Crista Acosta Photography »

Last Friday a few other photographers and I had the pleasure of spending the day photographing Lindsey and Jeff alongside Eric and Amber from Raw Photo Design while they taught us some awesome lighting techniques.  I had a blast stepping completely outside my comfort zone and learning a bunch of new tricks.  Oh, and did I mention that Lindsey and Jeff are gorgeous?

here and there I had to grab a few natural light shots too…

To show you what a crazy difference lighting can make – here is a shot taken outside at 2 pm.  The intention of the lighting was to give a very dramatic feel.

Here is a shot taken about thirty seconds later using only natural light.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the morning with this little cutie.  The session was a long time in the making, but I think it was certainly worth the wait.  A lot of times when I’m meeting little ones for the first time, I take a while before even picking up my camera to talk to them and let them get comfortable around me.  Little A didn’t even need a second.  He came down the stairs from his nap in Mommy’s arms, flashed me a big smile and then proceeded to ham it up for the rest of the session.  Love that!!

ughh… this little smile.  He’s such a heartbreaker!

One of the greatest things about what I do, is that I have the opportunity to watch families grow.  When I first met this little guy, he was just a few days old, and here he is now almost 7 months!

Okay seriously…  babies laughing?  Best thing EVER.

Oh, I just want to squish his little cheeks!!  Can’t wait to see you again in a few more months!

Monday morning L.A. woke up complaining of a “boo boo in dere” as he pointed to his belly.  I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say he had a touch of a stomach bug and spent most of the day curled up on the couch not wanting to move.  When Tuesday morning rolled around, he seemed much better, but we decided to play it safe and kept him home while P2 went off to daycare.

The little dude and I spent the whole day together – we ran a few errands, we played cars, we read books, we snuggled, and I was reminded of what an amazing child he is.  As most moms can understand (and non moms can imagine), having two children just 16 months apart is hectic.  For much of the past 8 months, it’s been like having two babies in the house, and I honestly haven’t the slightest clue when the last time I’ve had the chance to spend so much time one on one with him.

So many times throughout the day I caught myself laughing at the silly things he said, and as we strolled through Costco hand in hand, I glanced down at him with a proud heart.  I cracked up on the inside as pushed his lunch away and told me “I don’t want dis anymore, EITHER” – two new words at the end there, that I had no clue he even knew, let alone that he could use them in (relative) context.  Despite the trials of the terrible twos, he really is an incredible kid.

Long after the boys were tucked into bed, I was sitting on the couch with C telling him about our day, and we made a pact to start spending more time with the boys one on one.  Sure, it’s easier for me to run quickly to the grocery store alone.  By doing that though,  I miss out on my little helper pushing the blue basket in front of him (though it’s meant for an adult to pull behind them) like his own little shopping cart, carefully navigating the aisles offering up a “Scu’ me!” here and there as he passes his fellow shoppers.  I would miss the look of pride on his face as he successfully rounds the corner and beams up at me saying “I turned it around, Mama!”.

So while the 24 hour bug may have been the pits, it was a blessing to remind me to slow down and enjoy this sweet little face.  It won’t be long before he’s all grown up.  Speaking of, this picture looks so much like pictures of C from his childhood, it’s almost frightening.  I’m willing to bet that my mother in law gasped when she saw this picture.  It’s UN.REAL how much they look alike.

So you may vaguely remember that about eight months ago, we had a baby.  You’d never know it by checking the blog though, because things have been crazy and photographing my own children is something that had sadly fallen by the wayside in the midst of all our chaos.

The very best part about our new life though?  Not only do I get to hang out with my boys a ton more, I actually have time to photograph them.  Check out how big this little guy has gotten.

Now, if this next shot were a client’s image I probably wouldn’t show it because it’s just ever so slightly out of focus and I’m very particular about that.  However… since it’s my little dude and this face is SO him, here you go!  He’s always showing off his two new little teeth.

I feel like today was a series of stolen moments… the boys and I got to hang out in our jammies a little later than usual before heading off to spend the morning with some friends.  Just as I snapped this last picture of P2 this afternoon, L.A. woke up from his nap and after quickly getting P2 dressed, the three of us had an impromptu snuggle fest on the bed.  It was awesome, and it was one of those moments where I wish I had my camera set up to capture it.  The way P2’s face lit up as L.A. reached over to him, the sound of their giggles filling the room.  The way it felt with their little heads nuzzled up against me, my heart so so full.

While the New Year always brings with it a sense of promise and endless possibilities, this year it’s more than that.  This is the beginning of the rest of my life – a new life for my family – a fresh start for our business.  As of January 1st, I am now officially a full time photographer.

I’m extremely excited to be able to focus my time and energy solely on the business and our clients during the day.  Most importantly though, by being able to work during the day, I will be able to focus my evenings on my family.  Perhaps spend a few nights actually talking to my husband rather than peeking over the top of my laptop and eventually falling asleep on the couch waiting for photos to upload.  The past two years have been a whirlwind, and a wonderful one at that, but it was time to make a choice.  It wasn’t an option for us – C and I agreed that I had to follow my dream.

Thank you to all of my clients – the ones I’ve already photographed, and the ones I’ll be meeting shortly.  Thank you for allowing me into your homes and into your lives – for trusting me with your most precious memories.  It’s a task I don’t take on lightly.  Thank you to my family and friends – for your unending support and encouragement and for listening to me blab on and on about business related things when I’m sure there were cooler topics on hand.  Most of all – to my husband – you have been a pillar of strength and my greatest supporter.  You have never once doubted me, and I cannot tell you how much the encouragement you’ve given in these last few weeks when I’ve called you  in a panic about making this great leap has meant to me.  Thank you for being my partner.

Since we’re talking about fresh starts, how about the most amazing kind there is?  Meet Danny.  A few weeks ago Christa and I spent the day together and got to meet this little guy.  I swear, holding a new baby never ever gets old.