More to come….just wanted to sneak peek a few! When the fantastic owners of Plies Dance Studio called to see if I would shoot their dance pictures…..I said….Only if I can shoot them completely BELLA BAMBINO style. This means pretty tutus in the grungy alley ways and in rusty doorways…..They said ABSOLUTELY! I love when people don’t mind taking a deviation from the norm and stepping outside of the traditional box. We all had an absolute blast. Here are just a few teasers.
This family was just splendid. We had silly Lola, who refers to herself as Emily Peckers, and her very sweet and a little more laid back Elly. The family images that were captured at this shoot were exactly the feel that I love to be a part of creating. Love this shoot! Enjoy.
Just one of my best friend’s sweet baby girl. I love this kid.
Can you find Tornado in this image?
Eyes like these make my job very easy. Loved capturing sweet Emma.
Shelby & Levi. Love is in the air. 
Can you find our new kitten tornado?
Randi Keith!! SUPERMOM 2011!!!!!!!!!! Happy Mother’s Day! I cannot wait to shoot you and your beautiful family in June! And….get ready to enjoy a full day of pampering at EDEN SALON & SPA!! CONGRATULATIONS and thank you for being a shining example about a strong woman and mother.
Here is her nomination from her husband who is currently serving overseas!
SUPERMOM WINNER!
Nominated by: husband Eric Keith
If there ever was an individual deserving of the title “Super Mom”, it has to be my Randi. She is the epitome of what this campaign is looking for, “an inspiration, tireless survivor, and true example of courage and love.” Randi and I have been married for 9 years and have 3 children, Brady 5, Abigail 4, and Colby 2.
I am a pilot in the Marine Corps and have been gone on 4 combat deployments (2 to Iraq, and 2 to Afghanistan) in the last 6 years. Military wives like her become single mothers during those deployments. They raise and care for the kids, worry about their husbands, and manage the household during the day and then sit lonely at night for 8 months out of the year.
Randi has always been a “Super Mom”, but in June 2008, when our youngest son, Colby, was born with severe congenital heart disease her courage and love poured through. There were teams of doctors and nurses in the delivery room when he was born waiting to rush him to the Pediatric ICU and the care he needed immediately. In the hospital, Randi never left his side for 2 months. I’ll never forget one moment between his first and second open heart surgeries. His condition was very critical and his room was swarming with doctors and nurses. Randi and I were discussing his care with the doctors when Colby’s vital signs began to crash. His ICU team swung into action with medications and adjustments to life support equipment, but nothing worked and the mood in the room began to feel dire. Through the chaos, Randi pulled a chair up to Colby’s crib, stroked his head, and sang a song softly over the noise of the machines. Slowly the room got quieter as everyone watched her calmly comfort our baby. But you could have heard a pin drop when he stopped crying and for the first time in hours his vital signs stabilized. There were no dry eyes as the medical team left the room. Colby’s surgeon was the last to leave and he said to me, “only a mother can… powerful… amazing”, his words getting lost in the moment.
Ultimately, after several surgeries Colby was only released from the hospital because Randi had already taken over his care. He had a feeding tube in his nose, a pump in a back pack, and required many medications. Randi wore the backpack all day, only able to put him down during naps. For several months she never slept more than 2 consecutive hours because of his medication schedule. Where was her husband during this rigorous routine? I was deployed to Iraq again, having left only weeks after leaving the hospital. She was simply amazing throughout Colby’s ordeal. She took him for more surgeries while I was gone, sitting in the waiting room by herself. Happily, her love and devotion carried him through every step on the way to being the happy little boy he is today.
Of course Randi handles all of the normal happenings for the kids as well. School, soccer, gymnastics, and church keep her busy with the kids every day of the week. As if that isn’t enough, in the fall of last year she started training for the Shamrock Half Marathon in Norfolk, VA, pushing a double stroller every mile. Unfortunately, she broke her foot 2 weeks before the race. Despite her own disappointment she still packed up the van with the kids and they went to cheer on her training buddies. She is still healing up with her foot in an orthopedic boot, but it hasn’t slowed her down and she hasn’t missed a beat. But her husband has taken over while she heals, right? I wish I could, but of course as I type this I am deployed to Afghanistan, again.
My wife is truly amazing. I have been calling her “Super Woman” for several years. I would gladly change my nickname for her to “Super Mom”. It couldn’t be more fitting.
Meet our newest family member. Ya think he looks a little nervous to be a Grippo? Guess what his name is……TORNADO. Aslyn came up with that. I wonder if that is because she has heard the word tornado about 8 million times over this last week! It is our first night with him- we will see how enthusiastic I am tomorrow! =)
We walked down to the beach right before sunset and I could barely stand it because I was watching the beautiful light bounce off the waves as Coleson, Aslyn and Aaron played and I didn’t have my camera. I knew I only had moments before I lost the light so I sprinted up to the 14th floor of the hotel and sprinted back down just in time to get a few captures. It was worth the run.
