I love that my job allows me to see families year after year. Last year we met up with this family at the train yard for a session and this year, we decided on something just as boyish! Mom said the boys spent the day at the lake and were tired but they were so sweet and funny! I have things that I get a family to say when they smile (it is NOT cheese!). Every time I would say something to say, they would say something else. They were making me laugh so much. I bet there is never a dull moment in this house! It was wonderful to see this family again!

This little guy’s mom and I go way back…. like WAY back. I think I met her when I was 13ish. We lost touch for a few years but Facebook… crazy Facebook has allowed us to keep in touch. It is hard to believe we are old enough to have children but we are! You can just feel the love the parents have for this 2 1/2!  He is the center of their lives and it is a blessing to spend an afternoon with the three of them again this year!

Only twice a year I offer a day of mini sessions. This is a great time to update your families picture for holiday gifts and cards! This year we are going to do offer a different option for mini sessions. Everyone wants digital images so they can print gifts for everyone and also use for Christmas cards. Our mini sessions this year will include a disk with 10 -15 images from the session!! Sounds like everyone is getting portraits this year for Christmas!! The morning sessions will be a super cool urban area! Classy with a little grunge… and the afternoon session with take place at the beautiful and natural Aldridge Gardens in Hoover. All the details are below!

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
Morning Sessions: Urban location
Afternoon Sessions: Aldridge Gardens
Session includes up to 3 people (ask about adding more, if needed)
A Disk of the images from the session (10 – 15) with printing rights
30 min session
One accordion wallet brag album with 12 pictures from the session (perfect for bragging about your cute kids!)
Price $300 total!

I am bringing a ton of Christmas props for anyone that wants a themed session! We are only going to have a few spots for each location so book now to hold your space! $100 is due now to hold your session spot and is nonrefundable. $200 is due the day of the session.

Here is a few pictures from another mini session I did for a good friend. She wanted some beautiful pictures of her daughter in her pageant dress. These were taken in 15 mins… your mini session will be a little longer.

Let me be honest with you… it is SO hard to take pictures of your own children. With other families, I am a neutral party. With my kids, they know me…. I don’t really take that many pictures of my kids. I am serious. August is both of my kids birthdays and I wanted to do something different for their 4 year and 2 year portraits. My kids also need something to do. My kids love to eat so a picnic sounded right up their alley! PB&J, strawberries, grapes, fancy cheese and I bribed them with vintage cream soda. I love, love, love the results…. would you like to do something similar with your family?? Just let me know…

This is SOOOO her! 

 This is SOOOO him!

She loves to tell everyone BYE…. she was telling the people across the lake BYEEEEEEE! 

I told Elijah to look at Sarah’s sandwich just to get a different look. I love her expression… NO, you can not have my sandwich!

MOM!! Seriously… I don’t want to look at the camera!

 No, I do not want to look at the camera!!

Doesn’t this sweet little princess look like a doll baby? Or maybe a gerber model?? Here is just one for mom and dad to enjoy from one of my sessions from today. There are so many more that I love!

This is the third time I have photographed this sweetheart. It has been wonderful to watch her grow from a baby/toddler to a little girl. I think this was our best session yet! She listened so well and we even put on her Fancy Nancy outfit at the end! Love it!

This beautiful momma is half of the talented Nolen Photography. We see each other from time to time when our sessions are at the same place and I talk with her in facebook. I knew she was towards the end of her pregnancy and I offered to take a few maternity pictures of her and her son. I was nervous offering because I didn’t want to be turned down but I also knew that as photographers we usually put ourselves last… WHY??? Because we hate to be on the other side of the lens. But every mom wants pictures of their babies. I was so happy she allowed me to serve her in the way that she serves so many (including my family last Fall!). I was nervous, she was nervous being on the “other side”… and her son was typical 2 year old photographer’s child. I brought my Elijah along and he saved the day. He made funny faces then played with her son afterwards. I love the results and I am so honored to serve another photographer. Congrats on the new sweet baby!! Having two is a blast and it just gets better and better!

We all know the gulf coast has been hit hard. It is so heartbreaking to me because I grew up close to this beach and the area is so dear to my heart. I feel for the people in the area that depend on tourism to provide for their families. We were a little worried when we announced beach sessions. Would the beaches be nice enough for portraits? Is anyone going to book a session? We were delightfully surprised that we booked our sessions within a week! The beaches are BEAUTIFUL (yes, I am yelling at you). We need to all go visit the gulf coast again and support our beaches! We drove all the way to California and I still think that the gulf coast beaches are the most beautiful in the United States. Who can beat the white sands???

Here are some highlights from our beach sessions!