Emily Schmidt Photography: The Burbachs

To say this shoot put my skills to the test as both a photographer, creative artist, and adapter to all things life related is a true fact. Between the simple fact of this being my first time shooting a family session - and not just a family but one of 6, add in excessive harsh bitter cold wind, a sky that cleared away for a gorgeous background palette but brought with it intense light, a 3-yr old who took his Mommy's van for an adventure and refused to have his picture taken, a 20-month old who missed her afternoon nap and was the clingster of all clingy kids, a bubbly full of life little girl who was constant camera ready for me with a giant smile, a husband who particularly doesn't enjoy his picture taken but was doing it for his wife, and my first attempts at using my new flash were just a few circumstances I had to overcome that day.

What does this really all mean though? One of the first things Michelle said to me when she inquired about getting me to snap their family was "I think you'll have a challenge doing all 6 of us ;) " -- those were her exact words. The statement probably held true but I still loved every minute of it.

Michelle and I go way back. Back to grade school. She was my best friend for many years around the ages of 10-12 before she moved to a different neighboring school district. I remember many times having sleepovers, girl talk, being lab partners, and just everything teen girl related. I was really sad when she had to move away, but so thrilled to connect again through this glorious thing called facebook. And she still lives only a few miles from my parents farm so it's nice to know she's still so "close". Michelle and I share the same trait: LACK OF PATIENCE! I felt so bad that it was taking forever to get her family photos completed, but life always seems to happen and you have to roll with the punches. Once finally completed and I was able to post a preview, she wrote me the most touching thank you a photographer & friend could ask for:

"Emily, I am so very proud to call you my friend. You are such a wonderful mommy, wife, friend, photographer, and so many other things. I loved watching you take pictures that day and how you were jumping around on hay bales, laying in the weeds, watching the kids cry and still shooting pictures, lugging around a chair, the wheels of ideas turning, and so many other things. What a great experience to be apart of your photo journey and our family memories. You are a true inspiration!"

To Michelle I say, I truly love you and your family and I would do it again in a heartbeat purely just for the memories and girl talk. Feeling frustrated that I went in that day with a plan and came out with something so much more twisted and not even close to what I had outlined, I felt I was letting you down. I hope I lived up to your expectations of capturing the beautiful randomness of your life as best I could. I wouldn't trade the day's events because it was a reminder that life happens and even when it does it's still a truly beautiful and amazing thing and one should smile through it all just like you said.

Here's a bit more on what touched me so much that day:

To watch Madison continuously show a tremendous amount of love, compassion, and help to her younger brother and sisters tickled my heart with glee. There was simply no name calling, hitting, or competition between the kids. It was pure love and togetherness. Together the four of them were a whole. When one cried, they all cried, if one laughed, they all started laughing. Everything I saw that day reminded me of how much good there still is in this world.

Through it all, there was never a smile NOT on Madison's face. I think her Mom said it best "Madison portrays exactly what we try to teach our kids, smile through it all, life is not always perfect."

10 years, 4 kids, and numerous amounts of laughter, tears, heartaches, smiles, giggles and hugs later - Andy & Michelle are celebrating their 10 year anniversary in July. What an amazing journey they have had so far. I can still remember the day they said their vows infront of the world. Would you ever imagine you'd have all this ten years later?

To watch a man not only become a father but to give into his inner emotions, deepest fears, and vast depths of love to blossom and grow toward his child is a brilliant thing to witness. I can say I know from experience and it is one of the best things in the world to be a part of ;)

Meet Madison: bubbly, energetic, a natural at smiling for the camera. I think I could take her picture all day :)

Meet Carter: mischievous, mind of his own, comical, and a three-old-year in every way. Life is always a ride with him around. Introducing the "Carter Stink Face".

I do not want it in a barn, I do not want it on a farm. I do not want it on a chair. I do not want my picture taken anywhere.

Sweet pea Ava who constantly reminded me of my own lovely at home.

And lastly, precious Sophia who has taught this family about conquering life's struggles and will to survive. Born 6 weeks early due to complications with the pregnancy, Michelle & family know all about how precious life is and praise God every day for the family he has given them.