Shoot it or lose it

Taking a Break

2010-01-14T20:36:00.001-08:00

I've decided that life is moving way too fast and I'm missing out on and behind on so many important things. Shooting weekends and processing at night takes its toll on family time. Plus, my "baby" will be in school just like her big sis before I can blink ten times, so I'm going to take advantage of my time with her while I can. I will absolutely be shooting and learning and growing as a photographer while I'm taking a break from sessions. I'll be back to work in 2011. Thanks for checking in!

Thankful

2010-01-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

This was my last session of the year, right after Thanksgiving. I was thankful for the beautiful warm weather to match the beautiful warm family I got to spend my afternoon with. These are some of my favorite people in the world and I could not have had a better time. They are such a fun and loving family with lots of interests and talents. I was beyond excited when they asked me to photograph them.

Thanks guys! You know I love ya!

Expectations

2009-11-10T21:18:00.000-08:00

It is so fun to meet new families. I try not to go into a session with expectations of getting two hours of photography. But it is hard for me to stop shooting when my camera hasn't yet captured what my minds eye really wants. The whole thing should be about having fun and capturing personalities and true family interactions. Those are the photographs you stay up late pouring over once your children start growing up and changing.

Sometimes a session only lasts a short time, and sometimes a short time is all we really need. I'm always learning.

Baby Love

2009-11-05T00:26:00.001-08:00

What a pleasure it was for me to work with this beautiful and loving family. Babies are always such a joy to photograph. And some of the best fun comes from watching the parents ooogle over their most cherished treasure.

Thank you Russell Family!!!

Through the eyes of a child

2009-11-05T00:24:00.001-08:00

I'm so blessed to get to photograph this sweet family and watch this little boy grow. His wonderful personality truly shines through. He is all about exploring and having fun. He is such a joy!

Thank you again Miller Family!

Congrats to the new parents

2009-08-05T16:04:00.001-07:00

I love photographing babies! They don't have to be human, just tiny and new to the world. I was super excited when asked to photograph nine baby puppies this past weekend.

I love this image most of all. Mommy tries to go get some rest

and the little ones just can't let her go. Any mommy can relate.

Thank you Pattersons for asking me to

photograph your precious puppies and beautiful family!

One of my all time faves!

2009-07-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you Mathews Family for allowing me to capture this season of life for you all.

Your gift of friendship has meant more to me than you will ever know.

Adam + Brittany

2009-07-06T22:38:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful experience for me to witness and document

this special day for such a loving couple.

Thank you Brittany and Adam for trusting me with your very first day and celebration as husband and wife.

Go to your 'Happy Place'

2009-05-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

This beautiful couple will be home from their honeymoon tomorrow and might be looking for a sneak peak.

I chose this photo to share because it reminds me of that special moment in chaos when a couple in love tunes it all out and just enjoys one another as if they were all alone. This is a place they can go back to later in time when chaos surrounds them in every day life.

More to come.....

A Mother is........

2009-05-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Brothers

2009-05-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

It was great fun for me to photograph these two little cuties again this year.

Waiting Patiently

2009-04-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

I know mom has been waiting patiently to get a little peak at these photos of her precious little boy. Mason is truly a doll. He has many sides to his personality. I just love the looks he gives.

He is a thinker

and an explorer.

He loves to play with mom

and with dad.

He is pure joy!

Thank you Miller family! It was so much fun working with you all again!

Sorority Headshots and Senior Pictures

2009-03-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to get my camera on this beauty for quite some time now. I was beyond giddy when her mom asked for a session!

I've known Lauren since she was nine years old. And now she is all grown up and going away to college this fall. Our goal was to get some great headshots for her sorority applications and also get some fun pictures to capture her in her final year of high school.

highschool

college

the lighting was a photographers dream this day, but the wind was relentless!

we made it work

simply beautiful - what more to say

Two beauties, inside and out.

I love how much Lauren loves her Mommy!

Thank you Karen and Lauren for asking me to take these photos.

I had so much fun! It was wonderful to spend time with you both.

High School Senior Session Coming Soon

2009-03-26T14:24:00.001-07:00

Two Boys and Their Dog

2009-03-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Look at these two cherubs with their beautiful new pup. I had an absolute blast chasing the three of them around on a beautiful sunny morning a couple of weeks ago.

Beauties

2009-03-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing these lovely children during a playdate a couple of weeks ago. Such beauties! And our dearest of friends!

Alexis

2009-02-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

Isn't it amazing that when someone you adore has a baby, the adoration you feel extends to that offspring without question. When my big sis and bff bore her first child, my heart grew with love and pride beyond anything I'd known before. And now that baby is sixteen years old! Watching her grow into this amazing young woman has been one of my greatest joys!

In many ways she is a typical teenager. She loves magazines, books, music and movies.

She also loves sugar! A girl after my own heart! (Although, I would have chose something chocolate - but hey, it's her birthday.)

In many other ways, she is different and special.....

At sixteen she has an incredible confidence about her.

She has an amazing personality and sense of humor.

She feels comfortable in her skin and already has a deep sense of who she is.......

.....and she doesn't compromise it.

She is smart-

and fun-

and beautiful.

And she is growing up.

I bawled like a baby when I first met her in the hospital, just minutes after her birth. We could see just by looking into her eyes that she had an old soul.

She is meant for great things. And I am so looking forward to watching her life unfold.

Alexis, I love you to infinity and beyond!

Happy Sweet Sixteen!

~Aunt Brandi

Sweet Sixteen!

2009-01-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

My niece, Alexis, turned sixteen on the 22nd of this month. She is fun and beautiful and creative and artistic and "cheeky" (as she calls it) and much much more. I had the wonderful pleasure of photographing her to capture this fleeting time in her life. I also had the chance to boss her mom (my big sis) around for the first time ever! Thanks for all the help sis!

There is just something memorable about being sixteen. I hope these photographs help us all to remember her at this age. I only have one to share for tonight - but I'll definitely have more coming very soon.

Fresh and New

2008-12-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

There is something about a brand new human being that just makes me all giddy inside. This precious baby boy is a model already. He should be on the cover of a magazine just like his big sis.

Thank you so much for asking me to photograph Carter. He is such a joy!

Sisters in Christmas Tutu's!

2008-11-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

What could be cuter!

Getting Ready For Baby

2008-11-19T20:18:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun photographing this beautiful young couple last weekend. They are expecting a baby boy in January and they couldn't be more excited. They are just too adorable together!

Talk about pregnancy glow - isn't she exactly what every

woman wants to look like when they are pregnant?!

Family Fun!

2008-11-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

This family is beautiful and fun and super patient. I can't decide on my faves but I'm thinking the last one in this post will melt my heart no matter how many times I look at it.

thank you for allowing me to be a part of this!

Trick-or-Treat

2008-11-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

I have to share pics of my gems from Halloween. We had a beautiful Snowflake Princess and an adorable Puppy Dog at our house. Such Joys!

E-N-E-R-G-Y!

2008-11-14T19:05:00.000-08:00

I have a ton of faves from this session (although time is limiting me to post only five). The energy these two kiddos have is just amazing!

Cuties!

2008-11-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

I took a break from blogging - but now I just have to share a few pics from one of my recent sessions. Just too cute not to share!

Five and Very Fairy

2008-09-03T17:47:00.001-07:00

My first born is five years old now! She requested a fairy party for her celebration. I couldn't resist a photo session in "the woods". She is always a very happy and smiley little girl. But for these photos she decided to be a real fairy, I had no idea that "real fairies don't smile mommy, they look like this."

Maternity Session

2008-09-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more from my last maternity session. This excited couple will be welcoming their baby girl home sometime this month. It's such a wonderful time! There are a few more images from this session posted in the bellies gallery.

We've all heard of Pickles and Ice Cream to be a fave among expecting mothers.

Here's a little twist on that.

dreaming of baby and counting the days

giddy with love and excitement

Beautiful Belly

2008-08-11T19:19:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of photographing one beautiful glowing new mommy and one giddy hard working daddy this past weekend. They still have a few weeks before they meet their darling daughter and wanted to capture this magical and fleeting time in their lives. I had SO much fun! This couple is loving and fun and patient and super easy going - it made for a great session and wonderful memories for print. I have many to share but thought I'd start with these.

Thank you Brian and Jennifer for trusting me!

Ballerina Beauty

2008-07-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

More images of my muse

Lucky Me!

2008-07-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to get to work with Ashley Langford again. Check out his blog to see his latest post. Thanks Ashley!

My little dancer

2008-06-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

My four year old recently finished a combination tap/ballet/gymnastics class. I can't explain what it feels like to be the mommy of such a precious soul. She is sweeter than sugar and makes me beam with pride every single day.

Looking as sweet as can be in her recital outfit and tap shoes

There are moments that I am completely entranced by the beauty of my daughters. Capturing a moment like this makes me giddy beyond words.

Boston

2008-06-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

This is my nephew, Boston, who turned one May 2nd. My little sis and I have been talking about doing an official birthday session for months but it just hasn't worked out. I was lucky to get a couple shots at a family gathering last weekend. He's such a little cutie.

Family Session

2008-06-19T01:42:00.000-07:00

What a fun family session this was. There's something about two parents who get to focus completely on one child. I remember those days. It was adorable to watch and listen to these two doting parents interact with this beautiful little boy. Who by the way, is told on a regular basis that he is the happiest baby ever. So it was a little hard for his parents to understand where his smiles went when I walked in the door.

I love family portraits, who doesn't.

Although, the photos I tend to enjoy the most are images that are not set up or posed or planned. Like this one.

Smiles are wonderful and fun...but there's something stunning about a look like this from someone so young. His eyes already speaking for him.

Sweet Mommy kisses. I love how her hair flows in this one.

love it.

mom wanted teeth pictures. Although this one is more about the eyes.

she wanted tushy pictures. Although this one is more about the hug.

a fave

love it

again

Love the team work going on in this photo. I adore pictures showing parents caring for their children. We do so many simple things to care for our children. These tasks engulf so many of our hours yet rarely get documented.

another fave

As soon as I said "all done" and started to put the camera away he started to smile. Smart boy.

Caught a big one right before the camera went into the bag.

Thank you Miller Family! It was an absolute pleasure!

Family Session

2008-06-19T01:08:00.000-07:00

A beautiful morning - at a beautiful park - photographing beautiful people, how lucky am I?

When I book a session, I promise between 20 to 30 final shots. I love the fact that there were 91 that made the cut.

This session was so much fun. These girls are adorable and their parents are just as sweet.

beautiful family

both girls blessed with gorgeous baby blues

such a fun loving little girl

Love Love family interacting shots

Thank you Beatty Family for trusting me once again.

And a special thank you for your referrals!

Boys love their Mommy!

2008-06-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

This was a fun session on a beautiful morning. These boys are so sweet and full of energy, luckily their adoring mommy has the energy to match!

D A D D Y collages

2008-06-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

A client called with a photo idea for her husband for Father's Day. She asked if I could take pictures of her daughters holding letters to spell the word daddy. What an adorable idea!

She told some of her friends (thanks Holly!). They thought it was a cute idea too :)

I have a dear friend that just added twins to their family - the perfect number of children to spell the word!

Of course I had to do one for my husband too:)

what a week!

2008-06-15T14:13:00.001-07:00

We've been battling strep throat and food poisoning (BJ's in Lewisville) at our house - so sorry not to have more photos for you yet. Soon, hopefully soon.

With Father's Day coming up...

2008-06-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

...I thought I'd share another daddy moment from one of this weekends sessions.

What a blessing it is to see this kind of adoration between father and son.

A daddy and his daughters

2008-06-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

Imagine what the world would be like if all daddies and daughters loved each other like this!

I promise to have more soon Holly!

Nothing Sweeter

2008-05-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

I have moments when I'm looking through a photo session and I say to myself "I'm pretty sure there is nothin sweeter than that!"

I thought I'd share one of those moments with you.

I'm really trying my very best to get caught up and start posting some from my recent sessions. Although, some will have to wait until after Daddy's Day....ssssshhhhhh

Meet Miss Presley

2008-05-24T12:58:00.001-07:00

I'm processing my latest session and just had to share some images of this living doll! Love Love LOVE the outfit her mom picked out for Presley's 18 month photos. This girl was on the move in her flowing tutu and flower boots. Then she took a seat in her pretty dress from Grandma and let me capture those sparkling blue eyes and oh so adorable fingers and toes.

It was such a pleasure meeting this adorable little punkin and I can't wait to meet her little brother sometime in November!

More beauties from Sunday's session

2008-04-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

Golden Sun

2008-04-27T23:42:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing some really beautiful people this evening!

My dear friend needed portraits to give for Mother's Day and thankfully asked me to do them for her. Thanks J!

I love shooting portraits on an overcast day. We were all set to have that happen until about forty five minutes before our session was supposed to start. So I decided to take advantage and grab a few sun spots. With all this beautiful golden hair, I was happy the sun decided to show afterall.

More later.....

Pretty in Polka dots

2008-04-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

Circle of Life

2008-04-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

The family pet is a loved and cherished member. When they start to slow down and get close to the end of their life it is always so hard on those who have grown used to their love and comfort. It is no doubt especially difficult when the hearts of children are involved.

I had the honor of photographing Buddha one morning as his wonderful family loved and enjoyed him. What a sweet dog he is! His family is cherishing every day they have with him. Thank you Amy for asking me to capture these moments.

Two Cute!

2008-03-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

Our youngest punkin turned two on Saturday. She has so many layers to her budding personality. She showed me many of those layers during our photo session. She cracks me up, she pushes my buttons, she warms my heart and makes me melt. What a joy she has brought to our lives these past two years.

Unintentional Neglect

2008-03-05T02:53:00.000-08:00

I start a photography blog and then don't do any photography. Not sure if people are even looking, but wanted to try to start back again. One or all of us has been sick since the day after Christmas. Things are better now. We are looking forward to Spring and some great outdoor photo sessions.

Here are a few photos from my oldest daughters four and a half year photo shoot. She loves the camera and the camera loves her.

Corporate Headshots

2008-01-25T22:17:00.000-08:00

My older sis and her beau/business partner needed headshots for their website. They run the Dallas branch of Relocation Strategies. I took a lighting class and learned all about how to take pics like this. But since I don't have the expensive lighting set up I had to use natural light (my fave anyway).

So thankful

2008-01-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

I have to give a shout out to the incredibly talented wedding photographer Ashley Langford for allowing me to shadow him Saturday night. I have admired and enjoyed his work for many many months via his blog and website

The entire experience was an incredible treat for me. Of course the best part was that I finally got to meet Ashley after so many months of lurking around on his blog. It was a long time desire of mine to see how he captured those incredible moments. He is amazing! It was such a pleasure for me just to observe his talent. Imagine my excitement when he invited me to shoot too! Of course now I realize that my timidness squished my creative ability. I'm a work in progress and so thankful to have had this opportunity.

Ashley in Action

Getting Ready

The wedding was beautiful and the couple was giddy in love. I love, love. I love watching people in love. I love watching other people watch people in love. The whole night was wonderful and I'm so thankful to have been a part of it.

I missed the bride and groom leaving the chapel but thought these three

were having too much fun to miss.

I didn't get shots of the reception since I was helping out with lighting. But Ashley has some posted on his blog - be sure to check out his archives too!

I just had to do it

2008-01-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

I had to start a blog that would allow me to share my favorite photos, ask (beg) for feedback, and help me grow as a photographer.