Langhoff Creative

11/19/2019

Is it really fall if you don't get out to play in the leaves? Not in my opinion... Ha!
Can you believe it's been a year already, ?? Your Session was one of my favorites, to date. I'm gonna need to dig out a few more of these gems very soon. ✨
Hey parents, there's still a sliver of time to sneak in some [non-traditional] family photos before those Christmas gifts are created & those cards go out... Langhoffcreative.com for details.

10/16/2019

It's been a while since you've heard from me on here, huh? 11 months, actually. And what a wild, crazy, unexpected 11 months it has been, too! I'm happy to share that I am well, I am loved, I am so so so grateful for life, and I am back! 🙌🏻
It's a long story. But here's the short version: A day after my previous post, I had a CT scan to check out a lump on my neck. That lead to a slew of escalating appointments, a cancer diagnosis on Nov 30 2018, a viral video on Dec 7 inviting people to be part of my miracle healing, a surgery on Dec 12, smooth recovery (not without challenge), and complete & ongoing HEALING as proven so far by several clear scans. PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!
(You're welcome to check out thelanghoffs.com to see that full story, although—disclaimer—it hasn't been updated since March. 😬)
As you can imagine, this "adventure" rocked the trajectory of me and my entire family in every possible way. Perhaps the most important way has been our priorities. We scaled everything back—our involvement, our work, our public posting, our stress, and even our belongings. We've been refreshed in the best way, recognizing what truly matters to us and embracing only those things as we selectively scale certain areas back up again.
I'm really excited to get back to posting content here, every so often. WHY? Because more than ever, I understand & value how truly and utterly important FAMILY really is. The connections, the seasons, the beautiful chaos, alllll of it. My passion for documentary family photography has been reignited!
My husband made this quick image of me and my kids after I got home from one of my post-opp CLEAR cancer scans. I was still wearing the hospital bracelet. This in-the-moment family snuggle may have slipped my memory if Chad hadn't captured it. I don't even care that it's slightly soft-focused in the available low light, because “moment” trumps composition and clarity EVERY time. Let’s document it ALL, friends—especially those emotional flood moments. 😭🤗😍

11/15/2018

Even when seasons are crazy, they are sweet. When I first became a mom two and a half years ago, I remember it being a beautiful chaos. I was learning to balance working from home when possible, being a good wife, breastfeeding my baby boy and getting to know his little personality. I’m so glad my husband made this picture of us, because it brings back a flood of sweet memories from that season that already seems so long ago.
This is why I love making documentary images for other families—I know you want to embrace every season you find yourself in. It all flies by so fast, transitioning right under your nose. It may seem like chaos right now, but let me assure you, it is beautiful. (And you’ll agree with me later when you’re looking back on images like this of yourself.) 😉
Visit langhoffcreative.com for details about Real Life Sessions of documentary family photography.

11/14/2018

// Last week, I had the privilege of documenting the special occasion of a family. When I walked in and saw more than 15 framed images around their house from a previous Real Life Session I had done with them, my heart soared.
I absolutely LOVE seeing how clients display the images they get from documentary Sessions. I love that each one of them is tied to a genuine memory and can be a conversation starter.
After a Session, I never force any sales of products, but I do like to give my clients options. Once they see their Session images, they often want to order Albums, Canvases or Prints of their favorites.
Details at langhoffcreative.com.

11/13/2018

// These two kiddos sure are missing their daddy! We’ve had lots of giggles this week, but after nine days of Chad being out of the country, we are all ready for him to return today.
I don’t know how you military spouses, traveling spouses or those with long-distance relationships do it! It’s not even that nine days with the kids have left me exhausted (although we had challenges), desperate (I had plenty of help) or missing work (sorry, email inbox)—it’s just that I miss my person and can't wait for him to be with me again! I miss the physical presence of him near me, his encouragement to me during the day-to-day, his huge smile & blue eyes, watching him with the kids who adore him, his ability to open jars that are too tightly closed, the atmosphere of peace and faith he sets in our home. I just miss him. 💔
I’m SO PROUD of all that Chad was able to accomplish in Jesus’s name this last week and a half in India. (Have you been following his adventures ?) He produced some stunning images depicting the incredible stories he encountered and I can’t wait to hear allllllllll the details when he gets home later today. 🤗
Hopefully he got some sleep during the last two days of airplane travel & can bounce back from the 10.5-hour time difference, because WE’RE READY FOR HIM! 😁😍🤗👏🏻 @ Durham, North Carolina

11/12/2018

// When pets are part of your everyday life, they should be part of your everyday photos. 🐶🐱🐰🐢🐠
Real Life Sessions of documentary photography capture a slice of your family’s current season, all present members included. 😁
Langhoffcreative.com for details.

11/10/2018

Genuine, candid images transform simple, ordinary moments into forever memories to be cherished.
I'd love to artfully capture your family's current season with a Real Life Session of documentary photos.
Leave your matching outfits in the closet; your vintage couch isn't going in any field. You don't need to be "good in front of the camera" for this type of session. Your house doesn't need to be spotless and your kids don't need to act like perfect angels... The more "everyday," the better!
A few "say cheese" group shots can be taken, but this will primarily be a relaxed, spontaneous type of session in which documentary / journalistic photos are the purpose. I promise it won't be awkward! I'll just be joining your family for the day, hanging out with you, doing what you do—you'll probably forget I even have cameras on me.
Check out the details at langhoffcreative.com.

11/08/2018

// Tip: Don't forget to photograph everything that makes your family "your family."
Windows down, sunroof open, music blaring, top-of-your-lungs singing—that's how you know dad is driving in this family. Trips to the neighborhood pool are an experience and a core memory for these siblings.
You don't need to pose everything or ask for the cheese faces. Real life is beautiful, as is. Documentary family photography helps you see [and appreciate] that beauty.

11/07/2018

// "Dinner is better when we cook it together."
Involving kids in the cooking process is good for an endless amount of reasons. It introduces them to lots of foods and ingredients, teaches basic cooking skills they'll use forever, gives them practice with reading and measuring, helps develop their patience and ability to wait & follow directions, and also makes for amazing family memories (which I love photographing!).
What are your favorite meals to cook with your kids? How early did they begin helping in the kitchen?

11/07/2018

YES! I love everything about this list. Open-ended toys for my kids so far have proved to be amazing & long-lasting as far as interest (and quality!) goes.

Keep this in mind while Christmas shopping for the kids you know. And remember, toys are their tools for development (but you can get a lot done with a few purposeful, intentional choices 😉)

100+ open-ended toys to grow with our kids. Let's give them the best tools for play.