The Diaz Family

I met the Diaz family in Melbourne Beach last week for a family photography session. We had one of those super clear blue sky days which presents it's beauty along with it's challenges. It worked out great. Just before I shot the photo above I told these siblings that even though they may be in a tough season of practically hating each other, there will come a time in the future when they will be super close and they will love having these pictures... "So, get close and hug each other like you mean it!" Now for my disclaimer: I might have been displacing my own family experience as a teenager and these kids might actually adore each other right now and they may have even been thinking I am a total nutcase but okay we'll humor you. We'll never know, but as you can see they did a great job and there was no
"Mom, tell him to stop looking at me" going on.

Given the choice, I will pick images that make me laugh, sigh or cry any time over the "perfect portrait." So, I love this one above but don't worry mom, there are ones that actually show smiling faces as well! Same goes for below, I love how you can just tell what he is thinking!
He's like "seriously?"

Baby Sasha is 1

I had the pleasure of photographing a first birthday session with this cutie Sasha last week. As I was editing these I called my husband over to look and he said, "Wow, she looks like a doll." How true is that - and coming from a guy even! We did the shoot at the family home in Viera. She was truly a joyful child. We figured out music was key so any time she seemed fussy or bored her parents found whatever object they could grab that plays music (pretty much all toys do that now, a ploy by Duracell I'm sure, but one that worked out in Sasha's best interest!) This girl knows how to BOOGIE DOWN. It was awesome, you should have been there. Oh and the smash cake will speak for itself... she loved it. Make sure you click the first one up there so you can see the perfectly placed bubbles (ha, get it, like I put them there?) The collages here are often ordered as 10x20 prints for framing or mounted to a stand out or canvas for hanging.

IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE.

the key to a perfect lawn: pink mower and just the right dance moves

Finishing off the cake to a little Elmo Radio.

The Rutherford's

Before I meet a new client for a session I usually do a quick scan of all our emails to get a good handle on everything we have discussed and just a general feeling of the people I'm about to finally meet (assuming we haven't met before.) When I did my search for emails from the Rutherford family, I realized they went back to before Bradyn was born and he is now 6mths old! I was reminded that due to his mom's bed rest and his early arrival, things were put on hold. I was reminded that to his mommy he is a miracle baby -and that just got me excited. We met in Melbourne Beach and got in some time with the grandparents (they are sooo googly eyed over Bradyn but then who wouldn't be and seriously you can't call yourself a grandparent is you aren't -seriously, it is a basic requirement.) So... the highlights...

googlies.

Will I ever get enough of baby feet? No. Will you get sick of seeing them on the blog? I don't care. I love them with the kind of unconditional love that doesn't even mind if they are stinky. In fact, I can admit that I even enjoy the stink of my two year old's sweaty "pigs" (as we fondly call the conventional "piggies.") There is a certain age, around 5-7 years for me, that these sweet things become less appealing but will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank God I will be getting some niece and nephew pigs to enjoy by the time mine are all grown up. And then there is always your kids but I feel like kissing their feet is probably crossing the line in our relationship, so I refrain.

mwah.

Baby Ethan

I photographed this sweet newborn last week in his home and he was so content during the whole session (well until he got hungry!) He was just at 10 days old I believe which is great because I always recommend if you are scheduling a newborn session that you do it in the first ten days. His mommy had called me from the hospital after he was born - she was smart to plan ahead!

Who says newborns don't smile?

I love this one

hmmm he looks like he might be hungry...

Yep he's hungry!

Jenna and Dave's Wedding

Ahhhh, last week was a whirl of wedding, family and baby sessions and Spring Break at the Gray home as well! My family had some good times together in the midst of my husband and I juggling work. We went to the zoo one day, the beach and of course celebrated Easter! I hope to get some pics up soon of the kids! For now, I am excited to let all my clients from last week see their highlights here on the blog plus I am on a mission this week and next to complete 4 custom wedding album designs! Bear with me!

Jenna and Dave had beautiful weather on their wedding day. Good thing since they were married on the beach! Seriously this was the kind of good weather that happens right after lots of not-so-exciting weather and makes you want to buy a convertible. I didn't do it even though the sign that said I could have one if I brought in my W-2. Although I did end up buying a mac book from Dave and he didn't even have a sign like that.

I designed the images below for Jenna and Dave as custom album spreads for my 12x12 lay flat books. Enjoy!

I always blog the girls so this one is for the boys!