Flower Girl Dress + Old Buildings = Magic

Ok, I have so many images to share from this session. There are even more that I love and the hard thing to believe is that we only spent an hour together. Little Layla had worn this dress in two weddings recently and her mom Heidi thought it would be fun to have her in it for part of the session - I agreed. She just turned two and you know with two year olds - we just let them be themselves and follow them around. Layla had some great expressions thanks to Mom and Dad. When we finished I was glad to hear them say that this was so much less stressful than the mall. It really doesn't have to be a nightmare. I encourage everyone to show up with a smile and not a ton of expectations. Look at the beautiful images of their family we have because they were so easy going. The mood so much affects how our session will play out. Especially with children - they don't miss a beat. Nathan and Heidi - I hope you love these as much as I do.

Abigail

I'm so thankful for my clients for referring me so often to their family and friends. Yesterday morning I met Jamee, Kyle and their new baby girl Abigail. They were sent my way via Darci. I think Darci is friends with everyone at this point. She is just the sweetest person. Hi Darci!
Well, even though some bedsheets and pillows were soaked by little Abigail (the typical newborn session hazzards) I think it was worth it. She was a trooper and tolerated us pretty well. Jamee even let me take her dining room chair out into the driveway and I love those ones so much. Simple black and whites with a raw feeling to them and images with strong color and or composition make my heart sing.

The feet. I love to shoot feet. I don't ever plan on how I'm going to shoot most things, just some general ideas in mind- so I love to see how the feet images end up because they are all so different because of this. Baby feet are so same and so different at the same time. Some will never put their feet together and that's fine, and some have the toes all curled up like fingers, and some are always flexed and sticking straight out. Combine that with different settings, lighting, and moods and you really can get a good variety.

I was shooting from different angles and saw Jamee's flip flopped feet in the top of the frame and just thought it was so cute her looking over her baby.

Peachy Keen

We've been enjoying the peaches this week from our backyard tree. This year, they have have been especially good. I even sent Drew around with the wagon to share some with the neighbors. It's fun to sit out together in the evening and to be able to grab some so easily. It is not, however, fun to pick them up each morning after they have fallen over night and the squirrels have eaten half of them and they are covered with bees............Glass half full, glass half empty,..........hmmmm.........You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have "The Facts Of Life",,,,,,,,,,,geesh, I'm getting old. It's true though. All in the way you look at it. There is only so much we have control over. I'm working on that "I can't control things, but I can control how I react to them." It really makes a big difference.

One of Roman hanging out in the yard after playing in the sprinkler.

System Down

My site is down right now along with my email so please forgive me any delay in getting in touch with you or loading galleries to view. Hopefully it will be taken care of soon and I can catch up. Thanks for your patience. Darn computers.

Dalen

Little Dalen is 3 months old and doesn't like to sit still for a minute. It was atleast a million degrees this day and Stacey (mom) and I were feeling it. By the end of the session, we were spent. A little storm rode through and took all of our light as well. It's amazing how quickly the light can change with the weather. We made the best of it and just got a little creative. We have three more sessions planned so I can't wait to see how Dalen grows up this year. She's such a cutie.

This is what happens when you put an active baby on slippery pillows.

Close your eyes and make a wish.........................

Sometimes they come true. I know I have a few I'm counting on.

Focus Grasshopper

When I walked out of the front door this afternoon to take out the trash, this little guy was on the hood of my car waiting to greet me. Ok, he didn't really greet me, but i couldn't believe how long he sat there letting me get closer and closer. I'm not an insect person by any means, but isn't he kinda cute? Maybe he is good luck........... No, that's crickets.

Sweet Ciana

I'm glad to be able to post this today for my new friends Danixa and Chris. The last three days I've been dealing with the dreaded computer crash that drives your work to a halt. I pulled my hair out for the duration and am finally back up and running. Thanks for your patience everyone!
Little Ciana let me hold her when I arrived and she weighed next to nothing compared to my rugged little almost 3 year old boy. She was like a little flower, so sweet and patient with us. She stared casually at me most of the time and we got a few laughs out of her too. When she got a little tired, a 15 min. power nap was all she needed and she was back in the game. Dad actually took a power nap too and we woke him up to join us. Sorry Chris!
I love this series of her with her family, especially her Grandma who was in from out of the country to spend time with them and do what Grandmas do.

A 6th Grader......With Attitude

Our oldest started 6th grade this past Tuesday. Wow - we're not in elementary anymore Toto. Things have really changed. They are required to be a lot more independant this year. There are lockers and homerooms, different periods, Scientific caluclators, DANCES!, cell phones (with parental control of course and just for emergencies), and so on and so on. They have 5 minutes to enter the building and get to there lockers and homerooms. They carry their lunch, instrument, and backpack filled with among other things, a giant 3 " binder (has to be atleast 5") that is filled to the brim with paper, planner, tickets, cards, a loaded pencil pouch, dividers, homework, book covers, other notebook and so on and so on. It's only Thurs. and we have tried 3 different backpacks, and three pencil pouches to try and make the load lighter and more easily organized. Lockers are only about 6" wide and 3' tall. The backpacks were because he couldn't find one that would hold everything (3" binder) and still fit in his locker. We decided he would carry the big packpack, empty it out, and roll it up in the morning and shove it in there. I can't wait to chaperone a dance, if they let parents. Please, please say I can. It's just so exciting! We all remember 6th and 7th grade dances. I promise, I will cramp his style as little as possible, but to get to be a part of that part of your child's new world is too thrilling
Atleast this is a nice transition before Junior High as our builidngs are seperate for the 6th graders. I know this year will go fast, but we're going to try and enjoy every minute of it. Even with the attitude.

Scheduling Updates

Ok, I am surprised and happy to be saying that I am booked up until Dec. I know, who knew? Wedding Photographers are often booked way in advanced, but for those of us focusing on babies, and children and families, it's not as common. It's more of the kind of thing you try to get done on a weekly basis. Thanks so much for choosing me. There are a lot of photographers out there and I'm flattered that my style and work is what YOU are looking for. I'm excited for this fall to get together again with my returning clients and meet all of my knew ones. Thanks as well for all of the referrals as word of mouth is the only advertising that I do.
I do have one date in Dec. that I have offered, but has not been confirmed as of yet, so if you are interested, please give me a holler. January and February are wide open and a great time for anyone with small children or expecting newborns; we can be nice and cozy inside.