My most requested shot that I take for families and couples is what I call the “eyelash” shot. It is also one of my favorite pictures to take of my clients. And I want to share with you how it all started. The picture above is my first ever eyelash shot and it was by accident. This little guy was having a hard time warming up to me and was being shy. I was snapping away, trying different angles, and even taking pictures of him not looking to show him on the back of my camera. We did eventually get some shots of him looking at me but when I went home to process the session I absolutely fell in love with this shot. The mom did too and then the “eyelash” shot was born! I have learned some tricks at getting the right angle even with fast moving children and babies. I photographed another photographer’s family a little while ago and when she saw me take the shot of her child she exclaimed “THAT’S how you do it.” I love the challenge! But, not only moms love this shot. Couples and seniors love it too! So, it is now part of my routine in most sessions.

Why do I love it so much? As mom, I have held my children as they slept and gazed at thier eyelashes. It is view that I never want to forget. I know other moms feel the same way. And for couples, I love the eyelash shot because the couple must be sitting close together to capture the right angle and it looks so intimate without being too close. It makes women look so feminine and I love it!

This couple is from Texas and when they called to book us, they figured we wouldn’t have time for an engagement session since we are HOURS apart. But, we have done this before and I try to always schedule an engagement session even if it the day before. WHY? Because I don’t want the first time we take your pictures to be on your wedding day. I think it is so important that we have time to hang out, get to know each other, and it gives me a chance to see what poses work best for you, if someone is a blinker… and it also gives us a chance to talk about the wedding day!

We scheduled the engagement session for the day before the wedding. On the morning of the session, I called this couple to confirm timing and location and that is when I learned that their plans changed a little. The plan was for them to drive from Texas the day before and meet me the next day. BUT, when a close family member was admitted to the hospital, they needed to stay closer to home until the very last minute. Can you believe the couple looks this FABULOUS with only 30 minutes of sleep after driving straight from Texas all night?!? They were game for a session and I told them I could remove dark circles from under eyes if needed (I didn’t need to!).  We had a short engagement session with their puppies and then they were off to the rehearsal dinner with family and friends. So this weekend, they were my heroes. The engagement session with no sleep, the after session with crazy cold weather… and the wedding… well, more on that later. But, they took it all in stride and enjoyed the wedding weekend to the fullest!

From the blog lately, you would think we are only shooting adults but we are busy busy with little kiddos and family. I wanted show you some from this little guys 6 month session (look for more in the coming months, he is on our baby plan!). We met at his Grandmother’s beautiful house. We waited a few weeks until her was sitting up and I am so glad we did. I bet it won’t be long before this guy is walking! I love the coats at the end. It looks so classic!

This is my sister’s brother here. You would think that would make him my brother, but he isn’t. I will just let you figure that one out. I have known him all my life and have known for the bride for a while now, so it was just like family! Do you see the bride’s beautiful dress and veil? Her MOM made it for her in less than 30 days!! Can you believe it? I think this was the longest veil we have seen yet and I think it accents the dress perfectly. It was such a blessing to be a guest as well as the photographer at this wedding. Oh… and the cake was Red Velvet from Edgars… and it was TASTY!

One different thing about this wedding for us was out kids being at the wedding. Since we were also guests, we were asked to bring our kids and the bride had the BEST babysitter in the world for them. It was really neat that the room they were in had a wall of glass that opened into the chapel. Both of my children really enjoyed seeing a wedding and seeing mom and dad work. Elijah asked me a few times what I was doing and if I could hold him. I told him no that I was working to buy him more tractors. He seemed ok with that! There were a few times that I forgot they were there until I turned around to see two faces watching us, trying to figure out exactly what we were doing. After all the pictures were complete and we headed to the reception area, Elijah yelled “TIME FOR CAKE”. That’s my boy!

My handsome nephews with thier uncle. I love the lighting on this one! Cory did a great job here!

My sister and her family…. love it!

I am loving all the red and Christmas colors lately. You know these boys… my sweet neighbors! It is hard to believe how much the baby has grown. These are the 9 month portraits and of course, we had to make it a family session and get a few shots for the Christmas card! Big brother is smart, smart, smart… ask him about the presidents on Mt. Rushmore and at 3 years old… he can tell you! I am so in love with the eyelash picture of the baby. You can count every single lash… and check out the brotherly love in the pictures of them together.

P.S. Another couple married at Samford (10 years ago!) so we had to go back for a family session!