Project Ten~Dress

A while ago I started a photo challenge called Project Ten. The whole point is to challenge myself as a photographer and think outside of the box. I have been lurking, yes lurking, around the facebook page for sometime, deciding whether or not to dive in. 

Believe it or not, I am shy about sharing my work with other photographers, especially the awesome photogs in this group. I mean they are incredible. 

So I said to myself "Self, are you just gonna sit on the sidelines or are you gonna get in the game?"

Without further analysis, I gathered up my oldest baby, Kayleebri, and decided to go out and shoot.....

This dress is my daughter's FAVORITE! She does everything in this dress, including finger paint. I almost tossed it in the trash and she begged me to give it to her grandma to fix it. Grandma, the creative soul that she is, just sewed pretty flowers over the paint spots (Why didn't I think of that?).

Here is the final product (go easy on me).....

Project Ten~Dress

 Kaylee is obsessed with my camera, so I let her play with the camera prop. In true six year old fashion she says to me "Mom, it doesn't work, so you should just let me have it!" Ha! good try kid!

Cuteness Overload!

So I am finally getting around to blogging this awesome sesh with a little girl that was too cute to be true.....thats right, I'm talking about the one and only miss Rylee~

Her beautiful big blue eyes just drew me in.....

 And Oh boy, Did she have mama Marie on the run or what??

 This little beauty is gonna give her momma a run for her money! Marie and little Rylee are two peas in a pod~

And with my good friend Stacy in the mix, it just keeps getting better

We had sooo much fun at this sesh, even though it was hotter than hot! I am so honored I was chosen to capture a part of Rylee. Her vibrant personality just shined through. Thank you, Stacy, Marie and Rylee for allowing me to capture your lives, even just for an hour, I love you all~

Mommy's Little Boy~

Hi Everyone!

Its been a while since I posted. Life has been busy for my family and I especially me personally. My focus is elsewhere right now, but I would never miss an opportunity to see one of my favorite babies in the whole world! Remember that adorable baby I who's newborn photos I took a while back?

Well I took his three month photos, just a bit ago, thats right, three months! Can you believe it? Time has flown and baby Xavier has grown so much! He is such a good little boy, and did wonderfully at his three month photo session.

I had so much fun with him and momma Lexy:) I can't wait to take his six month photos! 

If you didn't get the chance to see his newborn photos, I posted a few below so you can see how much he has grown, as well as mom's maternity, all in order. Check it out!

Camping Shmamping~

This past week my family and I (I mean the WHOLE family--mom & dad in law, sis in law, bro in law etc) camped in the White Mountains for the annual family vacation. Most of you don't know that I grew up a city girl. Six years later, I am still adjusting to camping and the whole bit. When I wasn't spending my time running from bees and wasps, which I am deathly afraid of, I had so much fun sitting around the campfire with my family just shooting the breeze.

My girls Kaylee and Kennedy seem to love the outdoors and therefore are NOT bonafide city girls like their mama.  Kaylee loves bugs and Kennedy loves looking at the trees. I had the perfect opportunity to take photos of the girls, especially since it was Kennedy's first camping trip.

I may not be in love with camping like the rest of the Schmidts, but seeing my girls happy and their faces full of wonder, I would camp 50 times a year if I could.

My Learning Curve~

Yesterday, I had the most amazing day EVER! I had a mentor session with Jessica Downey. I am a huge fan of her work and to be able to meet her in person just sweetened the deal!

I can't believe how much I learned in one day. I prepared months in advance for this session. Going into something like that, you never know what to expect. Especially when a photographer is on a way higher level than yourself. Jessica is the sweetest most genuine photog I have ever met. She didn't make me feel like I didn't know anything, no question was off limits.

I am so glad I have chosen Jessica to be my mentor. For anyone out there that is thinking of starting a business, photography specifically, finding a mentor is well worth the investment. If they are a good mentor and they do not mind sharing what they know with you, that knowledge will save you tons of time and frustration. Just to have someone explain things in layman's terms, is worth it, TRUST ME.

So at the end of the session, we did a photo shoot with an adorable family. I am so glad they took time out of their evening to allow us to photograph them and their two adorable little girls.

Check out pics from the session below!

Not so little memories~

Growing up.

Today was Kaylee's last day of kindergarten. She is officially going into first grade....where the heck does the time go? Such a bittersweet moment. I was looking at photos of her the other day from when she was 2 and 3 and I was amazed at how much she has changed and grown. Yesterday I sat down inside to watch her play outside the arcadia door with the water hose on our back porch. She was having such a great time all by herself.  As I sat and watched her I realized that this phase will pass as did all the others. What would life be like when she no longer plays by herself with such un-adultured joy? What will life be like when parents embarrass her? In a way I guess I dread the future, the loss of her childhood, I dread her growing up.

You see, those memories that I think are just little ones, really are big memories. I plan to enjoy each and every not so little memory with my not so baby girl....

1st Birthday~

Milestones~

Saturday, I did a session with the cutest little girl EVER, named Madelyn. Miss Madelyn turned is turning 1 year old. This is a huge milestone. Us mamas realize our little babies are growing up and there is no going back.

After this little cutie pie warmed up to me, we got some adorable cake smash shots and afterward, went out and took some family photos with dad Aaron and mom Holly. These two are such great people, I'm sure their little girl will be just as wonderful. Daddy better watch out for those boys when she becomes a teenager!

We had such a great time just hanging out and taking pictures, time flew by! So glad to meet Miss cutie Madelyn and her great parents!

Check out a few shots from the session below~