This blog has now moved to http://www.sarahsweetman.com .

See you there, thanks. Sarah Sweetman

The Power in One Little "YES"...

I have a friend that is doing something simply amazing - something so wonderful that I can not help but share her story - how there is power in saying "YES" - even if you feel like you aren't big enough to say yes.  She is a mom.  She is busy.  She has bills.  She had plenty of excuses.  She also realized that sometimes YES is the start of something much bigger than herself.

 

My beautiful friend, along with many others, is helping to fight against world of human trafficking - you would be shocked to hear that it happens here in our city - it isn't just something far away...

It's a hard subject and one that I just can't seem to wrap my head around, - how humans can, in the 21st century, sell and use other humans like they are worthless...but sadly enough,  it does happen.  I look at my daughter and cringe to think about if that was her.  Every girl sold into this industry is someone's daughter...sister...niece...granddaughter...someone's friend.  It is time for this to end!

Here is Lisa's story in her words:

 

This is the account of how one little yes has changed everything for me in the last two months: 

 

One power of one little yes  

 

This is the account of how one little yes has changed everything for me in the last two months: 

 

I have several friends who are engaged in the fight against human trafficking. They have travelled all over the world and looked into the eyes of these girls and women so very much like our daughters, like ourselves, and they have been changed as a result. I have heard their stories… and honestly I tried to keep my heart at a distance because it was too hard to hear some of the truth of what is happening. Too painful. To overwhelming. 

 

I thought, "I can't even solve my own life's issues- how can I possibly help? I am just a suburban mom. What could I possibly do from here?" Then my friend Brandi launched a campaign called She's Worth It (shesworthitcampaign.com) to raise money and awareness in the fight against human trafficking. She's Worth It supports organizations all over the world who are on the front lines of this battle against this darkness. She asked me to consider raising money…and I avoided her e-mails and texts. But she wouldn't give up… so finally I gave in and said I would join her and I committed with shaking knees to raise $5,000 to support two amazing organizations- NightLight International (www.nightlightinternational.com) and Indian Rescue Mission (www.indianrescuemission.org) 

 

From Love Does by Bob Goff

 

I said yes. One little yes.  I really had no faith that I would be able to raise $5,000- that was surely an impossible task. I thought, "Well, I will do what I can and in the end I will just have to tell her sorry, I tried my best." I knew I wasn't  going to ask all my friends and family for money. Not happening. So how could I even attempt this? Then I remembered this quote from Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.” I began thinking about what I could do with what I already have in my hands. The thought occurred to me to create a necklace with the logo for She's Worth it…which happened to come at the perfect time for Valentine's Day. So that night I photoshopped the heart artwork into a photo I already had of a necklace, created an Etsy listing, sent the link off to my friend Brandi and went to bed. 

 

The next morning I woke up and I had 15 orders! Now mind you, I hadn't created a single necklace yet!! So I got to work creating those necklaces and designing the packaging…and by the end of the first week we had sold over 100. I had to order more supplies and figure out how to streamline the process. My friends and family rallied around me and jumped in to help me solder, package and ship the! first tidal wave of orders! 

 

The next week my friend Melody Ross promoted necklace on her Brave Girls Club Facebook page (bravegirlsclub.com) and I received 70 orders in 24 hours. At the end of 3 weeks I had sold over 250 necklaces and raised over $5000! Truly miraculous! And it is still continuing! I have sold over 350 necklaces and raised over $7,000!!!  

 

We have shipped necklaces all over our country (40 states) and to two countries!

 

After the $5,000 goal was reached I wanted to continue and to raise money for a local nonprofit called Genesis Project (gpseattle.org) who is on the mission "to offer hope for a new life to young women and girls involved in Domestic Minor Sex-Trafficking in the South King County area." They were featured in a recent documentary called "Rape for Profit." This is happening in our back yard. That is not OK with me! So all the money I am currently raising will be donated to help them accomplish their mission. 

 

What a journey it has been. I have been changed and one of the huge lessons I learned through this wild journey is….

 

You never know what one little yes will lead to. 

 

Sometimes it's one little yes that changes everything. 

 

I'm going to keep saying yes. You should too!

Lisa

Will you join me? You can purchase a necklace through my Etsy shop here. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121872036/shes-worth-it-heart-pendant-you-are

 

$20 of each necklace sale will go to fight human trafficking in Seattle! We can't let this continue in our own country! 

 

 

Thank you so much! Together we really can make a difference!

Lisa

Precious Puppies.

You may or may not know that my other passion is Beagles.  Dogs have always been a passion of mine, but I wasn't allowed one growing up - so I have made up for it in my own home.  I have been very blessed to have a great mentor in beagles - Sheri from Foxtail Beagles has been there to answer any questions and 2 1/2 years ago I brought my first show beagle CH Foxtail's Born to be Wild "Jessie" - my beautiful dramatic girl :)

After all her extensive health checks, we decided to breed her to a dog whose bloodline and physical characteristics compliment Jessie's. Together, we chose Grand CH Foxtail's Renegade aka Timmy.  It was a breeding almost 2 years in the planning and although we bred her a little late, we were thrilled when we confirmed her pregnancy via ultrasound to show 2 puppies.

These are photos of Jessie a few days before giving birth - she looks great, don't you think?  :)

 

As I have had so many people ask about how things happened (btw. thank you again if you were one of the people praying for us - I believe this was what made all the difference.) I decided to make a blog of the events and how it all happened.

This week, I prepared the birth room with everything I might need - books, coffee, Sheri's got-everything-you-might-need birth bag, info sheet...

 

...and on day 61 at 11pm, Jessie went into labor.  She didn't want me to leave her side (miss dramatic), so it was a very long night for both of us - the photo on the left is her before contractions, and the photo on the right, during a contraction. It brought back memories of having my own kids and I hated only being able to encourage her and sit with her.

 

 

Unfortunately, she labored through the night and although her waters broke around 6am, but 7:30 there was no pup and I (and Sheri) decided we should take her to the vet as she might need some oxytocin to help things along.

So I took Caleb and Brianna to the neighbor, kissed them goodbye, and placed Jessie gently in the car.  we drove to the first very only to find their open time was an hour away.  so I drove to Kirkland Emergency vet, only to find they were also closed.  Luckily someone was there to point me to another ER Vet close by.  I phoned ahead and so as soon as I arrived they took Jessie straight out the back.

They did an ultrasound but couldn't detect heart-beats - they were not optimistic about the health of the puppies.  They decided as she wasn't in distress to try oxytocin.  They told me they had 27 minutes to get a puppy as by minute 30, something dangerous happens to momma and baby.  So, they also prepped an ER for an emergency C-section, just in case.   I waited...hardly breathing...

The wonderful news was that the Oxytocin worked better than they thought and the little boy was born safe and sound within 10 minutes.  With that pup secure and safe, they said they would watch and wait and see if she could have the other naturally.   I sat with her and just soaked in the little noises of little man and loved the cuddles with Miss Jessie.  I thought, as did everyone else, that we were out of the woods. 

Little boy puppy at about 1 hour old.

  

About 12, Jessie started contracting/pushing and the second puppy arrived rather quickly unassisted.  The vet tech helped to get the sack off and then said "that's not good" and whisked the puppy away.  I had no idea what happened or what was going.  for 30 minutes I sat with Jessie and the boy, waiting.  A vet finally came in and said puppy girl was purple when born and had no heartbeat.  She had fluid in her lungs and they needed to aspirate it out and do CPR to restart her heart.  She said that although puppy girl was better, she was not 100% and needed to be in the incubator while she recovered.  it was a huge blow and so unexpected.

 Jessie meeting Puppy girl for the first time - not that interested...yet

 

They were also concerned that Jessie's heart rate was still high and breathing fast.  they gave her pain relief an then scanned her to make sure nothing else was happening (ie another puppy).

Puppy boy got the hang of nursing real quick :)  what a little piggy :)

The vets continued to work on Jess - the medication made her nauseous and I think she was just exhausted and sore.  it had been a long day.  They also tried to get baby girl to nurse - she was having a tough time - I think she was also tired and the catheter wasn't helping much.

 

They put momma and pups into the O2 cages - they weren't happy with either momma or girl's O2 saturation levels. I sat and waited...praying they would go up so I could take them home.

Finally, at 6:45pm, I got to bring them home.  Jessie relaxed immediately upon getting in her own bed - I think she was as happy as I was to finally be home. 

We had an uneventful night.  I got up every 1.5-2 hours to check on them.  I filled water bottles to make sure the babies had a nice warm space if they wiggled away from momma.  They were all great - every time I saw them, I was relieved to find them all happy.

Weigh in at 8am revealed that the puppy girl had put on 0.5 oz and the boy had put on 0.7 oz in 12hours.  That's a pretty big deal when you are only 10oz (give or take).

Caleb and Brianna got to have a tiny hold in the morning.  Of course, with one boy and one girl, you can guess which one each is holding :)  Jessie is not aggressive, but stayed close by talking to the pups, so we kept it quick. 

 
After not being able to see the actual birth, I think this was the next best thing :)

 

 

So, we are well and enjoying them now.  Puppies are super sweet and this morning, while Jessie was going to the bathroom, I took the opportunity to take the first portraits.  As every good photographer should be, I prepped the area and snuck my 2 minute window when I could. 

 

Thanks again for all the love and support - I appreciated the 100s of texts and emails and phone calls.  xo Sarah

Mini Sessions for 2013

I get asked, every year, on the first week of January, when my mini sessions are going to be held by some of my lovely clients - yes, you know who you are :)  You are just so darn organized - I love it :) 

So, I thought I would help you out and post the dates as soon as I could for you.  If you want to book - PLEASE email me sarah@sarahsweetman.com as sometimes I miss the posts on Facebook.

Please note that mini session slots are pre-paid this year. I will send you an invoice and as soon as it I paid, your session is confirmed. If you have to pull out due to un-forseen circumstances (ie illness or travel) and it is more than 30 days before the session, I will credit the session fee towards another mini or full session (minus a $25 admin fee).  If it is less than 7 days before the mini session date, you will receive a 50% credit towards another session, unless I can fill your place with another family, when you will get the full session credit towards another session (minus a $25 admin fee). 

For those who want to know "what is a FULL session vs a MINI session" I will explain - especially now that I feel I have more of an idea of WHO I am as a photographer and the quality and experience I want to give all my clients.

With a FULL sessions, it is as all about the full customized experience.  Before the session we talk in detail about the session to make sure I have the right props available, we have the right time to suits naps and schedules and the location to get the kinds of shots you want.   On the day, we meet in your custom location and we spend 1 to 1 ½ hours together capturing your story – I do not watch the clock so we can take as long as is needed.  Many clients will bring a change of outfits and we have time to work in multiple settings and setups. More of the details are captured too as I have time to sit back and watch your story unfold while my shutter clicks.

 

MINI sessions, in contrast, are targeted for clients who are really looking for a quicker session and don't need to customize a session to their own family - it is a mini version of what you get in the full session.  Mini sessions are also ideal for families who want to do multiple sessions per year without the expense of getting a full session each time. 
With the mini-session I can keep the price lower by having a fixed location, and reduced time  of 45 mins rather than 90 mins.  What this means for you as a customer is that you will typically get 1-2 different setups/locations in and in 1 outfit as there really isn’t time for outfit changes. 

I hope that makes things a little clearer as to why I offer both kinds of sessions and what to expect out of each.

Please note that the mini sessions for 2013 are 45 minutes long - I wanted to use an extra 15 minutes with each family so that I can capture not only portraits, but more of the moments "in between" also which I felt like I didn't get to quite do in the 30 minute sessions.

I am also doing many mini sessions over the Summer at locations around Seattle to try and satisfy different family needs.  Please note that as the best lighting is in the late afternoon or evening during the Summer months, I am doing most of my mini sessions in the afternoon/evening.

Okay, onto the dates:

APRIL 27 (Rain date - please put this in your calendar also May 4th)  - Spring Blossoms  
45 min sessions from 10am - 3pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
http://www.facebook.com/events/130703777105925/

JULY - 8 - Summer session at the river - Tolt River Park
45 min sessions from 3pm - 6 pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
http://www.facebook.com/events/330898090364369/

JULY 13 - Summer session - Park location at Flower World
45 min sessions from 9am - 2pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
http://www.facebook.com/events/569694803049758/?context=create

JULY 17 - Summer session  - Gas Works Park
45  min sessions from 3:30 - 6.45pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
http://www.facebook.com/events/474918825891296/

JULY 31 - Summer session - Picnic Point Beach Park
45  min sessions from 3:30 - 6.45pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
http://www.facebook.com/events/497519980306697/

AUG - date 2nd? tbc? - Woodinville lavender farm (**to be confirmed**)
45  min sessions from 3:30 - 6.45pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
***No link yet as it is TBC****

AUGUST 16 - long grass location
45 min sessions from 3:30 - 6.45pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
http://www.facebook.com/events/269551053177622/


OCTOBER 5 (Rain date - please put this in your calendar also OCTOBER 12) Fall leaves at Bothell Landing
45  min sessions from 9am - 2pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.
http://www.facebook.com/events/468492506539767/

OCTOBER 19 (Rain date - please put this in your calendar also OCTOBER 26) Fall - think more Orchard - Apple trees - Location TBC
45  min sessions from 9am - 2pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit.http://www.facebook.com/events/551372494896980/

NOVEMBER 2 -  Indoor Studio Session with soft 'twinkly' Christmas lights, Woodinville
45 min sessions from 9am - 2pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit and 25 custom made Christmas cards.
http://www.facebook.com/events/253725764762588/

NOVEMBER 9 (Rain date - please put this in your calendar also NOVEMBER 16) Tree Farm
30 min sessions (as it is cold outside) from 9am - 2:30pm - $225 +tax.  Includes $125 prepaid credit and 25 custom made Christmas cards.
http://www.facebook.com/events/214898938650679/

DECEMBER 7th - Santa Experience - **NB - details to come at a later date.

Baby Miles - 7 weeks new.

I love it when families ask me to capture their portraits as "them".  This lovely family described what they wanted as very organic - natural colors, natural poses and just a relaxed session - and that is exactly how the session went. 

 

  

Although still a newborn, Miles had passed the ideal '2 week old newborn portrait' window.  Not that it mattered as we got some super cute smiles :)  and he could engage with the camera with his lovely blue eyes.

 

 Their sweet teddy bear of a dog hopped up on my beanbag - I think he loved the warmth - so I couldn't help but take a shot of him too :)

 This is one of my favorite photos of the shoot - I love to photograph Love. Simple. as. that. :)

 

 And of course, although he didn't get into a deep sleep, he did nod off for a minute, so I took a moment to capture his sweet sleepy self. 

 

Welcome to the world Mr Miles - it was so fun meeting you!