Jennifer, LeBrandon and Baby #2...

I met Jennifer's family in Melbourne Beach last week for a maternity session. The little guy here is almost 2 I believe so he will be very close in age to his new brother/sister. Jennifer looked beautiful and her brother in law came along but daddy is currently deployed and on active duty outside the country. She said that her brother in law has been wonderful and has really stepped in to help with his nephew. You can tell that LeBrandon loves his uncle and of course, his mommy. He is so sweet and tiny, lifting him up I got the feeling he might just keep going if I didn't hold on tight! This is because, with my own children (who are apparently filled with some sort of concrete,) I have become accustomed to the experience of actually preparing to pick them up like those body builder guys who crouch down, take a deep breath and then hoist those giant barbells. Or something like that. So, I've got to be careful I don't launch little guys into outer space.
So, Jennifer brought along a jacket of her husband's to bring a little of who he is into our photo shoot and into the expectancy this shoot will recall. I'm sure her excitement for the birth of this child is intertwined with her delight in seeing her husband again. She is expecting him to be home for the birth. It was a beautiful evening!

I am in love with this one above.

I don't know why I love this one, I just do. It's probably going to be one of those times that I have a random favorite and everyone else is going, huh?

Jennifer totally reminds me here of a pregnant Sandra Oh (who I adore in Greys but who would probably -but you never know, please oh please- never call me for maternity photography.)

I love when kids hug with their feet.

Good times. I hope to update you on the newborn as soon as he/she comes out to meet the world. It's 3am and time to turn in! I've got some crazy insomnia thing going on lately and it didn't help tonight when my husband and I finished watching the LOST finale at 1:30 and I couldn't stop my wheels from turning after that!

The Esposito Family

I got to shoot the Esposito Family pictures at their home last week. I was super excited to do this because Mrs. Esposito is my daughter's school principal. Somehow I think we survived 3 years of preschool without me having to be called in to "the principal's office." My Mary has a good dose of determination and down right fiesty-ness. And if you are assuming right now that those traits came from me than yes you would be right. I had more than my fair share of trips to the principal's office. However, let me pass the buck and remind you that it couldn't have started with me. So, who is really to blame? My parent's of csourse.
You can blame almost anything on your parents.
I was really looking forward to meeting Chris's family. She is so great at First United Methodist Preschool. I told her a couple years ago that she is in the perfect job. I see her all the time caring for her staff and the children as well but I can tell she is not only caring but a good strong leader too. We've been talking about doing these pictures for a while. Chris warned me that her family was not totally into it but would hopefully cooperate as a mother's day gift to her. I thought they did exceptionally well. Also, I think I will start bringing other families to Chris's back yard for photo sessions. Maybe even borrow the dog.

Chris has two kids in college. My kids understand that they are not allowed to do that. Well, unless they both get full rides which of course they will because of course they are brilliant. The verdict is still out on Davis who according to speech therapists is a "motor boy." His scholarship might have to be for sports. I love my motor boy and treasure the fact that he isn't talking much yet. The Lord does not give you more than you can handle and I can't handle another child who talks as much as the first two. He does love to play catch though and that works for me. But then there is his friend Lucy who is his age and I keep seeing video of her on facebook singing songs and reminding me that some 2 year olds say more than
ma-ma. ball. da-da. touchdown.

This is one happy dog. I LOVE this picture.

See those faces saying "I love you mom."

Girlfriends and boyfriends joined in on the photo-fun too... awww maybe their wedding entry will be on here someday and I'll link back to this.

These are my favorites. I love how easily they make each other laugh and how Chris's eyes disappear when she smiles big.

We went inside and they said we could be done but I said no and stayed for some kitchen pics. And it was like those cooking shows because the first thing they did was take a perfectly cooked pizza out of the oven. Then, they started to make another one. And by the way this house is so clean I thought they just moved in. And I wanted to move in too.

See that? Don't try this at home. It never goes as planned.

Dear Chris, should I send you my teacher request now or later?
(for motor boy)

Sarah's Senior Portraits

Sarah goes to Bayside High School and we met at the BCC Project Get Ready event this year. She arrived to the session eager with lots of great ideas for photos and a couple outfit changes. I can tell she must be an over achiever and is obviously musically talented. We had a great time. Her mom and brother came along for fun and I took a couple pictures of them together as well. I am going to spare you a big wordy blog entry since you've probably had enough of me since yesterday but just want to add that Sarah struck me as a girl with not only a good head on her shoulders but with a very loving and supportive family as well. (She was nice to her brother and keep in mind she is still a teenager. Who does that?) Enjoy the highlights! My favorite is up top of course!

a little grungy texture here

I do love this one too. Striking.

I call this, go bright or go home.

This is blue-sy and I think it suits her musical-y-ness

love this one too!

this is a 5x15, just to spice it up.

This is a story board. Good times.

Hollie's Senior Portrait Session

Hollie is a graduate this year of Melbourne Central Catholic and decided to book her session with me after seeing her friend Edith's images and after a somewhat disappointing "round one" with another studio. She is really an interesting girl. I can tell from our time together that she knows what she wants and she values simplicity. She brought one outfit only and while she doesn't prefer to smile she does have some pretty awesome authentic looks outside the usual. I told her she has Elvis eyes and I don't think she knew what that was. I should have said Lisa Marie but I guess that would sound even less recognizable. Now let me preface this with a disclaimer: I am not the photographer who goes for ultra sexy senior grad pics. Because I am also a mom and an artist and a business person. Because I would love to see our female generation get excited about honor, integrity and true beauty. What is pretty? What are girls getting told is pretty? I am always pointing out to Mary (my five year old) what is and isn't pretty just to combat all the misinformation out there. Climbing down now!!! So, deep breath, I only want to provide honest to goodness beauty to parents and society in general.
Which is why I noticed Hollie's stunning eyes. I don't think she knew it or at least she acted surprised when I told her (even after we got past the Elvis reference.) She has the kind of eyes I told her she should not look at boys with. If you know what I mean.

She actually is quite busy riding and competing with her horse which she didn't tell me about until the end of our session. Note to high school seniors: share this with me before we meet! I am now wishing we had gotten some time at the stables. I'll live I guess. Anyway, Hollie did an amazing job and I did make her smile big a few times because even though she promised her mom is fine with no smile, I just just couldn't help but assume all moms want to see that smile, especially those teeth they might have invested a pretty penny in...

I like this one above.

This is a favorite as well as the first one up top.

I love the lines here!

Hollie, congratulations and best wishes!