Playing in the studio...

I recently added a new strobe into my lighting setup. Today, I was able to get a little practice with this new 3 light setup! The kids had fun in my little studio. I can't wait until I can have a larger space for this. I should have taken a photo of my bedroom so you could see how crowded we were!

Anyhow...I was still pretty pleased with the look of these! So here's the photos....

First up...Andrew and the dinosaur!

My sweet babies!
Can't believe how well the cooperated today :)

Then...PJ came up, and I changed a little of the setup and kept shooting...
Later...more friends joined us & I think I finally got the lighting the way I want it!

Isn't she beautiful!

& a couple of things just for fun :)

Oh...I'm also considering going to just a light watermark over my images instead of the old way. This way is a lot faster & still does the job...even better, I think. Let me know what you think.

Old Friends...

We had a great afternoon with some old friends...our neighbors from Virginia. It's been almost a year since we've seen them, and boy have these kids ever grown! Ryan was just beginning to walk when we left, and now she's a runner! And Lucas, was all dinosaur, and now he talks your ear off :).

We had to get some photos of little Ryan in her new dress and her hand-made bow. Her mom makes them, and aren't they awesome!

Here's little Miss Model...

This is Lucas...He cooperated very well for his photo :)
And my boy-crazy little girl! I had no idea it could start this early!!

Look at these eyes! Seriously!

After visiting the children's museum...we took a little walk and picked some flowers along the way...

Andrew even jumped in on the shoot! He doesn't usually want me to take his pictures so I was honored that he asked :)

Here's the whole gang! Aren't they adorable!

Oh...These are similar to the Come Play With Me Sessions if anyone is considering them. This was an outing to the Children's Museum. I've got lots of fun shots of the kids playing inside as well. School starts in a few weeks so these sessions will be available soon!

Fun Balloon Session...

I finally finished up all the June Balloon Mini sessions today. This session had to be rescheduled twice for rain! Thankfully, the weather held out for us, and we got these awesome shots of these little guys! They're brothers - just a year apart - and so much fun!

His perfect little pose...I love that big brother is in the background!

Love big brother's smile & what a "what ya doing" expression from the little guy :)

I think this one is my absolute favorite...a least of the images, I've processed so far!!

Thanks for the fun session! The boys are absolutely adorable! I'll email you with a gallery link soon.

A BIG family...

Sharing a few of my quick favorites from this evening's session at City Park. I can't believe that we've been her for almost a whole year and I've never been here before! It was gorgeous...just like these guys!

Here's a group shot...I choose this one so you could see these awesome trees!

Here's how it all started :) I'm glad I made them pose for me!

Here's the cousins watching the ducks...

And individual families...

You guys were fun to work with! I home you enjoy your portraits as much as I do :) I'll get your gallery online in about 2 weeks...hopefully sooner for you.

A Going Away BBQ

Moving can be one of the best and worst things about the military life for me. I love getting to go new places, seeing new things, and meeting new friends. But on the other hand, I'll never get used to having to say goodbye to all the wonderful people that we meet along the way.

Yesterday we had a little BBQ for our friends/neighbors. They have orders and will be moving really soon. I hate to see them leave, but I know they'll love the journey!

Here's Andrew with one of his best buds...

We'll miss you guys! Ya'll are so much fun to hang out with!

Performing for her Dad. I wish someone had gotten this on video - it was so funny!

Love the sunglasses :)

Simon doing his thing with meat...

He made some great big burgers! It was fun watching Andrew try to bite into it :)

PJ loved the chocolate...

Here's Hannah being the leader...notice everyone is younger.

A little sweetie...

Here comes the water balloons!

They had so much fun...can't you tell by that dirty face :)

Love this expression! I wonder what he's thinking :)

2 New Session Options

In addition to my regular custom sessions, I'm going to be opening up two new options. The first one I'd like to tell you about is a Photo Party. The hostess will invite at least 3 guest families. Everyone will get a complimentary 20 minute photo session with me. Orders will be placed that day, and orders over $100 will earn a free 8x10 print. The hostess will get 15% of the party sales as a print credit! A little of the fine print...the hostess must have enough space for me to setup my portable studio away from the rest of the party. A dinning room will usually work well for this. There is also a $100 retainer fee when you book your party. After the party has taken place this will be returned to you. Portraits will be delivered to hostess for her to deliver to her friends.

Here's some samples of what to expect...

Another option is the new "Come play with me" session. These sessions will be available after the start of school in the fall. It's basically a playdate for your little one and my little one. We can meet in the park, aquarium, children's museum or zoo. I'll photograph your child having fun and playing. We won't be posing or setting up any backgrounds...it's all play. You've probably heard the term Lifestyle portraiture...this is it. Your child doing what they do naturally....play! The basic session is $25 or you can add a 4x6 soft cover photo book with 20 pages for just $50 more. I'll be posting samples of the book soon, but I think you're going to LOVE it! The fine print...this is for one child only & is perfect for the stay-at-home moms out there. My 4 and a half year old will be with me. I will only be booking one of these sessions per week.

A few samples from a playdate with our neighbor...

I'm looking forward to offering these new sessions to you! I hoping that these will offer a more affordable way for everyone to be able to have great portraits of their family!

Forgotten share...

I can't believe that I haven't shared these photos of Hannah before. I was just thinking about what I was going to do in a couple months for the preschool shoot, and this is the look I'm going after. I'm actually going to get another light to make the post processing easier, but this is the high-key look that I love!

I'm also going to be posting some more photos later from out little Red-Neck vacation to the Bass Pro Shop in Denham Springs. We literally spent almost the whole day there :). Everyone had lots of fun though so I guess it was well worth it!

An engagment session...

I just love doing these sessions! It's such a change of pace from my kid sessions. It's kind of cool to have someone do exactly what you tell them, and it makes me think about my art more than just did I catch the action...ya know :)

Anyways...Since I couldn't pick just one favorite, I'll show several different shots that I love!

We had to wait on this shot, but I really wanted the street car in the background. Isn't it cool!!

My favorite blue doors...

A little more traditional...

Love, Love, Love!!!

A fun vintage action!

I know cheesy, but I still think it's cute :)

Wow...this may be my favorite of the whole session! Audubon park is absolutely beautiful!

Last one...just a fun portrait...

I had so much fun with you guys! Thanks for being open to everything because I think we've got some great images! I hope you'll love them as much as I do! I'll have your gallery in a couple of weeks.