becca & co.

Last night I met Becca and her sweet family for some holiday themed photos. Now, lest you think my precious Eva is having a tantrum in that first picture, fear not, dear reader. That is merely Eva making her Excited Face. Yes, her Excited Face. Just about the funniest thing I've ever seen. And just about impossible to focus the camera, as I was in stitches. Eva will pretty much make any face you ask (and was sporting an impressive monkey face towards the end), and pretty much does what she's asked. Always so delightful, and most definitely entertaining (she wants a red lollipop from Santa for Christmas this year!). Usually my sessions with Eva are only of Eva (with an occassional candid with mama). But last night both Mark and Becca joined in on the fun and we got some pretty cute family shots (which I won't post, in case they want to use one for their holiday card). This marked my first time to work with Eva's parents, and it couldn't have been easier (save for the 25 mile an hour winds that almost scared Becca into nixing the session). Thank you, guys, for braving the wind. I enjoyed our session, as well as the popcorn! Enjoy your sneak peek!

j & co.

I met J at one of my first events, when I was photographing a Sip 'N See back in June. I was taken with her two boys, and they seemed to like my camera. I gave her my card, and a few months later she called to book a family session. Yesterday I met up with her beautiful family for a fun hour at the Arboretum. J's husband is a fashion designer (imagine my humiliation when I found this tidbit out yesterday, as I was wearing my best frumpy black pants and so-not-designer shirt), and I have to say, his outfit choice rocked. He truly looked the part of Super Urban Dad , and J looked gorgeous is her velvet coat (pre-approved by Mr. GQ). The boys were adorable in their matching sweaters and braved the biting cold wind with promises of hot chocolate after pictures! Although, truth be told, I think they would have played it in all day, so long as Dad continuted to find them leaves to feed the imaginary fishies! Thanks, guys, for such a fun morning. It was wonderful seeing you all again, and enjoy your sneak peek!

marsha & co.

Cello Girl. That's what my friends and family called her when they found out about this shoot. Cello Girl. When Marsha first contacted me about taking senior portraits of her daughter, Rachel, she mentioned that Rachel played the cello. Goosebumps! Visions of her daughter in my favorite field playing the cello danced through my mind. A rain storm and grandson birth postponed our original shoot, which worked out for the best, since yesterday was overcast and the colors in our photos just popped. Rachel is a homeschooled senior who, coincidentally, is also taking college courses at a nearby campus. So she's a Senior Freshman. Talk about ambitious. Because of the rain the previous night, my field was soaked. So our much anticipated cello shots were taken on my favorite road, and it could not have worked out any better. While I was shooting, Rachel was playing the most haunting melody, and the music echoing through the trees literally gave me goosebumps! I cant write this post without thanking Marsha and Miss Robbie who dutifully sat with my own children as they watched Mommy work from the car. Robbie, the kids are still telling me all the spanish words you taught them; gracias! Marsha, I am so eager to meet Miss Riley, and I hope all of you enjoy the sneak peek. Rachel is one of the most confident, spirited young women I've ever met, and I know she will be successful in whatever she chooses to do. Best of luck to you, Rachel, and thank you for an amazing session!

bobbi & co.

Last month I did portrait sessions for a local pre-school. A family member from that group also happens to homeschool the other 4 children in her family, and she passed my name along to the church's Home School Group. So, some very sweet families met me for some quick sessions this past Friday, and I could not have had more fun. The children were amazing, the parents were fabulous, and I think we captured some very sweet moments. Thanks to Ms. Bobbi for organizing the entire event, and congrats on the adoption of beautiful Miss Olivia!

shari & co.

I know it's going to sound borderline illegal, but I sometimes wish I could take my little clients home with me. Rachel, Grace and Annie were no exception. These girls were so much fun. Fun, fun, fun! I was literally laughing and giggling with them the entire shoot. Rachel and Grace are twins, and Miss Annie is the baby of the family. I was so impressed to see how well all THREE of them got along, though! Rachel and Grace obviously have the twin-bonding-thing down, but they also clearly have an Annie bond. Such sweet sisters, and I commend Shari and Jeff (who were just about the calmest parents ever) for raising such beautiful little women. We had so many fun moments that it was hard narrowing them down to a handful, but here are a few of my favorites. The last one is one of my most: a spontaneous, tender moment with Jeff and his "princesses" (and you gotta love Grace's Sleeping Beauty pose; such a ham!) Thank you guys, for such a fun session, and enjoy your sneak peek!

kristy & co.

Yesterday morning I met Kristy and her boys for a family photo session that was supposed to originally take place at the Arboretum. But the morning of the shoot, Kristy's husband remembered that they wanted to include little Harley in the family photo . . . and being of the canine persuasion, Harley would not have been welcome in the Arboretum. So we headed elsewhere, which actually turned out to be a very good thing. The babies were able to enjoy the sounds of the water, Harley was able to roam freely (or as far as his Harley Davidson leash would allow) and Grandma Ann lent a hand (or two) to all of us. This adorable family moved in to a new home 12 weeks ago, welcomed a new baby boy in to the family 10 weeks ago, celebrated Harley's 3rd birthday a few days ago, and is constantly on their toes chasing after a recently-mastered-walking one year old. I can not imagine how they managed to manage the last 12 weeks, but they were as calm and pleasant as they could be yesterday. Thank you, Kristy, for bringing all 4 of your boys out to see me, and next time we'll try to get Grandma in the pictures!

jill & co.

Remember those girls in high school? The really pretty ones, with the perfect hair, the perfect make-up, the cutest clothes, etc., etc. Well, last night I got to hang out with a group of women who most likely were those girls in high school. And, oh the fun we had. Back in July, Jill (mom to beautiful Dutch from October's post) contacted me about doing a session with her posse of fab-glam friends. They threw in 9.5 kids in the mix . . . and oh the fun we had! Seriously, these gals were so much fun! And the little ones running about were beyond adorable. Ladies, thank you so much for letting me come hang out with you . . . does this make me an honorary FHG? I have a black shirt and jeans . . . It was beyond impossible to narrow down a few pics to put on the blog, but I hope you enjoy your sneak peek. Special thanks to the dads who tagged along to help control the fun!

caroline & co.

I met Caroline many moons ago, when we were both college students. Caroline is a tall, thin blonde with lips that put Angelina Jolie's to shame. Oh, and she has the most beautiful Louisianna drawl you've ever heard. Seriously, it makes you wanna pull out a vintage fan and flutter it all about whilst sitting on a porch swing, sipping mint juleps on a warm summer's night! After college, ironically, we both ended up working at the same company. So it was a bit surreal to be taking pictures of her lovely family this morning, when I've seen her go from college girl to working girl to working Mom. And don't get me started on Bill. They were college sweethearts. And he was a big, burly rugby player. But today he was the sweetest daddy to his two little boys, even though he was battling a stomach but that kept him up most of the previous night. His sense of humor has always been one that makes me laugh out loud, which is a bit tricky when trying to keep a steady hand with the camera. Silly Will and Serious John were such sweet troopers, especially when we tried to ditch the lollipops between shots. It was such a special morning to reunite with old friends and see the beautiful family they have made. Thank you, guys, for the fun moments, and Bill, I hope you feel better soon!

allie

This past October, a very special little girl turned three. And her mommy's heart broke just a little bit. Allie has always been such a force, even before she was born. This child, before I held her in my arms for the first time, taught me lessons on life, faith, perseverance and hope. Everyday with her is such a gift; albeit, a messy, silly, war of wills gift, but a gift nonetheless. Allie is fearless, passionate and so very independent. Named after my grandmother, who never met her first and only namesake, Allie reminds me so much of Gramma Alice. This morning Allie and I went out back for some Allie @ 3 Portraits. More of a tomboy than anything else, Allie did love her pink pettiskirt and posing for the camera. After the "shoot", she said, "Mommy, that was so fun". As most parents of more than one child can attest, you always feel like your first got so much more of you. Every breath, every blink was recorded on video, film and paper. And then your second one arrives, and you forget to remind yourelf to not forget to write down the day she first smiled, her first word, whatever that momentous moment was. So much of Allie's life seems to be on fast forward for me; it's gone by much too fast. So I'll certainly cherish this morning's mini-shoot with my Allie Girl. The twirling, the laughing, the posing and the smiling . . . and my heart breaking as I try not to think that next year she'll be starting pre-school and then off to prom. Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl. And please try to slow down on the growing up so fast, just a little.

kathleen & co.

It's hard to believe that it was only four months ago when I first met Mr. Beckett and his gorgeous parents. We took his newborn pictures back then, and my how some things have changed! His eyes are still To. Die. For. And his sweet little personality still melts my heart. But he's 5 months now, teething like a monster, and almost sitting up by himself! Kathleen and Sean, as always, were so much fun, so easy going and so open to all my suggestions. While the whole time change threw us off a bit, it did not prevent us from capturing some very sweet moments. I've mentioned before how special it is to work with clients on a repeat basis, and that is especially true when working with newborns. Working with Beckett tonight kind of brought it all home for me: he was more beautiful than the day I met him, and his growing little personality was clearly evident; such a humbling honor to witness such beautiful changes in these beautiful babies. Thanks, Kathleen, for the opportunity to work with you guys again. The birth announcement was gorgeous, and I can't wait to see the holiday card! Enjoy your sneak peek!