i nominate my mother-in-law. she's an amazing, faithful, loving woman. her patience inspires me. she's been married to my father-in-law for 40 years and their marriage is truly an inspiration to me!

T&K,

LOVE the picture of your mom. Really beautiful!

I'd like to nominate two moms for the mother's day portrait session. My mom and her mom (mawmaw). There are a couple of reasons as to why. First off, they had a portrait session done with the two of them a few years ago, but all the pictures were lost when my parent's apartment caught fire in January '08. To have another set of pictures done for them would be a big recovery for a lot of the sentimental treasures that were lost in the fire. Also, to give a little context of their relationship, my grandpa died of esophageal cancer back in 2004. His death rocked my mom and mawmaw's world. Over the last six years, the two of them have grown incredibly close, leaning on one another for strength and encouragement. When my grandma got sick a couple years back and was passing out from her medication, my mom was there to take care of her. When my mom went through three major surgeries, Mawmaw was there to take care of her. They have become one of the most important people in each others' lives, and because my mom is the only daughter, there is a bond there that is really rare to see. I can't imagine how incredible and "storytelling" it would be to have pictures of them together at this stage of their lives. They are both living legacies at this point.

Another reason for my nomination is because of where my mom is at right now. After struggling with her weight for all 25 years of my existence, my mom has lost over 80 pounds in the last 5 months, and she looks as good and as healthy as I can ever remember. Mom has always been a joyful person, but since the weight loss, there is a new joy that everyone sees in her. I would love for our family to have pictures that document this stage in her life. (especially Fidelis pictures!)

Thanks for hearing my story.

I nominate Mary Jo Bienko. She is a wonderful mother. She loves her kids dearly. She works hard at being a good mom. Mary Jo serves her family with joy. I could say a million more words about how awesome she is. Also, I know her family has never had portraits taken. And how cute would those Bienko kids be on your blog!!; ;)

Ps. Tim, very cool picture of your mom. Thanks for sharing!

I'd like to nominate 2 moms - Vanessa Johnston and Shereen Bickham. They are raising their kids to be the kind of kids you love to be around. (responsible, caring for others and not annoying! ~smile~) They are fun moms that have fun with their kids....with a lot of laughing and
joy in their homes and lives.

Can I nominate 2 new moms? Holly Miller Williams and Vanessa Miller. These young moms have just given birth in the last year or so and are such good moms....reading up on everything they can, asking older moms for advice and raising 2 of the happiest & healthiest little boys, I've seen.

Hi there! I live in Washington so I won't nominate any one for your contest. I would however like to say how delightful this little project of yours is. What a wonderful way to honor your mother! I'm sure she continues to be very proud of you. I'd also like to add my vote to Michael's incredible nominations. You have touched my heart. Thank you.

That is a beautiful picture and story, Tim. Thanks for sharing it and giving us all a glimpse of our past and futures as mothers. I nominate Monique Cupak. She's is a wise selfless mother not only to her own children, (one birthed, and some because they wandered into her life) but to mine as well, as I can always always come to her with some question and count on a helpful loving answer. Thanks for the fun contest!

I’m not exactly the “blogger” type, but I have had several friends do sessions with y’all and I have fallen in love with your photo style and I find myself checking our your blog to see what’s new– there is such life in your pictures and I love it! Anyways, I would love to nominate my mom, Carla Place. She has taught 2nd grade in College Station for close to 30 years and is a true inspiration to not only her students (who she sometimes has to be a stand-in-mom for), but to me and my family. My father passed away when I was in high school and my mom was instantly not only a mom, but a father, provider, sole care-taker, comforter, house repair man, therapist, friend and more to my brother and me. My brother and I are in our late-twenties now and looking back, I have no idea how my mom managed all that she did and continues to do. She raised us to be responsible, mature (most of the time), loving, Godly adults and I attribute all of that to her and her strength, love and joy she finds in life. I guarantee that none of us ever take advantage of the time we get to spend together – life is just too precious. Lately, photography has become a new passion for my mom. My brother recently returned home from his 2nd tour in Iraq and she is wasting no time in taking pictures of everything and everyone, especially my nephews. Some of her pictures may have the top of our heads cut off due to what some may refer to as a “lack of skill,” but she is capturing moments to remember none-the-less. Family is the single most important thing to my mom and the opportunity to have a moment of our family captured beautifully in pictures will make her smile bigger than you can imagine. Plus, hopefully our heads won’t be cut off in these pictures. ;)

I nominate Marybeth Boatman because she is a great mom. She has to take care of her four kids, 7, 5, 4, and 4. Her husband works on an oil rig that takes him away from the house for a good amount of time so she has to take care of them and it is really hard on her to be just with the kids she loves with all of life without her husband. I know she would love to win this contest and if her kids could they would say the same thing. Please pick her!!!

Tim, that is such a great picture of your mom, and I love your story about her! I do wish I had known her.

I would like to nominate my daughter-in-law's mom for your portrait contest. Irene is a beautiful, thoughtful woman who has reared three amazing daughters. She is such an inspiration to me, watching her gracious hospitality under some really difficult circumstances. Her kitchen has been "under construction" for over two years, yet she continues to host family dinners at her home and welcomes any and all of the extended family, i.e., Michael and me, and the other in-laws with open arms. I am blessed to call her my friend.

Hey Tim and Kristen, I think this is such a great idea! I think any mother is amazing now that I have seen all the work that goes into it, but I want to throw in a thumbs up to Michaels entry. I have the privilege of knowing these two women through being married to Michael, and I cannot say enough good things about them. They are some of the kindest most selfless women I have ever met and after losing so many memories in the fire I want to have photos of these two women together to show my children and their children to come.

WOW...that picture is stunning Tim. I would like to nominate a very special mother. If I had one word come to mind when thinking of my Mom, Diane, it would be "caring". I have never known another person that cares so deeply for the people in her life. Always there when anyone is in need of guidance, support, tenderness, or a swat to the backside. She is a matriarch in every sense of the word who has raised 6 [semi-respectable] children and 10 grandchildren. Its easy to see the type of woman my mother is simply by looking at how much love surrounds her! I Love You Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

Monique Cupak is one of the most selfless and beautiful mothers I know. She is "a natural". She "get"s kids and they are drawn to her because of the way she relates to them. She's nurturing without trying to be at all; it's just who she is. She inspires me to be playful and strong.

Hi my name is Haydee and I am nominating myself! let me tell you I have 5 children and never get to take pictures for myself. I had a wonderful mother and to this point I have only a few pictures like you guys do! my mother unfortunately was killed by my stepfather and let 7 children when we were so little well I was only 19yrs old at the time. Today I would of love to have alot of pictures to show my kids, but I don't and now I would like to leave my own kids alot of pictures so they can share with their kids and so on!! I am married and have 5 children of my own but you know how that goes it is so difficult for me to just say oh I am going to take a picture. Well I am a loving mother and a loving wife. My children's ages are from 7-15yrs and are too little to comment but maybe my 15 year old can! I have been through alot when I was a young lady and then the tragedy that happened with my parents. I work Monday-Friday and can not afford to take a picture on my own so I would love to be the one to win this portrait just to share with my family! and leave them an unforgetable memory! Thanks guys!

I would like to nominate my mom, Vanessa Johnston. I am the second oldest of her 8 children (Nathanael 15, Sarah 13, Abigail 11, Joseph 10, Stephen 9, Ransom 5, Michaela 4 and Samuel 1.5). She homeschools all of us, so we are together all the time. We have a lot of fun together. She is our best friend and we can talk to her about anything. She is always thinking of us whether planning a menu for our week, choosing the best curriculum for us to learn, planning camping trips in our travel trailer (we've visited 37 out of 50 states) or taking us on fieldtrips, errands, or a simple Friday family night ---she is the best!! We love her more than anything!!

My mom has always been and is still one of the most giving, selfless moms I know. She spent our lives sacrificing for, loving, and teaching us. She has endless creativity, stories, gifts, fun, and love for us and now her 8 grandchildren. Now that we are grown, she has learned how to be our friend and still give to and serve us as only a mother can. She loves my kids and blesses them. She is always available to help, and I don't know what I'd do without her. She is amazing!

I nominate my Momma, Martha Jordan. For so many years she's gone with my sister and I to portrait sessions through the various seasons of life, but she's never gotten to have a really quality family portrait session with all of us. (Only cheesy church directory pictures!) And, I'd love to have a beautiful, authentic portrait of just her. She is a wonderful, selfless, creative, feisty, and hilarious Mom and I am so grateful for her!

i met coreen, mother of six or seven, in neil park in bryan last year.
coreen had just moved from mississippi, with the four children still under her roof, to college station. because God told her to.
she prayed, and God gave them shelter in the homeless shelter in bryan.
she prayed, and God provided a quaint little house, deep in bryan, for exactly the amount she had to spend with her government check.
she prayed, and God provided her with a job to help the home-bound.
she hears the voice of the Lord, and moves, proclaiming His words as diligently as she breaths. she said to me, "the first time you, a skinny white girl, was in my house here, i asked Him, 'Lord, is it ok that she be here?'" He said yes. i'm sure glad He did.
the words of the Lord gush off her tongue, and she is able to reach into the lives of people in bryan that I never could. she prizes her children and wants more than anything for them to hear Him and follow Him like she chooses to hear Him and follow Him.
and coreen loves photos of her family. the first tour of the house is an introduction to all her children, through the photographs on the wall.
why not bless her with more?

i also vote for monique. she has been a stellar example of patience and endurance. she is humble, a servant, a giver, a teacher in life and in heart. for every mother this would be a tremendous blessing; however, i think monique truly deserves this and many others will cherish and be blessed by the photos taken as well.

merinda has a point. coreen it is. she let a skinny white girl in her house because God told her to do so. that's my kind of prophetess.

i agree with hamster. my vote is for coreen.

I'm going to be so sad when he has hair. Baldness seems so appropriate for his serious disposition. I really love the shots in the grass -- so beautiful!

He is sooo cute. Love the "feet" pics! Perhaps Shepherd is like me...I didn't have anything but red fuzz til I was over two years old!

Shepherd is too cute...Mom is pretty cute, too! Can't wait to see all of you again and get my hands on Shepherd, gassy or not! Love you all.

lol. he looks like he is doing "blue steel" face from zoolander. hes too cute. you guys are doing great!!!!!!

thanks, Pam-he is cute! and you are completely right, Kerry he has blue steel down!

wow. his eyes are so amazing in these pictures. I LOVE the one with his spit and hat. although, you should make sure and get some with his owl.