HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY!!!

Today is Laura's 25th Birthday!!!

I'm Mike Foster, and as the other half of Foster Photography I just wanted to take a minute and let everyone know that Laura is really someone quite special.

I remember when I turned twenty five oh so long ago... I just knew that I was going to "wake up dead". Seriously. I even had a buddy of mine tell me that twenty five was the worst birthday ever. Sixteen was a big deal because you can finally drive by yourself. Eighteen was a big deal because you were finally "legal". Twenty one was a big deal because it is a coming of age. And thirty is a big deal because it marks the first decade of "formal" adulthood. So, where does that leave twenty? I mean, you are still in your twenties, but you are now officially closer to thirty than to twenty.

Twenty five  freaked me out because it was my last year of graduate school and I was going to finally set out and go into the "real world". I was scared because for the first time in my life I had absolutely no idea what was next. For those of you who know me you know that it took me a little while longer to "mature". I'm like a nice cut of aged beef... I just needed some seasoning and time to finally become what I was meant to be.

So when I look at my beautiful bride Laura, this amazing woman who is my constant companion and partner, my friend and confidant, my favorite person in the whole wide world, I see someone who at twenty five is more mature, more knowledgeable, and more amazing than people a decade her senior.

She at twenty five is everything people in either their twenties or thirties want to be! I mean, just look at her resume: she loves Jesus with all of her heart, has earned an amazing education, begun a small business, and become a wife and a mother; she has a keen sense of humor, a sharp wit, and laser beam focus all while being the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world!

I mean... wouldn't you at whatever age you are want credentials like her? You betcha do!

So here's to you Laura! You are the most amazing person I've ever had the privilege to meet, and it is my eternal honor to be your husband and friend!

 Happy 25th Birthday!!! I love you with all my heart!

Missouri Fine Arts Academy | Personal

This past week I've had the amazing opportunity to spend time with some seriously incredible students. Like, blow your mind crazy talented students. I was asked to photograph the classes at the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, or MFAA as it's more affectionately known. This three week intensive academy brings together students from all over the state of Missouri to achieve one goal-- further their art. They take classes in everything your creative mind can think of...stage combat, creative writing, vocal studies, oil painting, songwriting, 3D art, and even super cool drumming (ok, that's not the technical name of the class, but it should be!).

Every class I saw inspired me. My artistic skill level never blossomed past drawing stick figures, but these students made me want to pick up a brush and paint the next great work of art...or at least a nice picture to hang on my fridge.

The most amazing part of all of this, however, was the Joplin Art Jam. Four of the academy students are from Joplin and we were privileged enough to hear their stories from the devastating tornadoes. They shared with us stories of fear, disbelief, shock, and confusion. Stories of how even though they've grown up in Joplin, they looked around and had no idea where they were. Stories of having to do whatever it took to survive the storms. Stories of battling the elements to make their way home. Yet through all of the devastation, these students remained hopeful. Hopeful for the rebuilding of their homes. Hopeful for the opportunity to make life better. And hopeful that Joplin will rise from these wounds stronger than ever.

Here's my attempt at being artistic...we'll call it photography with found objects! Ok, ok, I'll stick to fridge art!

To find out more about the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, check out their Facebook page.

Most importantly, remember to be praying for and helping the people of Joplin. If you'd like to donate to Joplin High School, please visit https://ssl.4agoodcause.com/cfozarks/donation1.aspx?id=1. Be sure to type "Joplin School Foundation" in the 'Fund/Program' line.

Sutton & Leighton | Family

There are certain people we encounter in life that seem to be bursting with talent. Picture someone like that, and now multiply by 2. Kurt and Courtney are a husband and wife that practically make me want to beg for an ounce of their talent. Some of their titles include author, playwright, dancer, choreographer, teacher, and director. I'm exhausted just typing that! Most importantly though, they are incredible parents to two sweet little girls that are simply gorgeous. I mean seriously Kurt and Courtney, can you please share some of your fabulousness with the rest of us???

Courtney wanted to surprise Kurt for Father's Day with pictures of Sutton and Leighton. We sent secret messages figuring out the details, chatted on the phone while Kurt was at work, and even scheduled secret meeting times! It was so much fun conspiring to surprise Kurt...I felt like we should've had a super secret super special handshake!

These next two images are two of my favorite pictures I've ever taken! Their sweet faces make me smile!

Happy Father's Day Kurt! You are blessed with an incredibly thoughtful wife and very sweet, beautiful, creative daughters! I hope these pictures bring you joy!

For information about availability and pricing please contact me via email at LauraFoster101@earthlink.net

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Georgie & Jack | Family

Most everyone has had a few amazing teachers. Teachers who inspire you to dig deeper, challenge conventional thought, and make subject matter exciting. I've had the honor of having several standout teachers (shout out to you Mr. Jameson if you're reading!), but one of the first ones that comes to mind is Chris. The students of his theatre history classes all say the same thing...it's a hard class, but they learn a lot and Chris is great. I very specifically remember walking down to the front of the class as Chris was handing back our first test. As he handed the test to me, he said, "Here you go Laura". I know this doesn't seem like a big deal, but not only were there a lot of students in this class, but I was totally not one of those verbal class participators. Chris and I had never spoken, but just a few weeks into the semester he already knew my name and those of my classmates. Something as simple as that made a huge impact.

One aspect of Chris's class that everyone enjoys is his PowerPoint slides because they incorporate pictures of his children. His daughter Georgie was his only child when I was in his class and we all practically squealed with delight when her sweet little face would pop up on the screen along with a thought bubble about Vsevelod Meyerhold's use of constructivism in many of his sets (yeah that's right, I kept my notes!).

On the last day of class Chris's beautiful wife, Melissa, brought Georgie to visit us. We all were ridiculously excited...it was like we were meeting The Beatles Justin Bieber! Since then, I've had the honor of developing into a friend of their family and recently had the highest honor of taking pictures of their children, Georgie and Jack.

Jack has an incredible vibrancy that words cannot explain! He is full of such joy and life that you can't help but smile! Plus, he's got red hair and blue eyes...I mean c'mon, who can resist that?

Georgie is honestly one of the most amazing children I've ever met.  She makes Einstein look like he should be sitting in the corner wearing a dunce hat. Yet her personality and compassion shine even brighter than her intelligence. She's one of those rare kids who you just know are going to be world changers.

Thank you all for such an incredible experience. You two are amazing parents who are raising amazing children and it was a blast to capture these moments!

For information about availability and pricing please contact me via email at LauraFoster101@earthlink.net

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Milo | Newborn

I had the honor of shooting Stacy's maternity pictures where I predicted that her baby would be snow-globe-perfect. I was wrong. Milo needs an entire snow globe factory dedicated to every adorable facet of his perfectness! After just three weeks of life with Milo, Stacy and Adam handled everything with a confidence and ease that was incredible to watch. You two are already wonderful parents to this precious little bundle!

Milo's nursery is "Where The Wild Things Are" themed! I think he needs a crown!

There is nothing sweeter in the whole world than a sleeping baby!

Adam and Stacy, thank you for the privilege of meeting Milo and spending time with him! Always remember, "the days may be long, but the years are short". Enjoy this incredible new chapter in your lives!

For information about availability and pricing please contact me via email at LauraFoster101@earthlink.net

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Sweet Baby Boy

It's been rainy these last few days, so I figured pictures of an ADORABLE baby boy would brighten things up!

Happy Birthday, Baby! Part Two

I want to begin by thanking all of you who made kind comments about Part One of these posts. I truly appreciate your love and support!
Now, on to celebrating Liam's first birthday (although as I write this, he is already 13 months old...when the heck did that happen?!).

Liam loves pancakes, so of course he had to have special birthday pancakes!

We were lucky enough to celebrate Liam with two different birthday parties, and both were decked out with Sesame Street! And please, don't ask me to do my Elmo impression. I'm worried I've already scarred Liam for life with my attempts.

SO excited about his birthday!!!

My amazing friend made this Grover cake! Is this not the most incredible cake you've ever seen? She seriously needs to go on one of those reality cake shows because she'd take everyone to school!

This was while we were singing "Happy Birthday"...apparently we were off-key!

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet Liam! You amaze me every day and I love you more than words could ever say!