two cute kids | dallas child photographer

these two incredibly sweet faces needed to update their headshots for their modeling portfolio...of course we had to have some fun along the way. i just love sessions with these kids.

is this not the most delicious smile? thanks for the fun day...

published | dallas child photographer

i got the sweetest email from miss emily at suburban parent magazine. she had seen some of my photos and wanted to discuss using one on an upcoming cover. i was thrilled, honored and definitely excited.

imagine my suprise when she chose 2 images for 2 of their may covers. all i can say is...groovy! and, of course, thank you :)

these girlies are so sweet and so spunky. i just love that everyone can share in these 2 sweet faces. if you havent already, get out there and pick up your copy. the may issues are available today.

i see spots | dallas child photographer

i have know this girlie since she was itty-bitty. she is sweet and quiet and ever so well behaved. and when i am handed these wonderful kids, i see it as a quest. a personal challenge to un-hinge them to the point of pure goofy. nutty. wacky joke telling and giggling at its best.

this kiddo did not disappoint. it took a minute, but she was definitely silly. it was a bit chilly on this particular morning and the poor little thing was in a tank top, not an ounce of fluff to her to even keep her warm. so after i quickly took a few pictures, she says to me, "so, did you get what you needed? can we go to lunch now or do you need another joke?" HA!

can you believe all those delicious freckles?

my cute mom | dallas family photographer

i had to laugh when i looked through all of these photos. i took these some months ago after a commercial shoot for a children's clothing boutique. i had needed models so we gathered all the cousins together and hoped for the best. one had an ear infection, 2 were starving. one kept getting bug bites and one refused to cooperate. 2 used the closest tree when "nature called" and weren't too pleased. the boys wanted to play in the creek and one of the girls scowled at me from the moment she stepped out of the car. HA!

despite it all, we captured some great photos. we were exhausted. tense. ready for a "spicy frozen mommy drink."

my mom had asked if i would take a photo or two of her after the mahem and i have to tell you, that part - taking pictures of my mom - was so much fun. my sister was there, ipod in hand, blaring lady gaga. my 11 year old was trying to show my mom a few of her hip-hop moves and we laughed.

we laughed hard. the kind of laugh that makes you cry. i couldnt see a thing.

i love my mom. she is a really good person. and a good sport. and beautiful.

thanks mom, for being patient...and i will have you know that i didnt post any of the truly hilarious pictures. not becuase they are terrible but because ... well ... you know where i live! :)

i hope you like...

love this face | dallas child photogapher

i love this kid. she is so easy, and fun. i typically have a session with her a couple times a year and she is such a goof-ball. this session, however, had a purpose. she needed to update her headshots. our little cutie-pie is a working woman now as a model and it's not hard to see why.

i have seen so many photographers use tents in their sessions and i love the idea. the texture. the color. missy is a little old for it, i guess, but i had just finished making it and wanted to try it out. i knew miss T. would roll with it as she does with most things and i LOVE how it all turned out.

thanks for humoring me and i cant wait to meet you for your next session - which is already in the works - with your gorgeous mother! it should be fun.

till then... peace

i heart faces contest | dallas child photographer

so i decided to slow down enough to enter a contest with i heart faces. i havent entered a contest since...well...it's been awhile. the topic was laughter. although i didnt win {sad} 2 of my cuties were selected as favorites of the judges. how cool!

i will have to enter again! i have the bug now :)

my lovey | dallas child photographer

my little girlie just turned 12.

our labor and delivery was not smooth. it was a bit rough, actually. in fact, i was in so much pain and goofy from the medications that i didnt hold her for hours...until she finally landed with me. i remember holding this itty-bitty bundle and feeling such a warmth in my heart knowing that she was mine...for a minute...it was kind of scary how much i loved this kid.

she snuggled right into me and we seemed to have stayed that way ever since. you know how you hear people say' "oh, she's a daddy's girl?" well, this is my girl. we seem to have this connection. i love that.

she has changed so much. the blonde curls, cute lisp and chubby cheeks are long gone. but the night she turned 12 i snuck into her room while she was sleeping. she was snuggled under her mound of blankets, surrounded by her stuffed animals and clutching her baby. in the dark i could still see the baby she was. i could also see who she is becoming. i am excited for her journey. i am sad for the time that has passed.

i dont know. 12 seems...big, old, independent. she is such a wonderful person. i just hope that as she outgrows her "kid stuff" she just doesnt outgrow the need for a mom hug.

{sniff, sigh}

i love you lovey!!