tiffany & co.

It had been too long, entirely too long, since my lens last got to feast on Lincoln and Christian. But a few months ago their handsome father told their haute mama that they were overdue for a family photo (can you imagine, ladies, your hubs saying that to you?), so Ken and Barbie booked a session in Deep Ellum, and last weekend we had a reunion of sorts. The twins are 3 now, talking and Cuter. Than. Ever. Even when they were babies, it was so neat to see their distinct personalities. A couple years later, they are just as different as can be, but the bond they share is palpable. When we met at 3:30 for our afternoon session, it was freezing. Freezing. I didn't know how long the boys would last. But they were absolute troopers. As the temps continued to drop, and the arctic winds continued to rev up, the boys were A. Mazing. And beyond presh. Tiffany picked out outfits for them that looked like something out of Rolling Stone Tots, and they looked great against the funky, grungy setting that is Deep Ellum. Fahmi was so patient as we roamed the streets looking for fun spots (and both boys insisting that Daddy hold them was too cute for words). Tiff and Fahmi were off to the Cowboys game that night, and the boys were off to Vegas (the grandparents'), with the promise of earning new trains for sweet smiles. Tiffany, I hope they got them, because the rocked the camera. Thanks so much for coming out to see me. The boys were amazing, and it was So. Much. Fun. Happy Holidays, and enjoy your sneak!

tyler & co.

Tyler also tried to book a session with me last year. But, alas, the calendar was full and we never hooked up. But I'm so happy that she kept my name and number, because a year later I got to meet this incredible family. When Tyler hopped out of the car, she was wearing jeans and a hoodie and black Chuck Taylors. And then proceeded to tell me that she had her hair cut the day before and what a horrible idea that was ... And she could not have been more adorable. All of her. Loved it. And then Rob (who is such a sweet daddy to his little boy) scooped Che out of the back seat, and adorable took on a whole new meaning. Such. A. Cutie. Shy at first, he quickly warmed up to me, and the next hour was spent playing with mom and dad, shooting the cutest grins at me (he has the cutest little way of trying NOT to smile, which makes the funniest face, before breaking out in to the toothiest grin; trust me, it's adorb) and collecting sticks and finding ducks. Che will turn 2 on the 23rd of this month, and I'm pretty sure his parents scored the ultimate present when they welcomed him into the world two Christmases ago. Tyler, thank you so much for calling back, months later, to book this session. It was so much fun. I adore your boys. Happy holidays, happy birthday to Che Man, and enjoy your sneaky!

aly & co.

Last year Ms. Aly tried to book a session with me. An extended family session. But our calendars never really were in sync. Until this past weekend, when she and the whole gang met me for a fun filled session. Tutu and Papa, the matriarch and patriarch of the group, seemed to be so very happy watching their children and grandchildren laugh and play in the park. Sisters Aly and Emily (who both celebrated December birthdays within days of each other) were absolutely hilarious. As was Captain Morgan ... er, Chris (who recently proposed to Ms. Em!). And Derek just couldn't take the cold. I kid, I kid. Kind of (they were all sports as we shot in blustery winds). But the real stars from the session? Ava and Grace. Or Grace and Ava. The most adorable little twins, with the most amazing "poofs", who absolutely LOVED being chased by Aunt Emily and Tutu, or snuggling up to mama Aly. Though, truth be told, they loved earning Gummi Bears the most. Such a fun family. Such a great session. Aly, thanks for being so patient with the calendar. Happy Holidays, and enjoy your sneak!

jolisa & co.

As I was preparing for my final session of the weekend, I spied out of the corner of my eye, two tiny little heads peering in the front door. Quiet as little mice, they were standing outside. Waiting. I opened the front door and two of the most adorable little boys cautiously looked up at me. And then smiled. I noticed the dimples right away. Their mama later pointed out that they have complimentary dimples. One on either side. The boys were soon followed by their parents and baby brother. Their adorable baby brother. The boys were so well behaved. Honestly. Henry at 6, and Alex at 4, were unbelievable big brothers to 4 day old Will. Henry, especially, wanted to snuggled and hold his baby brother. Going so far as to say, "Miss Jennifer, do you mind taking a picture of just me and Will?" Melt. My. Heart. And when Mr. Will needed a snack, Alex and Henry would play and pose for me in the studio. Their favorite smiles were the silly ones, which they seem to have practiced to perfection. And when it was Will's turn to pose by himself, the boys sat quietly and played puzzles. Or looked for my Elf on the Shelf. And pretty much made me want to keep them in my home and claim them as my own. Jolisa and Steve, you have done such an amazing job with your boys. All three of them. It was an absolute honor, and I can't thank you enough for being so flexible by coming out! I had so much fun, and enjoy the sneak!

andrea & co.

Little man Jake. He recently came back to see me for his One Year session. Working with this beautiful boy is always so much fun, and this session was no exception. Truly an outdoorsman, Jake was in heaven amidst the golden leaves and tall trees. At one point, as he was crawling away from his laughing parents (who were throwing leaves all around him), I felt like I was shooting an ad for New England's fall tourist campaign! Everything about little Jake is perfections: his butter blonde hair, his creamy skin, those adorable cheeks and those piercing blue eyes. Honestly, I could Eat. Him. Up. Nevermind his drop dead gorgeous mama and his super sweet daddy (who, honest to goodness, sounds like George Strait. Crazy freaky). Jake's helpful and delightful grandparents rounded out his entourage that day, and it was so sweet to see them oooh and ahhh over their grandson! When it was all said and done, Andrea and I talked Camera for a bit, and then it was time to go. Which was too hard for this photographer, as I am clearly addicted to The Jake. Guys, thanks so much! Enjoy your sneak!

lindsey & co.

When my first session of the morning was ending, the Dad looked up and saw something over my shoulder. "Well look at this little princess," he said as I turned around to look. I had to giggle as I saw Miss Chloe Grace exiting her car and stepping out in to the park. "Aww, that's my next client," I told him. "And she is such a little princess." And, to be fair, I should have added Rock Star Two Year Old Supermodel to the title. I didn't realize that Chloe's session that morning was just for Chloe. While I was disappointed that I didn't get to work with her haute mama and daddy (although we did manage to snap a few candids), I was so thrilled to work with just Chlo. Two is such a fantastic age to photograph, and Chloe, as always, was ever the professional. She actually let me seat her and then cross her legs while she perched precariously on an old stump. And there she sat until I told her to move. As the winds started to pick up and her little cheeks became rosy, she let us change outfits, accessories and the like. She loved the leaves, the trees, the squirrels and the lions (the larger golden retrievers that randomly passed), and she absolutely loved the different sounds Corey, Linds and I would make to get a laugh. Lindsey, as always, fantastic job on the wardrobe. And to both of you, fantastic job on raising such a beautiful ... little princes/rock star two year old supermodel. Enjoy your sneaky!

stacey & co.

Meet Jack and Kate: seven year old twins who attend the same school as my son. When we moved here last year in April (long after school had started and friends had been made)and my son was "the new kid", Jack and Kate welcomed him with open arms and those fantastic smiles. And even though they weren't in the same class (and still aren't), they still manage to meet up at lunch and recess for a fun game of Sharks and Minnows. They are two of the sweetest and funniest kids around, and getting the chance to take the picture was So. Much. Fun. And don't get me started on their mama. Just as friendly, just as sweet, and absolutely beautiful. Sure, she could have chosen anyone to take her family photos, but she chose me. Such an honor. And where was Stacey off to after supporting her neighbor's little biz? Off to support her other neighbor's child who was singing in a quartet ... And then off to support another neighbor's daughter who was dancing in a ballet. She's obviously the neighborhood's cheerleader! And while I was marveling at how well behaved Jack and Kate were during our session, Chad was telling me all about the fishing holes in and around our area (while keeping me laughing with some fabulous one liners; the one about him looking forward to the photo session all week is my All Time Fave).
Kudos to Miss Kate on choosing her faboosh dress (she won the Mom vs. Daughter Outfit debate), and special thanks to this Picture Perfect family for coming out to play with me!

mary & co.

How do you blog about a friendship that is almost 20 years old? That was formed during college and has followed you through the ups and downs of dating, weddings, babies, loss, joys ... I met Mary my junior year of college. We both attended a small, private liberal arts school in Texas. We were both English majors. She looked like Helen Hunt (wow, I'm really aging us with that one) and had the same wit to boot. She lives in Arizona now, and the last 10 years, I've seen her twice. Once when she came out to meet my baby girl after she was born. And recently when she and her fam made a special stop in Dallas so that I could take their pictures. I have struggled for a week now with this post, because there is just so much to say. So I have decided to do something unprecedented in haute shot's blog post, dear reader. I will tell you about Mary, about our friendship, using one word or phrases. And I can promise you she will understand each and every one. And I hope the English major in her appreciates how one word could evoke an entire story.

Moby. Flipper. Brian. Old Mill. Boots. Cowboys. Roadtrip. Sedona. Camping in a hotel. Mary Finn. Pat, pat. Bluebonnets. Fist like a Knight. Chip. Song for the Life. Mark Chestnutt. Hannah Basket. Gland. Just a little ranch. Pat, pat. Robert Frost weather. Arizona clouds. Camelback Mountain. The Pistoleros. Dave Matthews. Kokopelli and a very tiny star. Dr. Curtsinger. Blind date. Orion. Fig newtons.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. Rather, I'll end on the Mary not that I once knew, but the Mary I know now. Who is a successful published author, a loving wife to one of the sweetest guys around (you should see his crazy dance moves) and unbelievable mother to 5 precious babies. Four of whom I got to meet at our shoot. I had met Hannah and Ethan once before, and they were as adorable as ever. SaraBeth and Edye are the two latest tow headed, blue eyed babies they've added to the mix. SB acted like we were besties from the get go. And she invited me over to the hotel for a movie night and slumber party when it was all said and done. The kids were amazing. And are homeschooled by Mary. Who also gardens their own veggies, writes columns and books, volunteers for the church, remembers your birthday and anniversary .... and really would make you feel so bad about yourself if she wasn't one of your biggest fans.

Mar, I can't thank you enough for coming out to see me. It was so much more of an honor than you can possibly imagine. Please give my love to the fam (ALL of them), enjoy your sneaky, and pat, pat ...

beth & co.

I met Beth four year ago, at a bridal shower for one of my dearest friends (and her future sis-in-law). I immediately fell in love with her. No not with her gorgeous brown locks (to die for), or her beautiful, twinkling eyes (to die for). Or her dimples (put a fork in me; I'm done). No, I fell in love with her, dear reader, simply because she laughed at all of my jokes. All of them. And it wasn't a "I'm laughing just to make you feel better about yourself " laugh. It was this fabulous, real, heartfelt laugh. Contagious. And I got to see and hear it all again this week, when we took her son's one year portraits. If I told you her trick to get the best smiles out of Jake, you wouldn't believe me. But she coughs. Not a "Oh, dear, am I coming down with something?" kind of cough. But a full out, gasping for your last breath, clutching your throat and falling over (literally) on to the ground kind of laugh. Arms and legs flailing. And it ends with her laughing. She's Suzy Sunshine, and her baby boy is a fan. A huge one. Beth and her boys live in San Antonio, so the fact that she came to Dallas to have me take these pictures means alot. A whole lot. And when she initially emailed me about the session, she said that she wanted Fall. Because it reminds her of her son (who was born in the throes of it). And so Fall we did. At my favorite park that is Robert Frost like this time of year and was the perfect backdrop for her perfect boy. Jake loved the leaves, the water, the wagon ride in the morning light. But mostly, he loved his mama and his Nonna. Beth, it was so much fun. Thank you so much for sharing a very special boy with me on a very special morning. Hope the drive home was fantastic, and enjoy your sneaky!