Lil' P

Baby P is here and she is ready to conquer the world.  This little girl was not about to sleep for her photo shoot.  She would rather check things out and take in all the action.  I love her big, beautiful, blue eyes.  She is a doll and I love her so!

Couldn't you just eat her up?

Meet my sister's baby girl!!!  Isn't she just precious?  She is 7 days old in the photos.  She made my job so easy because she slept through the entire session.  Our family is so blessed to have her in our lives. 

 Look at those lips!!!

Welcome to the World

Last month I had the honor of photographing the birth of my sister's baby.  I have two children of my own, but it was so surreal being a bystander.  It was truly a miraculous experience.  

My sister was in labor for over 48 hours and pushed for 3 hours and 45 minutes.  I don't know how the human body can endure that much physical exertion.  I'm so proud of my sister!  Her baby girl is a an angel.  I'm so glad I was there for her grand entrance into our world!

A very proud Aunt!

Apple & Ivy

If you haven't heard of Apple & Ivy, you are hearing about it now and you MUST check it out.  My very talented friend is the creative mind behind this great company.  Her products are handmade and the designs are simplicity gorgeous.  Rebecca recently asked me to photograph a few of her new products.  The products shown here are just a small sample of the things that she can make for a wedding party.  If you have something specific in mind, just ask her and she can make it for you.

I'm honored that Rebecca asked me to photograph her lovely products!  It was fun!

Please stop by her website http://www.appleandivy.com/  You will not be disappointed!

Holiday Mini Sessions!!!

Please contact me for more details and to book your session!!

Boy oh boy!!

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet little guy a few weeks ago.  He just turned 18 months old and he keeps his Momma on her toes!  I chased him all over the playground and captured his happy personality!  It was a blast!

Capturing the Here and Now

Recently, I was reminded that I should capture images of my own children with their security blankets.  My kids call them "gippy's".  My daughter's gippy is a burp cloth from when she was a baby.  My son's gippy was purchased because he liked touching satin or silky fabrics.  They each  love their gippy.  They carry them wherever we go.  They take them to bed and rub their fingers on them or hold them by their faces until they fall asleep.  Sometimes we get caught up setting up the perfect picture taking scene, that we forget to capture the real here and now.  Last week, I did just that.  I captured my kids in real time with each of their gippy's.  I will cherish these photos forever!

Tips for Photographing Children

You are ready to have your children photographed.  They have the perfect outfit, the perfect hair, maybe even the perfect prop, then all of a sudden for no reason whatsoever (other than to make you age 5 years) they throw a fit.  They cry uncontrollably, they refuse to look at you, they may throw themselves on the ground, or heck they might do all of the above.  You start sweating, you are mortified, but most importantly you really need a drink.  Has this ever happened to you?  Yes?  Whew, me too!!  Last month, in fact!

Here I was trying to be a good Mom and wife and take my own kids for a photo shoot for Daddy's Father's Day present when my two year old throws a tantrum.  For no reason!  

Well, because I'm determined (yes, that's what I'm calling it), I decided to wait it out so I could eventually get the pictures I wanted.  While waiting, I photographed it!  

Here are a few tips for Mom's and Dad's when they take their kids to have their pictures taken...

1.  First and foremost don't expect your children to be able to do everything you want them to do.  I've had far too many photo shoots where parents want to try 3 different props, 10 different outfits, 15 different poses, in 5 different locations.  That is far too much to ask of your children...especially if they are little guys.  

2.  Be flexible!  If one idea isn't working, try something else.  After my son finished showing me his dissatisfaction with the situation, I changed things up and asked if he wanted to go see a fountain.  That immediately turned his little pouty face happy again and I was able to get some more good pictures.

3.  Be patient!  This goes with number two.  If things aren't going right, try not to get frustrated and breathe.  When you are stressed your children can sense it and they will become stressed. 

4.  HAVE FUN!!  Let kids be kids.  Many of the best photos I've taken are when kids are being kids.  Playing, swinging, laughing, exploring.  Capturing who they are at that moment in time will produce amazing images that you will cherish forever.

Just Horsing Around!

Last week I tried something totally out of my comfort zone.  I photographed horse jumping.  And I loved it!!  A long-time friend of mine competes in horse shows.  I met her at the barn, one extremely hot day, and took some of her and her horse.  I was amazed at the trust they had in each other, as well as the skill they both possessed.  I thoroughly enjoyed capturing them and their eventing!  Thanks, Xib!!

Double the Fun!

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to photograph a former coworker and her family.  She has beautiful twin girls who made my jump super easy!

Mother's Day Reflection

Today, I am so grateful to be called "Mom" by this little girl...

(school portrait by Leonard's)

and this little boy... 

(school portrait by Leonard's)

They are two very different people.  

She likes flowers.  He likes trucks.

She could color for hours.  He jumps from one activity to the next as fast as a gnat.

She is all girl.  He is all boy.

She's a Daddy's girl.  He's a Momma's boy.

She kisses her brother.  He hits his sister.

She loves macaroni and cheese.  He hates macaroni and cheese.

But, they are both MINE!! 

Both call me "Mom".

I am truly honored by this title because this girl and this boy the two most amazing little people on this Earth!

Thank you, God, for sending them to me!

Work & Play

As some of you may know I've enjoyed photography since I was very young.  My Dad had a 35mm Minolta that he taught me to use and boy did I use it.  I loved taking pictures with that camera, then had to be ever so patient to wait a week or so to get the pictures developed.  (I just aged myself, I know.)


I've had to be extremely creative when starting my business in order to be financially responsible for my family.  Most of the things I've learned I have taught myself or asked fellow photographers, website builders, marketers, and entrepreneurs.  When I had the opportunity to work with a photographer  at an all day workshop, I jumped at the chance.  (Plus, it helped that this particular photographer lived an hour away from where my husband is stationed.)


So, last weekend, I drove to Mississippi to participate in a photography workshop with the talented Erin of http://erinrachelphotography.com/.  I spent all day Friday in Picayune, Mississippi with a terrific group of ladies learning more about my camera and honing my photography skills.


We spent the morning working on indoor shots.  Lighting is tricky, but indoor lighting is very tricky.  After much practice, we had a nice lunch, yummy dessert (Chocolate cupcakes with strawberry icing...need I say more?), and some social time.  The ladies I worked with were all amazing.  I really enjoyed meeting them and hearing their stories.


We followed lunch with a Q&A session, then finished the afternoon practicing our new skills in an outdoor setting.  Erin's clients were so gracious (not to mention PATIENT) to allow 10 (yes, TEN) photographers to take their pictures all at once.  The family consisted of Mom, Dad, and two cute little girls, who I'm sure were overwhelmed, but they were all very accommodating.  A heartfelt thank you goes out to that family!!


All in all, I really enjoyed my day.  I had lots of ME time (An hour there and an hour back with the radio turned all the way up was perfect for that.), learned a whole lot, and met some pretty neat women.

Taking notes.

Check out my camera strap!  Of course, the black and white doesn't do it justice, but it's lime green and turquoise (my favorite color combination).  I purchased it from http://ellamonde.com/.  She carries all different colors and patterns of fabric and even makes children's clothing.

Delicious apple bread!

Aren't they so cute?!

 The whole group, with Erin!

The workshop attendees.

  

The weekend, however, was not all about work.  I spent the rest of my time on the Gulf Coast with my husband, who is currently stationed at Keesler AFB.  We ate wonderful food, enjoyed the sights of the Gulf Coast and New Orleans, and relished the short time we had together.  
(Most of these pictures were taken with my cell phone.  Now that Instagram has an app for Androids I wanted to see what it was all about.  I like!)

Biloxi Lighthouse

Fountain at Mary Mahoney's

This restaurant had a marker that showed where Katrina's water line was.  It was about 4 feet higher than this fountain, which was about 5 feet off the ground.

Crawfish boil at the Beau Rivage Casino Buffet.

St. Louis Cathedral at night.

Proudly representing the 504 in my "Free Payton" shirt.  Check out http://fleurtygirl.net/ for really cool t-shirts, especially if you are in the know (meaning you can translate what they mean)!

Also, don't you just love the green door?

Beautiful flower-filled balcony in the French Quarter.

Ecuadorian Training Ship

It was NOLA Navy week and there were ships parked all along the riverbank.

This ship was from Indonesia.

I loved the Jolly Roger!

Rare photo of Bryan and I together...thanks to a stranger who offered to take our picture.

Central Grocery has the BEST muffuletta's ever!!  The sandwich is delicious, but the atmosphere is pretty cool too!  We waited in line for 30 minutes, but the liquor store next door helped pass the time by selling us beer.

French Market entrance.

Alligator heads for sale in the French Market.

French Market.

No explanation needed!

 Beignets and cafe au lait at the ever famous Cafe du Monde.  If you don't leave there covered in powdered sugar, you haven't had the full experience!