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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing fine art family portraiture. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. To contact Becky, reach out at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
Our Cyber Monday Petite Session Sale is the only time of year we offer family outdoor mini sessions for purchase. This would make an amazing gift for loved ones or even yourself. The gift of photos is a gift that keeps on giving!
How does it work?
Purchase your mini session now for 2021. Sessions can be used for a Spring Wildflower Mini session or a Late Summer Family Mini Session. Once purchased, we will contact you to schedule your session date. Not sure yet when you want to do your session? No worries, we have plenty of time
Includes a 20 minute session and 5 digital images for $500. (A savings of over $400!!!)
Limited spots available!
Cannot be combined with any other offers, gift certificates, previous purchase or print credit. Must be redeemed in April, May, June or August 2021. All sessions will take place in Culver, Indiana.
Ready to book? Click here!
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Something new! With all of the precautions currently in place, the traditional option for Santa pictures for your little ones, family or pets may not be possible. We're excited to introduce special Santa pictures with our vintage or modern Santa without leaving home (or wearing a mask)! This is a season of magic and we love helping to make some for your family! Our elves work quickly to get your images to Santa and send back a special creation to delight your family!
Step 1: Choose your favorite Santa, we have Vintage Santa and Classic Santa (scroll down to see the examples).
Step 2: Pay via credit card. The cost is only $20. Add on a file for a second picture (another child, whole family) for $15 more per image.
Step 3: Send us a cute picture of your little one(s), family, or pet to bring to Santa for the magical photo. (we will not edit any pictures sent, only cropping to fit the frame)
Step 4: Wait for the magic to arrive in your inbox!!!
Are you ready to order??? Click Here to Begin
Each custom creation includes a hi-resolution file you can print or share as you wish for $20. You'll have the option to print through one of our professional printing labs as well for to receive high quality prints of your image!
DON't WAIT - CLICK HERE TO ORDER Once paid...the Santa Magic will begin! Thank you!!!
*****
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing fine art family portraiture. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. To contact Becky, reach out at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
Music For Me Class: Wendy offers her "Music for Me" classes all over the Michiana area throughout the week. We are lucky enough to host one in Culver at the studio, but she has them everywhere! Her music classes involve singing, musical instruments, dancing and movement. My kiddos absolutely love her classes and I highly recommend you check her out if you're looking for a great introduction to music for your little ones! She also has a bunch of videos on YouTube and on her Facebook page for you to entertain your kids at home. Currently, she is doing a Virtual Class and you can sign-up your whole family! Something to help with your sanity and give the littles something to do. Go check out her Youtube
Potawatami Zoo - The zoo always wears my little people out, but because Potawatami is such a great size, we can spend as little or as long as we want visiting. A zoo membership is something we get every year too so that we can visit in the summer and we are really looking forward to trying a zoo camp this year too! Did you know the zoo has special days they open up during the winter? How cool is that? It's always a fun place to go run around and see what the animals are up to when it's cold outside. We've found the tigers to be very happy to have visitors in the past. We also love that we can go visit other zoos for a discount (usually 50% off) as a member! Whenever we travel, we make sure to check out the local zoo! The Fort Wayne Zoo is one of our favorites and we recently visited again. Masks are required and you can purchase a timed ticket online, but we didn't have a problem just buying ours at the gate to use our zoo member discount.
Library Story Time - Find your library my friends! Those children's room librarians are a godsend. We try to get to story time at a library at least once a week. There are also crafts and other activities in the children's room at the library. Since we live in Culver, we go to the Culver Union Township Libraryor Plymouth Public Library and both have awesome kids programs. If nothing is going on when you plan to visit, it's always a great spot to play. Also, have you heard of Hoopla? If not, it's amazing...ebooks, movies and music all to your phone for free with your library card (Plymouth and St. Joseph County Public Libraryoffer it). Also, Culver friends, you can get a free library card to Plymouth...such a great reciprocal benefit! And once you have a Plymouth library card, it's reciprocal to St. Joseph County Public Library too. See where I'm going with that?
SkyZone - We LOVE going to SkyZone for Toddler Time which is pretty much every Friday morning and Saturday morning in the hours before they open up to all ages. It's the perfect place to burn off some of the early morning energy my kids seem to wake up with and it's so much fun. The jumping rate is discounted and includes a parent pass as well for each child. Kids have to be able to walk in order to participate, but my littles absolutely loved watching her siblings when she couldn't quite do it herself. They have added a Ninja course now too and it definitely adds to the options for the older kiddos. They play kid friendly music, have a craft and story time too if your littles get tired of just bouncing. You have to buy their socks, but keep them and wash for the next trip to save some cash. We've had ours for years and they are still going strong. I also recommend buying a Toddler Time pass (each child has to have their own) and this significantly discounts the cost of going to Toddler Time. The pass doesn't expire and is good for ten sessions of jumping. Make sure to check their calendar to see if they have Toddler Time when you want to go, as during breaks and summer, they don't always offer it. They have been having specials since re-opening after their closure during Covid-19.
Barnes & Noble Story Times: Just like the library, Barnes & Noble at the UP Mall offers story times! And they also have a craft or activity to go with it. Sometimes a character visit too. They are very good at posting Facebook events, which is how I often figure out ideas for what we will do. Story time is usually on Saturdays at 11am, which is perfect to hop over to after going to Skyzone for Toddler Time. They also have a Thursday morning story time at 10am, so you can go twice a week!
UP Mall Play Space: Another good spot to wear out the kiddos. I may be guilty of taking mine to Skyzone, then Barnes and Noble story time and then letting them play here after to really, really, really wear them out. My kids have way more stamina then I do these days! Sometimes we’ll just go there to play too and I’ll get a Starbucks and sit by myself for a few minutes. My kiddos always beg time play there whenever we visit the mall!
Marshall County Historical Society Museum - This is a very favorite for us on a Saturday. And it's free...with a suggested donation, or you can become a museum member. The train room is always decorated with a theme and there are lots of train related toys and other great classic toys to play with there. It seems our kiddos can never leave without something they are gifted by the generous sponsors of the train room. There's also a little Farmer's Market, fishing stream and more for little ones to play at while they are there on the first floor. During school breaks, I've noticed they offer a Kids Day Out where they have arts and crafts, games and activities for kids, along with the train room being open. Go check it out...it's worth it!
National New York Central Railroad Museum - On the subject of trains, I've heard this is a great place to visit. Hands on activities and real trains to look at and climb aboard. Also a train table that is a hit!
Play Town: An indoor play spot for the kiddos located in Knox recently opened. They are always adding new things it seems, but I haven't made it over there yet. There are bounce houses, arcade games, a small boulder wall, indoor jungle gym and batting cage. They are adding restaurant too, so you'll be able to eat there as well while the kids play! Looks great and we plan to check it out soon!
Bellaboos: Another indoor play place great for a winter escape. There are so many activities for little ones to do there, including a train room, kid's kitchen, play restaurant, jungle gym, art areas and more. When the weather is nice, there is also an outside spot to play. A bit of a drive, but definitely a fun day trip!
Fair Oaks Farms: We've visited here a few times and have found it very educational, learning about dairy and hog farming, as well as general agriculture. There is something for everyone. Over the years, they have added restaurants and an on site hotel, so you can also spend the weekend there-think swimming in the indoor heated pool...wear those little ones out!!! My kids have loved it in the past and we've always found interesting as adults too.
Museums - There are so many great options in Chicago, Kalamazoo, Ft. Wayne & Indianapolis...I'm going to have to write more on these, because they really do deserve it. Needless to say, get a museum membership to either the AirZoo, Science Central or my favorite, Great Explorations (it's in St. Petersburg, Florida...these offer amazing reciprocity of memberships all over the country...including going to all of the ones listed as suggestions for free or a reduced cost. As a home schooling family, we try to incorporate as much museum learning as possible into our education!
Parks - When it's nice out, we check out the parks (nice out in my book is not freezing and also not raining, your idea my be different). There are so many in the area. We love our local park at the Culver Beach during the summer to play on the playground, in the sand and swim in the lake!!! It's a great shallow beach area and it has lifeguards as well. Weekends are busy, but the week days are pretty low key. We also enjoy another local park to us, Freedom Park, which is an an all inclusive accessibility playground. It's never too busy and has a great playground. The new playground at Howard Park in South Bend is amazing and we can't wait to spend more time there! We've been once, but it's definitely on our list to explore more. We also love to visit Mary Gibbard Park, which was redone last year and has a splash pad, really cool bike trail that even little ones can do and a super fun playground! We also hardly ever make it to the Potawatami Zoo without a visit to the playground there. And don't forget all the splash pads around...our closest one to Culver is at the Argos Park.
Potato Creek State Park: A great place to enjoy nature! There is good hiking, horseback and bicycle trails around the ponds and through the woods. It can be a little crowded, but it's so beautiful.
Pokagon State Park: This park is near Fort Wayne and is usually considered more of a winter destination. It has a very popular, very large, toboggan run. However, it offers great birding, with a highlight being a boardwalk through a wetland. Spring wildflowers can be great there, when Spring finally comes. .
Ice Skating - The new Howard Park rink looks awesome. We haven't been able to try it out yet, but plan to when we have a chance in the future. There is also free skates at Compton Family Ice Arena at Notre Dame and the Ice Box. They offer lessons as well for learn-to-skate, so your little ones will be pros at gliding around the ice in circles around you. Start them early! Ours loved skating and they always sleep great afterwards. Definitely a must-do winter activity if you need one.
Notre Dame - There is a lot to do at Notre Dame, we like to just walk around the campus...the lake area is beautiful, around the stadium, play on the playground, check out the bookstore (they also offer a story time) and grab lunch or dinner around the Eddy Street Commons area. Check with their restrictions currently with Covid.
Ancilla College: Also a beautiful college to walk around and take in the scenery. Explore the trails. It's very peaceful!
Culver Academies: You'll love this beautiful boarding school campus no matter what time of year you visit! Bring the bikes and scooters for the kids and go explore. Lots of paths and sidewalks, so it's safe. You can easily take the path into town through the woods, stop at The Original Root Beer Stand if it's open for lunch in the Spring and Summer or the Lakehouse Grill, grab ice cream for the kids and coffee for you at the Culver Coffee Company and then keep going into town to check out the little shops. MJ's Sweet Tooth is an old fashion candy store and she just opened up a dessert shop as well with some amazing looking cupcakes! The kids will be tired...I promise! Currently the campus is closed due to Covid-19 precautions to keep all of the students safe, but it's such a beautiful spot, so I wanted to make sure to keep it on my list.
Joy's Gymnastics: Offers a drop in Tumble Time for the under five crowd and an Open Gym for older kiddos. Tumbling mats, balance beam, vault, all the stuff in the gym to climb on. There is also an area with mats geared to the littler kiddos. We've had fun doing this in the past!
Strikes & Spares: Not only do they have bowling, they also have bounce houses, bumper cars and go karts. Even little go karts! There is also a toddler area and mini bowling, which is fun for the littles. Lots of arcade games, as well. A bit over-stimulating, but the bounce house area is quieter when we go. They offer a Thursday special where you can get everything (bowling and bounce houses) for $5 per child.
Colby Bounce: This is located at the UP Mall and offers multiple bounce houses. Pay by the hour or go for unlimited. We've done it when at the mall to change things up a little bit. Sometimes Mama just needs a break!!!
The Park at Grace: An indoor play space at a Grace Church in Goshen, has a FREE spot for your littles to run around and play. It looks amazing!!! And you can even walk or run on treadmills while your kiddos play in the huge play structure. I know I'm always trying to squeeze in a workout, so this could be a great answer if you're close by. They do have limited hours, so make sure you check the webpage or call in advance.
South Bend Chocolate Factory: Another fun play structure that's free. It's a little out dated, but in a pinch if we need something to do when we are in the area, we stop there and grab a drink or some food while the little ones burn off their energy.
The Kroc Center: We love the Kroc Center for their pool and indoor water play area. There is a lot more to do there, but the toddler play time (call to ask when they have it, as it depends on the school schedule) is one of our favorites. A zero entry pool, big and little kid water slides, lazy river...it's always fun to wear the kids out here. They also have a rock wall for the older kids and adults to play on too! You can always get a day pass to visit, so you don't have to be a member.
Premier Arts: There is some incredible talent in our area and we LOVE to catch their shows. They always have a great line up! Perfect for little kids to have their first theater experience. We saw Frozen the Musical last Fall and it was incredible!!! We loved it so much, we'll be heading to Chicago to see it there with the kids when it opens!! Even with Covid-19, they are still putting on productions with precautions in place!
MJ's Sweet Tooth Rock Hunt: MJ's Sweet Tooth does an annual rock hunt every July in Culver! There are adorable rocks that look like M&M's hidden all around in public places (parks, trees, trails, etc). Once you find them, you turn them in at her old fashion candy store and for tickets to win prizes. And...she just opened up a dessert shop as well with some amazing looking cupcakes! It's such a fun activity to do as a family! Check out her MJ's Sweet Tooth Facebook page for more info as well. She loves having little kids visit and it's the perfect spot for a Parent-Child date for something special.
The KidsFirst Children's Museum in South Bend is a great place to visit. Tie in a little bit of history (perfect for homeschooling families) and some play time. It's currently temporarily closed, but I'm hopeful they open it up soon again. We also love visiting the Studebaker National Museum which is connected to it in the same building. There are hands on activities for kiddos and beautiful cars to check out!
It's the perfect time of year to head to a local orchard as well for apple, grape and pumpkin picking! We like visiting Stover's Farm Market, Doud Orchard and McClure's Orchard to pick apples and play. For outside Fall fun...head to Thistleberry Farm or Yellow River Farms.
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing fine art family portraiture. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. To contact Becky, reach out at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
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The first year flies by so fast...even faster when you have multiple babies!!! And when you have older children, I think the time seems to speed up faster and faster and "Mom Brain" makes those little details escape quicker than ever. Sleep deprivation from those early months (sometimes late ones...sleep babies, sleep) catches up, but then over the years, you want to remember all of those sweet moments.
Without taking the time to really document your baby, how will you remember... Did she have elbow dimples? Chubby little legs?
Was she the serious baby or the one who belly laughed at everything? Thank goodness our images will help to bring back those moments so you never forget!
Documenting the first year of life is something I am honored to do for families. We celebrate sitting and crawling with a baby session around six months as part of the Watch Me Grow First Year Baby Sessions. The big smiles, new accomplishments and personality pop around this time! This is such a gift you will not only give to yourself now and in the future, but to your babies who will grow up loving seeing themselves in the printed images you have from when they were tiny that show how much you cherished those moments.
Do you know someone who is expecting a little one or are you growing your family? Our Watch Me Grow Baby Plan is the perfect way to help you remember those details about a time that magically flies by before you can blink! Reach out and we can come up with something perfect for your family!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing fine art family portraiture. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. To contact Becky, reach out at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
Jason and I tackled his Senior portraits last summer on Lake Maxinkuckee at the Culver Academies. He wanted to include his Culver Summer Camp First Class Year and regular clothes or civvies, as he was a Senior at Carmel High School. Congratulations, Jason on your graduation and next adventures at Ball State!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing fine art family portraiture. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
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Lake life and family life. Here on Lake Maxinkuckee those go hand in hand. This is a going to be a summer of family with so many camps, including Culver Woodcraft and Upper Camp, cancelled which means everyone can be together at the lake.
Let's choose to celebrate this time of togetherness and have some fun! This summer I will be offering selective dates for very special Family Pier or Boat Portraits to give back to one of my favorite non-profits, Maxinkuckee Adventure Sailing.
Last year, the Maxinkuckee Adventure Sailing Program received 501 (c)(3) non-profit status and was all set to launch another successful year of youth summer camps. With Covid-19 changes required for camps, everything has shifted to July and the need for more boats, UV buffs to serve as masks to keep campers safe and a prior need, a coach boat, have increased the program's budget needs. Let's help fund these needs!
You can choose to fund a need or make any donation to the program and you'll receive a Family Pier Portrait! Each session will take place on a family's pier and I will come by boat to your lake home and photograph your family from the water. If you don't have a lake home and still want a family pier portrait, I have options for you too! I will include a matted 8x10 Fine Art Print with every Family Pier Portrait donation over $295. A percentage from any additional orders from the session will be donated to the program as well.
___ A gift of $390 will provide one need-based scholarship to attend a Maxinkuckee Adventure Sailing Camp
___ A gift of $500 will provide UV Buffs (masks) for all students in the camp for a one week session.
___ A gift of $500 will support one of our instructors with US Sailing Certification.
___ A gift of $1000 provides a life jacket, UV buff (mask) and shirts for all of our instructors
____ A gift of $3500 will buy an O'pen Bic Skiff boat for the program (youth boat)
___ A gift of $5,000 will buy one of three RS Zest sailboats needed (for older youth and adults).
___ A gift of $20,000 will buy a much-needed coach boat
We know there are a few O’pen Bic sailboats around the Lake. If you own one and are no longer using it,
please consider donating it to the program.
All gifts are appreciated. Donate as you wish in any amount.
All gifts are fully tax-deductible donations and can be made out and mailed to:
Maxinkuckee Adventure Sailing, PO Box 351, Culver, IN 46511
I'm also happy to pick up your donation in person or can provide a link to donate with PayPal.
So...are you in?!?
Grab one of these session spots now before they are gone!
Have a question?
Email [email protected]
1) Select Your Background
2) Order Your Package Online
3) Upload A Reference Image
4) Receive Your Fine Art Print in the Mail or Download
*****
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing fine art family portraiture. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
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What is one of the best places to spend summer as a kid? Many adults I know would argue it's also one of the best to be an adult at as well! Yes...it's the Culver Summer Schools & Camps!!! I've been connecting recently with my clients about how they are doing and one theme that has come up over and over, is how we all look forward to summer in Culver. And it's up in the air right now, but we all really, really, really want it to happen. With the future changing daily it seems, we need something to look forward to next week...next month...next year. I invite you to share your Culver Summer Ring pictures with me and be entered in a giveaway for a session to happen in the future at one of your favorite places...Culver. We've all latched on to the #stayhomeforcampsake idea and I promise that I'm doing my part here!
Here are the details on how to enter!
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Since your Culver Academies Senior is now back home with you due to the COVID-19 virus, it means many seniors who were waiting for the beauty of Spring in Culver won't be able to take their Senior Portraits. Normally, I begin Spring Senior Portrait sessions once the weather breaks here in Culver and creating beautiful announcements to share details about where a student is headed for the future to send out to friends and families.
So, how can you do that at home, Mom and Dad? I don't want the class of 2020 to not have this milestone captured to remember forever! Here are a few tips to get you started. If you want posing help, I have a detailed guide I'd be happy to send your way...just send me an email to [email protected]
1) Gather your Culver Uniforms and accessories - Dress A, Varsity Sweater, Saber, Ring, white gloves, an instrument or sports gear, Culver Spirit Gear: All of these pieces help to share your Culver story. Since uniforms didn't come home...grab some Civvies or Recs until you have them again.
Make sure everything is freshly pressed, make sure the name tag is straight if it's appropriate to wear, no fuzz on your uniform - navy blue shows everything and the Varsity sweaters often have pilling. For the girls, make sure you pull up your socks to the same height, blazer is buttoned and collar is straight. Put together an outfit in civvies too which adds variety to your pictures. It's all about the little details! Everything will look much more polished if you take all of that into account while prepping for your portraits...I promise!
2) Posing Ideas and Location: For the guys...use your hat and saber in your portraits to add variety for your Dress A portraits. You can add a lot of variety by doing hat on serious and smile, hat off...serious and smile. Sit, stand, be relaxed, be serious. Focus on details of the uniforms. The Culver Military Academy has so many and each student's is individually theirs by graduation. Change to your varsity sweater and grab your sports gear. For the girls, use your uniform and switch it up to civvies too. Grab a chair...use it as a prop too or a big rock, lean against a railing...there are so many ways to change it up.
It's beginning to be Spring everywhere and trees and flowers are starting to bloom. If you are able to take a walk in a nearby park, go there. Find some beautiful blooms and have them be your background. Use a set of stairs, sit in the middle and have them be the whole background that fills the frame. If there is a pond or a bridge, incorporate that.
3) Time of Day and Camera: Don't use the middle of the day to do your pictures when the sun is brightest. You really want even lighting. Look for shade and have your Senior stand on the edge of the shade so that the light just starts to brighten them. Cloudy days are great and give you a lot of flexibility to go anywhere! Or choose later in the evening to have more even light (early mornings are great too...but my prior experience says to plan for the evening...after they have time to wake up and really get ready).
If you have an iPhone, play with it and use the "Portrait" mode to do your pictures, just be careful, as the lens used for this needs adequate light and no motion to truly capture a great image. Your kiddo probably can give you great tips too on how to use your phone. If you have a DSLR camera...set it on Aperture Priority mode if you're not familiar with Manual mode and play with what you like best. The lower the aperture, the more blur you will get in your background images. I'd recommend f/3.5 to f/4 as a starting point.
If you need help editing or creating an announcement to showcase your Senior, let me know and I'd love to create something custom for you and your family. Please feel free to reach out!
When this is all over and your child can come back to Culver...lets set up a time to really give them a gift they will treasure forever with portraits all over campus to create a gorgeous album they can take with them in life and wall art you will enjoy at home. I am sure Culver has become a big piece of them during the time they have spent here growing into the Senior that makes you so proud. Until then, feel free to send me any portraits you take and would like professionally edited and I can help you even in this time when we can't be together in Culver. I'd love to share portraits from Culver Seniors around the world to celebrate the future! The Culver Academies Class of 2020 has a story to tell and it's only just beginning!!!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing fine art family portraiture. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
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I saw a post today about a photographer, Cara Soulia Photography, who has begun to do quick free family portraits in Boston of people on their front steps (#thefrontstepsproject) and the family donates to a local charity. At first, I thought it could be a great way to help raise the moral of everyone in Culver, Plymouth, South Bend and beyond and also give back to the community. Some people can't do this right now though because they are in a state mandated "stay in place". Then as I started to think through it and use my nurse practitioner brain, I decided I would offer something a little different instead. You stay home with your family, take a selfie for now, then make a donation to a charity that is serving your community in this time of need. Then when it's safe to be socially non-distant, I'll schedule a time to come do a quick five minute family portrait session of you and your family with your front door.
You see, we really all need to just stay home right now to flatten the curve for Covid-19. There really isn't any denying it and I want to do my part. But I also love the idea of capturing families, since that is my favorite type of session! We are all home with family right now, so it's easy to get everyone in for a quick selfie and everyone has a front door. We also need to see our friend's and family's faces on social media, because the connection helps. Thus "The Front Door Selfie" #thefrontdoorselfie was born!
Here's how you participate:
1) Send a selfie of you and your family to me in front of your front door to [email protected] and let me know you're in! It can be from inside your front door or outside...or any door in your home! Also include a receipt from a donation to your charity of choice with a note that says #thefrontdoorselfie
Since I travel all over and will again in the future, even if you're in Rochester, NY; Annapolis, MD; St. Petersburg, FL; Tampa, FL; Chicago, IL and beyond...join on in!
2) Let me know if I have permission to share your selfie and I will!
3) When Covid-19 is not a worry any longer for any of us, I'll reach out and set up a quick session (five minutes!) with you to photograph your family in front of your front door. You'll receive a digital file of your family in front of your front door for taking part in this community movement.
4) Until we meet in person, stay safe and stay well! Please do your part to stop the spread and flatten the curve!!!
My charity of choice (donate what you can)...but you can pick whatever you feel is a best fit for your community:
Marshall County Neighborhood Center Endowment Fund
My photographer colleagues - Want to participate? Please share because we are all better in this world, together!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
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Danielle kept telling me they needed family portraits for their Christmas card. She really wanted to. Life is busy, though and sometimes kids get sick and the weather is yucky and it gets pushed back until we find the perfect day that works. Even if it's in November. Did you know that kids don't seem to care about it being cold outside? And we have fun...because running through the woods and being silly is really what it's all about. That's what they wanted to remember. Life may be crazy with kiddos, but it sure can be so sweet!
And now these kiddos are bigger...because you know what...we blinked. And life is busy. I know you don't want to forget how sweet your days have become with your little people. So don't wait...get in front of my camera soon and lets capture your greatest gifts!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
What do you do when you know your toddler isn't one to hold still, but you really want to have professional portraits done to document his cuteness and that he has officially turned one? Oh...and you and your husband are both Culver alumni?
Holly reached out to me last Spring because she really wanted to capture her little guy, Wells, at one of her favorite places. She explained how he was truly a toddler and the first year was so monumental for her and their little family. He had changed so much during it and she really didn't want to miss making sure they had wall portraits to match his newborn portraits that hung on their walls already.
We planned over the phone for the session...after all, I have three little people and can totally relate to being on their terms! I'm still in the toddler stage with my littlest currently. Going in, we all knew that it was really up to Wells. Being that he absolutely loves to play ball, Holly brought along his little bat and ball which were a huge hit! We ran all over campus and had so much fun!!!
Let me tell you how his little eyes light up for that and his sweet parents who love him to the moon and beyond!
When I did Wells' portrait reveal in the studio a few weeks later, Holly's eyes welled up seeing his images...so I knew I'd definitely captured her little guy perfectly! She decided on several images to be made into canvases for their walls and also picked out her favorite images so that I could design a beautiful gray leather bound custom album from his session. It's just the cutest and it's so him!!
When your parents love the Culver Academies...you may grow up having your portraits taken there every year! At least that is the plan for this family!!! So little guy...here is the first of your many Culver Academies portraits!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find me at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
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When Anna came to me to talk about newborn portraits for her twin baby girls I was so excited for their family!!! These girls were joining a crew of two brothers and a sister and we all knew they'd be very, very, very loved! Anna said when their oldest son was born, they started creating a frame that had nine pictures of him when he was a newborn. Then when their next son came along, they did the same. When their daughter was born, she had professional portraits done of her as a newborn and they joined the wall too. Now with the additional of twin baby girls on the way, she wanted to do it again! Knowing she would have her hands VERY full, it was important to make it as easy as possible. Having everything planned and hung on her walls by someone who offered that option was ideal and it's part of the full service I offer all of my clients.
Anna also wanted to capture a family portrait to hang on the wall of their master bedroom, along with a portrait of her with each of the babies as she'd done in the past. Not only did she want to see her babies on her walls, but she loved the idea of having an album to tell the story to the girls of when they were tiny little babies. I have to admit, creating albums is one of my very favorite requests from sessions!
Even though they live in the South Bend area, Anna and Dave came all the way to Culver with their crew to my studio. I owe a special shout out to Whitney from Whitney Girton Photography for being a huge help with this twin session. Having extra hands always makes things so much easier when there are multiple babies involved. It turns out that Mimi and Claire are identical twins and are just absolutely adorable! They rocked their session...as did their siblings who doted on them for their portraits together and then took off to go have some pizza in town with their Daddy!
These sweet babies sure are adorable in their family's beautiful wall art and album images! The images on their walls are something Anna said she knows they will treasure forever!!
Anna also knew she wanted to make sure she documented their first year and all the changes in their sweet baby girls, so they are coming back for sessions as part of the "Watch Me Grow" baby club...which means you'll be seeing more of these adorable babies!! And let me tell you...their next session "a sitter session" is even cuter!!!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana (about an hour from South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger areas). She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Do you like Facebook? Follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook or is Instagram your thing? Find us at www.instagram.com/BeckyFurry
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So, since I haven't posted this session of these little boys who are now much, much, much bigger...it's the perfect one to kick of my 2020 Throw Back Thursday Posts! My how these babies have grown!
I know they are not babies anymore, but every time I look at them, I see them as the sweet, cuddly fresh brand new babies like their newborn session. I have had the privilege of capturing Tyler and Cameron since birth through my Watch Me Grow tailored sessions.
I can't say enough about how special it is to be part of your little one's first year and then capture them as they grow. It happens so fast and your portraits will be that ticket back to those special memories...take it from me, my mind is pretty much mush after having my littles so their portraits make me smile when I see them! I know how much their Mama values having their portraits hung on her walls (and their Daddy too), because she tells me every session! I've installed a beautiful family wall gallery of canvases and they have framed prints and a holiday canvas from every year. Thank you for trusting me to capture these special moments in time for your family!!!
Here's what their Mama says, "Becky has taken my twin boys pictures since they were newborns and I have never been disappointed. She alas did a family session with 2 year olds, which is not an easy task, but she managed to capture amazing candid and posed pictures."
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Now, many years later, although a grad student (didn't I mention she's amazing already?!?), she still comes back regularly to love on my little ones. And her Mama has adopted our littles as her own too and has made my life so much better. Mr. K and Sam adore them too (Sam maybe won't admit it as much). I can't tell you how grateful I am to have this extra bonus family in our life!!!
I had the opportunity to capture the love and joy of their family in this late summer session. It was a beautiful evening for an even more beautiful family!! After the last few days of warm weather which was a tease (I'll take it though in December), I am looking forward to all of the warm weather sessions in our gorgeous fields next year.
I'm committing to you hearing more from me in 2020. About old sessions, new sessions, products, my family, things to do, adventures and more. I'm trying something different. There...I've said it. Not a resolution, but a commitment. Hold me to it if you don't hear from me please. I've been focused on social media for the studio this past year, but I want to do more here (I'll still be posting there and you can find Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook and Instagram).
My family has grown a LOT (we have three kiddos now), Sail22 keeps me busy as it's grown like crazy and we started our wedding venue in Culver, Lake Max Meadows since I started Always Happy Life Photography in 2011. One thing definitely hasn't changed is how much I love being a part of your family and creating beautiful artwork for your homes! So, I'm here and can't wait to meet you or see many of my clients again in 2020. I'd love to hear from you with updates anytime...just send me an email at [email protected]
Happy New Year!!!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and the South Bend area. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Who needs Holiday cards!?! Just last week I ordered my kiddo's Christmas pajamas and they are super cute! I may have in fact bought two different sets because I couldn't decide. The PJ session was so much fun last year for my little ones and I've had several clients request them for this year. These sessions are perfect to use for holiday cards or just to capture sweet snuggles with your little ones.
Announcing Pajama Party sessions! I'm so thankful for all of my wonderful clients and am so grateful when they share me with their friends and families. These special sessions are only $150 and will be 20 minutes each. As a bonus with your portrait order, your first set of 24 custom designed luxury holiday cards featuring images you purchase are included in these limited edition specials. My gift to you!
Want to book yours now? Send an email to [email protected] or call 574-598-0022
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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I met Wills and his family many years ago and captured him while in his final summer at Woodcraft camp. He sure has changed over the years!!! Wills is now a freshman at Babson College in Boston...and I am sure he's loving it! It's hard not to love Boston!!! Congratulations Wills! I wish you the very best on the next stage of your life journey. I know you will treasure the amazing gift your family has given you with these images in your albums and all of the beautiful framed prints and more you will have to look back on and remember your days at Culver. Here are just a few of the awesome images we captured throughout the year!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>When you say Culver during the summer...all you have to mention is "Woodcraft Camp" or "Upper Camp" to many families (including ours) and they start to tell you how many kids in their family are at camp right now or have gone to camp over the years. It's a family tradition and I can't wait to see my own children have their experience at camp and see them grow through the years. I have to say I'm jealous of my husband, Ed, who went through Upper Camp and I love hearing the stories from his camp days.
Pancho's family is one of those families...it's a tradition. All of his brothers and so many cousins are there with him...having the summer of a lifetime! All of the campers I work with have their own stories and Pancho's is that he was the Culver Woodcraft Drum Major. It's so fun to capture "my campers" in their role, in addition to their formal portraits and tell their story. I know Pancho's family will thoroughly enjoy their beautiful canvases and albums that I created for many years and they will bring back those sweet summer memories for years.
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Another one of my special projects from last summer was working with Griffin who was the Drum Major for Upper Camp. His Mom reached out to me while I happened to be at a parade and I quickly responded about how I loved the idea of capturing Griffin in his role for the summer as well as his Formal Portraits. Griffin is hoping to apply to the Naval Academy and I created an heirloom album and image box for him to use in his interviews. I know this is a gift from his parents he will treasure as the years pass and he thinks back to his days at Upper Camp.
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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I first met Loreto during her very first summer at Woodcraft camp many, many, many years ago. Her Mama reached out to me again this past summer, as it was Loreto's final Gold C year at Woodcraft and she was named Regimental Commander. For those that don't know...that's the highest rank and honor!!! I absolutely LOVED capturing this for her, as I know the album will be an heirloom she will treasure forever, as well as the wall artwork her parents commissioned for her. Loreto's parents wanted to capture her in her element at camp, so that meant Parades and Retreats, a more lifestyle approach to her session versus a formal portrait session.
ALL of my clients loved the idea of having the lifestyle element added to their portrait sessions last summer and so it is now my standard, thus why I only accept a very limited number of Culver Academies Summer School & Camps clients each summer.
And oh yes...we made a video too for her to bring back those camp memories another way forever. Something fresh and new from Always Happy Life Photography!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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In my quest to find a little warmth, I revisited the Hazelwood Family Session.
So much personality,
so much energy,
so much cuteness,
and so much warmer!
It was a perfect summer evening. The sun was setting in all of its golden glory as three amazing kids explored around the woods and played on the farm. The warm sun, kids playing outside, and making family memories … it doesn’t get any more perfect than that.
Just a little wishful thinking and hoping Spring has finally arrived.
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Today is the day!!! Two years ago, these two little blessings decided it was their time to surprise their parents at 32 weeks after keeping their amazing Mama on bed rest for a very LONG time! Tyler and Cameron were tiny little babies when they first came to see me for their newborn session. I've had so much fun having them visit me in the studio throughout the last two years as part of the Always Happy Life Photography Baby Club. Thank you, Mary, for sharing your boys with me. I love how much their two year session shows both of their personalities off so well!
Hey Tyler...do you know how old we are?!?
We're two, we're two, we're two!!!
Tyler has always been so serious...I love how this image captures his sweet side too!
Cameron showing off his pout. I'm sure it's hard to resist! Something was very funny!
So innocent looking...
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children and families. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The Always Happy Life Photography studio has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love for photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>I sure do love to see these three kiddos every summer when they come to visit Culver! It's hard to believe I never ended up blogging their session from last summer...but it's been a bit busy in our household with two babies since the summer of 2014 and thriving businesses! I'm so grateful! So, I'll cut myself a little bit of slack and catch up on sharing their session as we head back from my Mom's and my new Dad's wedding (don't worry, there will be more on that soon too).
My sweet niece, Elizabeth and nephews, Luke and Ben are always so much fun to photograph. We catch up on the new things in their lives and I have some special one on one time with them as we wander around in the country for their portraits. It is the best gift I can give to their family every year and I know they look forward to these sessions (at least their Mama does!) as much as I do! Now...to edit this summer's session we just did!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love for photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love for photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love for photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Click to see the full Woodcraft Retreat Gallery from July 2, 2015
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Remember if you're expecting and want to schedule a newborn session to book early! Newborn sessions are best when your baby is two weeks or less so they are at their sleepiest. After two weeks, they start to show their personalities more and more and it's harder to get the sweet sleepy newborn images!!! :) My calendar fills quickly and I want to make sure I have availability for your little one!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Congratulations to the Culver Academies Class of 2015! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you over the past four years and documenting your growth. These young men and women and are off to great places and will do amazing things! Graduation is such a special day for Culver graduates and a very emotional one at that. I loved capturing your graduation story and hope these images and the full Culver Academies Graduation Gallery tell the story well. Best of luck in all of your endeavors!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Cole is almost one!!! GASP!!! How did that happen so fast?!?! I had a fun opportunity from Nicki's Diaper's to preview their newest diaper and share it. Since Cole is turning one next week, I figured this was a perfect "Almost One" session to do! You can order their adorable new diaper, appropriately named "Nautical Nessie" tomorrow... and should if you cloth diaper or are considering it...they won't last, I'm sure of it!
We have so many Nicki's Diaper's brand cloth diapers for our little guy and we have just loved their pocket diapers. Some people said we were crazy to take on cloth diapers with all the travel we do and the "inconvenience" of using them, but we have found it to be super easy to do. I've even convinced several friends to give it a try and they are also cloth diaper converts. Call me crazy, but honestly, I have trouble justifying throwing that many diapers in a landfill to still be there when my great, great, great, great grand children are walking the earth. It's extra laundry and I do so much of it anyways, that another load or two a week doesn't really matter! Our Nicki's pockets are bulletproof and we use them constantly. Ours have traveled with us everywhere (even out of the country to the Bahamas) and they are great. Just to be clear...I bought this diaper and didn't hesitate when it was offered early sight unseen! When it arrived and I opened the package, there may have been some squealing that it was just so adorable and I couldn't wait to get it on Cole! Nautical Nessie is by far the cutest one we have ordered from Nicki's (we have solids and chevrons in so many colors), but this one is MY FAVORITE!!!
The little guy is at such a fun stage right now and we absolutely adore him. He's super busy, into EVERYTHING and so curious about the world. He's not quite walking, but can stand pretty well and is a super fast crawler! He climbs stairs faster than I thought was possible and he is so proud of himself. I'm looking forward to next week when I'll have Cole back in the studio for his 1 Year Cake Smash session with a special smash cake from Liz at Delizious Bakery. I have a feeling he is going to be an epic cake smasher!!!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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I just couldn't resist sharing one of her sweet six month baby portraits! See how much she's changed?!?!?!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Such a sweet "little guy"...over 9 lbs. of "little"!
Three month portraits...he's such a happy guy!!!
Growing so fast! Can you believe it?
Sweet baby toes! I always make sure to capture fingers and toes throughout the year...
Six months and sitting up! All of the first year milestones are so wonderful to see. Babies are so proud of all of their accomplishments!
So big at 1 year! Don't you think he's just adorable?
So close to walking by himself on his first birthday!
Liz at Delizious Bakery comes through again with an amazing cake!
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I met the Simon Family several years ago when sweet and spirited big sister Ella was around 3 years old. I was so excited to find out from her Mommy, who has now become a dear friend, that she was expecting. Now there would be two adorable little Simon kiddos to photograph. Allison opted to do a maternity session and we planned to do a "First 48" session at Memorial Hospital, as well as newborn and sessions during the first year for Ian's Baby Club portraits. It's so fun to look back now at how he changed throughout the first year! I just love my Baby Club families, as I get to see them so often and really get to know them!
Pre-baby family session with the beautiful Mommy-to-be!
Ian ended up being in the NICU for a few days before coming home, so our First 48 session happened there.
Meeting Ian for the first time. A family of four at last!
Brand new squish in the studio! I just love those cheeks and rolls...
A favorite sibling portrait. It makes me smile every time...
Six months and so big!!!
First birthday!!! Who would have thought he'd be a blonde?!?
Another gorgeous cake from Delizious Bakery!!! They are as tasty as they are beautiful!
Best way to clean up after a cake smash session! Bubbles!!!
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>These are just a few images from Justin's Mini Session we did as a Senior Rep. He's a busy guy...involved in Football, Basketball, Track & Field, Culver Community's Business Professional Association, Culver Alliance Volunteer Services (CAVS) and the Culver Youth Community Organization (CYCO) to name just a few of the things that fill his calendar! Seriously busy...I'm not sure how he does it all. :) We're busy planning his full Senior session and I'm super excited to try out a bunch of his great ideas.
I always ask my Senior Reps for a few favorite quotes and I love that Justin picked this one. It definitely represents his attitude as I've gotten to know him better!
"I do the very best I know how- the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end."
-Abraham Lincoln
How awesome is it that Justin WON his beautiful Culver Community Class Ring?!? We couldn't not get pictures of it too!
Oh...and this is what he sent me after his Senior Mini Session...
"The photo shoot was so much fun! Becky always got me to smile the whole time and
the scenery really made my pictures stand out from others I've seen. She is amazing!"
Awww...thanks so much, Justin! I am excited to have you as an Always Happy Life Photography Senior!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>It's Summer in Culver, which means it's camp time! I've had the pleasure to work with many families who I photographed last Summer for portraits again this year and it's so amazing how much each child matures in just one year!!! This past weekend was Culver's Summer Homecoming and it was a busy one! I have been busy with Upper Camp and Woodcraft Portraits, but also wanted to make sure I made it to the Parade. The kids did such a great job...I couldn't be prouder of them!!! I just love seeing the growth and respect that being part of the Summer program brings to these children. The Homecoming Parade Gallery is up and I've also added the option to purchase prints and digital files directly from this gallery. It was such a great evening and I personally think one of the best parades I have been able to attend.
The Drill Team Marches after performing for the Homecoming Crowd.
Woodcraft Campers at Parade Rest
Woodcraft & Upper Camp Regimental Staff Salute
Culver Upper Camp Regimental Staff
The three masted square rigger, The Ledbetter and a beautiful sunset were a perfect end of the evening's festivities.
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>I had some super cute May babies born who joined the Always Happy Life Photography Baby Club! I can't wait to watch them grow during their first year and see them for their 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and 1 Year Birthday sessions! Kailani was one of my first May babies and she is such a cutie pie! She kept her parents waiting for her arrival for days and days and days past her due date (ahem...10 days that is). And her Mommy in labor for days and days and days (3 maybe 4?), but she's definitely a keeper! She was a very healthy 8 lbs. 12 oz. and sweet as can be! Let me tell you...this baby girl is adored by her parents and extended family. She has some pretty amazing parents who I've had the chance to get to know through the past year. Her daddy, Chad, is a very talented musician (think a beach and guitar kind of guy who can jam out...click the link to hear him) and her mommy, Liz, has recently started a bakery business, Delizious Bakery and makes all of my first birthday smash cakes! Yep, she's a very lucky little girl!!! Here are some of my favorites from her session. I love the very natural and neutral colors with a few little pops of color here and there! To see a few more from her session including her adorable baby turtle image, go check out the blog gallery here.
Little tiny features...peeling hands...a sign she hung out in Mommy a little longer than her due date!
Tucked up little toes...who doesn't love baby feet?
Snuggly and cuddly...and so sweet!
A few more of my classic black and whites! How sweet is Kailani's huge smile? She must have known her session was almost over!!!
Snuggles with her Daddy. So sweet...
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Meet little Pierce...isn't he just absolutely adorable? He was soooo good for his session and he slept almost the entire time! I just love his long eyelashes...he's going to be such a charmer. :) Pierce is the first baby in his family and his Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more excited to welcome him into their lives.
Classic black and white first family newborn portraits are my favorite and something incorporate into every newborn session.
Little babies all snuggled up are just too cute!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
Ahh...summer fun at Lake Maxinkuckee! There really is not a better place to spend time with your family every summer. Yes, I know I'm a bit biased there...but I do think it's true. Meet the Gilley family...another one of my wonderful clients! It's a large family, so we actually ended up doing two sessions a week apart to everyone was in town. :) The first session was at their lake cottage and the second one was at the Culver Academies.
Time at the lake is perfect for hanging out with siblings, cousins, family and friends! Being in Culver and spending time on Lake Maxinkuckee allows kids to be kids and adults to feel like kids. It's good for the soul...
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
As time has gone on in Culver, our town has had some small shop owners retire and close their little stores, so we have room to grow. I personally can't stand looking at covered up windows and while having breakfast one morning at one of our delicious little restaurants, I decided to do something about it. I approached Julie Brooks & Julie Workman, owners of Civvies, an amazing little boutique shop with clothing and accessories and gifts with my idea. They just seemed like they would be the perfect fit.
We decided to team up and give the papered over windows next door to their shop a facelift. A little beautification project for our small town. Something to draw people in, to think about the what ifs, the potential and the possibilities. We scheduled a session at the Always Happy Life Photography studio to show off their summer line and they brought out so many pretty things from Michael Stars, Uncle Frank, Henry & Belle, Two Old Hippies, Miss Margo, Wooden Ships, Black Sheep, M.Rena. The girls did an amazing job modeling and our hope is that these images will hopefully help draw people in to look at the rental space and a new shop will have a home in Culver soon. We'll keep changing them up until it does. The windows will be spiffed up to feature their summer fashions and I'm hoping it spreads a message that we care. We care a lot about our little town. So if you're thinking about what you could do today...why not think about a trip to Culver? It's a great destination and I promise you'll want to come back!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Alex is another of my Class of 2013 Seniors who just graduated from Portage High School this past weekend. Congratulations Alex! He's grown up coming to Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee to visit his grandparents and family all of his life, so he wanted to do his senior pictures at and around the lake. We had hoped it would be nice and green for his Spring session, but Mother Nature had other plans. Luckily it ended up being a nice, yet windy late afternoon. We headed over to the Culver Academies to walk around the campus and find the best spots and then we came back to the Always Happy Life Photography studio for his second location. A nice mix of brick, old buildings, chapel doors, the lake, fields and barns made up the backgrounds for his some great Senior images. All of these spots complimented his casual clothing choices as well and also went with his more formal dressed up suit that he brought along. We definitely had fun! He didn't have a serious look in him and was full of smiles. I think he's happy to be on his way to St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana next Fall where he is going to be playing soccer! I love working with all of my Seniors and hearing about their plans. Best wishes, Alex!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Henry came in to see me in the Always Happy Life Photography studio a few months ago for his newborn session. He has two big brothers who I've watched grow during the past few years, but this session was all about baby Henry. And...he is just adorable!!! I can't wait to watch him grow throughout his first year, as he's part of the Always Happy Life Photography Baby Club! He was very curious about what was going on and tried very hard to stay awake, but I managed to get a few sleepy newborn images....
I just love sweet sleeping babies...
xoxo - {Becky}
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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Abbe's sister, Alle, joined in for the session too. They are both such gorgeous young women!
I'd say Caleb is a pretty lucky guy to have both of these young ladies as his friends!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>It's that time of the year when the Class of 2013 Seniors are all starting to graduate! Can you believe how fast the year flies by?!? I can't!!! I thoroughly enjoy working with Seniors and having fun getting to know them more as we plan their personal sessions. I'm already starting to work with the Class of 2014 and book their sessions for this summer. It's such an exciting time in a young person's life as they finish up the last year in school and get ready to start their next adventure!
Meet Michael, he's a Homestead High School Senior from Fort Wayne who has grown up spending his summers at Lake Maxinkuckee. There's just something so special about spending time at the lake. As I've known Michael for over 5 years, it's been wonderful to watch him grow up and become a wonderful young man. Last summer, before heading back to school, I did his Senior portraits here in Culver, since it's one of his very favorite places to spend time with friends and family. We headed out and walked around looking for spots and having fun. He always has a huge smile on his face and is a super laid back guy. He is off to Indiana University next year in Bloomington and my husband, Ed, couldn't approve more of his choice! Congratulations Michael!!!! I'm looking forward to celebrating your graduation and success in the next few weeks!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>One of the best things about coming to visit Lake Maxinkuckee is all of the memories created at the lake! It's hard to believe it's almost Memorial Day and summer will once again be here. It's the perfect time of the year to start thinking about planning for summer family portraits with the lake in the background, beautiful pops of color from the green grass, blue skies and flowers in bloom. I'm ready for all the upcoming Summer family portraits. Don't wait to book your session, as my calendar fills up very quickly!
The Elsey Family was visiting from Atlanta, Georgia over the summer and asked me to capture their gorgeous family. I am a bit biased and they are one of my favorites! They just happen to have some of the cutest kids (ie. my niece and two of my nephews) and once a year I do a family session with them. I'm already looking forward to their visit in July!
Their family session was at the Culver Academies on a gorgeous summer evening. We started by the lake for some water and beach family portraits and then headed over to the chapel to capture them by the always beautiful doors. One of my favorite spots!
A little bit of tickling and a few funny words always lead to some great smiles from the littlest members of the family, Ben & Luke. Big Sister, Elizabeth, is a sweetheart and such a helper with her younger brothers.
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>The Watson family had one of the most beautiful evenings for their family session. Summer days...oh how I long for you again...when you stay light until almost 10pm! The days are getting longer now...which means Spring is coming. I just wish they would hurry up and be here already! :) Anne & Phil have such a beautiful family of young ladies and I was so fortunate to meet them and completely hit it off with the entire family. I love when my clients become fast friends!
We scheduled their family portraits and went to one of my very favorite locations is nearby the studio. An old white barn, fields, fences, brick...so picturesque and then add in a gorgeous family! Here are some of the favorites. Please leave them a comment to tell them you loved their images!
Anne wanted to capture each of the girls' personalities and create a family wall. She sent pictures of her space ahead of time and the frames she had chosen. The goal was for the wall to have sepia toned portraits of each daughter and the family together. More images were planned for another room with large gallery wrapped canvas. They came out gorgeous...I'll share the finished products with you in another blog soon. Working with each of my clients in a pre-session consultation really helps me visualize what the goals are for their portrait session. It also helps me to figure out if we are a good "fit" and so that you know, I am here to help you as much as possible! Here are the girls' portraits which were all finished with square frames for the family wall. L-O-V-E!!!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>Have I mentioned that working with newborn babies is one of my favorite things to do? What better way to break in the new studio then with a sweet baby girl who came to visit!?! Meet Baby Girl Lila! The studio was still in the midst of renovations, but luckily Lila's Mommy was super understanding and has a vision for remodeling! I was able to test out all of the beautiful natural light in the studio loft and it was a dream to work with...as was Miss Lila. She's been back since our first session and seen all of the progress and you'll see more of her cuteness on the blog in the future, as she's part of my Baby Club. I can't wait to share more of these little ones as they grow during their first year and beyond!
Seriously adorable...
Look at those cheeks! I just loved all of her hair too!
Adorable eye lashes...tiny nose...sleepy baby...
Mommy brought along her pink blankie and I had a cute headband to match perfectly!
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>One of the best things about Senior Portraits with students from the Culver Academies is how diverse their lives are, yet how bonded they are due to the amazing boarding school they attend which offers so many opportunities. Because of the many activities they are involved in, having two senior portrait sessions (or more) really captures their personalities!
Patience and I met this past Summer for her "fun" portrait session at the Always Happy Life Photography studio. She brought her street clothes (aka civvies) for her first session and then in the Fall, we did her "formal" session once the leaves had changed and she was back at the Culver Girls Academy.
This young lady is going places! She is an absolute sweetheart...and extremely talented too! For her summer session, she brought along a small crowd of family and friends to make her smile and be an audience while she strummed her guitar and sang. My favorite image from that session is Patience sitting in the field of wild flowers and playing her guitar. So natural...
Here are a few images from her summer session with our rustic barns, vintage cars and gorgeous trees.
Patience's dad liked this image of her with her guitar and our 1963 Mini Cooper S that he had it made into a large gallery wrapped canvas. It was the perfect fit for his music room where he has a bunch of his favorite musician photographs hanging in classic black and white. I love prints on canvas and was so excited to hand this one over to her when they picked up their order. It looked so stunning in black and white!
We scheduled her Fall session several times...but had to reschedule due to the weather not cooperating. Wind and rain made it difficult and we had to cancel twice. Finally, everything aligned with her busy class and sport schedule, along with the most perfect warm Fall day for her formal senior portraits. Patience wanted some images in her Culver uniform with her blazer, but also some in her cheerleading uniform and as we walked about the Culver campus, we visited some of my favorite spots and found some new ones too. Enjoy a few of the images from Patience's Fall formal portrait session on the gorgeous Culver Academies campus...
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Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
]]>So, without further adieu I'll give you a photo tour and explanation of how and why we went about renovating the barn (formally an old corn crib and lean-to) into a rustic modern "I can't help but smile whenever I walk into it and I hope you do too" amazing space.
When we started way back the barn looked like this: Yes...it's true. Should have been a tear down, right? You don't need to say more. However, there is character in it and potential...you just have to squint hard and you'll see it. And we like character, potential and a bit of a challenge around here. Especially when something has stood on our property since approximately 1916! It was originally a corn crib and also served as storage for a school bus, hence why the barn has been known as "The Bus Barn" for years. It definitely deserved a chance...
But now, in all of her glory (and a little bit of snow)...it looks like this:
Back in April, the old barn wood was removed from another local barn (thank you, thank you, thank you!) and a trailer full of barn wood was brought back to prep for the inside walls. Since the walls were insulated by Eco Comfort with Icyene spray foam (amazing stuff), we needed to put up new inner walls. Everything was power washed to remove dirt and grime, but only lightly so that the old paint stayed adheared to the wood for texture. All of the wood was faded barn red when it came off the barn. We only ended up with enough barn wood for two walls, so we chose the large West wall and the North wall of the barn and everything else was dry walled with fresh new walls.
Next up was painting and painting and painting some more! As there was already concrete in the barn, we protected it with drop cloths and cardboard so that later in the remodel, we'd be able to stain it. Definitely important and I wish we done a better job at it, as we spent a lot of time scraping little bits of paint when the time came to do the floor. Luckily, we were able to borrow a professional paint sprayer and the scaffolding was still up from putting up the walls. It made the job so much easier. Everything was primed with Kilz primer once (the drywall really soaked it up) and then I painted two coats of paint on all of the walls. Back rolling the walls is essential if you are spraying and it's really nice to have an extra set of hands around to do this. Also important...wear a mask, goggles, hat and old clothes. Everything will be covered in tiny paint speckles! The white walls really made the space feel bright and airy and the texture of the old paint under the bright white really gave it the rustic feel. There are even little vines left in the boards...which I love. I did opt to leave a section of the original red barn wood on the front wall of the loft and we used natural rough hewn barn wood boards for trim around the stairs, on the ceiling and the South lower wall around the front door. Some of it is even original wood from doors to the barn that weren't used in the renovation.
The ceiling went up next in the main room and we were again able to salvage old barn materials to upcycle them into the studio and give them a new life. Dana's Dad offered his metal barn siding and we took him up on it. Couldn't have found anything better new, I guarantee it! There is still a small section of the original red barn wood where the ceiling and loft join to give tribute to what the barn wood was like when we started. I love the little pop of red too. Lots of character in the studio, especially with the metal star light we found that hangs in the middle of the studio. It is one of my favorite features that we purchased while visiting San Diego from the tinsmith shop in Old Town.
The concrete floor was laid several years before we decided what the barn was to become and was natural. It had some stains, but overall was in great shape. The spray foam insulation did leave some staining and there was some paint splatters from painting the walls, which meant several hours of scraping and cleaning of the floors. We stained and sealed the floors ourselves and overall it was an easy project. We only opted for one coat of stain, as I liked the unevenness of it after the first coat and was afraid it would be too dark if we added a second coat. We then sealed the floor with a silicon sealer and did two coats of this. Any water that hits it beads up instantly, which is exactly what we wanted!
When the loft was added on to the barn initially in 2010, Ed's Dad built a small ladder similar to what would be on a ship to go up to the loft. After trying to figure out ways we could use it, we decided it needed to be replaced and a full set of stairs put in. A bit of a challenge, as we needed to reverse the direction, but we wanted them to be safe for families, kids and even our chocolate lab, Harry, who couldn't manage the other ones. To keep them rustic, yet also give a little nautical flair, we opted for galvanized cleats and vintage New England Ropes three strand line to complete the banister. Can't get enough of them...can you?
Due to the very tall loft and the lower ceiling in the main room, a large fan was a must to circulate the warmer air that collects on the second floor. We also decided to leave open the small crawl space above the main room for prop storage. I have little chairs, an apple crate, baskets, an antique pedal car, sled, etc all off safely stored up high and easily accessible. To keep the rustic look, for the heating and air conditioning vents, we opted to go with round vents with holes...a very simple and affordable option. The ducts shoot into both sides of the barn to keep the studio and office spaces comfortable. Due to the spray foam insulation, the building is easily heated and cooled quickly. Ed's Dad built some beautiful new barn doors to separate the studio and office sides as well.
The space that separates the studio side from the office side is a small kitchenette. I restored an old workbench we found and that works as counter space and storage in there. We'll be adding barn wood shelves above it to store bright white dishes and some glasses. The walls are painted gray to tie in the galvanized look from the ceiling of the main room and this is where the barn doors into the office side are. Ed's dad built them out of rough hewn boards and they fit perfectly. We had intended to save the old concrete floor, but discovered it wouldn't be possible, so wood floors to match the loft are planned to be installed.
The upstairs loft was originally going to be my office space, so that I could have a perfect location for editing, however after discovering how wonderful the natural light is up there, I opted to keep it for natural light space. The huge South window upstairs is perfect for newborn baby portraits! To complement the space, dark chocolate wood floors were installed and a custom built cabinet was made for the top of the stairs with bookcases and drawers for prop storage. After primer and I believe three coats of paint, there were ready for storage of the sweet newborn hats, blankets, fabrics, etc I use for baby portraits. I also converted an old dresser into an adorable shabby chic changing table for the babies too. The loft overlooks the main studio and carries through some of the custom sailing and architectural rigging my husband, Ed, does for Sail22. We had used wire rigging for our deck and at that time made additional custom posts for the loft. Ed used very strong line, known as dyneema, instead of wire for this railing. Super strong, adjustable and also allows us to take it down if we need to move anything large upstairs that can't fit up the stairs.
The main studio room has a great space for client meetings with a couch, chairs and coffee table I use as display space. It's the first thing you see in the main room when you enter. Of course, all of the pieces there are used as props for sessions too! And when extra family come along for a session, they also have a space to sit. There was an original barn door we had saved from the barn before that was in great shape before the renovation began and it now is hung on the wall. It's a great focal point and backdrop, but also functions to slide on barn track and block off the window on the wall to keep light out when I am shooting with studio lighting. The barn track also allows me to hang drops too. I'm all about multi-purpose uses!
We made a ton of progress in 2012 and there will be more throughout 2013! If you want to see more images of the barn remodel, please go to the Studio Renovation gallery, there were too many to post here. It's great to have such a wonderful studio space to share with my clients and I look forward to many, many, many sessions in the Always Happy Life Old Barn Studio! I hope you like how the progress and will plan to come by soon for a visit! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of how it came out!
*****
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies. Contact Becky at 574-598-0022 or [email protected] for a personal consultation for your portrait needs. Please follow Always Happy Life Photography on Facebook as well!
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It may be close to the end of the year, but I have been thinking about all of my wonderful Culver Academies Summer Camp families I worked with this past summer. I hope many of them decide to return again for next year and we'll have another opportunity to explore the beautiful campus together while I capture these great kids in their element at summer camp for their "formal portraits". We had fun and it shows...even if they were secretly thinking "ugh...do we have to do pictures?" when I first started the session. In the end, there were smiles, laughs and a great connection. I know when they return next year, we'll have even more fun! Many of them are featured on the Culver Academies special section of Always Happy Life Photography
For those who are unfamiliar with Culver Summer Schools & Camps, take a moment and watch this video:
Culver Summer Schools & Camps Overview from Culver Academies on Vimeo.
Now...don't you wish you could go too? I have to say, I wish my family had sent me as a child and I'm very grateful that my husband's family sent him so that I know all about the lifetime impact it leaves on young minds.
My goal with formal portrait was to ask each and every camper what they loved the most about being at camp and then capture that for them to remember forever. Each camper's adventure started with a golf cart ride to as many favorite places they had on the campus and also some of mine. I love seeing the world through children's eyes and hearing the stories they have to tell about what they love (so many things!) and hate (I believe the top answer was marching) about being at camp at Culver. To me, one of the coolest experiences of being part of camp at Culver is that the kids meet kids from all over the world...and I did too, along with many of their families! The campers I worked with this year were from many different states in the US, as well as, Mexico (largest country represented in total at camp), Honduras, Jordan, Germany, Peru and Guatemala. Once again, how cool is that? Another cool thing is many of them come with siblings, cousins and friends...and they leave with so many more friends and memories after the short six weeks of camp.
So, as the year comes to a close, I especially want to thank the Culver Academies for all of the amazing kids and families I have had a chance to work with in 2012! I am so grateful that you have touched my life and wish you all of the best in 2013. I am looking forward to seeing my returning campers and meeting more campers in the 2013 Summer. I can't wait to hear all of their stories and capture their love of camp with images that bring back fond memories for years and years to come!
*****
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies.
]]>Wow!!! What a busy, busy, busy, busy summer I had! Now that the leaves have started changing and things are settling down a teeny tiny bit before the holiday craziness starts, I have a little time to update the blog and add some past sessions to Facebook for families to share. Bear with me! I always want to make sure my clients have their images and orders first, before I take time to work on the blog. I think that is appreciated! :)
This cutie patootie came to visit me and check out our great barns here at Always Happy Life Photography. They are such the perfect back drop for portrait sessions. He played, he ran and he rocked! And he was B-U-S-Y!!!! What little man isn't at 15 months? So fun!
His Daddy is a fireman too...and his Mommy brought along his very own little guy sized fireman's outfit. So adorable, don't you think?
He event got to test drive my new car! I'm so glad his Mommy brought him to see me for some special one on one time! I definitely love having the littlest ones at the studio!
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana. She specializes in capturing custom lifestyle portrait sessions with moms to be, newborns, babies, children, families & high school seniors. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies.
]]>This one is my favorite! So glad she ordered a large print of this image. It's gorgeous!
I love the old brick in the background. Another one of my favorites!
Fields and gorgeous light...so pretty!
Isn't she beautiful?
It's always good to have a little fun with sessions!
Barns are one of my favorite backgrounds. Luckily, there are so many beautiful ones in our area!
Thanks MaKennon for letting me do your Senior pictures! It was great to work with you!
{Becky}
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom lifestyle portrait sessions. She is available for sessions in the Michiana area, Central Indiana and nationally. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She loves how Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Always Happy Life Photography is an authorized photographer for the Culver Academies. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies.
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A beautiful evening to walk through the Always Happy Life Photography fields!
Black and white family portraits...always classic!
Sisters!
Beautiful evening light for their family portrait in the fields!
Siblings
Now leave them some comments to let them know that you love their images!
{Becky}
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom lifestyle portrait sessions. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Always Happy Life Photography is an authorized photographer for the Culver Academies. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies.
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Fathers are very important. We are reminded of this as we celebrate Father’s Day this time every year. Tomorrow is no different. For those of us who are fortunate to have a loving father figure in our lives, it is a happy time. For children who are growing up without one, it is a painful and discouraging reminder of the crucial influence that is missing in their lives. Luckily, there are ways to help these children benefit from having male role models in their lives. Yes, YOU can be that person...even if you've never been a Dad!
While nothing can replace a father’s love, a positive role model can be a teacher, confidant, example and friend to a child whose father is no longer present in their lives. There are many mentor organizations that coordinate volunteers with children and youth in need of a positive role model. Of these, Big Brothers and Big Sisters is one of my favorites.
Many of us have heard of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. For over 100 years, they have been working to coordinate adult volunteers (“Bigs”) with children (“Littles”), ages six through 18 in communities across the country. Mentors work with parents to instill quality values in underprivileged children. Participants are encouraged to foster higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships and educational success, while avoiding risky behaviors.
National research has shown that positive relationships between Littles and their Bigs have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives. By participating in these mentor programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are:
More confident in their schoolwork performance
Able to get along better with their families
46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
52% less likely to skip school
All of these things are huge in the life of any child! We are very lucky to have an active Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization as part of our Culver community. Hopefully, you had a chance to attend the annual fundraiser on Friday evening at the Culver Academies. Always something special for the attendees and a great way to support a wonderful organization.
If you want to be a part of the important work that the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization and volunteers are doing, visit their website at: www.bbbs.org There you can enroll a child who would benefit from a mentor, volunteer as a mentor yourself, or donate to this amazing organization.
Always Happy Life Photography wishes all of the Father's and Father figures out there a wonderful Father's Day tomorrow!
]]>Yesterday was the graduation for the Class of 2012 from the Culver Academies, Culver Military Academy and the Culver Girls Academy. What a beautiful day filled with so many traditions and emotions! Both schools have a long history which was very obvious to all who were in attendance through out the weekend. The full slideshow and gallery from graduation can be found on my Culver Academies page. The images tell the story, but I've added in a few explanations for my reader who may not be familiar with all of the traditions.
The morning started with the girls walking to the chapel for their class photos. As is tradition, all of the girls were dressed in long white dresses and looked beautiful! They received their flower bouquets to carry through the ceremony after their photo. Each girl's flowers were chosen by them, so there were many varieties.
During the girls early morning festivities, the boys had their own traditions they began the morning with. The Final Farewell by the 1st Classmen to the lower classes occurs prior to the boys lining up for their Final Formation. Very emotional for all and I heard from multiple students how tough it was for them to do. I think the images tell it well. My husband, Ed, captured these moments while I was with the girls.
The festivities continued with the color guard, marching band and girls proceeding onto the field in front of all of their family and friends, soon joined by the boys. Mr. John Buxton, Head of Schools, gave a great commencement address to his students. It sounds like this class was a great one!
The girls received their diploma and then walked through the CGA arch. The boys did the same following the girls, but instead they stepped through the Culver gate. Very emotional for all. The smiles on the other side were wonderful to see and from my vantage point when the boys came through the gate and then headed for their seat, I was able to capture the initial emotions.
The girls passed the Culver Girls Academy Register and the boys passed the rank on to the Class of 2014, another important Culver tradition.
Closing and dismissal...and hats flying, tears rolling and hugs all around. I too, had trouble holding back the tears of joy for these kids. Thank you for being part of our community. We send you on your way and know you will do amazing things in your future. Congratulations!
{Becky}
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom lifestyle portrait sessions. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Always Happy Life Photography is an authorized photographer for the Culver Academies. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies.
]]>Are you planning to have your family's portrait taken soon? Excellent!!! Did you know there are some do and don't guidelines for what to wear? Here are a few tips to help create a timeless family portrait that you will treasure for years to come. I promise, this will help you to not have images like some of the ones seen on "Awkward Family Photos"!!! If you need help with planning your clothing for your session, I'm happy to help. Also, please feel free to bring a few different clothing options with you to your session and we can pick and choose what works the best!
What to Wear for Your Family Portrait Session:
Tip #1: Discuss the family portrait together with the entire group. Your family portrait should convey a sense of your family's personality. Talk about possible color schemes, settings and poses. Feel free to discuss these with me too prior to your session. I want you to {LOVE} your images.
Tip #2: Choose clothing that fits with the setting of the portrait. If you are having your portrait taken on the beach, summer clothing is appropriate. Make sure to dress for the weather. Layers are great, because then you have additional looks easily and they add depth to your images.
Tip #3: Coordinate colors. Everyone in the family portrait should wear colors that meld well together. Some families choose to match their colors exactly. While this is not necessary, you do need to ensure that all the clothing colors complement each other.
Tip #4: Avoid different shades of the same color. If one person is wearing a bright red shirt, you don't want another person wearing a light red shirt. Reds are tough. It will just look like you attempted to match but didn't quite succeed. Remember to try and keep them in the same family of colors.
Tip #5: Choose neutral or muted color tones. Bright colors tend to draw the eye away from the subjects. Black, white, off-white all look classic and are great bases to work with and add fun pops of color with accessories.
Tip #6: Coordinate the style of clothing as well. Everyone should be dressed in a similar style, such as formal or casual. Don't be afraid to add in accessories, such as scarves, necklaces, fun ties, etc. to match your style.
Tip #7: Wear solids. Avoid stripes, plaids, big logos and bold patterns (big flowery is a no-no), as they will draw attention away from the faces in the photo. You want the main focus to be on your family, not your clothes.
Tip #8: Pick clothing that fits nicely. It should be neither too tight nor too loose. The clothes should hang on the bodies well, without folding or creasing. Make sure clothes aren't too wrinkled.
Tip #9: Consider clothing that covers the knees and elbows. These areas don't photograph as well as the rest of the body so it may be wise to choose clothing that covers them.
Tip #10: Avoid trendy styles. Basic classics are better clothing choices for your portrait. Remember to have layers though if possible! Trends pass and you want your family portrait to be timeless. Jeans are classic and are great for for casual or dressy portraits and look great with simple colors and fun accents too!
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom lifestyle portrait sessions. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies.
]]>This is how Baby Monsters are delivered! :)
Look at his light blonde hair! Takes after his Mommy!
Look at those perfect little lips!
Becky Furry, owner of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom lifestyle portrait sessions. Becky is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and also is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Client portrait sessions are on location using natural light or in the Always Happy Life Photography studio which has a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and is close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academies.
]]>It's hard to believe that this old barn is now the future studio of Always Happy Life Photography isn't it? It looked pretty tired when Ed bought our farm in 2007...but now the barn has had a bit of a facelift. It's looking pretty good now, don't you think?
Special thanks to Ed's Dad, Bill Furry, for his vision to convert the old barn into something we would love instead of knocking it down a few years ago. What was an eye sore before, makes me smile now every time I see it. :) It's coming along beautifully and the outside looks great!
Late last Fall, we had Randy and his team from Eco-Comfort come back to spray foam the studio with Icyenene insulation. They did our foundation on our farm house built in 1873 and also our Sail22 Speed Barn earlier in the fall. Amazing stuff! We opted to go this route with the studio because even though old barn wood the outer walls were now covered in galvanized aluminum and new windows were installed, there were still many cracks and crevices. Every thing is sealed up nice and tight now in the future studio!
The plan for the inside is to preserve the character that we have an old barn underneath. What better way to do it, then to put up old barn wood walls from another barn that is falling down? Dana's Dad recommended a friend of the family's barn that had caved in on one side and we made a trip to ask permission to use the wood. I am so grateful to them for saying yes! Here is the barn that the inside walls will be made from:
Bill Becker and Dana's Dad (also Bill) went over to start pulling it off last week. I'm super grateful to both of them for their help on this project. It's going to be a lot of work, but so worth it! The plan is to power wash all of the wood and then everything will be painted white for the walls inside. The ceiling will be a metal ceiling as well, similar to the outside, but if we can find old barn metal to recycle, that's what we'll be using. We're all for repurposing...and it looks cool too!
I'm hoping that now that Spring has arrived and we can work on it more often that the Studio Grand Opening will be mid-summer! I'll post more details as we get farther along. :)
]]>A few weeks ago, I made a stop in Brooklyn, New York for this adorable little baby girl’s newborn portrait session. Since Adina decided to arrive a month early…we decided to do a two month brand new session for this little sweetie. You may remember her Mom’s maternity session from this summer and her Mom’s guest blog about her pregnancy photos here too. I still consider six weeks to be a Newborn session, since sometimes there are reasons that a new family is not able to have their baby’s portraits in the first ten days. I can make it work though!
So sweet sleeping in a tutu!
Little Adina was wonderful for her newborn session. What was even more special about our time was that her Umi (Grandma) in Fairport, New York was watching through a video chat while I worked. Definitely a special experience for all of us and I love how we were able to make it even better with Umi involved.
She was very into being an awake baby for her session and was listening to everything I had to say.
Adina’s Umi made this adorable strawberry hat. I need to get one!
She’s a lucky little girl to live in a very beautiful Brooklyn apartment with some wonderful natural light! I’m already looking forward to her upcoming sessions when I have a chance to visit New York City again in the future!
Sleeping soundly. My favorite baby session shots. Look at those sweet lips and eyelashes!
Becky Furry of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom portrait sessions. She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates both her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Client sessions are on location or in the studio with a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academy.
]]>We’re starting the year off right at Always Happy Life Photography with giving back to the local community. One of the original goals of Always Happy Life was to be part of charitable organizations, so naturally, this made sense to tie Always Happy Life Photography in with giving back as well.
For the month of February, I’ve chosen to donate to tonight’s Tri Kappa Plymouth, Indiana annual “Ladies Night Out” fundraiser which is this evening. Money raised from tonight supports donations to several great causes including Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Ounce of Prevention, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. They also help supplement Operation Quiet Comfort, Plymouth Community Orchestra, Earthworks Camp Scholarships, Newspapers in Education, the Marshall County Historical Society and Encore Preforming Arts. On top of these great causes, Tri Kappa has scholarships for local high school senior, which is near and dear to my heart, since I benefited from many during my college years. There are many local businesses involved in this event and I’m sorry to say I won’t be able to attend this year!
Dana set up this morning and it looks like they have lots of great prizes!
In January, I made a donation to the Rob Reinhold Benefit. I met Rhonda in December for my Christmas in Culver Mini Sessions and learned a little bit about their story. When Dawn from Culver Coffee Company approached me about donating to the benefit she and her husband, Larry were organizing, there wasn’t a question in my mind. Our small Culver community raised over $32,000 to help fund the medical needs of the Reinhold family. Absolutely wonderful!!!
New business cards and a few studio display pieces that have recently arrived.
I’ll be planning more charitable fundraising donations and events this year and look forward to giving back to the Culver, Indiana and surrounding communities as much as possible.
Becky Furry of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom portrait sessions. She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates both her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Client sessions are on location or in the studio with a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academy.
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Sweet Daddy & Newborn Son
Safe & Sound
So tired! I think I finally wore him out! He’s the little guy…but he’s very feisty!!!
Asleep in Dad’s Arms
Lots of Love for these little guys!
If you haven’t had a chance yet and you use Facebook, please go “like” Always Happy Life Photography. For further details, please go to the website, Always Happy Life Photography. Spring is a busy time for me and I’m booking sessions for this Spring at home in Indiana, as well as in and around Atlanta, Georgia; Miami, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida, Annapolis, Maryland and the Washington, DC area. Schedule today for best availability! Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or by phone at 574-598-0022.
Becky Furry of Always Happy Life Photography is based in Culver, Indiana and travels throughout the Midwest and East Coast for custom portrait sessions. She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and loves that Always Happy Life Photography incorporates both her love of children & their families with her love of photography. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children, senior and family photography. Client sessions are on location or in the studio with a background of beautiful old barns, sprawling green fields and close to Lake Maxinkuckee and the gorgeous Culver Academy.
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A preview of their adorable Christmas Card!
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We started out at their home, playing in the yard and also spent some time making sure their doggies made it into their family portrait. Being a pet lover, I really enjoy having families want to include their pets into their portraits. Their two dogs even cooperated. Such a cute family!
Let me tell you, little K has some very fun parents and you can tell she brings lots of smiles, joy and laughs into their daily life. They said she’s never really crabby and I believe it. Very smiley, inquisitive and easy going is how I’d describe her. And…she loves banana puffs. So glad I stocked up on those before their session!
This one is a favorite of mine. We were walking to the beach and baby K saw her shadow. I couldn’t help but capture it and I’m so glad I did!
I LOVED her adorable little girl shoes! How much more adorable can you get, really?
Another favorite of mine. Sweet tiny hands.
Thanks C Family for spending the afternoon with me and letting me document your world forever with your sweet little girl. I can’t wait to watch her grow and see all of the joy she brings you in your life!
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