Some Family Pics

My brother-in-law asked me to take some pictures of his daughter while she was visiting last week. I did that same thing last year and we had lots of fun - but this year was a little more difficult. Ahhhh, the moods of an eight-almost-nine-year old. I planned to start out with some family pics - but she wasn't havin it. So, I got her alone and she loosened up a bit. The funny part is - she's a total ham (as you can see from the previous video of her dancing). So, here's a few pictures of my niece - she really is growing into a gorgeous young lady. And if you want to see the comparison from last year click HERE.






with daddy...


with my kylie-bear....


the family....


And a fun couple shot....

If you need dance lessons....

then you need to watch this video! Or, just watch it for some laughs. Kylie LOVES her cousin Amanda. She follows her around, copies her every move and looks at her with adoring eyes. This was the other day, as we all sat around the living room enjoying some live entertainment.....

Sweet 8 month old.....

I got together with a good friend of mine today so I could take pictures of her second child - a sweet baby girl. We thought it would be nice to let our children play together while I take pictures of the baby - not such a great plan. My daughter is 2 1/2 and her son is almost three and it was pretty, how shall I say it, exciting??? So, she tried to keep the kids entertained (and unharmed) while I followed the littlest one around snapping photos. Miss "L" just began to sit up a few weeks ago and she's already crawling and pulling up on furniture - unbelievable!

Take a look at this little angel - so happy and content - even through costume changes and screaming toddlers all around her (literally).



This was the view I got the most.....


What is going through her head right now??? That perplexing gaze....




At this point I gave up on trying to keep her in any one spot and just started following her all around my house while she explored.


Like the hat??? Old Navy bargain - so cute!


By the end - this was the only look she was giving me - as if to say: Are you done YET???


Click HERE to see a few of her baby pics from November

Some new stuff!!!

I know I have been a terrible blogger as of late. Just catching up on galleries, doing picture orders and finding NEW stuff to offer my clients.

Check these out! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! They will make gorgeous canvas prints - especially if you group them together on the wall. I have lots more color/styles too. They're just so unique and fun!

I have also been working on a custom framing product to offer - more on that if things work out. :)

Enjoy....

Father's Day - a personal note....

A great day for a great man (and many other great men out there!). We had a wonderful family weekend, complete with a trip to Ikea, homemade waffles and two trips to the pool! I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life - husband, friend, partner, father - and so much more. Since my father did not play a role in my life growing up I really treasure these times and I'm in awe of the amazing father/daughter relationship between Kylie & Daddy. Her eyes light up when he comes in the room - she's such a daddy's girl - tools and all!!! He was fixing a toy for her today and he said he needed a screwdriver - so she promptly went to her "tool puzzle" and came back with a screwdriver for him. It was just the sweetest thing ever!

So, here are a few of my favorite pics to celebrate Daddy and Daughter today (don't expect anything fancy - they're just snapshots). Happy Father's Day to all the Daddy's out there - and to all the Mommys that are doing the job of both. You are appreciated!

Proud papa - when Kylie was just a couple months old.

This has to be one of my FAVORITE pictures. This was the first time she ever laughed - for Daddy of course. It was that deep gut laugh that just makes you laugh out loud with her.

Father's Day last year...

And today - these are the big cheesy grins I usually get. Don't you love the pink bikini???

And here's the GREAT group of guys we hung out with today at the pool. I thought to myself - "this is the life". Great friends, great food - and so many great memories.

A beautiful family

It was a scorcher on Sunday - but we pressed on with our photo session anyway! We had a fun time despite the heat. These lovely people live right across the street from me. Mom is a fabulous seamstress, oldest sister just graduated from Oglethorpe University, middle brother is going to be an architect and the "baby" of the family is very into drama and the arts.

This family has been through a tragedy that no family should have to endure - the loss of a husband and father. These are their first family photos since he passed, and I only hope that I was able to capture the love, strength and courage that I see in each of them. They are my neighbors, but I consider them my friends.

That being said - first up - a collage that I made. You can click on it to see it bigger.






Beautiful mom!

Mom requested this picture and the "kids" obliged! :)

I had to include this one, since she just graduated from the very place we were taking the pictures. Click on it to see it bigger.

And finally, one of my favorites. The sun was going down and they were relaxing under the trees.

Thanks for letting me be a part of this special day!

On a personal note....

Last Sunday afternoon we were at Centennial Olympic Park for the CCFA Take Steps walk for a cure to Crohn's & Colitis. Many of you have already heard about this (from my previous posts) so I wanted to share a few pictures. We exceeded our goal of $5,000 and raised a total of $5,500 so far - and the donations keep coming in. Here's our web page if you want to check it out: CURE CROHNS

I really can't put into words how appreciative we are to the many people that have supported us in this effort. The generosity of our friends, family and even strangers, has been unbelievable. THANK YOU to each and every person who participated in our event. Together we made a difference!

So, here are some pictures of the "James Gang" on our special day.

First up - the K-Bear playing in the fountains. She has absolutely no fear of water which is great and scary at the same time!





The youngest "walkers" in our clan.


The whole group - wearing the silly T-shirts I had made. What great sports they are! :)


And the family - even Grampa flew in to celebrate the day with us.


Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

Another slideshow to share

Here is another sample slideshow that I just finished for my client today. I love this song - it always makes me smile. And it helps when I'm looking at such a cute kiddo! :)

Meet Miss Madison

Yes, you get to know her name! Her mom is a good friend of mine and I know she doesn't mind. I was so excited to finally take some pictures of this little sweety. She is adopted, as is her older brother, from an orphanage in Kazakhstan. I couldn't imagine a better family for these two kids. Their parents are so energetic, happy, and full of life. Nicolas came home a couple years ago, and Madison just got here this year. It's amazing to see how fast these kids grow and thrive with the nurture and support of a family. Love is a wonderful thing - with so much power to heal.

Well - enough said. I'm sure you will see - Madison is beautiful and Nicolas is so handsome - and they were meant to be together as a family! :)



Look at that grin!


Yes, I'm addicted to the tu-tu - I can't help it!





Here they are together - such a sweet moment.


Isn't he a cutie! All the neighbor girls are already after him!


It's hard for me to believe this is the same little boy they brought home just a couple short years ago. He' so BIG!

Oh - I forgot to mention that these pictures are a surprise for Father's Day so ssshhhhhhh!

With patience comes GREAT images!

This was my third time photographing this beautiful young lady. The last two times, she just went with the flow and did whatever we wanted but now she is 18 months old and has a mind of her own. It's amazing for me to watch these children grow and become unique individuals.

We spent about 15 minutes in the backyard and I think Mom was ready to throw in the towel. Little miss "A" was frowning and crying and showing us her temper. I suggested we go inside and relax and just let her have a break. Even the youngest of children know when something is "expected" of them. Well, after a little milk break the smiles started flowing and she was so happy to show us her "fun side" on her own terms.

So, what started out with these faces.........


Ended up with lots of these faces!


I LOVE this picture! I just knew when I snapped the shutter that it was gorgeous. I'm thinking huge CANVAS! :) She's holding her "night-night" blanky. Click on it to get a better view of her eyes.


And sometimes pictures just go together and tell their own story. I thought I would share these two collages I did. This was her baby that she set up for a picture (click on it to see it bigger)


And this was the jumping part of the session!


Thanks miss "A" for coming out of your shell and letting me get some fabulous images for mom! Next up (later this year) the whole family including her older twin brothers!

Oh, the rolls!

When I finish a session I always want to run straight to my computer and download the images so I can see what I got. It's like Christmas for me - or maybe it's just an obsession. Anyway, this session was no different and I'm so excited about these images. This first one literally made me laugh out loud - his face is so cute!

Meet baby "C". He is 6 months old and so full of chubby rolls he could hardly fit into the bumbo seat. He was SOOOOO adorable! I LOVE IT! He was a great sport and mom and dad were too. All I can say is GOOD LUCK picking your favorites! :)

Enjoy!



The happy family.... click on it to see it bigger.

Just look at those rolls - it's like ART! He was such a happy baby.

Dad really wanted a picture on my old fashioned scale but baby "C" was a little too big for it so we had to hold him up - I still think it's cute though.

And finally, a little "special effect" picture. So sweet!