Lucas is the kind-of-cute that would cause a complete stranger to walk up to his mom and say she’s been seeing him each weekend at church and, this week, she decided to ask if it was okay if she just touched him!
Lucas is THAT cute!
Joie & Tyrus- Thank you for asking me to photograph Lucas at 12 months! These were just a few of my favorites… I can’t wait for you to see the others!
Kelly had great intentions of having Rhyan’s 9-month photos taken right at 9-months. Although we both were sad to reschedule our session when it snowed last week, there’s nothing like the warmth of sunshine on a beautiful day…
As we finished up, Rhyan gave this ‘I’m-Done’ look… 
I guess she was afraid we weren’t going to take her request seriously. Right after this shot, she drove her point home by doing the sign language for “All Done.” I’ve photographed a lot of babies, but she’s the first one to tell me to put my camera away! I love this girl!
It was a normal week in the 4-year old classroom at church. There was only a few minutes before the children’s moms and dads would start to line-up outside the door to pick-up their child and enjoy the last day of their weekend. In order to keep the picking-up process easy, we asked the kids to all sit in a circle on the floor.
While Matthew walked around and handed each child his jacket, I sat on the floor with the children and tried to think of a question that would keep each child engaged until their parent appeared at the door.
“Okay… Name one of your VERY favorite things.”
The first little boy thought for just a second before screaming “Pizza!” As we went around the circle, the first little boy seemed to have set the stage for the next 18 kids. Although most kids repeated the pizza-yell, there were a few who offered other snack items like ice cream or candy.
As the sounds of parent’s footsteps started to reach the halls, I looked at the last little girl who was sitting beside me and asked, “What’s your favorite thing?”
Without any hesitation, she looked up with a huge smile on her face and said, “My Mommy! She loves me SO much and always hugs me SO tight!”
In that moment, not only did I have to blink a few times to keep the tears from dropping down my cheek, but I sat there amazed by the only child who looked deep into her heart and answered such a simple question with so much feeling and sincerity. More than anything, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of mother she must have…
Her mother’s wisdom must be teaching her it’s okay to not answer like everyone else…
Her mother’s love must be teaching her that there’s nothing that can replace love and tight hugs- even a big slice of pizza.
Since photographers only post their very best pictures, I thought it would be worth while to post what a session REALLY looks like. Who better to expose than my own family?
THIS is what happened when I tried to be funny…
This is what happened when Matthew was being a little too funny…
This is Ross trying to be funny…
This was mine and Matthew’s not-so-bright conversation: “Maybe Ross could make Rayna smile?!?!”
This…
…and (a lot of) this…
…is why our ‘this-should-only-take-30 minutes’ session turned into almost 2 hours.
THIS is Matthew deciding NOW (ie: grumpy kids, no make-up) is the time for HIM to use the AUTOMACTIC TIMER to update our family’s photo. I think we are both smiling so much because we already know what a disaster this picture is going to be.
NOTE TO READERS: I do NOT recommend allowing a self-timer to replace a professional photographer. There IS someone behind the camera for a reason. If you don’t believe me, look at our little moment that was only saved to show my point…
I mean… who wouldn’t wear their “WILL TAKE PICTURES FOR FOOD” shirt on family portrait day?!?!
As many tears, weird faces and potty breaks as there were, good or bad, it’s important to remember THOSE are the real-life moments that makes each session so unique!
Last month was kind-of strange. I had great intentions to use January (the slowest photography-month) to organize, catch-up and try some new recipes. None of those things happened.
But there was one thing I KNEW would get done in January: SUN & TONS of PICTURES! Each year Matthew’s company has a sales meeting and spouses are invited. It’s the one week out of the year I actually eat sitting down, watch as much Food Network as I want and get to sleep later than 7am. Although I knew I would miss the kids big-time, I was really looking forward to this trip. But, keeping with the weirdness of January, even our CRUISE was a little different than I expected…
As I headed out the door with my travel bag, I grabbed the stack of notes and papers on my desk. This stack is a collection of ideas, projects and ‘To Do’ lists that has collected from the past year. But with all the eating and laying-out, I was pretty hopeful all those ideas and plans would be forgotten in the side pocket of my bag.
When Matthew left our room for his first sales meeting of the week, instead of heading out to claim my chair by the pool, I decided to take a quick look at my 2010 list. I began to read through all of the big ideas and goals I wanted to make happen in 2010. As I started reading through my goals, although I knew I could make these thing happen, I realized there would be a LOT of time involved in carrying each one out.
Which made me think of a great quote: ‘Kids Spell Love T-I-M-E’
Although I came on the trip with some great ideas for brides, delivery rooms and preschools this year, I made a big decision that morning to really focus on what I love to photograph the most and, most importantly, not get too busy with my ‘work’ that I overlook all those little moments in my kid’s daily lives.
Weird trip…
Not much sun.
Hardly any pictures.
Really great clarity only quiet-time can bring.
Just to prove we were actually on a beach, here’s a quick shot of Matthew in Grand Cayman…
On to one of my favorite things…
I love Tiramisu. Besides vegetable soup and brocolli casserole, it’s probably my favorite food.
After waiting four nights for it on the cruise, I savored each of the entire 4 minutes it took me to eat mine and Matthew’s piece.
Then, I was thrilled to see it on the lunch menu the next day. I ate two more pieces.
I got to my room and decided, since I hadn’t taken any pictures on the trip, I’d take one for my blog. So, I went back to the restaurant and had 2 more pieces. (You’re welcome!)
There are still plenty of professional goals I have for this year. Most importantly, I want to focus on my favorite subjects to photograph: KIDS & FAMILIES! While there’s plenty of time to make more of my professional dreams happen, there’s only a few years left where Ross will want to play on the floor and Rayna will let me sit for hours and play dollhouse. Those are the moments I look forward to in 2010!
I love my nieces and nephews. Naturally, I love photographing them too.
The oldest one loves it too… but she’s a natural in front of the camera.
The baby girl photographs really well… IF you can get her to stop crying for her mama.
Two of the boys have the most beautiful sparkle in their eyes… no matter what the lighting is like.
One of the boys has the bluest eyes, but had rather be photographed bobbing for apples.
And another one of the boys had rather have his teeth extracted without anesthesia… but decided to be a good sport since Uncle Matthew came along to make him laugh.
Here’s a few from the past month…
The kiddies and I love visiting Chattanooga. It’s only a few hours away and there’s always a lot of kid-friendly activities. Before going into the Tennessee Aquarium, we found this neat, reflective building. We stopped to take a quick picture together.
(Right after this shot, Ross says to me, “Now come on, Sweetheart.” When your 4-year old son, who you adore more than anything, calls you ‘Sweetheart,‘ you gladly put your camera away and forget about the other shots you would have loved to have tried in front of that cool building.)
Ross’ 2 favorite things:
1. The butterfly that attached itself to his shirt
2. The fish that caused him to start screaming, “HEY!!! ‘Dat fish looks like Nana’s pajamas!!!”
As we approaced the small stingray exibit, an employee gave Ross and Rayna a piece of shrimp to hand-feed to the stingrays.
My thoughts at this point: Awesome. Great. Totally excited.
Then, as I moved away to take a picture of the kids, I hear the same employee instructing them both to get their hand out of the water because the SHARK (yes… SHARK) was wanting the food and it would bite their fingers.
Below is Ross’ face when she said the words ‘SHARK’ and ‘BITE YOUR FINGERS’ in the same sentence… 
Is it just me or is it a little odd they would add a shark (small, but shark, none-the-less) to the interactive ‘feed the stingray’ kid exibit?
Christy- These pictures are AMAZING!! They are by far the best photos that have been taken of Lucas. You were so fun to work with too.
Thank you again for taking them. I haven’t seen them all yet, just the ones on your website and I’ve shown them to half the world already.
Joie
How adorable. How old is he?
Missy- He just turned one. He is one of the most photogentic kids I’ve ever seen!
These are incredible pictures of Lucus!!! I so need to have a family session with Christy. She ROCKS!!!