Category: Snapshots

Taliyah’s First Spelling Bee {St. Louis Children’s Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

January 27, 2013 · Kiddos, Snapshots

Since spelling has always been one of my strong points, I was especially proud of my daughter when she was one of the few students in her class chosen to participate in her school’s spelling bee.  Here are a few shots as she competed to become the champion speller of the day.

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She made it to the 5th round but got tripped up on a simple mistake out of nervousness.  I hope that doesn’t stop her from competing again sometime!  It was so exciting to see her up there!!  And I love how supportive her friends were…

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Daddy asked Taliyah what she would like for dinner since she did so well in the spelling bee.  After requesting enchiladas with real cheese (not vegan, that is), she suggested, with her sweetest smile, that we have blueberry pie for dessert, and that is what we had!!

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Hanukkah Party Photo Booth! {St. Louis Event Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

December 16, 2012 · Kiddos, Snapshots, Studio

My husband and I have thrown a few special parties with our friends over the last few years, and we have dreamed of having a photo booth every time.  However, I am always forced to work all the way up until the very last minute when I finally must get off my computer to help prepare for the celebration.  This year was different though.  I’ve finally learned how to balance my work life and my life with my family and friends.  Although I still get stressed out because I am pretty much always behind on work, I have made the decision not to do any work on my computer on Saturdays or Sundays at all.  Instead, I hang out with my husband, children, and beloved friends, or I actually get some cleaning done in my house!  If I have personal photos to edit, I will do so on the weekend.  And so, I am so incredibly excited that this year, I was finally able to get a photo booth set up for our Hanukkah party, and here are 50 of my favorite images!  What a great night!  I am so happy that we had so many close friends with us and also that two of our brothers and their families were even able to attend!!  Thank you to all of you who came!  We love you!!

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Birthday Photo Shoot {St. Louis Children's Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

November 21, 2012 · Birthday Shoots, Kiddos, Snapshots

I had one of my favorite sessions today, a 1 year old birthday shoot! When I got home, who do you think reaped the benefits? My kiddos, of course! “L” was extra excited to bring the balloons inside to show her brother and sister, but I had to grab a few snapshots of her before she ran away with them!!

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A Growing Puppy {St. Louis Pet Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

November 1, 2012 · Pets, Snapshots

When my twelve year old Chihuahua, Pedro, died in early August, I was heart-broken.  I managed to make it for two months without a doggie in the house, and then I just couldn’t handle it anymore!  So, the family went on an adventure to Big Time Pets, a Chihuahua breeder in Lebanon, Missouri to meet a curious, independent, adorable new Chihuahua pup.  We fell in love, and took her home!  Collectively, we came up with the name “Luna Doodlebean,” sometimes also known as “Looney” and “Looney-Bin.”  I’ve taken photos of her each week for the last five weeks, and here they are!!

One Comment

  • Kalanit · Posted November 1, 2012 at 7:42 pm · Link · Reply

    Awwwww, Luna, you cutie-patootie!

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Brentwood Days 2012 {St. Louis Children's Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

September 23, 2012 · Kiddos, Snapshots, Vacations

When I was younger (and had more free time), I loved stopping spontaneously at carnivals I spotted off the side of the highway.  Although I always loved the rides, I think what I enjoyed most was people watching.  It was fascinating to see all of the carnival workers and visitors and wonder what their stories were.  The bright colors, distinctive carnival foods, and joyful laughter filled me with happiness.  Nowadays, although I don’t get to stop spontaneously at random carnivals much anymore, Brentwood Days comes along every September, and my favorite people to watch now are my own children.  Here are a few photos I captured of our kiddos having a blast…

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Camping in the Ozarks {St. Louis Vacation Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

September 4, 2012 · Snapshots, The Great Outdoors, Vacations

Our biggest camping trip of the season happened on the weekend of July 13, 2012.  Most of our mini vacation was sunny and beautiful, but we did go through a torrential downpour on Friday night, which, unfortunately, scared away a family as one member claimed there was a tornado on the way, and that there was no way he and his family were staying.  They packed up in the rain and headed back to the safety of their home in St. Louis.  The rest of us (including some first time campers) survived the storm, and went on a 5 mile float trip the next day.  I can easily say it was the craziest float trip ever! Because the river level was so low, all of the surrounding campgrounds were putting their canoes and rafts into our part of the river.  There were literally thousands of people on the Meramec that day!  Overall, it was still a great experience with some of our closest pals, and we can’t wait to do it again next year!   Here are some highlights…

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Enjoying Every Moment {St. Louis Children's Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

August 27, 2012 · Kiddos, Snapshots

When I began my journey as a stay-at-home mom, I had just graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado in Denver.  I always wanted to be a fine art nature photographer (which I wanted to come second to my job as a mom).  I never thought that taking portraits of people would provide me with the artistic freedom for which I yearned.  However, when our first child was born, naturally, I took her newborn portraits.  A close friend told me (with great enthusiasm) that I had found my niche, and that I should focus on babies, and not so much on “flowers” anymore.  I realized that she was right, and that as a portrait photographer, I could actually be an artist after all, and I began to market myself through word of mouth.

As the years passed, we moved a few times, and were blessed with two more babies.  Because of our out-of-state moves, my photography business was able to develop and grow nice and slowly, and I was still able to spend most of my time with my children.  After staying in St. Louis for a couple of years, though, my business suddenly took off like crazy!  After a couple of years of working over 50 hours per week with three children at home full time, I realized how much I missed my kiddos!!  I was constantly stressed out at the amount of work I had.  It took almost two years for me to even begin to figure out how to balance everything and to truly feel gratitude for my children and my thriving business.

About six months ago, I began reading an amazing book in my “spare” time (“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle).  I’m only half way through it (yes, it’s taking me that long to find the time to read it), but I have finally started to deeply enjoy almost every moment of almost every day.  My husband recently resigned from his job, and now works at home as a freelance animator, artist, and video editor.  The kids started school a couple of weeks ago, and we are beginning to get into a routine.  Although we still work for at least an hour after they get home from school, we stop working as close to 5pm as possible.  We go outside as a family and take a walk, a bicycle/skateboard ride, or a trip to a park.  We all come back home and spend a little time working together to straighten up the house and start dinner.  We eat dinner together every night, and after the kids are in bed, I choose to spend time with my husband 4-5 times a week instead of sitting back down at my computer until the wee hours of the night (or next morning).  I still have a few nights per week that I will work until 1:00am or so, but I try not to do that as often as I used to.  On Saturdays and Sundays, if I am not shooting a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or portrait sessions, I choose to spend time with my family and friends.  I am so much happier now that I’ve made these changes!!  It is still a work in progress, but I am overjoyed at the freedom I have to do this.

I am grateful for my unbelievably awesome husband, my amazing, beautiful, sweet children (who are growing up too fast), for the best friends of our lives who we have made here in St. Louis, for the most wonderful, supportive Jewish community we could ever ask for, and for all the love and business I receive from the best clients in the world!!!!!!  I also thank our Creator…the One LIGHT who is within us all…who connects Everything in Life and makes it ALL possible!

4 Comments

  • Kalanit · Posted August 27, 2012 at 6:14 pm · Link · Reply

    Awwww! Thank you for sharing your story. You are a wonderful mom, fantastic photographer, treasured friend and present wife! Love you!

  • Firefly Universe Blog · Posted August 27, 2012 at 10:02 pm · Link · Reply

    Love you too Kalanit!! Your comment kind of makes it sound like I am your wife!! : )

  • Robin · Posted August 29, 2012 at 1:34 pm · Link · Reply

    Asww… love it!

  • Firefly Universe Blog · Posted September 21, 2012 at 7:10 am · Link · Reply

    Thank you Robin!!

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Garden Girl {St. Louis Children's Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

August 22, 2012 · Kiddos, Snapshots

We’ve been gardening for three years now…not the easiest task when you work over 50 hours a week from home AND have three little ones to take care of!  We haven’t had much luck with many of the veggies we’ve tried growing, but we sure do grow great cherry tomatoes!  Sweet “L” was happy to be my helper when I told her I needed to pick some for fresh guacamole to top off our vegan burritos.

2 Comments

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First Day of School 2012-13 {St. Louis Children's Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

August 14, 2012 · Kiddos, Snapshots

I think we just had the shortest (and hottest) summer of our lives!  It is so hard to believe that we have a 7 and a 9 year old going into 1st and 3rd grade!  What a beautiful morning to walk to school together!

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Baby Girlfriends {St. Louis Baby Photographer} Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography

July 10, 2012 · Growing Babies, Snapshots

I found a couple of old photos of my little girl and one of her best friends, who was born just a couple of weeks after her!  These were taken in 2009!

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