Saying goodbye to 2010

This has been an amazing year. I was blessed to work from home and work on my photography at the same time. I met some amazing people and their parents, too!

For those who don't know me personally, photography is not my first vocation. I am actually a CPA who does photography on the side. I think the photography really balances me and gives me an opportunity to have a creative outlet. I went back to work full-time in September and so there are some changes to come. I am cutting back and doing photography one weekend a month. That is a huge change.

If you have been thinking about scheduling a session, you really need to be diligent about getting on my calendar. In the past, I have been really flexible and accomodated some last minute session requests. I don't have the luxury of doing that anymore. I am also very serious about the minimums for my sessions so check out my website and read up on that.

It is tough being a wife, mom, employee and photographer. I am committed to the quality time I need with my children and committed to the quality of my output. I don't think anyone benefits when I am overwhelmed. This is the driver for all the change.

I do have some exciting projects in the works, so my blog will not be neglected. I will be announcing a new segment of my blog next week. I have teamed with an amazing photographer friend to bring something different to my readers. In addition, I will be highlighting some of the products I have available.

I am grateful for the opportunities I was afforded in 2010. I look forward to what lies ahead in 2011. I think it is going to be an exciting ride and hope you will check back to see what is in store. Of course, I never post without pictures. These are pictures that I hold dear to my heart.

Happy New Year!

Katherine Grace-8 days new D/FW newborn photographer

This litte peanut was four pounds 14 ounces when I got to photograph her. It is so amazing to get to see these babies when they are so new. I got to meet grandma and learn so much about my friend and her family. Little Katie was born into a family of resilient, phenomenal women. I cannot wait to see what she becomes when she grows up! This is my last baby of the year and I couldn't think of a better way to end my year. Merry Christmas to you all and happy sneak peek to mommy!

I do maternity photos, too!-DFW maternity photographer

I often get asked if I do maternity sessions. I sure do! It just happens that so many people hear about me as they rapidly approach their due date. I had to share some of the photos from my maternity session with Nicole. She is gorgeous and has a perfect little belly to match. Her son is so excited to have a baby sister coming. He is obsessed with his mommy's belly and belly button. It is adorable. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did!

The everyday extraordinary

Over my Thanksgiving break, I spent so much time with my children. I just watched them play, listened to them sing and do all the things I miss while I work. I picked up my camera and started taking pictures of them doing their everyday things. It is really amazing, you know, when you stop and think about how great it is to be their age and have no worries. They get pleasure in the most simple things. They were so excited to get coloring books and to play in the leaves. My son even had a great time playing with rocks in the dirt. It got me thinking--when did I stop taking pleasure in the little things?

When we got back, we went to church on Sunday and the message seemed to reinforce what God was already putting in my heart. As adults we often times get so wrapped up in the next big thing or accomplishment that we forget to be thankful for the everday extraordinary things. So this blog post is a challenge of sorts--find pleasure and be thankful for the things we have. Take the time to make memories and even more important--document them.

It is that time of year

I am up to my eyeballs in editing. I thought I'd let you know I am still around, just playing catch up. Here is a sample of what I have been doing.

If it makes you feel better..

To all my clients who stress when they can't get their children to listen, look at the camera or smile--I bring you a picture of my son. He does not like to have his picture taken either!

The W Family-DFW family photographer

We are so blessed in friendships. This family has been one of our closest friends for years. My daughter was convinced she was going to marry their son. She's four--there is still time! I love this time of year. They had the perfect fall colors in their outfits!

The Brumley kids in black and white-DFW children's photographer

Do not adjust your monitors. This post is really in black and white. I am generally a color photo person, but I have clients who prefer black and white. I do have to agree that these photos are wonderful in black and white. So enjoy something a little different today.

The M Family-DFW family photographer

We have so much history with this family. Our daughters were born within hours of each other. They have been such good friends and it has been so fun to watch our children grow up together. We got our session in before all the rain last weekend. The kids were so great and really do love each other. They wanted to have their own little session. I loved it! I can only dream of that day.

I heart faces-"pink" challenge

This week's challenge at I heart faces is pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. If you follow my blog, you know my aunt is beating breast cancer. We are so thankful for her health and pray for all the other families affected by this disease. Be sure to visit I heart faces and check out the other amazing entries!

Dream Big

I am editing away on other sessions, but wanted to post these pictures I took a few weekends ago. This is my little princess. She is growing up and dreaming big. She told me the other day that using your imagination is thinking inside your forehead. I thought that was a great way to explain it!

My hope as a parent is to teach her the dream big. She has such a great imagination and I hope that as she gets older she keeps using it. My mom taught me to dream big and I am still challenged by all the things she does so well. I think some of the things I have learned from my mom are: try anything, wait for the breakthrough and pray about it. The last one being the easiest, but easy to overlook! Photography was one of those things that I started with casually. I soon discovered I had a good eye and then I kept on trying. I still have so much to learn. I am constantly challenged by others who seem to be more creative. I also pray for creativity. It isn't something that is natural for me.

I hope you enjoy these photos of my princess. I believe some of them personify that dreamer in her!

Maddox (9 days old) Plano newborn photographer

What a sweet baby. He was so good and so peaceful. It was so nice to hold him in between set ups. Mom was moved to tears just watching him sleep calmly. I loved it. My hope with each session is to capture an image that will take the parent's breath away. Thanks to his parents for choosing me to capture him in his first few days of life.

Breast Cancer Awareness

It is breast cancer awareness month. I'm sure across the country you have seen a lot of pink everywhere. I want to share a very personal story with you. Last year, I shared briefly that my aunt was suffering from breast cancer. It was a really scary time. As I reflect on it, it was much scarier than I had let on.

My aunt Lisa and I have always been close. We are pretty close in age and she was the cool aunt. She would take me for rides in her camaro with her alpine stereo blaring. Clearly, I am dating myself but you get the idea. She never treated me like a little kid.

When I went to visit my aunt last December, she was starting to get her hair back. She was still really self conscious, but I asked her if I could take a photo without a wig. This is the closest I got. I didn't want to push her. She was still really scared and I think seeing a picture with a bald head would have made it too real.

I remember trying to console her with "your hair will grow back." Who really wants to hear that? All you want is not to have to go through chemo and not to lose your own hair. When she first brought up the double mastectomy I thought it was a no-brainer, but I didn't have to go through the surgery and the reconstruction. These are all things I can clearly see now but didn't think about then.

I am so glad to report that my aunt is well. We talked tonight and finally admitted to each other how scared we both were. She is now the poster child for breast cancer in her town of Kennewick, Washington. She still visits the cancer center and has been the star in a few parades. Cancer didn't know she already liked pink. She never lost her pink eye make up from the 80's!

I love you very much, Auntie Lisa. I'm glad God had other plans for your life!

Curious Monkey

He's mine. This little guy refuses to let me photograph him. He was screaming "no camera" at one point. I know my other photographer friends can relate--it is harder to capture our own. I hope you are having a great weekend.

Christmas!

Have you started thinking about your Christmas cards yet? This year my lab has some new die cut cards. The circle shaped ones can be hung as ornaments. Is that not the coolest? I am just getting started designing my cards, but thought I would share a few to get you thinking. I am not taking pictures during the month of December so I can enjoy that time with my family, so if you are thinking of getting your pictures done call soon. My space is very limited!

Happy Wednesday

Sometimes the only way I can photograph my kids is if we play games. If that is what it takes....I hope you are having a fabulous week!

Luke is one! DFW Children's Photographer

Luke is one! I know I posted his birthday party recently, but this is his actual one year session. We went out to some land owned by the family's friend. It was a great place to capture Luke. He isn't walking yet, but he is at the equally scary fast crawling stage! He sure likes to climb, too. You have to look closely at the picture of him on the John Deere tractor. It was like he was doing his own stunts! It was such a pleasure to capture him again. I can't believe all the babies I started out photographing are turning one! I am so glad to get to be part of their lives! Here is what Luke looked like at his newborn session.