Charity Remington Photography

“when you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. a mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”

-sophia loren

yes…..i’m a mother. i’m a mother of three beautiful angels. i say that because they are truly from God.

i remember a phrase from the movie “where the heart is.” when natalie portman’s character held her newborn baby for the first time and said: “how can you love someone so much that you just met?”

that is the pivotal moment when a women’s life changes and her world makes a complete 180 towards her life as a mother. after having experiencing this “love at first site”, i have to say…..the most beautiful {3} moments of my life!!

{20 years old and 5 months pregnant with my very first child…hunter}

i have been a mother for 10 years now. i have been through many trials and circumstances over the course of this time {and i know there are still more to come}. it is only by God’s grace that i am able to overcome. the Lord’s Word speaks of a virtuous women in the book of Proverbs:

“a virtuous woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. she nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go.”

and as a mother, i pray i live by these words and by the example that has been nurturing me from the moment i was born….my own beautiful and virtuous mother!!

{my mother….marlinda cregan. photo taken after her wedding to my pa}

{my mother and me at my first trip to sea world}

{my mother and me at my first trip to the san diego zoo}

i don’t even know where to begin when it comes to my mother. without a doubt, the most pure and virtuous women i have ever known. i know everyone has heard at least one women in her life say: “i hope to be at least half the women my mother was”…….i now know the meaning of those words. my mother was strong and patient when it came to us children {3 children all together}. and now being a mother, a mentor, and a provider to my 3 beautiful children and facing my everyday with possible uncertainties; all i have to say to my mother……i love you, i’m sorry, thank you, and you where {and still are} the best!!!

{my mother…the loveliest bride ever and my beautiful grandma….another pure and virtuous mother}

on this mother’s day 2012…i want to salute the lovely mother’s in our  lives that makes us the parents we are today. the examples, the mentors, and the women who have daily lifted  up their children in prayer.

pictured above with my mother on her wedding day is my grandma DeDios

{my ever so gorgeous grandma…..kathryn cregan}

{my lovely mother-in law…..brenda remington}

i would like to this moment to say a very happy mother’s day to a wonderful mother in law. mother to my wonderful husband, and wonderful grandmother to our children…brenda remington

thank you and we love you!!

{my mother in law and my wonderful husband}

{my mother in law with the kids….grandma remington}

thank you to all the mothers in my life. let’s face it, without you…..i wouldn’t be here

but even though i have been called to be a mother to my 3 children, i have to say that there is no way i could be a complete mother without the support from my husband. the book of 1Peter says:

“likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

i have seen this in my husband and the Lord couldn’t have brought me a more honorable and supportive man

{our wedding day}

{my parents}

{my in laws}

all together ….it is love that binds us:

“you don’t choose your family. they are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”

-desmund tutu

i praise God each morning for giving me the job of being a mother and pray each night {just as my mother did and still does for me} for guidance and wisdom to be instilled into my children’s lives. i can see life no other way and would not want anything less when it comes to being a mother

“if you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been.”

 -robert brault

to all mothers: happy mother’s day!!!!!

“all that i am or ever hope to be, i owe to my angel mother.”

-abraham lincoln

what inspired me today?  ”a salute to our kids”

1. for little him

2. for little her

3. my fabulous mother holding my new born daughter “claire bear”

4. moose rides for free

5. colorful kicks

6. handheld story time

7. all moms are fabulous

8. they will smile every time they here “say cheese“

9. “claire bear” at 8 years old…..my lovely lovely daughter

what inspired me today?  ”springtime”

1. soft sight

2. countryside getaway in pink

3. never to early on a spring day

4. “wait mr. sun…….it’s not summer yet“

5. before we tote it, let’s go vintage

6. baby horses. that’s when you know it’s spring

7. step out

8. bloom

9. colors for the mr.

10. spring in your step

“the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”

-eleanor roosevelt

what inspired me today?  ”purple”

1. purple haze

2. just add a little glitter….or maybe feathers

3. candy?

4. because all girls need a purple one as well

5. get lost

6. “it’s not too much is it?” -marie antoinette

7. bold

8. love the color your in

9. good quality is noticeable

10. see the world though “purple” colored glasses

what inspired me today?  ”an alfresco fete”

1. by the sea? indeed!!

2. sometimes you have to start with a colorful salad

3. have it imported…the real french bread

4. yellow is neutral

5. pink is also fun….so decorate!!

6. compact kitchen

7. occasional dressing

8. fancy help

9. eating is fun

10. welcome your guest comfortably

11. cheers

every now and then i like to look back on how things first began for me as a photographer. this time i went back the furthest into those beginning years….i was a photographer working with a modeling agency and doing ads for numerous companies. for this shoot we where advertising for a dress store and consignment shop during prom season. i always had a blast doing styled sessions like these. a time to play dress up, run around the city, and have lots of fun. i think valerie was perfect for this session…..i seriously can’t believe i’ve been doing this for 7 years. fun, fun, fun!!!

i have been traveling a whole lot this year….and there is still more traveling to come.  i have yet to swallow my pride and purchase a nook or kindle, i am still a book hog. one thing i can’t do on a plane is edit or stare at a computer, instead i look to my books. flying is actually something i look forward to, with it being a definite time to myself. i try to bring books, magazines, and literature that i know i will enjoy and also learn from. this year is super exciting for me…2 amazing photography books recently came out. with my upcoming change from digital to film, these books came at the perfect time. along with other inspiring reads, i’m ready to cloud my mind with information and inspiration!!!

1. my “steve madden bag” is the only thing large enough to accomodate my book world

2. “nicholas and alexandra” …..my dad could never understand why i chose to read biographies on actors and royalty. i would always tell him, ” i like to know that i am just as human as these people” i found this book in an antique store…i was very excited!!

3. “the holy bible” i am 30 years old and have read through the bible at least 3 times….there is still so much i need to learn

4. “the luminous portrait”  this book hit the shelves yesterday. i am so excited to learn from my most favorite photographer in the world….elizabeth messina

5. “fine art wedding photography” it was the amazing jose villa that gave me the inspiration to return to where it all started….film. his work is exquisite and his book provides so much information on film photography

6. “travel and leisure” i always have to purchase the most recent t&l magazine while traveling. it always boosts my traveling experience

7. “jamaica day by day”  i try to be well versed in our upcoming family trips. next year….jamaica!!!

8. “elton john” although he has been performing for about 40 years now, the old music is what i love the most. once my eyes start to droop, it’s time to turn on the music and fall asleep.