Grand Rapids Photographer | Grand Rapid Newborn Photographer | Patricia Anderson Photography | Art

It's been a few weeks since I've been able to work on our 52 week project, and I apologize!

My family and I just moved to Grand Rapids, MI last month and needless to say, I've been overwhelmed with exploring a new city!  The art and culture here in Grand Rapids is just breathtaking. The economy here is thriving; there are new shops, pubs, and boutiques going up on every corner and it seems like I've stepped back into a simpler time.  Coming from Chicago, the pace of life has decreased tremendously and small town businesses have a strong hold on the economy here.

One of the houses we were thinking about buying is located just 4 houses down from a Frank Lloyd Wright home, which I was thrilled to go check out.  My daughter Lucy and I stopped over on our way to an appointment this afternoon.  We weren't able to go in since they were closing down for the day, which was a total bummer since my entry today was going to be shots of the inside of the home.  I snapped a few quick shots as we were walking around the home, and headed on our way, disappointed about the lack of exciting photos I'd have to contribute this week. Here are a couple shots of the Meyer May House here in historical neighborhood of Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, MI :

I thought long and hard about what I could throw in last minute... what bit of art could I find before the sun went down today...hmmm....

And then I looked into my bedroom, and saw Lucy, giggling on my bed and trying to get my attention. The way the light in our bedroom lit up the room, and her blinding smile made it all too clear...

She is my greatest work of Art.

From her uneven dimples to her blond, out-of-control hair... no matter how many pictures I take in my lifetime, she is my gift of art to this world.  Every part of her body is unique and she is the most beautiful piece of artwork that my body can create.  My love for her grows with every moment I spend with her, in a way that pictures cannot capture.  A mother's love encompasses an intensity that not even the greatest artist can concoct...

I love you, Nunu...

-Mama

Next on up... head on over to Laurie Schultz's Blog - Cincinnati, OH http://schultzeegirl.blogspot.com/2012/07/project-52-wk28.html

Grand Rapids Newborn Photographer | Grand Rapids Baby Photographer | Newborn Triplets Photography | Patricia Anderson Photography

I booked my first newborn session here in Grand Rapids, and was thrilled!  Not just because I got to go back to my DREAM job, but because it was not one, not two, but THREE newborns!  Triplets!! 


I was lucky to have a few photographer friends who were willing to tag along and help me with the babies during the shoot!  Getting 3 newborns to all sleep at the same time was a little more challenging than we had anticipated, but it was such an awesome experience!  These little gals were born at 34 weeks, and all were under 5 lbs!  Talk about an amazing opportunity! 


I'm still on the hunt for a photography studio here in Grand Rapids, but I've found a few great options so far! I should hopefully have a lease signed by the end of the week, and then I can start planning the layout for my new "country chic" newborn photography studio! 

Grand Rapids Photographer | Dow Gardens Wedding | Patricia Anderson Photography

I love my job!

Yesterday was probably my absolute favorite shoot I've ever done because I photographed my oldest friend's big day.

Maegan and I have known each other since we were born (I'm 2 weeks older and wiser than she is! ;)) Our moms were pregnant together and met at the local Jo-Ann's Fabric Store in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.  They quickly became fast friends, and spent their days together as new moms... Meanwhile, Maegan and I were growing to be lifelong friends from the day we were born :)

Megan and I have been through so much together... and as with many friendships of our kind, there are ups & downs, laughter & tears, and times of disconnect and times of extreme closeness.   I can honestly say that Maegan knows me inside and out.  She understands me at my core, because she's known me through every stage of my life.

Yesterday was a day filled with happiness, laughter, and love.  My heart is so full of happiness this morning as I look through the photos that were taken of her big day.  Maegan is glowing in every photo, and looks like an angel.  Never have I seen such a beautiful bride...

As I was leaving last night, we embraced and cried together.  It was a moment that will stick with me forever.  I looked at my childhood friend and for a moment, we were two little girls again dreaming of what it would be like to be the women we are today.  There we stood, both not needing to say a word, but knowing that all was right in the world at that very moment, and we both were where we needed to be.  Maegan married a terrific man and an amazing father to her daughter, Claire.

Enjoy this next chapter of you life, my friend .. embrace it and take it all in :)  I'm so lucky to have you as a friend...  xoxo

Grand Rapids Baby Photographer | Grand Rapids Newborn Photographer | Patricia Anderson Photography

Children are a clean slate Life has not tainted there hearts. So lets teach them acceptance and love, Instead of hate and revenge.

Buddha-Lee

it only takes 1 person to change the world... 

let's teach our next generation about love, compassion, and kindness.  

what do we have to lose?

Check out Elizabeth McDonough's perspective of 'One' ... 

Elizabeth McDonough Photography: http://www.elizabethmcdonoughphotography.com/blog/?p=858

Chicago Photographer | Chicago Newborn Photographer | Chicago Children's Photographer | Patricia Anderson Photography | Spring

I don't know about the rest of ya'll, but it feels like we went from Fall to Spring here in Chicago this year, completely passing over winter!

I know a lot of people complain about the Chicago winters, but growing up in Michigan, our winters were much worse (in my humble opinion!), so it doesn't bother me at all.  I choose to stay in the Mid-west because I enjoy the change of seasons.  While it's nice to visit tropical areas for vacation, I enjoy my hot summers at my lakehouse, the color changing leaves throughout the rolling hills of Michigan in the fall, being snowed in and sipping coco in the winters, and my ever-so-dorky love of morel hunting in the spring (I swear, I should be a writer for PureMichigan! haha).  All seasons serve an equal purpose and enjoyment to me :)

Spring hit chicago at the beginning of March, which is unheard of! All time high temps have allowed for outdoor shoots and flip flops!

When I think Spring, I think of new beginnings.  I think of warm air, sunkissed white skin that's been in hiding under layers of clothing all winter, and I think of BABIES!!

My photos for this week are shoots that I've had over the past week....from Maternity, to Newborn, to TWO first birthdays, my shoots this week represented to me what spring is: Life :)

Now, hop on over to Jennifer Capozzola's interpretation of Spring: New Jersey Children's Photographer, http://jencphotos.com/photojournal/?p=217

Chicago Photographer | Chicago Newborn Photographer | Chicago Children's Photographer | Patricia Anderson Photography | Laughter

Our theme this week was laughter.  My favorite thing in the WHOLE world :)  I've always been the type of person who takes things lightly and tries to find the humor in every day stresses.  The following are images (with a short caption) of shoots I've had over the past year that make me giggle :)  All moments that were candid and showing true expressions of my clients.  I hope you enjoy looking at these photos as much as I do!

xoxo-
Trish

Photo 1:  Brandy and Dan on their wedding day... Brandy and Dan opted to do a "First look" before the ceremony, which turned out to produce one of my all time favorite photos.  This was not posed... this was really Dan's reaction to seeing his bride-to-be for the first time... Still makes me smile every time I look at it!

Photo 2:  This little guy came in to get his 1st haircut photographed.  It was my first time doing a haircut session, but turned out to be VERY enjoyable!  He giggled and laughed throughout the whole thing, but his favorite part was when Justin (His hair Stylist) broke out the hair dryer.  He couldn't take his eyes off it and LOVED it! It was SO adorable to watch!

Photo 3: Poor Emma.. She just wanted to give her new little brother a kiss and to tell him she loved him.  Chase was not very happy about his big sister's affection :) 

Alright, so there isn't anything too funny about this shot, but when I remember what happened right after I took it, I laugh!  Dad was standing right in the "line of fire" (If you know what I mean) as we were about to do a shot of him holding his naked sleeping son... well, that's about the time this little guy decided to unleash the fury (#1 AND #2) all over his pops... His mom and I couldn't help but laugh as we rushed around to get dad cleaned up :)

Oh Lucy Jane... I have NO idea where she learned to pick off other's dinner plates...! ;) My husband may have an idea, though! haha.

Ahhh the twins... this one speaks for itself.  These cuties were the first newborns I ever photographed when I was just starting out my business.  They would be so good, and then one would get set off and they'd both scream together.  Too funny! 

My sister's horse, Fritz.  He's a pretty stubborn guy!  My sister wanted me to take some photos of her riding him, so I tagged along at the barn.  While she was prepping him for his ride, I managed to get this glorious shot of his choppers.  I think he needs to see a dentist...

And last but not least... my biggest "Smash the Cake" mistake that will always make me smile.  When my daughter lucy turned one, I couldn't WAIT to do a smash the cake session with her.  We had my family and my in-laws outside while we gave her the awesomely decorated ice cream cake.  I thought that red and yellow frosting would be fun... Well, as you can see, red frosting wasn't the best color choice.  She ended up looking like a vampire baby!  I figured... if Twilight ever needs a vampire baby, this would make one heck of a headshot!

Next, hop on down to Louisville, KY (Where the Morels seems to be popping! JEALOUS!) and check out Rachael Ice - Louisville, KY Photographer - http://imagesbyrachael.com/blog/?p=430

Chicago Photographer | Chicago Newborn Photographer | Chicago Children's Photographer | Patricia Anderson Photography | Green

I've been loving this 60-70 degree weather in Chicago this week!  Today, my daughter and I went for a nice walk to the beach and up to the Andersonville shopping district to buy some yarn for my new hobby (Crocheting!).

I brought my camera along and snapped a few photos of the green things I saw :) I was hoping to see more buds on trees, but I supposed it's still a little early!

Next, hop on over to Marsette Guerrero's blog to see her Green photos for the week! http://mdgphotographyonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/project-52-week-10-green.html