Childhood and Change - The 'C' Kids!

I remember her as if it were yesterday. 

We were BFF's when big hair, and wearing different colored, double scrunched socks was cool. 

On second thought...I'm not sure if we really did that...that parts kinda fuzzy. ; )

We would make mixed tapes back when you could record off the radio,
and I remember lip syncing with her to Whitney Houston.
Hands down she had the best sense of humor.
You knew where she was before you even saw her, because of her hearty laugh.
She was always laughing.
She made you feel as if you were the funniest person on the planet. 

***

Life has a way of changing things. School changes us. Friends change us.
Just like the times we had together...forever changed who we are today. 

I believe each person we meet along the way helps shape us whether we know it or not. 

High school comes with new friends, and new classes...and before you know it,
your once intertwined paths now lead you in separate directions. 

I'm not sure really how it happens or why, but I'm grateful for the moments I remember.
I'm pretty sure my childhood wouldn't have been quite the same without her...
or our shared affection for Hostess Cupcakes. 

***

Facebook made us acquaintance again, and when her third babe was born
I was invited to be a part of her life once again to capture the new addition to her family.

I wanted to sit down with them all and tell them everything that we did together as kids.
How much fun we had, and about all of the adventures.

I wanted to re-live it all once again...but life was moving quicker then I wanted.
Christine had a newborn to tend to,
and I had a daughter to get off the bus and kids to pick up at the sitter.
I left that day with things un-said...but not un-felt. 

Perhaps the only gift that lasts a lifetime are memories.
I'm so very thankful for a gift that keeps on giving.

Meet Bernie...and Olivia.

Meet the best eyelashes I have ever seen...and Jack!

My favorite part of photographing children is when they are in their element.
Their expression and body language show such contentment.



Sighhhhh....

 Slightly soft in focus, but the content is certainly there so I had to include it!

and sometimes kids might surprise you with an impromptu hug...



The gorgeous Mama, and the newest addition, Chloe.

6 days young...

Change happens everyday. It's inevitable, whether we decide to greet it or not.

So much has changed...but the memories still remain...the same.

Thanks Christine, for a trip down memory lane...
and a peek into your happy life.

p.s

Before you go, leave your thoughts below...

p.p.s.

20 comments = complimentary gift for the family

Sisters

There is something a bit magical about siblings. There is this undeniable bond. 

At times it's a love/hate relationship. 

The same person you want to hug with all your might, you want to strangle in the next breath.

Oh yes. There is arguing...there is stealing borrowing clothes. 

There is sibling rivalry and there is this connection that no one can ever really duplicate 

unless you shared a home...and a childhood together.

There is this shared life between you. 

A memory that is made all the better because you had a best friend to share it with then...

and even more so...now.

In the words of Marion Garretty, 

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

Have a look at these beautiful sisters...

What is it about dandelions that make you feel like a kid again?

What a face!

The expression of a teenager! : )

I can't wait for the day that I can get all of my own kids to look at the camera at the same time. 

These girls sure made it hard for their Mama to pick out her favorites. 

I can just picture this image tucked into the side of a vanity mirror when they girls are older, out in the big old world (away at college), or living on their own. 

Some moments in between...

This was actually the last frame of the day, as we were heading back to our cars. 

While the picture is less than perfect, I love the individuality of a profile. 

It something as a Mother we know by heart.

There was a park at the far corner of where we had our session. Sooo we ran over for a few shots. 

One of my faves...

I love seeing kids holding hands...

Thank you 'F' family for spending the afternoon with me. 

You were all a dream to work with!

p.s

Before you go, please leave your thoughts below.

20 comments = a complimentary gift for the family!

Gianna's Communion Session

I have been super short on words lately so I can keep up with my workflow. 

Just wanted to share this precious little lady's communion session!

I looove everything about a communion session. I love the age, I love the dresses, I love the veils...

I just love, love, love!

Isn't she a doll?

Come on. Look. At. That. Face. 

Beautiful!

Love the expression and sideways glance...

Sometimes a 'Mona Lisa' smile is just as perfect too.

Here's hoping all your wishes come true!

Check back later on in the week when you can see Ms. G with her gorgeous sisters!

It was one of my favorite sessions.

Can't wait to share it.

p.s

Thanks 'F' family for the fabulous and fun session!

Double the Fun - The 'E' Family

Ohh how the time is flying.

This month is very, very crazy for me, but I wanted to give you all one or

two quick teasers from last weeks session.

Hopefully after this week I will be caught up enough to do a full blog post.

But for now...let's start with these two, 6 month old twin cuties and of coarse a quote to go with it!

'The work I do for twins, naturally comes double

But four arms to hug me, repay all my trouble.'

Come on now...look at that face...and those eyes!!

and his brother...is full of the same exact cute-ness!

What super adorable babies...that have the most amazing eyes ever.

I love the interaction of twins.

There's like this secret language.

Meet the Fam...

Thank you both for spending a chilly afternoon with me.

I had a great time meeting you and the boys.

You made raising twins look easy -  they way you both worked so effortlessly together.

P.S

Thanks Andi and Joann for sending the 'E' family my way.

Content - The 'C' Family Kids

I'm not sure they even stopped to breath when I was there.

At 2, 3 and 4 there is no such thing as sitting really.

Well, maybe if you include sitting for a half a second and then jumping out of your seat for no apparent reason -
other then to run in a totally different direction just for the heck of it.

Ahhhh to be a kid. 

I felt at home there.

I felt that someone could relate to my world.  

We tried to sit in trees, we tried to sit in a leaf pile, we tried to sit on a hammock,
we tried everything we could to keep them still...but then
 really from a kids point of view, where is the fun in that?! ; )

And that's just it.

When kids are in their element you may not get the perfect pose,

but hopefully what you do get is that relaxed, expression of your children looking content.

And isn't that really what we all strive for?

Contentment.

As crazy and as lively as the afternoon was - it was nice because we were just in the moment.  

A moment that will actually pass quicker then it will ever sometimes seem.

***

When looking at Mom's memories on the wall I saw that she was fond of b/w images -
so I decided to go that route this time around  for the blog!

  Look at that mischievous grin...

She took a little while to warm up, but we got there.

I love the sweetness of her smile.

Believe it or not this shot was taken mid way through her sprinting in the backyard -

I called her name and she turned quickly toward me and this is what we caught.

 annnd right before they pushed each other off - they really looked liked they liked each other ; )

 I think being content is not something that we should strive for, it's something we should create.

In our everyday hours there are fleeting moments of this, if we just have a second to take it all in.

And as hard as it may be to see sometimes...

when you do catch it, hold onto it with both hands...cause these are the

moments in between the craziness of life that we want to remember.

Nay, never forget.

And if you want a little play on words...

Being content is the content of a full life. ; )

***

Thank you Elizabeth for having me back this year to document how much your
babes have grown in one year.

I adored spending time with you all!

If you would like to see their lives at the same time last year, click here:
http://showandtellphotography.blogspot.com/2010/11/c-family-lifestyle-session-paradox.html

p.s.

Before you go, leave your thoughts below.
20 comments = Complimentary gift

The Value of Time - Ms. Sarafina's First Birthday Portraits

Happy first birthday Ms. Sarafina!

 5 outfit changes, and a few props later...she was still this happy.

What a sweetheart!

I can't. Even. Stand. The. Cuteness. 

I see a very good mix of Mom and Dad in this next one.

A balloon to a child, I somtimes think, is like a million dollars to an adult.

Don't believe me?!

Here's further proof.

 A child not only teaches us about life and ourselves, but also the value of time.

That it's okay to sit down for a minute to take in the day, the moment, the wonder of it all.

It's okay to leave the dishes in the sink and the laundry in the baskets.

They won't notice.

But you will.

Maybe you'll have a minute longer to think how much has changed since you first met them.

How much they have grown, and really how we have grown within the first year of having a child.

Value is what we make of it.

So make the most out of it.

Sometimes, even for adults...maybe it should be...all about the 'balloon'.

***

Sarafina, my wish for you is that you keep your wonderful curiosity and big ambitions which helped

you accomplish so many milestones this year...for life's big ride.

That, along with your happy disposition and love of 'balloons' will take you far.

p.s.

I'm thinking I may have talked in a riddle up there.

I may have lost a few of you on this last post.

Sorry. It's late.

I hope some of you got it.

Literally and figuratively speaking ; )

There are 365 days in a year.

8,760 hours.

525,600 minutes.

31,536,000 seconds.

All have which have been made better, fuller and more precious...

by one tiny person.

Wishes - Zahara's 1st Birthday Event

I remember driving in the car with my Mom when I was about seven year's old
when the car clock turned 11:11.
'Make a wish', I yelled.

A second later she asked me what I wished for.
I told her I couldn't tell her because it wouldn't come true then.

She told me what she had wished though...'for her family to always be happy and healthy'.

I was crestfallen.

My wish for a new cabbage patch kid seemed to all of a sudden pale in comparison.

How could I have wasted a wish on myself...and with a toy no less?

From that day forward every wish I have made on shooting stars, clock numbers, or

 blowing candles out on a cake - has remained the same.

As I have grown older I have always wonder what other people
wish for when they blow out their candles.
Do they even wish anymore? Or are they much to grown up for that sorta thing?

What do you wish for?
Do you wish big? 

Do you wish for health and happiness too?

***

I had the pleasure to photograph the moments of Zahara's first birthday this past weekend.

While there, I thought how wonderful it is to get to this first milestone.
Not only is it a milestone for the child but for the parent's as well.
The pregnancy and birth is slowly fading into a memory,
the adjustment period of making bottles and changing diapers is more
of a routine now then an interruption.
And gummy grins have turned into Jack-o'-lantern smiles.

What on earth was your life like before them?

***

When we sang 'Happy Birthday' and blew out the candles...I think I heard
Zahara's Mom and Dad make their wish.
And I'm pretty certain it wasn't for a cabbage patch kid either ; )

So, if you know me...I love themes.

If you are having a 'theme' party or wedding...I better be invited to shoot it! ; )

Zahara's Mom did such an amazing job putting together all of the details for the party.

I loved seeing how it all came together.  

So it poured, but luckily with the tents we stayed pretty dry...and the birthday girl was only concerned 

with the happy people then the raindrops!

Mama's other babies...

Some beautiful faces there...

Wishes are fleeting.
A thought. A quick moment. An unexpected surprise.

I think wishes are like dreams, and if you dream hard and long enough they do come true.

I also think they are what you make of them.

Do you believe or do you think you are make-believing?

We all make our own realities.

I've said it before, but I can't help myself from saying it again...
what ever we think about, we bring about.

*note to self...start thinking 'skinny' thoughts ; )

***

Zahara, may happiness and good health let you accomplish any goal and desire you set your

heart and mind too. With those two things, you can do anything.

Thank you Campos Family for making me feel like family rather then the photographer!
It was wonderful to see your family and friends together celebrating such a wonderful and happy time.
I loved every minute of it!

Trials...errr...Trails and Tribulations

I'm a liar.

And it's not really a lie per say, but it's certainly not the truth. 

Like, if I tell you only one more picture...I'm sure you will hear me fire off two or three shots. 

Or if I say I will stop at one cookie...yeah, you know where that's going don't ya? 

Remember when your Mom would tell you 'it's only for your own good'?

That's kinda how I feel. 

That extra picture is good insurance, just in case someone had a funny face on.

And as for the cookies...well, maybe Mom didn't know what was good for me, but I sure did. ; ) 

Soooo if I say it's just around the corner, ummm it might be the hike of your life. 

Kinda like this session the other day.

I was with a 2 and 3 year old and a Mom with a heavy diaper bag. 

We took a 'trail' to go and see a goat. 

Yes. A goat. 

And this goat may just as well have been in Ala-freakin'-bama. 

We ended up taking the scenic route, that's for sure. 

What was I thinking?!

It was pretty, fun and we did manage a few keepers, but I'm sure those kids had a good nap after. 

Hey, who knew that I could not only give you a portrait experience,

 but an afternoon with kids napping experience too?! 

You hear that? 

That's the sound of my phone ringing off the hook! ; ) 

Here are two quickies:

This shot was taken while trying to tickle him and balance a pine cone on my head. 

Oh, and of coarse trying to take the picture too. 

I'm not gonna lie. 

He made me work for it. 

But then again...wasn't it I who sent his little legs on that walk?

Paybacks...lol

and sometimes - a look can be more captivating then a smile. 

I love when a child has that pensive expression. 

It's one of my favorite looks...and one I find the hardest to achieve in an image. 

You want serious, but not sad - and you want direct eye contact. 

Try telling that to a child under 4!

Please note, this is also the look you may get with extensive walking and play! ; ) 

It was literally taken in the 'parking lot' next to our cars right before we left.

I'm not sure the post would be complete if I didn't add a picture of the dang goat!

Jill, I feel the need to not only say thank you for being so fabulous during the trails and tribulations, 

but also for cursing me only in your head which was nice. ; ) You were so calm and cool. I love you for it.

Thank you!

Also, a special thanks to Stacey who was kind enough to send Jill and her family my way!

I think I'll close with a Roy Roger's lyric that I think is apropo...

"Happy trails to you...until we meet again...

Some trails are happy ones, others are blue.

It's the way you ride that counts. 

Here's a happy one to you."

Thanks Jill, Delaney and Liam for making it a happy one!