dena & co.

Leave it to Mother Nature to decide an outdoor Two Year portrait session for the lovely little Lydia was not in the cards. I was supposed to meet Dena and her family at the entrance to the arboretum Saturday morning, but as I was pulling into the gardens, the skies began to pour. A quick call to the client resulted in a quick change of plans: an indoor session back in the studio. So I raced back to meet them there on time, and was pleasantly surprised by the additional company of Nana and Popo! Dena and Jeff made it clear that they really weren't in to posed shots and preferred the candid ones (which are always my fave). I have to say that this was probably the fastest and easiest session I've ever done, even with the weather problems! Lydia made 3 wardrobe changes in what seemed like less than 1/2 hour, posed with all of her admirers, and even had time for a Two Year smash cake sequence. I loved the fact that she brought along her little stuffed puppy, and that she was the one who chose the floral frock she wore in the first shots. Dena and Jeff, thank you so much for being so flexible with the weather drama! It was an absolute pleasure working with all 5 of you, and enjoy your sneak!

jenny & co.

Jenny brought her sweet Palmer over yesterday (all the way from Houston!) for a slightly belated First Birthday portrait session. Mr. P is just pure deliciousness, and it was so much fun watching him live up to the phrase "all boy". Seriously, he was the most inquisitive little fellow, investigating every nook and corner in the studio. We eventually moved the session outside for some bubble shots . . . and then back indoors for some cake. I think that's when he fell in love with me. You can see the beginnings of the blue beard he eventually painted on the entire left side of his body (hair included); complimented his eyes perfectly. The shoot ended in a bubble bath, which was unplanned, but the only way we could get the layers of frosting off of him. Jenny has been my best friend for the last 12 years. We met at our first "grown up jobs" after college, and we've been inseperable ever since. The remarkable thing about this is, that for the last eight years, we've not lived in the same city. Our get togethers are far less frequent than I'd like, but when we do get together, it's like I just saw her the other day. And I must credit Jenny for being one of the key players in encouraging me to do this photography thing professionally. She is my Jenntwin, and it has been such a beautiful honor capturing her gorgeous boy in pictures over the past year. Jenny, thanks for coming out to see us yesterday. And happy birthday, Palmer! Safe travels home, and come back yesterday . . .

kim & co.

My last session of the weekend could not have been with a sweeter family. I must admit, when Kim booked the session a few weeks ago, she mentioned her child was 5. As a mommy to a 5 year old boy, I was looking forward to this session! Five, to me, is such a bittersweet age. You are no longer able to shop in the T section (2t-4t), as five years old sizes are now found in the youth section . . . which puts you that much further from the baby clothes and all things small and blue and baby . . . You notice one day that the little hand you are holding while crossing the street isn't quite as little as it once was. Or as round and chubby; and the grasp is a bit stronger. And, for most five year olds, school becomes a full time job for the next 13+ years, and words like pre-school and playdates seem to vanish from your vocabulary. So as I watched, through my lens, the sweet relationship that Kim, Sandy and Brady shared, I was just a little nostalgic. Brady, as I had expected, was such a sweety. And clearly adored by his mommy and daddy. When Brady and I were not discussing Star Wars ( I had no idea Yoda was a girl!) or debating the merits of Burger King with Mommy, Brady and Daddy engaged in a friendly little stand-up comedy competition (Daddy smells like a toe was my personal fave). Oh, and we also managed to capture some very sweet shots. That, of course, had me homesick for another little five year old boy who would be waiting for me at home, ready to discuss Star Wars and Transformers. And maybe even share a snuggle or two. Kim and Sandy, you have no idea how much fun I had with you guys. Thank you so much for being so patient with me as I threw you into 1000 different poses! I hope you enjoyed your Burger King . . . and your sneak peek!

jessica & co.

Last July, I met Jessica and her family of three for a summer photo session. At that time she shared with me that Clay, her baby boy, would soon be a big brother . . . making them a soon-to-be family of four! Fast forward 8 months later, and Big Brother Clay and baby Nate came to see me Sunday morning for a new brother/newborn shoot. The boys brought along their lovely mama (who looked way too beautiful and way too rested to be a new mother . . . of two!) and their doting Mawmaw and Gigi. We started the session with some sweet sibling snuggling (Clay was gentle and loving with Nate), and then it was Nate's turn to pose by himself! He even got to pose with Daddy's first baseball glove (look how tiny his hand is compared to the small glove!). I was so amazed at how calm Jessica was (as a mommy to two, I can promise you I was a bit more on edge two weeks post-partum), even when Nate decided he wanted to roll over off the bench and on to the floor (which was heroically stopped by Gigi, mid roll!). It was a fun session, indeed, and an honor to document this beautiful time in Jessica's life. Congrats to such a wonderful family, and enjoy your sneak peek!

ashley & co.

The lovely (and I mean supermodel lovely) Ashley and her peach of a husband Ernest (seriously, he was so helpful moving props every where!) came by yesterday with the adorable Miss Emerson. Emerson is 8 months old, going on 38. Such an old soul, with a face full of beautifully expressive emotions. Her mommy and daddy were afraid we didn't get any smiles from her, but we managed to get a few. Dressed to the nines in a beautiful Easter frock and girly-girl bow, Emerson was ever the trooper. And she was such an angel when we changed her in to Outfit #2 . . . and then back in to Outfit #1 for some outdoor shots. At 8 months, she allowed me to take pictures of her for a full hour without one protest! I had so much fun with this sweet family (Ashley and I bonded over antique chairs in between shots), and I am looking forward to Miss E's one year portraits in a few months. Thanks, guys, for coming out to see me! Enjoy your sneak!

lauren & co.

This afternoon I had a playdate. I mean, my kiddos had a playdate. And I happen to be a huge fan of the mommy who brought the playdaters, so it was a playdate for everyone. You might remember Lauren's babies from a few months ago. Eight to be exact. And I couldn't believe how big baby Asher has gotten! Sitting up. Crawling like a maniac. To be perfectly frank, on the verge of walking. At 8 months. His Daddy, I'm told, was walking by 8.5 months, so it might run in the family. Oh, and he's such a mama's boy. Melted my heart. Obviously, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the boy with the bluest eyes ever. Tried to get a few of big sis, but she was too pre-occupied directing the Snow White Show (tickets sold out fast, folks!). Lauren, it was so much fun. As always. Thanks for coming out our way this time! Kisses to the kiddies. Mine are plum worn out.

cathy & co.

Last spring, Cathy saw bridal portraits that I had taken of April. Cathy forwarded my information on to her sister Carla, who then forwarded my name on to her children. Kathleen, daugther-in-law to Carla and neice to Cathy, called for newborn portraits of her son, Beckett. Susan, Kathleen's sister-in-law and Carla's daughter, then called for a family session with her beautiful brood. And yesterday, Cathy, who started it all, drove in all the way from the San Antone area with her gorgeous daughter, Molly, for senior portraits. Did you follow all that? Because, to be honest, I'm a bit dizzy trying to recount it. Let me begin by saying that Molly is tall, thin, absolutely beautiful, intelligent, and has the most amazing turquoise eyes you've ever seen. Oh, and aside from being a debutante, she's a cheerleader. So she's the girl in school you wanted to be. Cathy, like her daughter, is just as lovely, intelligent, a gifted artist and owns her own cafe back home. So, she's the woman you hope to grow up to become. Between the two of them, and Carla (who came along for fun, but willingly went to work for me), I had so much fun! Molly is going to attend UT's School of Biz, but she's still undecided as to what she wants to be when she grows up. Based on yesterday's spectacular shoot, I'd say she could easily have a future on the catwalk! Ladies, thank you so much for driving in for less than 24 hours (they go back home today), just so I could capture this milestone in Miss Molly's life. It was beyond, beyond, beyond an honor! Molly, good luck this semester, and enjoy your sneaky!

kate & co.

Saturday morning I was visited by Kate, Scott and their adorable little three month old, Jack. Despite the fact that I had out-of-town company and there were plenty of distractions outside the studio walls, this little family was so calm and easy going. Kate (Helen Hunt's long lost twin, by the way) has the Mommy Thing down. So sweet, so nurturing and so in love with her little boy (her expressions in some of the candids are so moving!). And Scott was in full Daddy Mode as he coaxed smiles and giggles out of his little boy with fun phrases like "Get it, Jack! Get it, Jack! Get it!" and "Jack-a-roo!!!!!" Both of which, by the by, stayed in my head all day. And, I can't post this post without mentioning that Jack was the most verbal little three month old I've ever met! So much to say, and he had such a captive audience. Kate and Scott, it was an absolute pleasure working with you and your beautiful little boy! I am looking forward to our Daddy's Car shoot, and thank you for coming my way this time. Enjoy your sneak!

andrea & co.

Saturday night I photographed my first official wedding. Back in July, mind you, Andrea and Jeff hired me for both their engagement session and their Big Day. It was, without a doubt, an unbelievable honor that these two trusted me to capture the moments that made up the story of their wedding. And, as such, I found myself tearing up a bit (both during the ceremony and first dances, and the Father of the Bride speech); rookie mistake? Tender moments aside, I can not speak enough about this couple. An undeniable chemistry, amazing friends and family, and just about the easiest couple to work with. Andrea was so easy going, so laid back and so breathaking in her Old Hollywood Glamour wedding gown. I am not even close to editing the moments from the day, but I did want to share a few with you. Ok, more than a few. But it will be a while before these two see the final pics, and they're in love, by golly! Special thanks to my wonderful assistant/sister/photography slave, Melissa, who fetched batteries and memory cards, kept me on task throughout the night and even managed to capture a few great shots of her own. Andrea and Jeff, thank you so, so very much for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful day. I hope you both had fun in Tahoe, and I wish you a happily ever after!