Since I'm up...

Ah, lovely insomnia. Hits me every so often, which is no fun because I will fully admit I am someone who needs my eight hours (my husband will gladly attest to this fact). But after laying in bed for an hour and a half, I figured I might as well just get something done. I've been wanting to share some images from this gorgeous wedding for a while now. So if anyone else is up at 4 am, at least you'll have something fun to do. Or if you're reading this at a more reasonable hour, bring me coffee. I probably need it. ;) On a side note, if you know anyone getting married this fall or winter I would LOVE a referral for their wedding. You'll earn a $100 credit on your account with me and I will give the couple 10% off their package!
These are in no particular order, because even though I'm up I am not saying I am all here...



















This last one is my favorite. I'm kind of a sucker for flower girls.



Congrats Michael and Jennifer on your beautiful day. It was a pleasure.

Waiting for Elise.

This sweet family is waiting on a new little sweetheart to arrive in June, so we got together to document their last few weeks as a family of three. Their other little lady turns three in June, too, and she and I had a blast taking some pictures with her mom and dad. She was immediately my best little buddy, and wanted to hold my hand just about every time we crossed the street. She probably could have asked me for a pony and I would have bought one for her. I just loved how into the pictures her dad was too. She clearly has him wrapped around her finger as well! Good luck on the new little arrival, L family! She's sure to be precious, based on the first model ;)

Happy birthday Finn!

My little guy turned 3 almost a month ago, and in the spirit of being a super busy work at home mom with potentially too much going on fashionably late, I thought I'd take today to share his birthday and 3 year photo shoot. This little man. Sigh. Just thinking of all the things I want to say about him brings tears to my eyes. You've heard of daddies being wrapped around their little girl's fingers? well, this little boy has mine. tight.
He's such a character. While my oldest will undoubtedly have no trouble being a leader in school and top of his class, Chris and I joke that Finn will charm his way into a "B" ;) We have a little class clown on our hands. Punishment gets us nowhere with this child,he just grins and laughs and most of the time we find ourselves holding in giggles too. He doesn't like cake. No really, on his birthday he happily ate crackers smeared with spreadable cheese while the rest of the family ate his cake. We are not sure how that happened either, since Chris and I both have a hard time walking through the bakery section at publix without putting a cake in the cart. And speaking of publix, he's the only kid I've ever seen to smile and say "No, thanks" when the lady behind the counter offers a cookie. We're working on saying yes and then letting mommy eat the cookie...
He's a total mama's boy and I am eating it up while I can.
He's a snuggler, but only with me.
He's a big guy. My linebacker. He's wearing clothes right now that Grady just grew out of.
He also still likes to be carried. My back may not survive.
He has the wittiest comebacks for just about anything. The other day I told him we had to go to AT&T to get my phone fixed, and maybe we would have to get a new one. Without missing a beat, he said "ok, can I have the other one?" I could go on and on about the little man he is, and the great one I know he will become. But here's a few pics because I know that's what you're here for. ;)

On birthdays, we always do pancakes or waffles with candles in them.








He got a bike this year, but his favorite part is absolutely the bell. He refuses to even TRY the pedals on the bike, and is just as happy with us pulling him along while he rings the bell. We're cracked, I tell you.




Ad here's a few from his 3 year shoot. He's not normally happy when I pull out the camera anymore, like a true photographer's kid. However, he's been modeling for Bealls recently and I asked him to do this for Mr. David (the bealls photographer) and he willingly agreed. Um. ok. I resisted the urge to put on my best Caroline from Jersey houswives accent and tell him "I'm family. Nothing beats family." But I just decided to roll with it and if he thought David was going to use these, so be it.



















And a little birthday storyboard I did for him. I have one from Grady's 3 year session too and I love it.


Bravo to you if you looked at all that. ;) Sorry for the length. I just get a little carried away about my boys.

3rd times a charm ;)

Welcome baby Anthony! He's the third under 3 for this little family, and they feel so complete with him. Mama said during the session that even though he was only 2 weeks old, she couldn't imagine or remember their family without them. I think that's one of the most magical things about a new baby. Almost like even though you have fond memories of time before your child, they are always in there somewhere on the outskirts. Having a baby, be it the 1st, 3rd, or 8th, changes everything for the better.

Love sweet "I have to yawn with my whole body" moments.














Big brother wasn't to sure about me, but he gave me some great stuff despite it.


Hope you enjoy your sneak peek "G" family. Mom, you can now stop refreshing my blog 10 times an hour ;)

Mini sessions!

Just a quick post on my mother's day specials!
Mothers day session option 1:
A 15 minute session for up to 4 people at my home studio in Riverview Florida. Package includes session and 4 digital files with print release. You pick the date and time any day in May! Dates will be filled first come, first serve. Great idea to give your husband, or to buy for Grandma. $150 plus tax. Studio or outdoor options available. Must be booked by May 8.
Mothers day session option 2:
Includes everything in the option above, plus a 16x20 or 16x24 gallery wrap canvas (a $500 value) for $400. If you have not seen our canvas art, it is TO.DIE.FOR! And when you consider the cost of custom framing an art piece of the same size, this is a phenomenal bargain. Only 5 of these slots are available, so don't delay if you want this option.

Other info!
Don't forget about our new "bottom line" pricing structure. Which now includes a full session, disk, and your choice of add on, all for one set price. Now booking full sessions for May-August 2011.

Mini Sessions are for up to 4 people, additional people may be added for $25 each.
Cash, check or cards through paypal accepted. Session must be paid in full at time of booking.
Referral credits and coupons may not be used on option 1. They may be used on option 2, up to $100 in value.

Call or email today! courtneyvickersphotography@yahoo.com or 813-352-4479

Forward this on to your husband for an easy-peasy way to get what you really want for Mother's day!

Or hey, just call me yourself. That's how we roll in my house too. ;)

for whatever we lose (like a you or a me)/ it's always ourselves we find in the sea.

Get ready for a bittersweet week on the blog this week. I'm just warning ya. Well, ok more for me than you probably, but I think it will hit home for many.

I have started this post so many times, and so many times I have found myself at a loss. But then I remembered this quote (in the blog title) from E.E Cummings and it just fit. Those of you who have been blog followers for a while will recognize these kids. 2 are mine, of course, and 2 are our best friends. Have you ever just found a friend who clicked? Who you can cry to, laugh with, and confide in. Someone who will tell you the truth when you need it and lie to your face when you ask if you look ok after 1 hour of sleep and too many cups of coffee? That's who my friend Terra is to me. And her kids. Oh those kids. There are very few people on this earth I would jump in front of a moving vehicle for, but those kids are high on my list. I don't have any nieces or nephews yet, but how I feel for these kids is what I imagine I will feel for them. They are my kids honorary cousins. So many times we have walked together through the mall and had people do a double take trying to figure out if we've got 2 sets of twins, or which kids are whose.

A few months ago, Terra called and told me that her husband Matt had been offered a job in New Jersey. I have to admit, I didn't think they'd go. They both have family here. Terra has never lived anywhere but Florida. But she's also a big city girl at heart, and the chance to live minutes from THE big city, well that was enough to lure her away. Tomorrow they'll be on their way, and my emotions have been in a tizzy all day.

These kids have literally grown up together. Mason and Grady were just babies when we met, and we shared our pregnancy with the little ones. We've always referred to Finn and Maddie as "the twins" and I even dressed Finn as Maddie for his first halloween. They've shared double strollers, trips to Disney World, pacifiers, pajamas, and countless pizzas. And when I think of all that being cut down to once every six to 12 months, it's a little too much for me to take in at once. Thank God for skype, because I am not sure how we would get through this if it were 1982.


To say they will be missed is an understatement, and yet I am so excited to see where this journey takes my sweet friends.




This image is so THEM.

Remember we love you, remember we miss you.Remember our doors are always open when you visit. Remember the sun at your back and the sand between your toes. For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it's always ourselves we find in the sea.