Jessica was easy to convince- after seeing a few bridal shots from Jenna, I was easily able to talk Jessica into making the three hour trip to these ruins!

Just had to show off Dara- one of the reasons we went to New Orleans this weekend!  I was looking through her images and Jack walked in- even  the 7 yr old who thinks girls are icky said, “Mama, she is PRETTY!!!”   Yes, she is Jack!

Jenna and her mom are never afraid to travel- and they certainly did plenty of that on Friday.  We went north of Natchez a bit to an awesome site-  I showed her a picture of this place and said “would you be interested in going here?”  She emailed back a resounding YES!!!!   So glad she did!

Oh- I won’t be Facebooking these because of the groom-  but be sure to leave Jenna plenty of comments here!!

I have had a busy month full of senior sessions and it’s been so much fun!  In the midst of all these seniors, Aaron came to have his first birthday pictures made.  He was such a happy boy.

Jenna and Brody (and Jenna’s mom) drove up from Pine Prairie for their engagement session last Friday.  That’s a long drive, and I even think Jenna went to Lafayette that morning for a salon appointment.  We had a long session around town and even drove up to Columbia and back again to finish up.  As I pulled into my driveway after sundown,  I was thinking- “Man I am tired!”  How shallow right? Since- I had a 5 minute drive home.  That was nothing compared to these guys!    I hope they feel the trip was worth it- and I have been super excited about Jenna’s bridal which are later this month.  Can not wait!

I was just looking back over my blog for the last year and I was really working last Feb.  That seems crazy to me, since 1. it’s really terrible looking outside  2.  it’s colder than normal  3. I haven’t seen the sun in, heck I lost count of how long 4. it’s really terrible looking outside!  Is this not the yuckiest winter ever?     I say “DOWN WITH THE GROUNDHOG”  and phooey on 6 more weeks of winter-  I am ready to see some spring around here!  

But I suppose the winter rain is good for staying indoors and I had all my babies home sick today, so why not force them into some pictures?  I have always been inspired by those gritty real life dark black and whites-  lately I have  happened upon some images from Haiti  as well as images from Chernobyl that really moved me.  The images were so emotionally bleak, but beautiful in their play with light and shadows.  I have really been thinking lately about what type of photography inspires me.   I love fun, funky avante guard work and I am often being inspired by other’s work.  In particular, there is a photographer that has always stood out in my mind as  excelling at having visual emotion in her images.  Her black and white images are dark, yet vibrant. While her subjects are children in very odd places, they are beautiful in their composition and with the light and shadows balancing each other  in perfect proportion.  I love light- and I love, in particular, one window in my house that lets in the most gorgeous light filtered through sheer curtains-  that room never lets me down.  So today, with my babies home and me wanting to  play around with gritty black and whites, I went to that room and focused my attention on nice sidelighting and my babies’ beautiful, soulful eyes.  I did come away with dark, gritty black and whites, but also a renewed connection with my children.  I can’t help but look in their eyes and see so much deeper than just a picture, and that will always inspire me.   

I will never cease to be amazed by how fast babies grow!  In one year they change so much and it’s really amazing  how rapidly they go from tiny newborn to a walking toddler- all in the spand of 365 days that whizzes by in a blur of sleepless nights, diapers and sweet smiles.  While I have to say that I completely understand the biological need for a child to grow so quickly, both for it’s own survival and let’s face it- the parent’s sanity, just one year doesn’t seem like enough time to soak in every memory, does it?

Happy Birthday Gracie-  and Congrats Mom!  I hope Gracie’s first year was everything you had dreamed it would be-

Here’s sweet Gracie one year ago-

and here she is celebrating her very first birthday!

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Wasn’t sure how or where to put this, I could email my brides or post here.  I’ll go with that option- I am going to be working in New Orleans in April-  anyone interested in a doing an engagement shoot there?  It would be awesome to get several sessions while I am there!  May as well- and it’s only the coolest city in Louisiana.  Anyone game?

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost Christmas.  This time of year we often hear- “Where has the year gone?” or “This year can’t be over yet”.  But it is and how odd it seems to say- 2010.  I remember how strange the idea of the year 2000 sounded- but the year 2010 sounds even more foreign. Highway 165 was scheduled to be completed this year- and I thought that was eternity away when the work first started in Olla.  Yet, it’s almost 2010 and no flying cars or jet packs like we all expected back in 1985.   

Hasn’t this year been a rough year all around?  Primarily the recession hit hard!  My household was certainly affected.  My family recently lost a loved one, just last week.  It seems that October was a blur of hospitals, waiting rooms and ultimately a funeral.  I do confess, I am a crybaby.  I spent the entirety of October crying, not so much for me, but the others I knew where hurting and feeling so helpless.   I’ll have to get off this subject soon or I’ll be crying again!     Basically, funerals suck and my family has had way too much experience with them.  Please Lord, let us not have another for a while.

Coming out of such a bad month and heading toward the holidays, I feel it particularly important to be thankful for my family and many blessings.  My hugs are a little firmer and longer this week.  Since it’s a time for celebration and giving- so here’s my gift for those who book a Fall or Christmas Session.  I am offering the following:

1.  30 minute Mini sessions November 22- 28th in the evening:  $20.00 session fee,  free 8×10 gift print, 2-3 card designs offered in your viewing session ($75 value)

3.  Full Session (however long it takes!): Regular session fee with  a complimentary 1 pose package:  1 8×10, 2 5×7s &  8 wallets & 10 Christmas cards and still have your $100 print credit!  ($220 value)

Here’s some recent Fall sessions:

I am venturing into some new territory this fall senior season, and I’m really excited!  I am teaming up with Brooke Stroud- a girl who has incredible styling know how and photographic skills to go along with that.  Together we are going rock out some senior sessions! 

Also- I’m running a recession special this year as well and adding some new packages.  I will still have my same package options with professional quality prints.  This year, however, I’m adding a few new digital collections!   My digital collection will be finished jpeg files on a DVD for you to keep, print, whatever you like!   Print them for youself, use them as gifts, put them in scrap books, your cards, your announcements- they are yours to have!   My digital packages with all the ins and outs will be listed on my site.