I got to meet up with Erin last week on a beautiful (and calm) evening.  We hit two great spots, and she brought some awesome colorful outfits.  I always love the way that color pops against the really natural backdrops.  Erin was so much fun and laid back, even when I asked her to try some kind of goofy things.  I love it when I tell my clients just to trust me, and I can tell they actually do!   Doesn’t she have the most natural smile?  Enjoy your sneak peek, Erin! 

We weren’t quite sure if this session was going to happen, as the sky looked like it was going to open up at any moment.  Luckily, the rain miraculously stayed away and we got to take advantage of some great spots in the overcast lighting.  Kathryn is a fellow soccer player at my high school alma mater, and they recently just finished winning back-to-back state championships.  I was so happy for the team (and a little jealous ) when I heard, so it was fun to hear all about the excitement.  She even let me hold her awesome state ring from last year!  Anyways, she brought a couple of great outfits, including some cowboy boots (which I love!).  And it would be an understatement to say that I’m a little envious of her hair too.  I so wish my hair would do that!  I had a great time, Kathryn – good luck starting your summer workouts!

“We’re up for anything.”  Ahhh, that is music to a photographer’s ears!  As soon as Mom told me that, I knew this would be a fun session.  It definitely did not disappoint!  After a reschedule from earlier in April, we were able to get some bluebonnet shots at just the right time, and then we went over to a nearby nature area.  I was so excited to use my new prop (well, new to photography – I actually had this couch in my room when I was in high school), and it photographed even better than I thought!  We really did have so much fun – as you can see, we tried out a few new ideas, had some running and jumping competitions, and definitely had some good laughs.  A.J. and Dani were so great with each other – it was really sweet and made for some great shots that would melt any parent’s heart.  Mom and Dad were a little nervous as they hadn’t had family portraits taken in a really long time, but just as I assured them they would, they totally rocked it!    Thanks for being “up for anything,” and I hope you guys had as much fun as I did!

Yep, Dani had already sneaked a peek at what was going on back there, and this was what she thought about it.  Priceless!

Off to the races!

If being an NFL quarterback doesn’t work out for A.J., I think he could safely have a career in modeling. 

I finally broke through the “cheese” grin to get the good stuff from Dani – so worth it!

This was planned all on their own – now those are two siblings who are on the same page!  I love that they nailed it!

I have known Michael since he was maybe eight or nine when we moved down the street from his family.  So, when his mom contacted me about doing his senior pictures, I thought she had to be joking!  It just doesn’t seem possible that that much time could have passed.  Of course, I was honored to take them, and we had a great time on an absolutely beautiful evening exploring down in the nature preserve.  Well, apart from all of the bugs that seemed to be “on the attack.”  Michael was so laid-back and easygoing – it made for a really fun session!  I really enjoyed catching up with you (and your mom), and I wish you the best of luck in your big college decision!

Have I mentioned lately how big my little baby is getting?  It’s killing me!  We came back from an out-of-town wedding over the weekend, and I swear she grew 2 inches.  She runs all over the house, tells us “No” when we ask for kisses (lots of the time), eats like a 5 year old, and loves to color with her crayons.  She can climb on one of our couches now with the assistance of the ottoman, and I caught her trying to put a Veggie Tales DVD (that she had gotten out of the case) under our DVD player.  She was close!    She says “Mommy Daddy” and it just melts us, and she loves her “puppies” more than anything.  She goes from room to room yelling “Puupppppeeeyyyy!” until she can locate one that will sit still (normally Rocky), and then she proceeds to bear-hug him (knocking him to the ground) and tickle his feet (“tickletickletickletickle”).  Sometimes she looks and acts so big it makes my heart hurt, and other times she cries and wants to be cuddled just like a little baby (and it makes me happy).   Here are some shots I took of her while we were location-scouting last week.  After I took these (at a nature preserve right around sunset), I proceeded to lock my keys in the car while putting away my camera.  Thank goodness my grandparents only live a few miles away, because my husband was still downtown at work and it took him about 45 minutes to get to us.  We weren’t really dressed for a night trip in the park, so luckily my grandpa came by and let us warm up in his car.  It’s always an adventure around here … enjoy!