LaPierre's family photos

For many people, taking family pictures is something that can be pushed down the list of priorities. Scheduling can be difficult to coordinate between mom and dads and the kids schedules.  I had the opportunity to photograph the LaPierre family in January.  Deon was traveling out of the country on a regular basis and so they wanted to have updated family pictures because you never know when something can happen to a family member.  I had photographed their family a few years ago and they were due for updated pictures.

We went to a park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we were able to get some great family pictures.  As we took various poses and groupings, I could see Karin, the mom, getting more and more tired as our time progressed but we just brushed it off.  On Sunday, she laid down to take a nap and her husband couldn't wake her up.  He ended up taking her tot he emergency room where her blood pressure was dangerously low.  Deon ha been scheduled to leave the country on a work trip earlier in the day, but his trip was unexpectedly canceled.  The doctors were able to stabilize Karin's blood pressure and she was sent home.  She ended up back in the er the following week with blood pressure that was extremely high.  This time she was admitted to the hospital and eventually ended up being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  Surgery was finally scheduled and she had to have her thyroid removed.  With everything going on with her health, we weren't able to meet to go over their pictures.  Finally, after several months she is now a cancer survivor and their pictures were delivered.  Take the time to enjoy your family, you never know what curves life will throw your way.

Harman Ruth

Meet Harman Ruth, he was born July 4,1846 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and he's my great, great grandfather. He served in the Civil War in the 10rth Pennsylvania regiment, entering the war as an under aged young man.  After the war, he married Kate Vandergrift, had about 8 children (we're working on verifying his children, our records have some errors) worked as a farmer and moved west.

I love this picture, but to me it's a little dark.  I'd like to be able to see some of the details in his face. So I lightened it up and I really like the way it turned out.

 I have been learning about my family and through the wonders of technology, I have been able to meet some distant cousins.  Harman has been a man that has created confusion in our family because different records show different first names.  Some records show Herman and others show Harman.  One of my goals is to try and correct errors in my family history, but I was stumped which name was correct.  Finally, an answer was found when I was researching old newspapers. I found an article in the Montana Roundup newspaper dated November 16, 1933 in which Harman actually answers the question.  The article says "He is sensitive about his name. Most people insist, he declares, on calling him 'Herman'.
It isn't 'Herman.' It's 'Harman, no 'e' in it. And the middle initial is Y, don't forget that."

Here's to Harman Ruth.  I can't wait to discover more history about my ancestors and along the way maybe find more pictures that I can restore.  It has a special meaning when it's your own family you're working on.

Father's Day

Pictures are a great way to preserve family history, showing our posterity how we lived.  We are able to capture moments in time that will be forever etched in our memories and those those times and stories at later times.  Father's day is the opportunity to show our dad's how much we love and appreciate them.  Often times, the pictures we have of our dads are faded, damaged or just need some tender loving care to restore them to their original quality.

The dad is Ed Kaye and his son Derek.  The picture was taken about 1988 when Derek about about 1 year. The smiles on their faces show the love they have for each other.  Fast forward to present day, Derek looks so much like his dad and now Derek has a son of his own that he can create new memories of his own.

Removing the shadows gave the picture a whole new life and brought the focus to their faces.  One dad will be receiving a special father's day gift.

Happy Father's day to dad's everywhere.  If you have photos you want restored and brought back to life, please contact me at cherisphotos10@gmail.com for a quote.