She melts my heart

As I'm going through our vacation photos, I found this one. Katie melts my heart. She's trying to become so independent lately, and she's testing those 2 year old limits and boundaries well. However, that smile she gives me reminds me how very much I love her. It also serves to get her out of trouble quite a bit as well.

We barely got done with the outdoor photos before the rain! They were troopers to the end. I had so much fun with these kids, singing, acting silly, and playing. Their backyard is so pretty, and I know my own kids would love that tire swing!


She has such a good singing posture, and she loves to sing. What are her favorite songs? "If your happy and you know it," "The Barney Song," and "Row, Row, Row your Boat."



She was singing and doing the hand motions for one of the songs. I just loved all her facial expressions. So lively, so animated, so incredibly adorable!


But her brother had the very best silly poses and faces!

Back from vacation!

I'm still going through my emails, my messages, and looking at my calendar to remember where I am and what I've promised. Thanks for your understanding as my standard response time is somewhat slower at the moment. I will definitely share some of my favorite images from our trip. They are total snapshots, but this photographer was a Mommy on vacation!



Yes, that memory just about sums up our trip!

June 1st - Price Increase

I know we all hate it when prices go up, but believe me when I say this it necessary! As gas has gone up, my expenses for traveling to sessions, traveling to deliver prints, and meeting for ordering sessions have increased. In addition, shipping costs for prints and other items for the business have increased raising the cost for those items. Then, like they have each year, the lab has increased prices of the actual prints as well! I tried to wait as long as I could, but looking ahead at ever increasing prices for gas I thought it was time.

Effective June 1st, a new price book will be in effect. This will ONLY apply those of you booking a session on June 1st or later! All sessions booked prior to June 1st will be on the "old prices" and "old session fees." It's only fair as they have been waiting for their session time to come up.

Session fee is going to a flat $75, travel outside a specific radius (30 miles) from my home will incur a set fee per mile past the 30 mile radius. Mileage will be determined based on Mapquest miles stated.

Anyone who books a session prior to that date will have their choice of "old" prices or "new" prices if their session is after June 1st. I am creating some new packages based on things clients have asked for in the past.

I can not believe it is summer already!

Where has the time gone? Wasn't it just yesterday we were shivering in the snow flurries and battling illnesses like the flu? It seems we blinked, and it's time for swimming, hiking, camping, vacations, summer camps, playing with friends, and having fun.

I've opened my summer months for sessions, and June is almost completely full, July is filling up quickly, and not so many people are asking for August outdoor sessions at the moment. If you were wanting a session during this time of sunshine, outdoors fun, childhood fun days, you need to talk with me soon!

I do have some great ideas for sessions during the summer, so if you just know you want portraits taken then talk to me about those ideas. Perhaps we'll come up with something that strikes a chord in your heart strings, that will make you remember these summer days spent with your children!

Now, for those of you who like to really plan ahead, I'm taking names for those who are interested in fall sessions and will contact those people first when I open the months up for sessions! If you have a particular date in mind, or just know you want those brilliant fall leaves, then please let me know that as well.

A day later than promised, but hopefully worth the wait!

Such gorgeous children, and so precious! I loved every minute of our session together, the playing, the posing, the smiles, the laughter, and funny faces!

What funny faces you might want to know? These! I love them!

I'm late with this Sneak Peek!

I told them Monday. Well, it's LATE Monday. Boy am I embarrassed, but I blame the storms Saturday night.

So, Mom & Dad, I'm working on it....

These children will melt your heart!

I feel like she's asking her brother how much she is supposed to smile at that silly woman with the black box to her face.

These two children love each other so much. He would hug her, she would hug him back. They played ring-a-round the rosie, and they imitated each other. I know the parents got a work out (keeping active little ones from the water), but I hope they feel it is all worth it!

See, she did warm up to me. OK, she was more interested in what her brother was shaking that made noise.

Isn't her dress beautiful? I loved it!

Her brother's outfit was gorgeous too, isn't it?

Happy Mother's Day!!

I wanted to wish my friends and clients a very Happy Mother's Day! I hope you all had a wonderful day. The storms last night put a halt to my working late, then from the moment I got up this morning my day was filled with kids, laughter, love, and memories.

Rewarding myself

Have you ever had things to do you kept procrastinating on? I did this week. I also had this session that I was anxious to download and edit, but I knew, if I started I would keep going until I was done. I was that excited about the photos! I made a promise to myself, fold the laundry then I could play!



Wasn't it worth it? I have plenty of time to finish up proofing this session now.


I have so many favorites from this session, and I should have them ready for the family soon. I hope these few can tide you over, if not, let me know and I will post a few more.

About me - I've been tagged!

My blog has been tagged, by Jenny Thrasher (of Jenny Thrasher Photography in Oregon). I'm not that interesting of a person, honestly, but here goes nothing!

The rules are:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answer the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

here goes.....

10 years ago I was newly arrived in Huntsville, AL with a 4 month old child and interviewing for my first job after graduating from college with my degree. I ended up getting a job working at Intergraph Corporation. I enjoyed my time there, but would not say I loved it as I missed my baby!

5 things on my to do list today...
~Proof 2 sessions
~Karate & Piano Lessons for Kids (I'm the chauffeur)
~Clean house and gather things for thrift store donation
~Contact clients
~Homeschool Parent meeting

If I were a billionaire the first thing I would do is pretty boring. I'd tithe the 10%, then gift the church with extra. I'd pay off our existing debt, fund $300K into each child's college fund, gift each of my nephews (and future nieces or nephews) with college funds. What is left? Oh wow...ummm...WAY too much. I'd invest for a great retirement, then I'd start giving. I'd give to Love Without Boundaries, A Child's Right, Half the Sky, Autism Speaks, Make a Wish Foundation, and Orphan's Ticket Home. Oh and Shoahannah's Hope. Actually, I would probably create a fund for people who are adopting. OH there is so much I would do. Of course we would go to Disney World, DisneyLand, Tokyo Disney, Disney Hong Kong, Disney in France, and I think that is all the locations for now. :)

My bad habits include drinking Dr. Pepper, reading fluffy romance novels, and chatting online for hours at night.

5 places I've lived...Tucson, East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and HERE!

I'm too lazy to actually TAG 5 other people. So, if you are reading this, consider yourself TAGGED and then let me know you posted the info on your blog. (I guess that is another bad habit of mine.)

Beautiful 2 year old

I've had the distinct pleasure of watching this young lady grow up to be a wonderful 2 year old (and yes she IS wonderful).


She played a little shy with me (but notice those beautiful eyes peeking out from sniffing the flower).


She had her special friend with her, and I love taking images with the special friends. I had one growing up, and I wish I had a photo of me as a child with that bear (and my fuzzy blanket). I know her parents will treasure the photos of that lamb with their daughter in years to come.


She had a good time with her parents more than she did with me (remember she was a little shy with me). She pointed out the trees, the flowers, and the water. It was so cute.


Then her attention was captured, she turned her back and sat down...


What so so intriguing to her you wonder?

Dirt! Her parents told me that she loves playing in dirt. I love girls who aren't afraid to get a little dirty.

Session from the previous post

Such sweet sweet kids, and we did have fun looking for bunny rabbits, watching my camera blink, and eating giant lollipops!