I think it would be safe to say that Nate, along with his siblings, hase the creamitest complexion of any child in the state.  I may be wrong here, but I willstand by that until someone proves me wrong!   With such a soft complexion, I had in my mind a few images with soft muted colors almost matching his yummy skintone.  Of course, Nate is beautiful, but I love the tones and soft colors contrast with his blue hat and striking blue eyes. It helps them  pop off the image.

Now- if I could have talked  Tamarra into having some pictures made of her, I think I would have gotten tons of shots.  I feel like I have sort of let her down, coming away with a handful of images of her boy.  Admittedly, these pictures were tough for little Nate.  It was a last minute impromtu photo session that he didn’t give his consent for,  he didn’t really care to be sat down (ie: Nate really loves his mom and thinks her arms are pretty comfy) and in the end it never helps if you came away with a bruised forehead.    I faired a bit better than Nate and managed to out manuever his rolling and came away with a few gorgeous images of incredible blue eyes and those nice soft colors I wanted.    It also helps that Nate is baby perfection:  chubby, rosy cheeked and big blue eyes!

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?

January seems to be a month that just whizzes by me.  I always consider it a month of playing catch up (on wedding albums, business) But this January was even more of a blur than normal!    I decided on January 5th that I would definately do the Cenla Bridal fair and I dove in head first, sink or swim style, to get ready for the show.  Four albums, brochure, business cards, network cards, 6 large prints, countless other print examples, frames, background walls, decor….no wonder we are tired!  If I had to choose sink or swim, I would say I “swim”  describes the outcome of that day.  Most of the swimming is owed to Sarah & Keri who did an awesome job!  Stu did a wonderful job with construction.   I was unbelievably blessed and surrounded by great people – so the day went off better than I had hoped.  Thank you guys!

I also had a nice break of two newborns this month!  Congrats Alisha & Mike - Keith & Courtney

One more thing-  I am rolling out a new site soon.  It’s gonna be a weddings only site.  All my portrait stuff will be moved here.  The only thing hindering my new site is trying to figure out a new way to proof portraits on the blog.  So if the new site is launched and you have a portrait session you need to order from, let me know and I’ll get instructions to you on how to see a use a new proofing system (one I get the kinks worked out of course!)

Keri and Matt got married on October 24th- which is over a month ago, I know!   I have 4 weddings in the last few months that I have also neglected to blog.   I did a Christmas card for Keri and just realized that I am totally crazy about her wedding!  It’s the type of wedding I would have myself and besides, these two are really great people.   Not only is she totally gorgeous,(and Matt could be a bit of eye candy himself), she has that type of friendly, bubbly personality that makes people want to get to know her.  Their wedding was laid back and fun, not too fussy and with a setting like Hill Country, her images turned out fantastically!   

Wild and crazy kids!  Three is chaos, I always say that . Sarah somehow manages to do what I strive for-  keep all her hair and never raise her voice!

Happy Birthday Camille!  It took us a few chances to finally get together for Camille pictures, and I am so glad it finally worked out!  She is an absolute doll!

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.