We’ve been homeschooling for 4 years so far (starting our 5th) and 2 years ago, friends of ours created the unbelievably awesome Branches Homeschool Community. They had to convince Karen that joining would be a good idea… and she did when there were about a dozen families.  By the time that first semester was rolling – there was something like 80 families.  In their second year, around 180 children at ONE location! They opened up a second location called West Valley Branches as well.  Karen not only volunteered to teach classes in drawing, PictureSmart Bible and Smash* booking – but also took on the Branches yearbook for 2014-2015. She did not all, but most, of the snapshots capturing all the classes, parties and special events that took place every week – but also designed the 76 page side book. She used Picaboo Yearbooks and they arrived last month. They are fantastic and affordable – and excellent customer service.  Out of the entire order, only 4 books had a slight ‘bend’ in the corner. She let them know and they reprinted the books without a problem.  In January, I volunteered to take ‘traditional student pportraits’ of all the children at Branches Biltmore so that they could have consistent professional portraits in the yearbook. I had also offered student portraits for our other homeschool group Eastside Explorers for the past two years.  Those that wished to purchase retouched high resolution files so that they could make their own prints or email to friends and family did so.  For privacy reasons, I can’t show you the student portraits.  Formal backdrop style photos aren’t my usual ‘style’ of shooting, however there is a sentimental value in that snapshot of time, every year, where the kids are still… and you can really see their faces change as they age (all too quickly!!!!)  It’s always fun comparing the previous years – and counting our blessings for the time that we can enjoy every day with them.  I was honored to provide a helpful service for the families and give back to our homeschool community.

Here are a couple quick photos she took with her phone of the finished yearbook!  She’s ready to start it all again in September.