She said yes! (Pt 8)

This was another rare treat... a clear shot without people in the background at Crepe Myrtle Alley.  That almost never happens! Of course, we'd already been asked to leave by a park attendant because the park was closing.  Rebels that we were...we stopped here for shots on the way out. 

She said yes! (Pt 7)

Who doesn't love a good piggy back shot?  And I am in love with the softness of the top shot.

She said yes! (Pt 6)

Towards the end we got some really beautiful light!  I can't remember the last time I was able to get some beautiful bokeh shots.  And the color of that tree!!!!  Gorgeous at golden hour!

She said yes! (Pt. 5)

I love it when we can get a clear view of the lake from the arboretum.  This park was MUCH less crowded on this day than for the previous session.

She said yes! (Pt. 4)

They really do both love to dance... sweet.

She said yes! (Pt. 3)

I tried a similar shot to this several years ago when I did my very first session.  I compared the two shots recently and was happy to see that this one was much improved.  I'll confess that this is a composite though.  My original had a leaf floating right over their faces, and the shot with a clear view of faces was framed poorly.  WILL I EVER LEARN to really look before I shoot?  A moment or two of thoughtfulness in shooting could save a bunch of time in post processing. 

She said yes! (Pt. 2)

So sweet....and I loved the hat and boots!

She said yes! (Pt. 1)

I had the pleasure of shooting an engagement session for a former student and her guy late in November.  So much fun!  She is studying to be a PA and he is a state trooper.  It was fun to shoot grown ups who follow directions for a change.  Ha!

C Family Session #7

Well, what do you know?  I actually got one family pic with all three looking up and smiling.  Ha ha!  Thanks Maddy for helping me practice some fast shooting with motion.  lol

Next up....engagement pics for a former student.  So sweet. 

C Family Session #6

I love how soft this photo looks and also that beautiful light on their faces.

 

Yep...we just let her do her own thing.  Sometimes you have to go with the flow. 

C Family Session #5

The Arboretum was set up for a wedding later that day and Maddy wanted to climb into the chairs.  Hey...that works for me!

C Family Session #4...

This was probably the most still she was for the whole session...watching that fountain.  lol.

C Family Session #3

Maddy's parents thought it might be helpful to find a secluded spot to prevent Maddy from being so distracted.  I've seen this place many times at the Arboretum but never shot there because I can't separate my subjects from the background as much as I would like.  But there were TONS of people there that day and this was a good hideaway.  And I also thought it that greenery was a pretty frame for their little family. 

C Family Session #2...

Maddy was 15 mo. old and a lot more active than I expected her to be.  I found this to be a really challenging age...especially for an active toddler.  Too old to sit still, but too young to follow any direction.  So most of what I did was try to catch them interacting.  This session was on a dark and dreary day and I was originally sad that we didn't have any beautiful sunshine.  As it happened, cloudy was EXACTLY what I needed.  It gave me lots of freedom to shoot anywhere in diffuse light, instead of hunting for open shade as I usually do.  Trust me, I had to catch Maddy whenever and wherever I could!  lol

C Famly Session #1...

I'm currently caught up on family photos, so I'm going to "fill" for a while with some photos from sessions I did before Christmas.  This first session was for a new friend from my class at the gym.  She wanted pictures of herself and her granddaughter for Christmas cards and decided to add her son and daughter in law in for the session as well. 

So, this is my friend and her adorable granddaughter, Maddy.  

Creatures...

What a poser!  Meerkat...a.k.a. Timon from Lion King

Ant eater....Now that is one WEIRD DUDE.  God definitely used His imagination on this one!

New wheels...

Last year's tricycle was a big flop.  The seat could never be lowered enough for her to reach the pedals and get any leverage.  We're hoping she can actually learn to ride THIS bike. 

My favorite outtake...

Note to self:  Don't ask a four year old to show you how old she is when the birthday candles are lit.  She nearly set her sleeve on fire.  Mommy was nervous...Daddy is unaware.  lol. 

Four candles!

Not my best job with focus.  Good grief....but it was the best pic of all of them.

 

She blew her candles out like a real pro this year.

Celebrating four years...

This is A's froggy cake to celebrate turning four!

And here is the birthday girl...dreaming about cake!

The end...

And this was the end of family pics for fall of 2015.  Next up will be some of the sessions I've done for others recently. 

Daddy's girls...

These were some of my favorites and Jenny had canvases made of both.  So sweet.

Take two...

You may remember that I said I'm obsessed with the "woulda, coulda, shoulda's" for family photos.  Well, this time I actually did a do-over.  We tried to set up these shots in the first session and let's just say that I learned a few things from my mistakes.  The top pic is one of my faves and I love the mischief in A's eyes in the bottom pic.  I'm trying to remember what brought on that expression.  I think it was me telling her NOT to let me catch her smiling.  Ha ha!

And now we return to Christmas card pics...

This was my first pic of H and her missing tooth with my "big girl camera".  She was clearly happy to show it off!

And can you tell that A is actually nervous about standing on the fence?  Jenny is actually kneeling behind her to help her feel secure.  Just one more opportunity to use that clone tool in Photoshop.  Ha!

Surprise!

She doesn't know it yet, but I think this will be her reaction when she learns she doesn't have to take naps on Grammy Days anymore.  Now that she's four, actual sleeping during nap time is hit or miss.  Some days she sings and plays during her rest time and other days she sleeps.  Rest time is short on Grammy Days because they have to get home to pick up H from kindergarten.  If A actually falls asleep, she's a "bear" when she's awakened early.  So for this one day a week, she will get to stay up and have a little extra play time with Grammy and G-Pa!  Happy Birthday A!  This may be your favorite birthday surprise!

Happy Birthday to A!

 Guess who is celebrating her FOUR year old birthday today!  The favorite things might be hard to read on the collage, so here is a single shot.

 Love her!  She is full of sass and vinegar with an abundance of personality...Determined, opinionated...dare I say controlling?  But there is no shortage of FUN or affection when she's around.  I love watching her grow up and change...and I'm super thankful her mommy and daddy are consistent and firm.  Ha ha!  Happy Birthday A!  We LOVE you!