A Family Passageway

Good Monday morning!!

What an exciting week it has been, especially with the weather! Nebraska has gone from rain, to high winds, and a wonderfully calm 70 degree evening last night! That being said, it was time to be creative with photography and adapt to the elements! Last weekend, I had the privilege to photograph a family in one of the most historic places to visit in Omaha. It is the Passageway Gallery in the Old Market. I was delighted to give it a try and thankful that the McCool family was up for the opportunity!

This husband/wife team are incredible! I forgot to ask how long these two have been married, but maybe it was because they still seem like newlyweds! Very inspiring and incredibly sweet!

Paul, Patrick, & Megan are on the cusp of figuring out where life is taking them...such an exciting time! They are working their way through college years and high school. It is fun to watch! Even though, time is passing by, they did not miss an opportunity to show me that they are STILL brothers and sisters!

After the passageway, the winds were so high that it foiled plans to take pictures outdoors. So, we went back to my home-to a "makeshift" studio session. It was a pleasure to photograph this beautiful family. How rewarding. Thank you McCool family for asking me to be part of building a memory for you!! It made my day!!

P.S. The last one was just for fun...dad's the man!!

Blog is updated and ready for viewing! As always thank you for stopping by to take a look! Please note: All photographs and graphics on this site are the property of Red Umbrella Photography, and may not be used for any purpose without permission. Most of the pictures you will find on my website are available for license. If you are interested in using one of my images for your website or print materials, please contact me at tjstandish@live.com

Promise-Hold dear the promise of love.

This post is icing on the cake. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at the Cornerstone Mansion in Omaha. Before the event, I toured the facility and Julie, the owner (lovely by the way), took time to teach me about the historical background surrounding this facility. I just soaked up the grand beauty of the house, to include a fantastic staircase, amazing woodwork throughout, a most beautiful piano that used to reside in Carnegie Hall, and over course, the history lesson regarding Offutt and his family who were the original owners of the home. Today, it has been transformed into a bed and breakfast, social gathering spot, and home to many weddings.

After my tour, more fun began! Julie (also the name of the bride) and Steve were preparing to be united as one. The event was planned to feel intimate and substantial. While taking pictures, I really enjoyed being caught up in the moment as I watched the lovely ceremony unfold. Pastor Steve (yes, it was a day of Julie's and Steve's! :)) provided a fantastic message that made the room pause and reflect on this new union and their future together. It was beautiful as the bride and groom embraced each other in front of the grand fireplace with their closest family and friends support. This day was heartfelt, true, and wonderful. I am always grateful to meet new people and especially thankful to be part of milestones surrounding their lives. Thank you Steve and Julie for your graciousness! May you both have a lifetime of happiness and blessings. Happy Easter and I hope you enjoy your revisiting your moments!!

~Jodi

P.S. As I photographed details, I felt like a kid in a candy shop! This mansion had 3 floors and I was allowed free reign to capture creativity!! So fun!!

Blog is updated and ready for viewing! As always thank you for stopping by to take a look! Please note: All photographs and graphics on this site are the property of Red Umbrella Photography, and may not be used for any purpose without permission.

A Family Affair...

Brrrr!!! Winter is here and the coldest day has finally showed up!! So, what do you do when Nebraska encounters below zero temperatures? Well, take a family photo of course!!!! Since a baby was involved, we decided to keep the shoot indoors. :)

I was privileged to take pictures of the Irvine family. Mindy and Zach are a wonderful military couple that are in the beginning stages of an overseas move. Their family lives nearby and before the big event happens, they wanted to capture a moment with all of their loved ones. If you ever wonder how fast time flies, just watch a child grow! For this reason, it is absolutely necessary to capture this moment in time for reflection, something to look upon when distance sets in, and the fun comparison with the next family portrait. Everyone will be so grown up!! The entire family was a joy to be around and thank you Mindy for letting me be part of something so special.

I cannot forget to mention how adorable these kids are!!!! Seriously, they made my job incredibly easy!!! I couldn't get enough of their youth!!!

Grandma and Grandpa's cup runneth over!!

All of this would not be possible without these fantastic couples!!

Don't forget Cocoa!!!

Before I sign off for the day, Zach and Mindy, we wish you a stress free move and hope that the best opportunity awaits for your family. God bless and I can't wait to hear all about your next assignment. Thank you all for your service to us and country. Hooah!!!

As always thank you for stopping by to take a look! Please note: All photographs and graphics on this site are the property of Red Umbrella Photography, and may not be used for any purpose without permission. Most of the pictures you will find on my website are available for license. If you are interested in using one of my images for your website or print materials, please contact me at tjstandish@live.com

A Winter Wonderland

I woke up this morning and started my normal routine inside of our home. As I passed by a window, crisp winter had taken up residence at my home. We had quite a snowstorm this weekend that caused power outages and broke many trees due to the weight of the snow. By now, I would have expected the melt and disappearance, but to my delight, an overnight freeze created perfect beauty. The fog was beginning to burn off and the sun whispered through the trees. I grabbed my camera asap. While the daily agenda sat on my shoulders, I added a 10 min walk through our front yard to my list. :)

Here is what nature left for my eyes today:

He thought he was alone...

A burrowed red cardinal...

Happy Winter everyone!!

Blog is updated and ready for viewing! As always thank you for stopping by to take a look! Please note: All photographs and graphics on this site are the property of Red Umbrella Photography, and may not be used for any purpose without permission. Most of the pictures you will find on my website are available for license. If you are interested in using one of my images for your website or print materials, please contact me at tjstandish@live.com

Girl Scouting!!

How many of you remember your time as a girl scout or cub scout? Ok, next question, how many of you remember a father/daughter dance or mother/son event? I do!!! This weekend has been so much fun as I had the opportunity to photograph a girl scout father/daughter dance and fell in love with the event!! It was so endearing to watch several age groups arrive in their "fancy" dresses with fathers in tow. You could just see the glow on every girl's face as they checked in...many with a corsage from dad...so adorable! You knew that this night was meant to be special. I spent time taking a formal photo of each couple and decided to sit and watch the dance for a bit while reminiscing of my own father/daughter dance in 6th grade. I have to admit that I got choked up often as I miss my own father so much. That is exactly what inspired me put a lot of emphasis on this particular portrait. :) Time goes so quickly and pictures are such a valuable asset for milestones!

Approximately 70 people attended the event and I had so many giggles inside of me while watching a conga line, hokey pokey, a couple of very young girls perform "walk like an egyptian" to Bee Gees "Stayin' Alive," girls dancing on daddy's toes, and toward the end of the evening--tuckering out on their father's shoulder. The bond between a father and daughter is wonderful! I was highly impressed with every dad who not only dressed up and took their daughter to something so special, but letting loose and dedicating their awesome dance moves to their girls!!! You guys rock!!!

Looking back on my childhood, it was fun to put myself in these girl's shoes...especially when they were making up dances with their girlfriends and laughing uncontrollably!! Friendship is the best!! Plus, girls are so funny when a camera is around...they love to pose!! Thank you girl scouts for putting on such a great family bonding event, my delicious cookies, and for letting me be somewhat of a fly on the wall! May you all continue to have many great memories with your fathers!!

As always thank you for stopping by to take a look! Please note: All photographs and graphics on this site are the property of Red Umbrella Photography, and may not be used for any purpose without permission. Most of the pictures you will find on my website are available for license. If you are interested in using one of my images for your website or print materials, please contact me at tjstandish@juno.com