Carmen VanDyck Photography

how we roll

carmen — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:34:48 +0000

I know Rossi, I know. We couldn’t find our wrist guards and knee and elbow pads. But we were careful. We’ll find them before our next evening skate. I love the light here. And the weather. I miss a lot of things about home. But we are growing. We are together. We’ve met some pretty great people and found a church that we are really excited to be a part of. We are figuring things out. Together. And that’s what counts.

graduate {anaheim hills photographer}

carmen — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:04:08 +0000

I am admittedly not a grad photographer. But then there are a lot of things that I’m not until someone I care about has a big life event and I want to be a part of it. And that was the case this time. I had great visions of doing a couple of amazing grad sessions this year, with both the beautiful miss Alex, and with our dearly loved babysitter from home. But suddenly we were moving out of the country and the great plans I was storing up for when the weather got a little nicer went out the window. Alex is my good friend’s first born. And she is a pretty incredible young lady. She is strong and driven and smart and talented and beautiful and such a hard worker. I am so excited to watch these next steps in her journey. I know this girl is going to be successful no matter what she does. She has some pretty big decisions to make right now and I am keeping her in my prayers. Literally days before our big move Alex found her grad dress, and so one morning when we were over for a delicious good bye breakfast, she threw herself together in about ten minutes and came out looking like this. I’m sure most of us could only wish we could look this good in ten minutes. I hope to still be able to do a “real” session with Alex when I am home in the summer, before she goes away to school, but for now here are a few quick pics of this beautiful, almost, grad of 2012 in her backyard.

Seriously. Congrats Alex!! I can’t wait to see all of your mom’s pics of all the festivities! “Oh the places you’ll go”. You are an amazing young lady and I can’t wait to hear how well you do as you follow God’s leading on this incredible journey!! xo

four {child photography, anaheim hills, ca}

carmen — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:56:46 +0000

Okay, this session didn’t really take place in Anaheim Hills, but both the photographer, and the adorable child now live here so that is just the location I am going to put. I still have a ton of sessions and mini sessions from BC to post, but this birthday post is rather late (seems to be a theme with my kids these last birthdays). But they really are very important to me, so I don’t want to wait too long. If you know me at all, chances are you know that I just am totally, madly, deeply, completely in love with this child. And that’s an understatement. I remember when I was discussing (read: begging, pleading, groveling, bribing, etc) having a third child with my husband, one of my feelings was that I really just needed to know it was my last when it was my last. Does that make sense? I wanted to to really just thoroughly enjoy the whole thing knowing it was my last. Well, my pregnancy was maybe God’s way of convincing me to never have a biological child EVER again. So I did not enjoy that. In fact by the end of it I was almost convinced that I didn’t want a third child after all. And then he was born. And my heart was overwhelmed. Oh I was in love the second I met him. And I can honestly say that I have cherished almost every minute since. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I cherished all three of my babies. But knowing that he was my last I held onto everything a little more. I have carried him on my hip years longer than his older sister and especially brother. I baby him, I know I do, and I am totally okay with that. But it is hard not to. He is my cuddly boy. He tells me “I need a snuggle” all the time. And I will never turn down a snuggle. He is so funny, and he knows it. The things he says just crack me up. His favorite these days is to pull out an “awwwk-ward” at every chance. He asks me for a kiss and then says “Gross!” when I give him one. He swaps out my drink for his when I’m not looking and sometimes tricks me (and laughs hysterically every time!). He puts toys in his clothes when I’m getting him dressed to make me laugh. He talks to anyone, and everyone that so much as looks at him. He loves to tell everyone about our big move from Canada. (though he totally doesn’t get it and gets mad almost daily when I say that Adam, or Eden, or Danae can not come over no matter how much I would love them to!) He still walks almost entirely on his tip toes and sucks his thumb while he snuggles Giraffey. He adores his mommy. We are pretty attached to each other, which is a really good thing since we are spending a LOT of time together here . Time is still going too fast for me. He is losing more and more of his little-ness all the time. He’s not fitting so well in my lap, he’s getting rather heavy to carry around, he wants so badly to be one of the “big kids”. Even still, he will always be my baby. Always and no matter what. And I will cherish my babies every step of the way. Oh, and he’s pretty darn cute too

I did his photos last year at the same location. And that day too it was a bright and sunny, and bitterly cold day. He looks happy, but we had to keep running back to the car to warm up, and then jetting back out for a few minutes with the promise of hot chocolate (which this child also gets WAY more than his older siblings). I think for his 5 year old photos (GULP!!) we will be a lot warmer!

He is beautiful, and goofy, and fun, and sweet and just absolutely, totally and completely wonderful. I am so thankful that God chose me to be his mommy. For the joy he brings to our family, for the way he made us all just feel complete. I love you my big precious four year old, you bring SO much fun to our family! xoxo

kinley {newborn photography, langley bc}

carmen — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:44:52 +0000

First of all, I just love the name Kinley. How cute is that!?! And this family? Spend five minutes with them and try not to just totally adore them, I dare ya! They are so warm and friendly and caring and…they are just wonderful and I always treasure time I get to spend with them. So when they asked if I would come and photograph their sweet baby, even though she would arrive just days before we moved, I jumped at the chance! I photographed their son a few years ago when he was a newborn and I couldn’t believe how much they looked alike in some of the photos. These guys make some adorable little ones, just look for yourself:

I loved seeing these two adoring older siblings cuddling and loving on their new baby sister. She was a little dream who did all the sweet little things babies do and I loved being with her in these first days. If I don’t have a newborn shoot out here soon I’m going to start needing a baby fix, . Thank-you for having me over, and for the delicious coffee and muffins, and for all the encouragement since we’ve been here. You guys are the best, and I am so happy for you and the arrival of precious little Kinley. Be blessed!!

ella {newborn photography, vancouver bc}

carmen — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:00:33 +0000

This beautiful little lady is my…niece? What do you call your cousin’s baby? Well, that’s what she is. And she’s pretty darn sweet. I didn’t quite make it to her delivery as we had hoped. I knew mom was in labor, at Women’s, but was told to just wait as it was still early. I knew how these second babies can be though, so I decided to head on out anyways so I wouldn’t miss it. Less than 5 minutes into my hour long drive I got the message that she was fully dilated and starting to push, so I turned around and went home. And had to wait until this session to get my baby fix. They just wanted baby photos at this session, but hopefully I will get to do a family session in San Diego sometime soon. Her big sister had other ideas and wanted to be a part of things. I was happy to oblige. Such sweet little sisters these girls are going to be…

I should mention that I have all these lovely little hats and hair bands, and I just love them, and seen as I always have people asking me where I get them… the little heart hat is by Sleeping Willow, the beautiful little hair clips and headband are from my favorite recent local (to langley) find, Sweet Nova – definitely check her out, and the bottom hat is by Sweet Love Creates. Love the fabulous quality of all of these great products!! Thanks for looking!