Zoe in hurrie!!!!!

http://pinkchair.smugmug.com/Zoe-in-a-hurrie/

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Is today November 10th? A little angel seemed to think so and decided birthdays of October 23 rock. 8 months ago, Zoe's parents asked me to photograph her birth. My excitement and anticipation grew every day this month knowing November 10th was just around the corner.  Much to my surprise, probably not as much surprise as the parents, Zoe's dad called me today and said "well, go ahead and get your camera."  I said without thought "sure", and almost finished the sentence with "what do you need photographed?" Then in the pause from brain to my mouth, the OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH followed. Zoe's mom started the labor process. We talked about how the first beauty, Ava, took 13 hours to make her arrival. I looked at the clock, noon. Dad and I both agreed we had time to get there. Plano clocks a lot more miles than I had to drive. 

On my lunch break I picked up the camera and went back to work. At 3:30 my cell rings. Zoe's aunt tells me "She's here!" Giddy for the mommy I thought and said out loud I'm sure, "Well, if I had to pick 15 minutes of labor or pictures....I go with the 15 minutes!!!"  After work I made my way up there and photographed the most precious, alert, and moving newborn ever.  Dad's voyage back from Plano was still happening, so I was extremely lucky to be there when he walked in and saw his baby girl for the first time. I knew they wanted me to catch the tender moments that happen between to people in love during the birth, but I think this was almost as good.  

Zoe's mom told me that Jesus was is the room for this birth. His presence could be felt along with all the love in the air. Congratulations to Zoe. She picked wonderful parents. 

Sophia, classic and timeless

It was a dreary gray day. The rain tickled the streets that thirsted for more. My car seemed to find every puddle and swoosh the windshield disappeared under the wall of water from passing cars.  Normally a day like this would invite a nap, a good show, or well truth be told I’d be sitting in front of the computer editing pictures. But today the sun shined no matter what because today Sophia graced me with a photo shoot. She’s new to the modeling world and chose me to capture her timeless beauty. With bean bag, gear, bags, iced tea and golf umbrella, I clumsily got to April’s door (April is Sophia’s agent).  Within a few minutes with set up finished, Sophia gladly climbed up on the bean bag ottoman. We decided to take classic, eyes closed types of pictures. 

http://pinkchair.smugmug.com/Sunshine-on-a-rainy-day/

With every click of my camera clarity emerged from behind my lens – surely Sophia practiced this eyes closed mouth shaped perfectly pose. A natural I tell you, she was a natural!!

We got a few costume changes in before Sophia had to be carried off by her other agent Robert to get cleaned up. Seems the ottoman, lights, backdrop and such relaxed Sophia a bit much, and well, oops, “it” happens. While the wardrobe experts fiddled with the clothes for Sophia I had two excellent stand ins who gladly emulated the same Sophia pose. 

Another one of Sophia’s fans stepped into the picture and gently kissed her forehead for yet another timeless classic photo.

All in all the day proved sunshine and smiles, one frame at a time.

Interpretation……

It rained, a lot. I was soaked getting the gear out. I dumped my tea while trying to hold on to the umbrella and stuff. I got everything set up in April and Robert’s house.  Sophia the sweet baby was just wonderful for the pictures. After a bit, and I should have noticed from the pictures of her belly, she pooped. And peed. Then her siblings joined in – the picture taking, not the peeing and pooping. Her teenage brother gave her a sweet kiss. It was a blast taking these pictures and I’d do it all again. Oh yes, and the sun came out and the dog wanted a picture too. 

Ten little fingers, ten little toes

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Having only had one child, I never got to see the expression on a sibling's face when a new little brother or sister arrived. Photography has led me to some special places so far….and so far this is probably the best. I was blessed to take pictures of this new little bundle of joy.  

Although her parents have other children already, being in the room with just them and baby really made me feel as though this was their first, they were so happy.  The daddy beautifully cradled his newest daughter with tender hands sweetly holding her tiny little head in the palm of hand.  She would whimper a gentle song and the three of us would all stare. Such a beauty only in the world for a few hours and totally captivating. 

As afternoon turned to evening, the anticipation grew of the siblings coming to meet the new baby sister.  I had camera in hand, and I was ready, but they were too quick for me. They came in the room a bit disoriented by the curtain dividing the front of the room. As soon as they stepped out from the curtain, the little ones’ eyes opened so wide, mouths gaped open, and the hands reached out to touch the baby.  She in turn must have recognized all the voices as she opened her eyes as to say hello.  

It wasn’t long ago, just a few short years when the two smallest were being awed by the oldest brother.   What a miracle life is. What a miracle it is that this little one even comes to the world! And I got to see what homegrown love really means.

What a privilege and honor it was to capture these moments. 

Driving up memory lane

This unusually cool September Texas morning, found me on a country road heading to a photo shoot. 

(lovely family photo session today)

I mapped the location and the most direct route turned out to be going down memory lane toward Aunt Gloria and Uncle Ralph’s ranch.  I headed east on Sulpher Springs road and with each mile I drove I went further and further back. I remember riding in the car with Aunt Gloria with hot tacos in hand to sell at the gas station they owned at the big intercession. I could see myself pushing the buttons on the old cash register and my aunt peering at the men who even looked at me funny with her voice crackling in fury, “She’s only thirtheen!!!”  

I’m smiling as I continue back down memory lane finally to a place where I was driving my green Opel with my cousin Yvette next to me as we headed out.  As I made that all too familiar curve in the road I could hear us talking to each other and of course laughing about one thing or another when all of the sudden, swoosh! The driver’s side mirror disappeared!! I pulled the car over into the grass and we both got out staring at the road in disbelief. Just like that, it flew off. Within a few seconds we were laughing hysterically.  It took a while to get back in the car as I would be stopping laughing then look at her and start again, then she would try to stop laughing and look at me!!! We gave up, did that laughing sigh thing, and got back on the road… how I miss her everyday.

 My car kept driving today since I had to go past the road the ranch was on to someone else’s ranch to capture their memories.  I guess that is life though, making memories to last a lifetime and keep moving forward. 

(photos from today's photo session)

Ayden turns one!!

What an amazing time I had this Saturday....so many memories engulfed me, while with one of my best friends, I was able to capture new ones.  So honored and blessed that Cathy asked me to photograph her beautiful son's first birthday. I can't wait to be there for every one after this!!  Ayden was a joy to watch and, well, I just couldn't take a bad picture with him in the frame. How easy a job is that?? He's already got swag, just look at this pose and face...

In his true self, he was such an agreeable toddler and went right along with the hello's and kisses.  After a while it was cake time. By his reaction, I don't think momma Cathy or daddy Alex give Ayden much cake!! Good think I was only taking pictures and not video recording, all you would have heard was my muffled giggling!! Ayden looked at the cake like it was a strange playdough.  

Have no fear though, he soon figured out that the round thing on his high chair tasted really good!! So glad I caught the moment when he decided sugar is yummy!! 

When I got home to edit the pictures I giggled just a little bit more.  Looking at this photo I couldn't stop thinking about those old department store photos with the vinyl back drops and how this picture sure looks like I dropped in the windmill and tree scene. Nope that was all thanks to the neighbor. This outdoor birthday was just perfect location, location, location. 




Thank you Cathy and Alex for letting me share this very special day with you.