Oh the glory that the Lord has made. (Missing Mississippi: Notes from a Dixie exile)

Oh the glory that the Lord has made.

When Kate and I were in Mississippi last week, my amazing and talented soon-to-be brother-in-law Daniel Meigs very graciously took some photos of Kate in honor of her upcoming second birthday. This shoot was, I imagine, a bit more challenging than when he first photographed her, since she was still in the womb for that one. And the second time she was just a three month old baby, so she couldn't do much protesting. This was a different story. She's almost two now, and she cannot be bothered to sit still for photos. I should know, based on how many hopelessly blurred photos I have taken of her.

Daniel should get some kind of combined photography/athletics award for these photos, because towards the end of the shoot, Kate started running away from us while we were trying to get her to smile and stand still. Just took off down the driveway and never looked back. Daniel ran after her in the sweltering August heat and kept shooting while she squealed and laughed and kicked up dust. Those of you who have been to my parent's house know that's a loooooong driveway. What a pro.

Photos like this are a real gift to me as a mother. It's a rare moment when I can actually just look at Kate, even though I live my life in constant contact with her. Even when we were taking these photos, I was mostly focused on getting her to look at the camera, smile and stop stepping on ants. I knew the pictures would be great, but then when I saw them, I got all choked up. It's amazing how a really good picture can show you what you see all the time in a way that makes you realize how breath-taking it truly is.

Daniel is here and here for when you need to see more of his work. If any of you New Mexicans want to fly him out to do photos for you, I'll provide his lodging. Maybe he could bring my sister with him. I'm just saying.

Posted on August 22, 2009 9:19 PM | Permalink

Comments (10)

bObTHEsnOb:

Dang that guy Meigs is good!

And here I keep trying to take a shot of Kate & Mom with both smiling. (Ok--so she's on the hammock w/o Mom who's fringing at the depth of focus...smiling nonetheless...) Actually, I just want them to qualify as MM-worthy....or just find one framed at Dan's office.

I give up!

I take off my hat & bow to his superior skeels & downright righteous studly photocraft.

I'm gonna stick to analyzing/modeling optics on my computer at work :)

I did get a couple of vampire shots of you & Dan today. I'll stick to the laughs. Meigs can strike the heart-strings in the soul.

Dang that guy is good!

Posted by bObTHEsnOb | August 22, 2009 10:34 PM

Posted on August 22, 2009 22:34

Melissa:

Wow!! Those are awesome, beautiful, incredible, breathtaking photos of you and Kate. You really are fortunate to have these. They have captured so much of who Kate is right now. :o)
Well done, Daniel!

Posted by Melissa | August 22, 2009 11:11 PM

Posted on August 22, 2009 23:11

Aunt Emily:

I scrolled down saying to myself at each picture, oh that's my favorite, then realized they all made that list! Good work Daniel, you truly captured Haley & Kate!

Posted by Aunt Emily | August 23, 2009 5:48 AM

Posted on August 23, 2009 05:48

charity:

awww... makes me a little sad to not have Kate time at the lake this year.

Posted by charity | August 23, 2009 6:06 AM

Posted on August 23, 2009 06:06

RT:

Beautiful shots, Daniel! They are gorgeous. Haley, my favorite is the one of you and Kate on the hammock. You are a lovely mama, my friend.

Posted by RT | August 23, 2009 8:00 AM

Posted on August 23, 2009 08:00

daniel meigs:

thanks haley!