Horseshoe Crabs

Did you know that horseshoe crabs lose their shells? I sure didn’t. So you can imagine how disturbed I was to walk on to the beach and find a handful of “dead” horseshoe crabs on the shore. I decided to google why would that happen. It made me wonder could it be the water in the area was uninhabitable? So many things crossed my mind. 

When I googled, I found an article stating how horseshoe crabs shed their shells like snakes shed their skin. Supposedly the process of them shedding the skin was one of maturation and they had most likely just outgrown their current one. The way this process follows through is they will crack the front of the shell and crawl into a bigger one. Then the waves will wash up the old ones to shore. Of course when I read this I started checking all of their shells. They all had that crack at the front.

Now, this may not seem so profound to you but it was to me. The reason being because right before I stumbled upon these many “shells” I’d been questioning in my mind, how does a Christian grieve when they know someone is with Jesus? 

My husband lost his youngest brother 19 days ago. It’s still so hard to believe for us. Some days I feel good and then others like today I just thought of him. I was sad. Sad that his time earthside was 26 years short. Sad because I wish that things would have gone differently. 
In the midst of this God reminded me that we can grieve but must remember that life on earth is just temporary. When we “mature” or reach our early time limit, it’s only an upgrade. We have a better “shell” in heaven with our savior. 

James 4:14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 

Pungo Magic

Just incase you were interested in what we cooked up yesterday. Well here it is. First off we had so much fun. Planning a shoot does not have to be difficult or time consuming. Location is always a key piece of course as well as lighting. It also helps to have a stunning subject like I did here (thanks for working it in front of my camera girl)!

Happy Wednesday <3

Book Me!

Good Evening,
Hope you find yourself doing well as you read this blog post entry. So, as some of you may know we have a cute longhaired chihuahua named Peter. He is 8 years old and we got him when we were just newly married. We love Peter very much and hope to have tons more time with him. Unfortunately, Peter is currently hospitalized for bladder stones, which is pretty costly. He's scheduled to have surgery sometime this week.

Now the purpose of the blog post is not so you can feel bad for us or view this as charity. We are definitely not looking for donations or handouts, but would just love to encourage anyone needing portraits done, to book with me. Although we have been able to pay Peter's medical bill, we would love to recoup some of those savings. All funds will go towards that.

So if you are needing portraits done, please contact me :). My rates are listed on my website, or you can email me for a quote. Thanks for all the love and support!

Love,
Elaine
Aperture Heart Photography

My Weakness = His Strength

So where do I start.
Life.... like the ocean?
It's a bit corny, I know. I believe it though. As cliché as it may sound.
Life comes in waves with lulls or those moments of calm in between.
I like the lull, that moment where I feel I can take a breather, ya know?
The kids are behaving almost perfectly, hubby has tons of time off work,
And I'm just in an overall good mood.

What do you do when the waves come though?
Your health is compromised, children struggling at school, you lost your job,
divorce, etc.

Although our "waves" may look different they will inevitably come. We can think
thank God that's not me, or wow that poor person, life is unfair, blah blah blah.
Then they come..you know the waves.

So, I've come to view the waves different.  Instead of wishing or praying them away,
I will wait. I will wait but keeping this special idea in my heart "Give God your weakness
and He will give you His strength". So I don't particularly love them because that's hard
sometimes. I appreciate them though because in the waves I can stand firm knowing
that Gods perfect strength is revealed. I know my own strength is not really strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for My power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in your weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may completely enfold me and may dwell in me.

3 Simple Tips for Photographing your Kids.

Hi There!

Thanks for joining me here today. I wanted to share with you several tricks on how to better capture your children on camera. Whether that be on an iPhone, dSLR, still camera, etc.

Tip #1:
Leave them exactly where they are!! Haha, if you want to photograph your child it's usually when they seem engaged or doing something super cute. So leave them that way. Just move around them so that you find the background that best works, which leads to my next tip.

Tip #2:
Find a great background. Something that can tell a story or ties in with the picture. Like for example if your child is playing at the park position the prettiest trees in the background or the playground. Make sure it is neat and free of clutter!

Tip #3:
This is probably the most important one and that is LIGHT! If you're shooting indoors I suggest positioning yourself in front of a window. So that the light will be pointed directly in front of your subject. Now if your shooting outdoors it's always a good idea to find some shade or shoot with the sun behind your subject. This tip takes a bit of practice but soon enough you will find the lighting that your prefer and is most flattering.

Hope you enjoyed these and definitely try 'em out!

Elaine

My Creative Outlet

So lately I've been extremely stressed. Trying to take care of two little ones and myself all on my own is just taxing. We're officially 4 months in to this deployment. In that sense I feel pretty refreshed and relieved. 'Cause that means we only have about 2.9 months left. Hahahah.

I'm constantly trying to find ways to release my stress. Photography is probably my most beneficial outlet. Not only does it allow me to decompress but I get to capture beautiful memories of my boys in the process.

I have several exciting things planned for when daddy gets home from deployment. I won't be sharing them 'til just yet though.

Here are some pictures from today. Hope you enjoy.

Wave Church

Ive had the privilege of shooting with the photography team at wave church during some special events theyve held. I thought I'd include a couple of the images ive been able to capture while there. Hope you enjoy!

Grasshoppers

It's been quite a bit since I posted my last entry. It's funny how lots has happened but at the same time not. Maddox is starting preschool this September, we've gotten into a routine, spent time with friends and family, sent daddy several care packages, and Travis has had multiple surgery follow up appts. Everything looks great and the boys and myself are just trying to make the most of the summer. We played in the backyard this morning and found this ginormous grasshopper. Travis kept pointing at him and Maddox kept preventing him from getting closer. Here are some images to show.

Happy Monday!

See ya soon then...

The end of this year to be exact. Oh how i'll miss you. You're hugs and kisses, you're loving voice, and all you do around the house. I'll miss watching movies on the couch and texting you to bring some pizza on the way home. 

The kids will miss you for sure. Your silly jokes and wrestling. You're an awesome man all around. 

Praying that although we're apart physically God keeps us connected spiritually and emotionally. Praying we can grow together and individually but definitely not apart.

Love you more than you know.

See you soon then...

Travis' First Birthday

I can't believe it will be a whole year since you've been in our lives. When I try to think back of a time before you it's almost unimaginable. This first year of being your mom has been such a whirlwind of emotions. I feel so excited and proud of all you have overcome in just this short little year of life.

You've taught me oh so much about life, faith, and even myself. I'm definitely much tougher than I give myself credit for. I remember thinking back and how we'd dream about what it'd be like to have another baby. Then I found out I was pregnant. Then you were born and we faced some of the hardest moments and greatest victories of our lives.

I was so scared when we heard the news about your birth defects. I felt robbed. Robbed of a blissful post-delivery experience. I remember crying in the recovery room because I could hear other babies and I was baby less. You had already been sent off to the CHKD nicu. It was so painful but little did I know that God was mending the whole situation. In this short little year you've had two successful surgeries. And are thriving and doing so well.

I do not know what the future holds but I'm so grateful for you. I love you so much. My prayer for you this year is that you continue to grow and develop to you fullest potential. I pray that God always be the center of your life and that you love Him with all your heart. I pray for your protection and I speak health and abundance over this little life of yours. Happy 1st Birthday Travis!