<a href="http://lisahandwerkphotography.com/blog" title="Lisa Handwerk Photography" rel="home">Lisa Handwerk Photography

adjusting . frederick portrait photographer

03.25.10

Once again it’s been much too long since I’ve blogged, and many of you may know the reason why. My mother passed away in December after a 3-year battle against cancer. With the holidays coming shortly after her passing, and then weeks of awful weather here in Maryland, the last thing on my mind was blogging, or even photography for that matter. I did have a few sessions over the winter, but for the most part I’ve been trying to deal with the new reality of my life without my mom. I miss her terribly, but am relieved that she is no longer suffering. She was an incredibly brave, strong, and independent woman, and I feel so fortunate to have been there with her during the last weeks of her life.

With Spring finally here, I’m starting to feel motivated to focus on my photography again. My schedule is already getting full for April and May, and I can’t wait to get outside and do some outdoor sessions! I’m also in the midst of doing a complete overhaul on my website and blog, so if things look a little strange here for the next couple of weeks, it’s only temporary..check back soon for the new look!.

no comments

sisters in the park . maryland child photographer

11.13.09

The last time I photographed these adorable little girls was in December of 2008, which really didn’t seem like that long ago, until I saw Miss A, the younger sister, and couldn’t get over how much she had changed in 10 short months. The changes in her ready-to-turn-5 sister, Miss C, were there too, just more subtle which is normal as kids get older. Seeing the changes in the children I photograph once or twice a year reminds me that I’m doing much more than just snapping some cute photographs..I’m capturing a fleeting moment in a child’s life.

As parents, we see our children every day and usually don’t notice those subtle changes until we look back at photos and wonder when they went from a tiny newborn who needs us 24/7 to a curious 1-year-old just learning to walk, or from an active 5-year-old getting on the school bus for the first time to an independent 18-year-old graduating from high school. Trust me..I know it sounds cliche..but those years really do pass in the blink of an eye, and I feel so fortunate to be able to capture those stages that are gone much too quickly.

Although I truly love photographing people of all ages, I’m finding that photographing children is what gives me the most joy and satisfaction, and I think it’s because I know that these images will become more meaningful as the years pass. Right now, in the moment, these are cute photographs that will look great hanging on a wall or filling the pages in a photo album, but one day, years from now, the parents of the children I photograph are going to look at these images from a different perspective and will wonder where the years have gone. They may even need to wipe away a tear or two when they realize how much they miss their baby..their toddler..their 5-year-old..while at the same time marveling at the amazing adult their child has become.

no comments

a matter of priorities

09.25.09

I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I posted anything to my blog..shame on me!! My excuses are as follows:

1. I’ve been distracted by Facebook. I truly only ever meant to use Facebook for business reasons, and it’s turning out to be a great way to keep in touch with clients, but it’s also put me back in touch with some old friends and relatives that I haven’t talked to in years, so I’m spending way too much time there. If you want to see more of what I’ve been doing over the past several weeks, become a fan at www.facebook.com/lisahandwerkphotography.

2. The last few weeks have been very busy, both with the business and in my personal life. I sent my son back to school in late August, then shortly afterwards my mom finally admitted that she will eventually need to move in with us. So we’ve been busy traveling back and forth to her house every couple of weeks and converting Tyler’s bedroom into my mom’s new bedroom. I want her to be as comfortable and as happy as possible when she’s here with us, and painting, cleaning, and redecorating has made me feel like I was able to do something constructive for her. Of course, what I wish I could is make her cancer disappear, but since it’s not in my hands, all I can do is be there for her as much as possible.

3. My final excuse, and probably the most honest of them all (they’re all honest, but I think this one is at the root of my blogging avoidance) is that I’m having a hard time dealing with my mom’s terminal cancer, and lately it’s been easier to keep myself busy (and distracted) with other things..sometimes constructive things, sometimes just mindless things like playing a game on Facebook, reading a trashy vampire novel, or watching ridiculous reality shows.

It’s hard sometimes just to write about a great portrait session, post some cute shots, and be done with it, while what’s really on my mind is how much time I have left with my mom, and how having her live with us is going to change our lives, and how I’m not sure I’m ready for any of this. For some reason, when I start writing/blogging, I always feel like it needs to be from my heart..that’s just who I am..but my heart is hurting, so I knew that as soon as I sat down at my computer to do my usual blogging, this is what would happen…I’d pour out my heart. I’m actually holding back, because if I really poured it all out it wouldn’t be pretty!

So, for those of you who’ve taken the time to read this…thank you for taking a few minutes out of your life to read about my troubles and excuses even though I know that’s not what you came here for. For those of you that are here because you just want to see some of my latest photos and didn’t bargain for hearing me whine about the current state of my life…I’m sorry I’ve been slacking, and promise to make more of an effort to post more happy, photo-y things in the near future!And, most importantly, for those of you who’ve asked how my mom is doing and offered such kind words and prayers…I can’t even begin to tell you how much those words, thoughts, and prayers mean to me..they’re priceless.

My son with my mom, August 2008

no comments