Waiting on their girl to arrive

The R Family

I have known C and J for many years...when they began dating. J is a policeman and serves our community and keeps our streets safe. C is an amazing woman with not only a beautiful face, but a great heart as well. They were a blast to photograph!

A Blessing

Three years ago this month we purchased our very first DSLR camera in preparation for the upcoming birth of our 4th child. We wanted to capture the birth, the "It's a ..." because we decided not to find out, and have a camera we could take good pictures of our older three children as well.
When Lilah was born, then diagnosed at 18 hrs old, this camera became an extension of me. I took pictures of her weekly, if not daily. I tried so hard to record each and every change she was making, but more specifically her eyes.
Then, when we were flat broke, and we needed help paying for her medications, trips to Atlanta, etc. I took a VERY large leap of faith and began this venture.
A little over two years ago, Katie Sharp Photography was born. Out of necessity...I found a hobby, a passion, then a way to help my family fill the void.

In Lilah's short almost 3 years of life, mine has been rocked, but more than that my family has been blessed more times than I could EVER explain on here, or anywhere else. God didn't give me the child I prayed for, He gave me what I needed. I am closer in my walk with HIM today than I could have ever been.
Lilah has blessed us...

I want to bless someone in return.

I am giving my very first camera, what started it all, what drove the necessity to an art...

to a very deserving person.

I am asking you all to nominate someone who would use this to capture their family like they have always wanted. I want to know their story.

I am not looking for praise for this. I am looking to bless someone, like I have been blessed.

I have asked a few friends to help me. One is a very talented photographer who blessed someone with her most precious camera last year. I asked her if she minded me using the same idea. Then I asked her if she would help me pick the person who deserves this camera.

Please email me at katiesharpphotography@gmail.com with a nominee and their story. In a few weeks...I, with some very trusted friends and family, will choose the person and family to bless.

I may not have much. I may not be able to give back anywhere near what we have been given and blessed with, but I can help someone capture their memories and to me...that is priceless.
Thank you!

Happy 4th of July 2011

Before the storm

Before the storm came last night, our backyard was full of activity...

On the other side of the camera

A few months ago I received an email from a local photographer. Not just any photographer. Here in Savannah there are some very talented photographers. Having SCAD in the center of our city we are blessed with a TON of talent. The photographer that contacted me is one of the best photographers I have ever seen. Her work is really amazing. She inspires me.


She asked me where my youngest daughter goes to therapy. I told her and she asked if she could photograph her because she was doing a project for them and wanted to use Lilah. My heart just jumped in my chest and I said, "YES!" She told me she wanted to meet me on a Friday afternoon. I told her that I wouldn't just have Lilah that I would also have my son, but that my oldest two would be in school. She was fine with me having both and we set a date.

The day came and I was so nervous. For Lilah, but more so to be in the presence of such great talent. When I met Christine Hall it was as if I was reconnecting with my long lost best friend. She is so kind, patient, and non-judgemental. She didn't just take pictures of Lilah and be done with it. She was incredible.
Lilah isn't the easiest child to photograph. She is visually impaired. Her eyes move, she is low toned and she requires a great deal of patience and love. This is why I haven't had anyone else photograph my family since she was very little. It is me that worries. I worry that another photographer won't get her. Won't see what I see. Won't love her like I do. And then, that they won't use her in their portfolio because she isn't "Perfect" by this world's standards.

Christine squashed those fears. She was AMAZING with Lilah. REALLY. She loved her and laughed and giggled and we sang and Lilah had a blast. Christine even asked me to try to make Lilah walk...and help her work...

She was also amazing with Eli and got him in several shots. This one is my FAVORITE of Eli and Lilah. Eli is Lilah's protector. He encourages her. Pushes her. Plays with her. Above all, he LOVES her.

As I watched Christine work with my younger two, I knew I had found the person to photograph my family....

So tonight, the camera will be turned on me and I will finally be getting family photographs done by the incredible Christine Hall. Can you tell I am excited?!! For those that know me personally, this is a HUGE deal. I normally HATE pictures of myself, but I am more excited about this than you can imagine....This Mama Bear will have family photographs!

Can you see why I asked her to photograph my family?!!

Thank you Christine!

Passion

This beauty is the youngest of my four children. She is the reason I took a leap of faith and stepped out and started this almost 2 years ago. She is the one who gives me courage to run every morning, to fight, to push, to try.





We didn't know when I was pregnant with Lilah that she would be a special needs child. Every test and ultrasound showed she was "normal." God placed her in our care for a reason. As hard as some days are being the Mother of four, and one having special needs, I would not change my life.





I remember when I decided I would begin this new adventure. I was so full of FEAR. I didn't have the knowledge, I just knew I loved doing it, and we needed some income to fill in the gaps that raising a special needs child requires.





I remember writing a local photographer and pouring my heart out that I would be starting this. I wrote that I had no intention of taking clients, being a "competition", or taking from their business. I just needed to help my family.





I remember asking for help, feeling like a deer in head lights, lost, unworthy, and more. I remember trying to research(still do), ask questions( still do TOO much of this), and do what I could to learn.





So much of this journey in photography as taught me about myself as a special needs Mother...heck, just a Mother...period!





I put myself, my "work", my art, my "hobby", my passion...all of me into each session. I have SO much to learn, but what I will always do is remain true to myself and my family.






I am not in this to "make a name" for myself or be "better" than someone else. I am in this to capture the moments and memories of others and give them priceless gifts they will cherish forever.





I am doing this, when and how I can, for my family.