A Longtime Client

The session today was with a little girl that I have been photographing from the beginning- literally. Anyone ready for another walk down memory lane? Ok, here we go. When I first met Miss S and her family she had not quite made her appearance in the world yet. (There is a chance that her mom may never forgive me for posting her maternity pics, but I don't think so, right L?)

The next time I met Miss S she was two weeks old....

Here she is at nine months, love the squinchy nose smile.

And at one year old....
These pictures are from today, she is eighteen months old. Her mom and I had a plan. It involved a backdrop, a stool and smiling at the camera. Something like this....

But alas Miss S had her own plans. They involved running behind the backdrop and playing peek-a-boo. Pretty stinking cute though- right?

The Wedding!

Today was Jill and Todd's wedding. I have to admit I was pretty nervous. I am so happy for them and I really wanted to do their wedding justice. It was a beautiful day today and fairly warm for this time of year. The wedding was at a beautifully restored house on the grounds of Forest Park in Springfield. Here is the house when I arrived.

Jill's super cool shoes....

The beautiful bride...

Jill and Miss L before walking downstairs for the big moment.

I first met Jill when she brought her daughter for her 3 month pictures. At the time Jill was a single mother who clearly adored her little girl with all her heart. Skip ahead 9 months and when Jill and Miss L returned for Christmas pictures there was a third person with them, Todd. Now all of you with children know that it can be a challenge to get your man in the picture with you and your children, but Todd jumped right in for the pictures. It was clear then that he adored Jill and Miss L and wasn't going anywhere. I am so happy for the three of them.

The ceremony was in a beautiful room lit almost exclusively by christmas lights and candles. It was very romantic and intimate.

The new family Jill and her attendants, they are both pregnant, beautiful and so much fun.

The amazingly happy couple, now married.

The Barney Estates as I left this evening.

It was a beautiful day. It was so nice to be a small part of a wonderful day. I only hope my pictures capture a little bit of the magic that was there today.

Hanna Family Pics

Well as usual I forgot I was going south for Christmas. So here we are in 50 degree weather and all I have are turtlenecks and sweaters- oh well. We decided to try to take a family picture, not too bad considering the camera was balanced on a ladder and I was running back and forth.
Don't want the SILs to feel left out, so here is Meg and her kids, Mataka and Tarleigh.

And Sheri with her sidekick Sandy.

We are very excited about Santa's impending visit tonight. Jessica is all dressed up to go to Church with Grandma and Daddy tonight and sing her heart out. Here they are on their way out. Merry Christmas!

Just a quick post

We are off tomorrow to VA for the holiday. Took the kids to Bright Nights again, feeling guilty about having NO Christmas Decorations up. Promised them that next year we would pull out everything at our "new" house (no we haven't found one yet or even put ours on the market). Aidan came over to play during Brownies and I pulled out my camera for the first time in a long time just for fun. Aidan was all about the train table and everytime I got him to smile or laugh he looked away as he did it, but I did catch one smile.

Justin was goofing around and trying to avoid getting his picture taken, so I was lucky to get this one. Unfortunately he is a little chopped off. Oh well.

Justin's Christmas Show

Justin's Christmas Show was today. I was a little late- I thought the show started at 11:30, not 11:00- oops, so I didn't get the best seat, but I didn't miss a thing. they were all dressed as penguins- very cute. Justin was a little under the weather today, but he didn't want to miss his show. He did a great job and sang the whole time. He got off his chair once or twice to come give me a kiss, but then he went right back. The kids were great and so fun to watch.

I love these next two pics. At one point Mrs. B asked the kids to dance- here is what Justin did. Yeah my kid has moves.

The First Big Storm

Yesterday, Thursday, brought our first big storm. While I don't have an official final tally it does seem to be about 10 inches. Kids are very excited to put on all their gear and get outside. Jessica got out of school early then we all watched the snow fall. Looks like this is going to stay around for awhile. Oh yes, take note of the big gap in Jessica's teeth, she lost one of her big front teeth this past weekend.

Brownie Caroling

Tuesday night Jessica's Brownie Troop went caroling at a nursing home. I had the wrong lens on my camera so I couldn't quite get a picture of all the girls. Some girls decided to wear their party dresses- we didn't. I had to leave early because Justin- not so much a caroler.

My Final Pre-Christmas Session

This is my final session. Ironically the very next session I have is for this beautiful little girl's mom who is getting married! Yes I agreed to do a wedding so send your positive photo vibes my way on December 29th. Ok, enough about me. Here is Miss L and it wasn't her first time to my studio, so I thought we all might enjoy another walk down memory lane. Come with me. This first picture was taken in June 2006 when she was 3 months old. This is one of my favorite images from that session.

She returned in December 2006 for her Christmas pictures. Too many cute pictures to choose from, but here is one.
And here is Miss L today. A beautiful very active 18 month old. Can't wait to see you again at the wedding Miss L.

For awhile it will just be pics of my family again- so boring I know. But then you should check in for the wedding pictures....

Never Too Late

Well we were supposed to take these pictures last Sunday but the sky got so dark that I had to reschedule. Well wouldn't you know it that about 30 minutes before I arrived at their house the sky did it again! The big difference was that at least it wasn't 20 degrees out today like last Sunday. They were real troopers and agreed to go outside. No running around pictures here though, it was cold and snowy. First off Mr.L, he tried to be shy and not smile, but he just couldn't help himself.
Then we have Mr.C who unfortunately had no problem not smiling for me or anyone else. In fact I am pretty sure that the moment my car left their driveway he probably cracked a huge grin. Still pretty cute though- love those cheeks.

Here is the whole beautiful family.

Thank you guys so much for getting all dressed up two weeks in a row, anyone with small children understands that is no easy feat. Then you agreed to go outside to boot- I couldn't have asked for more cooperative subjects.

Cutie Patooties

We are coming to the end of my Christmas sessions. Tomorrow are my final two. But let's talk about today. Miss C is in Justin's class at school. She is such a cutie, so happy to sit and smile for me- thank you Miss C.

Here is her little sister Miss N. She was a little resistant to begin but Mom pulled out the M&M bribery and Miss N pulled out the smiles.



Total Cuties right?

A chilly afternoon session

I have to give a big shout out to this last family. They were real troopers. Because of the very overcast sky today we could not do pictures inside their home (in fact I had to cancel my final appointment). So they all went outside without complaining- it is in the 30s today. Thank guys very much, I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Little Miss I

This is Miss I, she is my neighbor's grandaughter and absolutely adorable. I was so excited to photograph her because she has the most beautiful smile that just lights up her eyes. See what I mean?


and rocking the non-smiley pics...