Since Britt is also a photographer, it’s been important for her to actually be IN images with her kids. “I’d like them to know I was around,” she says. Smart lady.

This is the first documentary-style shoot I’ve done of their whole family, capturing who they are and what they do nearly every night after school and work is done.

Dad & Brax at the driving range.

The kids’ favorite game: Yard Monster.

Brax getting in trouble. Brynna licking the Jeep.

Brynna peeing.

Britt uses copious amounts of lotion on the kids before bed.

Not sure this was really teeth brushing so much as gentle teeth combing.

Downtime for Blake & Britt. Blake impressing us (not really) by using steel wool and metal to light his cigar.

I’m thrilled to be shooting their wedding in August at the beautiful Emigrant Springs in Oregon. But until then, here are a few images from their engagement session.

Jenn, her husband, and Ivy recently adopted little Axel. Their family of three created and shared a tear-jerker of a video back in December of how they’d asked Santa for another baby. At the end, friends were delightfully surprised to learn that their wishes came true — Axel would be coming home with them right after his birth in April.

Knowing how loved this little boy was — long before he was home — made me want to capture this time for them. It was a morning just a few days after Axel was home. Darin had to head to work at their awesome store, Greenies. Jenn was helping Ivy with homework before afternoon kindergarten, and Axel was chillin’. Just like his mom.

It was music to my ears.

And, to boot, they’re getting married in Walla Walla (YES!) at an old farmhouse called Areus. Double fist bump.

We shot their engagement photos at Areus, so I could check it out and Alaina could meet with others to work out wedding details. As the florist and Alaina’s mom peppered her with centerpiece-related questions, I almost hugged Alaina when she kindof shrugged and said, “I trust you two.” I think she’s a girl after my own heart.

It was an intimate affair on a gorgeous Spring day. Carrie’s groom, Brent, is as easy-going as she is. And he was obviously pretty comfortable having me around because during the reception, I hear him say to someone, “where’s our camera chick?” That’s me: Camera Chick. And damn proud of it.

Congrats Carrie & Brent! I hope to shoot your family pics in the near future

Foundation (TEAM SERGIO: Sergio, David, Katrina & Dexter) gave me the tools and focus (no pun intended) I needed to Think, See and Feel differently when I’m shooting. As my fearless leader, Sergio, so aptly put it, “See cows as people.” Or in regards to objects, “Someone looooves this flower. Loves this vase. Shoot it with that in mind…that this is special to someone.” And believe me, after hearing Sergio say this, I’m gonna shoot the hell out of things, even if they don’t smile back at me.

I didn’t have to put this to test, though, during my assignment at Foundation. I scored Storiebook Cafe, daytime life to five incredible, funny, loving women whom I’d laugh and cry with over 2+ days.

The first morning of my assignment, I called the owner, Storie. “I love your pickles,” I said. As I stood at the end of the hotel hallway, I mentally kicked myself for the lame comment. But Storie seemed genuinely appreciative of the compliment, particularly after serving lunch to the entire Foundation group the previous day.

I met the rest of the Storiebook crew later that morning. While they were curious about my assignment, they quickly adapted to having a photographer run around the cafe. I’m a talker (duh, for those of you who know me), so it was difficult for me not to chat too much (a warning I’d receive that night from my team leader), and these ladies are full of humor and stories — two things I love in friends.

My photos were not great that first day. I cried out of frustration when my mentor, Katrina, visited me around lunchtime. But it was her tough love that made me better the next day…and every day, from here on out. When I escaped to the kitchen to compose myself, one of the Storiebook ladies looked at me and asked in her accent, “Why you crying? Do you want me to kick their ass?” I smiled through tears and asked her, instead, for a sandwich, plus the gluten. This same lady would be in the last image I shot that day. Storie kissed her on the cheek as she left work. It says so much about that place and those people.

That night, we’d be in our group critique until 3:30 a.m.. I went into Day 2 with a fresh set of eyes. Fresh was really kindof relative by this point. My brain wasn’t entirely fresh due to the lack of sleep, but I was in a heckuva lot better condition than some of my teammates who had early morning assignments.

On this second day, I knew I needed to think, see, and then feel…and that this would take more patience and determination than I thought I had. My team lead, Sergio, and mentor, David, visited at lunch time and I cried…again. But even harder. I can’t say enough good things about these two men, though. They’re compassionate humans, brilliant photographers, and funny as hell.

The rest of that afternoon at Storiebook was emotionally draining. This time of year brings a variety of stresses, particularly on small business owners. Storie was so awesome to let me capture some of this emotion as she worked in her office. Below is one of my favorite shots.

I cried as I left Storiebook that day. Then I cried more that night because they are all such kind-hearted ladies.

Fortunately for me, we had our final workshop dinner at Storiebook Cafe, so I was able to see everyone again. I cried four more times that night, but as I told a few teammates, “That’s it. I’m all out of tears. I think I’m done crying.”

As we ate dinner, I spotted Storie’s husband, Micky, across the room. He gave the “I’m watching” signal to me/my mentors/team leads. Apparently, Storie texted him the day before to say that I was – again – crying. He replied, “You give her a shot of Crown Royal. Then you tell her to tell them to kiss her ass.” Two weeks later, Storie said on Facebook, “Mickey sends his love and ‘protection’ forever.”

It’s so Texas. It’s so Storiebook. It’s why I love them.

Brent, Kylie & Londyn recently welcomed Jovie & Greyson, and I had the pleasure of photographing them today for the first time. Little do they know that they’ll recognize my camera and voice…before they do my face…in the years to come.

Congrats to an awesome family.

True to form, I got lost on the drive from Dallas to Glen Rose. Yes, I had a GPS. Two, in fact, but let’s not go there. As I was en route, Dad texted, “How are you progressing?” I replied, “Lost somewhere in Texas, but it’ll be fine.” Then he wrote, “Be safe.” So I had to you-know-what-with-him by asking, “So I shouldn’t have picked up that dude on the side of the road?” He didn’t see the humor in it (WIN for me!).

I think I was one of the first students to arrive at the hotel. Didn’t matter…those who were already there greeted me like it was an episode of Cheers, even though they didn’t really know my name. Still, I received more hugs that day than I have in a year. It was awesome. In fact, it was just what I needed.

Over the next 36 hours or so, I’d meet my team, dine with my team, and fall in love with my team. Seriously.

We are from all different parts of the world, which made the experience even better. There’s our fearless leader, Sergio, who lives in Arizona. Then David, a Brit. Katrina, also in Arizona. Dexter, our team assistant, is in Calif. And the students are Kristina and James, also from Calif; Laura, with the shortest drive, from Texas; Dennis, an Italian living the beach life in Mexico; and Philippe, from Switzerland.

Best. Team. Ever.

In the days following our first meeting, we’d be apart during the day as we each tackled our assignments at different locations. All of us outside of our comfort zones, me shedding many tears during the day. It’s a damn frustrating process…to work your butt off for hours at a location, then have your mentors come in and tell you you haven’t hit the mark yet – that you haven’t applied what they’d talked about the previous day. But, as always, hugging happened even as you were being critiqued. It was the best of both worlds. And I’m a better photographer as a result of their coaching.

After some dinner, we’d be in our team room until 3:30 a.m. or so for critiques, then repeat all of it the next day. Yes, we were sleep deprived, but I’d do it all again.

You see, here’s the thing: all they care about is your learning. And I think it’s safe to say that everyone learns not just about photographing stories, but also about their own insecurities that may be getting in the way of them being the best photographer (and, possibly, human?) they can be.

During the second day of my assignment, Sergio and David visited me. Without going into too much detail, I snapped. Sergio saw the breakdown coming from a mile away, so he invited me on a walk while David remained behind to charm three nurses at a nearby table (the accent gets them every time).

Sergio said to me, “You are holding back. I noticed it the first night, last night and today. I need you to express yourself!” It was much better to hear in person with his accent. Anyway, my exasperated reply was something like, “Sergio! If I come out of my shell and express myself even more, I’ll be totally naked. My family and friends would laugh hysterically if I told them you thought I wasn’t expressive enough.”

But dammit, he was right. It took five minutes of back and forth for me to realize that he’d nailed it on the head. I did hold back. I’m terrified to look like an idiot in front of others. Granted, I put all of my idiocy out there on my personal blog, but when it comes to photography — the thing that feels more personal to me than anything else I do — I hold my insecurities tightly to my chest.

That night before our critique started, Sergio said, “I’m going to play a song for you. This is Andrea’s theme song.” It was Madonna’s Express Yourself.

The last night and following day are somewhat of a blur. I hated for it to end. I cried many times Thursday after choosing the music to run with my slideshow. Then I cried more the last night. After the staff showed your slideshow to the entire group, you had to stand up and say something about your week. I said that a wise man told me that the community that is Foundation is as important and awesome as the technical learning you get from it. He couldn’t have been more right.

Stay tuned for Part II and III of FW11. So many funny stories and quotes to share, as well as a glimpse into life at the Storiebook Cafe.

Celebrating our week
Pictured: David (left), Sergio (right)