Mandy Sroka Photography

2010: Image 170 – My little cherub

mandysroka — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:41:27 +0000

If you follow me on Facebook – me, not my fan page – you will occasionally see me change my profile picture in memory of children who have lost their battle with CDH – congenital diaphragmatic hernia. I changed my picture recently in memory of Oz – a little guy who survived about 9 hours after being born with CDH. Why? I do it because my daughter, Brooke, was born with this birth defect. We almost lost her. But by the grace of God we have been blessed to know her & love her for over three years now. And to raise awareness about this devastating defect fellow photographers & CDH moms across the world are holding photo sessions for children born with CDH, families affected by CDH, and parents who are expecting CDH babies. The way we do that is with angel wings.

So, in memory of Oz, I decided to take Brooke out this evening for some updated angel photos. Oz’s parents – you are in our thoughts as you lay your little one to rest tomorrow. We can’t even begin to imagine the pain of losing him, but hope you can hold on to the joy of knowing him for such a short time.

Want to learn more? Visit Save the Cherubs or CDH Support.

Goldbeck Family | Annapolis Family Photographer | Quiet Waters Park

mandysroka — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:09:41 +0000

Um, did y’all survive that wicked storm that blew through here? It was crazy! I thought for sure my session for Sunday evening would be canceled. And I felt awful because I know how hard it is to orchestrate eleven people for a photo shoot! Luckily the Goldbeck family was still willing – and wonderful – even in the humidity of the day. Here are a few of my favorites. And special thanks goes out to Catherine, Lilly, & Declan for being so so so so awesome! You all are the best little people models I’ve met lately.

2010: Image 169 – What thunderstorm?

mandysroka — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:19:49 +0000

Neither rain, nor hail, nor sleet, nor dark of night….well, no, not really. But, we were almost thunderstormed out of today’s family session. I thought the extreme heat & humidity was all we would have to contend with. Not a freakin’ tornado watch! Luckily it came & went quickly (but not without damage, unfortunately) & the Goldbeck family was still willing to brave the temperatures to get all eleven of them frozen in time. I did sweat a ton, but these people were wonderful! And major props go out to the little ones who lasted so so long & did so immensely well. I only had to sing like a dozen times & bribe two with tootsie pops. A great day in my book! Here’s a sneak peek….

2010: Image 168 – Maddie likes cake!

mandysroka — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:43:18 +0000

Today we celebrated Brooke’s 3rd birthday with our friends & family. This little lovely is Maddie, our neighbor. I was cracking up at how much she loved this cupcake – especially the icing!

2010: Image 167 – After I run

mandysroka — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:41:31 +0000

This is what I look like after I run. I H-A-T-E having my photo taken, but I’m trying to get better about it. This is probably me not looking my greatest. But it was a good run, & a good time with my client & friend Kelly. Thanks for pushing me those extra few strides Kelly!

Summer Mini Session

mandysroka — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:47:37 +0000

Are you a Facebook Fan yet? Well, if not, get over there & “like” me – it’ll do my self-esteem good….haha! Seriously though, I’m giving my Facebook Fans first dibs on Summer Mini Session Dates. So head on over there, read the details & sign up!

There are some sweet goodies included in these sessions! And if you’re anti-Facebook, I’ll open up the mini sessions to blog readers next week!

OBX Family Session | Outer Banks Family Photographer

mandysroka — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:23:34 +0000

As you may have seen, my family just returned from our annual vacation in Corolla, NC. My mother in law really wanted us to get together on the beach for a family session – all 13 of us! Here is what we came up with. And many thanks to my brother in law, Matt, & his wife, Emily for snapping photos of me too!

2010: Image 166 – Happy Hour(s)

mandysroka — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:21:39 +0000

Yahoo! It was my second time at Chevy’s this week! I am fortunate that my wonderful hubby let me go out for Girls Night last night with Laura, Colleen & Jessica AND let me go to Happy Hour tonight with Bethany! Bethany has been in China the past year teaching English at a university and it was so so so so so great to be able to catch up (not eat Chinese) & laugh & pose silly for the camera. Thanks B! So glad you’re back for a while!

2010: Image 165 – Josh gets a desk

mandysroka — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:18:07 +0000

Josh has been such a good guy lately, we thought he deserved a desk. No more sitting against the play kitchen anymore. Big boys with big jobs deserve the best!

2010: Image 164 – My new snack

mandysroka — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:13:28 +0000

So I’ve been running for like 7 weeks now and have yet to lose anything! Probably my fault, but I am using this new little jar of goodies to try & help curb my snacking. I’ve always been a gum chewer – much like some people are smokers. When you break that habit, it’s difficult not to put something in your mouth…like cake, fiddle faddle, cookies, chips, etc. Hence the gum…