Angie’s Just 4 Fun Photography

When I lost we lost everything in the tornado there was one thing I wanted to make sure of. I wanted our next home to be filled with photos of our family. It’s so hard to lose everything in the first place, but there is a certain heartbreak a person experiences when they lose photos. My very first ultrasound pictures of Leo when he was just a jellybean were lost. My family didn’t get to see those very first pictures – only a few close friends did. With my new outlook on life I am making it a mission to have as many family photos as possible. My friend Sadie from Slap Dash Mom also had family portraits taken. She made a very good point in that that even as moms we need to get in front of the camera too. Tomorrow is never a guarantee. We need to take photos to cherish forever every moment we get. You never know when your life will be completely turned upside down. I never thought I’d survive an EF5 tornado and tell the tale.

Right after the tornado there were a few local photographers in the area offering to shoot photos for tornado victims. I met Angie from Angie’s Just 4 Fun Photography a year ago while a group was working with helping us get out lives back together. She was suppose to have taken photos of us last year but because of our schedules & my pregnancy complications we never got it done. I didn’t have a blog when I was first offered to have photos taken.  The last three months we have been working together to these photos done. Every weekend she was available it would rain. Talk about our luck!

A couple weeks ago, however, we finally got a break in the rain.  A couple days before her and her husband had to go to Ohio Angie drove from Joplin, Missouri to Pittsburg, KS to take our photos.  Her husband is battling Chiari Disease. I was quite surprised that even with what’s going in her life she made it a priority to get these photos taken. When you meet Angie in person she is really sweet. It was so fun taking pictures with her. She really lets you control the shoot while providing professional insight.

Having pictures taken of myself scares me. I’ll be the first one to tell you I’m uncomfortable with my body. My husband gets so mad at me deleting pictures others take because I hate my body.  Most days I feel like a giant blimp. I was surprised to see the photos Angie took of me in the pictures made me feel somewhat pretty. That never happens. Maybe I should give myself more credit.

Even though I got these photos taken for free she did not skimp out on quality. She took as much time & dedication to editing the photos as she does with her paying customers. I’m even receiving a CD with all of the edited pictures. How neat is that? If you are looking for an affordable photographer Angie is the woman to talk to.  She’s currently running a special in October for $45 Family Portrait Sessions. It includes location of your choice with all photos edited on a CD. Her prices outside of specials are also very affordable.

Looking back at this session I am glad we got the pictures done now instead of last year. I would have hated seeing myself as a giant blimp. Now I can see us as the family we are. I finally have pictures of us as a family. And to think: these pictures may have never happened if I died.  I’m going to cherish these photos for the rest of my life.

Angie’s Just 4 Fun Photography is based out of Joplin, MO. Angie works with a variety of clients including senior photos, babies, families, and weddings. You can see all of the photos Angie has taken as well as book appointments on the Angie’s Just 4 Fun Photography Facebook Page. You can also book an appointment by calling Angie at (417) 439-9071. Angie’s currently working on getting her own website created. When the website is live I will link it here.