Over the Years: The Wimer Family

The other day I was talking to my favorite person (my grandma Jo) on the phone and we ended up talking about the career paths we chose.  She was a nurse for most of her adult working years and I was an elementary school teacher for five years until I decided to resign and begin my photography business.  She told me there have been times when she thought about doing something besides nursing, but looking back now she couldn't imagine doing anything else.  She LOVED nursing!  Then she asked me what I career I would have chosen if I could start all over again.  As I thought, I honestly couldn't think of any other career choices I would have made.  

I loved teaching, but I didn't love the confines of teaching.  I loved that no two days were ever the same.  I loved having to adapt and be flexible throughout the day as different situations arose.  I loved the students and coworkers.  But I did not love the schedule.  I felt very confined.  When I decided to resign I immediately felt a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders and I could now breathe freely.  

I absolutely LOVE being a photographer!  I love nearly everything about it - besides paying taxes.  I love making my own schedule.  I love creating wall art for families that will be treasured for years to come.  I love it when clients tell me that my work captures so many emotions.  But most of all I love meeting new people and connecting with them!  I love to capture them year after year and create beautiful wall art that showcases their family!  For this reason I have decided to begin a series which focuses on my loyal clients over the years titled, "Over the Years."

THE WIMER FAMILY

I met the Wimer Family in November of 2018 when they hired me to photograph the adoption of one of their children at an adoption ceremony at the Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas. The ceremony was held on November 16, 2018, which was a day that one of my younger children happened to have an early release from school so I had to bring her along. I asked the Wimer Family if my daughter, Lily, could come with me and they assured me that she was welcome and would enjoy herself at the event. They definitely were not kidding! The inside of the building was decorated in a Polar Express theme complete with arts, crafts, games and various activities. The best part of the entire day was the adoption ceremony for each family, including the Wimer Family. Through this one event, Lily and one of the Wimer children developed a friendship. To this day the two are friends. They don’t see each other nearly often enough (they have lots of children and we also have lots of children so we’re both very busy), but friendships were definitely made that day. I adore this sweet and fun family so much and look forward to photographing them for the years to come.

Lily made a new friend!

November 16, 2018 - Adoption Day for the Wimer Family!

Just a few weeks later on December 1, 2018 I would see these cute faces again at their Christmas Mini Session. Mom had one request - she wanted a picture with all six of the children together AND have each one actually looking at the camera! Challenge accepted.

December 2018 - Christmas Mini Session

Exactly two months later I saw them again at our Valentine Mini Session event at Cameron Park in Waco, Texas. I loved the themed shirts!

February 20019 - Valentine Mini Session

Later that year in June, I discovered that the Wimer children LOVED watermelon! Our Summer Mini Sessions were all about watermelons and smiles!

June 2019 - Summer Mini Session

November is recognized at National Adoption Awareness Month and in 2019 I decided to celebrate by offering discounted mini sessions to families that have adopted at least one child. The Wimer Family adopted SIX! The Wimer Family had something come up and they were no longer able to participate in our November Adoption Awareness Mini Session event and asked to reschedule for a Christmas Session. What better way to wrap up 2019 than seeing these sweet faces at our Christmas Mini Session event in McGregor, Texas!

December 2019 - Christmas Mini Session in matching pj’s

I continued to photograph the Wimer Family throughout 2020. The COVID pandemic hit the United States in March and everyone was staying home as much as possible in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. In June of 2020 I ventured out to meet the Wimer Family for a Summer Mini Session. There were so many laughs during this session because one of the children refused to cooperate by looking at the camera. The plan had to change if I was going to be successful at capturing a photo of all six children. Instead of looking at the camera and smiling I had the kids interact with each other, just like they would if they were actually have a picnic in the park.

June 2020 - Summer Mini Session

In August of 2020 the Wimer Family contacted me asking for a quick session while family was in town. I had a Fall Mini Session setup I wanted to try out so I asked for her help in return. A win-win situation for both of us!

August 2020 - When cousins are visiting, a quick photo session is a MUST!

Fast forward a few months to our Christmas Mini Session event in December. The Wimer Family came to the future site of our studio for their session. All of the children have grown so much since 2018!

December 2020 - Christmas Mini Session

I have captured many memories for the Wimer Family over the past three years and I absolutely LOVE being their family photographer! I am looking forward to capturing many more memories for their family for the years to come.

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”

— Dorothea Lange

THIS IS THE FIFTEENTH FEATURED FAMILY IN THE "OVER THE YEARS" SERIES. CHECK OUT OUR OTHER FEATURED FAMILIES!

1. The Wier Family

2. The Lopez Family

3. Tana and Layla

4. The Dale Family

5. The Craven Family

6. The Carpenter Family

7. The Leonardelli Family

8. The Spence-Waldrop Family

9. The Schmedthorst Family

10. The Milstead Family

11. The Erwin Family

12. The Cardwell Family

13. The Harringer Family

14. The Coslin Family

What to Wear: Engagements

You’ve scheduled your portrait session and suddenly you begin to wonder what outfits you should wear. Outfits can make or break a portrait session and shouldn’t go overlooked. After all, you want to look your absolute best! For this reason, I decided to create a series titled, “What to Wear,” in which I will give you ideas with regards to your outfits for each type of portrait session - Engagement, Family, Maternity and Lifestyle Newborn.

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Engagement Portrait Sessions

Consider the Season

To start with, make sure your outfit choices are appropriate for the season. Spring and Summer are the most popular times for engagement sessions so choose breathable clothing that you will feel comfortable in. Shorter hemlines are a great look for warmer weather as well. Check the weather and make sure your outfit will be comfortable so you can have the best portraits taken as possible.

Jacob and Hannah’s Engagement Session took place in January of a particularly warm “winter” in Central Texas. Jacob is comfortable in a short sleeved button up shirt, while Hannah is wearing a flowing dress with light material.

Make It Personal

An engagement session is all about you and your fiance. Choose your favorite colors that showcase your personal style. It’s also fun to bring other outfits and accessories to switch out throughout the session. You can easily do this by switching out shoes or jewelry - or even adding a fun, stylish hat!

Hannah created a look which showcased her personality with stylish shoes and a fun hat that complemented them.

Complement Each Other…But Not Too Much

Choosing outfits that complement each other while allowing you both to express yourself can be tricky, but there are way to make it work. Clothing with overly expressive patterns and take away from the overall effect of the portrait. Instead choose clothing that complements each other’s outfit. I can’t stress enough how important it is to plan ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute. This will give you ample time to put several outfits together to determine what works best. Take special care not to match. Too much of one color will make your looks blend together instead of making each of you “pop.” This is a chance to show off how well you both work together without being identical.

Jacob is wearing a shirt with a pattern on it while Hannah is wearing solid colors that are found within the pattern on Jacob’s shirt. Their outfits complement, not match.

Location, Location, Location

The location might not seem like it matters when choosing outfits, however it does. The location should have a strong influence of what you decide to wear. Your outfits should help you feel comfortable at the chosen location which in turn complements your personalities and style.

Jacob and Hannah chose a location in a wooded park with plenty of paved walkways.

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”

— Audrey Hepburn

Fishin'

Karen and Keith were now engaged with a wedding date set in June of 2018!  Such an exciting time in both of their lives!  There are TONS of details to attend to - venue, dress, bridal party, food, drinks, flowers, shoes, cake, photographer (that's where I come in) - the list goes on and on it seems.  

One day Karen was talking to a good friend of mine and she mentioned her need for a photographer for the upcoming wedding.  My friend referred her to me and gave her my contact information.  I LOVE referrals!!  She contacted me and soon after I was hired.  Yay!!

I actually met Karen and Keith in March at their engagement session that was included in their wedding package.  They were so much fun to be around!  You can see the genuine love they have for one another, which just makes you want to be around them.  She informed me that they had some ideas about certain poses, or themes if you will.  They are very active in the outdoors and LOVE fishing together so they did want to incorporate fishing into the session somehow.  

Keith and Karen met at the beach, where they were encouraged to meet and exchange numbers.  Reluctantly they did meet and arranged a first date hiking at Keith's cousin's house where they looked for fossils in the creek bed.  It was such an adventure...literally!  They encountered a snake and a hornet's nest complete with four stings on that first date!  Keith asked Karen to go on a second date.  This time they would go...fishin'.  They've been seeking adventures, fishing, and just enjoying spending time with each other every since.

Keith romantically proposed one year later at the same beach where they first met each other.  They will say, "I Do," in June and I am beyond excited for them!