Happy Birthday Sam!

On Monday this week my Sam turned 6 years old. In that time we've laughed a lot: at ourselves during those initial attempts to "swaddle" (still never got that), at Sam sulking while sucking his fingers in a giraffe costume (say that 10 times fast), and at each other during countless trips to the park, impromptu dancing in the kitchen and watching our favorite animated features together as a family (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a must-have).

Anyway, Sam is a really great kid. We're biased of course, but it pleases me to no end when teachers, neighbors and sometimes complete strangers comment on how sweet Sam is. Bill thinks that means a constant pummeling at school, but I'm content with my sweet kid. And besides, he'll manage even if he has to outwit any would-be bully with simply his brain. You can count on that one for sure. (Yeah, I talk tough but really I want to bubble wrap him until he's 37. Bill says no.)

So in honor of Sam's birthday, I'll leave you with the song I wrote for him when he was a week old. I was inspired. It goes like this:

Sammy is my Sammy, uh-uh-uh-uh-uh (syncopated of course)
Sammy is my Sammy, uh-uh-uh-uh-uh
Rinse, repeat

Great huh? Love ya kiddo.

I love Christmas cards!

I love getting holiday cards. Every day from about the first week of December through Christmas day, I run to the mailbox to see what cards came. I love all the variety, the extra touches, the funny and sweet photos chosen and of course the personal correspondence saved especially for that time of year.

But, this year was a little different. As you know, I photographed several families specifically for holiday cards. It's always a treat to get a card in the mail, but when I actually received each of those families' cards I was really floored. It was so rewarding to review each, see what photo or photos each family chose, and to receive their notes. I'm so glad I started this little side business o' mine for so many reasons, but to be able to spend time with such lovely people and give them the images they are proud to send to everyone special in their lives is, well, right at the top of the list. Many thanks to the Harveys, Swords, Leas, Wearnes, Cerrutis, Laus, Braswells and Rayburns.

Happy New Year

Hi all and Happy New Year. I finally dragged my Christmas Day photos out of my camera to post today. This was the first year that the Andersons went absolutely nowhere for the holiday - just the way we wanted. There were plenty of days we stayed in our pjs too - just the way we wanted. We visited with friends, enjoyed watching the boys play with their toys, went bowling and had a lovely visit with my sister Alicia - just the way we wanted.

The year is already getting off to a crazy start - work travel, karate belt tests, signing the boys up for t-ball and getting ready for the possibility of two separate leagues because of their ages, and oh, Sam's birthday (which is today - pics to come tomorrow).

I hope you had a wonderfully restful (and boring) holiday - just the way you wanted.

Get 'em while you can

For this family shoot, I've decided the theme was "catch that baby." Everyone sat down, Sutton promptly got up and galloped toward my camera. Everyone gathered over here, Sutton managed to be over there. She is 1 1/2 after all - what else would she be doing?

Anyway, we managed to corral everyone together for a few shots on a lovely Fall afternoon the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I've photographed these children before (you remember Jack or Sam's future wife Charlotte), and was happy to reprise the role of photographer for the whole family.

Sutton, Charlotte and Jackson are our neighbors' children and my kids just love playing with them. Their ages are just about the same as Sam and Jack, so the boys are able to look up to Jackson and hang out with the girls at the same time. Per-fect! Needless to say, we had great fun playing in the leaves and finding acorns on a beautiful day. Aren't they a handsome family!

Referrals are great

I just love referrals. Yes, the business is nice, but more than that it's such a lovely compliment that someone liked my images enough to recommend me to someone else. This is actually how my latest family shoot came about.

My friend Taylor's mother-in-law was looking for someone to photograph her and her husband with their four grandchildren, and Taylor told her about me (thanks sister). Whoo hoo! I just love the idea of a grandparent/child photo! My grandparents have passed on, and it's this time of year especially I find myself thinking about them even more. I loved holidays with them and while I spent more time with my mother's parents than my dad's father (my paternal grandmother died way before I was born), I have such lovely memories of all three.

Simply put: There's nothing like the grandparent/grandchild connection (my children have been blessed with FABULOUS grandparents) and it was so apparent with these lovely folks too. Here are some of my favorites.
I think this one is my favorite - probably because from this angle Wiley looks sooooo much like my Pop-Pop.



Oh, and Jane and Susan's parents got into the act too.

Somebody catch that dog

Right before Thanksgiving I photographed friends of ours from church. They were one of the first families I photographed shortly after launching my business, and I was so grateful to have them return. This time, however, they wanted to include their new puppy, Bogey. Uh oh. Great on paper, but I wasn't so sure about it in practice. When I arrived the dog ran around like puppies do, pulled us around the yard and actually escaped into the cul de sac for a short while.

Well the funniest thing happened! As soon as we sat everyone down and I started clicking away, the dog transformed into the perfect subject. Sat completely still, tongue wagging and everything. We were all amazed and I was so happy to deliver the image the family was really after (not seen here - can't do that silly, it's for holiday cards). Yeah Bogey!

Way behind

Well, here it is December and I'm way behind in my family posts. Below is a recent shoot I did with good friends Janna and Drew. I photographed their son last year for holiday photos, but this was the first time I got to hang with the whole family. Drew had been after Janna for some time for an updated family photo so I was happy to help.

These guys were troopers -- this session was rescheduled at least six times because of the God-awful weather we had seemingly every weekend. We finally got it in, AND got the gorgeous day we wanted. Below are my faves.