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Amy Wenzel: I Heart Faces

I was excited and petrified all at once. One of my favorite photographers, Amy Wenzel, is giving away a spot in an upcoming workshop she is hosting via I Heart Faces. She is asking why we believe we are an inspiration to others. I was excited about the workshop, but petrified to open up and write my story.


How do I inspire others? The honest answer, I don't really know. I didn't intend to...

As a young adult I imagined having perfect kids, watching them grow up, play sports, graduate from college, get married, have babies...a dream many women have as they look ahead to the future.

I am blessed to be the mother of a beautiful boy named Cole. Three years ago, during an ultrasound in my 32nd week of pregnancy, I heard three words that would change my life forever...Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). TSC is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs. The disease affects everyone differently, some severely, others are so mildly affected that it often goes undiagnosed. Cole was formally diagnosed at birth and our family life has been a roller coaster ride ever since. He started having seizures at six months and is considered globally delayed. Modern medicine didn’t stop Cole’s seizures, but changing his diet did. Cole continues to make positive strides with the help of wonderful doctors, therapists, teachers, friends and family. We are blessed to have a huge support system who have been there for us along this journey because if definitely takes a village to raise a child. We are finally at a point where life is starting to feel...normal...if there is such a thing...and now I feel it is my time to give back.

It is hard to verbalize how I believe I inspire others...it is almost embarrassing to hear people call me inspirational because I don't think I do anything special. I do the same thing that any parent in my position would do. However, being the parent of a special needs child can be mentally, physically and emotionally draining. There are many days that I feel like a failure more than an inspiration. With that said, every parent wants beautiful portraits of their children to keep special moments alive. With Cole, I understand how difficult it is to have his (or our family's) picture taken. It requires someone with incredible patience, time and understanding because he doesn’t smile on command, sit still or even look in the direction you want him to.

The geeky, posed, school pictures aren’t a true representation of who our children are and don’t always portray them in a positive light. I have recently turned my love for children and passion for photography into a new business. As part of my business I want to give back and provide a comfortable photo session for our special children and to capture precious moments for families who haven't always had an easy road. I would love to attend Amy’s workshop to sharpen the skills I have to pay it forward and help give parents beautiful lasting memories of our special children. Families of special needs children often get stared at, overlooked and ignored. Our children are just as loved and wanted as every other child and deserved to be treated that way.

Isn't She Adorable?

What do I LOVE about photography?

I have always liked to take pictures, but I didn't really develop a passion for photography until I had my son. I wanted time to stand still and capture every moment for it to last a lifetime.

A new photographer friend of mine, Katie DeWinter, is holding her first workshop this month and I am excited to attend. If you are interested in attending or know someone that might be here are the details.

Katie is giving away a free spot in her workshop to one person that answers this question, what do you LOVE about photography?

I love photography because its personal and in a single moment it stops time with a memory to last a lifetime.

Here is one of my favorites from a shoot with my beautiful niece this summer.

Christmas Eve Fun ...Ho Ho Ho

This holiday season has been crazy busy! I am extremely grateful that I was able to spend some time with my besties on Christmas Eve. We were able to get all of our big kids together for some winter fun. All five of them braved the bitter winter temps to get out and have a few laughs as we walked around downtown...for all of 20 minutes. The kids would have lasted longer but I was a frozen popsicle. Here are some of my faves!

Inspiration for the first one...I was reading the December Shootsac newsletter and the header photo was taken by Julie Parker. The minute I saw it I knew that these were the perfect kids to try it out!

The Best Way...

The best way to experience Christmas is through the eyes of a child. Traditions are instilled early on. As a child I remember baking and cooking with my Grandma. She made the best vegetable soup, banana cream pie, and macaroni and cheese (with the spiral noodles). As an adult I watch my mother in law bake cookies with my niece and nephews. It is a tradition that the kids anticipate every year.

I wanted to spend some fun, quality girl time with Morgan, my six year old niece, so I asked her if she wanted to help me make some cookies for Santa. Morgan decided we needed to make 37 cookies for Santa...and he was going to eat all of them. I asked her if she thought Santa really wanted 37 and she said "yes, he has to eat them all so he stays big...that way he will fit in his Santa suit. His belly needs to stay full because he is going to have a busy night." After we got down to business making 37 sugar cookies, Morgan said she needed to test the cookies because she didn't want Santa to get food poisoning. So, just to be safe, we tested them...and tested them.

Santa ended up with 4 cookies and Morgan took the rest home.

My Family

Last year I entered a photo I took of Cole into a contest Katie DeWinter Photography was having...and won! The prize was a photo session anytime in 2009. Brian and I decided it was a great idea to have new family pictures taken after Lauren was born. We met Katie one afternoon south of town at her parents farm. What a great place! We drove down the long dirt driveway past a huge corn field and pulled up to a cool, rustic barn with horses out in the pasture. It was like a scene from a country music video! Very cool. We were prepared for the kids to be uncooperative because that is how the day had been going. They didn't disappoint us! Cole cried the entire time and Lauren had her moments too. I just wanted to get one good picture of the four of us...but if everyone was looking in the same direction smiling, it wouldn't be a true representation of our family. Someone is always unhappy. Thanks for capturing the "real" DenHarder family Katie!

















All photos taken by: Katie DeWinter Photography

.:Week 13/51:.

I am enjoying being home on maternity leave...I don't want it to end. I had the opportunity to chaperone Cole's class trip to the Children's Museum earlier this month.

Here is a quick snapshot Cole's teacher took.

.:Week 12/52:.

These are the days I wish I could bottle up and keep forever. I remember holding Cole in my arms and rocking him for hours. Now I can't get him to sit still for a minute!

Randy & Laurie

My sister and brother in law were home for the Thanksgiving holiday and I forced them into a photoshoot...not really, they were willing participants. I was excited to try out a few new locations!

Morgan: All Grown Up

When did she grow up? All in the blink of an eye...

Ava: Fashionista

Ava is so stylish! She has the closet that most women dream of!

Giving Thanks

Another year passes and we find ourselves celebrating Thanksgiving again. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in every day life that I forget to stop and give thanks for all that I have. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am eternally thankful for my husband, Brian, and two wonderful children, Cole and Lauren.

I don't want to jinx anything, but Cole has been very healthy this year. Thankgoodness! After three years we are starting to feel like we are adapting to living with TSC and life is taking a normal course. I am thankful for all he has accomplished (to be detailed in a later post) this year and look forward to what is to come.

I am thankful for my new, beautiful baby girl, Lauren. Although she is just six weeks old, she is a joy and brings a fresh perspective to our life. Her smile melts my heart.

I am thankful for my family and friends who have been there to support us over the past couple of years. This is definately not the road we envisioned, but we accept that God had a different plan for us. Thank you for all your support and encouragement!

And because a post isn't complete without a photo...here is what I usually see when I bring out the camera. He is always cooperative!

Collin: 1 year

You can't help but fall in love when you look at Collin. His bright blue eyes and giggly laugh are intoxicating. He is adorable!

Cutie Patooties

I love these kids...how could you ever say no to these faces?