Vicki Madden Photography

Spring is in the air!

Spring is in the air and it's time to start scheduling family portraits. The grass is getting ready to turn green, the trees and flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing.

One of the toughest part of scheduling family portrait (besides getting everybody together at once) is clothing. Last fall I took our family portrait as a gift for my Mom. It's hard to coordinate 13 people's clothing to go together. We finally came to an agreement, the boys would wear plaid and the girls in the family would match them. They all needed to be in fall colors, maroon, orange, dark blue etc. It seemed to work but boy was I nervous everyone would show up and it would look just terrible.

Another example of colors that go together is Rick and Kelly Eden's family picture.

So that was fall, and now we are moving into Spring. What colors are going for spring? I'm not sure so I did a little research and found a few things put together for family pictures. All of these things can be found at Gap, Old Navy or Piperlime.

It seems that Grey, Green and Turqpoise are the in colors for sping time.

If your inspired for Spring family pictures give me a call and lets get you scheduled before it gets too warm to be enjoyable.

Gomez : Oklahoma Lifestyle Family Portrait Photographer

Ahhh the Gomez Family. I've known Sam since High School. My Cousin/Sister Amy Jo and her were friends in High School.

Sam and Julian have been together since they were teenagers. I remember when they were first married and living in an apartment behind Homeland. Fun times fun times.

Then last year Sam and and her kids came out to support the VMP (Vicki Madden Photography) team in Relay For Life. The VMP Relay team sold chances to win a portrait package to raise money for our team. Turns out Sam bought some of her own tickets and she was the winner!

Her girls will tell you anything and the perfect combination of sassy and sweet.

Her boys are respectful and observant. They were helpful when moving my lights around and cooperated in getting their pictures taken. No grief from them at all!

I took her oldest son Corey's senior portrait a few years ago. Actually he was my first try at senior portrait photography. Cousin/Sister Amy Jo told me I had the talent and I needed to do it. I was not yet convinced but Sam said, "Vicki lets try it!" So we went for it and here I am, two years later, starting to get the hang of things.

I'd been to her house before and loved her front porch and knew this would make a fantastic location for her family shot. We started there and then ended up downtown at the park next to the Phillips Gym. It was a little chilly but we got through it and had a blast doing it.

Thank you Sam for supporting our VMP Relay Team and for allowing me to take your family portrait.

Burnett : Oklahoma Family Portrait Photographer

I really do enjoy my job. Especially when I am hired for sessions like this one. Two boys, me chasing them and taking pictures as we go. Perfection!

It does take families a little to get used to a photographer being there. I'm trying to get them to forget I'm there, and they are trying to pretend I'm not there. That takes awhile to get the hang of. At first most families will try coaching the children to pose, "say Cheese", "sit still" etc. While there is a time for sitting still and saying cheese, it's almost never at the beginning of a session. When you hire Vicki Madden Photography to come document your family for a few hours here's what you can expect.

I usually show up about 15 minutes before the session is to start. Get out my equipment, scope the place out, stand up light stands, hook up flashes, transmitters etc. Our first few shots almost never turn out the best, everyone is getting to know each other and it's a little stiff sometimes. This is where the kids play, do something, and I document them playing, interacting, shoving, hitting, kissing. These are some of my favorite shots. Kids being kids.

During this session Cooper and I were across the yard and he turns to me and says, "Miss Vicki, why don't Clayton and I run in circles and you take pictures of us?" A kid after my own heart. That is exactly what we did.

After everyone is warmed up we do a few posed shots, then work our way to the family shot. (I'm not sharing the posed family shot from this session because Tonya is sending out Christmas cards and it needs to be a surprise.)

After about an hour and half I pack up my gear and head home. A few days pass and you receive an email/text from me saying your on-line proofs are up, and a few days from that your proof book arrives in the mail. I try to make the session as fun as possible, and the ordering process as painless as possible.

The Burnett's, I've known them for years. Tonya and I taught Missionettes together way back in the day and before that she worked at United Grocery Store where I go grocery shopping almost everyday. (Sometimes I'm not very organized and need to run in for milk on Tuesday and bread on Wednesday. hush) Steve is a fireman. I think firemen are pretty nifty. That's all I'm saying. Their boys are stinkin' adorable, very well mannered and quick!

Here is an example of quick. Steve, Clayton and Cooper at the back of the barn.

I knew we'd only get one shot at this because Clayton has super powers and is fast as the speed of sound.

I love how in all three of these images Steve's face doesn't change. He didn't even have time to react. Clayton is THAT fast!

Thank you Burnett family for inviting me over, showing me around and making me feel welcome. You the bomb to the diggity. (hu?)

Aspen : Oklahoma Child Portrait Photographer

I took pictures of Miss Aspen when she was just 3 months old, and now she's back to me at the squeeze me tight age of 6 months.

Once during the session somehow I had the option to carry Aspen or the light stand. I picked Aspen.

Her legs are little marshmallows of heaven.  If she were mine I'd strip her down and put lotion on those knees on a hourly basis. Okay, I'll be honest, if her Mama looked away for too long, I might do it even if she's not mine. I can't be trusted around these knees! 

This chair Aspen is sitting in belonged to her Great Grandma. If I remember right they have a picture of Great Grandma sitting in this chair when she was little too. It's these types of portraits that make my job the best. Someday, Aspen will have her little girl and her portrait will be taken in this chair. Family tradition. (Did you just think Hank Williams Jr? Me too!)

I just adore babies. The way they smell, Johnson Baby Lotion and Dreft laundry detergent. Soft, sweet noises they make when they look at their Mama and smile. The knees, oh the knees!

Thank you Lacy for choosing me to take your little girl's portrait. I'm grateful for the chance to get to know you better and look forward to the 1 year old pictures we will be taking in a few months.

Will Edward : Oklahoma Child Photographer

What can we say about Will?
First thing that pops into my head, it took him forever to talk to me. I've known him since he was a baby, but he wouldn't speak to me. I think maybe I scared him? Then one day he decided I was okay. I think because he realized I was Olivia's Mom, and he loves him some Olivia. From then on, we are BFF all the way. 

 He rides a little pony named Vegas. Vegas is bullet proof and will stand still for anything.

Something else that's cute about Will. When he plays hide and seek with Olivia, before she hides her eyes she will ask, "Will where are you going to hide?" and he will tell her every time. Then runs off squealing with excitement when she starts to count. I bet he wonders what takes her so long to find him when he told her exactly where he was going to be. 

 

Will's family and I go way back. His Grandpa was my teacher, I went to school with his Uncle, took his Aunt's Senior pictures, his Great-Aunt was married to my husbands cousin and so that means we share cousins without being related. Lets just say his people know my people. And I like his people. 

 

See this expression in the image above? I said, "What do you say when we get ready to take your picture?" He said, "CHEESE!" I said, "Okay now say pickles" He did. Then I said, "Okay now say 'My name is Susie'". He said, "My name is not Susie." This is the expression I could have only hoped for. What you see here is Will as himself. Adorable, smart, slightly shy, and always willing to smile with you.

Will is running for the 29th Annual Green Country Rodeo Little Britches contest. This means if he sells the most tickets, he wins a saddle from Yochams Custom Leather. He is running against an adorable little girl, and personally I wish they could both win. Because he is in this contest he needed his picture taken for the newspaper and the program and since his Mama is a friend of mine it became my privilege to take his picture. 

Willard, good luck at the Rodeo. I'm sure you and Vegas will do just fine! 

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.