Vicki Madden Photography

That's what little girls are made of

I remember when Olivia was a baby I would dress her up in tights, ruffle dress and hat (if she'd let me) just to go grocery shopping. People would say, "Oh she looks so cute, is she going to get her pictures taken today?" "No" I would tell them, "I just like dressing her up." After all what are little girls for? To dress up Austin meant he would put on a cleaner pair of shorts and would actually put on shoes. So when I was blessed to have a little girl, I did all the fun things Mama's get to do with little girls. Dress them up.

Let me tell you, the Mama of this baby was ready for a girl. They own almost every color of hair-bow, dress, socks and shoes you can image.

The Mama to that sweet face is also the Mama to these three.

I needed to test the lighting and asked for volunteers. They "volunteered" to lay on the boppie and let me do a few test shots. These kids are a riot. 

Okay enough of the talk, lets get down to the baby goodness.

I mean come on! Look at those sweet cheeks and that mouth! Please! Don't even get me started.

 

I think I want to do all baby sessions at the customer's home. The Mama and baby were at ease and we could take our time. The baby is safe and warm in an environment everyone is comfortable in. It is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

And last but not least, this one conquers all.

I look forward to more sessions with this little one in the future. We have so many more outfits we need to get pictures of!

I wanna be a cowgirl baby

Back in the beginning of January when it was  F-F-Freezing outside my friend Beth called me up asking if I would be willing to take senior pictures of her sister Becca. Becca was dead set on having her Senior pictures taken in the snow. As usual I'm game if your game so I said sure thing!

Now let me tell you a little about Beth. She speaks her mind, honest as the day is long and will do anything for you. If your in a jam call Beth. She'll be there! She's on my Cinnamon Roll Route on snowy days, so the fact that she's this kind of a friend to me might be because I delivery Cinnamon Rolls to her on days when I'm stuck in the house with nothing to do but bake. (If you don't deliver them, you eat them. So I deliver.) Agreeing to take pictures of Becca I knew would be an eventful day just because Beth was there. I forgot to mention Beth's lists of wonderful qualities, she's also stinkin' hilarious! 

I had no idea what I was in for. Beth and Becca together was something I will never ever forget.

As you can see Becca is beautiful, however she has a whole list of talents. Talent's you would not think to be that important until you actually see her doing them. For instance, she can yodel. Yes, you read that right, yodel. I wish I had my flip video camera with me on this session because then you could laugh right along with me. After hearing her yodel, I realize there is value in yodeling. I must yodel. Oh! And she can talk like an old lady. I'm mean JUST like an old lady. You'd not expect that voice to come from this face.

Hubba Hubba! As my Sister Chelsea would say, "Sexy doodle".

Becca can also sit a horse pretty darn good. From what I hear, in the summer time when ranchers need a hand for the day, they want Becca. She's a hard worker. Her Daddy taught her well.

These are some of my favorite shots, because they are Becca just doing what she does. Just being herself.

 

Beth has a great barn for taking pictures. I've been wanting to do a session in it for a long time. The outside of the barn was painted red at one time, and now it's all worn, aged and perfect.

The downfall of taking pictures in the barn is barn cats. Now I like cats, but I don't much care for them when they are carrying something almost dead in their mouth.

I think Beth seen this before I did. I noticed her ornery smile about the same time I heard the rat squeal (shiver). She knows how I am about mice. (In this case a rat) I do not like Mice and Birds. They are darty. You do not know where they will go and more times than not when allowed to run/fly free, they aim right at me.  You want to see a fat girl run? Put a mouse around me and I am outta there! However, I was brave and I took this picture. I felt like Jack Hanna.

One more picture of the beautiful Miss Becca before we go. This shot is out of focus, but it is a keeper just the same. It takes a special kind of beauty to look pretty even while making this face.

Becca, I had a fantastic time. Laughed so much I cried, and when I got home my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Thank you to you and your sister for making it such a fun time. I'll freeze my butt off taking pictures of you anytime! 

We bid 2009 goodbye and rang in 2010! Happy New Year to you and yours.

I pray this New Year be full of sweet surprises and good health.

 

This picture reminds me of the Native Americans dancing paiting at Woolaroc.

The Big C

I'm not sure how it started, but Brian calls Olivia's friend Courtney "The Big C". It seems like it had something to do with her calling him a "right angle" while making her hand into an L on her forehead. (looser) It's their goal to pester the other to the point of irritation and most generally they succeed.

She is one of the family. Sometimes her and I talk on the phone about her coming over and we've not even spoke to Olivia about it yet. We all enjoy her being in our home. (Even Austin but he won't admit it outright.) Her and Olivia are always cooking something up fun to do and it's never a dull moment with Miss Courtney and Miss Olivia around.

In the beginning of December Courtney asked if I could take some pictures of her. She wanted to give prints to people in her family for Christmas presents. The weather was f f freezing the day of our session and since most of my work is done outside, it posed a problem for us. I decided to use the wall in Olivia's room as a backdrop and go from there. I think they turned out beautiful.

 

Court thanks for asking me to take your pictures. They turned out beautiful as I knew they would. 

Jacqui Ashford

When we first moved to Vera I was 5 years old, my Sister Chelsea was born shortly after we moved and then right after that I met Jacqui Lewis. Those are the major events that happened to me at the age of 5. 

Jacqui and I became best of friends. I stayed at her house more than I stayed at mine. At her house we played in the hay loft, watched the baby chicks, played in the apple orchard and ran from her brother Stewart. The picture above is in terrible condition but it is one of my favorites. I am wearing her old Cheer-leading uniform and she is wearing the new one. We would go to the football games and stand at the fence and watch the cheerleaders. 

Above is a picture of us at one of my Birthday Parties. I'm with the jewelery box and she is in the red blue striped sweater. Aren't we adorable?

In first grade I fell from a apple tree and tore the ligaments in my ankle. They had to haul me back to the house in a red wagon and I was on crutches for a month. We built forts in my backyard, we had sleepovers that lasted weeks at a time. We walked down the road to Sharon Lay's house.

This picture brings back lots of memories. The band-aid over my forehead is because at the beckoning of my cousins I tried to walk a pipe fence, fell and hit my head on a cement culvert. Jacqui had on a rabbit fur coat and I wanted one just like hers. My Mom bought me what she could afford, only thing was I knew I couldn't' stand close to the fire or it would melt. ha! Please take a moment to notice my Sister Chelsea looking adorable as can be. Take a minute and look at her one more time. (Oh this makes me laugh.)

This is us about 14 years old, before we got braces. Our teeth now are pretty and straight thank you very much.

At the age of 15 after my first break up with my first official serious boyfriend she is the one I called in the middle of the night. She showed up to my house after her baby sitting job was over and something happened and we tripped over each other in the hallway and landed on each other laughing and trying not to wake my parents. Picking ourselves up from the floor I knew this breakup wouldn't be as bad as I thought it was because after all I was laughing with Jacqui. 

Our lives changed, marriages, jobs etc moved us in different directions, but when I have the chance to see my childhood friend it's as if we never missed a beat. Everything is right with the world and it is as it should always be. Us together laughing and talking.

Jacqui is the type of person who will do anything to help anybody. Now is our time to help her.

December 25th, Christmas night just as her and her family were going to bed they realized the house was on fire. I'm assuming that the roads kept the fire department from getting there quickly. Their house was burned to the ground. Everything they owned including two of their vehicles and two dogs were lost in the fire. What they own now is what they left the house with.

I have heard of these stories before. You hear of these things happen to people who know someone who knows someone who knows someone. This time it happened to Jacqui. It's close to home and when I found out I knew I had to do something. What can I do?

I called Addie, Jacqui's Mom. A phone number I know by heart. She agreed that if I were have things sent to an address that I could send them to her house. So I set up an Amazon Wish List named Ashford Home. It's a simple list of things like plates, towels, kitchen tools etc. 

So if you feel compelled to help here are ways you can offer monetary support. I know I speak for Jacqui and James to say that monetary things are not the ONLY way to help. Prayer is a powerful tool and if you would remember them in your conversations with the Lord that would be just as helpful and meaningful.

If you would like to purchase something from the Amazon Wish List please visit this link. I am sure there is more that they will need than the things on this list. But I can't imagine a nicer thing than receiving something pretty for your new home with your family. After a fire has taken all your belongings what can be better than receiving a surprise in the mail? Something as simple as bowls, forks, spoons, a shower curtain. If you feel this is your way to give then I encourage you to do so.

If you would like to send something to their family you can send it to

InDevX, Inc.

311 East Rogers Boulevard, Skiatook, OK

(702) 425-3672

Jacqui and James have five children. Erin is 14, she wears size 9 pants, large shirt, 9.5 shoe. Emily is 12 she wears size 0 pants, XS shirt and 7.5 shoe. Marche is 9 and he wears size 12... husky pants, large shirt, size 6 shoes. Jaime is 12 and he wears 16 slim pants, XS or small adult shirt, size 7.5 shoe. Taylor is 17 and he wears size 28 long pants, medium shirt, and size 12 shoes. Clothing is the more dire need at this time. If you have clothing in these sizes that you would like to give to the Ashfords please call Jacqui at 918-694-8769.

A scripture that comes to mind is Romans 8:28 "All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord." This scripture applies to my life right now, it applies to your life right now, and Jacqui if you are reading this please know, it applies to you and James as well.

On the 26th I was supposed to go to Jacqui's house and take pictures of her and her family sledding. When your new house is there, and your ready, call me. I will be there in a heart beat!

You are in my prayers. Love you love you love you!

Sumner Clan

I'm pleased to introduce you to part of the Sumner Clan.

If you don't already know them, let me tell you they are good people. Do anything for you kind of people. Salt of the earth. Honest to a fault.

And pesky.

Think of the peskiest person you know. Now multiply that times 10. Now think that person has a twin. Now put those people together to make one. Now your getting close.

I adore them. Honest to goodness makes my day to see them. Any one of them. They will make you laugh until you pee your pants and then laugh at you for peeing your pants.

So I knew when I made the arrangements for a session with Keith and Kelli Sumner we would in for a treat.

It began by Kelli calling me frantic. "Vicki" she said, "I have to hurry and talk. Keith is putting gas in the car and I have to tell you this before he gets in the car. He got new glasses. We had to use the Indians to get the glasses and they would only pay for certain frames. I know he is always giving you a hard time but I wanted to warn you, DO NOT make fun of his glasses. I don't have the heart to tell him but they are dorky but he needs them so he has to wear them."

Geesh! I hated to pass up the chance to not pester the most peskiest of the Sumner's, but I said I would be good. "Okay Kelli" I promised, "I will not make fun of him."

I spent the next 15 minutes worrying about these glasses poor Keith had to wear. He's a handsome man, a cowboy, rough and rugged. How bad could these glasses be after all? 

They pull up, I go out and greet the girls glancing across Keith's face and trying not to look at him in the eye but trying to get a glimpse of the glasses. I look over at Kelli and she gives me the, "Please don't" look.

Then I gather up the nerve and I do it. I look at Keith full on in the face.....

I tried so hard to hold back the laugh that some other type of snort choking sound came from me. Something made a popping noise between my eyes and they started to burn. For a instant I thought this might be real, he might have to wear these glasses, and then I seen the pretty peach colored frames with the clear and silver decorations on the side. Stupid!

The Pesky Sumner's got me again! How do they come up with this stuff? 

And WHY do I fall for it EVERY SINGLE TIME!?

Then we got down to the fun stuff of taking pictures.

They had agreed to come to my Grandpa's farm. It's my favorite place in the world to take pictures. I know every nook and cranny, where the sweet light spots are and the perfect places to get "the" shot. I've only taken pictures of my family at this location, but I knew it would fit Keith and Kelli and the type of pictures they wanted so I asked them if they were willing to drive. I'm so glad they were.

  The picture above is my favorite one of Kelli.

 

 

I was proud to share my Grandpa's farm with them. Even if they are part of the peskiest family on the face of the earth.

Another Chance Ranch

I'm guest blogging over at Another Chance Ranch today. Stop by and say Hi. My friend Julie has an adorable, fun blog that you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Country At Heart

In the heat of the summer I was invited to my friend Danielle's family farm. Their farm is full of neat little nooks and crannies and great photo opportunities. Then when you add Danielle, photogenic, beautiful and just plain sweet as can be! You've got a great set up for a perfect afternoon.

I first met Danni when she ran for Green Country Rodeo Queen in 2008. She put up a good race but didn't go home with the crown. However in 2009 she came back with a bang and I'm proud to say she won the crown. She accepted that crown with grace and pride and has done the Bartlesville Round-Up Club proud.

See what I mean about neat little places to capture an image? A pond behind a nifty fence post oh and what is that? A few yellow flowers just for pretty sake. I'd LOVE to have this place at my disposal everyday. Danielle if you look out your window some afternoon and I am set up by your pond with some stranger, please do not run me off with a shot gun. I'll only be a minute.

 Something you would adore about Danielle if you were to get to know her. She's real. No pretending to be something she's not. She's okay with saying, "I don't know about that but hey! Show me will you?" She's honest to a fault and just as nice as can be. Honest to goodness nice nice girl.

Not only is she nice, did I mention how stunning she is? Look at those eyes!

What you can't see in this shot is my lovely assistant Olivia on camera right holding a reflector to catch that beautiful light to put back onto Danielle's face. Olivia's the best assistant you can find. (A pretty darn good daughter too!)

Thanks Danielle for spending time with me and allowing me to take your Senior pictures. I had a great time!

Lifelong Friendships

Recently I had the privilege of taking pictures of Chaz Wesley. He is a inspirational speaker, spiritual coach, grief and bereavement lecturer, ordained inter-faith minister, published author and hospice chaplain.Whew! And I thought I had a lot on my plate! Not only does he have all of those titles he does all those jobs fantastically.

Now to me Chaz is Charlie. Charlie and I .... we go WAAAAY back! We grew up in the same Southern Baptist church in a small rural town in Oklahoma. I have a sweet place in my heart for all of Charlie's family.

First there is his Mama, Linda. She was an amazing woman. I remember when God did something in my life she was one of the first people I called to tell about it. She went to be with the Lord a few years back and I think of her often and always see her sitting at the feet of Jesus soaking Him in.

Then there is his Dad Bob. My Bob. When I was 7 I had such a crush on Bob. I did my best every Sunday to convince my Mom to let me sit next to Bob and Linda. Bob always had juicy fruit gum. (Bob are you reading this? Let me apologize for my public display of affection. I just can't help it)

Some Sundays when I worked it just right, I would go home with Bob, Linda, Charlie and Doug. We'd eat lunch, and then head to the barn to play until night church. Life was simple then.

Charlie and I found each other on facebook and after seeing me post some pictures he asked if I could come hang out with him and get some shots for him to use on his web site, printed fliers etc.Well yea! I'll be right over!

It took about 3 seconds after arriving at Charlies house to feel at home. His home is warm and inviting and he has a way of putting you instantly at ease. It was just like old times.

I wish we had invited Bob.

Walking around his neighborhood we came across some great places to catch a few shots. The first one was sweet! Just look at it! Yellow leaves, shade and light at just the right places, texture of a brick wall and Charlie, a natural. Couldn't have asked for better if you ask me.

 

We took a few shots and then headed back to his house for him to quick (cough/choke) change and then headed back out in the sweet afternoon sunlight to get some more shots.

As you can see he is a natural in front of the camera. We walked, talked, posed and shot, and talked some more. It was a great afternoon catching up on things with his brother and his Dad (smile!). We talked about old times, good times, and sad times. 

 Passing by this tree he said, "What if I got behind the tree? Wouldn't that be some good shots?"  Go for it I tell him. He went into this automatic model serious I'm pretty face and I was floored! I'd not seen this Charlie before. He was workin it! These shots were going to be good!

Looking through the view finder I said, "This is not the Charlie Gaut I kissed in the barn" and the shot above is the response I got. Bamb! There was my childhood friend smiling back at me. Then he said I kissed Doug more than him.

What was with me and these Gaut men?

Linda, if you can hear me from heaven I am sorry that my 7 year old self was chasing after the men in your family. Thank you for loving me anyway.

After a long afternoon session we ended up at a wonderful Mexican resturant owned by Charlies friend/neighbor where I was introduced to the best chocolate pie I have ever tasted.

Charlie, it was great being with you again. After all these years it was just like coming home. Easy friendships like yours are hard to come by and I am thankful and blessed to have had that time with you.

Thanksgiving with a challenge

Today is the start of Thanksgiving Marathon 2009. I have three Thanksgiving meals in four days. That means three times I dirty my kitchen, three days I'm on the road, three days I have too much to eat, three days I come home tired.

However it is also three days I get to cook in my stillnewtome kitchen. Chopping onions, pressing garlic and salting water has a calming effect on me. Flour under my fingernails seems to bring out my best. Three days I get to load my dishwasher and remember the days when I didn't have a dishwasher to load. Three days I get to spend time with Brian, Austin and Olivia while driving in a car, listening to the radio and all of us singing along together. (hopefully it goes that smooth) It's three days I get to sample food that I only get once a year. My Aunt Debbie's Sage Dressing, Brenda's sweet potato with something wonderful added. It's three days I can keep my eye out for new recipes I might need to add to my collection. It's three days to spend with the people I hold most dear. Three days with people that I have made memories with, that have invested in my life as a child and taken care of me even when I was not aware. If the house were on fire, these are the people I would go back in to save.

I encourage you to change your point of view to the positive. Change your point of view to the encouraging instead of the discouraging.

Put in your heart and your mind that you are living a blessed life.

A blessed week. A blessed day. A blessed moment.

For these next four days full of activity and family I am going to make it a point to listen and pay attention to those around me. I am going to make each day count and make a conscious effort to live it and not let it pass me by.

I challenge you to do the same.

Because every post is best with a picture here is Brian's Grandma Shirley praying over Thanksgiving meal last year and the Thanksgiving feast she helped prepare for her family.