Close to my heart

Please Help Emily!!!

2009-10-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Emily needs our help!!!! Please, Please, Please click on the links provided. The more people that visit them, the more popular "HITS" they become and the more exposure the Koesters will receive. This could end up being the "THIING" they need to help Emily!!!!!

When clicking on the links you will find the caringbridge stories of Emily's struggles....along with footage of a remarkable 5 year old boy, walking door to door selling brownies and garden goods to raise money for Emily's benefit.

Emily is such a strong, caring, beautiful little angel. My hopes for her are to get well and discover the best in care to make her better and bring her home!!

http://helpemily.com

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/living/2009/10/27/pkg.5.year.old.sick.friend.ketv.html

2009-03-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Have you received one of these? If you have make sure to bring it with you to your session. The person who gave it to you will in turn get a crisp $10.00 bill for each card returned. I am looking forward to photographing the class of 2010!!! I can't wait to meet each and everyone of you. Take Care and enjoy the rest of the school year.

2009-03-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

It's been TOOOOO long!!!

2009-03-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

I know it has been toooo long since the last time I posted. Of course alot has happened since then. I'm going to start again by posting images of some fabulous people that I had the pleasure of photographing. I will then do my best to update on a more regular basis. Here we go with QUITE A FEW PICS!!!!! Enjoy.............

SHE NEEDS OUR PRAYERS

2008-08-18T06:43:00.001-07:00

The little girl in the photos is Emily Koesters. Shortly after getting these pictures taken Emily was admitted to the hospital to undergo a kidney transplant which her daddy Joe donated. The kidney transplant was a success. However, since the operation there have been many other complications. This poor little angel has been ill for a very long time and has called the hospital home for about 2 years now. Emily's diagnosis is Schimke Immuno-Osseous Dysplasia (SIOD) and there are only 4 cases in the United States. You can read more on Emily's condition by entering into links provided below. It is quite an amazing story. I am humbled at how much strength Emily has to endure "37" surgeries now!!!! Her mom and dad are products of extraordinary might as well. Please, please, please click on the links below. The Koesters really need your help!!!!!

Emily is a very sick little girl!!!! I am asking all of you to please click on the links and show your support.....financially or verbally. By just clicking on the links you are helping this wonderful family.

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/living/2009/10/27/pkg.5.year.old.sick.friend.ketv.html

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT GO TO THIS LINK MEANS THE MORE EXPOSURE THE KOESTERS RECEIVE AND THE BETTER OFF THEY ARE IN HELPING EMILY!!!!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DONATING TO EMILY'S CAUSE AND FINDING OUT MORE INFORMATION ON EMILY'S CONDITION GO TO

www.helpemily..com

Cowboys....too bad she's taken!!

2008-08-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

I had a really fun time on this session. We found alot of fun new places to photograph and got some timeless shots with it too. Love the hat.....SOOOOO glad you brought it.

Growing up soooo quickly

2008-08-16T10:22:00.001-07:00

This little man is only 6 months old.....but I have been able to photograph him 3 times already. It is so fun to see their personalities brighten and mature each time you see them. What a fun session. Don't you just want to squeeze him?

Did we have fun.....or what?

2008-08-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

We sure had an awesome time taking these photo's. This is just a little peak.....the rest are yet to come. I just can't decide which one I like the best. Hope you had fun on your birthday.....and also at the fair.

OMG!!!

2008-08-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

Is she just gorgeous or what? We had so much fun taking these fabulous shots. Hannah has started helping me with some photography tasks this year.....so I have been able to get to know her, and just love her personality!!!! She is not only a beauty from the outside, but also from from deep within. Thanks Hannah for all you have done so far.....I can't wait to get to know you better.

Greetings from Table Rock Missouri

2008-08-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

My family and I were asked by some wonderful friends to join them on vacation in Table Rock. We are having a terrific time and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Please enjoy the pictures, but try not to be tooooo jealous your not here with us.

Justin was a water nut.....practicing all of his dives, flips, & floats.

All of the boys were having contests on who could jump the furthest.
We went tubing with the neighbors. There were 3 tubes being pulled, but the object was to get everyone on one tube.
Jumping from tube to tube was a blast. I had to try my hand at it too. I am sure that I will be a little sore for a few days.....but at least I didn't break anything. Oh yeah.....I did break a toenail, darn it!!

Haylie started out pretty good on the knee board....but after 2 seconds feel off and that was all she wrote. She was a trooper though and got back up for a spin around the lake. It wasn't any fun at all.....hinse the look on her face in the picture below. DRAMA!!!

Just being lazy.....the greatest thing to do on vacation!!!!
Haylie enjoyed the 3 seater tube that the neighbors pulled her on. Here she is getting ready for that....the goggles are just a little tough to adjust!!!

Sam and Zach like to challenge each other on who can reel in the biggest fish. This year they found mainly crawdads.

Could he get any cuter!!!!
Sam found a couple of turtles and named this one TIGER. It was quite a fiesty one!!!

We are leaving soon.....but have some great memories of our fabulous vacation!! Back to work and school.

Calling all modeling agencies!!!

2008-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I love shooting seniors? My favorite part is seeing them relax and really enjoy the whole experience. I really think this girl needs to find her niche in modeling. Gorgeous!!!!!

2008-08-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

My 3 favorite boys.......

2008-08-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

OK....these 3 boys are just the sweetest young men I have ever met. Everytime I photograph them I can't seem to delete any of the images. How can you get rid of such adorable faces. Mom is a big fan of the rustic, vintage look and we found some awesome places to get these shots.

Can't get any cuter!!!

2008-08-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

I LOOOVVVEEE to see a little boy in over-alls. There is only a few short years that we can dress our boys in this timeless, but adorable clothing. His name is Franky....which makes him even more cute. His cousin Katelyn....who is just as adorable, was visiting from Florida. She had, had to go to the Childrens Hospital the night before the shoot....so wasn't real smiley considering she was up all night. I just love the pic of her and her teddy.

Another senior

2008-08-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

This is Brian........he is such a good sport. Not only did he drive me around town to find fun locations for his outdoor pictures, (due to the fact I stupidly neglected to change the oil in my car.....and it was running so low that the check engine light came on), but he posed any which way I asked and smiled on demand. We decided to suprise his mom and go to her dad's old farm and take pictures of him out there. It is a very memorale place for Brian and his family.

Over-Due Posting!!!!

2008-08-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't posted in a long, long time. So I have some catching up to do. Here are some of the latest images that I have been working on. First.......is Miss Hanna. She has such a natural beauty....and it really shows in these images. Her grandma has done such a wonderful job on her yard and allowed us to photograph Hanna in front of her fabulous landscaping. Hope you enjoy these images.

Just playing around

2008-05-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to just go out and play around with the camera because it was such a gorgeous day!! Hope you enjoy peeking.

Whats Up Doc?

2008-05-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

Meet the newest Clarkson staff!! We had the funnest time with this session. My great friend Heidi Schendt, a photographer in St. Michael, Minn., was in town and helped me with it. This group needed a formal shot for the wall at the University....but also wanted to funk it up with poses they desired just a little more. I love the diversity of all the different ethnic groups. Good Luck to all of you as you begin your future in the medical world.

Another Update

2008-05-07T09:04:00.001-07:00

Posted is an update from Emily's mom Erin......

So far so good. Emily has accepted Daddy's kidney and everthing looks great as far as kidney function. Both Father and Daughter are running high fevers though. The doctors and nurses are on top of it and are sure it is probably reactions to some high potent meds and should resolve, but they took labs and cultures and x-rays in case. Emily is still on a ventilator and will be for today and maybe tomorrow yet. Daddy Joe is getting his OWN room today. We all had a rough night of not sleeping well, but hopefully it will be better tonight.
Love- Mommy Erin

Update of Miss Emily

2008-05-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

I just read that Miss Emily and Daddy Joe Moe's surgery was a success!! Both are doing great, but are very tired. I will keep you all posted of any other happenings with her recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Emily's benefit

2008-05-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

There was a benefit to raise money for the Koesters family on Friday, April 25th. It was such a wonderful turn out. Being a native of Gretna myself.....I get the warmest feeling to see the community come together for things such as this. From the awesome people who took the time to organize it, the fabulous vendors that donated, to the respectful boys from the Boy Scout Troop that worked it. There was so much going on and so many people that showed up for support. I have known the Koester family for most of my life. It saddens me to know that they are being put in this situation. But I know also, in my heart of hearts that if this were anyone else in the community....they would be first in line to lend a helping hand. I wish you all the luck in the world. Know my prayers are with you. God Bless you all!!

EMILY KOESTERS

2008-05-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

OK.....here is one of the most beautiful families I have ever photographed. This is Emily Koesters. She was diagnosed with a treatable kidney disease called Nephrotic Minimal Change Syndrome back at the beginning of August. Emily has been taking steroids and diuretics to help treat her systems of this disease since her diagnosis. This brave little girl has been in and out of the hospital numerous times and now has to be on a feeding tube along with taking long hours of dialysis due to the fact her kidneys have shut down. Luckily.....her dad "DADDY JOE MOE" was a match for a kidney transplant and the surgery is scheduled for May 6th. I was blessed to have the opportunity to photograph this amazing family. I had so much fun!! They show and express their love for each other with every motion and every word. I left there feeling so wonderful about life. Watching Emily....a 4 year old little girl....fighting to stay alive, but doing it with such confidence, puts a perspective on how things should be. You can find Emily's updates from the website listed. She has had an amazing journey!!! http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewJournal.do?method=reload&scrollPage=2&ec=58

Long time no post

2008-05-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't posted much lately.....but thought I would share some of the most recent session of some really wonderful people!!!!

I HOPE YOU DANCE

2008-05-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

BLESS YOU!!!!

2008-05-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

Check out her EYES!!!!

2008-05-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Another Awesome Senior

2008-05-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

It's TEE TIME

2008-05-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

My 2 Favorite People in the World

2008-05-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Loved watching you grow!!!!

2008-05-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Golda Kids.....cute as can be

2008-05-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Soon to be "1"

2008-04-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! I have ton's of images of this cute little thing. Too many for me to decide. Here's a little peak to hold you all off until I can finish going through them. She is just to precious for words.

Miss Sophia

2008-03-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

We worked really hard to get this little darling to sleep. She was just good as gold the entire time, she just didn't want to let go. But I think it was worth the wait.....we got some really great shots of her snoozing!!!! I am not going to be much help with deciding images for this one.....I think I love them all. This is just a sneak peak.....the rest are soon to come.

Contestant

2008-03-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to get some feed back from people on what they think of these pictures. I am entering one in a contest to earn a free photographers workshop. The rules were that the little girl had to have BRIGHT RED LIPSTICK on and a black beauty mark above her lip. Which one should I enter? Reply to jen.hansen1@cox.net Thanks

Dukester

2008-03-13T06:04:00.000-07:00

I think Duke probably gained 10lbs. on this photo shoot. Of course the best way to get a dog to do what you want is to feed them. Duke loves getting dressed up, and this is only 1/2 of his wardrob. Stay tuned for the Duke's next appearance modeling his fall and winter line.

Mr. M

2008-03-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

Mr. M just came in and showed us how it was done. His poses were all his own....and boy could he work it. Great Job!!

What's cookin...Good lookin

2008-03-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

I have taken pictures of this little man since he was just 3 months old. I can't believe how he has grown. We got so many great shots of him. I think he had a different expression for every shot. What a little ham.

Miss M

2008-03-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

Little Miss M woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but I think we got some good shots of her anyway. I'm glad to have met her and her mom. I love the one wear she is crying. You can clearing see that she had had enough.

Basket Head

2008-02-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems that I don't take the camera to my kids functions as much as I should. But I didn't want to miss getting some shots of my youngest during his best year yet in basketball. He has really improved on his skills this year. I think it's the tongue.....every picture I took of him, he had his tongue out....even sitting on the bench. Anyway, thought I would share a couple of them. His favorite is the basketball head one. That would be my Sam.

Gift Certificate

2008-02-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

Maybe talking about it will make it happen......Spring is right around the corner. Warm weather, flowers in bloom, outdoor BBQ's. With that comes Mothers Day. When I think of Mothers Day, I not only think about getting the ROYAL pampering treatment...LOL...but also what to get for the mothers and grandmothers in my life. Every mom loves pictures of the ones near and dear to us. A perfect way to make that happen is purchasing a gift certificate from Close to My Heart Photography. Boy, I sound like a cheesy T.V. commercial don't I? O.K., how about this. How about a contest to go along with it. Send me your favorite picture of your mom or grandma (that you took) to jen.hansen1@cox.net The deadline will be April 15th, 2008. I will have my judges pick the most creative. The contestant that wins will receive a free sitting with Close to My Heart Photography for them and their mother and or grandmother. I would love to get generations galore in a photo!!! Can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a great weekend. Mother Nature says we should see the sun!!!!

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-15T11:34:00.001-08:00

I had the privledge of looking after my neice and nephew the other night. Since I don't spend as much time with them as I would like to, I take the opportunity to fit as much in as I can. Sabin is just a wonderful little girl, always on her best behavior.....and so beautiful, you just can't take your eyes off of her. Crey is just as adorable and full of s--t & vinegar. He reminds me so much of my brother it's scarey. His stories keep me laughing even days after he is gone. We made brownies. Crey loves chocolate....can't you tell. But he says "it makes him poop" I can't wait til they come again.

R & R

2008-02-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

Oh these girls......you will probably see a lot of these two on my blog and website. They are by far the best models a photographer could ask for......AND THEY ARE ONLY 3!!!!! You make my job so easy and fun. I am working on outfits for our next photoshoot. I will be calling you soon.

Sweet, Sweet, Baby

2008-01-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

Oh....how I love my job again. What a beautiful and perfect little bundle. Thought I would post some images for all to enjoy. Can you believe she is only a week old? Look at those chunky little arms and legs. I don't need to have any more kids of my own when I can get my baby snuggles in with others I can send home.

Show Choir 2008

2008-01-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

Another successful year of photographing the highly talented students of some local Show Choir teams. This was my second year of taking the pictures at Gretna High Schools Prime Time Show Choir competition. I really enjoy watching the girls in their beautiful dresses, taking pride in their hair and make-up....and the guys with their clean pressed suits and ties, standing tall and proud with confidence. Each one of the competitors was very respectful and polite.....making my job easy as pie. I am thinking that I should be getting the students autograph. I could be photographing the next American Idol winner!!!!! I am already looking forward to next year. I will be adding all of the schools photo's.....both serious and fun......to the website within the next couple of days. They will be in the on-line proofing section under the password: show choir (all lowercase). If you would like to place an order, please contact me via e-mail, which you will find under the contact area of the website.

Beautiful Girls

2008-01-21T15:37:00.000-08:00

I am honored to take pictures of these beautiful girls. Just last year their family home was burnt to the ground and they lost everything. Luckily, mom had recently went through some of her daughters photo's and placed them in a box to be put in the shed out back. Let that be a lesson for us all.....now they still have some of her baby photo's. After rebuliding their home and getting things back to normal the family was blessed with two more beautiful little angels. Here are some photo's from that session.

Tax Time

2008-01-17T05:44:00.000-08:00

Yuk.....it is tax time again. Every year I get a little better at keeping up with things throughout the year. But, regardless of how organized you think you might be, it is still a headache to get through tax season. Besides drinking a case of wine, does anyone have any suggestions on how to stay sane during all of this? I will post some of the recent pics as soon as my accountant gets what he needs.

She's "3"

2008-01-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Who would of known that this little one didn't want to get her pictures taken. Check out these great shots. Once mom left the room, she was putty in my hands.

Friends

2008-01-15T06:38:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had a photo shoot for a dear friend's Optical Store (more to come on that later). My friends and I took this as an oportunity to get some fun pictures taken of us (verses the usual doing something stupid shots) You know what I mean Stacie. We had a lot of fun and got some great pics as well. We still got it GIRLS!!!! LOL..........even if the ice man doesn't think so.

Maggie

2008-01-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

After a lot of begging.....I finally broke down and allowed my kids (and husband) to get another Chesepeake Bay Retriever. She has definately brought some excitement to the household. It didn't take her long to figure out where her dog bones were in the pantry. One morning my daughter was grabbing a pop tart (great nutritional breakfast) from the pantry, when Maggie stuck her head in there to search for her treat. She came up with this plastic container stuck to her head and couldn't get it off. I know it seems cruel that I would make her keep it on....bumping into furniture and doors....until I could find my camera, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get these shots. Chesepeake's are also known for being water dogs. She has proved that to be true!!! When she hears the water running for the bath, Maggie comes running and tries to jump in the tub with the kids. She has accomplished it once or twice. I have pictures of that too.....but I am saving those as bribe's for when my kids are older....if you know what I mean. All in all, she is a great dog with a vibrant personality. I am glad that they suckered me into getting her. Oh yeah.....one more thing. Check out the picture of Maggie's belly. You think she ate too much? After finishing her dinner she got a hold of our Peekapoo's as well.

What I cherish most

2008-01-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

If you were to ask me what I cherish most in this world....my answer would be Family and Friends.....each is equally important!!! I know I've said this time and time again, but I am truely blessed to have the people in my life that I do.

This fall, I conducted the first annual Friends and Family weekend for photography. It went very well, with great response. Here are some of the images that I promised I would post. Please visit my website to see many others!!! http://www.closetomyheartphoto.com/

Thank you all. My sucess would not be what it is today without you.

more cards.....

2008-01-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas Cards

2008-01-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

This year I created mulitple cards for clients to send for Christmas. This one makes me smile everytime I look at it. I had so much fun taking their pictures. What great kids.

A new year

2008-01-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Wow.....my very first official post. I am so excited to get this up and running. It's not like I talk enough the way it is.....this just gives me more opportunity to tell everyone how things are going on a regular basis. So keep checking in to find out the scoop on what is going on with Close to My Heart.