When I was a little girl and would spend hours riding my go-cart, Amanda sat beside me.

A few years later, when my dad had an asthma attack in the car and we drove as fast as we could to the hospital, Amanda was buckled in right there beside me. 

When a public pool had to be evacuated as a result of  someone burping in my face and me throwing-up in the water, Amanda caused it was right there beside me.

When  I said ‘I Do,’ with flowers in her hand, Amanda stood right there beside me.

Years ago when I told Amanda I wanted to start my own photography business and needed ‘models’ to build my portfolio, she went over and beyond.  She got releases from the children’s parents she was babysitting, drove them all to our shoot and told everyone she talked to about my business.  Amanda was still beside me.

Seconds before and just a few moments after I delievered Ross, everyone else followed the doctors as they took Ross away, but Amanda sat down on my hospital bed and stayed right there beside me. 

When I was all packed-up to move across the country to Arizona, Amanda, and her tears, were there beside me.
 

Mine and Amanda’s parents had been friends before Amanda and I were born.  Because of that, there has never been a time when Amanda has not been in my life.  Not only is Amanda one of my biggest fans, she’s also very loyal.  During the time we were in Arizona, she didn’t have any photography done of her family and boys.  We were LONG overdue for a session!

I’ll start with one of my favorite images.  Aside from Presley being extremely free-spirited (which I absolutely adore), he is truly a happy, happy child.  I’ve been known to get a little deep with my interpretations, but, to me, this image represents JOY at its purest. 
Cash is like his big brother- very happy and VERY cute! 

Family portraits can be some of the most challenging shots of the entire session.  If there’s more than one child, any children under the age of eight OR a furry, 4-legged friend, that just kicks everything up a notch.  Don’t worry- I AM a professional!  I can pretend to give myself a mild concussion (making the little kids smile), while barking like a dog (making the dog very confused, YET focused) AND remind the parents to KEEP looking at me and smiling.  All in the same breath.   

That’s a sweet hug! 

We let the kids play and got a few of Amanda and Paul together…

Cash was taking a break from pictures and changing outfits, but this face was just too wonderful not to photograph!
I think it’s really important to document stages and ‘things’ that are important to children.  For Presley, it is his blanket.   I want to not only capture a child’s smile, but the very things and emotions that their parents will always long to remember.    

Thanks, Amanda!  Let’s do it again in the fall!

Somewhere between my week in Arkansas and spending the following week alone with Matthew in Florida, I managed to make it home in just enough time to repack my bags, sleep in my own bed and, oh, a SESSION!     

To give the boys a little more sleeping time, we decided to do the session at their home.  Between the wrap-around porch, huge yard and gorgeous shade tree and swing, I couldn’t imagine doing it anywhere else! 

I’m not even going to lie…   I LOVE walking into a client’s house and seeing tons of framed prints from our previous sessions together.  It makes me feel great to know they loved the images as much as I did!

Speaking of not enough sleeping time…  It DID take the boys a little time to warm up to the idea of their photograph being taken so early in the morning. 

Another early-morning shot… These boys have some great expressions.  I think their eyes speak a thousand words.  

This family is always easy and fun to photograph…

NOW the boys are starting to enjoy themselves…

Back to the baby…
Hudson and Hayden are very excited about their new brother…
HUDSON!  Why are you so cute?!?!?!?   (Sorry for that outburst.  I just want to eat him up sometimes.)
I like how he’s curling his toe.  It’s all about the details!

We waited until the ‘end’ to let the boys do some finger-painting on Farrah’s belly.  Now…

Painted shirts off…
Session is officially over…                   (yeah right)

Only 2 Goals:
1.  Play Hard
2.  Find, chase and capture the kitty cat.  (Can you see every hair on this kitty’s body is standing straight up?  I LOVE IT!)

I adore this swing.  I must have talked about it a lot because Farrah and Chad invited me to come back and photograph Ross and Rayna on it.  (I plan to take them there in the fall.  Can you imagine how beautiful it will be with all the changing leaves?) 

What a great way to end a session: 
Adorable brothers… shirtless… on an old swing at their house… just having fun. 

I realize I’m partial to shirtless little boys in the country, but, this shot was a great way to end our awesome session together!