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The Daruma Doll Festival | Ome Japan

The Daruma Doll (http://en NULL.wikipedia NULL.org/wiki/Daruma_doll) Festival in Ome, Japan was a day of firsts for us.  We knew very little about it, but decided to brave the train system, crowds, and cold weather to venture out and discovery more of Japan’s rich culture and tradition.

Allow me to mention that these photos were taken with my Iphone 4s. My fancy camera did not make an appearance this day.

This was our first time to take the train in Japan. We drive everywhere because we find it is easier with two little kids. But I will say that both the kids loved it and we will have to do it again in the future.

This was our first Japanese festival. The festival was located on a main street in Ome that the city closed off for the day. The street was lined with food vendors as well as vendors selling the Daruma dolls. You can buy these dolls in a variety of sizes and colors. The doll is modeled after the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism and is seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside goal setting. There are several colors and each color represents something different. You can see in the picture below that all the colors are shown on the sign at the top of the vendors booth. I am assuming that next to each color is a description of what that color represents. I do not read Japanese, but the friends we were with said these were the meanings they found.

  • Black:chasing away evil and a successfull year
  • Blue: personal achievement and success
  • Gold: wealth
  • Green:good health and vitality
  • Orange: succes in school
  • Pink:blessing in love, marriage and giving birth
  • Purple:advancement in career
  • Red:safety and success in every way
  • White:new birth and best wishes
  • Yellow:security and protection

The way this tradition works is you buy a doll and make a wish or set a goal for the new year. You color in one of the eye’s on the doll and display the doll somewhere in your home so you can see it. Your one-eyed doll is to act as a reminder of your goal or wish. When your goal is completed or your wish comes true you are to draw in the other eye. Then, at the next year’s festival you take your doll to the temple to be burned.

It was very interesting to see all the people waiting in line to burn their Daruma dolls from last year. Some of them must take this very seriously judging on the size of their dolls. Wow.

I would compare this Japanese tradition to that of our American tradition to set new year resolutions. We bought four dolls, two green ones and two blue ones. We have yet to color their eyes in and I probably will not burn them next year. I want to keep them! But we shall see.

We had an amazing time at this festival. It is still so surreal to us that we actually call this place home. We stick out like a sore thumb, but that part is kinda fun too!

Meg - I love this concept! I wish I had been here for this festival… I most certainly want to go next year. I love the festivals in Ome, they are always fun and nice to go to because they are sooo close.

Project 52:25-52 | Better Late Than Never

Deciding to participate in Project 52 (http://reneebooephotography NULL.com/?s=Project+52) was one of the best things I committed to in 2012. Project 52 is a photo challenge where you commit to taking a photo a week. I love this challenge because you can personalize it as much as you want. You can pick a theme or you can just choose to photograph your life as it happens. I chose the latter.  It made me take time out of my very very busy life and capture moments as they were happening. Some of my favorite photos from last year were taking because of Project 52.

I was doing well for the first part of the year to post a photo a week. And then life got crazy. We put our house on the market and relocated our little family to Japan. Blogging got put on the back burner. But photographing my family did not. So even though I did not blog all my Project 52 pictures week by week as they happened I still was taking them. This is what matters. I used my fancy camera more this year than I ever had thanks to Project 52. And even though these images are a little late I would still like to share them with you. You can see Weeks 1-24 here (http://reneebooephotography NULL.com/?s=Project+52) and even a few from 2011 (I did not complete the project in 2011). Below are weeks 25-52 and to be honest I didn’t take one photo a week. Some weeks had more. Some weeks didn’t have any. But these are the images I have chosen to represent 2012 for my family.

Project 52:25

My boy and I together.

He is my little shadow. And at times it can be tiring.

But I try to treasure every moment of it. Because I know one day he won’t want to be at my side 24/7.

Project 52:26

Every now and then I stop. Take a minute from crossing off my “to do” list and spend time in His presence.

I want this to be a norm for my children.

So I bring out several guitars. And while I poorly strum on mine they can bang on one too.

Make a joyful noise, right?

Project 52:27

He helps her. Her protects her.

She treasures him.

It’s a beautiful thing.

Project 52:28

She is starting to really shine.

Her personality is big. Really big.

And people say she is a lot like her mama.

We shall see.

Project 52:29

I love watching my mom and daughter together.

I know it brings my mom back. Back to days way before grand-babies. Days of being a young mother to two very young babes.

She was a great one. She still is.

All I learned about being a mom, I learned from her.

Project 52:30

Daughter’s sure do have a way of melting their daddy’s.

Project 52:31

Sharing is very important.

And often times messy.

Project 52:32

Happy 2nd birthday to my little man.

Cake icing was meant to be shared.

Project 52:33

Sweet people who invested in us. Loved us. Changed us forever.

The very reason living Abilene was so difficult.

Project 52:34

Moving day is approaching. Lots of things to do.

But exploring is at the top of our list.

Project 52: 35

Saying goodbye to our first home.

Five wonderful years, two sweet children, and amazing memories later.

This place will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Project 52:36

Two weeks at home in Indiana = major spoiling by the grandparents.

Project 52:37

Enjoying quality time with loved ones.

Treasuring every moment of it.

Project 52: 38

The time has come to make the big journey across the world.

Leaving those we love behind is tough.

But we know we are headed where we are suppose to be.

Project 52:39

Such a transition this year has been.

But now is the time to settle in and make this new place our home.

Project 52: 40

After weeks without our things the movers finally come.

Of course they come when the husband is TDY.

AHHH the life of a military spouse.

Time to such it up and unpack.
Project 52:41

Little ones adapt so well.

They just roll with the punches.

I learn a lot from them.

Project 52:42

Sometimes you just need to jump on the bed.

Project 52:43

Happy 1st Birthday Sawyer Faye

We are so very blessed to have you in our lives. You bring us so much joy. And laughter.

Seriously, you crack us up. Thanks for being our comic relief.

Project 52:44

Growing up before my very eyes.

Slow down baby. PLEASE!

Project 52:45

Life is not easy with two babes that are 14 months apart.

But it is so worth it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Project 52:46

My favorite photo of my boy at this age.

Taken with my Iphone.

He enjoys being in front of the camera. And this makes my heart smile.

Project 52:47

Exploring Japan.

Taking it all in.

Not letting the language barrier hold us back.


Project 52:48

Happy Thanksgiving.

Making bread together.

Project 52:49

Just hanging out with my girl one morning and happened to catch this image.

So glad I leave my camera out and always at arms length.

Project 52:50

Starting traditions.

Making a birthday cake for Jesus.

So glad we did. Looking forward to doing it every year.

Love hearing my kids sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on days other than Christmas now. So sweet.

Project 52:51

A bitter sweet Christmas for us.

Thousands of miles away from family.

Together. In our own home. Watching the joy that comes with giving.

Project 52:52

Still can’t believe we live in JAPAN!!

And that’s my Project 52 for 2012. Completed. Late, but completed. And I am thankful to have these images.

Did you do a Project 52 last year? Are you considering doing a Project 52 this year? Comment and let me know if you are. I’d love to see your images that you take this year.

Melissa - As a tear trickled down my cheek I felt proud to have a wonderful daughter that was willing to share her life with everyone back home. I loved loved project 52. So many happy memories are captured in these photos. My how life continues to move forward and you don’t even realize how fast. I love seeing my beautiful daughter and son-in-law. And we all know that my grandbabies are amazing, Love you melissa

Melissa - . I loved loved project 52. So many happy memories are captured in these photos. My how life continues to move forward and you don’t even realize how fast. I love seeing my beautiful daughter and son-in-law. And we all know that my grandbabies are amazing, Love you melissa

Lifestyle Newborn Photography | Yokota AB, Japan

I am always beyond honored when a past client asks me to photograph them again. You may remember Erin from her maternity session (http://reneebooephotography NULL.com/erin-cs-maternity-session-yokota-afb-photographer/) a couple months ago. Well her sweet little man arrived on December 20th and he is just precious. Conor was amazing during the entire newborn session. He was so corporative the entire time no matter how much I moved him. He is such a handsome little boy and I can’t wait to get my camera on him again.

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Lahrman Family Portraits | Yokota AFB, Photographer

I love it when I find myself so comfortable with my clients that I could just chat with them all day. That is exactly how I felt about this sweet family.  When Devon contacted me to do a family photo shoot she mentioned that she wanted photos that looked  “easygoing”, “playful”, and “carefree” with a “splash of whimsy”. After hearing this I was even more excited to photograph her family because those descriptors are exactly what I hope to capture at each photo session.

I also believe we were destined to meet. Devon and her husband Michael just recently moved to Japan from Abilene, Texas!!! If you have been around this blog for a while then you know that WE  just moved from Abilene, Texas to Japan. What a small world.  After being married to the military for over six years I have found that fun things like this happen quite often. And I love when they do. One of the best parts of my job and being a military family is getting to meet new, awesome people. I would totally put the Lahrmans in that category for sure.

Now, what could make this session any better than the awesome Texas/Japan connection and a shared vision? How about adorable twin baby girls! Elliott and Camden just turned nine months old and are the sweetest twin baby girls ever. They were such a joy to photograph. They didn’t let the wind or the cold get them down. They were just both so happy-go-lucky the entire session. Such a dream. I had a blast with this family session and I just hope that the Lahrman’s love their images and that I captured the vision that they were looking for. What do you think?

Aren’t those babies just precious? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think of these images. I’d love to know that you were here. Comments seriously brighten my day!

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The Hanson Family | Yokota AFB Photographer

I am super excited to share images with you from my second session since moving to Yokota, AFB.  As you may know, I have been so anxious to start photographing client’s here in Japan.  So when Jennifer contacted me about a photo session I was beyond thrilled and so honored that she had selected me to to capture memories for her sweet family. And her family is just that, so sweet! It was such a joy photographing these three. Chris and Jennifer love their son so much and it shows in every single image. I honestly had a hard time narrowing down the images to share on this post because I love so many of them. A good problem to have I guess:)

Jennifer, Chris, and Alex,

Thanks for being so amazing. It was a joy photographing ya’ll and I hope you love your images as much as I do!

One of the things I LOVE to do for my client’s is help them design wall displays for their home.  It helps to be able to see what a design might look like before ordering prints. I can even take a photo of a client’s room and show them what their photos would look like on their very own walls!  Below is a sample that I created for the Hanson family. They are such a beautiful family that their images are begging to be put all over their home!

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