Vision schmision.

There are so many awesome things about my job that sometimes it seems perfect. But one of the tough things is balancing my vision for a session with what actually goes down. See, even if I have never met a family before, I try to get enough of an idea about them to sort of start dreaming up what we may do. Sometimes I hit it right on the noggin. Other times, especailly when I know the children well, it doesn't exactly happen like I think it will. A friend commented to me today "it sure is good your kids will let you take their picture!" My response "they don't always. I just have more time to make them."
So it is with this family. You saw a little sneak peek of Mr. Mason last week, and today I wanted to share some of his baby sister, Maddie. As I said, their mom is my dearest friend, and I hold these two as close to my heart as if they were my own flesh and blood. For Maddie's session recently, I had a vision. I saw bright colors, lots of shoes, her sitting patiently trying them on. And I got some of that.




But by about the 14th time she started to run away from my set up toward a nearby fountain, I realized that I was going to have to roll with it a bit. And I am soooo glad I did, because these are my 2 favorite of her. You'll notice, no bright colors. I favored black and white. No shoes, they were long forgotten. Just Maddie, being her usual gorgeous spunky little self.
I love the motion of the pearls in this one.




Editing these tonight was a good reminder that no matter what my plans may be, I might find unexpected surprises in the unscripted. And that, after all, is why I do what I do.

I'm baaaack!

Promised I'd be back with one more sneak peek tonight. This pretty little lady had a session the same day as the 2 cuties in the previous post, so it seems only fitting that they should have a sneak peek on the same day as well! I am going to keep it short and sweet tonight, but cutie patootie Miss B will speak for herself!









Water + kids...always fun.

Blue x2

I love love love this family! Ok, I love pretty much all of the wonderful families I get to photograph, but I just feel a strong connection to families that have 2 little boys, especially blue eyed boys :)
Moms always {always} have this fear that their kids are being terrible little tyrants and that I am not going to get any decent shots at all, but no worries to this mom, or any other mom for that matter. While you might feel like they are not cooperating, I am getting a genuine sneek peek into their adorable little, very real, personalities. And what cute personalities they are...













I have another sneek peek to get up today, so I will be back tonight. I am a leeeetle behind.
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Modern day blue eyes.

Step aside Frank, there's a new cat in town!



Seriously, my child is the biggest ham in the world. 5 years ago today I checked in to Bayfront medical Center in St. Petersburg, and at 12:42 pm my world changed forever. From the moment I first looked into my little boy's brilliant blue eyes I was irrevocably, completely, unconditionally smitten. Of course, I know every mom feels the way I do about her child, but for those of you who are not moms yet, I can't even put into words the adoration.



My "monk". Is 5 going on 25 this year. It's going to be a big one, he's starting kindergarten in just over a month! A little about Grady, because he's super special.

-He was the crankiest baby EVER. No really. I am not even exaggerating. But right about 1 year old he turned into the sweetest, most well behaved toddler I have ever met. That continued until the age of three. Am I right moms, when I say 3 is the new 2?!?!

-He was talking in full out complete sentences at the age of 17 months. He used to freak people out by introoducing himself and asking for a snack. He's small anyway, so imagine this tiny little guy who looks like he'd still be on a bottle asking for a juice box. With proper manners.



-He got his first tooth at nearly a year old and didn't walk until 15 months. He was a bit of a late bloomer on everything but the vocab! :)

-He's the sweetest little mother hen ever. I have lots of friends with little girls between the ages of 2-3 years old. He loves taking them under his wing and helping them learn and grow. While other boys his age are playing shoot-em-up games, he's perfectly content to sit and color for an hour with a friend. Seriously, he melts me.

-He loves veggies. He doesn't like fruit.

-He's really so so so good. Of course, every kid has their moments, but I realized recently that when he's bad it almost shocks me, because I just sort of expect him to be good. Even through the terrible 3's, he never once bit, hit, took someone else's toy or really even cared if someone snatched HIS toy right out of his hand.



-He loves to learn. He's getting really good at easy math, and is on the cusp of reading on his own. My favorite moment from his birthday party this weekend was Grady, sitting in a pile of toys and unopened gifts, looking at a book. It's classic him.

-He has a new trick. Winking ;)



This morning, I dropped him off at all day summer camp for the first time. He was a total pro and gave me a huge thumbs up when I turned to look back at him. It's still giving me a lump in my throat 5 hours later, and I am kind of sitting here counting down until I can go pick him up. Thank goodness I made it to the car before I cried.
Happy Birthday to my sweet little {BIG} boy. It's been the best 5 years ever, and I can't wait to see the awesome person you become.

That's how we roll...

I just had to pop on quickly and share these pictures of Grady and his buddy Mason. They rolled it out gangsta style for me recently, and I am completely in love with them. The boys are six weeks apart in age, and Mason's mama is the best friend a girl could ever have. I am so lucky to see these guys grow up together. I have a special birthday post coming up next week for Grady's 5th birthday, but I just had to share these today.