The day her Mama Died
Rhonda Childers is a Military Mom/daughter and a portrait photographer in the Bay area and Central Valley, California. It is her dream to make a positive difference in this world by sharing herself and stories while creating and capturing new ones with others. 100 years from now her legacy will live on through photographs and the positive difference she makes in the life of many children.
The day her Mama died, a big piece of her died, too. She learned this is a piece she could not fill. It is a piece that could not be replaced by anything, ever.
The day her Mama died she stopped breathing for a moment, too. She wondered how the world around her continued to go on.
The day her Mama died, she began a new life. Her new life was motherless. She felt like an orphan. It was different than before, in the most painful and heartbreaking way.
The day her Mama died she looked around and questioned everything. She questioned her faith, her last words, and every moment she spent away from her. Her questions will never be answered, but she kept asking anyway.
The day her Mama died she was in complete disbelief. She refused to accept this reality but it stayed with her. One day the reality sank in. That day was just as bad as the day her Mama died. She was frozen with heartbreak, confusion, and terror, the day her Mama died. She developed new anxieties and fears she never had before. Some days those new fears were debilitating.
The day her Mama died, she became an adult. The kind of adult who doesn’t have a mother. It was a different kind of adult than before.
The day her Mama died she longed for her hugs, her time, and her presence. This longing never went away.
It stayed with her, but so does her Mama, because . . .
The day her Mama died she gained the most beautiful angel.
She can’t see her Mama, but she is there, just as she promised.
The day her Mama died, she looked around and was grateful for all of the people there supported her and helped her pick up the pieces. The people who showed up are her people. She will never forget the ones who showed up; they are special.
The day her Mama died, she learned that she loved so hard, so deeply, so purely.. she grieved hard because of that beautiful love.
The day her Mama died, she learned that her Mama loved her beyond measure. She mothered her more beautifully than any story ever written. Her Mama believed in her more than she ever believed in herself. She realized that Her Mama took care of her like she was the most precious cargo on the planet, even as an adult.
The day her Mama died she realized, without hesitation, that she was the most amazing woman she had ever known and will ever know.
The day her Mama died she appreciated her more than she ever had, she prayed to have her back. Unfortunately, no prayers could bring her back. No wishes could make her appear. All she has is her memories and her Mama’s beautiful portraits that she hangs on the wall.
Senior Model Team 2020… all eyes on you!
It’s that time of year and I am super excited! My search for the 2020 Senior Model Rep Team has begun! I have so much planned for this year for the model Team and I want you to be a part of it! Think fun, adventure, personalized, and locations that reflect who you are all the while creating memories and images that you are gonna love! If you are Senior for the 2019-2020 school year, loves getting your picture taken, then this is for you!
A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
WHAT IS A SENIOR MODEL?
Rhonda Childers Photography strives to lift the confidence through showing my clients their true beauty both inside and out. One of the best ways I do that is through the Senior Model Program. Each year, I select a limited number of Seniors to be apart of our senior model team, where they join a few peers to participate in exclusive portrait sessions and other fun events throughout their senior year of high school
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Senior Models are representatives for Rhonda Childers Photography for their entire senior year of high school. Each senior is selected based on their personality, academics, and extracurriculars. No model experience is required. The senior model teams goal is to encourage each other as young people and to lift each other up.
WHY BE A SENIOR MODEL?
Current Senior graduating class of 2020
Someone who wants to make a difference not only in their own life, but in the lives of others
Someone who is active on social media and in their community
Someone who is excited to represent RCP in their senior year of high school
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The senior model team is a BLAST! You'll be a part of a family of people who encourage and inspire one another
You'll have the opportunity to participate in various photoshoots and events
You'll receive many perks that are exclusive to the RCP model team
SENIOR REP APPLICATION
Invitation to exclusive portrait shoots throughout the year
Individual senior portrait session the summer before your senior year
Cash for each referral brought to Rhonda Childers Photography
Make new friends
Community Service hours
Complimentary RCP senior model t-shirt
And plenty more
Apply Now. Potential models must be available for a group shoot (date and time to be determined) A parent or guardian must sign the Senior Rep and Model Release contract in order for you to participate. Reps must be in Senior year of high school graduating in the class of 2020
Who's Next?
FILL OUT THE MODEL TEAM APPLICATION & SHARE WITH A FRIEND, SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT 2020 SENIOR REP.
I remember you! Memorial Day is everyday...
A parent's death makes a severe impact on a child, that then affects their own children and their children's children, and so on. First Lieutenant Russo went to UCLA, he was a track and football star. He met his wife Olga at UCLA. After graduation, they married and they started a family. He was killed in action on April 3rd, 1945 on Luzon. His death changed many lives. He left behind a wife and his one year old son. Lieutenant Russo named his son after himself, even though his Father Salvatore offered him a substantial amount of money to name the baby Salvatore after him. Lieutenant Mario Russo chose to name his son Mario after himself, in fear he may never return from war. The name Mario and photographs in a frame, were the only thing Lieutenant Russo could ever give his son. He died a hero yet he left behind loved ones now broken damaged and confused.
Little did he know that he was leaving behind a legacy as well. His future grandchildren and great grandchildren would never see him, only the photos that hang on their walls. They will only know him through the photos and stories shared by family but he is still so much a part of them. The more I learn about my grandfather Mario from my favorite Uncle Tony, he reminds me of my own children. They have followed in his footsteps in so many ways. The name Mario was a great gift to leave your son, but your family and your legacy was an even greater gift. We will continue to share our photos of our hero with the legacy he left behind. Lieutenant Russo lives on through us all. I just can't imagine how different my life would be if my grandfather was there when my father grew up. I am grateful for the photos and the stories I can share with my babies. Having these photos has taught me to appreciate and savor the past through images. I am thankful for all he has given us; veterans, intelligence, physical and mental strength, athletics, track stars. He now has great great grandchildren who will know and remember their hero through the photographs that hang on the wall, those pictures tell it all. With all that was given I sit back and watch my own daughters and one with her baby and their sacrifices they give for our country. Always remember .....All gave some, some gave all. So much sacrifice for our freedom. We all have a story to tell through photographs on the wall!
Rhonda Childers is a Military Mom and a portrait photographer in the Bay area and Central Valley, California. It is her dream to make a positive difference in this world by sharing herself and stories while creating and capturing new ones with others. 100 years from now her legacy will live on through photographs and the positive difference she makes in the life of many children.
My sailor girl
My soldier girl
My First Born son I celebrate you and 28 years of blessings today.
Oh, my dear sweet child. If only I knew the things that I know now. You were my first child, and to be perfectly honest, I had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn it all with you, because of you I became a mother. And for that I am so grateful.
Oh, my dear sweet child. If only I knew the things that I know now. You were my first child, and to be perfectly honest, I had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn it all with you, because of you I became a Mother. And for that I am so grateful.
Nikolas
I fell in love as soon as
I heard your heartbeat!
God knew I needed you first to help mold me into the Mom I needed to be. You did that. From the sleepless nights you gave me when you were just an infant… to the times I couldn’t take my eyes off of you when you finally closed your eyes. From the time when I first heard your little laugh… to the time when we were both rolling on the floor in fits of laughter. From the time when you were inconsolable and I had no idea what to do… to the time when only Mama could make it all better. I have loved you more than I ever loved another human. I have prayed more than I ever even knew how to pray. You did that to me. I loved you from the moment your I saw your little heart beat. At that very moment when I met youI knew you were a boy. I knew I would name you Nikolas and call you Niko. I drove home from the doctor after seeing your heart beat grinning ear to ear. That truly was the happiest day of my life. Many happy days followed after that and you continue to make me smile. If the phone rings or even just a text my heart races and beats as strong as yours did the first day I met you on that ultra sound. Your first picture was taken that day. This was your first of a life time of pictures. From your first heart beat until my last heart beat I will pray for you!
You were so little yet you taught me so much about being a mom. I’m sorry that you were at the center of all of my trials and errors. I wanted so much to get it right. I think my expectations of you when you were that small were unrealistic. I spent so much time worrying and stressing that I didn’t allow myself to just enjoy the the simplicity of your childhood. You were my first. Never again will I get the chance to do it over. You grew so fast. One minute I was rocking you to sleep in my arms, and then I blinked and you were graduating college. Where did the time go? I am so thankful I captured these moments on camera and preserved or memories.
Sometimes, I wish I could go back and do it all again. I want to go back and cherish those moments. The moments I lost, stressing and worrying. The moments I savored playing, dancing, singing, riding bikes. We spent time together alone, just you and me until your sisters came along. I spent time just holding you.
I spent time reading with you, the naps we shared, the classes we took, the teams you played on and I coached. You were my entire world, you changed my entire world. You were my game boy, the man of my house and my heart. You turned out to be an amazing person, more than I could have ever imagined. Just know that I love you so, so much. That will never change. You will always be my first little love, nothing will take that away. I am so proud of the man you are. You are great example for your sisters and I couldn’t be more proud.
The truth is, my amazing son, you will always be my first child. You will always be the one who taught me how to be the best mom that I can be. You will always be my first baby…always. That will never change. You paved the road for your younger siblings. That was a big job, I know.
I've always loved you because you were my first miracle.You were new, you had an unused Nana, you had so many clothes your closet looked like Mama was having triplets. You were the original model for a mom who was just trying to figure out life for herself. You helped me figure it out life. I thought it was I that would teach you but know you have always taught me everything I know. Your sisters came along and things got crazy beautiful and you all shaped me into the Mom and person I am today. But my son you were the beginning!
Being a mom to you has been the greatest joy of my life. Know that I will love you forever. You grew up, I had to let you go spread your wings and become the person God intended you to be. I’ll never forget that you were the one who made me a mom.
Happy 28th Birthday Niko-Man. I love you with all my heart & soul.
Mama
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.” (Robert Munsch)
2019 Senior Team Model
A Once in a Lifetime Experience
Rhonda Childers Photography strives to lift the confidence through showing my clients their true beauty both inside and out. One of the best ways I do that is through the Senior Model Program. Each year, I select a limited number of Seniors to be apart of our senior model team, where they join a few peers to participate in exclusive portrait sessions and other fun events throughout their senior year of high school
What is a Senior Model?
Senior Models are representatives for Rhonda Childers Photography for their entire senior year of high school. Each senior is selected based on their personality, academics, and extracurriculars. No model experience is required. The senior model teams goal is to encourage each other as young people and to lift each other up.
WHY BE A SENIOR MODEL?
The senior model team is a BLAST!
You'll be a part of a family of people who encourage and inspire one another
You'll have the opportunity to participate in various photoshoots and events
You'll receive many perks that are exclusive to the RCP model team
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Current Senior graduating class of 2019
Someone who wants to make a difference not only in their own life, but in the lives of others
Someone who is active on social media and in their community
Someone who is excited to represent RCP in their senior year of high school
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Invitation to exclusive portrait shoots throughout the year
Individual senior portrait session the summer before your senior year
Cash for each referral brought to Rhonda Childers Photography
Make new friends
Community Service hours
Complimentary RCP senior model t-shirt
And plenty more!
SENIOR REP APPLICATION
Application is due now. Potential models must be available for a group shoot (date and time to be determined) A parent or guardian must sign the Senior Rep and Model Release contract in order for you to participate. Reps must be in Senior year of high school graduating in the class of 2019.
Who's Next?
FILL OUT THE MODEL TEAM APPLICATION & SHARE WITH A FRIEND, SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT 2019 SENIOR REP.
Preserve the memories not the lines...
My last visit to my Grandma's house was 14 years ago. My 4 kids and I went to see my Grandma Olga. Niko was 12, Daniella was 9, Makenna was 3, and Jacinda was 10 months old. My grandma lived in a beautiful home she built in the hills of Lafayette, California. It was literally over the river, through the woods, to Grandma’s house we would go. When I pulled up to the front of her house, it looked like something straight out of a magazine. I loved her yard. The fruit trees, the gardens, the flowers, the pond, the pool and the gazebo. My Grandma's house was perfection, I always remember thinking how amazing it would be to have such a beautiful home, full of rooms and bathrooms and a huge kitchen that yearned to be full of family and fun. I can't remember a time that my Grandmother's home was not spotless. However, what stuck out the most in my mind and sparked a completely different envy than just the size of her house, was the vacuum lines that remained in the carpet in the formal dining room. I was in awe as I noticed her vacuum lines were still in her carpet probably a week or more after she had vacuumed! I thought to myself “ I wish I could keep my house this clean and have it stay picture perfect for more than 5 minutes!” I couldn't wait for the day that I would be able to do that and not have it messed up by sticky little fingerprints or find Legos hiding all over, or walking in to discover the girl's latest art creation they had so carefully designed on the wall with crayons.
What I didn't know at that time, that to have all of this perfection and cleanliness, the kids would have to be gone. You see, I wanted those things because the everyday struggles of 4 loads of laundry, toys everywhere, meals to prepare, beds to make, were overwhelming to me, and the beauty of a pristine home was something only dreams were made of. It took me forever sometimes just to find their bedroom floor before I could even think of vacuuming it. I never grasped that no vacuum lines represented my kids would one day grow up and leave. Those thoughts don't exist in a young mother's mind. "Watch out your kids will grow up in no time" was just something that older ladies say. I never realized the hardest part about parenting would be my kids growing up. I never really listened or understood the reminders... "it all goes by so fast". I tried not to blink.
Then one day I woke up, went to clean my house, and I noticed carefully placed vacuum lines in my carpet, I looked at my beautiful dining table with no fingerprints knowing it would stay that way for days...that's when I realized that vacuum lines are lonely. That Legos, and dirty clothes, and mouths to feed, hair to brush & style, and backpacks to get ready are sometimes very overwhelming, but they're never, ever lonely. What the older ladies had been telling me was true! When did I blink? The Legos & dolls slowly disappeared without me ever noticing. They were replaced by video games, and movies, books, makeup and clothes... then by empty bedrooms waiting for a visit home. Loads of laundry gradually got smaller, the dirty dishes were less and the endless treasures of Pokemon cards, stuffed animals, refrigerator art, Polly Pockets, rock collections and everything that resembled the happiness of childhood that had always been so present, all disappeared. Everything is almost picture perfect now and I appreciate and love this time of my life. I only wish I had known the cost of vacuum lines, because then I surely wouldn't have wanted this day to come as fast as it did. Always take pictures hang them on your walls, display them in alums, preserve the memories you will cherish them more far more than the vacuum lines.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere. Trust me don't blink, the vacuum lines are overrated. To the new “moms to be” don't rush things because it will go too fast, and it's not just something that older ladies say. To the young mothers who struggle through the mountains of laundry and responsibility cherish your children, their messes and stresses and the moments pass much quicker than you’d imagine. To the moms with the vacuum lines because their teens have 1 foot out the door you're gonna miss this, even with all the attitude. To the mothers with vacuum lines who miss their children dearly cherish the memories. To my own mother Elizabeth & grandma Olga in heaven, who I lost just 1 week apart, I miss you everyday. I cant believe this will 13 Mothers days without you. Vacuum lines aren't permanent and neither are mothers. To all the children that are blessed enough to still a have your Mother in your life take some time recognize her because tomorrow isn't promised Your Mom wont always be here and that too is not just something older ladies say.
