kelly & co.

Kelly is an environmental scientist. Julian works for State Farm. They have a 2.5 year old girl named Bella. And, to put it bluntly, I was in no way expecting two Ralph Lauren models to step out of their car on Saturday morning. But they did. A striking, beautiful couple married for 3 years (they met in Vegas; so clearly what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas). They rescued their baby girl, Bella, and are huge supporters of the group. This little family of three was so much fun. Up for all of my crazy ideas (well, maybe not the expired lollipop bit) and troopers in the heat, I could have hung out with them all day. It was such a fun experience working with a four legged friend (Bella was very well behaved and pretty much tuckered out after 15 minutes in the heat), and I swear Kelly and Julian still acted like newlyweds! Guys, thanks for the amazing session! I had so much fun, you guys were so much fun, and I can't wait to see your photo blocks, Kelly! Thanks again, guys, and enjoy your sneak!

nicole & co.

Sweet baby Jett. Jett Ryder, for those collecting faboosh baby names at home. He and his hipster hip parents came by the studio yesterday for his newbie session. Jett was literally a week old. And acted nothing like it. Advanced beyond his newbie status, Mr. Jett was rocking the camera like a 6 week old. A snuggle bug in the truest sense of the word, we put the little guy to work! Nicole (who is big sis to the lovely Hayley and soon-to-be-auntie to the little Sawyer) and Jeff brought along a ton of cute little props. My favorite, I think, was a brand new deck of cards. Rumor has it that Jeff likes to play a few hands of poker. From time to time. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Anywho, he wanted to incorporate that into the newbie session. Not sure if Jett was bluffing, and I know you're not supposed to show your hand so early, but my goodness does that boy know how to hold a card! Nicole had had a rough night with little Jett the night before, but you never would have known it. Beautiful and calm radiated from the new mama, and it was so sweet to see how much she and her little boy have already bonded in one week! GeeGee rounded out the entourage, and she is clearly smitten with the boy. As am I. Guys, thanks for your patience, your ideas and congrats on your beautiful boy!

meredith & co.

Sweet little Lilly came by the studio on Saturday for her much anticipated One Year Photo Session. Which her mama, Meredith, had been planning since her Newbie Photo Session a year ago. I actually thought this shoot was going to be rescheduled, because the night before I got an email from Meredith saying that Lilly had dislocated her elbow. Ouch. But the next day the little tot woke up happy and rested, and the shoot went on. Lilly was all about crawling and exploring the studio, and she was such a trooper during our outfit changes (for those keeping score at home, Meredith had the smash cake decorated to match the bloomers L wore for that sequence. Brilliant). Meredith and T-Toby-Troy-T brought a few props for the session; most notably, the vintage rocker Meredith used when she was a little girl. Meredith and Kristin are BFF's, and I swear they could totally open their own speciality frou-frou boutique. They both come to these sessions with such amazing outfits that I openly covet and secretly wonder how I could convince the hubs to have one more baby, just so I could dress her up in all of L and M's hand-me-downs. After the photo shoot, Miss Lil was off to celebrate her birthday with friends and family amidst lady bugs, catepillars and butterflies. Guys, it's been a remarkable year. Thank you for sharing your Lilly Girl with me, and I look forward to watching her grow up as a one year old!

luvy & co.

Luvy, Chris and Sophia stopped by the studio on Saturday for a faboosh maternity session. Luvy, absolutely adorable with her petite frame and prego belly, is due with Miss Rose in approximately 5 weeks. I've worked with Luvy & Co. a handful of times now, and I simply adore this family. And Miss Sophia? At 3, she's so sweet, so fun, and is Too. Cute. For. Words. She's very shy, very intelligent, but she definitely has a silly side. And I have no doubt that she will make a fantastic older sister to Rose. I absolutely love maternity sessions for a second child. The bond that the parents share with their first born is palpable. And the little family of 3 that they have created and established will forever change with the arrival of the second. As a parent, you know how much you love your first born, and you almost can't imagine loving another child as much. But then the second that second child is placed in your arms, you literally wonder how you ever considered your family of three complete. I am so excited for you, Luvy. You have a beautiful family, and I thank you for sharing them with me. I can not wait to meet the addition in the fall, and I wish you the best of luck these last few weeks. Besos to Sophia (and I hope she enjoyed her lunch @ Chuck's!).

chelsea & co.

Chelsea is a photographer from the San Antonio area whose husband happened to be in Dallas this week on business. Realizing she is always behind the camera (and never in front) with her own daughter, she booked a 6 Month Mommy/Daughter session with me. Kherington, obviously, is no stranger to the camera. And with her piercing blue eyes and creamy white chubbiness, she was a dream. We captured some very sweet Mommy and Me moments, especially at the end, but here are some of my other faves. I just loved Kherington's eyes against the blue rug. Truth be told, I loved Kherington's eyes against anything. Chelsea brought along a little cowboy hat and cow-inspired diaper cover for some cowgirl pics (Chelsea & Co. live on a ranch, to which my fam has been invited next time we're in the San Antone area). The session was fast and so much fun. It's always a bit nerve racking photographing a fellow photographer. But Chelsea made is so easy! Thanks so much for coming out to see us, Chels. Hope the drive back wasn't too bad. Enjoy your sneaky!

haley & co.

My sixth and final session of the weekend brought me to the home of Haley and Matt. Which happened to be the home that Matt's grandfather built in HP and in which his mother was raised. Haley, Matt and Emmitt (the adorable rescue pup in the final pic) welcomed sweet baby Ryan into the world 2.5 weeks ago. Even though we kept the temperature in the house warmer than the temp outside (literally), little Ryan would not fall asleep. Rather, he watched. And listened. And loved to snuggle with his red-headed mama (who has a wing at Ursuline Academy named after her family!). With beautiful blue eyes (and hair that will no doubt match his mother's), Ryan was a perfect gentleman while I snapped away. During Ryan's snack time, Matt (who is a real estate appraiser) educated me on the evil ways HGTV lies to its viewers by saying putting in hardwoods and crown moulding will yield a handsome return when you go to sell your home. I digress. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this sweet little family, and I was so appreciative of the fact that they let me rearrange their home to take pictures, let me make their house feel like a tropical rain forest, and for the ice cold coke. Congrats, guys. He is a beautiful boy, you are a beautiful family, and enjoy your sneak!

brandy & co.

Happy birthday, Jack! And as you very well know, dear reader, when my newbies celebrate their 1st birthday, it's just so bittersweet to me. Little Jack was one of the sweetest newborns, and watching him grow up this past year has been such an honor. And, like all sessions before this one, Grammy and Papa Jeff (from Houston) were able to attend the photo session (and Grammy actually made Jack's gingham birthday romper; how amazing is she!?!?). When you work with a family a few times a year, it's almost like they become your family. I'm literally seconds away from adopting Grammy and Papa J as my own, and Brandy and Randy could not be more laid back. Especially when their photographer tells them that their confirmed 10 o'clock appointment is at 9 o'clock. Even though she already has a 9 o'clock scheduled. Oy. Or when one of the ballooons in the balloon bouquet pops. And then the othe four decide to fly away. Or when their adorable son decides that his fists aren't quite doing the job of smashing the cake, so he lays his entire leg in it ... Guys, it has been a remarkable year. I have thoroughly enjoyed every second of working with you. Thank you for giving me the honor of capturing Jack throughout his first year. Enjoy your sneaky!

michelle & co.

Kellan and Campbell met me Sunday morning for some Sibling Shots. I first worked with Kellan when "Pister" (how he pronounces "sister") was in Mama's belly. And then again when Pister made her debut. What fun it is now that Miss Campbell is old enough to join in the action! Michelle brought along an adorable box that she found the two playing in the other day. And when it was time to sit in the box, both kids giggled and smiled so sweetly at each other, and then spontaneous snuggling was rampant. Too cute. In addition to the box, Michelle brought along a rocking horse that Kellan's great-grandmother painted for him. The blue-eyed boy has grown very fond of the horse, and he had tons-o-fun rocking on it for the camera! With the promise of a new car (Mater, for those keeping track at home), Kellan was Mr. Cooperative during the session. And little Pister rallied at the end to take some very, very sweet shots for me. Love these two. Love their eyes. And love that they are so in love with each other. Thanks for a great shoot, guys! Enjoy your sneaky, and I hope Kellan got that car!

kathryn & co.

Kate was so very great. This soon-to-be-10 month old stopped by the studio this past weekend. She brought with her her Mommy and Daddy. Who just happened to be the very first "big gig" I booked two years ago when I was just starting out. They had a destination wedding, but had their reception for friends and family here. It was a lovely affair, and I was so very honored that they chose me to document it. Fast forward two years later, and I was even more honored that they chose me to capture their little Kate. With a gorgeous head of hair, the brightest of eyes and the sweetest of smiles, she played with me for an hour. Laughing, giggling and just enjoying being the center of attention. Also joining the session were her beyond doting grandparents, who are clearly Kate Fans. Two years ago, I took pics of Kate's cousins, George Downy and Cecy (who live out of state), and I am looking forward to our November session when all the cousins will be together. Guys, congrats on such a beautifully even-tempered little girl. She was so much fun, and it was so great seeing you again! Enjoy the sneak!

suzie & co.

Pretty little Brooke. She and her pretty sweet parents dropped by this weekend for the tot's one year portraits. Sweet really doesn't begin to describe Miss Brooke. This was my second time to work with her, and like the first, she knows how to work the camera. My favorite part of the session was when we went outside for some floppy knit hat shots. She started playing peek-a-boo with the camera and flashed the biggest grins ... I take that back, my favorite part of the session was when she started lunging for me to hold her during the session. She just couldn't get enough haute shot snuggling ... I take it back. My favorite part of the session was when Suzie pulled out a dress she had worn for her first birthday, and we put it on Brooke ... I take it back. My favorite part of the session was when Suzie read a book to Brooke, penned by herself, all about Brooke. There were even a few pics of them from our last session together ... Ok fine: my favorite part of the session was the session. Guys, thanks so much for letting me be a part of this wonderful milestone in Sweet Girl's life. It was an honor and so much fun. Enjoy your sneak, and kissies to Brookie!