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Welcome

Who am I? I'm the person behind the camera, I'm me. I love capturing those special moments that define who your child is, what their personality is, and allows others to see the perfection that is your child. I remember looking at my children when they were asleep and thinking how angelic they looked that way. It wasn't that they weren't angelic awake, but it was much harder to see during the course of our normal day. It's my goal to capture that angel in your child during a session.

Sweet as sugar!

November 18, 2008 – 1:14 am

Such a gorgeous little one.  She almost gave me that “baby fever” too, until I was reminded that new babies do not sleep through the night.  But, looking at her, I’m convinced she is the sweetest, most angelic, perfect baby in the world.  She was for me, and I loved getting the chance to tickle her a little, hold her a little, and see that sweet baby smile.

But, then, oh her Mom pulled out this bonnet.  I think I might have squealed a little.  But can you blame me?  Especially combined with her expressive face.

When Dad was playing with his little Princess, I was reminded of a shot I have done in the past.

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Be watching for him at LSU in a few years

November 17, 2008 – 5:14 am

Until then, you can find him here on my blog (and later on my website).  I love this image.  I love the eyes, the lopsided too big helmet, and the little hands holding it up and straightening it.  This little one was so much fun to play with in his backyard.

I loved how he played baseball as well.  I know he’ll be running those bases soon though for LSU.  Yes, indeed.  I guess he’ll be safe a lot too as he is one fast little boy!

The light, it could not have been more perfect.  I love how his curls are accented by the sunlight here.  Yes, I do believe one day we’ll see this handsome young “Tiger” playing for LSU.  But until then, well, I hope his Mom will cherish each of these last days of “babyhood” and embrace all the wonderfulness that is a little boy.  I know she will because she liked this image too when I showed her on the back of my camera.

One of my favorite images of my son Samuel is when he was this age with his pacifier in his mouth.  I was so tired of it at that point, and so ready for it to disappear, but he refused to participate in a “practice” session with me without it.  Years later I look at that image, and I love it.

Now, be on the lookout for his little sister!

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They braved the FREEZING cold!

November 11, 2008 – 4:44 am

okay, so really, it was in the 40’s.  But it was very cold and windy.

Silly faces abounded, and my new favorite silly was photographed.  Yes, I do believe this is the BEST silly face I’ve gotten in a long time.

I just want to burst out singing when I see this image, but I won’t torture you with that noise.  Isn’t he just the cutest boy?  I’m sorry to say his Mom informed me that she has had his marriage arranged for a good long time.

It wasn’t all fun and games as Mom had told me all she really wanted was a good image of the two of them together.

I think I got it.  Don’t you?

But, by far, my favorite was the storyboard that was SCREAMING at me when I was processing images. 

I think they enjoyed playing in the leaves!

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It’s not easy

November 9, 2008 – 9:49 am

That is what I have learned recently.

It’s not easy to pick out THE outfits for your family to get portraits made.  The decisions, the wondering if things will look just right, and then the 2nd guessing yourself.

It’s not easy to convey your visions to the photographer when you can’t put exactly into words what you would like to see.

It’s not easy to get everyone ready for a photo session.  That includes haircuts, clean bodies and teeth, clean clothes, happy kids, fed kids, getting to the location on time, and then hoping beyond hope that your kids behave themselves.

It’s not easy to see your kids act up when the photographer is so patiently trying to coax that smile out of them.

It’s not easy to leave the session and wonder…how did it truly go?  Really and truly?

It’s not easy to WAIT to see the images.

It’s not easy to just see a few…on a blog.

It’s not easy to wait to see the ones I know she got, but they are not on the blog.

Have I mentioned I’m not a very patient person?!  I’m used to leaving a session, knowing when I clicked the shutter button, and knowing that I could see them all that night when I download them.

I have a MUCH greater understanding of you all, my clients.  It’s NOT easy being the client.  I wonder if it’s like that saying that doctor’s make the worst patients?  Do photographers make the worst clients of other photographers?

Didn’t Beth Valentine do a WONDERFUL job?!  By the way, she NAILED the visions in my head.  I wanted a more urban family session that showcased our relationships with each other and showed the personalities of my kids and the ways they interact with each other.  She NAILED each and every aspect of that.

If you are on Facebook, you can see just a couple of more.  The individuals of the kids.

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November 7, 2008 – 5:09 am

Really, what can I say?  These kids were wonderful!  Beautiful, polite, and oh so much fun.  They were willing to do anything I asked of them, even things that seemed strange…like lay down in the grass.   When I first saw their house, I changed my mind about the “mostly indoor” session.  Their front yard was a dream come true, with just about perfect lighting (amazing as I had forgotten to take into account the time change when I scheduled their session).

I was also excited to learn they had a new puppy in their home who was eager to be my friend.  I really wanted a photo of him with the kids, and he got a special treat to get on a bed.  I think he loved every minute of it. 

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Sweet sweet boys!

November 6, 2008 – 5:01 am

You have to love when the love between brothers just shows so much.  The older one would lean over and kiss his little brother at various times, and each time he did I think my heart melted a little bit.  In the middle of the session, the big brother even told me that he loved me.  Yes, he did indeed steal my heart.

But the little brother’s BIG eyes, oh how I was drawn into them.  Such gorgeous big eyes.

But I think the next photo totally tells you about this little guy.  We were taking some photos of big brother, and we saw him lean over and pull the plate toward him…just to get another bite of his banana.  Such determination and such a smart little guy to figure out how to get what he wanted.

But did I mention that big brother stole my heart with his “Carly, I lub you.”  He called me Carly, and I told his parents it was quite alright as my Daddy used to call me that when I was little.

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Roll Tide!

November 4, 2008 – 10:38 am

That’s what this little cutie would say to me.  She is adorable, isn’t she?  She’s got both of these big brothers wrapped around her little finger, and it was so fun to see their family together.

Can you tell she’s fun to photograph?  She gives me all sorts of great poses.  She makes a great cheerleader for Alabama, and I know she’ll be right there on Saturday’s game yelling “Go BAMA!  ROLL TIDE!!!!” with her Dad.

Perhaps one day we’ll all get to see her cheer at a game.

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This young lady has been so patient

November 3, 2008 – 11:37 pm

I did her session earlier, and have not gotten her sneak peek up yet.  We had a great time together on the mountain despite how cold it was.  I have so many great shots from her session, and she’s going to have a tough time choosing which ones she wants.

This is probably my favorite portrait in more casual clothes that I have of her.

The love between the two sisters was fun to photograph.  I could tell that they are very close.

Then I turned around at one point and saw the younger sister just laying on this opening, and the light was just beautiful coming in on her.  So beautiful.

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Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2008 – 5:19 am

Just a quick note as many of my good friends (as do some of my favorite clients) have children with food allergies.  Trick or Treating can be a scary time for their kids.  I would love to see more people have alternatives to candy treats containing peanuts, treenuts, wheat, dairy, etc.  in them.  Things like pencils, stickers, jelly beans, lollipops, etc.   If you don’t have anything on hand, perhaps asking the parents or telling the parents you have candy containing food allergens before plopping it into the buckets or the kids hands.

I know many would appreciate just this little extra bit of caution.  Halloween is fun, and I would hate to hear of a child have a major food allergy reaction on this fun night.

As for our house, we’ll stick with the bags of fruit snacks.  :)  I for one do not need lots of extra chocolatey goodness in my home on November 1st.  As we’ve already eaten 2 bags of candy this month, I think my thighs are definitely going to outgrow my jeans by the end of Christmas!

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Oh what fun we had!

October 30, 2008 – 6:17 am

We giggled.  We played.  We posed.  We had fun.

I dare you try to NOT smile when you see the above photo.  Can you hear her infectious giggle?  I sure can.  I loved her tiara headband and have vowed that Katie MUST possess one in her future.

While we were giggling and playing, big brother found his own interesting creatures.

Yes, that is a praying mantis.  *shudder*  We also saw a walking stick during the session.  I have to admit, even I was a bit timid at touching that praying mantis.  I never knew their claws could look so…well, lethal.

Ah!  That’s a much better image to leave this post on.  Sweet, innocence, and beauty.  I’m loving all the sessions this fall!

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