Catching Up

Whew! Is it the New Year already?? I am seriously behind on blog posting (but they all got posted on Facebook, so if you're a Fan, look there first!).

These cuties are from a family session that took place in October, and it was one of those rare, early-freezing days. The little girl kept me running with my camera - but she probably had to run to keep warm!! when I first saw their outfits, I was drooooling at how beautiful they are, and wanted one for my little girl so badly....but they are one-of-a-kind, made by their very talented Mommy. I just loved the red hair on big sis, and the expressions on the little guy cracked me up.

Mom is also one of my business partners - check out http://www.theenglishpea.com/ for quality custom children's stationary.

Beautiful Bows

With Thanksgiving complete, I can now allow myself to decorate for Christmas (I don't allow myself to do so before Thanksgiving). And this year, I was able to help those in need while doing it. A member of a local church is making beautiful bows - and even wrapping gifts, decorating your house, etc. - with all proceeds going to their Families in Need fund. I cannot make a bow to save my life, so I certainly took advantage of her talent!

I had fun shopping for sparkly wrapping paper to go with my sparkly bows. I wrapped up some old boxes I had laying around (yes, I keep every box that is every shipped to me), added my bows and voila! Christmas decor for the mantle, sofa table, etc. etc.

I also had a few pink & blue bows made - so I now have picture-perfect bows for all those newborn sessions!

You're Famous!!

While I was shooting this brother and sister, I told them they would 'be famous' since I would be putting their pictures on my blog, website, facebook, etc. So, kids, you're famous!

I'm sure mom won't mind if I tell this story (at least I hope not).....the little girl's room has this great window that gets amazing natural light. And the room is a pale yellow, so it was just filled with beautiful light, the kind that makes photographer's drool (as long as no one sees the drool, we're OK...). So when I said to mom "oh, I would love to start shooting in here!" her response was "are you kidding?? It's such a mess!!". But I knew that in the end, we wouldn't see any mess, just beautiful children in beautiful light.

This Old Saddle

At a recent session, out in 'the country' (as I call it), even though I was actually shooting the 2 children (their pictures coming in another post), my eye was caught by a saddle. The mom (and a dear friend of mine) told me it was her saddle, she had used it lovingly for years on her sweet horses that have since been put down. She could tell in an instant that I wanted to shoot it....I loved trying to capture all the little details. So, with some beautiful natural light, here's something a little different....

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Two Peas out of their Pod

You may remember awhile back I did a maternity session for a mom-to-be who was having twins. Well, this is their big debut! These little teeny ones really were happiest being fully swaddled. So the lesson at this session was - the value of a good and proper swaddling fabric. They endured a little bit of 'nakedness', but they really feel deeeeeep asleep once swaddled (and cuddled, of course, my favorite part!).

Thanks to the twins, and mom and dad for letting me into your home during this busy (and sleepless) time!

Cades Cove

Recently, we enjoyed a nice weekend in the TN mountains, near a little town called Townsend. This place is near and dear to my heart, as I spent some time there every summer at leadership camp in high school. I think it's when I fell in love with the mountains....crickets chirping at night, clean crisp air, wooded forest paths, sitting around a crackling firepit singing songs in the evening....ah, memories.

Anyway, one day during camp we'd all pile into buses and drive the scenic Cades Cove, a beautiful 11-mile loop of pastoral landscape. There are refurbished original buildings there, too. someday I'd like to bike it (which apparently they reserve for Saturday mornings).

I enjoyed getting outside my comfort zone, and shooting something other than people. Interesting how differently I see the place now. It also has revealed my strange fascination with old buildings, fences and wood....

I"m getting caught up on a lot, so check back!

Fashionista

I went shopping recently (which is kind of rare, as I hate shopping) and found these fabulous red cowboy boots! At first I thought I'd buy them for Sarah, as after all, every girl needs her own cowboy boots. But instead I snagged them for some photo prop usage - if your child has size 13 feet, and you'd like these in your session, just let me know!
I also have this great blue boa. Hey, why not wear them together? Childhood is all about play and dress up, right?