kathryn & co.

Three cousins. All under the age of 4. And absolutely adorable. I've had both the honor and pleasure of photographing them all at some point in their little lives. George Downy and Cecelia, sibs visiting from out of town, were two of my very first subjects. Once when Cecelia was only six weeks old and George Downy was a two year old big brother, and a few months later when Cecy turned six months. Miss Kate, or Baby Cakes as the cousins affectionately called her, came to play with me a few months ago, and I fell in love. And watching them all together was too cute. George Downy loved making Baby Cakes laugh by tickling her nose, Baby Cakes loved tasting all that Mother Nature had to offer in the way of grass and leaves, and Cecelia (literally the tallest two year old on the planet) rocked her amazing baby blues, whether smiling or soulfully staring. With three adorably active little ones, it makes for some very sweet candids. The first shot of George Downy putting his hands to his (all too handsome) face in complete (and comical) exasperation is a new fave. I just adore Gigi, Heather, and Kathryn, and next year I expect an invite to their marathon holiday shopping (which they and the kiddies did prior to our session-rock stars, I tell ya). Ladies, thank you for letting me play with your sweeties. They were too much fun. Enjoy your sneaky!

dena & co.

Baby Boy Bennett. He stopped by the studio on Sunday for some one year photos. The main purpose for the session was to photograph this Pretty Boy (I'm sorry, but he is. So pretty). But Dena wanted a few shots of Big Sis Lydia and Bennett together, too. And, if Jeff was willing, a few family shots at the end. I'm pleased to say we crossed off everything on our list. The most important to me, mind you, being the ones of Bennett posing with the same blanket we used in his newbie shots. How cute is he playing peek-a-boo with the blankie? Miss Lydia was ever the poser in her fancy gowns, but I think little Bennett stole the show. He was all smiles, all the time. Except when we tried to give him cake. One look of that yellow frosting on his pretty little hands, and he wanted none of it. I've only seen one other baby cry at smash cakes, and he was the first boy. Still, it made for a great picture. Go figure. Dena and Jeff, thanks so much for coming out to see me. Your kids are so sweet, they give me cavities. Enjoy your sneak!

jenni & co.

The last few times I've worked with little Jay Bird, it's always been with his dad, JP. Oh sure, his lovely mama, Jenni, would always book the session, and we'd exchange emails or phone calls leading up to the shoot. But we never met. Until this past Saturday. I don't know why, but I pictured a blond. So when she stepped out of the car with a head full of amazing red hair, I was so surprised! And when she told me that the session was just going to be her and Jay, I was so touched. Oh sure, JP (aka Super Dad) tagged along to play assistant to both me and Jenni, but the morning session was devoted to Jenni and Jay. My first born is a boy. And the bond between Mother and Son is so special. So very sweet. And watching Jenni and Jay play in the creek, collect rocks, throw stones and just play was even sweeter. Jenni, it was so great to finally meet you! Thanks for letting Jay come out to play, and enjoy your sneak!

heather & co.

Sweet little Hattie Girl and equally Sweet Leighton Girl came back to see me this past weekend. I took newbie shots for both of them, and it was so great seeing them again! These little loves, four months apart, are cousins. Nannie, Mackenzie, and Aaron were in town for the weekend to trick-or-treat with Matt, Heather, and Hattie. It had been a year since seeing both of them, and I was so excited to see Hattie had not lost her red hair. Miss Leightons's once strawberry blond hair is now a lovely dark blond, and both have killer blues. Miss Hattie was Miss Independent, having to reach every spot by walking there. Herself. But she didn't mind holding hands with her sweet Mommy and Daddy; love that last shot of Hattie holding Matt's finger as we walked to our next spot. Miss Leighton was all smiles and giggles, even when she wasn't in the shot! And I think she might be cutest little elephant I've ever seen! Guys, thanks for thinking of me. It was so much fun, and I loved meeting Nannie! Enjoy your sneaks!

kara & co.

New parents, Scott and Kara, stopped by the studio this week. They brought with them their three week old son, Preston and "big brother" Max. Both boys, I'm pleased to report, were absolute angels. I kid you not, Preston slept the entire time, taking only one small break to drink a quick bottle. And then it was back to Dream Land for the sweetheart. Max was such a sweetie, both posing with the family and then posing for some sweet snuggle shots with his new baby brother. Scott and Kara were entirely too relaxed and laid back to be new parents to a newborn, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. While Kara and I dished about home remodeling, Scott told me all about his future career in Internal Medicine. And judging by how sweet he was with his little boy, I have no doubt he will be a fantastic doc with the best bedside manner. At one point I asked the proud parents how they chose Preston's name. Turns out Scott used to live off of Preston as a bachelor, and when he'd drive down the street he always thought it was a great name for a future son. Fast forward years later, when he and his lovely wife found out they were expecting a boy, and Scott shared the name with her. She loved it, both because the name is a great one, but mostly because her sweet husband thought of it all on his own, so many years ago, when Preston was just a twinkle in his eye. Such a sweet family, such a sweet boy, and such a great session. Congrats, guys, and thanks for letting me capture this moment in your lives! Enjoy your sneak!

patty & co.

Patty and her boys met me out at the Arboretum for some fall family pics this weekend. We were actually supposed to meet elsewhere, but the crazy rain on Saturday led us to the somewhat dry sidewalks of the Arboretum. Which were lined with over 40,000 pumpkins. 40,000. Pumpkins. And those pumpkins brought droves of people. Droves. Never mind that Patty had dressed everyone in beachy blues and they were all throwing out a Cali vibe. While we were limited in where we could shoot, we managed to find some pumpkin-free spots, and we also managed to have fun. And find worms. Lots of them. The boys were so sweet, even towards the end when The Boss all but told us to Wrap. It. Up. And who could blame him? We had already cut in to his lunch and nap schedule, and no amount of lollipops, or pumpkins, could make up for that? Right? Nevertheless, the brothers were adorable, and Patty's laid back style was perfection. Guys, thanks for being so flexible with the location change and for coming out to see me! I had so much fun, and enjoy your sneak!

lauren & co.

Oh sweet, Sophie. I got to play with another one of my favorite red heads this weekend. And in the six months I had seen her last, she hadn't changed much. At all, really, save for one major detail: her amazing red locks were now amazing curly red locks! Her head looked like a big bowl of Spaghetti-O's! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, and I couldn't take my lens off of her! Lauren and Paul, in typical fashion, were so much fun. As Lauren and I schemed over our next photo session (it will be epic, dear reader), Paul and Sophie found all kinds of critters roaming the grounds. A beautiful monarch had to the most interesting find. And Sophie inspecting it had to be the most adorable moment. Lauren always frets over wardrobe, but somehow she seems to always pull off a classic look. The plums in Miss Sophie's dress just made her curls pop! And guess who little adorable Sophie will be for Halloween this year? ... Wait for it ... Little Orphan Annie. Is that not priceless? Thanks, guys, for so much fun. Again. Looking forward to February ...

katherine & co.

Sweet little Eleanor. Six months. As tiny as they come. And so unbelievably adorable. When I first laid eyes on her this past Wednesday, I just fell in love. I wasn't sure if it was her huge blue-green eyes. Or her round cheeks and creamy white skin. Or that adorable little chin that sits below the most perfect little pout. Or her button nose. Or her perfect strawberry blonde "bed head" hair ... And then I realized it wasn't one thing that made me fall in love with Eleanor, but everything about Eleanor that made me fall in love with Eleanor. Even her name. Eleanor. So as I was ooohing and ahhhing over my new found love for the little sprite, I just about fell over when Katherine told me that they brought along a sweater that they wanted Eleanor to wear for a few pictures. A handknit sweater. From a relative. Who lives in Norway. Norway. Never mind that the sentimental story alone had me weak in the knees ... But, Norway? For you see, dear reader, my father's father was from Norway. And as it turned out, both Katherine and Drew have relatives in Norway. In fact, both Katherine and Drew attended the same high school, but never crossed paths. Until college. Where they met. Fell in love. And eventually married. While Katherine works at SMU, Drew is in a doctoral program at Southwestern for something to do with genetic research. It was a title that literally had five really large and scientific words in it (and rather intimidated me, the sweater loving English major), but he pretty much wants to determine lifespans. I'm assuming in people, but I didn't really get that far. Because Eleanor's lovely face kept calling to me, and I had to answer. Guys, she is sweet as she is beautiful, and it was so much fun getting to know you. Thanks for coming out to see me, enjoy your sneak, and ha det bra!

becca & co.

My camera will always hold a special place in its lens for this little girl. This four year old skinny-jean-UGG-wearing little girl. Her mama (who will always hold a special place in my heart) took a chance on me 3 years ago this bluebonnet season. Eva was my first non-family/friend subject (let it be noted, however, that her faboosh mama and I have since grown quite fond of each other). This marked my 4th time to work with Eva. Becca chose some great spots in downtown Dallas (she has an eye for that; two, actually, with lashes coated in the most amazing mascara that makes her eyelashes look like something out of a magazine ... I digress), and Eva could not have been cuter. When we were ready to get things rolling, I called my little muse over to our first spot. "In a second," she called back. "I'm dealing with a rock." Dealing. With. A. Rock. What four year old talks like that? For the rest of the session, she danced, collected bird feathers, rocked out to the YMCA, did whatever I asked of her, and just did her thing. So very well. By the end of our session, she and I had had a ton-o-fun together. We were practically besties. As we were getting ready to pack up, Eva found a lonely orchid flower forgotten on the ground from a wedding held on the site the day before. She leaned over, picked it up, and gave it to me. She then offered me not one, but two, silly bands. Two. And then she found two more flowers on the ground and gave them to me. And, without having to be reminded that someone else was in our company, she found another one and gave it to her mommy. And then she found a leaf. And an acorn. And three more leaves (and, in case you are wondering, leaves can be brown). And as she handed over each and every treasure to me, I asked her, "Eva, why are you so sweet to me?" She was quiet for only a second before simply stating, "Because I like for you to be happy." Ummm ... Eva Girl, did you mean to melt my heart? Or just steal it? Because you're guilty of both. Becca Girl, what can I say? You believed in me without even knowing me. Thanks for sharing your girl with me the last few years. As always, it's an honor. Enjoy your sneak, and tell Eva I'm still wearing the bands.

amy & co.

Little Boy Drew, I heart you.

With your hair so red and your eyes so blue.

Seriously, I heart this boy. Just such a sweetie. Never mind that the camera eats him up with his gorgeous coloring and megawatt smile. Or that I could ... what with his gorgeous coloring and megawatt smile. It had been about a year since I saw him last. He is walking now. Everywhere. And just so curious. He loved the steps at the park, the acorns on the ground, the really creepy iron elves that decorate the grounds ... all of it. And I can honestly say that Mike and Amy loved chasing their little redhead all around the park. I've always loved Prather Park because the gorgeous stone steps remind me of someplace in England. Or Ireland. And Drew? Well, one look at the wee little lad (hopefully you read that line in the ridiculous Irish accent I was using while writing it), and you can guess whence Drew reminds me. The park could not have been more perfect for him. And it was a big milestone at the end of the session, when Drew got to sit in the big boy swing. All by himself. This was a first for him, and the moment he realized he was sitting in the swing, on his own, was just too sweet. He took one look at his adoring parents, one quick glance at the crazy lady with the camera, and then down at the ground to make sure he was, indeed, sitting there by himself. Priceless. Amy, thanks so much for coming back to see me. I always have so much fun with you guys, and this time was no exception. Hope Spidey gets lots of treats this Halloween, and enjoy your sneaky!