busy as a little bee

Lately I've been busy-busy, hunkered down behind my desk getting my canvas displays ready, finalizing client albums and prints, having the most fun sessions ever, ordering new marketing pieces with my BRAND NEW LOGO, yay!  Anyhow, I haven't had much time to be online lately but I wanted to pop in here and let you know that I'll be posting fun sessions again soon!  In the meantime, here is the little one who helps me during the day while Bubby is at preschool.  Isn't she precious?  How could I possibly get anything done without her?  (Wait, let me rephrase that.... How could I possibly get anything done without her sitting on my lap?!  lol.)

Or sitting at my feet, standing up beside my legs, reaching up into my lap.  ;)  And no, I didn't do anything special to her eyes, other than focusing on them at a very wide aperture.  They got no special sharpening or dodging or anything like that, I just sharpened the whole image for web.  She's just plain beautiful, isn't she?!  Bedhead, PJs and all.

I can't imagine my workdays without her!

By the way, can y'all believe that I'm scheduling for the fall already?!  August is almost full, and September and October are filling up as well.  June still has about two or three session dates available, and July is looking busy so far as well.  If you'd like to book a session with me this summer, please go ahead and contact me as soon as you can so I can be sure to get you on my schedule.  Typically, my autumn months book up backwards due to Christmas deadlines and such.  I plan on announcing my Holiday Mini-Sessions just as soon as I get the dates and locations firmed up.  So stay tuned for more news on that!  I'll be back soon.  :)

just one

I've got a little guy with a fever tonight, so I've a long night ahead.  Think I'll try and get some sleep while I can!  But I wanted to quickly share just one image from a recent baby session...  this little ladybug completely stole my heart.

I'll be back with more from their session tomorrow!  Sweet lil' girl.  :)

two of a kind. the best kind.

I have been itching to post a sneak peek of my first newborn TWIN session!  Here are a few (who am I kidding.... here are a LOT), then I have to keep the rest under wraps for Mama and Daddy's gallery....  soon, guys!  Almost there.  :)

Camille and Ashton.  Just 6 days old.  The sweetest, sleepiest, bendiest, most-perfect little darlings.  And Mama took them full-term.  :)  How awesome is SHE?!

This sweet little Ivory Soap box was just lying in their sunroom, begging me to put it to use.  Much obliged!  And I HAD to use this fresh-picked cotton, what a find!  I think *someone* (ahem) might have jumped a fence in Mississippi (hmm, maybe Alabama?) to sneak this home with them.  ;)  And I'm so glad y'all did, LOL!  I love it behind them here...

Guess who's not the baby anymore?  ;)  I love the above-right shot!  Sweet little doggie... he seemed to want so badly to be included in all the fun... and how could I resist?!

Sweet story:  no matter how we positioned them, they always wiggled in and found each other and snuggled right back up together.  It was absolutely heart-melting to watch!

Thanks Chris and Monique, for a beautiful morning with your gorgeous babies.  Your sweet family is so very blessed!!!  xoxo

I heart them.

For one thing, they travel all the way from Tallahassee for their photo shoots.  (Ya gotta love clients who value your work this much!!)  They are positively sweet and so much fun at every session (and Dad is ever-patient while Miss Stacey teaches his son a couple of... well, unwelcome habits).  ;)  Christian is either a barrel of laughs or completely serious... sometimes changing from one to the other within seconds, which I LOOOOOVE.  I love expressive kids!  

And Adeline, well, it's always a treat to see her and her delicious chunky rolls.  She's in my Baby Plan, so I am lucky enough (and consequently, so are you!) to get to see them multiple times per year!  I cannot even tell you how much I love what I do....

I'll have your entire gallery up shortly, Angela!  I'm having a tough time narrowing down your beautiful proofs (as usual).  ;)  Enjoy!!

Post-a-palooza continues....

I loved this session... big brother was so fun and full of energy (as per the age!), and their Mama was so patient and gentle with them the entire session.  That makes my job SO much easier!!  (Thanks Ashley!!  xoxo)

He was so playful, and so much fun.  What I'd give, sometimes, to just be able to play in the floor all morning without a care in the world.

He danced and danced.  I loved the light coming from behind him while he bopped around.  :)  And that blur of his arm just gets me.... makes me remember the way he spun around with pure joy.  Oh to be a child again -- just for a few moments!

His beautiful little sister was awake, and completely the opposite of her brother (well, this particular morning at least -- I don't know what their Mama might say about most other days!).  ;)  During the shoot, she was calm and gentle, and so serene.  She quietly soaked up the room with her big brown eyes.  I adored her.

See the difference between these two?  It's quite the same at our house too, I assure you.  LOL!  

And I wouldn't change that for the world.  :)  

sweet girl!

Okay, before I begin, I have to tell how much FUN Baby Loves Disco was last weekend!  It was an amazing success, and it sold out within its first HOUR!  Yes, by noon, the Blue Martini was at max capacity, and parents and kiddos were waiting in line halfway around the patio area.  So many wonderful families, so many fun things to do, and such a great place to hang out for the afternoon!  I even had my husband to bring my crew so they could party!  I can't wait to show you the images I've captured from the day.  (Well, ahem, on the NEXT POST!!  I promise.) I have been meaning to share this sweet family for about a week or so.  This is one of my Baby Plan Graduates, and it's always a pleasure to play with her and see her adorable grin!  We started out at their home, playing in Rainey's room.....  

Mr. Bear was a fantastic conversationalist, let me tell you.

I have always loved the soft light in her room.  It makes for such dramatic black and whites... right up my alley, you know!!!  ;)

Then we headed to Fort DeSoto....

 

And a few pinecones and leaves later, we wandered out to the beach....

Such a fun way to end the day.  Although their Baby Plan has ended, I hope I get to photograph this little gal and her adoring parents for years to come.

NEXT POST = BABY LOVES DISCO.  Pinky swear.  :)

dance, baby, dance!

Listen up, Tampa Bay mamas and daddies!  I've got the perfect place for you to take the kids tomorrow....  Baby Loves Disco!!  What is Baby Loves Disco, you ask??  Well, it's just the hippest place for Tampa Bay's parents AND kiddos to hang out, that's what.  Baby Loves Disco is a supercool event that transforms an already-hip grown-up spot into an even more fun -- and kid-friendly -- hangout!  Meet me at the Blue Martini at International Plaza in Tampa, from 11am until 2pm on Sunday, February 15th.   In true "disco style", the Blue Martini will be breaking out a disco ball over the dance floor, with classic 70s dance music so y'all can get your groove on with the little ones!  Yogani will be there with chair massages for the parents, as well as a "Chill Lounge" with a Dress-Up Corner!  There will be healthy snacks served, and even a Juice Box Bar (how cool is that?!) for the kids, and spirits for the non-driving parent!.  Aveda will be on hand with a Glam Make-up Lounge.  The Parent Guide and Baby News Bits are providing balloons and face-painting..... so many things to let YOU relax and your KIDS have a ball. There will be "stroller parking" provided by Stroller Strides as well, so be sure to bring baby's wheels!

Lastly, Stacey Woods Photography will be a sponsor as well, and I'll be there to capture the fun of the day!  I'll also be shooting a few "mini-session style" portraits (with exclusive discounts!) for the fun families who attend Baby Loves Disco.

Don't miss out!  My family and I will see you there....

A love letter.....

Dearest Coco,   Oh how I adore you.  Thank you for being so sleepy and wonderful and squishy and bendy for our session.  You were a treat to photograph, as were your beautiful parents.  In your beautiful house.  

Give your wonderful, adoring family a big HUG from me for being so well-prepared for our little session together, and for having such amazing built-in props there, just waiting for me to take advantage of them....  :)

And for your Mama being sweet enough to GIVE ME that gorgeous cocoon we snuggled you up in for awhile.  The one that you apparently loved, because you slept so peacefully inside it!I know you'll never wonder for a single second if you are loved.  Because you will be smothered in kisses for the rest of your life.... I'm quite certain of that.  :)  You are surrounded by love, little one!

Hope to see you soon, sweet baby girl.  You were truly the highlight of my week.

Love, Your Smitten Photographer  :) 

So this was my weekend...

My parents flew into town on Friday to visit us, and to see how much the kids have grown.  Gosh, what a shock they got when they saw how monstrous Lila's chunky thighs are, lol!  Ahh, she's such a good eater.  :)  Anyhow, we visited, laughed, played, loved, and cried.  For three days.  And Parker sobbed when we dropped them off at the airport today, love his heart.  I thought I'd share a few "snapshots" with you from our short time together....  

Popaw Pat and his "little man" watching Christmas movies together, of all things!  ;)  Told ya we were in the Christmas spirit here at the Woods house!  lol

Love her expression here.... she makes this face a lot!  And it melts me of course.

"Nammie" (one of the grandkids couldn't say "Grammy" so it stuck) and her 5th granddaughter... Can you believe Parker is the only son/grandson on my side of the family?  Just my boy and a bunch of girly-girls, blech!  ;) 

Right before leaving for the airport.... at least he held it together until they were out of sight!  (Ahem, same goes for me, as always....)

And we took Parker into the backyard this afternoon for a little "mini-session"...  it's for a project that my Mom is working on.  I couldn't help but adore these!!

Apparently he was LOVING my knock-knock jokes today.  Thank goodness!  I thought I'd run out of tricks with this one....  ;)  And last one.... "Progression of a Laugh" I call it.  Now, I dare you not to smile.  :)

I'm back in the office as of this morning (Tuesday).  I've got a slew of emails and voice messages to return, so if you need me, no worries..... I'll be glued to my office chair for the entire day!!!!  :) 

I get all mushy when.....

...I photograph Mamas and their baby boys.  Takes me back to when Parker was a little chubby mover and shaker himself.  (His "chubby" days may be long gone, but he is still a mover and a shaker of course!)  Anyways, I loved this session.  Such a gorgeous little boy, and a very beautiful Mama indeed.  I'll let you see for yourself:

I am in love with this moment...... his sweet laugh and closed eyes.... cracks. me. up.

Can you believe Mom painted the giraffe herself??  And the monkey, and the bees, and the rest of the beautiful "jungle" that surrounded this little man.  

Such scrumptiousness... I love my job!