19 weeks....

And my girl's still got it.  The "newborn curl", that is.  ;)

Can you believe those rolls??  She's just a bundle of squishy goodness to me.  This kid hasn't missed a meal, I can promise you that.  ;)

And for those clients out there who have ever apologized to me for their newborns "going potty" on my blankets or backdrops... let me just tell you again:  It's normal.  Don't worry, it happens.  (Almost every single session!)  It's really okay.  But, if it makes you feel better.... Lila peed on my bed just three seconds after I shot this frame.  LOL!

Two lovelies.

I had the pleasure of meeting these two beautiful girls a few weeks ago.  They were so much fun!  And sacrificed themselves to a "sticker bush" (because I can't think of the proper name for those awful prickly things), all for the sake of art.  THANK YOU, GIRLS.  :)

These next two shots just blew me away.  I think I audibly gasped when my finger pressed the shutter.

Sometimes you just *know* you're going to love a particular shot.  And oh my my, how I love these two.  Truly I do.

 

It's not every day that I'm serenaded by a budding pianist at a photo session.  :)

 

Aren't they gorgeous?!  And sweet as can be.

 

Loved the lighting here on their balcony...

 

Loved this shot of the V-ball star.  :)

I can't tell you how much I love this next shot.....  oh, how I am a total sucker for dramatic lighting... add that to the arched lines of the door, those wonderful tiles, and two amazing girls soaking up all that sunset light.....  this is pure bliss for me and my camera!

I have soooooo many more to show (I know their Mom is patiently waiting for her sneak peek!), but I have an appointment in a few minutes... so I'll come back and add more later on this evening.  Stay tuned!!  :)

**ETA:  I added a few more up there.  Mom, I hope your girls are the envy of the yearbook committee this year!!  ;)

Umm, wow. Thank you!!

I just took a quick look at my calendar and I can't believe how blessed I am.  I've been booked solid for October, and only have about three dates open in November.  Three!  My goodness.  THANK YOU ALL, so very very much, for entrusting your memories to me and this eye of mine.... and for BOOKING EARLY THIS YEAR!!  :)  It has been a very hectic couple of months, I have to admit, as I've come back from maternity leave to a jam-packed calendar.  Christmas sessions, maternity and family sessions, and fresh newborns... I can't even begin to thank you all for your business and for your patience as I continue to crank out galleries as fast as possible.  I've got several orders which have arrived this week that I will be shipping right back out, and lots of orders recently placed which should be back in a couple of weeks as well.  And just as many proofing galleries out, which are hopefully being salivated over by those clients.  ;)   That said, if you wish to book a session with me in November, please remember I have only 3 spots left.  First-come, first-served!  Also remember that THE LAST DAY TO ORDER FOR *GUARANTEED* CHRISTMAS DELIVERY IS NOVEMBER 1.  Orders placed after that date will be processed as quickly as possible, of course, but pre-Christmas delivery cannot be guaranteed at that point.

Okay... enough jabbering.  Now on to some photos!!  

This is one of my favorite families, and I've seen them three times this year already.  They get even more gorgeous each and every time I see them.....

Love the red cast on Brynne's arm....  good thing Daddy's a surgeon and fixed her right up!

I always love the soft pinkish light in her room.  And her sweet expressions do not disappoint!

This next one is a heart-melter...  just love the proud look on big sister's face.  :)  Guess who is 6 months old now?  Gosh how time flies....

 

Of course I had to grab some detail shots.... you know me and my penchant for photographing baby-toes.  :)

I just loooved all of that chub.......

Some well-deserved snuggle time with Mommy....  who, I just realized while proofing, reminds me a little bit of Carrie Underwood!  (Can you believe this beautiful woman just had a baby 6 months ago?!  Doesn't she look fabulous?)

Aaaaand then it was naptime.  :)  

Ten pounds of love.

I had the great honor of photographing my dear sweet friend Stacy's newborn a few weeks ago.  She's an extremely talented childrens photographer herself, just amazing.  (She was *one* of the amazing photographers who captured my own newborn just a few months ago!)  And just because Stacy was 5 days post-partum didn't stop her from shooting right along with me, love her heart.  She was up on the bed, down in the floor, camera in hand, snapping that shutter and gasping at her son's beauty.  As was I. And Brody James truly is beautiful...

Yes, folks, you read my title correctly.  I said TEN POUNDS of love.  Ten pounds and 7 ounces to be exact.  And, God love her, she gave birth to him naturally....  naturally, as in NO DRUGS.  None.  Not even a Tylenol.  (Let's all have a moment of silence for this woman!!)  So guess who is my new hero???  :)

Of course I had to get some detail shots...  you know me!

 One of my favorite moments...  a newborn's first bath....

I'll share more in a while.  I'm just getting set back up on my new computer system here and getting back to proofing.  (My PC crashed this week, and after much frustration in trying to fix it, I finally gave up.... and bought myself a shiny new iMac.  :)  Just doing my part to help stimulate the economy, you know.)

such a beautiful family, inside and out

I met this super-sweet family a few weeks back at Honeymoon Island, and we had such a fun time together!  

 

I loved how relaxed these two were the whole session.  I tell ya, it makes my job soooo much easier! 

These beautiful parents have five gorgeous kids.  Who were just about the funniest, most playful, and most well-mannered kids I'd ever seen.  Well, even if a few of them are practically grown-ups themselves.  ;)

1...

2...

3...

4...

5...

The girls...

Absolutely loved this one.....

And the boys...

 

And I just loved this one among the sea grapes....  :)

Thanks, guys, for such a fun evening at the beach!  And for playing along with all of my wacky ideas.  :)  I hope you enjoy these!

she took my breath away...

This sweet girl stole my heart.  She was 6 weeks old and scrumptious in every way.  She was such a trooper for me, and I could have photographed her all day long....  if only she didn't live so far away.  :)

She even slept awhile for me. 

Her favorite place to be was in her mama's arms.  And what a gorgeous mama she has....  dang I wish I looked that fantastic just 6 weeks post-partum.  Ohh, who am I kidding, I wish I looked that fantastic 3 MONTHS post-partum, lol!  ;D

Okay... that one just melts my heart into a big puddle on the floor.  Loooove how they're "holding hands".  *sigh*

The lamb was a sweet surprise from Daddy, who tucked it into her suitcase before she and Mama left.  Precious!  

 

Couldn't resist that last shot.  :)  Thanks, Angela and Adeline, for a beautiful morning.  I hope you girls enjoy your preview!!  xoxo

rainey day!

I have photographed Rainey since she was in her Mama's tummy.  And my goodness, how this little darlin' has grown since I saw her last!! 

Rainey had a very special little "buddy" on the floor!  She snuggled the daylights out of this sweet lamb.

I

Reading to herself........  :)

 

Loooove this combo, snuggling in her reading chair with her Mommy.  And I adore creating these "peeking in" types of images!

One of my favorite little family shots....  I love that they're interacting so sweetly with just each other instead of looking at me.  (And can you tell that this baby is completely adored?!)  This is THE most "honest" family portraiture.  This is what it's all about.  And what I LOVE to capture!  It melts my heart. Every. Darn. Time.  :)  I would bet that this is the way they love on a typical Saturday morning.

 

Last but not least... her first ride on her new Radio Flyer!!

Aaaaand then it was naptime.  :)  But she was such a trooper for me.  A perfect angel.  Thanks so much guys, for such a fantastic morning.  I can't wait to show you the rest!!

 

Henry.

So I promised big brother Henry his own blog post.  Did you see his face?!  It's no wonder.  He stole my heart from the moment I walked in the door!  Maybe my heart is a little on the soft side when it comes to big brothers these days.... what do you think?  ;)  That's okay though!  Regardless, I just cannot wait to show Mom and Dad this little sampling, before their gallery is ready. 

 

With Daddy here.....  melts your heart, doesn't it??

And one that his Mama never knew I caught......  This little hand-snuggling is just precious to me.

 

Last one..... 

 

What a sweetie.  Thanks Little Man, for a fun morning.  :)

The luckiest girl.

So the number 8 is supposed to be very lucky, right?  According to Chinese lore.  Well, Marlow (isn't that the sweetest name?!) must be the luckiest baby in Tampa Bay.  She was born on 08.08.08.  And just take a guess at her birth weight?!  Drumroll here.....  8 lbs, 8 oz.  :)  I love it!

I don't know who is luckier... Marlow, or her sweet family.  They clearly are blessed beyond measure.  Just take a look at all this love.....

 

 

And you know me... I have to sneak some detail shots in.  ;)  I love photographing babies' hands.  The tiny fingernails that are so thin, and yet so razor sharp, lol!  Sweet little messy cuticles that you just can't bear to trim for the first time.  (Okay, speaking from personal experience here:  I was a big wimp; I made my sister cut my firstborn's fingernails for me... I was petrified of cutting off the end of his finger.  ha!) 

Ahh, Marlow... you are so adored.

And big brother Henry... oh, dear Henry.  I am smitten.  You get your own post, buddy.  :)  Tomorrow.