The Sweet Side of Sisterhood

These little ladies belong to my boyfriend's sister, so over the 4th of July we grabbed a few minutes at the lake to capture some photographs in a place that has significance for their family. Because I grew up with sisters who are some of my best friends, it always makes me happy to do sister photos. These girls have big, bright personalities and truly compliment each other. It's not that these girls always get along...several years between and two distinct personalities tend to lead to some definite differences. But there's that sister thing; I love photographing that. They know how to make each other laugh just as well as they know how to push each other's buttons. They look out for each other. They share not just toys and parents but this story: they are sisters, and they are friends. I anticipate on their behalf just how sweet that friendship can one day be as they grow up, and I hope these photos illustrate a bit of that sweetness today.

Brothers. Buddies. Best.

I spent a week in Lexington in June for a Honey and Salt wedding and got to photograph several families as well. The bad news is it rained the entire trip. The good news is this family did not mind one little bit. The boys' interactions illustrated that having a brother as a buddy is the best thing ever. It mattered not that midway through the session the aforementioned rain came down, in spite of sunny skies, and when it rained, it poured. Everyone brought their best selves: big smiles and willingness to play and plenty of interaction. We continued on, and I am so excited to share this sneak peek. I am loving these photographs!

Introducing Holden

Here are some things about Holden's newborn session that make me smile as I blog these photos: first of all, baby Holden himself seemed to think a photo session meant extra time to snuggle with his family and to stare and sleep and be all around precious. Then there was his mom whose gentleness and tenderness with her tiny son demonstrated the amazing way a heart instantly expands to love new life. And his dad was similar but as he followed his toddler daughter around (you can't leave a two-year-old untended!) turned to me and said, "I just love my little girl." We wondered at the maternity session how Lauren would adjust to a newborn in the mix. She's precocious and busy and, well, two. The answer (and this is what I loved seeing the most): she adores him. Here's a sneak peek of Holden's session so that you can see for yourself.

Happy!

A two-year-old photo session on a beach with a little guy who I met on his birthday last year? What could be more perfect? Well, Bowen is going to be a big brother in a few months, and his grandparents were along for the ride. He thought the beach was delightful. I know this because he laughed every time his grandpa poured bucket after bucket of sand into a castle. He stomped his feet in the water and threw stones to watch them ripple (so long as mama's hand was reachable). I love the intensity in this toddler's eyes. Seeing the way he reached for hugs and kisses made everyone smile, repeatedly. When he noticed balloons nearby being strung for a birthday party, Bowen started to shout, "happy, happy." And that's the word to summarize these photographs: happy indeed.

"See You Next Soon..."

Alex shouted, "see you next soon," when I left their house last night; I had to drop by. It had been a few days since their session, and I guess he wanted to be sure there'd be a next time, and soon. Over time a tremendous thing happens in client relationships; babies I photographed brand new become into precocious little boys. As I watch those little boys grow up through my lens, it just so happens that they start to remember me. They start to tell me their stories and ask about my day. As much as I want to draw them out and make them laugh, they seem intent on getting me to laugh as well. They may not be the easiest ages for a low-key photo session, but they are delightful ages nonetheless. Alex and Sam are 2 and 4, and I've known them their whole lives. That I have been their photographer the whole time makes every session that much more meaningful to me. Their mom has become a friend.

I really love the feel of these photos- that the boys' eyes have light and laughter in them, that Leigh Ann looks happy and warm, that affection is woven throughout. These photos illustrate who they are at their core, and it's beautiful to see. Love photographs well.

Just the Boys

They're adding a sister to the mix this summer, so their parents wanted to capture a few "boys being boys" photos of their sons before the new baby arrives. If you give a pair of little boys open space and ask for silly faces, muscles, hugs, kisses and jokes, the end result will be a robust set of images that shows lots of personality and the obvious adoration the two have for each other. I wanted to share a quick sneak peek here and cannot wait to share the full gallery with their mom and dad soon.

The Whole Family, Finally

When we did Brendan's newborn session, his big sister was globetrotting, so we planned a second session to capture some photographs with the whole family. Then we had weather and sickness and more weather and more sickness. It took a few months, but we finally gathered to do a photo session with the whole family. I love seeing how big baby Brendan has gotten and how doted on he is. This is a lovely family with a sweetness about their relationships. Everyone showed up with their best selves. Sweet Isobel is such a confident beauty, and she's taken to the role of big sister like a pro. I am so enjoying documenting this family's story. Previous sessions can be viewed here and here.

Together

This crew lives in separate cities and visited Dallas over the holidays. We met up to get some photographs of everyone all together, and of course, the little guy was the star of the show. Watching an extended family enjoy the life and light a small child brings allowed me to see a freshness and joy on the faces of all involved. I liked hearing memories and stories as we did the session. When clients share a bit of who they are it consistently makes me feel grateful that I get to be a part of helping capture their story visually. In a few years there may be new partners and children; there will certainly be new adventures and life change. Over Christmas in 2013, though, a spread-out family gathered and took a bit of time within that gathering to preserve a memory of who they are right now. The end result? The unique beauty of one family doing their thing. I am excited to share a sneak peek.

Look What Santa Brought!

So much sweetness at this newborn session that I don't quite know what to say. Twin baby girls just a week old who were snuggled up and sleepy and content for the entire time I was doing their photos? I wouldn't have dared hope for such easy going babies. Newborns can be challenging, and it's always amazing to photograph them. That said, having two so cooperative to work with was so lovely. Their big brother was proud and doting. His grandma took him to school once we finished photos with him and the girls (I'd done his individual portraits in November). We did these photos before Christmas, and I'm excited to finally be back to blogging after the haze of the holidays! Cannot wait to see how these little peanuts (both were just over 5 pounds) grow and change between now and our next session!

A Winter Morning

It's not often that a Dallas session means bundling up for cold weather. That said, last weekend was a total freezing rain out, and when this crew rescheduled, it meant a cold morning-before-Thanksgiving session around the Bishop Arts District. Camille was such a trooper, wrapping her hands in her scarf between takes. Camille is such a young lady, full of poise and grace. She has a big laugh and beautiful smile.I love the simple interaction and felt love in these photographs. The weather may have been cold, but I have no doubt that hearts were warm.

Three's Company

When we scheduled this session, the hope was to get some photographs of these guys at home, doing their thing. That's just what we captured, and it's so fun to look at these photos and see three little ones being themselves. With two-year-old triplets, the only thing I was sure of going into the session was that I'd spend the entire session on the move. These three? Their little voices and interactions are really sweet, and as long as we kept signing and dancing and peek-a-booing, everyone had fun. As it turns out, even family dog Rookie willingly participated. While it was fun to be able to see the session go as planned, what I love about these images is the genuine smiles and laughs and love that shows up in the babies piled on the bed and with favorite books being read. By the time I left, three little pairs of arms volunteered hugs, and sweet little Liam gave me a kiss. Already looking forward to next time!

Getting Upgraded!

This little man is getting upgraded to big brother in a few short months, so I was excited to get to do one more session while he's flying solo. Jack was one of my newborn clients, and now he's a very busy two! That meant the session was spent going, going, going, and I'm glad I got to see who he is right now. Jack is enthusiastic and opinionated, but when his mom and dad asked him to do something (mostly stop running...as twos are prone to do) he would stop and think about it. And usually he turned around. And came back. This kid is smart. And adorable. Love this sneak peek.

Everybody, All Together

My mom's family hired a photographer every few years to update family photograph to include the ever-increasing number ofnew additions. I remember both the photo shoots and looking through the proofs of those sessions time and again as a child. When Kate contacted me about photographing her husband's extended family when everyone was in town, I thought back to those sessions and was excited to get to work with a family to capture a glimpse of who they are in 2013. We gathered at the park and did the song and dance of trying to keep the little ones' attention. Everyone laughed a lot (well, the baby only laughed a little, as sometimes happens with babies...). All in all, it was a fun morning, and I wanted to share a sneak peek.

These Littles

Has it been six years since I nannied tiny baby twins? I was just starting my photography business and needed extra income. What I didn't know was that I also stood to gain a four-for-one deal of friendships that have so enriched my life. They are the reason I started going to Massachusetts. I had to watch the littles grow. I am so grateful that we have remained in touch. This year the entire trip was marked by seemingly endless rain, so we didn't capture as many formal photos as is typical, but I still love these images. They are real life and full of beauty.

Here Come the W Three

Three-and-a-half years ago, my sister and I met the W family on a flight to Kentucky. The triplets were babies, and we wound up sitting across the aisle. We visited a bit on the flight and a few months later, I got to do their photos for the first time. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I met up with my favorite trio of four-year-olds to update their photos. They are so full of life and personality, and I think they are the smiley-est kids I know. I just adore this family, and I just adore these photographs. So much life and love to see. I pulled a photo from each of their previous sessions this morning, and I love seeing how these three have grown and changed. One thing has stayed the same: they are such cuties!

It's a Moment in Time

A visiting grandma and a soon-to-be developed empty field moved the timeline of this session up a bit. "It's a moment in time," Christie said when she booked the shoot. Their neighborhood is undergoing constant change these days, so we used a place that has been special to their family before it goes away. Everything about this session shouts of everything that matters about family photos. It's not that the light was perfect, though it was. It's not that the location was ideal, though it was. It's not that the dog cooperated, though she did. It's that everyone showed up, as themselves, and let me catch a glimpse into the world that makes a family work. It may have been a moment in time, but I suspect that empty field or not, there are endless moments of stories to be captured of life being lived well for this crew. They just fit. I'm glad I got to capture a glimpse.

Two Turning Three

This is the month of multiples! I photographed twins on Cape Cod, twice, then photographed these lovely little girls this week and have triplets to photograph at the end of the month! I've been photographing these two since they were newborns, and turning three has turned them into enthusiastic chatterboxes, enthralled with princess and baby dolls and oh-so-eager to see everything. The session was laid back and fun, and in a few weeks I get to see them again for their birthday party. I can't wait.

Everyone Needs a Caped Crusader

Meet Chuck, who informed me towards the beginning of our session that he is "awesome." Accompanied by his four-legged sidekick Blue, Chuck is on a mission to play with Legos, to make fast friends and to bring big smiles to those who get to meet him. This is a great kid. It was an honor to take his photograph. I love the results.

This is what amazing looks like.

This session? So much love and goodness and beauty. I always love photographing families, but these images overwhelm me. Is there anything better than witnessing what is good and right and true in the world? These guys give me a picture of that.

Blythe is 1!

Blythe belongs to great friends, so I loved getting to celebrate her first birthday. We did these photographs the day before her birthday, and it was a gorgeous, perfect day for photos. The girls played and picked flowers and laughed, and the color of spring so complimented the celebratory atmosphere of the session. It was a wonderful way to celebrate a precious baby girl.