Captured Miracles

New Collection on Founding Fathers

2010-04-14T01:04:00.001-07:00

So here is my first official announcement on my next collection. It is on the Founding Fathers. I am calling it "The Divinely Appointed". It is coming together awesome...come visit my site blog for the 1st post. I am going to be releasing each image as I finish it...and I decided that I am going to also show you the creation of each shot at it's different stages. A fun way to see the development of it all. Also give away some secretes on how I do it here and there.

click here for the blog
"MIRACLE BLOG"(http://www.capturedmiracles.org/_blog/Miracles/post/New_Collection/)

New photo art work to share

2009-11-02T01:02:00.000-08:00

So I have been very lazy in posting any work that I have been working on outside of Captured Miracles. Well lazy is not the right word...just swamped. With 2 little ones and one on the way, finding time to do the "extras" (like blogging) gets tight, but I am working on making it more of a priority. :)

This is a new born shoot that I did for my midwife. She wanted something that was modern...no fluffy stuff or cursive. I love how it turned out. I have two different kinds so I thought I would post both. There were so many cute shots from the shoot. These were a couple of mine and the mommy Sarah's favorites.

Also I did this bridal a while back and kept meaning to post it but haven't been able to until now. I shot her sister's bridals 6 yrs ago and she called me out of the blue saying that ever since her sister's shoot, she wanted me to do her's. It was a blast, they flew me in and we made a day of it. These are only a few of the many we did. It was so hard to pick my favs. I just LOVED how it turned out. I love treating bridals like fashion magazine shoots. Takes me back to the good old days of my fashion editorial shoots. I guess it is not the good old days since I still do fashion too:)

Award Winning Photo

2009-09-25T00:15:00.000-07:00

Gilbert artist wins award with Christ illustration

Link to:
Sept. 24, 2009 10:21 AM
Article in the Gilbert Republic | azcentral.com

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2009/09/24/20090924gr-award0926asfg.html

Spotlight on . . .Gilbert artist Helen Thomas Robson won the People's Choice Award at the Constitution Week celebration in Gilbert last week for her fine art photo illustration entitled "Remember," which depicts Christ comforting two children dressed in their daddy's army fatigues as they sit at his grave. It's part of a collection of 28 photo illustrations entitled "Captured Miracles" that she created to help children's foundations in their fund raising efforts.

HER REACTION "I was so excited to hear that 'Remember' won the People's Choice Award at one of the largest Constitution celebrations in the nation. I really want to touch and inspire others with what I create. Winning the People's Choice tells me that I am heading in the right direction."

HER GOAL "I created this collection because I wanted to do something with my talents that would help children while touching and inspiring others to make a difference."

SEE HER WORK Between 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday Sept 26th, 2009 at The Rockin' R Ranch, 6136 E Baseline Rd, in Mesa. The exhibit is an open-house event for the whole family. For more information on the event and collection, go to www.capturedmiracles.org. Her next exhibit is in Utah.

FUNDRAISING Robson said members of any children's foundation, organization, or church currently looking for fund raising opportunities can contact her Web site or at 480-221-5600.

Helen Thomas Robson
Photographer/Artist
Photo of Helen taken by Jake Johnson

Friday nights Exhibit and New Exhibit Dates for ARIZONA and UTAH

2009-09-15T02:07:00.000-07:00

Our first exhibit, this last Friday, was a great success. We have had many requests for another exhibit this month in Arizona, and have been invited to do one in Utah as well.

"Art To Connect The Heart Exhibit" features a collection of 28 images of Captured Miracles, Fine Art Photography by Helen Thomas Robson. We will be hosting 2 exhibits in the next couple of weeks. These beautiful photos depict Christ interacting with modern day children in real life situations. These exhibit are for the whole family to enjoy and are FREE. Please feel share this invitation with others.

Please become a fan and part of our group on Facebook "Fan page" and "Group Page" under "Captured Miracles Collection"

Locations for Exhibits in both ARIZONA and UTAH

ARIZONA
exhibit is on display
Saturday, Sept 26th 2009
from 6:30-9:30pm
at the
Rockin' R Ranch
6136 E Baseline Rd,
(on Baseline, between Power & Higley)
Mesa, AZ 85206

AND

UTAH
exhibit is on display
A Lady's Night Out
(everyone is still welcome)
Saturday, Oct. 3rd 2009
from 6:00-9:30pm
at the
Peterson's Residence
1711 N Cherapple Dr.
(1600 N and 700 E area)
Orem, UT 84097

Both nights we will have a
• Free drawing for A Captured Miracles Print

• Will be given away 2 FREE photo shoot sessions with Helen Thomas Robson,
as the prizes for two contests the night of the exhibit:

These contest are:
1-For the family or individual, that has the most guest over the age of 18 that attend the exhibit that night.
2-For the family or individual, that has the most prints that are purchased that night by their personally invited guest

Special Print Pricing At Exhibits: For purchases or orders made at these two exhibits, prints will be sold at wholesale prices. NOW, is the best time to purchase these prints as wonderful christmas presents. We will see you at the exhibits.

More Information on
"Art To Connect The Heart Exhibit"
This is a series of mini art exhibits of Captured Miracles Collection which will be hosted by a different children's foundation on the 2nd weekend of each month. These foundations will choose 10 to 12 images, from the collect of 28 images, to have on display, that best represent/relates to their cause. Through sales and auctions of the prints we will help raise funds for the hosting foundation and provide a wonderful enviroment for them to share their cause and how others can help.

Also visit us at www.capturedmiracles.org for more info and to view images

A couple EASY ways you can help spread the word:

2009-08-29T16:46:00.001-07:00

• Come to exhibit and bring your friends and family, and share this invite with all you know.
• Become a FAN on FACEBOOK it is under "Captured Miracles Collection by Helen Thomas Robson" and share with all your facebook contacts to become a fan too.
• Display your print in your home, and tell others about our mission to help children with the funds we raise. Encourage them to visit our site and display a print in their home as well. http://www.capturedmiracles.org
• If you have a website or blog put a link to our site and blogs. Make a post about the project and display your favorite prints (you are welcome to grab images off my blog site that you can put on your own. http://capturedmiracles.blogspot.com. (these are just a few images you can choose from you are welcome to choose others as well)
• Share contacts you many have to children's foundations or causes that we can talk with them about helping them raise funds for their cause with our exhibit. (email me at helen@bounceproduction.com or call me 480-221-5600 with info)

Exhibit on Friday, September 11th

2009-08-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

Event is Friday, September 11th,
from 5pm to 7pm
On the anniversary of 9-11, what an wonderful event to have
that is focused on helping others. Please Join us.
At: Rockin R Ranch
6136 East Baseline Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85206

Im putting this on for all the models that participated in the creation of "Captured Miracles", and their friends and family. BUT Anyone is invited to come.

After over a year of working on this collection it is finally finished with prints ready to exhibit and also your prints ready to give to you for participating. I will have all the model's prints at the exhibit for you to pick up.

I am hosting an art exhibit to share with you the final images of the collection, (this will be the only time the collection will be exhibited as a whole) also to share with you "Art To Connect The Heart Exhibit Series" a way that children's foundations can use this collection to raise funds for their cause. The exhibit will be displayed from 5-7 and a short presentation of how we are helping foundations with "Art To Connect The Heart Exhibit"

A special prize will be given for two contests.
1-for the family or individual, that has the most guest over the age of 18 that attend the exhibit that night.
2-for the family or individual, that has the most prints that are purchased that night (there will be a 20% discount to all in attendance that purchase or order that night)
(be sure to tell your guests to sign in with your name for credit to the contest)

I am so excited about all the children we will be able to help with this collection. Please share this invite with others. Thank you so much for your help.

Helen

"Art To Connect The Heart Exhibits"

2009-08-11T00:42:00.001-07:00

"Art To Connect The Heart Exhibits"

This is a monthly exhibit of Captured Miracles that will be starting soon. The exhibit will be held at a different location and be sponsored by a different foundation each month. Only 8 to 12 works will be exhibited each time. This will be an opportunity for the sponsoring foundation or businesses to share information about their cause, and through art, connect to your heart, and share with you how you can make a difference.

We could use your help now in getting things started.
Below is a list of different topics that the Captured Miracles Images represent. We are looking for foundations that we can contact and work together with them in getting the word out about their cause. If you know of any foundations that you have a connection to, or just love as a foundation, please leave a comment below. This info will be sent to our office and any private information will be pulled before publishing the comment. (private info such as contact name and numbers, emails etc.) or you are welcome to contact us by clicking here and submit the info.

strengthening the family
strengthening mother and daughter relationships
grieving
abuse
divorce
nightmares and over coming fear
friendship groups
service
pregnancy
birth
hypno birhting
mid wives
home birth
children’s leadership
NICU
pro life
education
Homeless teens/ shelters
foster care
adoption
disaster relief
battered women and children shelters
depression
postpartum depression
drug and alcohol
suicide
baby safe haven
reading
saving the earth
helping 3rd world countries
miracle births
SIDS
behavior
sexual abuse
pornography
anorexia
families of soldiers
families of fallen soldiers
teens saying no to drugs
peer-pressure
downs syndrome
mother support groups
christian youth groups
illiteracy

Take a look at our gallery and If you have any other ideas of topics that we can help that are not listed, please share. Right now we are looking foundations or businesses that would like to do an exhibit the 2nd Friday of September and 2nd Friday of October.

Stand for the Family

2009-08-10T00:22:00.001-07:00

The author of Stand for the Family, Sharon Slater and her PR Cecily Markland, came to one of my art exhibits of Captured Miracles. They loved the collection and the style so much they asked me if I would consider doing a shoot for the cover of their book. This is a step by step of the image, a creation from Raw photo image to final layout. We were all very excited with the way it turned out. Hope you like it too.

Image 1
From the Shoot Sharon and Cecily picked out their favorite pose and flag shot. There was one thing that we needed to change and that was the daughter on the end. (Thanks to Davin and Tracy Hansen Family, our wonderful models)

Image 2
Showing her more engaged in the shot, I ended up photo shopping her from another shot in 2 steps. One with her body more bent and pushing, and 2nd I used her head from another shot from that and had it more tilted up. I feel this really helped the shot come together as a whole.

Image 3
I just loved this sky and knew with some color correction and textures it would look amazing with the sunset. There were a couple of things I needed to eliminate, the branch on the right side and upper corner and the tigs hanging down from the top.

Image 4
Now for the fun parts begin, adding intensifying color ....and changing out the family to the family grouping I already tweaked.

Image 5
Their Graphic Designer, Leslie Thompson (brilliantly talented women) asked me if I could frame the family more with branches. This is a raw image before the cropping. I like how it can show you how and were the branches were moved and added. One thing that is great about textures that are added at the end is that it helps to hide and mask seams. Which helps save a lot of work of blending and erasing that I would of otherwise would need to do to really help it look "not photo shopped". There are 2 textures added to this image, the bottom first layer is a layer that has brush strokes to it, to add a painting feel to it and help pop the yellows.

Image 6
This is a final cropping of the full image shot. Cropping out unneeded parts of the image and helping to finish it off. The 2nd layer was a layer that helped to pop the color to be a more intense gold tone with an aged look to it. You will notice in the final image for the Cover we ended up spreading the 2nd texture over the whole image instead of keeping it in the one squared area around the family. Even though Leslie and I both liked this effect we were worried that it might cause problems in the final cutting of the book. We didn't want to chance the odds of the image being laid not exact in dimention with the edges of the book. This would show to much if that were to happen. So we stretched it all the way across the book

Image 7
The final book cover. I just love how Leslie did the typography. It is so strong and bold, yet has a soft approcable feel to it. (it is so cool how she did this cover, the graphics make it look like a movie poster.) I am excited for the book to come out and to read it. Sharon has been apart of foudations, and boards that help to instill and fight in areas that help to strengthen the families in our nation. Be sure to read it and share it with others if this is a concern for you. Standing for the Family.

Image 8
this is the banner that they will use in ads and websites.

I am going to get a website from Cecily and Sharon to put on her about their book, so check back.
Also here is contact info for Leslie Thompson, she is amazing to work with.

Leslie Thompson

Graphic Design

ph (480) 988-2271

LTGraphics@cox.net

Helen's photo-art palette

2009-07-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

A new blog change. BlogSpot is such an amazing system. I am going to start using it again instead of the blog on my site. This will be linked on my site(www.capturedmiracles.org) as the site blog. It is just easier to do postings, for you as the viewers to see when there have been updates. Just all around better. So sorry for the back and forth, back and forth here, but this is really going to be way better in the long run. Also I decided I want to turn this blog into my online "photo-art palette". So that I can show all the differenent projects that I am working on and give advice and hints on how do to some of the effects and shots that I do. It is always fun to share the fun stuff I learn when doing these projects.

Finished Thomas Jefferson image

2009-07-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

These are the last to postings on my other blog that I am moving to this blog now.
-helen

One more finished. I really love how this one turned out. i pictured the Declaration Of Independence glowing...to represent Divine Guidance on the creation of it. I know you are wondering "how did you do that?" Really I don't know. I get in this zone when i am creating...recently I was told that it is the "R ZONE" meaning that you are totally in the Right side of your brain and that when you are in that zone you are lifted into a spiritual creative zone and your art comes together and you have no idea how to explain it when others ask. That is exactly what happened with this. In fact that is what happened when I first was figuring out how to do the photo shopping for Christ's scars on his hands when I first started. Every time I did it after that I was in that same zone...but with doing so many times..."the how" i did it stuck. So that I know now.

stage 3 (final)

Stage 2

Stage 1

I really love how this has an "OLD WORLD" Painter feel to it. The cool thing is with my shots like this...when you put the print in a room with low lighting the contrast give the illusion that the print is really glowing.

Now this next image is one that I did originally for my first collection. I just never finished it cause I wasn't sure how I wanted to finish it. There are still a couple of things I want to improve upon...which Im sure when I do Im sure no one but me will notice. "The ultimate curse of the artist" :)

This one is call "One at a Time"

There ended up not being much difference from the original. I added a sketch/pencil look around the edges so it was like going from a drawing to real life. It is not showing as strongly as I would like so I will end up adding to it more and having the sketched part show more toward the inside of the photo, but for now it works.

"Online Art Studio" -New Project Starting

2009-07-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

I am coming back from the dead. I apologize for not being on for so long. Balancing everything the last couple of months has been quiet the challenge. I have a great feeling that we will be getting back on track here. As part of this "new leaf turning over". I am turning my blog into an "On-line Art Studio" As I am creating new works of art I will be uploading the fine art photo as I go/or upload it in stage step of the progress of the photo. I am already in the process of the 2nd stage of "Captured Miracles" collections. This next collection theme is "God... The Foundation Of Our Nation" Fine art photos Depicting founding fathers, and other important historical figures and moments in history with "The Hand of God" as a part of the image.

The first Images that I will upload are from my shoot a couple of week ago.

1st work of art
Abigail Adams with letters from John
"Letters of Faith" or "A Women of Faith" (open to suggestions)
Sarah my model, was wonderful to work with. She actually plays the role of Abigail Adams in schools around the state and tells the children about Abigail and John and the important role they played in our country.

Abigail has always had a special place in my heart. She is a woman of strength, head for politics and business. Loving mother and wife. Wow, what faith she had in the Lord and her husband. She spent most of her marriage separated from her husband, as he was out fighting for our freedoms in more then one way. She was home alone with her children and many times not even knowing if John was still alive...she sacrificed so much for all of us to be free.

John Adams was one of the few "Founding Fathers" to actually come back to a thriving business...all because of his wife. All the other founding fathers lost practically everything.

Raw shot stage 1

Stage 2

the final Image...I still need to photoshop window panes in the window and also the scar on Christ's Hands and feet.

2nd work of art
Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence
No title yet (open to suggestions)
Weston is playing a young 27 year old Thomas Jefferson. The story that goes with this shot is...
Thomas Jefferson spent about 2 weeks in his hotel room writing 2 paragraphs for the Declaration of Independence. When he would get stumped on what to write..."writers block" he would pull out his violin and play to get his creative juices flowing.

In this shot there is still much to do, I need to photoshop the rough draft of the Declaration Of Independence so that it GLOWS, to represent the divine intervention that was a part of its creation.

This first shot is a raw shot, in fact you can see my assistant Sarah in the background and the light tripod. I wasn't planning on shooting at this angel...but when I did it just fit so well. So I ended up going with it and photo shopped out the images in the dark background.
stage 1 image

One of the things I love about putting my projects together is how it all comes together. This shot, I knew I needed a 27 yr old young man, with sharp features, and blond to strawberry blond....long hair. (to pull back into a low pony) We were literally 2 days from the shoot and still hadn't found my model yet. I was toying with the idea of using a wig...but really didn't want to. I was afraid it would look fake. A couple of nights before the shoot, I was at a wedding and boom...right in front of my eyes was my Thomas Jefferson. (the brother of the groom) Most of my shoots always come together like that. I am literally divinely led to all the elements I need, including models.

Stage 2 image (still need to touch up some spots)

3rd work of art
Patrick Henry and his famous speach "Give me LIberty or give me death"
No title yet (open to suggestions)
Dr. Lance Hurly is a professional re-enactor of Patrick Henry. He is also the founder of "Founding Fathers Ministry"
I emailed him after finding his site on-line and asked if he would be interested in working on this project. He is living in TX and just happened to have a re enactment job he was flying to AZ for the following saturday. So we pulled these three shoots together in 5 days, so we could have him in it as Patrick Henry.
I love this shot, the wind came up out of nowhere and blew his coat tails up. I will be photo shopping in the inside of a church and have it slowly transform into the heavens above him. We will be getting the Church shot in the next couple of weeks. I am excited to finish this one.

In the 5 days I had to pull all these elements together the Lord led me every step of the way. I was led to these wonderful actors that had the costumes and two amazing men, Bill Norton ( lecture for National Center for Consitutional Studies...he has been my historian in ideas and making sure we had historically correct info and items ...all the way down to the shirt Thomas Jefferson was wearing. Don Jolley and Historical artist was so key in helping with props and stage setting for the shoot. Wonderful wonderful men. Thank you both. ...oh and I can't forget Don's wife. She is and expert in the writing the print from that time period...She donated her time and talents and hand wrote and copied exactly the hand writing for both the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and Johns letters to Abigail. They were so amazing even Bill was impressed with the exactness of the draft and letters.

New Site and New Images

2008-11-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

Our official site is up and running. www.capturedmiracles.org

It has a blog on it too. So my new blog address is http://www.capturedmiracles.org/_blog/Miracles
I will be leaving this one up for a while, till everyone makes the switch and I finish switching my past posts over.

On this site I do not have the images for sell on it. With the new site, there is a new system. Which is way more advanced and put together. But I promise purchasing the images will be available by Thanks Giving if not sooner. In time for Christmas. Yeah!!!

Here area couple more images.

The first is called "Safe" (generic for anything involving children)

The second is called "From My Heart To Yours" (adoption)

Arizona Safe Baby Haven- photo titled "I AM"

2008-10-21T01:37:00.000-07:00

Today I talked with the co-founder of Arizona Safe Baby Haven. I am so excited to have them as one of our 3 foundations we will be focusing on for the holiday season and 2009. I'm not sure if to many people know much about them. They are an organization that educates women of all ages on their choices they have if they do not want to keep their baby. The main focus is to help them know that if they do not want their child they can hand the baby over to a "Safe Haven" fire station, police department, hospital. They have 72 hours to come back for the baby if they change their mind. If they decide not to return they will not be charged for anything as long as no harm was done to the baby. The Law was put into effect in Arizona 2 1/2 yrs ago. And was designed to stop babies from being left in dumpsters and garbages. My heart breaks just thinking about a baby left to die that way...to be forgotten. I want to help save these babies from such a terrible death.
Visit
http://www.arizonasafebabyhaven.org
to get more information

They are in need of volunteers who would like to help spread the word of their cause. You can get in touch with Maria Van Den Heuvel the co-founder, by calling the 800 number provided on their site.

This picture was created with them in mind. I still have to add more garbage in the photo so that you can tell that the baby is being pulled out of the garbage. This little one is a brand new new born in this shot. (thank you to the parents for trusting us with this delicate shot) This shot was taken just as the sunlight hit on Christ's hands and the baby opened her eyes, the one and only time during the whole shoot. She is looking straight into Christs eyes. When I clicked the shot I knew that it was the one.

The poem and the photo are titled "I AM" and the poem on the photo was donated to be included in our efforts to raise funds for children by Cris Rankin, after watching a documentary about the babies left to die in the alleys of South Africa(cause they were unwanted...rape or aids babies) She sent it to me, because she knew that there were children here in the states that are "unwanted" as well and she wanted her poem to some how help them. Thank you Cris, you are an amazing women.

I AM

I AM NOT THE EXPERIENCE NOR ACTIONS OF MY PARENTS

IT MATTERS NOT HOW I BECAME

BUT THAT I AM

I AM COURAGE

I AM COMPASSION

I AM HOPE

I AM STRONG........I AM HERE

YOU CANNOT DEFINE ME AS I CHOOSE WHO I BECOME

I AM THE FUTURE

COPYRIGHT CRISTINA RANKIN 2008

Give From The Heart

2008-10-21T01:32:00.001-07:00

I was inspired by a foundation that I found on the Internet called "The Little Red Wagon" There is a little boy that has created a foundation that helps children in need. Especially those that have lost their homes to natural disasters. He goes door to door with his little red wagon collection donations for children. I just love hearing about children that have such big hearts.

Update on our official website www.capturedmiracles.org.
I am excited to say that the official website is almost ready. So keep checking back for updates on when we will be "moving" :)

The Art and Soul of East Valley Art Exhibit at the Black Bird Music & Art Center

2008-09-30T01:36:00.000-07:00

"Heaven's Gift" and "Following the Leader" have been excepted in an art exhibit here in the East Valley. I dropped the signed prints off today. I wish that the gallery was closer to my house, I would love to have my kids do art and music lessons there. They also have an "Open Mic Night" on the weekend...It's really cute with the cafe and all. They are going to be having an opening night this friday. I wish I could be there for it, other commitments made before I knew I was going to have my work in it. They are having the show exhibited before the "Open Mic Night" so head on out for a great night. The address and info is on the flier. Just click on it.

It amazes me to see the prints large and framed. Even though I look at them on my computer screen all the time...it is so different seeing them large(24"x36"), signed and in frames..."Heaven's Gift" literally took my breath away. I had it printed on this amazing art paper that just made the blacks and grays pop out at you, but at the same time it has such an calming soft effect on you when you look at it. You have got to see it in real life.

ABOUT: A little about this shot.
This shot is of my little newborn baby boy Santi (Stephen Santiago Robson, named after his grandfathers and daddy) I took it of him when he was 2 hours old. I feel I need to clarify a few things here. I know that some people have heard some crazy story that I took the picture myself after giving birth to him...yes,the story is TRUE.:) Santi was an At-home, waterbirth, hypno-birthing baby...can I say that all in one breath? Barely. In the future I would love to find a way to educate women on alternative options to child birth. Just so that as women we are educated on what is out there. I had such amazing experiences with both my births being done with these methods, I would love to spread the knowledge.
So I decided one way I could do that was when Santi was born I wanted to take picture of him at an hour old. It ended up being 2 hours but that works too. Yes, you heard right, I actually shot this photograph. People think that I am crazy, but I felt great, couldn't even sleep that night I had so much energy. I asked Jason (plays Christ) to be on stand by for when ever Santi wanted to be born. I needed Jason to come over to do the shot literally within an hour or so of birth. Poor guy ended up at my house shortly after midnight. By the time we me taken care of and Santi, got the lights set up and did the shot it was 3 am. What a sport. Good thing he is a long time friend and I can bully him around a bit.:) I left a foot of Santi's cord on for the shot, and even though I knew it was totally grossing Jason out, with it touching his hand and everything...Jas was amazing cause you couldn't tell he was gagging inside. If you only knew the stuff we photographers put our models though to get "The Shot".

This next shot...WOW how the colors pop when it is printed on paper. I have people curious why I have Christ's top part of his body cropped off. To tell you the truth, when I go the inspiration for the shot, I was laying in bed just about to fall asleep and that is the way I saw the shot. For some reason it is how God gave it to me. He has a reason I guess one of these days I will know why, but I actually like it that way. Although the look on Christ's face without it being cropped is soooo cute it is so tempting to have both versions available. One with the whole body and one without. I am also debating on changing the title from "Following the Leader" to "Come Follow Me" Im really leaning towards the second.

"One At A Time"

2008-09-28T03:40:00.000-07:00

This shot was inspired by a foundation called "Rescue A Million", based out of NYC. Their goal is to help 1 million children and plant 1 million trees around the world. The founder is Julie Butler. One of the most amazing women I have ever met in my whole life. She inspires me with her love and drive to help children. Recently 3 of her good friends that work with her on projects around the world, were killed in a small plane crash in Guatamala on their way to a project they were working on there. Two were husband and wife, leaving behind children and the third person left a spouse and children behind as well. Please be sure to put their families in your prayers...especially the children. I would like to dedicate this shot in loving memory of them and also to their families they left behind. Their lives were about service and helping children.

"Sharing"

2008-09-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

This picture is dear to my heart, it is of my little girl Giselle and her little friend Ryan. This shoot helped me realize how much of a hand God was playing in bringing everything together. Let me lay a couple of things out to explain, and wrap it up with the story of this shoot.

I have been putting photo shoot productions together for years. Everything from fashion editorial shoots to commercial children shoots. One thing that is absolute, is that they never go exactly as planned. This made me a tad bit nervous. Originally the collection was going to be only one day of shooting and 8 final images. It took me 3 weeks to pull the ideas, people, locations and props together. Pulse putting a shooting schedule together that would catch the light in the exact spots I needed for each shot and location. (most were done with natural light that day) I have done many shoots with children and know there is one thing you can count on... young children rarely do what you would like them to, when you would like them to do it for photos. (any mother getting a family picture taken with young children would know what I mean). You are on their schedule. Children with Christ begin the theme, this made me so nervous that we would not get everything done that we needed to, let alone in the right timing with lighting and other children and parents waiting for their shoot times.

As I headed out to my first shoot that morning I said a prayer. "Heavenly Father, I have done all I need to do to be ready for this shoot. I am leaving it in your hands. No matter what happens I will trust and have faith that it is going the way it needs to, to get the shots that we need, when we need them. This is your project, I am an instrument n your hands." I felt peace that whole day. Believe me tons of things happened that I was not planning on that pushed us off schedule. I will share those with you as I post the pictures that were part of them. One thing I was not planning on was children thinking they really were with Christ. It was amazing to watch them as they walked up to Jason.(who played Christ) Some were in awe, and others were freaked out and scared of him. That was what I wasn't planning on. One shoot took 30 minutes, just to get two children to stand by him. Another 15 mins to were they didn't look scared in the picture. That particular shot is still being finished and there is more to the story that is so amazing. I will share that when I post the final image.
What was amazing is that that delay actually put us in a better natural lighting then we were planning on for the rest of the day. God's hand was in everything that whole day.

My daughter's shoot "Sharing" (if anyone has a better title idea, I am open, please share) was suppose to be the last shoot of the day, we ended up having to switch it with another one. When we got to the pond, the sun was setting perfectly in the back ground. Gigi, my daughter was not participating very well. She was crying and being a 2 yr old. I got some shots I thought would work. When I looked at them later that night, I had nothing. I looked at the digital file and saw the exact minute they were taken. Dressed my husband in Christ's wardrobe and took him and Gigi to the pond the very next day, at the exact time. Hoping to get the same lighting. To my surprise the sun was drastically different and didn't look as amazing as it did the day before. The sun was peeking over the trees totally different, I had missed my amazing back light. The light was good on Giselle, so that worked out. One of my favorite things about that shot is the sun light in the back...It made me realize how God really did help me down to the very second, not with just this shoot but all of them. Fortunately I was able to get Giselle smiling and happy, and with my photo shop magic you wouldn't even know I had a crying, unhappy 2 yr old.

Prints now available

2008-09-16T03:24:00.000-07:00

Titled: Feast On My Words (to help homeless teens)

Click on the link on the right hand this site to link to the purchasing site of Captured Miracle's prints.

or go to

htt://www.bounceproduction.smugmug.com

What Do They Do All Day In Heaven?

2008-09-15T15:05:00.001-07:00

I Illustrated this Children's book when I was 19 yrs old. Wow, that was 14 yrs ago. We worked with SIDS Alliance (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance) in helping them raise funds. It was very successful, the book helped them double what their normal donations were. Im excited to include it with helping to raise funds for children with Captured Miracles Collection.

My aunt, Staci Crowton Thomas, had two sets of twins under the age of two years old. One of her babies from the second set died of SIDS at two months old. Her little two year old twins were so upset, she couldn't find any children's books at the time, that could help comfort them. So she took their questions that they asked about their baby sister in heaven and put them into a poem and I illustrated pictures for it. The book is not ment to explain death, but to give a child's view of heaven, to comfort them and to open up the doors for the family to talk and start the healing process. It is non denominational and is ment for not just children but anyone looking for comfort after the death of a loved one. Come and take a peak into a little child's heaven.

If you would like to purchase a book, email us at
capturedmiracles.org@gmail.com
to put in your order.

Proceeds will be donated to children's foundations with the rest of the Captured Miracles Collection.

link to
http://bounceproduction.smugmug.com/gallery/3143289_4brgC#172466870_QLRwQ

(this link shows only a few pages of the book.)

Who plays the Role of Christ in your photos?

2008-09-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

This is a question that Erin asked in a recent comment. I have had several people ask me. So I thought I would post an answer.

Christ is being portrayed by a long time friend of mine, Jason Calvi. He did a wonderful job with all the shoots. Last fall when I asked him to do the shoot for me, I saw that he was growing his hair out for fun. I said to him, "Don't cut your hair. I want you to do a photo shoot with me and I need your hair long." When I told him that I wanted him to play Christ. It took him off guard, it's quite a role to play, I could tell that he felt uneasy with the idea at first. He jokingly said, "What... you want an Italian Jesus?" We both laughed and I told him I was serious and that I knew that he could pull it off. All we needed was for him to grow facial hair, and put the robes on him. As long as he had the basics it would look great. To both our surprise, it turned out better then we thought it would. Even after the first day of shooting he was still thinking that he didn't look like Christ. When he and his wife saw the shots from that day. The shot of himself with the little baby "Child of God" with the gold tones (that baby is his little boy Hayden at 3 wks old),it is the shot that convinced his wife (I think she was a little not sure as well)

The shot of the battered mother and 2 children(the shot that I use as part of the Title of this blog)...that one was the shot that got him(it is his favorite). He said that particular shot, when he looks at it, he doesn't see himself, he sees Christ. It really made a strong impression on him. I have to say it did me as well, It is also one of my favorites. I have known Jason for many many years. When I see these shots I don't see Jason, I see Christ. He was amazing at catching the loving look that I picture Christ having when he looks children. There is so much love and emotion that comes across in his face, eyes and body language. I know that he was led by the spirit in knowing what to do to achieve the feelings and emotion he did.

Jas, your awesome....thank you thank you thank you. I'm excited to work on our next project that is already brewing in my mind:) So start growing your hair out again:)

THE MASTER'S TOUCH
This shot is a perfect example of the amazing look of emotion in the eyes. I love how they are looking at each other in this shot. The connection between them is amazing.

This shot is called "The Master's Touch", no matter what happens to us in life. When we fall down he is there for us, but it is up to use to choose to get back up on the bike.

Any ideas?

2008-09-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

I had so much a fun with this shot of my friend Stephanie and her little girl. Stephanie has been so amazing with all she has done in helping me with any and everything since I moved to AZ. I wanted to include her in this collection, she is one of the most Christ like people I know. Her sister put it best,"she is happiest when she is helping and serving others."

I don't have a definite tile for this shot. Any ideas, I would love to get your comments on it. I have thought of "a mother's prayer" but I am still not sure.

This was the first shot that I had played with this type of "spot lighting" on. I was not quite sure how to get this look until talking with some other photographer friends...thanks to their guidance, I feel it turned out awesome. I love how the light shines on Christ and then bounces onto the mother and daughter.

Christ's Love- 2 new works of art

2008-09-01T02:23:00.000-07:00

This sweet little girl is my friend Heather's little baby. Believe it or not, this sweet pea was born with all that long, curly, platinum hair. When Heather first showed her to me I just fell in love with her. She looks like a porcelain doll.

When shooting babies you have to expect the unexpected...and it is all about their timing and their way. All kids for that matter are like that when taking pictures. :)And any parent who has had a 2 yr old would especially know that. Nothing wrong with that, you just have to be willing to be flexible. I had a totally different shot for this little sweet pea, but she had a different shot in mind and it turned out better then what I had planned. Infact, I had such a hard time picking the final shot, that this shoot ended up with 2 final images. I LOVE her cute little face in the one shot. And I love Christ's smile and how he is looking at this sweet baby in the other. His smile and look is exactly how I picture him looking. Every child in this world deserves to have a loved one look at them that way. You know every child does, because every one of us is a Child of a Loving Father in Heaven and a brother that gave his life for us. I don't think I ever really truly understood what that look or that type of love was like until I became a mother. I never imagined it would be so wonderful.

One of the charities or foundations I would really like to have participate in this effort is something involving adoption. When I was a young girl I saw a documentary on orphanages in Romania and also China. They showed how babies would cry and cry hours for someone to hold, feed and love them. There were to many babies and not enough workers. Many would die before they were 2 yrs old. Mainly they died from broken hearts, because no one was there to love and hold them. It broke my heart. I decided then and there, that I would find a way to stop their crying, and find each child a loving family. That calling is stronger then ever now. When ever I hear my 6 wk old baby crying in his crib alone, cause I am in the other room. It takes me back to that promise. I plan to use my talents here to make a difference for those small, forgotten ones where ever they may be.

First set of images

2008-09-01T02:14:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about this photo collection I am putting together. I have been wanting to use my talents, in photography and art, to help children, so I developed a series of around 30 works of art ... I have named it "Captured Miracles" . These are photos that portray Christ interacting with modern day children in different real life situations. Prints will be available for purchase very soon. We will be donating proceeds to foundations that make a difference in children's lives.

I am still in the works of getting things together ...I am looking for children's foundations, churches, and organizations, that would like to help participate with this project, by hosting exhibits, and helping to spread the word so that we can help more children, through the purchase of the prints. The exhibits will be nation wide, this holiday season. We are looking for help nation wide in this effort. Check our blogs for updates on these events. I will have a site and blog up soon for this project. Until then just check back here.

thanks
helen