Little Flora

When I arrived at Flora's home she was all smiles before we got started. But as soon as we said "Lights, camera, action" she decided to make her parents work. And did they ever work hard trying to get a smile out of her. Instead of rewarding them w/ a few giggles she decided to make us giggle by dousing her mom w/ barf and 20 minutes later w/ pee. A girl after my own heart. She is entertaining & she sticks to her guns. But I think Flora's parents will be surprised to see that she did give up a few grins.

She was tuckered out and took a little nap (another reason I know I love her...I can fall asleep anywhere/anytime...I just wish I could be able to get away w/ it like her!)
Preston decided to cuddle up with her.

Then they both came too and Flora gave us the thumbs up. I think Preston is great too!

Ryan & Molly

Ryan, Molly and their mom were visiting Seattle last week from Chicago. Of course the day of the pictures the warm weather disappeared but Ryan and Molly were troopers and indulged me w/ their smiles and enthusiasm.

Mom even joined in at the end.

Pam, Ryan & Molly I hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed meeting you. Hopefully we will see you on another trip out west.

Test driving a new lense...

I went ahead and gave myself a little present for spending the next month w/o my husband home. I thought I should take it on a test drive before my next sitting. So w/ my new lense packed and my favorite (and captive) subjects in tow we headed for the zoo. Now I am not one to be a regular camera toter at a zoo. But that may change. While we were picnicing on my gourmet PB & J, I saw 3 beautiful bright signs that were just waiting to be photographed. The green was brilliant. I love Cooper's eyes in this first image.

Looking over my blog I find that there are so many more individual subjects. So today I thougth I would switch it up and share some group shots w/ the Alston family.

2,000 Visitors

Today my blog received its 2,000th visitor since I started it in late March. When I began I had no idea what would become of it. Given my loathing for writing I thought I may only last a month or two. But I have really enjoyed sharing my images in this format. If you haven't figured it out by now I am madly in love w/ what I do. The photography part is great but getting to meet and interact with so many wonderful people is what really gets me excited.

Writing a blog is a little strange because I put my thoughts and work out into the great internet blackhole. Having a visitor counter is the only way I can gather that a few people are interested in what I have to say and shoot. It is fun to see where people are viewing from. Just in the last day some of the far away visitors have been:
Land O Lakes, FL
NY, NY
Swampscott, MA
Hamilton, Ontario,
Homer, GA
Tokyo
San Antonio, TX
Zurich, Switzerland
Hopefully many of you are regular visitors. I would love to hear from any of you via comments or email.
When the 4,000th visit happens I will give a free sitting away so keep visiting and as it nears drop in a comment/email w/ your location & email address or phone number so I will be able to identify exactly who the 4,000th is.

Jake and his curls

I feel like I am on a fabulous roll getting to shoot one year olds with curls. How'd I get so lucky? When Jake's dad walked in w/Jake on his arm I knew there was no way this little guy could take a bad picture. And I couldn't wait to get shooting.

Could this family be ANY cuter??!!

Jake bares just a slight resemblance to his daddy...

I love this next series. We were playing peek-a-boo w/ him and then he shared his version with us. He was very proud.

And this last one ranks up on my favorite of all times.

Thank you Jake, Jason & Amy for getting my morning started w/ laughs and smiles.

Aeli's family seemed very close and head over heels in love with the sole grandson. He was the wild card that we kept us all on the move and smiling the entire time.

Aeli & her siblings.

Five Generations!!!

This is my neighbor Bobbie.

She is a speacial lady and we feel so fortunate to have moved in next door to her. When I learned that there were 5 generations of women from her family in the area I offered to take some pictures of them. I have to say I have never met 5 generations from any family I have photographed. Unfortunately Bobbie's granddaughter (gen. 4) was deployed to Iraq but she was with us in spirit. These women had wonderful senses of humor and it was an honor to meet them all. Due to a a few time constraints I only had them for a few minutes. If I had more time I would have worn my camera out!!

The matriarch of the family, Mama Lees.

Annika's Baptism

I was so excited to receive the call to ask if I was available to photograph Annika's baptism. I had not seen Annika since the first of the year so when she greeted me at the door I was floored by how much she has changed and what a beautiful little girl she is. When I photographed her at 2 mths she had just a little black straight hair. So to see a head of gorgeous curls was a complete surprise. The baptism was the day before her 1st birthday. I can't imagine the changes that will take place in the next year. Look at what a beautiful little girl she is...

Walking with her dads. I'm sure she will be off and running solo very soon.

On another walk w/ her Godfather.

Mason with his dad who officiated the ceremony.

Katie & Michael were the first two ready for family pictures to celebrate their grandfather's birthday so we snuck in a few pictures without any grown ups.

James take 2

To make sure we commemorated Jame turning 1 right we did a few more pictures this time his mom & dad made it in front of the camera.

I am on a streak of little girls not being that excited to meet me. I think I need to start arriving w/ pretty hair dodads on my head...don't all little girls love accessories?? Lauren had a tight hold of her mom's leg but she soon discovered how much more fun she could have running around w/ her brother. You know kids are having a great time when you have to bribe them to stop playing and get in the car. Who would have known the Lauren would be just as much of a ham as her brother! We had a great time!!
Lauren & John's eyes draw you in & then their personalities come shining out.


Watching them play and laugh together was the best.
The kids discovered a little ampitheater that I didn't even know about in Volunteer Park. Unfortunately it is a little bit of an eye sore. The kids could have played there all day so I had to make it work for me...now I will be going back just for the brink wall.

This last one just makes me laugh.