This next family was one of my early El Paso clients and it has been fun to see these girls change over the past few years. The girls and I had so much fun running around their front yard that it was hard to get in my car and drive away. They will be welcoming a little brother in the fall and my guess is he will go from crawling straight to running to keep up with his sisters.

I didn't share with this next family until we had finished the shoot that I had been a little nervous just minutes before they pulled up to the location shoot. It was 1:30 and I don't think it could have been any brighter and the location we choose had very little shade and most of the ground cover was brown. My head was spinning w/ alternative plans but none were really coming together so when they arrived I got out of my car and hoped for the best. By the end of the shoot I was almost beside myself w/ how great I thought the shoot went and how much I liked the little spot we used at the end. It is rare for me to get very worked up or nervous and this shoot just goes to show that worrying is always wasted energy. Things just always seem to work out if you give it your best.
These two kids were so easy and agreeable to work with. I love the interaction between the two of them so I am ignoring the family pics w/ this post (Danielle I promise there are great ones of you all) and wanted to share my favorites of just the two kids.

This next family was the first to be up for my version of Urban El Paso which I was so excited about. And then before we started I got a glimpse of a brand new tutu that they brought along. I just couldn't wait to get shooting!
I am fairly sure the parents are thinking I may have only one or two good shots as the kids were on the go in different directions for most of our time together (I tried to reassure them that this is just what little kids do & not to worry) I may be crazy but I will take kids with a ton or spunk over ones that don't move an inch.
I cannot wait for them to get their first sneak peak. I had such a hard time narrowing down to the images you see. I started out w/ 20 that it may be a little overkill for you all. But even with just these few you will get a good feel for the adorable, sassy personality of these two.

Whenever I plan my El Paso trip I always try my best to keep my shooting schedule to a minimum for a few wks following my return to work through all the images as fast as possible...and I know there are MANY anxious Texans visitng my blog daily hoping to get their first glimpse of their loved ones. But I will always schedule a newborn shoot as babies grow so fast and moms are hoping to get announcements out asap to share the news of their newest addition. Little Elise was one that stole my time away. Here brother is still trying to figure out if she is here to stay. I think he will make a great big brother and there is evidence below that she may put up a fight if he doesn't.
It was fun to meet both these little ones as I had photographed their parents wedding when I lived in Phoenix and was commuting up to Seattle for weddings. They were one of my last film clients and I was so pleased when they contacted me to photograph their growing family.








































El Paso families...you will all be seeing your images in the days to come w/o any northwesterners getting in the way.

I was really looking forward to photographing this next family again. With their first sitting their parents were a little skeptical of even getting a few good pictures of all the kids. But the kids were superstars. And they lived up to my expectations this year. As I was leaving the shoot their mom said, "I really hope I didn't make a mistake by deciding to just stay at our home for the sitting." I tried to reassure her that it actually was a perfect location. Although we were limited in spaces given the blaring sun I LOVED the small spaces we did have. I knew she couldn't visualize what I was seeing through my lense...so I am so excited to finally put her worries to rest and share w/ her exactly what I saw. Ruth, I hope these put a big smile on your face!!!

Leading up to every El Paso trip I am always a little nervous whether I will be able to make locations work w/ every family because the sun is usually bright, spring winds can whip and the majority of the city is still brown from winter. Instead of fading once I arrive those uneasy feelings usually get a little stronger as I drive around town w/out a cloud in the sky and very few signs of green. But (thank goodness) a small part of me is also a little energized by the challenge of making the most of every single sitting.
This next family I met first thing in the morning and the El Paso sun was already shining brighter than most days in Seattle. But these 3 boys were so cooperative w/ me and made my job much easier.