10.20.2019

This is one of my favorite sessions that I've ever done for a couple. We chose a beautiful location that had lots of varying visual possibilities and was lots of fun. But the session is one of my favorites because this couple is fantastic! I loved spending time with them. These portraits were for a really special reason! They were for their adoption application a few years ago. Read on for more! 

This is Tyne and Chris. We originally took these portraits for them to be prospective adoptive parents. The images were paired with information about them that would have been presented to families considering placing their child for adoption. It was a way for families to select an adoptive family that felt like the right fit for their child. Lots of images allowed them to pair lots of different facts about them and be able to tell about what kind of parents they would be. 

Since then, Tyne and Chris have adopted a baby and have been parents for almost two years! I'm so happy for them and their beautiful family. They are super parents and our family loves opportunities to hang with their family!

Location:

We used the Sunken Gardens in Loretto, PA for these portraits. The gardens are exquisite and have amazing features like Wisteria growing over paths that is over 50 years old! There is also an amazing Willow Birch that I've been wowed by for over 13 years. It is large and in the warmer months, it's like going into a room because the willow branches are long and grow to the ground, leaving little spots for sunlight to peek through. It is pretty magical and lots of fun for children to visit too. Hopefully Chris and Tyne can take their little girl to this spot someday and tell her about how they were on the first steps to meeting her when they got their portraits done in that very spot!

Golden Hour:

I'm primarily a Golden Hour photographer. I always bright lights with me to control every lighting situation. I joked last weekend with a couple when the sun went behind clouds and they got worried as we walked to our location that they wouldn't have enough light. I said that they shouldn't worry because I bring the sun! :) 

Golden Hour changes throughout the year and is based on when and where the sun sets. At this time of day, the sun is lower in the sky and sunlight has to pass though more of the atmosphere to reach us, resulting in softer light and long, lovely shadows. That's when we get that look of golden light sparkling through trees and when it makes everything look sort of hazy and dreamy. I usually light my subjects and let the golden light behind them, acting as a hair light, like a halo of light behind my subjects. This tends to create a refined but relaxed result with a hint of magic. 

Bickel Family:

I know deeply that our family isn't complete yet. Brady and I have started the process to become a foster family. I don't know exactly where this will lead. We're at the beginning stages of this! We still have lots of classes to take. I have felt called for most of my adult life to foster or adopt and look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us. Our two boys like the idea. I know that it will be lots of adjustment and its always in my prayers.

I am so glad that Tyne and Chris have been able to grow their family through adoption.They're such a wonderful and beautiful family with a faith that is their foundation. I love knowing these amazing people! :)

What am I about?

My business is about providing art opportunities in the Altoona community as well as portraiture photography work. As a creative person, I like to dabble in other areas that allow me to bear witness to others' lives and explore what brings us all together. Though If you would like to follow along, you can check out my last blog article or join my newsletter!

Grace and Peace,

Annie