Natural. Candid. Real. Beautiful. { The Blog. }

{ I ♥big heart♥ you, G family }

I always know that a photo shoot with the G family is going to make me laugh, sing and do one million happy dances.  They're really that fabulous.  I adore them.  The kids?  They're sweet.  They're kind.  They're crazy and giggly and just plain fun.  Mama and Daddy G - you should be so proud.  You're raising some fine children (or is it rearing?  I feel like I can hear my 3rd grade teacher saying, "You rear a child - you raise a cow."  Oh well.).

Here they are, once again: Mia and Tyson - I could squeeze them right up...

Tyson is a Daddy's boy - he loves him some Daddy.  So stinking sweet.  Get a load of his cuteness:

And Mia?  She's pure sunshine. Pure. Sunshine.

G family, it was wonderful, once again.  Always a pleasure.  Thank you for spending a little of your Saturday with me - it was pretty darn dreamy. xoxo

 

{ Even the family dog ... }

Somebody pinch me.

Is this really my job?  Seriously?  Naaaaaah.  Is it really?

I say that often - I think that often - and at yesterday's photo shoot, it's all I could think about.  I {adored}, and I mean ADORED this family.  I've been smiling today as I've thought about them.  These kids are special.  Meet my new favorite family of 6 + canine...

First off, let me introduce you to the biggest sister, Lauren.  She's smart, she's precocious, she's confident, yet warm-hearted and so polite.  She's WONDERFUL, I tell you.  She chatted with me like we were old friends.  Lauren, you are a gem, my dear.  ::hugs to you::  I loved chatting with you and watching you juggle your soccer ball (like a PRO, might I add). Really, really loved it.

Next off we have the biggest brother, Parker.  What can I say about Parker?  I loved him, too.  He's reserved and funny, full of thought and gentle.  Parker is going to be a golf-pro one day.  He told me so.  And you know what?  I believe him.  He's craaaazy with his clubs.  I was like, "are you 9 or are you 19, Parker?"

Don't you just want to hug him?

Next, we have the littlest brother, Andrew.  Let me tell you a little something about Andrew.  He's just plain sweet.  He's full of boyish fun - with a touch of crazy - but so darn cute.  He was so polite to me - little gentleman he was.  He treated me like the nice photographer girl that I am.  Followed instructions and did everything that I asked him to, without a single eyelash bat.  Yup.  Amazing kids these are.  Uuuuuuuu-mazing.  Oh, and I can't forget to tell you about the way that Andrew swings a baseball bat.  He was knockin' 'em out of the park and running around the "bases" as we cheered him on.  Like I said, somebody pinch me.  Crazy fun.

I can hardly wait to tell you about Mollie - Mollie melted my heart right. into. a. puddle.  Mollie is the littlest sister - the baby of the family, but she holds her own.  I am smiling big right now as I'm thinking about her poses and tricks.  After she saw me taking photos of big sister Lauren up in the tree, she was aaaallll about getting up in that tree.  She wanted the movie start treatment.  Yeeeeesssss.  And she very quickly reminded me, as we were chatting, that she is 4 and a HALF - NOT 4.  Ooooooh Mollie - I would love to come back and have a tea party with you. :) ::swoon::

Okay, okay, let's get to the remaining images - I know that I'm wordy and gushing and falling all over myself about this family - I just can't help it.  It's all true.  And heartfelt.  I adored them.  Even the family dog - Coco.....

Next up we have the wonderful parents who are doing a fantastic job of raising these amazing kids.  You know what?  There was not one. single. fight. between these 4 siblings.  I was there for 3 hours - and not one argument.  Just playful craziness and a whole lot of fun.  I know you're saying get out, Christi.  Just get out. 

It's really true....

 

 

 

Okay, last one - we have to save SOME suprises for Mom and Dad when they see their gallery! 

Amy and John - it goes without saying.  It was nothing but a pleasure. xoxo

{ Welcome to my tea party - would you like some sugar? }

Meet  my little friend Maddie - she's nothing but a girlie girl - complete with plenty of babies and strollers and tea parties.  I had the pleasure of photographing Maddie and her brother Drew 1 year ago.  Back then, she seemed like such a baby.  I remember I walked into their house to meet them for the first time, and she was sitting at the table in her bright turquoise pajamas with big red cherries on them.  She greeted me with her infectious smile - sitting there pleasantly eating her oatmeal.  Fast forward one year..... and now look at her.  She had a real live tea party waiting there for me.  Complete with cups and saucers and tea pot and sugar (yes - we had real "tea" - water + plenty of sugar - served up by Maddie....). 

I adore this next one - her reflection in the table.  Mmmmmm.  Sweet.

And now let's meet the infamous Drew.  This boy knows more about animals than anyone - honestly.  A year ago, he could tell you the very specific name of every single animal known to man.  Like a walking boy of an animal encyclopedia.  And dinosaurs too.  Knows them all like the back of his hand.  As a matter of fact, his Dad told me a story about Drew needing to bring something to his kindergarten classroom that started with the letter A.  He brought in a frog.  And when his teacher asked him about that frog - "Drew....what do you have here?  It looks like a frog to me.  And frog starts with the letter F.  Where is your something that starts with the letter A?"  Drew's reply?  "Teacher, it does start with an A.  It's an amphibian."  Are you kidding me??? :)

Often times I tell parents that my goal is not capture their child's say cheeeese smile - I want to capture their personalities - whether they're happy or sad or mad or maybe even crying.  That's what kids do.  So here's Maddie having one of her moments - Daddy's making it all better.

And sweet Mama Jenny {who I adore, by the way} laughing and having crazy time with her sweet kiddos.  Love it.  Captured the moment well.  So fun.

A family photo shoot would not be complete without Barney.  He's one cool dude.  Seriously.

Family portrait in b/w...

And the same photo in soft color....

Last one - couldn't leave this one out.  I love it.  Maddie in her Santa hat...she seems to be deep in thought.  Thank you Jenny and the gang for welcoming me back into your home.  It was such a pleasure, once again.  XOXO  Enjoy your sneak peek!  Amy + Pete + Kate - you're up next!

{ My friend of 31 years - gasp - 31 years????}

I met Rebekah in preschool.  Yep, we were 2 1/2 years old.  My dear, sweet Mamaw was our teacher {insert cheek squeeze - "listen to my voice and obey."}.  And here we are, at the ripe old age of 34......and we're still the best of pals.  Much older, much wiser, much richer, much better, right, my friend??? ;) 

I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot with her honey Micah and their baby Laila a few weeks ago.  It was fun - Laila is such a sweet girl.  Have a look:

I told you so....

I love love love this next one - deserves to be big.  So great.  I love everything about it.  The closeness, the cuteness, the background, the texture that pops out since the photo is in bw.  Love. It.

Seriously?  I laughed out loud - all by myself - sitting here at my computer - when I saw this next one.  Oooooooh Laila.....

Added some texture to this next one - just to add a little drama (don't ever say that this girl doesn't like a little drama...).

And here it is without texture.  I like it both ways.  Enjoy your sneak peek, my friend.  Mmmmwwwwahhhhh!  XOXOXOXOXOXO

{ It's a sneak peek marathon weekend! }

Without further ado....the oh-so-patient mini session clients have been waiting and watching the blog like mad.  Is it my turn yet?  Is it my turn yet?  Yes.  Yes it is.  It's finally your turn..... :)  Here we go!

First up we have the sweetest EVER Mia and Tyson.  I haven't seen them in a year, and they've grown so much.  I didn't think it was possible - but I think they grew sweeter in the past year.  So much fun we had - they are sooooo easy to photograph.  Just naturally happy, sweet kids.  Wild and crazy and so much fun.  Have a look....

Next up - another of my favorite dynamic duos (seriously??? Is this really my job?  Spending time with some of my favorite little people = soooo not a job to me)....meet Jon and Zack.  I also hadn't seen them in a year.  How they've grown - and are just as wild and crazy and fun as I remembered them to be.  You guys are so great - I loved every minute with you.... Really. 

This very well could be my faaaaaavorite shot of the year......

Next up we have 2 kiddos near and dear to my heart - meet Jack and Reagan, little sweet peas that belong to one of my dearest friends, Kim.  We've been friends for as long as I can remember - you blink and 20 years goes by (how can that be?  We were just hitting tennis balls on my garage door and going boy crazy and driving around in your Mom's red convertible and making soooo many fun teenage memories - sniff sniff).  Sweet Jack.  Sweet Reagan.  I love your Mama like no other.

And last, but not least....get a load of these cute kids.  Meet Matthew + Caroline + baby Jacob.  Cute, cute, cute.  These sweet peas belong to my friend Carrie - and they are no strangers to me, as I have photographed them many times.  I think Matthew is sick to death of me and my camera (seriously - he runs and hides just as fast as he can - sorry dude - I know it's no fun for you, but we MUST do it for your Mama☺), but Caroline still cheeeeeses it up for me every time.  Check her out in all of her sweetness - like a little ray of sunshine...

I told you it was a sneak peek marathon! :)  WHEW!  That was a long one!

Next up - Lee + Allie, Jennifer + Maddi, and Rebekah + Micah + Laila!  Fingers crossed for geeting your sneak peeks up tomorrow!

XOXO

{ One of several sneak peeks for today }

Yesterday was a marathon photo post - and today I have several sneak peeks to get in before we leave for vacation tomorrow.  Wishing that the magical photo editing/suitcase packing/house cleaning/laundry doing fairy would make a stop at my house....*sigh*  It doesn't seem physically possible that my work will get done - but I'm hanging in there and giving it my darnedest shot!  So, let's cut to the chase.  The wonderful J family.  Mama J is actually a friend of mine from grade school - actually we were also in preschool together waaaaay back in the day.  Crazy, huh?  I am blessed enough to have spent some time with her fantastic family a couple of Saturdays ago.  I am also blessed enough to tell you that they recently moved back to the area from Colorado.  Until recently, I hadn't seen her since her wedding 14 years ago.  Mama J - hoping to spend many more wonderful times together in the upcoming years.  XOXO

Here's just a little texture for you in the below image - and a bit of a vintage finish.  I thought this photo lended itself to this finish.  i thought of it as soon as I saw it.  This photo was taken at the end our photo shoot - the kids spotted a HUGE catfish in the pond.  Biggest brother was pointing it out to the other two.  I think that time just stands still in this photo.  I'm in love...

I had a hard time deciding on finishes - I lean toward the below one, but I really love them both.  Hard decision.

Um, yeah - how about their reflection in the pond? DREAMY. I've been dreaming of this image in my mind for awhile.  I seized the opportunity - I think it works well.  How about you?

I had a hard time deciding on color or b/w for the below image, as well.  Hard to resist those baby blues of hers.  Isn't she a sight for sore eyes?  So sweet.  Pretty little girl - but aaaaaal tomboy.  I love it.

He was telling me something very important here - it's such a happy picture.  What about his cool guy hat? :)

I caught this adorable smirk at JUST the right moment.  What do you think he's thinking about?

LOVING this image - my favorite part is Mom and Dad holding hands.  This image says it all.  These two are just as in love as the day they were married.  And GET THIS: He sang to her at their wedding - as a surprise.  GET OUT.  Yes, he sure did.  All of the women at the wedding had dreamy stars in their eyes (including yours truly at the ripe old age of 20 - just dreaming of my prince charming.  I found him several years later, thank goodness. Love you baby - you're just as dreamy, and I love you for loving me and my 352 quirks *wink, wink*).  Daddy J is just that fantastic.  A dreamy kind of guy.  You love him from the minute he speaks the first word.

It was wonderful spending time with the 5 of you - enjoy your sneak peek! :)  Baby Jacob - you're NEXT!

{ A little bit of Zoe & a whole lotta love }

Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump, then...My heart nearly stopped when I saw this image.  Oh. my. heart.

Okay, so now that we've got that covered (I could hardly WAIT to show you), let's talk about this sweet family.  This is baby Zoe and her wonderful Mommy and Daddy.  They are near and dear to my heart - more near and dear to my heart than I think you might now.  That handsome Daddy's name is Nate, and he's my cousin.  I {adore} his wife Colleen, and now I have fallen in love with baby Zoe.  Let's have another look at them - same pose, but a little different.  And I decided to leave this one in color.

Zoe is obsessed with her toes - no need to bring toys - just give her some toes... :)

When I saw this image below, my eyes got all welled up.  Yep, I'm not kidding.  I had a flashback to Nate as a chubby little baby (and he was sooooo chubby - fat rolls and rolls and rolls).  And now look at him - such a loving, proud Daddy with a baby of his own.  Crazy.  Am I getting old?  How can my little cousin Nate be a Daddy?  Awwww, he's so great.  Just a fantastic guy.  Colleen is so lucky (and he's pretty lucky himself - she's just as fantastic as he is).  Anyway, check this out.  My emotions when I see this one....{big dreamy sigh}

I always tell parents that some of my favorite images are the not-smiling ones.  The smiling ones are great - don't get me wrong.  But I love a serious look - captured at just the right moment.  Like the one below...

Have you ever met a 6 month old who *LOVES* the chicken dance???  If Zoe hears you singing it, she will stop what she's doing and crack up.  If she's crying - chicken dance.  If she's bored - chicken dance.  If she's grumpy near nap time - chicken dance, baby.  She LOVES it.  Mommy and Daddy were singing the chicken here:

We were almost done with our photo shoot - and Zoe was getting. very. sleepy.  She was just starting to give us a big yawn in this one.  I'm sure she slept well once our special day together was over.  She was all tuckered out. 

Nate and Colleen - love you guys to PIECES.  Big, giant hugs.  XOXO