A little story.

When you're a six year old girl,


a three year old girl,


or even an almost two year old girl,


getting your picture taken can be quite a fun undertaking. Someone is there to focus on you and wow, little girls dig that! However, when you're a nearly pre-teen boy,


the whole thing is not really that much fun. Especially when the crazy lady with the camera makes you stand like the VonTrapp family


or dance silly little girl dances like ring around the rosy.


I mean, sometimes some cool stuff happens, like when the photographer pretends to fart (sorry, we're talking kid here) to get everyone to laugh.

(by the way I can't tell you how big that picture makes me smile. Lookit little miss over there on the right covering her ears!)

Or when mom and dad share a kiss and you act grossed out, but she catches you smiling from ear to ear.


It's especially annoying when your pesky little sister tries to steal the limelight.


But in the end it's easiest to give in to her cuteness.


And, in all honesty it's kind of fun to help get your little cousins to look at said crazy photographer.


Now, this last image I might not have shared as a part of this story (although I love it) except really,
Cost of gas to get to UT: $3.30 a gallon
Session fee with me: $150
Look on pre-teen boy's face as I jump like a crazy monkey in a last ditch effort to get small girls (who are DONE) to look at me: PRICELESS.

Blow out the candles.

Little "A" had her first birthday last week and I was very lucky to get to see her on her big day! She was such fun, and big brothers were totally cute as well. Happy birthday "A"!!!





I don't think mom even knew I was taking this one, which is why it's my favorite from the session!


I just love how they're looking at each other in this one.

Halloween Mini Sessions

Wanted to remind everyone that my special halloween mini sessions will be taking place on Thursday, Oct 30th. They will be from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the University of Tampa. Each mini session includes a 20 minute time slot for up to two people, 10 images in a password protected gallery and an 8x10 print (which is a $40 value). Obviously, the theme for this month is halloween, so costumes are what it's all about! This is a great session for those of you who's little ones will be celebrating their first halloween especially, but all kids love to dress up, so I encourage you to book a slot for your older child as well. Please email me at courtneyvickersphotography@yahoo.com to book your spot today.

Boys {part 2}

Meet "B". Now, as a rule I have a hard time narrowing down sessions to under 40 proofs, but I can already tell that B and his family will be a bigger challenge than usual. The love that K and M have for B simply radiates off them. I especially loved watching daddy and son just play. I hope you guys had as much fun as I did!

Boys!

I have two very adorable and sweet little boys to share with you this week. Today, it's Mr. "C". Oh, his family was such fun I wanted to take them out to dinner afterwards just to hang out more! And with a cutie like this to photograph, what's not to love?

Wanted to note, I am temporarily going back to the small pics. For some reason when I upload the big ones on here to blogger, they look fuzzy, even though they are NOT fuzzy when I am looking at them in Photoshop. Puzzling, but I will figure it out!

Tutu cute.

Yeah, I can't resist corny plays on words. I recently met up with some of my playgroup so they could model some clothing for Kerri's Kreations, and let me tell you if you don't have a little girl, these clothes will make you wish you did! She does handmade, custom dresses, tutus, pettiskirts, headbands, and much more. She even has a few little things for boys (see my G in the cute stud muffin bib). These are great for birthday parties, Special occasions, or just every day dress up. It's time to start thinking Christmas, so get your orders in today for one of Kerri's awesome ensembles!

5 months. Seriously?!?!?!

I can't believe my lil chubcake is 5 months old already. His brand new trick is sitting up, but no worries, my friend "T" was right next to him so he didn't smash his face into the concrete. "THANKS T"
It's amazing I haven't nibbled him to death.

Ok, this is insanely huge, but I just love him.


Sorry about the backwards watermark. I didn't like how it sat on him.








Because I know someone will ask, he's wearing a hat by LaFolie Knits and a Gdiaper

Shadows.

I am blessed. 2-3 times a week, give or take, I have the awesome job of capturing happiness. The joy that children bring to their parents, a young couple in love, or the awe of a new daddy as he stares at his newborn. I am thankful every day for my clients, old and new, and how you let me share in the light that makes up your lives. In reflecting on this, I am constantly trying to find ways to give back to others. I have spoken of one of my volunteer positions before on this blog, but in light of the fact that October is infant loss awareness month, I wanted to blog about it again. I am an affiliate photographer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. We are a group of photographers from across the country who have joined together to capture memories for familes who have lost or are losing a child. I am passionate about this organization. My husband(and maybe many of you) doesn't understand fully why I would want to do this. Why would I want to take pictures of a baby that has passed? My simple answer is that if it was my baby, I would want something more than a hospital polaroid to remember him by. I would need some tangible evidence that she was here and my life had been blessed, even if it was for a very short time. I have a hard time remembering how my boys looked when they were one day old. If I didn't have pictures, I don't know that I could really remember at all. And what if I had only gotten to see them for an hour before they left my arms? Pictures of that hour would be more important to me than anything else I can think of.
Recently, I had my first NILMDTS session. I had not conducted one prior to this past week because I didn't feel I could handle the emotions of it until Fin was at least a few months old. I can't share images or many details from this experience, because the family needs their privacy. However, there are a few things I think it's ok to share. The way the sweet baby that I photographed had a whistful smile on her face, as if she knew that mommy and daddy would be sad, but she wanted them to know she was ok. That will stay with me forever. Her little feet. Oh, they were tiny in their perfection, no bigger the tip of my pinkie. The way the nurse gazed at her with a mix of sadness and resolution. Knowing that this would not be the last time she hovered over a sweet angel. I left with tears in my eyes, but knowing I had done something amazing.
Perhaps it's because this is still so fresh in my mind, but I really want to encourage you to consider giving to this astounding organization. I know the economy is taking its toll on many of us, and that it may be hard to think about giving to one more thing. If you are able to make a donation to NILMDTS in the month of October, please let me know. If you send me a copy of your receipt, I will match your gift with a print credit of up to $200, which you can use at your next session. Please Click here to make a donation. I do want to warn that some of the images on the site may be hard to browse, especially if you are pregnant or have a newborn. By clicking the above link, you bypass the main page and go straight to the donation page.

So much to share

But first thing's first! This family has been waiting for a sneek peek,and they're finally on top of my "running list"! "L" is the owner of Kidz Club here in Tampa, and her little "B" just turned ONE, so they had a session to celebrate.

The Birthday Boy


As a mom of two boys myself, this one makes me all melty inside.




Oh those eyes!




They love Starbucks!






Handsome big brother .


This is the look he gave me when I asked him if I could go to school with him.


Ok, I had to add this one. Look at mom's face. Yowza! Hot mommy on the loose!


This has to be my favorite!