Love, Me Blog

than a naked baby hiney???

…. oh wait, there is! TWO naked baby hineys

am I lucky or what?

Isn’t she?  You may remember little Aubrie from a few weeks ago. I got to see her again when she was almost 5 weeks.

She wanted NO part is sleeping for me. She had other plans in mind, and I think I should have listened to her from the start

My first newborn in the studio.

I just LOVE her little feet here, and especially those little rolls .  She’s had those since the minute she was born.

And, she was the perfect little model for my new hat.  We did manage to get a few sleepy ones, but I wanted to share these since they are so different from my normal newborn work.

The best part is … I get to see her again in TWO days!  Yaya!  Aren’t you jealous I get to smooch those cheeks

Once again, I LOVED this session.  I’m only sorry Sheila doesn’t have more daughters I could shoot with these girls every single weekend!

Even though we went to same locations as her sister, the images all look so unique to Miss Shelby.  I loved her funky sense of style, and well, everything else about her.

Here are just a few favorites from our time together.

I’ve used this spot before, but I am in love with her expression here.

it was FREEZING … but she rocked it out anyway!

YES, we are where you think we are   Totally her idea and I LOVED IT.

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

Super LOVED this session. Everything about it … the girl, the outfits, the mom, the locations … and yes, the STEER!  The best part is, I got to do it TWICE. Syndney is a twin

I know you ladies have waited WAY too long!  I just had to pick a few favorites and show you before I see you next week.

First up, the fav fav … the one that will make me happy for a long time and will show up on my senior site FOR SURE.  You are gorgeous Sydney!

This location was TO DIE FOR, and I didn’t even hunt it down. I just hopped in the car, and they took me there!  An old school house … isn’t it amazing?!!  ( I really needed a new spot as all my others are getting taken over AND people are starting to charge to shoot there!)

There’s no need to explain … the girl LOVES her Steer !  ( I must admit, I was so nervous about shooting a steer.  I am a Texas girl, but I know nothing about livestock. I was imagining good ol’ Elsie, the Bordon Cow, and wondering how on Earth I was supposed to make her look artistic!  I had no idea steers were so darn cute … he even got a “blow dry” before our 15 minutes together.

… are my favorite clients

Love this family and LOVE these sweet girls. Thanks for another wonderful session Miss Emma and Miss Ava!

*sneak peeks are small right now because I am working to get everyone’s entire galleries completed. blogging is getting put on the back burner just while we make the transition to the studio.*

I just didn’t want you all to think I was gone!  I am in the process of moving into the studio the end of this week and its been crazy.  Yea, we’ll just say “crazy” … that’s a nice word.

A HUGE thanks to all of my patient clients. I promise it will be worth the wait and hopefully I can get some sneak peeks up very soon.  I will be having all ordering sessions in the new place starting this weekend!

Because every post is boring without an image, here is a recent favorite of Mia Grace from my quick business trip to Houston, where she tagged along. My sweet friend, Jamie from a few posts back, watched her while I was getting my SKPA Accreditation … more on that to come!  I owe Jamie and her hubby bigtime for hosting us for a couple of nights.

We took our girls out for a quickie shoot. Let’s just say, two three year old (well, MG is almost three), whom happen to be photographers’ kids, at the same time wasn’t the best choice, lol. We thought, hey, let’s switch and each shoot each other’s girls. Well, Miss Andee Grace and Miss Mia Grace had different plans, and poor Jamie is 9 months pregnant and ready to have a baby any day.  We’ll just chalk that up to a bad idea.

We still got a “few” good ones. Here’s a new favorite of my little munchkin.  I think this is going up in the studio somewhere.

So … I totally goofed and thought these cuties birthday was THIS Wednesday, so I am 5 days late. So sorry mamma and nanny k!

These are two of my very favorite images from 2009, and well, you can see why!  Are they not the most precious things you have EVER seen?  And those eyes!!!

More to come from this incredible session so stay tuned …  This was just supposed to just be a little birthday gift from me

Meet precious Madi and Livi!

and their cute baby bottoms!

I’ve decided that I am the “everywhere in Texas” family photographer.  It’s true!  I often get asked where I’m located, essentially for potential clients to determine how far they will have to drive to get to me. The truth is, and all my past clients can attest, that I really will drive just about anywhere. I really love that if I had to determine one city, town, etc. where the majority of my clients come from, I, in all honesty, could not choose one particular place.  If you would have asked me at the beginning of 2009, maybe I could have said Argyle, but since then, I have really become the “everywhere in Texas” photographer.  Just this year, I’ve had families from Argyle, Westlake, Southlake, Keller, Hurst, Bedford, Colleyville, Flower Mound, Bartonville, Decatur, Krum, Aubrey, Denton, Burleson, Fort Worth, Dallas, Grapevine, Coppell, Rockwall, North Richland Hills, Frisco, Justin, Hickory Creek, McKinney, and Haslet. Whew.  Notice that Roanoke or Trophy Club weren’t mentioned The irony of it all is that I live in Roanoke (2 minutes from Trophy Club). This is where I grew up and its now where I live with my family and where our new studio is located.  My whole life I’ve heard from people how far away Roanoke is and how its out in the middle of nowhere.  I’ve always tried to explain to people that its really the most conveniently located place in the DFW metroplex as its smack dab in the middle of “EVERYWHERE”.  It’s just this tiny town that no one had ever heard of until recently.  I think the Jonas brothers move to Westlake, which shares our zip code, put us on the map!

So, the point of it all is that I can get to South Fort Worth, North Denton, and East Dallas in all of about 35 minutes!  All of the other little towns scattered in the middle are all 10-20 minutes away. So, if you have let our address keep you from calling, pick up the phone!  I also always get asked about my locations. The truth is that I am blessed by awesome clients that live in great places “everywhere” which means that I dont have to photograph at the same spots over and over.

A perfect example is this fun family! They live in Aubrey, which is a good ways north of Denton. I just drove out before our early morning session and found these great places to shoot. While I really try to plan parts of a session, like help you with clothing choices, etc. I really never stress about location and I like to leave this part a little spontaneous.  Not planning where I will shoot allows me creative freedom once I arrive which is good for you

I’m so thankful to these little one’s grandma, whom happens to be one of my biggest fans!  Deberah found me via facebook and has been leaving me sweet comments for at least a year now.  I know she has been DYING to see some images, so I’m so sorry to keep you waiting!!  I LOVED this family shoot. I know mom and dad left wondering if I got anything … they always do. Multiple kiddos under 5 is always a challenge, but if you come into it ready to just play and love on your kids, you will end up with emotive images that reflect your relationships like these.  Here are some favorites.

I couldn’t love these next two anymore. The first is an unlikely choice, but I love how honest it is.  Big brother not too interested and little sister off and running. She found her legs could take her places and hasn’t stopped moving since!! This is how most of the session went with her.

The second I super love as well.  Being an oldest child I appreciate these types of images that truly tell a story. First of all, could Callie’s crazy hair and big grin be any cuter?  But, what I love most is little Carson in the back trying to keep up and hold it together while little sis steals the show for a while. Something about his face that says “what about me?”  I totally relate little man!

I worked to get it, but from the little time I spent with Carson, I think mom and dad will say this is “him”.  I love his expression.

The one that should be on the wall (in my opinion of course )

Do I really need to say anything about this sweet sweet baby?

AND the ones that make my heart leap and the reason I am a photographer.  (side note : I really work to think not only about the shots that mom and dad want now, but also the ones that the kiddos will want when they are older. That is how I view what I do … not something temporary to throw in a 5×7 frame for a year. I really view these captures as artwork that will end up as family heirlooms. So often the second and third and fourth children end up NOT having images of themselves with their parents, without big brothers and sisters in the mix.  I think its important to document these individual and highly unique relationships we have with all of our children and I know Miss Callie will appreciate these one day )

as will Mr. Carson.

Jason and Carrie, what a wonderful session we had … you both were perfect models of how parents should be during a shoot! It’s so obvious how much you both love your kids and each other.  Thank you so much and I sure hope you enjoy your sneak peek …