Mariko Kay Photography: April 2013

Libby is one of the sweetest little girls I've met. Emphasis on little -- such a tiny thing! But don't let that fool you. She knows how to hold her own having 3 crazy older brothers that can easily toss her around like a beach ball. Libby turned 8 years old and is getting ready to be baptized and become a member of the LDS church in just a couple weeks.

Okay. Confession time. I'm usually not so open with my feelings on this blog, but my most recent session kind of was a turning point for me. I have to be honest -- individual portraits are not my forte, so I was a little nervous as to how I would get that beautiful emotion from one little girl that I usually capture from a couple interacting with each other.

I got home from the session and Deej asked me how it went. I kind of sighed setting my gear down and said, "Oh, I think it was alright...". But inside I was thinking, oh geez, please turn out, please turn out, please turn out! (Do any other fellow photogs ever feel that way?...or maybe its just me.) I kept thinking, man, maybe I should just stick to what I know I'm good at. But then the thought kept returning to me, no one is ever 100% perfect in the beginning without any practice (besides those annoying prodigies -- envy), and also how do I know I'm good or bad at something if I don't try?

I hurried and got the session onto my computer and started going through the images and...I was so surprised! I don't mean to toot my own horn here...but I'm going to (hehe) -- I was actually really pleased with what I was seeing. **WHEW**! HUGE sigh of relief. I was touching them up for the client to proof and maybe I was just being over emotional, but I thought, something about this session and this precious little girl is just making my insides feel like...you know that feeling when you're free falling? Yeah. That tickly feeling! Sorry for the cheesiness, I'm weird. Seriously though, I'm my own worst critic, and I kind of hate it. Anyway, I set my unnecessary worries aside and set up the session for my client to proof. The next morning, I woke up to this text:

Mari!!! I am blown away. The light, the beautiful soft colors and crisp focus! You captured Libby perfectly. I don't know how to thank you enough!!! These images are perfect. When I look at them, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude and joy for my beautiful, sweet little daughter. These images mean so so much to me.

Melt my freaking heart! You see, that is why I love what I do. It makes me so happy that I can help bring that joy to someone else. And that is why I think it is so important to put photography higher (dare I say, highest?) up on the priority list for any occasion. After the moment or event has past, the photographs are what will stick with you forever, so make them count! Can I get an Amen??

I'm so honored to have captured this special time in her life. So without further adieu, I give you little miss Libby Henrie.