Spontaneity can keep things fresh!

Sometimes it's nice to not have something planned too far in advance!  Marci contacted me wanting a few shots of her pregnant belly and her family a few days before delivery (which hopefully will be 12-12-12!) She had seen some shots that she liked and wanted to do something similar.  I'm always up for something fun and different and I really have never done anything like this before.  In fact, I had to pull out my big guns for lights since it was after 4 and all natural light was already gone.  And since it was in their bedroom, I needed light.  Kids are always a challenge when it comes to looking like they are not posed, but keeping enough light on their faces.  I really like the B&W ones!  I just love that the colors in the picture aren't distracting from the mood.  Such a beautiful family!  That is going to be one lucky and loved baby!

The Beautiful Michelle

This lady is as sweet as she is beautiful!  She has a terrific sense of style and I just love her!  We had a wonderful session.  So comfortable and fun.  I hope she loves these as much as I do!

"Nothing makes a Woman MORE beautiful than the belief that she IS beautiful".

 Gorgeous Eyes!  It's true what they say that they're the window to the soul!  Her soul is gorgeous, too!

Thank you Michelle!  What great time photographing you!

Before and After

I just wanted to share some of the shoots I've been doing and the before and after pics I've been doing with each one.  I have to send out big Props to my colleague and partner in crime Ms. Shanna Scott for her amazing work.  She does such a great job and really has a knack!  Also I want to say that all of these women are exquisite!  Each has a story.  They are each beautiful beyond words.  My purpose isn't to have them come in and be transformed into something they're not!  My purpose is to bring out what the rest of us already see from the inside out!  Ladies, thank you all for letting me do this for you!  I am enjoying this beyond words and I love your reactions and the reactions of others as we reveal these photos.  Much gratitude!

Ooohchimama!!

Kristen let out her inner Hotty today while we were shooting this session.  Just kidding.  She is a beautiful soul and it came shining thru as we were shooting.  I just love how a little of make up and having a few curls put in a woman's hair changes the way she looks and feels.  All of these women are beautiful.  They all have had their trials and tests and are doing their best to make life good for their families.  Often neglecting the little things that make them feel good about themselves.  This is why I love what I do.  I love seeing their beauty reflected from the inside to outside!  I feel very blessed to have these associations with all these ladies and I truly look forward to meeting many more!  I'm truly grateful!

Playing Oppossum

Meet Porter.  He's the newest grandchild in the Sparks family.  He was two weeks old when we shot these which usually is a few days too old for these types of shoots.  But no matter because he played right along and pretended to sleep for me while I snapped the shutter!  He may look like he's off in sweet dream land, but he's totally faking! So sweet!

I love this child already!!

 Just adorable!!

We'll see how long it lasts! (ha ha)

Generations

Had so much fun with these three ladies!  Gorgeous, smart and so much fun!  I know they were a little apprehensive to be made up and then to be photographed, but as you can see there was nothing to be afraid of.  I love that Emily wanted to do this with her mom and her daughter!  I love this three generation picture.  What really touched me, though, was that they brought along a necklace that belonged to Emily's grandma.  So the last picture is taken with the necklace on in remembrance of grandma.  Thank you ladies for the fun afternoon!

Super Mommy

Alicia is my next door neighbor.  She was a little apprehensive, I think, to have her photos taken.  She wanted me to shoot her with her sweet little guy, Cooper.  She just thought she would feel more comfortable being shot like a mommy rather than a super model.  Although, she can totally pull off both rolls!  Mom to 6 kids is Super Mommy in my eyes!!  

My Fashionista!

If I ever want to have help putting together anything cute, This is the woman I call.  She knows fashion and style like the back of her hand!  You can tell by the outfits she brought to her shoot!  What a fun time we had with her and the funny thing is I totally had to talk her into it!  The best thing about shooting her was that she trusted me enough to try some more artsy poses in the shoot!  I love that she was game and I love even more how they turned out!  Simply gorgeous!  I hope her husband likes them as much as I do!