Ooooh, Charlie. Not sure where to start with this post. Should I talk about Charlie’s super sweet disposition, and how he was one of my easiest clients to date? How about his mom’s impeccible sense of decorating skills? The fact that his dad is a full time magician (how cool is that?!?)? Or perhaps his absolutely amazing nursery? Eh, I’ll just get to the good stuff.
… and one of my favorites!
Last Saturday I arrived at Boothe Park a little early, and while waiting for some wonderful clients to arrive, I met Rick from Rick O Photography. He secretly snapped this image of me in the zone while we meandered through the park trying to stay out of each other’s way. Fun!
Up tomorrow, some sneak peeks from this weekend!
Caitlin is the newest addition to our family of friends, and it feels like we’ve all been awaiting her arrival forever. She was a surprise, and I’m pretty sure almost everyone (including mom) was expecting a little boy.
First up, can I just take a moment to comment on the ridiculous gene pool of good looks that runs in this family? LOVE this picture with her big brother.
…and the cutest little chubby newborn feet I’ve ever photographed!
It’s no secret or surprise that this time of year is insane for me. I have tons of beautiful clients on the books in the next few weeks, and between shooting pictures, editing, uploading, ordering and answering emails, it’s a mad dash until the holidays. I can’t even count how many times I’ve looked at C over the top of my computer in the past few days and sighed wearily”is it December yet?”
Today though, as I sat editing a recent session and reflecting on my thoughts, I thought – what a wuss! Sure, everything is happening at warp speed these days, but I’ve found something I LOVE, and I’m blessed beyond belief to have amazing clients who trust and see in my vision, and a family that stands behind me. So for a moment, I just need to stop. I need to breathe, and I need to remember some of the great things that are happening in my life right now, and the (many) things I have to be thankful for.
1. I’m thankful that P2 is six months old, and that means that he can take motrin to combat the two little teeth that have been reeking havoc on our house. That’s a godsend.
2. L.A. has taken to demanding the radio as soon as we get in the car to go anywhere, and from the back seat he happily sings along to whatever song is on the radio. He doesn’t need to have ever heard it before, he usually picks up the chorus and makes up all the other words. No matter what it is though, he sings. I love that, and there’s a lesson in there. I’m beyond thankful for being present to realize what that lesson is.
3. I’m thankful for my husband for being so understanding during the busy season when I can barely make conversation and wind up crawling into bed at 2 am exhausted and hardly coherent.
4. I’m thankful that the Yankees made the World Series, because I’m fairly certain that has something to do with the understanding attitude from C the past week, as he’s been mighty distracted.
5. I’m thankful for the guy that invented my alarm clock, because oh boy do I need it these days.
6. P2 is scootching (did I just make that world up?) all over the place, and while my heart aches that he isn’t a little baby anymore, I’m always so proud to watch him reach his destination. He’s a determined one, that boy. Not so great at 4 am (when I’ve gone to sleep 2 hrs earlier) and he wants to party, but the general consensus is it’s pretty darned cool to watch a headstrong baby pave his own way.
7. L.A. has started to bless me when I sneeze. The other morning I was taking a shower and he was brushing his teeth when I sneezed, and he peeked his head around and said “Ga Bwess, Mama” with a mouth full of toothbrush. If that isn’t a blessing, I don’t know what is.
8. I am SO thankful that so many people are interested in seeing their life events unfold through my eyes (or lens, to be specific). I have the greatest clients, period.
Now that I’m on a roll, I could continue this post for ages, but the truth is it’s almost 1am, and what I will really really be thankful for in about 4 minutes is my nice fluffy comfy bed.
Before I go though, the two boys who are my driving force and greatest loves.
This one… he wears his hat like this on his own accord. In fact, if you put it the other way, he’ll usually turn it back. Crazy little boy.
A while ago one of my favorite clients contacted me to ask if I’d be willing to photograph a portrait party for some of her children and some close friends. This is a great way to get some lovely pictures of your children without necessarily having a full session. This is the perfect time of year for it too, because everyone is in search of that elusive holiday photo. If you might be interested in hosting a portrait party, shoot me an email and we can go over some more details.
For now though… what everyone is waiting for! Can I just say that in theory photographing six children back to back sounds insane, but it was so much fun!! These kiddos are lucky that they have these beautiful life long friendships laid out in front of them, because their moms are all very good friends. How great is that?
****Disclaimer**** As lovely as I think these photos are, they actually aren’t my absolute favorites from the day. Since the intention was to get some great holiday card pictures, I’m keeping what I think are the winners under wraps for Mom’s (and Dad’s) eyes only. Hopefully I can come back and share those at a later date!
“I don’t even care anymore if it rains” Jill said as Christa and I met her the day of her wedding. Funny how when it came down to it, after months of planning, picking the perfect dress, invitations, floral arrangements and accessories, all that really mattered that day was that she would marry Jeff. In the end, that’s all it’s really about. Standing up in front of everyone you love and sharing the moment when you promise to love forever. The forecast was calling for “a wall of water” and we were all a little nervous about that, but in the end the rain held out and Jill and Jeff had a perfect day. Here are a few of my favorites.
Jill and Jeff opted to take a lot of their formal pictures before the actual ceremony = SCORE!!
Oh no you don’t Jeff… you’re not going anywhere!
Jill, you’re gorgeous!
One of my favorites! Should they be in a magazine here, or what?
… and now, we get married.
there is nothing better than when a bride and groom walk back down the aisle… that feeling of happiness, of promise, and of love, it’s written all over their face, and I adore it!
…and two of my very favorite from the end of the night. Sparkler shots are FUN!
Congrats Jill and Jeff!!
