Michelle Valantine Photography: George M. Sutton Wilderness Park

Showing posts with label George M. Sutton Wilderness Park. Show all posts

Friday, September 23, 2016

Stephanie | George M. Sutton Wilderness Park | Norman, OK Maternity Photographer | Michelle Valantine Photography

I received a message on a Sunday evening from a past client asking if I could fit her in that week for a maternity shoot? She was already 37-weeks pregnant (I usually try to do maternity shoots around the 33rd week). But she received this golden opportunity from her step-mom, who was in the process of scrapbooking, and realized she didn't have any pictures of Stephanie's second pregnancy. I came to the rescue, and by that Friday afternoon, we were immersed in golden sunlight in a field of grass and wildflowers. With a blue sky over our heads and the sun playing peek-a-boo behind big white billowy clouds, we spent the next hour capturing fleeting moments of time as her son sat, stood, pointed, walked, squatted, ran, played peek-a-boo, climbed and jumped! She describes him as sweet and tender, a little boy who loves to give hugs and kisses. "He is going to make a wonderful older brother," she exclaimed. Yes, I quite agree. And I think you will, too, when you see him. Set at one of my very favorite parks, George M. Sutton Wilderness Park, on a late summer afternoon, the sun's golden light cast a magical glow, making Stephanie even more radiant than she already is.

One of the first things I noticed about a 2-year old is their sense of sound. Together we talked about the passing ambulance with lights, the loud motorcycle, "Daddy" (a police car), and an airplane. Then I noticed his sense of sight. Together we examined my bag with zoo animals: "a bear, tiger, elephant, flamingo, lion, giraffe." Then I noticed his sense of adventure. I had brought a small wooden stool with me, which to my surprise was not for sitting as much as it was for jumping (which you will see below)!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these two, and I think you will, too...

2-year old boy sits on his mom's lap talking about his new little brother who will be here soon. They are sitting on the ground with trees and a sunlit field glowing in the background.

2-year old son gives his mom a hug; she enjoys his snuggles as they sit on the ground, with trees and a sunlit field glowing in the background.

At 37-weeks, she holds her son in her arms as he sits atop her belly. Trees and a beautiful sunlit field glow in the background.

She says her 2-year old son enjoys giving hugs and kisses to her and baby brother. It's mommy's turn for a kiss. Trees and a beautiful field glows in the sunlight behind them.

Sitting atop her 37-week pregnant belly, he leans towards his mom for a kiss on the cheek. Trees and a beautiful field glowing in the sunlight is behind them.

Close-up view of 37-week pregnant mom holding 2-year old son.

37-week pregnant mom puts socks and shoes on her 2-year old son who is sitting on a stool. A beautiful field glows in the afternoon sunlight behind them.

2-year old son tenderly kisses mom's 37-week pregnant belly; his version of giving baby brother a kiss. They have trees and a sunlit field glowing behind them.

She stands in a glowing field of grass and wildflowers lit by the setting sun. She's wearing a beautifully patterned coral colored dress, and at 37-weeks, her belly is full and round and beautiful.

She stands in a glowing field of grass and white wildflowers, holding her hands around her 37-week pregnant belly, looking down and talking to him, saying just how much she is looking forward to meeting her second son.

With the blue sky and billowy white clouds as the backdrop, a 37-week pregnant mom is lifting her son high up in the air, and the look on his face shows how much he loves to fly.

A moment in time capturing his curiosity. What does he see, as he points...something has drawn his attention. I bet this happens a million times on their walks together. "Wook! Wook what I found!" he calls to her. Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park in Norman, OK, on a late September afternoon. The perfect setting for walks with 2-year old boys who love adventure.

A moment in time capturing his curiosity. What does he see? Something has drawn his attention as he crouches down to take a closer look. I bet this happens a million times on their walks together. "Wook! Wook what I found!" he calls to her. Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park in Norman, OK, on a late September afternoon. The perfect setting for walks with 2-year old boys with bucket loads of curiosity and a love of adventure.

He is caught mid-flight as he runs towards me...a new skill he is quickly developing. The look on his face is pure anticipation and joy, "look what I can do! Here I come!" Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park located in Norman, OK, on a late summer afternoon. The field of grass contains him to moving straight towards me.

At 37-weeks pregnant, she is radiant and strong...and also a little tired. Not far behind her is her 2-year old son, who is eager to meet his younger brother. Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park in Norman, OK, on a later summer afternoon in 2016. She is wearing her favorite dress...it is almost as beautiful as she is.

She turns to look at her 2-year old son, who is looking off into the tall grass. I know he is contemplating playing hide and seek, because only moments later, that's exactly what he did! The curves of her hips and belly tell just how big 37-weeks is, and also how amazing she looks while doing it! Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park located in Norman, OK, on a warm late summer day in September 2016.

Canaan is his name. He is 2-years old. And he is mid-sentence telling me about a police car that just drove by. "Daddy!" he says. His father is a policeman. This is what he says when he sees a police car drive by with lights flashing. His eyes are as captivating as he was seeing "Daddy" drive by. Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park in Norman, OK, on a late summer afternoon in 2016.

The glow from the late afternoon sun is amazing on a late September day. Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park in Norman, OK, she is standing on a gravel path lined with tall grass. A beautiful spot for a lovely 37-week pregnant woman to be captured.

He is in mid-flight as he jumps off the "highest thing he's ever jumped from," according to Mom. He saw my stool and immediately knew what to do: he climbed on top and JUMPED! Mom is proudly standing by with a big smile on her face. Her little boy is growing...and very soon he will be a big brother. Set at George M. Sutton Wildernes Park in Norman, OK, the setting of grass with a lone tree and the low late afternoon sun glowing in the background, this is a beautiful setting for a materniy shoot. Or a boy jumping from a stool shoot.

I am very proud of this picture. I usually shoot wide open, so shots like this take intention for me. I saw that the sun was low in the sky, and BAM! I knew I wanted to make a starburst out of it. Now, what to ask them to do? Ahhh! He likes to give kisses to his younger brother, who is in Mom's 37-week tummy. So he leans over to kiss little brother, with a starburst in the sky between them. Love, love, love this picture. To me, the sun symbolizes baby's spirit, a part of Mom and a part of big brother. So beautiful. Set at George M. Sutton Wilderness Park in Norman, OK on a late summer's day in September. The perfect setting for the blue sky, the white billowy clouds, the tree, the grass, the boy standing on a stool leaning over to kiss Mom's belly.

To see more shoots at this beautiful location, click HERE. And to see more Maternity shoots, click HERE.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Jennifer & Joe | Family Portrait Photographer | Norman, OK | George M. Sutton Wilderness Park | Michelle Valantine Photography

For her birthday, she wanted family pictures. They've been married almost a year, and he shared with me, "I thought it was really cool how she ordered her meal on one of our first dates. She asked the waiter for 'a taco salad without the salad.' I knew then she was the girl for me. How cool is that? I never knew you could order that!"

She chimed in, "Yeah! You get way more meat and cheese that way! Hold the lettuce!"

I asked them the best thing about being married:
Jennifer: enjoying trust and safety
Joe: I never have to miss her anymore. She is right here.

I asked the couple to describe their perfect day:
Jennifer: I would wake up to beautiful 70° weather and drink my coffee on the patio enjoying the gentle morning breeze. After it warmed up, I'd take a dip in the pool, and then a much enjoyed nap. Later that night, we'd eat at Crab Town, after which we'd go catch a baseball game, either the OKC Dodgers or my son, Jackson's team, with Joe coaching. I'd treat myself to a hot dog and wild cherry Pepsi.

Joe: I'd wake up and enjoy a quiet morning taking my bike for a 20-mile ride, the wind at my back and no bugs! Afterwards, I'd join Jennifer for that nap, and dinner at Crab Town. I'd also enjoy the baseball game indoors, where it is air conditioned!

How did you meet?
Jennifer: We met on the internet. When I showed up at Starbucks for our first meeting, I accidentally pulled into the parking lot a little fast and almost took Joe out by mistake as he was getting out of his car. I could tell he was mad. But when he realized I was the person he was meeting, he quickly forgave me.

What did you think, Joe, when you saw her?
Joe: Wow.
Jennifer: He told me I was as cute as a kitten. To this day, he calls me "kitten."

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Carrie | University of Oklahoma Graduation | Norman, OK Portrait and Pet Photographer | George M. Sutton Wilderness Park | Michelle Valantine Photography

Carrie and Bentley share a very special bond. When she first contemplated the idea of getting a dog, she made an inquiry into the Red Dirt Boxer Rescue. It was to her great surprise that they called her the very next day to say they had someone for her to meet! Bentley came into her life quickly and fiercely...and that is how they love one another! And becoming Bentley's human has influenced who she wants to be in the world. After spending her first years in college unclear and changing her degree time and time again, she's now passionately dedicating herself to becoming a Veterinary Technician. Bentley was super well-behaved on our shoot. He was polite and listened to every word Carrie said...except when he saw the pond! The water-loving part of him got the better of him and IN he went! While that did not gain him any treats, he did make us laugh at his obvious jubilant personality! He encapsulates what it is to enjoy each and every moment!

Bentley isn't Carrie's only love. She also has an amazing boyfriend, Thomas. When I asked Thomas what his hope is for Carrie in her future, his response was simple and full of love, "My hope is for her to enjoy happiness." What is she looking forward to most after graduating The University of Oklahoma? "Moving in with Thomas and going to Vet Tech school."

What is something Thomas does that makes you smile?
Carrie: "One of the most endearing things about him is how he finds value and importance in what is important to me."

What's something Carrie does that makes you smile?
Thomas: "When she tells me what I mean to her."

What was the first thing you thought about Carrie when you met her?
Thomas: "She took my breath away."

What do you love most about Bentley?
Thomas: "I love his energy and happiness."
Carrie: "He's super loyal and has an amazing personality"

Makeup Artist | Andie Rickets