Lee and Maddie, what a fun evening! You two were such good sports and so relaxed in front of the camera! Amazing!
Can’t wait for those little girls to show their beautiful faces to the world!
It is so clear your family is built on love!
For a woman carrying two babies Maddie was brave to get down on the ground – not sure in her condition most of us could get back up, but she did it so gracefully!
And with a smile on her face!
This is going to be one very beautiful family!
It has been a real joy to work with the VanOmmen family on this “Day in the Life” project. We started bright and early, documenting their morning routines and worked our way through a full day of homeschooling and family love!
This family of four boys has passed the responsibility of feeding and watering the neighbor’s chickens from oldest down to the next – a great way to teach responsibility and let a guy earn a bit of pocket change. So each morning this guy is out first thing, rain, snow, freeze or sunshine.
The joy of brotherhood abounds – who can resist those bright eyes and toothy smiles?
Each morning starts with reading from the Bible and prayer – a beautiful sight to behold!
But before long it is time to get focused and hit the books – so much to learn! 
Even Garrett has the opportunity to help out before he heads out the door to work.
There was a science fair project to complete:
But believe me, it isn’t all work and no play.
This little guy found a long-lost hat while roaming around outside. The hat was well frozen into the snow, but no fear, he microwaved it to defrost it, then ran it through the dryer, and voila! It is ready to rejoin the useful pieces of clothing.
As with all families, much of the life revolves around meals – and snacks! Tracy is a wonderful cook, with a history of catering beautiful meals. So her boys do not lack for yummy meals. As I was there I watched her make homemade chicken soup – perfect for lunch on a cold snowy day – and chicken pot pie, including heading out into the cold to bar-b-que those chicken breasts for the pot pies. And by the way, with a family of six there is much to make, but Tracy was also making pot pies for her friends as a thank you for their effort in a project they were doing together. Amazing heart for others!
And we topped the day off with cooking class – the boys made doughnuts! Delicious!
And that was the perfect activity to end our day! What joy!
If you think you would like a “Day in the Life” photo session for your family – or your business – send me a message at elementsoflightphotography@gmail.com and we’ll get together to make a plan.
In the next couple of weeks Maddie and Lee’s twins will be born, but I have to admit, I think they are so cute right where they are!
Despite the impending big event, these two were so calm and took such a “roll with it” attitude. I think that bodes well for how they will handle the beautiful little girls once they are out of their cramped housing.
Thank you Lee and Maddie for some fun time together last night! More photos to come – it’s a race to see if you have those babies before we get more photos posted.
We had a sneak peek at the bull haircuts sometime back. These haircuts are just part of the process of preparing the bulls for sale – want them to look at their very best so they can fetch the best price!
The process of giving them haircuts by fire continues to amaze me. Although the bulls don’t like being pinned into the shoot, they didn’t seem to react at all to the fire being lit in their fur.
In case you were wondering, the fire is put out by the barbers brushing through it with a wire brush. They watch carefully to keep the flames going for only a short time – just enough to get the deep fur brought down to a reasonable level.
Besides the fire, there is also a lot of shaving that goes on. Not sure I’d be all that excited to be shaving the face, but I’m full of fear of such large animals.
Piles and piles of fur are made – usually to be scattered in the breeze over time.
These two guys go from ranch to ranch shaving bulls – what a job! The biggest downfall? The poop flies at times and everything (including the photographer’s pants) is fair game for a landing spot.
But when it is done those boys look so nice! Ready to be sold!
When the time comes for the sale, the people come from all around!
First job is to check out those bulls and take notes – gotta go into the barn knowing exactly which one or ones you want to buy!
Sometimes it is decision by committee – as well as a chance to check in with friends you don’t see everyday.
Lunch is provided by the family and friends – even the little ones get involved. And these french dip beef sandwiches were very good (and so were the desserts!)
People take a little time to eat and chat and ponder their upcoming purchases.
And then it is time to get on with the sale. Cody takes his place in the ring where he can guide the bulls through the “runway” – don’t want any one of those big guys hogging all the limelight!
Above him sits Darin (his dad), the auctioneer, and the accountant – they are ready for business!
And the auction gets going. Bulls enter the arena one at a time and maybe a little star struck by all the folks watching them?
The spotters are busy watching for bids
Some of the bulls were pretty excited for their moment in the spotlight.
In case you were wondering where these bulls come from, here is a look at the yard behind the arena. That would be the oldest Veltkamp girl opening and closing shoots as they bring the bulls in one at a time.
This takes a bit of coordination as the bulls are numbered and need to go into the arena in a particular order – to match the sales book that bidders have in hand.
Darin’s brother and a whole crew of friends are out there assuring the bulls are in the right order and coming through at a safe and reasonable pace.
Sometimes it might feel a bit like tight quarters, but usually it works out okay.
There is always the over the rails escape hatch!
The bulls . . . well, they really have no idea what is going on. Just another maze to go through with their friends. They don’t realize this is the beginning of the end of their community. Soon they will all reside elsewhere.
And after the parade of bulls and whirlwind of auction calling, there comes the bill paying and arranging for delivery.
All in all, a successful venture. Good bulls produced right here in the Gallatin Valley by a family with integrity, a value for hard work, faith to make it through the unknown, and friends everywhere they turn.
Mara grew up in eastern Montana being home schooled and playing music. At a young age she was teaching piano and involved in performing to the delight of many.
Aaron grew up a PK in that same small town in eastern Montana. And wouldn’t you know it, he’s musical too! He’s helping to lead worship at the Evangelical Free Church in Bozeman with his voice, guitar and drum talents.
They met at junior college and now attend Montana State University together.
Although they are Montana kids, they were looking for an indoor opportunity for photos – that’s just their style!
We headed to the Emerson Center in Downtown Bozeman and then over to the old county court-house to capture some of their sparkle.
After this morning together I am so excited to travel to their home town and photograph their wedding in early July! Bring on the celebration!
Mara and Aaron, you are beautiful!
This beautiful couple is getting married this summer – and I get the privilege of taking the photos. Today we spent some time getting to know each other and catching a few shots.
They are both very talented musicians – Aaron helps lead worship at his church, and Mara is a concert pianist. More musical talent in their little fingers than in my whole life time!
We were privileged to shoot these photos in beautiful down town Bozeman at the Emerson Cultural Center. Such a beautiful fun setting!
Aaron and Mara, I hope you enjoy this sneak peek – can’t wait to get the whole set prepared for you in the next week or so! Thank you for such a fun morning!
PHOTOS by Susan Beth 