Lazy Days

Remember those? Me neither. But I'm sure there were days as a child where I had the time to just sit and do nothing. To park myself under a tree and ponder the great questions of the universe... 'what is love? what is the meaning of life? why are smurfs blue?' Don't you wish you could hear the little voice inside her head right now?



The greatest thing about childhood is that it is so fleeting. We have decades to be an adult.. and but a few short years to really be a kid. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and so they say.. so perhaps it's the scarcity of those years that leave us yearning for more. For the days when it's okay to get nothing checked off your to-do list, to not even HAVE a to-do list... when a productive day is spending an hour trying to touch the edge of the tree limbs with your toes in the highest-biggest-bestest-swing-of-your-life.



Here's to Friday. The promise of a weekend isn't exactly the same as reliving your youth... but maybe we can all head into the weekend with some of that childish innocence... relish the warmth of the rays instead of reaching for your sunglasses... take the long scenic route, even if it's just to the grocery store... and if you get the chance... try and touch the trees. :)

What do I wear??

Probably the question I get from more clients than anything else. And really, there are far more right answers than wrong ones. Obviously, nothing that really clashes. And no huge logos (unless you want to commemorate your love for "GAP" hoodies for generations) or cartoon characters, etc. But beyond that.. really anything goes.

As a classic standby, matching works great. Everyone blends nicely and the image stays simple & clean. The only problem with matching is that the same style/color often doesn't look equally flattering on every member of the family. I always encourage families to go out on a limb a little more, find clothes that look great and fit well for everyone, with different colors and textures. Denims, sweaters, cottons, linen.. they all have a unique feel and texture and will give a great contrast in your portrait. And most importantly, everyone looks like themselves and can relax and have fun with the session.

And now, the picture that inspired this post... kudos to this mom, who really "gets it" as far as clothing choices go. Everyone looks comfortable and stylish, yet still classic and coordinated. Doesn't hurt that they're all just beautiful, either? ;)

Hello, Friend!

You know I've wondered over the last few months if anyone was reading my ramblings on this blog, and it became very clear over the last few days that yes, you are... and apparently you're all wondering where I've been! Just a few days' lapse in writing and I'm getting emails left and right!

Everything is fine.. great, actually.. just super busy! This is the season photographers refer to as Holiday Rush... everyone wants the *perfect* family photo for their *perfect* holiday card... and they want it yesterday! I am busily keeping up (or trying to) and so far have printed so many cards I feel like I should at least be entitled to some Gingerbread cookies! :)

Just a few recent pics, more tomorrow I promise.. I will get caught up! (Even if it takes me until Valentine's Day!)

A great cause

Just a little announcement to share, a worthy cause I wanted to pass along. This weekend I will be participating in the North Texas Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's annual "Moving toward a Cure" family walk. The goal is not to finish in record time, but rather to raise funds and especially awareness about food allergies and how scary and stressful they can be, especially to small children. The cause is especially close to my heart because a dear friend of mine has a brave little boy with a very severe allergy to nuts, one that almost cost him his life and has made the last three years of thier lives a constant struggle to maintain normalcy for him while still ensuring his safety. The older he gets, the more situations to be cautious, and the more I am in awe of her strength. I have been blessed with three beautiful.. but more importantly.. heathy children, and I cannot begin to imagine living with the constant fear of a cupcake at a birthday party that may have been cooked in the wrong kind of oil, or the well meaning stranger who wants to pinch those beautiful chubby cheeks, not knowing the faint remnants of peanut butter still on her hands from lunch could send us to the hospital for a week. And yet, despite the dangers, her little boy has turned into one of the sweetest, most easygoing kids I have ever met... such a testament to her amazing parenting skills! Many of you will remember little Max from a storybook session I've had featured on my site for some time, you can click here to view a slideshow version of the book, which is still one of my all time favorites.

For more info about the walk, click on the link above. If you'd like to help but can't make it to Plano this weekend feel free to follow this link to a site that accepts donations, in the name of Max or any other child affected... or better yet, donate in the name of the healthy children you currently kiss to bed at night, a way of counting your blessings and paying it forward to other children in the area who aren't as lucky.

Off my soapbox now.. thanks for hearing me out.. and I look forward to your support (mind, body or spirit, we'll take it all!) on Sunday!

Rain, rain... go away!!

This pretty much sums it up... boo hoo! No more rain! While I'm sure the parched Texas land was happy to soak up this weekend's downpours, the rain has certainly put a crimp in my holiday schedule! While we missed a whole day of mini-sessions today, I promise everyone we will get them all made up.. whatever it takes! Now.. bring on that sun!!

Weekend Sneak Peek

Just one for now, because I opened this picture and instantly loved it.. and because I know this mom has been known to read the blog and would love a little teaser! :) Can't wait to show you the rest!

More cute girls!

I must have someone looking out for me.. I have had such a wonderful run of darling little girls! :)



These two were a barrel of laughs.. each one ready to out do the other with silly faces and louder giggles.


I should point out their ridiculously talented mommy actually made these dresses especially for the session.. chenille bloomers and all! She has a successful business designing & selling these to die for boutique clothes and her girls are lucky enough to be the models for the latest creations!





This one just makes me laugh out loud every time I see it.. they were playing hide-n-seek behind the stone columns and thought it was hilarious to jump out and surprise me... but they usually ended up shocking each other more! Each time they peeked out they laughed harder and louder.. I can almost hear their giggles still! :)

Three beautiful girls

Again, not my own three girls.. but three adorable sisters nonetheless! I told mom that her oldest was such a natural, she really could model. I think her daughter thought so too! :)



The next one had classic middle child shyness.. or lackthereof.. she was so giggly and sweet, and completely cooperative! (except when I asked her to jump on the bed.. see here)



And finally, baby sister.. so sweet.. so completely overwhelmed by her big sisters.. there will be plenty of time to catch up!



As a mom of three sweet, beautiful, and... um... lively girls I can say they are in for years of drama, laughter, and most importantly.. fun! And what more can you ask for?

My girl

Okay, so she's not MY girl.. but sometimes I wish she was! Just one sneak peek from this afternoon's session... I have many others to edit but I couldn't resist this one...

Nine Months

Is there any better age? Big enough to get around, play a game, and laugh at silly faces.. but still not too big to really cause any trouble or turn down a snuggle? This sweet girl was too much fun.. and had the most beautiful nursery! (Especially because it had such great lighting.. my favorite!) I already posted a sneak peak here but today I've got a few (okay a LOT) more to share of the little angel and her adoring mom & dad. Can you tell she has them completely wrapped around her chubby little fingers? And can you blame them??















Have a great weekend everyone!

Keep in Touch!

Regular blog visitors will notice a new addition to the site.. that tiny box to the right is a great new feature! Just enter your email address and get an update every time I post a new entry to the blog! You only get an email when there is a new post, so don't worry about getting flooded with spam, and the emails won't be used for anything other than blog updates.. your info is completely safe. Best of all, you'll never miss a post again! :)

If you already subscribe to the regular email newsletters, I encourage you to sign up for this as well.. those are much less frequent and have been even less so since the blog began. This is the easiest way to stay up to date on anything & everything you might need to know.. plus get a daily dose of my current clients (otherwise known as the cutest kids in the metroplex!) as I showcase my favorite new images!

Speaking of... how cute is this little one???

Double Trouble

These twins were so much fun.. and not nearly as much work as I'd expected! I had visions of wrangling baby after baby, begging for them to both be awake and happy at the same time, praying for a shot to work... instead I found them to be the sweetest, most easy going little ones I've had in a long time!


and just one of big sister, who popped in to check on us from time to time but mostly was less than interested in any of the hubub surrounding her sisters.

Happy Monday!