Monthly Archives: November 2009

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peices of me {Happy Thanksgiving} l Southeastern, MI Photographer l Kari Dawson

I must confess on a typical day… I’m a bear to wake up in the morning. I want to go back to sleep every day. But today, on the morning of the day we are to celebrate thankfulness I woke up at 6:00 a.m., my husband was next to me and neither of us has a single place to go today (except Meijer because I left the spinach thawing the sink ALL night and that’s just gross) so I couldn’t go back to sleep and miss a minute of the day. The kiddos are still slumbering so I thought why not get a few things checked of the good ole’ “to do” list.

You might recall my post of high school senior Joe when I shared a nice chat he and I add and we’re members of the same church body and facebook friends and he always has little nuggets of knowledge and revelation to share with me that inspire me more and more to shoot just for me. Just to share my passion with the one who blessed me with my eyes, my knowledge, and my skills. To capture the ages and stages of the beautiful children He’s blessed me with and freeze so many of the other amazing things He has filled the earth with. So today, today’s post is for me. To share with you the things of this earth that bring joy to my life and inspiration to my work.

I now make it a point after my sessions to spend some time alone at the location to walk around after the family has left to just enjoy what the Lord has placed there. Often times it’s as the sun continues to set which is just the dreamiest time of day for me. These are on the Oakland University Campus near Meadowbrook Hall.
Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

My daughter Faith often tags along with me on my sessions with families that have wee ones because she’s totally okay with being silly and funny and just doing what it takes to get a babes attention and keep it so I can shoot instead of trying to do both. Many of my images have only been possible because my Faith who is a total cheese-head for kiddos was behind me doing her thing. These are from right before my session with the Harrell family; we arrived at the location a little early.

Maybe it’s just me but I personally think she’s just stunning!
Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

This is one I grabbed of my Hailey-butt in the backyard just because I thought her hair for school that day was just the cutest.
Kari Dawson Photography

Another day after school the leaves outside at our neighbors house were amazing. Walking through the leaves in our neighborhood for school when they first began to fall was like walking in the snow the layers were so thick. Awesome, I know. Which I can only say because our fall is has been pretty mild for Michigan. It’s Thanksgiving day and so far not a single sign of snow which totally rocks in my book. I was glad to get the shots I did because I quickly got frustrated with my own kiddos for not cooperating which never happens with my client’s children but I did send my own to their room. Only for a second though in my defense; I realize how wrong that is :)

Kari Dawson Photography

Love this, it’s just so them.
Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

life’s moments {Fiore Family} l Southeastern Michigan Family Photographer l Kari Dawson

Before I get to the images… I am officially booked for the rest of the year. If you or your family are already on my calendar you’re all set and if you’re a new mom whose already contacted me and has a December due date you are also all set. The only new appointments I’ll be taking are for newborns and only within the first two weeks of life. So if you are looking to have me photograph your newborn please get in touch with me prior to your due date to ensure my availability. Beginning in January some new policies will go into affect and there will also be a price increase. I will be taking on fewer clients as well at least for the winter months to help my husband get organized and ensure our Allstate office is running like the champ that it is. Those who know me or have followed my blog for a while know I wouldn’t be where I am today personally or professionally if it weren’t for my husband’s encouragement and the sacrifices he and my family have made. I can only do the same in return for him. So to ensure my client’s still get the personal approach I’ve prided my business on I’ll be shooting less so my level of personal attention, attention to detail, and attention to quality will not be sacrificed and my family will still get the best of me as well. There is still time to order holiday cards for those clients who have already had their sessions and want their galleries reactivated to order holiday cards. I am not booking new clients to photograph for holiday cards though. Just give me a call or send me an e-mail if you’d like to order cards for this holiday season. There isn’t a fee to reactivate your gallery to order holiday cards. All cards will be drop-shipped directly to your home so a shipping fee will be added to my normal holiday prices as I won’t be able to personally deliver your cards to your homes.

Now, onto the images…So back in September I had the honor of photographing the really beautiful Fiore family. Little Gasper was so much like many of the other little boys I’ve photographed and made me work off my boote’. Still he was kind and snuck in tender little moments and I’m super fast and was quite pleased with what Gasper shared with me. He sort of like “hey lady, I’ll cooperate but only for a split second and only when I know mom isn’t watching so you better move fast.” In the end he was very tender and loving toward his new baby sister and shared just enough of his sweet side to make for a great set of images. Here are a few from their September session.

My favorite from their September session.
Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Mom loved the images from September so much that she asked me to come to her home and photograph Giasella again at the age of two months and has since booked a standing appointment for Giasella to be photographed every month of her first life. An amazing compliment! Here are my favorites from her two-month session and her three-month session is in the process of being edited for the family so stay tuned for those as well.

My favorite from October.
Kari Dawson Photography

A little October pumpkin fun.
Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

life’s moments {Maritczyk Family} l Southeastern MI Photographer l Kari Dawson

The world of General Motors brought Kelly and my husband’s lives together and how thankful I am for the people we meet as we’re each on our separate journeys. Kelly has since also left GM to be a stay-at-home mom and she’s loving it. I simply adore Kelly and am thankful daily for this ever so generous and loving family that we call friends. Lilly-pie just couldn’t be any cuter. Not to mention, she’s (Kelly) also one of my biggest fans :)

Probably my favorite family image to date…
Kari Dawson Photography

Told ya she’s adorable!
Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

Kari Dawson Photography

They are so IN LOVE with Lilly!
Kari Dawson Photography

Capturing the moments when a baby first learns to walk is just precious…
Kari Dawson Photography

And completely smitten with each other…
Kari Dawson Photography

Don’t you just want to bite those cheeks? Okay, maybe it’s just me.
Kari Dawson Photography