is one remaining time slot.

Not much to say about this one. It was a rainy day with a mix of snow (Yeah, snow, this is Seattle, but it snowed on April 13th) and I was itching for something to shoot! The Warrior it is. I really do like this statue. He stands guard over our fireplace. There’s a very interesting story behind it, but of course I’ve forgotten many of the details! I think it had something to do with a king or an emperor who had statues made of all of his soldiers so that they could be with him in his grave and accompany him into the afterlife. Each statue was a portrait of an actual soldier in the army, so they’re all different. I believe there were thousands of them. I think it would be cool to know this guy’s name.

You might recognize this cute face; I used to get a whole lot of personality from her, but things have changed. I love this expression – it’s very natural, and what I see in her. But it’s not so easy to get the variety and the exuberance that exploded from her as a toddler. We’ve reached the frozen grin stage. I knew it would come – and it will come to your family if it hasn’t already! It wouldn’t bother me much, except that it means she’s a big kid now!!! NOOOO!!!! I think one of my challenges for April will be to get a big expression from her and post it for all to see.

What I love so much about my job is that I’m going through the stages of parenting myself. I really relate to my clients because I know what it’s all about. I understand the joy and the frustrations. Most of all, I understand what a precious thing it is to capture that beautiful essence that we see in our children every day.