“A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone elses.”

~princess diana

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you that are mothers or play the role of a mother to someone–whether you are a grandmother, an aunt, a special friend, to those mother’s that have young children, to those that have grown children, to those carrying babies in them, and those whose children are in heaven.  Thinking of each and every one of you and giving you a big hug for all the love I know you have in your heart, all the never-ending worrying that you do, the sacrificing of yourself and the incredible paths that you are creating and have created for these special human beings.  You are a mother and you are amazing…

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps–we must step up the stairs.”

~vance havner

Have you ever laughed so hard you cried? This little man did {see below}, and I have to say it still makes me giggle just thinking about it! I have had the absolute pleasure of photographing this wonderful family since his arrival two years ago, and I adore them!  Sweet man simply overflows with personality, energy and laughter and it endears anyone to him instantly.

Sessions with two year olds are often overwhelming for parents, but they are exactly what I love about photography.  Yes, there is running.  Yes, there sometimes are tears of frustration when mom and dad want to go one way but the little sweetie has different ideas.  Yes, there is climbing.  Yes, there is exploring.  Often, there are animal sounds and searching for giraffes (or hey, maybe that’s just my sessions!).  Aren’t all of these things the exact things that are so fleeting in childhood, the very things that make you laugh and that you somehow even in the moment know that you will SO.MISS someday?

Your children can LOVE to do something so very much and would do it all day, everyday if you let them…then suddenly their obsession can disappear, making way for a new interest and milestone.  You wonder why you never got around to documenting them happily sitting in the rocks, dirt everywhere and in hog heaven, or why you never recorded that adorable way your little girl said that word wrong…until one day, you realize with a start that she says it the right way or that rocks are no longer “cool” in his world.  Wistfulness ensues, yet such is the road map of the American life these days. Busyness, the inability to grab hold of time and slow it down, if even for a moment.  Yet, if you allow it, photography can DO THAT.

Photographs can be your mind’s eye, remembering the little things that are all too often forgotten in the midst of the big moments like lost teeth, bike riding or posed smiles.  When I look at the photographs that I have of my own children, the ones that draw me in each time are the ones that reveal THEM.  Not the posed ones, but the ones where I can look at their pensive stare and remember exactly what they were thinking, or the way their nose would scrunch up when they cried, or the photograph that shows my son’s stubborn-but-got-it-from-me-nature, or my daughter’s shy smile.  I will more easily recollect the wide grins, the forced smiles…but will I remember the way they always were?  The sheer REALITY of life?  Embrace the raw and real beauty of how a photographer can capture your children. Don’t expect them to always sit still, pose for the camera or stay perfectly clean for your session. You don’t expect that out of life, do you?

Instead, I welcome the incredible loveliness of childhood during a session, like the way that this little guy’s latest love is climbing stairs…and we somehow chose a location with stairs seemingly at every turn.  He loved every little part of all those stairs (last year the rocks were his thing, but I didn’t notice him pick up a single rock during our session this year, proof of how childhood pleasures quickly pass), and I enjoyed following him, discovering and exploring through the eyes of a child…

xoxo,

laura

Welcome to {Wall Art Wednesday}! Come and be inspired along with me at beautiful walls and lovely arrangements for your precious photographs!

Want more? Head HERE!

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That couch…swoooon….now back to our regularly scheduled programming! Hehe! The ornate and colorful couch is perfectly balanced by the crisp and modern white frames and the subtle pops of color.

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Create a frame around your frames simply by using paint!

{via}

Many standouts or canvases arranged in a not-so-perfect way can be extremely visually appealing.

{via}

Don’t overlook the backs of bookshelves as the perfect spots for hanging your framed prints.

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I.love.this. How easy would this be to make, and how special to have something that you put such love into as a piece of your baby’s nursery?

{via}

Words from a favorite song, treasured photographs and uniquely shaped frames make for a lovely wall arrangement.

{via}

xoxo,

laura

Welcome to {pretty little packaging},where I share inspiration for styling your business presentation! Enjoy + find even more HERE!

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Don’t forget to enter to win a $100 shopping spree from Photographer Cafe HERE! Today is also the last day to score $20 off your purchase of $50 or more at Photographer Cafe with code: laurawinslow20  Get it, lovelies!  Remember this {pretty little packaging} from Photographer Cafe? Use that fab deal to make this happen for you!!

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Simple boxes, delicate + gorgeous ribbon and flowers and perfect penmanship on a classic tag equal a stunning package!

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Simplicity, charm + a touch of romantic.

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So many wonderful ways to create your own unique gift tags for your products!

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A gift not only of custom portraiture, but of CHOCOLATE! My kind of package!

{via}

Easily create custom confetti by using a circle punch on just about anything! Cardboard, tissue paper, newspaper, magazines…love it!

{via}

“Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death. “

~Author Unknown

Many of you remember sweet Broxton and his amazing and strong family.  It is with great sadness that I say that dear Broxton has grown his wings and gone to soar with the angels.  There are no words at all, simply a sadness for the reality and pain of all those that knew and loved him, for the broken hearts and devastation that his incredible mom, dad and big brother and his whole family are experiencing.

I hesitated in writing this post, but feel that there can never be too many prayers and thoughts for those that are in pain, and so I respectfully share this.

Little Broxton has touched so many lives and his impact was far-reaching and deep.  So many of you have shared stories, prayers, caring thoughts…please continue to keep all those that loved Broxton in your thoughts and prayers during these sad times.  Kristi, Kody and Brody…our hearts go out to you.  Your little boy gave so many gifts of joy and love during his life, to not only those that personally knew him, but to complete strangers as well.  He was able to unite a community in support of his sweetness and to join in the fight against this disease that has taken your light.  Through your strength and willingness to selflessly share your story and heartache, so many have now become aware of Batten Disease and the need for research to one day silence this horrible disease.  Though I am sure it doesn’t feel like it, you all have an amazing strength and spirit that spreads to all those around you.  Though there is little solace that anyone can provide, please know that even complete strangers are keeping you dear to their hearts today…

You can read Broxton’s caringbridge site, leave messages of support and tributes to Broxton, and donate to help his family and all those families that are affected by Batten Disease…

xoxo,

laura

Welcome to Wall Art Wednesday, where I share inspiration for getting those photographs off your computer and on to your walls! Create unique wall displays that are all you and that become a treasured part of your home!

Want to become even more inspired? Head HERE!

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Split a single image across two canvases for a huge impact and fun statement!

{image via luminosity photography}

Hang mounted photographs with string and place them on fun hooks or buttons for a unique wall piece with a touch of vintage.

{image via amy lucy}

A soothing and modern wall color paired with white frames of differing sizes give a sleek look to any room.

{image via craftaholics anonymous}

A bold piece of furniture paired with a simple white chicken-wire frame looks elegant and funky at the same time.

{via my fabuless life}

I’ve posted this fabulous wall display from the fabulous Becky Higgins {creator of Project Life} on a previous WAW, but I thought today fitting to share again since, #1: I love it sooo much and #2: I am hosting a giveaway for Project Life from Becky today! Wooty woot woot! Project Life is nothing short of ahh-mazing and you HAVE to run over and enter the giveaway!

{image via becky higgins}

A smaller sized print with a large matting creates a strong and elegant impact.

{image via decor pad}

Create a nook that is bright, airy and the perfect spot to display the artwork your children lovingly create.  Frame favorite pieces, mix them in with treasured photos and your children will feel like you have opened an art gallery in their honor!

{image via centsational girl}

A simple piece of string or ribbon hung in a zig-zag pattern is perfect for displaying photographs and artwork in a child’s room, playroom, or to add a bit of casual whimsy to your office.

{image via imaginale}

Don’t forget to try for your chance to win an amazing set of Project Life goodies from Becky Higgins RIGHT HERE!

xoxo,

laura

“Horses and children, I often think, have a lot of the good sense there is in the world.” 

~Josephine Demott Robinson

Really, now.  Cuteness.overload!

591 votes

xoxo,

laura

UPDATE: A winner has been chosen for this giveaway and it is now closed. Please visit HERE to find out if the winner was YOU!

Ready.set.DROOL!  deluxemodern design has done it again–this time with chic Timeline Headers available in the dear miss modern shop just in time for that Facebook presto-chango!  Seriously, don’t you simply adore these?! How ever are you going to choose a favorite?  Oh, and did we mention that they make supa-fab blog headers, too? I KNOW! TOO AWESOME, RIGHT?!

Try to get past the serious eye candy below + make your way down to enter to win a set of these yourself! Woot!

Dear Miss Modern loves facebook!
{we bet you knew that already}.

We are so pleased to introduce our glamorous new facebook Timeline Banners!
And, as a MAJOR bonus, they can also be used as blog headers too.
We’re always thinkin’.

What’s included:
A set of 5 fully layered, fully editable photoshop files, sized for Facebook Timeline. We’ve included font information, clipping masks for the photo, and instruction on how to update the text and colors.

Ready for the new facebook? It’s ready for you!

* photos are not included.
All artwork copyright Deluxemodern | Dear Miss Modern Design. Not for resale in whole or part.

Here’s how to make these sweet little babies yours, lovelies!

There are THREE ways to win~one lucky person will win their choice of either the {sweet + chic} series OR the {catwalk} series!

NOTE: You can leave your comment in the regular comments section OR the Facebook Comments section.

1.  Leave a comment here with your name + which set is your favorite {the catwalk series OR the sweet + chic series}

Optional:

2.  Share this link on Facebook with the post, “Laura Winslow Photography is giving away fabulous Timeline Headers from deluxemodern design and I just entered to win!”   Leave a comment here indicating you did this + be sure to tag LWP + deluxemodern design.

3.  “Pin” an image from this post on Pinterest with a little comment saying what you love about the Timeline Headers, then leave a comment with your Pinterest link +  your name.

Good luck + Have fun!

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Oh, and pssst…check out these fabulous little babies that make it ever-so-easy to add flair, pizzazz and overall amazingness to your blog!

Have you ever seen such fun little blog buttons?  Grab some over at the dear miss modern shop + make your blog ROCK!

A big thank you to the sweet Christine with deluxemodern design for this awesome giveaway! She is a design phenom!

The giveaway is open from Tuesday, April 3, 2012 until midnight Arizona time on Thursday, April 5th, 2012.

The VERY LUCKY winner will be announced sometime on Friday, April 6th, 2012, so check back to find out if it is YOU!

*This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Pinterest. You will NOT be notified publicly via Facebook if you are a winner. You MUST be 18 to participate. By entering this giveaway, you are providing information to Laura Winslow Photography and NOT to Facebook or Pinterest. Prizes do not have cash value. There will be no returns/exchanges on any of the items.

xoxo,

laura

69 votes

Welcome to {Wall Art Wednesday}, where I share inspiration for filling your walls with love, memories and photographs!  Be sure to check out more RIGHT HERE!

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Today I thought I would share a bit of my own house and how I have used my own crazy ideas as well as inspiration from {Wall Art Wednesday} to decorate our home.  Eek! So strange to make this–as a friend termed it–”Winslow Wall Art Wednesday”! Hehe! Be sure to let me know what you think!

Here is a glimpse of four of our walls…

94 votes

This is part of our staircase and I have gradually added to it as I have new photographs that I want to add. Don’t think that a photo wall always has to be perfectly planned out or complete right away! Part of the fun is having a mix of images that span different time periods!  I recently added the striped printable (an AWESOME freebie from Holly McCaig Creative that can be found HERE) and placed it inside a Fanciful Frame.  The “W” is from Hobby Lobby that I spray painted yellow–just because I thought it was a fun color!  Many of the frames are from Hobby Lobby, or IKEA, and I have mixed in word art, prints and print wraps to the wall.

90 votes

This little corner is in the kiddos’ playroom and just makes me happy.  It is an image of Jack and Addie from a few years ago printed on a stunning metal print from MpixPro.  The image is printed right on the metal and it is AWESOME.  Simply perfect for this textured, rusty truck photograph.  When Jack was born, my dear friend Val gave us these colorful canvases from Red Envelope to put his hand and foot print on. I must have just sensed that I would have Addie, though, because I only used two–one for his hands and one for his feet, and the other two have Addie’s at the same age. I love it–such a special memory and right up my alley since it is so colorful.

94 votes

Okay, so this is my crazy little wall in the playroom just before you get to Addie’s room.  I saw these awesome pink trays on clearance for 99 cents each as well as grey striped trays at IKEA and knew I must make some kind of frame with them! I glued on to the other, had 4×6 prints mounted on styrene from my lab and placed them on with little raised scrapbooking dots.  I affixed them to the wall with 3M Picture Hanging strips and added frames art around it.  NOTE: I think both the pink and striped trays are sold out and no longer carried at IKEA, but similar white ones are sold here or these cool purple dots that would be perfect, too.

90 votes

This wall in my kitchen was inspired by a previous Wall Art Wednesday find–and is a super  fun way to disguise my thermostat! I have used favorite photos and printable wall art from all over the internet, including freebies from Becky Higgins (she has so many awesome ones!).

86 votes

This little spot is on the very top of a bookshelf and has an acrylic of Jackson from MpixPro (LOVE this product!!) along with a fun little word art print.  Underneath that is my latest little project–the states where we are “from/were born”. The kids and I did them together the other week and they love to see “their states”!  SO easy as they were a freebie from HERE–she generously shares all the states!!

87 votes

A shelf in our living room has framed images and a collage of standouts below, taken by my talented friend Tami Proffitt.

91 votes

Thanks for taking a little peek at just some of the walls in my home! Stay tuned and you might see more walls on a future WAW!

 xoxo,

laura

Welcome to {memorable words monday}, where I share thoughts, words and quotes that move me and inspire me. Enjoy this week’s freebie + check out more HERE!

I have long loved this poem by Robert Frost, ever since I was introduced to it in high school and required to memorize it in English class. It provides a special sort of inspiration to me, one that allows you to remain on your own road, to stay the course of your life even when it feels you are going against the grain…

Laura Winslow Photography 8×10 Robert Frost Printable

xoxo,

laura