Love, Me Blog

Yesterday was Mia Grace and my first day back from our week long trip “home”.   We sure missed daddy, so he took the day off to be with his girls.  We bought Mia Grace her very first scooter, ate a yummy lunch and went to the bookstore where I sat in the floor and read this book to her for the first time.  I remember reading it as a child!

This morning, during my daily scan through my favorite blogs, I read this post on my good friend, Jamie’s, personal/ family blog.  Of course I instantly thought of this book as well as some really cute family photos I recently took of her adorable family.  I figured since I can’t be in Houston to give her a hug, I’d at least post a couple of them for her to see    As photographers, and Jamie is a VERY talented one, nothing makes us happier than images of our own family!

Thanks, Jamie, for being such an amazing friend! I love that we can call each other and talk ninety miles and hour and then say, “Hey, gotta go, call you later” and basically hang up on one another. That’s one of my favorite things about our friendship! Love you friend and I hope your day gets better

The day after we moved to Denver, I left on a flight to Chicago to finally meet my biggest photography inspiration (and IDOL) … AUDREY WOULARD!  Not only was I getting to meet Audrey, but one of my best friends in the whole world, Jamie (also an amazing photographer) came with me for an unforgettable weekend. We stayed in a swanky hotel, waaaaaay cooler than both of us combined, ate some awesome food, nearly got killed in a taxi, met some other great photographers from all around the world, and of course, got to meet and be mentored by one of our biggest inspirations! I’ve been to several workshops to learn the business of photography, etc. but this time, Jamie and I splurged to learn from a photographer’s who technical skill is second to none. It was such an honor to watch her shoot and chat one on one with her as well. Needless to say, we both left on cloud nine when Audrey told us both in person she was a fan of our work … just the confidence boost we both needed to get out there, trust our guts and continue to create using what we both feel is a precious gift we’ve been given.

While, I loved hearing in person that Audrey thought my work was excellent, last night I got news from Jamie that she linked both of us to her BLOG?  WHAT??  Let’s just say the news made my night (read: LIFE)! It’s always is great to hear from clients that I am doing my job well, even better to get compliments from other photographers, but to have someone that you admire so much in your industry share your work with the world (literally) is an honor difficult to describe.

I just wanted to share my good news with all of you who continually support me and motivate me to do what I do!

Now, here’s some hilarious pics of Jamie and I being serious POSERS in Audrey’s loft.  (sorry Jame!) LOL.  We both CANONOT and SHOULD NOT try a serious face. Just doesn’t work. Case in point: Mike just walked up behind me and asked who those girls were … NO LIE. LOL!  In all fairness, we were testing out my new camera, trying to get it to focus properly.

Our signature pose, nonetheless …

I really can’t stop laughing at these pictures of us.  hehehe.

Yesterday, this was my status update on facebook …

“An infomercial just came on and Mia Grace said “OH MOM, that’s what Nana’s song is like!!” I turned around and it was ABBA’S greatest hits. LOL. Then she proceeded to sing “She’s a dancing queen”. Hilarious.”

So, I thought it was only fitting that I post these snapshots of MG from before we left Texas.  The night before we officially moved to Colorado, Mia Grace had her very first dance recital.  She is one loved little girl because Grammy (my mom), Nana and Papa Joe (Mike’s parents), Aunt Sheri, Gigi, Aunt Loree and Uncle Mark, Ashy, Franny, and her favorite … Emilee all came to watch her big performance!  It was also special because Daddy flew in from Colorado to see it before we made the drive with the last of our life the next morning. She did SO great and it was so much fun watching her up there on stage

I snapped these in the parking lot of La Hacienda, where we got our fill of good Tex-Mex one last time!

We all know what its like to be loved without condition by someone … at least I pray that is true for most people.  We know what its like to have someone support us and encourage us and make us feel like we are the “favorite” or most important … again, I hope you all have experienced this by at least one person in your life.  And, if you have, you know how priceless it is to truly be loved well by another person. Now, multiply that feeling times 2 thousand and seven and that is what it feels like when someone else loves your child this way.  So is the case for me because of these little cuties’ mama.

Ms. Nicole has been Mia Grace’s preschool teacher for three years now, well technically 2 1/2 I guess, and she has been one the biggest blessings to me as a working mom that words simply cannot express. From day 1, which was Valentines Day 2008,  she made me feel like I had the most special daughter in the universe (which I already knew!), but she truly has helped validate me as a mom, and specifically a working mom, in more ways than I can count. Sacrificing time with your babies is not an easy decision sometimes (sometimes it is ), but even though I’ve always known deep inside that I am a better mother because I work and because I have my own business, having someone to hand your child over to who loves them like Ms. Nicole makes all the difference in the world. For the past three years she has sent a little note home each school day taking special time to tell me what MG did or said that day, from her mothering and protecting all the classroom babies (with her favorite being the big brown one), or her crazy eating habits, such as dipping everything from carrots to raisins in ranch dressing, sharing with me that she is quite the little athlete, to her being the first to volunteer to pray out loud for lunch, to me learning that her favorite color is indeed purple, to helping her write her name for the first time and offering me insight into her “mothering” (read:bossy) character, yet sensitive spirit who aims to please everyone.  She’s even taken Mia Grace to her own home each school day for the last year so I can work and she and her precious kids could spend time with Mia Grace … all for what??  Just a simple thank you, and these photos of her babies below.

Obviously, I know I got the waaaaay better end of the deal.

Meet Cadance and Chase.

Somewhere in the midst of the holiday chaos, my crazy little one turned 3!  My mom came up to the studio a few days ago to pick out favorites and order some big ones for her and my dad’s new shop they opened this past November.  PS. If you ever need a transmission, you must go see my Dad, Mom, and little brother at North Texas Transmission.  They are located right off of stadium close to the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.  Sometimes, you can even catch the “real” boss on a Friday here and there!  I took these images at my dad’s new shop, so my mom ordered them on these really cool new white standout mounts I now offer.  They look amazing in her office! I’ve got to get up and take a picture to share.

Anyway, here are a few favorites of her in, of course, non other than her birthday CournteyCourtney! I thought I’d share even though these were taken in December on her actual birthday. If you want to see last year’s version,  you can see the little monkey when she turned TWO HERE! Both sessions are all over her new “big girl” room full of bright crazy colors that match her little BIG personality !

These are actually the three mom ordered for her wall!

To express what is in my heart right now in a blog post seems completely impossible.

I am overwhelmed with sadness for a grieving family who so graciously invited me in to photograph one of the most intimate and precious moments of their entire lives.  You may remember Cynthia and Mike from an engagement shoot we did last year. How fitting that the title of my blog post months ago for their session was simply, love.  Here we are again, with love, yet this time its not so light and fluffy … its heavy and gut wrenching and bittersweet, but it is still simply … love.

With an unexpected turn of events, their scheduled May wedding was abrubtly moved to last week so the beautiful mother of the bride could see her youngest daughter get married. It was my first wedding, but in a venue I’ve become familiar with over the past year as I’ve documented the miracle of birth in several hospitals in the area. I left the hospital last week heartbroken but thankful and hopeful for a miracle, not unlike the ones I get to witness in the other wings of the same hospitals.

And now, a busy week behind me that was filled with a miraculous birth that I’ll share later, the uncertainty of what the future holds for my family, and the celebration of my little brother’s engagement, what took place on the oncology floor at Harris Methodist Hospital last week took on a whole new meaning for me, but more importantly, for Cindy Death’s grieving family.

I took some time today to read through what people were posting on Cynthia’s facebook page about her mother and I was once again overwhelmed, this time, with deep admiration and love for a woman who has obviously left an everlasting impression on the hearts of many, including mine, who I met for the first time 7 days ago.

My prayer is that when you watch this video, you too are overwhelmed with love and that you allow these lyrics to sink deep into your heart, where He lives, that mysterious guy we call love.  (Make sure your speakers are on)

Oh love, Oh the many colors that you’re made of … You heal … You bleed

You’re the simple truth and you’re the biggest mystery

Oh love

Deep as the life from Gods own breath
And it’s even after death
Gone like the sunset

You can break a heart in pieces and put it back together again

You can break down sweet forgiveness; You’re the one that never ends

Oh Love

Death Family,

Thank you from ever fiber of my being for so graciously inviting me into your world.  I truly feel privileged to have spent just a few moments with you all, and especially, Cindy. It’s something I hold as sacred and I will carry with me forever.  Bless you all.  She truly is a remarkable woman and has surely claimed her reward at the city gate!

My sweet and super silly little girl …

The other morning on our way out the door, she just looked so cute in an old CourtneyCourtney dress that she just HAD to wear, so of course, I HAD to photograph her for 7 minutes in the driveway before we left.  Here were the hilarious results.

that middle one just makes me laugh out loud.  and in case you are wondering, there was NO prompting. I never said “jump” or “act silly” or anything of the sort. I’m still not exactly sure what she was doing, but she was putting on a show in the middle of the street, that’s for sure.

AND … this last one. OMG.  The look she is giving that snail attached to our garage door is more than priceless.   Oh, three year olds …

And speaking of Courtney Courtney … just so you know, I have talked with Ms. Courtney herself about the possibilities of cloning herself so she can make more dresses for all of you fanatics out there (hint: I’m reading all those emails, I promise) She’s working on it, but in the meantime, keep your eagle eye ( read: refresh your browser every minute for a week ) out for her hot new styles that she posts daily!  They are currently selling in less than one minute!!!  Isn’t she just fabulous? We love all her clothes and its all Mia Grace wants to wear these days (this morning she had to wear her “NUMBER FOUR DRESS MOMMY”  (its actually a #3) More from that shoot later …

I think its safe to post our Valentine’s Day card this year!  Because of the crazy snow, Mia Grace’s party was pushed back to yesterday, so I waited to share.  I love Valentines Day and I hope you took the opportunity to share your love this year!  I’ll be posting the winner of the FREE session in a few days so stay tuned    XOXOXOXOXO

Fridays are Mommy and Mia Grace day!  Yesterday, it was much needed after all the long hours I’ve been putting in.  We went shopping, had lunch and went to the studio to “play”. She’s getting better, but she’s still smart enough to know that me taking her pictures isn’t “playing”. I improvised and mainly just chased her around and captured what I could.

I’m still figuring out the lighting up there and everything is still in disarray … I usually don’t crop my images at all, but I had to for a few of these to hide things like doors that are off the hinges and piles of tools and painting supplies

You have to let me know what you think about my version of “studio” portraits … seriously, I want your honest opinion.

The brown wall is where she wanted to start.  Not the best lighting here, but ok … “you’re the boss”.

Then, she wanted the brown chair.

Don’t think for a second, I posed her like this … it was all her doing.

By the fourth outfit change and daddy showing up … she was really over this whole thing. The only reason she’s smiling is because daddy is over there

Probably my favorite and the last one of the day!

Just so you have an idea of what I am working with here.  The door wont stay open, so I was holding it with one foot and balancing on the other foot while taking this shot. Notice the dirty floor and the random doors I didn’t bother to move. We are still finishing up the painting, so these little “testers” are good for me to really get an idea of how this whole “photographing kids all over my studio” is going to work. I’m excited and a little nervous that I wont be as pleased with the results (of my images). I am just so used to boundless space and gorgeous light outside!

Oh, and if you are wondering where the other outfit is, stay tuned for a new CourtneyCourtney style that is to. DIE. for. So cute.

… all the time.

I really miss my baby girl lately.  During this SUPER busy season, I just crave time with her and pray she will forgive me for how much I’ve been away lately.

I hope she makes you smile too