Writing the Light

Five-Month-Old

2010-02-09T23:01:00.003-05:00

This was a fun mini session at the Botanical Gardens, and the baby was a trooper sporting sleeveless dresses in 50 degree weather! She has two older siblings that were huge helpers in keeping her happy. I can't wait to photograph the whole family!

Perfect Lips

2010-02-04T00:23:00.003-05:00

Seriously, I love this little man's lips! I was really wishing I had a macro lens to capture them at full frame. This first photo may be my favorite. As I'm sure I've mentioned in the past, I love when families incorporate something meaningful or sentimental in the images, and this photo contains two pieces - the blanket knitted by a grandmother, and the rattle that belonged to daddy. I love how he curled it up by his face!

Best. Present. Ever.

2010-01-26T23:50:00.007-05:00

This tiny gem was born on Christmas day. I think she had perfect timing since her parents waited for this gift for years. I felt so honored to be chosen to capture such a special time in all of their lives. Thank you, K and R, and enjoy your preview!

DISCO INFERNO

2010-01-21T13:15:00.003-05:00

Do any of you remember when the fabulous band Disco Inferno used to perform at Storman's, and later The Venue? Well, they are still around, and this Saturday night (23rd) they will be performing at Gasoline Alley, which is now located at 14042 66th Street N in Largo. Pinellas County seems to lack good nightlife, and since Bricktown 54 closed I've been craving a disco fix, so I'm super excited about Saturday! AND if there is a good turn out, it may become a regular thing! CLICK HERE for more details on the event, and HERE to see more of what's happening around town. All of our good friends from Arthur Murray Clearwater will be there doin' the hustle and I would love to see more familiar faces there!

And She Will Be Loved...

2010-01-06T00:15:00.005-05:00

This sweet couple had tried for years for this baby. I could feel how joyful and thankful they were to finally be in this moment, awaiting a beautiful little girl, their pride and joy before ever seeing her. The nursery was picture perfect (and so classy), mom-to-be had her wardrobe laid out and had followed every pre-shoot instruction to a tee, dad-to-be was most willing to move every single piece of furniture I asked him to. Best of all, the connection and energy between the two of them. At one point I was photographing her in, let's say, minimalist clothing (gorgeous, by the way, but need extra permission before I share), and he, watching from behind the camera, said in the most sincere voice, "You look beautiful, Kel." Life is so sweet sometimes.

Brrrr...

2010-01-04T22:35:00.004-05:00

I think it was a chilly 75 degrees the day we shot this! I really do love the cozy look and feel of hats, boots and scarves, I just wish I had more opportunities to shoot this look. MAYBE this year we'll actually get some cold weather! I'm not asking for much, but something cooler than 55 would be nice. Anyway, pregnant mom was a trooper - you know she was burning up in that scarf at 8 months pregnant - and big sister-to-be J rocked her fabulous hat and boots. Can't wait to meet little brother!

Bright and Smiley

2010-01-03T22:26:00.002-05:00

I love these sisters! Last year the younger one was a little unsure about me, but this year when I met them at the location, she yelled out of the van "Hi Miss Niko!!!!" At that point I knew we were going to have some fun, and get great images from two happy girls! Their mom did an awesome job with the colorful, coordinated-but-not-matching outfits, perfect for the vibrant colors of the Botanical Gardens.

Love the tea party images - wish I had more space to include them all!

The girls really put on a show with the giant bubbles - good call D! These images cracked me up!

Murphy's Law

2009-11-25T02:22:00.008-05:00

It states: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." Case in point:

October 2008 - Session scheduled with this family. Days before, one girl gets sick, we go for it anyway. Day of, although we capture some great interaction, the weather proves too windy to get family portraits without hair in eyes and mouth. Had to do a partial re-shoot.
October 16, 2009 - Session scheduled for the beach. Half way there black clouds roll in and it pours. We reschedule for Nov 6th.
November 6 - Both girls are sick, weather isn't great, reschedule for the 8th.
November 8 - Hurricane Ida is making her way up the gulf, but shouldn't affect our weather. On my way to the beach, I get a call that the family will be a little late due to a wardrobe malfunction. I arrive, it's a little windy. A few minutes later, they arrive, it's ridiculously gusty.

Luckily, the girls listened well and I was quick with the shutter, enabling us to capture some moments between the gusts of Miss Ida. Can't wait to see what happens next year! ;)

Look familiar?

2009-11-22T12:25:00.002-05:00

Back in March, I posted a session with this little one, and announced that her lollipop photo made the cover of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. Well, she's back - urban style, with a new lollipop and a funky polka-dot set. I thought her first lolli photo was the best one ever, but these are my new faves. I'm just hoping mom will sell me the set when she's done with it!!

You Should Be Dancing, Yeah...

2009-11-21T22:19:00.004-05:00

...dancing, yeah. That BeeGee's song plays in my head every time I look at these first photos. Then I start bopping my head and shimmying my shoulders, and I want to get up and dance with him! He makes it look so fun. Those expressions are ridiculously cute!

Girls, Curls, Girls

2009-11-18T01:25:00.006-05:00

Despite justified complaints about our merciless Florida heat, the reward is the ability to photograph on the beach...in swimsuits...in October! It was actually a little too warm, but I should probably save that grievance for July! ;) This beautiful family moved here from Colorado, and this fall weather was a bit different from what they’re used to. But as the session ended with a patented west Florida sunset, we were all happy.

This shoot not only produced some great images of a gorgeous family interacting, but it was also the catalyst for the cutest thing I’ve heard all year. The older sister took a few steps on the beach, and announced, "There are crumbs in my shoes!"

Priceless.

Blonde Hair and Black Eyes (Peas, that is)

2009-11-16T10:39:00.002-05:00

I first photographed this little guy as a newborn in January, 2008, and I can't believe how he's changed! He went from a dark, thick head of hair to a complete towhead! Obviously, he didn't remember me from when he was just two weeks old, so I had to win him over by singing and dancing a Black Eyed Peas song ("I Gotta Feeling"). I love this job...always an adventure!

Family Day

2009-11-13T13:13:00.003-05:00

Probably the biggest reason I photograph families is because it is so important to document time with those you love. This is a very active family with working parents, one girl in college, one in middle school, and a very mobile one-year old. But even with their crazy schedules, they manage to keep one day each week for a family day. I think we should all make this a goal in 2010.

I did NOT add any lashes to this little girl. Amazing, aren't they??

"Winter" Session

2009-11-10T00:46:00.004-05:00

So I guess it's not really a winter session when you are two degrees away from sweating, but it was fun to pretend anyway! I keep imagining a session where everyone has cozy cable knit sweaters and rosy cheeks. This is the closest I'll get this year. It is always a treat to see this family, and we usually walk away with a funny story. This year was no exception. I can't tell the story here, but trust me, it was funny.

All Dressed Up

2009-11-07T18:58:00.004-05:00

I told C (mom) what my concept was for the set-up, and she took it to a whole new level with the wardrobe! She wanted the "disheveled" look--untucked, unbuttoned and untied--that fit with the madness of their lives. "Brilliant," I thought. But after carrying the couch out to the field, getting covered in hitchhikers, and having some sand-spur mishaps resulting in tears, I began to wonder if this was a bad idea. Then...I took the first photograph, and thought "Yeah, it's brilliant."

Lock Up Your Daughters

2009-11-05T22:15:00.004-05:00

Yes, the title is supposed to be clever (and was lifted directly from the youngest's shirt earlier in the photo shoot), but it's also sage advice. I mean look at these boys--they're beyond cute! These sweet, polite, handsome boys are some of the most well behaved kids I've ever photographed. And I'm not saying that because these are dear friends of mine, but simply because it's the absolute truth.

It was so fun to do something completely different with this family. I've been photographing them since the "beginning" (the mom is the reason I'm doing this today), so we've done the beach, park, etc. All of us wanted a new approach, and since I LOVE urban family sessions, I suggested it, they jumped on board and ROCKED it! The boys were especially into it. I really appreciated their enthusiasm, and always love their company!

Dogs and their people

2009-11-03T08:06:00.004-05:00

This was a comical session. It started smoothly and the dogs were listening well, so we took the leashes off. Well, the fuzzy one realized he was free and started running through this boardwalk maze. His "mom" and I stayed put while "dad" and Darin went after him, and the yells and noises we heard were quite funny, and increasingly irritated and exhausted. This is a story I think all dog owners can appreciate. Who hasn't had to run down their block in a bath robe with a squeaky toy, or tried to keep up with a lightening fast dog through the park just waiting for them to stop and smell something? Our dog trainer told us he believes dogs have tails so there is something to grab when they decide to bolt. I've used that trick a time or two. Anyway, it all ended well, with time left to capture some sweet moments.

A Cloudy Day...

2009-10-26T23:32:00.003-04:00

...is no match for a sunny disposition! And Little Miss T always brings her own sunshine. Not only did her smile sparkle, her fabulous shoes did too!

Braids and Balloons

2009-10-21T01:14:00.004-04:00

Isn't she so adorable with those braids? They seem to really fit the scene. Obviously it was a gorgeous day, made more beautiful by the sweet connections within the family. We had so much fun watching her play with each balloon and then letting them go one by one. She asked where the balloons were going, to which her mom replied "To Santa to tell him what you want for Christmas." Clever...and quick thinking M!

BIG Personality

2009-10-12T16:43:00.002-04:00

This little man was BIG on personality and it shows! We had such a fun time in downtown Bradenton, and he was such a trooper. If you're looking for something different for a family "portrait", the urban session is the way to go.

Yummy...CAKE!

2009-10-06T21:09:00.002-04:00

Look who's ONE! I can't believe it has been a year since this cutie was sleeping on the Arthur Murray dance floor. She is always a delight to have around at the studio, and all of us have enjoyed watching her grow. HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY MISS O!

On a personal note, I want to thank Landra and Sevrin (parents and owners of the studio) for two things: 1- bringing your gift of dance to the area and to me and Darin, and 2- allowing me to photograph your most precious gift. I feel blessed to be a part of it all, and so happy that I can give a little joy back to you...

My assistant

2009-09-28T20:56:00.006-04:00

This beautiful girl is my new assistant! If you have a holiday session scheduled you'll probably get to meet her. She is a high school student currently taking a photography class, so I'm excited to have her as my sidekick! We went scouting for new locations a few weeks ago, and these spots are what we found.

Wedding on Sand Key

2009-08-21T14:34:00.005-04:00

This was a rare treat for me. Darin and I photographed our friend's wedding on Sand Key. It, of course, stormed earlier in the day so we were crossing our fingers for the ceremony, but it turned out beautiful, and even left us with some wonderful clouds. But the truly beautiful part was witnessing the love and joy these two were feeling. Thank you, E and P, for allowing us to be such an important part of this day. Many, many happy wishes to the two of you!

Sibling Love

2009-08-20T01:35:00.005-04:00

These two were so cute together. Big brother L was so kind and helpful with his little sister. It was really nice to watch. I asked if there was anything special they did together, and he responded "we dance", so I captured a sweet series of them dancing, the last image is one of those. How sweet is that?

Oh, and to S (mom) - nice job choosing clothing with texture! It really adds dimension and interest.

The Arthur Murray Baby...

2009-08-12T00:33:00.004-04:00

...is growing so fast! She's not even a year old yet, but already walking and dancing. She is so adorable how she bounces and bends to music at the studio, she makes you smile as soon as you walk in the door! So we had to take a couple of dance related photos, but I absolutely love these first few. Her Grandmother sent this beautiful vintage-looking outfit from Poland, and I was inspired to create images to match the feel of it.

Love this image of her carrying "ballet" shoes, walking with her mom (also love mom's gorgeous dancer legs...wish I had those).

Back to School Issue

2009-08-01T17:30:00.004-04:00

This is why we did some school related shots of Julianna from this session - FOR THE COVER of Tampa Bay Parenting's Back to School issue, the biggest issue of the year! It's full of great information including where to buy fun and functional school supplies, packing healthful lunches, and a calendar of events for Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. There is also information for the back to school fair on August 15th at MOSI (I'll blog about it in a few days), and many ads for after school activities. Check it out - easily found at Publix and Sweetbay.

In other exciting news the magazine is running a Cover Kid Search! You can visit tbparenting.com for more details. If there is an image I've taken that you'd like to submit, call or email me.

Six days fresh

2009-07-27T01:33:00.008-04:00

It's the perfect age - between 5 and 10 days old. You can flip them, shift them, squish them...they'll sleep right through it as long as they are full and warm. This little man was a dream to work with, as was the family. I can't wait for them to see the results!

This blanket belonged to his mom when she was a baby. I absolutely love when I can incorporate something sentimental in the images.

Beautiful sisters...

Three generations...

Of course, we had to get a couple of the adorable (if I dare use that word for 100+ pound dogs) "first" children.

Engaged

2009-07-22T14:00:00.003-04:00

These two were an absolute riot, especially Reggie (that's not his name, I just like to call him that...long story). ;) They were so cute and willing, and came up with some of their own shots. We had a blast and I've been so anxious to get these edited and share a few, so here they are...

Beautiful Girls

2009-07-14T23:09:00.003-04:00

You know that baby scent that everyone loves? If you had to put a face with that scent, this would be the perfect baby for it. She "matches" that smell...so pure, with her flawless skin, rosy cheeks and sparkly eyes. Not to mention her four-year-old sister who looks like a real-life Disney princess - perfect lips, long lashes, and just the right number of cute freckles!

Family Pho-Video sample

2009-07-13T14:00:00.004-04:00

This is a sample of my new Pho-Videos for family or kid sessions. It can be created with any number of photos, and can be used for the web, as with Facebook or other social networking sites, or burned to DVD to watch on the flat screen (dvd version is high-resolution). It's the coolest thing around! Ask me for details!

Julianna and family

2009-07-08T00:16:00.003-04:00

I don't normally include my client's name in my blog, but this little girl is practically famous! She is the owner of Julianna's Fun Shoppe in Citrus Park Mall...and she's nine! The shop is adorable, full of Hello Kitty products and other fun things for kids. If you haven't been there yet, check it out, and if you're back-to-school shopping for your daughter, it's a great place to find backpacks, binders, pens, pencils, and other supplies, all with that pretty little white kitty on them. The first image is of her with a Hello Kitty pen, and there is a reason we photographed her with some school products, but I'm not telling yet. ;) She also has two super cute siblings (twins), and very nice parents.

The faces of Little Miss J

2009-07-04T14:21:00.003-04:00

We had a beautiful (but hot) day at the Botanical Gardens, and a very active and silly 21 month old Miss J. She had no shortage of goofy faces to show me, but these were my favorites. I've actually been wanting to offer a "Faces" storyboard to clients, and she gave me great examples!

Pretty in Pink

2009-07-02T11:06:00.002-04:00

I was so excited to schedule a newborn girl because I had just gotten a couple new items - the petal hat and frilly bottoms. Doesn't she look adorable? And baby K's grandpa made this beautiful cradle for her. She looks like an angel sleeping in the clouds!

Thank you to the parents for being patient with me. The editing is almost done and you'll have your proofs soon!

Tough as Nails

2009-06-04T11:02:00.011-04:00

UPDATE 6/17 - HE'S OUT!! Finally! He's finally home and doing well. Still has a good bit of pain and lots of antibiotics to take, but he's so much happier to be dealing with it at home. Me too! :) It's funny how much I missed him even though I spent tons of time with him at the hospital. Soooo, now I just need to get caught up on all my work! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your patience. I have a little something special up my sleeve for all my wonderfully understanding clients who have been waiting on their images. I'm working as fast as I can and I'll contact each of you when I have your proofs.

UPDATE 6/12 - Well it's been 9 days and he's still in the hospital. They want to make sure they get all that nasty infection out of there before sending him home. Today they said it would be a couple of days, but he's thought he was getting out a couple of times now, so we'll see. Thank you to everyone who has called to check on him, and to all my understanding clients. I'm lucky to have you.

I'm not going to lie, I enjoy giving my husband a hard time about his quirks and strange ways. Our home is not short on sarcasm. One of his quirks is (or used to be...he'll correct me as soon as he reads this) that when he stubs a toe or bangs a knuckle, he exclaims "Ow! I think I broke my toe/finger/other body part!" I used to chalk it up to a low pain tolerance and chuckle or mock him. Well, those days are gone, here's why:

Last Tuesday he developed a stomach ache. It got worse the rest of the week, then better on Sunday and Monday, then worse on Tuesday. Yesterday I convinced him to see a doctor, so we scheduled an appointment for today, but by the time I got home from work yesterday, he needed to go to the hospital. The diagnosis? A ruptured appendix. The solution? Emergency surgery. Ummmm, what??? Not what we were expecting. So when the surgeon comes to see me after the surgery, the first thing he said was "He must be tough!" Apparently it looked like an M-80 went off in his abdomen (doc's words, not mine) and the abscess was quite large. I don't know when it ruptured, and I really don't know how he was functioning through the pain. I do know that he has to stay in the hospital for about five days, so that's where I'll be all weekend...with my Superman.

Here's my tough guy looking rather pitiful today.
I was going to take a picture of the battle wound, but I thought that might be a bit of an overshare. ;)

Love you bunches, babe.

Happy Girl

2009-06-01T22:16:00.003-04:00

This was a fun session as Little Miss A was so happy and silly! We played on the stairs and in the grass and ended up with a wide variety of images, which sparked my creativity when editing. M and R - I know you've been anxiously waiting on this sneak peek, so thank you for your patience, and enjoy...

I love the dad in the background here...letting her climb, but being there to catch her if she falls. As she grows up, that will be more valuable to her than ever.

Love the sunflare here, and the dreamy, vintage-y feel of this conversion. She was so adorable how she'd run away, and then look back to make sure mom and dad were still there...

This Little One...

2009-05-31T12:07:00.002-04:00

was quite attached to her mom, which was fine with me because it made for some fun and sweet interaction shots!

Last Senior Pho-Video

2009-05-31T12:04:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the delay

2009-05-21T12:35:00.010-04:00

I have a few clients who are waiting for proofs or other products right now, so I want to apologize for the delay. I had a wonderful, unexpected visit from my two beautiful nieces. They decided to come down and stay for a couple of weeks, which was a rare opportunity to spend quality time with them since we only see them once every year or two. As my long-time clients know, I spend most of my nights and weekends working on my photography business, so I had to make a choice between getting that work done or making memories with "my girls". Since I encourage people to hire me because it's important to make and capture memories with your family, I figured I should take my own advice. Now that they are gone (sniff, sniff), I will be working diligently to catch up on all of my sessions. I see some late, late nights (even for me) in my future, but "K" and "A", it was so worth it...I wouldn't trade our fun and chats for anything. Love you both and miss you already. :(

This is "K", rockin' her new hair (when she arrived it was long, blonde and bangless). Doesn't it make her eyes pop? Gorgeous! She's the more glamorous of the two. Very sweet, kind of quiet, and oh my, I can't believe how grown up she looks here...I remember teaching her how to swim one summer, so cute how she'd nervously jump in and rush to me. She's now 20...sigh...

This is "A" in her all-natural beauty. She looks like the quiet one, but, ummm, no. Just as sweet as "K" and very outgoing; can't sit still. Although I can recall a time when she'd sit on my lap and whisper in my ear "I love you Aunt Niki", melting my heart. Now she's graduating high school...amazing how time flies.

And here they are together, two sisters...so different, but equally loved...

FAB FIND: FOOT PETALS

2009-05-15T20:32:00.002-04:00

LOVE these!! For all of you ladies out there who want to wear stylish shoes/heels, but also want to be comfortable - there is HOPE! Don't give up on those cute shoes just yet. Foot petals are fantastic little things that can be used in a variety of ways to add comfort to your not-so-comfortable kicks.

The material used to make them is called PORON, which distributes "pressure across the ball of the foot making them comfortable by relieving pressure points that may be the cause of foot aches and pains, as well as calluses and blisters. PORON urethanes are a unique patented formulation that does not contain PVC, Latex, or adiitional solvents that may cause skin irritations. Foot Petals special petal shape is beneficial because they will no curl up at edges, tear, or fall apart after continuous use." AND (you're going to love this), the material also keeps your feet from sliding forward, which prevents that ugly toe scrunch and overhang! I have these in almost every heel I own, and Landra, the owner of Arthur Murray Clearwater, who is on her feet 8-10 hours a day, says they "save my feet."

There are a variety of products that can be purchased on the Foot Petals website, and you can find select items in Dillard's, Nordstrom, BCBG, and other retailers listed on the site. Now, go on, race to one of those stores...but don't run in your heels until you have your Foot Petals in them! ;)

Example of how much comfort you can create in the most FAB of shoes

Killer Kushionz (my fave) and Heavenly Heels (great for shoes that are slightly too big)

The original product - Tip Toes

Heavenly Heelz

Value Pack - Killer Kushionz, Tip Toes, Heavenly Heelz, Haute Heelz, Strappy Strips and Sole Stopperz

Oh, and by the way, I know I've been very neglectful of the "Fab Find" feature on here, but I will do better!!!

Another Cover!!

2009-05-13T10:57:00.002-04:00

Grab the latest Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine at your local Publix or SweetBay (and other locations as well), or check out the online version HERE. This month's issue has some great information on throwing fun birthday parties, lots of ads for summer camp options, ideas for short get-aways, and...a cover photo by...me! This is one of my all-time favorite beach images, so I was thrilled when it was chosen for the cover.

Look at the color...

2009-05-11T15:31:00.005-04:00

of this little one's hair! So beautiful and fun. She was such a cutie pie for the camera, and a trooper with all the clothing changes. I especially love the tutu and pearls images...and this first one with the wide eyes and chipmunk cheeks just melts me...

Baby Love

2009-04-26T16:13:00.004-04:00

Can you tell how in love these two new parents are with their baby boy? They were so cute with him...kissing, talking, smiling at him...so sweet. And I finally captured the illusive "newborn smile," which made my day. :)

Last '09 Senior

2009-04-19T10:35:00.003-04:00

I'm so sad my senior season is over for 2009, but it ended on a great note. Senior A was a fabulous subject, and we had a fun finding new locations. We spent a lot of time in the car, which gave us a chance to get to know each other. Oh, and it was her idea to mix the heels with the soccer ball - love the creativity! I truly loved working with all my '09 girls, and I'm so excited to see who they become...I know each one will be spectacular in her own way! So, on that note - 2010 seniors - you NEED to call and book your session now! Space is filling up and I can't do them all in the spring of your senior year, so we need to start very SOON! Call me at 727-434-4414, or email me at dayinthelifephotos@gmail.com.

Urban Kids

2009-03-30T12:37:00.004-04:00

This shoot was fun because it was out of the ordinary for a kids session. We captured a variety of images - from grungy-urban to bright and colorful. This family has always kept me on my toes, but since the youngest has grown into the "try to catch me" stage, this first image shows what my camera saw half the time:

B's Pho-Video

2009-03-26T08:55:00.002-04:00

W's Pho-Video

2009-03-26T08:53:00.002-04:00

AWESOME NEW PRODUCT!!

2009-03-24T01:10:00.008-04:00

I'm so excited to announce my new product line - the rad-fab, uber-cool, pho-video rectangle of awesomeness! Check it out: (details below video)

This can be done with any number of photos, and can be used for the web, as with Facebook or other social networking sites, or burned to DVD to watch on the flat screen (dvd version is high-resolution). Call me - you know you want one!

Seniors W and B

2009-03-20T13:51:00.006-04:00

I went back to Bradenton for this senior session, which involved the other girl from the "Sixteen and Sassy" session from 2007, and a brand new face, Miss W. I loved working with these two. B has had quite a few photo sessions and is very comfortable in front of the camera, so I always enjoy photographing her. But W surprised me - she had NEVER done this before, and was completely natural at it!

Cute Curls and BIG News!!

2009-03-15T16:43:00.009-04:00

First, I wanted to share this session from February (I'm a little behind in my posting). I can't get over this cutie pie's curls! I wish my hair did half that! Of course, those big brown eyes contribute to the melting-heart factor. Her mom did such a great job with the different outfits and props. I love the variety we got. And I loved the lollipop images so much that...(scroll down for the BIG news part)

...I used one for an ad in the Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, and they contacted me to use it on THE COVER!!! You should've seen the happy dance I did! Hopefully I'll be a regular on the cover. It's a great FREE magazine with interesting articles, tons of info on local happenings, and all things kids. The easiest place to find it is your local Publix.

Sweet Dreams

2009-02-17T01:09:00.006-05:00

This little guy must have had plenty of them, because he slept like a...ummm...baby. He may be my best newborn to date. Not only is he cute as a speckled pup (ok, cuter), he did everything I "asked" him to do. I first photographed this family last year, and loved working with them, so I felt honored when they asked me to do this session, especially since they live in Cape Coral and could've hired someone local instead. It was a joy to spend so much time with them and see how their first has grown. I hope they are as happy with the images as I am.

This cradle has been used in her family for four to five generations. Isn't it gorgeous?

This one just cracks me up.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

2009-02-14T15:29:00.003-05:00

Senior H

2009-02-09T22:33:00.006-05:00

I was so excited to do this senior session for two reasons - it was in Bradenton, which was a new location and therefore always fun, and because I love to photograph this girl. She was one of the "Sixteen and Sassy" girls from 2007. It was nice to get to know her better, she has a wonderful personality, and a wonderful mom too!

FAB FIND: XOCONOCHCO

2009-02-05T12:01:00.005-05:00

(shō-kō-nōch-kō)

I thought this was the perfect choice to kick off my fab finds since Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Ladies, I'm tellin' ya, if you love chocolate, immediately tell your loved one to order this as your gift. Darin went to Tennessee to visit friends a few months back and found this boutique chocolate store in Franklin. He knows I'm crazy about dark chocolate, and since he's crazy about me, he bought me a box. The box alone was fancy, but the contents were almost too pretty to eat. If I would have thought about it for just a moment, I would've gotten the camera out to document the gorgeous display of silky goodness, but there was no "thinking" about it (luckily I pulled the photo off their site). Before me was the most beautiful chocolate I had ever seen, and when the scent reached my nose, I had to taste one. Ah, but which one...there was basil peanut butter, banana cinnamon rum, almond gingerbread, chai...you get the idea. All of them unusual, ALL of them incredible. You must try them. They have new flavors for Valentine's Day, and you can order online...which reminds me - I need to tell Darin that.

This woman is serious about her chocolate.

New Year Announcement #2

2009-02-02T16:52:00.006-05:00

FAB FINDS!

This is going to be a fun little addition to my blog. Once or twice a month, I will be posting information about something fabulous. It could be a tasty local restaurant, unique gift ideas, fun things to do, or maybe a great beauty secret...ok, a lot of them will be beauty secrets. After all, you want to look fabulous when you hire me, right? Well, if I'm being honest with myself, it's really just an excuse to talk about my product addiction. ;) So look for the "Fab Finds" posts on the fifth and/or fifteen of every month, starting this Thursday!

Seniors from Kansas City

2009-01-25T15:49:00.004-05:00

So I get this email from "A" (blonde one) that says she's a senior from Kansas City and she wants me to photograph her senior portraits. She's all the way from Missouri...and she wants ME!! How cool is that? As it turns out, her niece, who's also a senior, was coming down with her and wanted a session as well. I felt so honored! We had a great time with this session, and got some fabulous results. Can't wait to show you the rest!

Favorite Christmas Cards of 2008

2009-01-25T12:21:00.004-05:00

This past Christmas my designer took a break to prepare for the arrival of her third baby, so I designed most of the cards myself. I really enjoyed the whole creative process. Now I'm looking forward to designing upcoming birth announcements and graduation announcements myself...with a little help and inspiration from her. These were my favorites:

Great Boys

2009-01-24T15:44:00.006-05:00

"Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy." -author unknown

M and J - I thought of you two and your "pack" of boys when I read this quote. You have done such an amazing job with them. They are all such a pleasure to be around...and some of the finest examples of "great boys" I've ever met. It has been one of my favorite things to watch them develop as individuals. I can't wait to see who little W becomes with such wonderful brothers beside him, and fantastic parents to guide him.

FROST!!!!

2009-01-23T18:03:00.004-05:00

This is what most of Central Florida woke up to Thursday morning!! Finally, a little bit of cold weather. I'm definitely a Southern girl, I like my balmy days and mild winters, but sometimes we need a good chill in the air. December had some cold days, which was exciting. Of course Christmas day was warm, but I guess beggers can't be choosers. So I'll be happy with our cute little January frost.

Still catching up

2009-01-23T17:25:00.003-05:00

Can you believe I'm still editing photos from December??? Thank you all for being so patient. I think I have one more 2008 session to post (after this one), then I can finally move on to 2009!

I met this mom at the Angels After Dark fundraiser, which is a cool craft show held every year in downtown St Petersburg. We did the pregnancy session, but when I went back for the newborn session, baby P was not feeling well so we only got a few images. We decided to wait and do a full session with their other two children when the baby is 3 months. So, here are a few we captured.

BIG Family

2009-01-11T23:58:00.003-05:00

Meet the W family. This was the easiest big group I've ever had. Everyone was so nice, polite, the kids listened well, and we all had a good time. Can't wait to show you the proofs!

New Year Announcement #1

2009-01-09T11:06:00.010-05:00

NEW CAMERA!!! As many of you know, up until now I've photographed with a film camera, which I still absolutely love. But I knew I needed to switch to digital, I was just waiting for the perfect camera (for me) to be released. Well...my wait is over! I ordered a "hot off the line" Canon...and it's here!

To celebrate, I'm offering HALF-OFF SESSION FEES* from now until March 1st. Please call or email me right away to book your session as my schedule is already pretty tight. I can't wait to play around with it and see all it can do. I've already tested it a little on one of my favorite subjects, and I have to say, I think this camera and I have a long and happy future together. When I saw this photo, I just wanted to hug them both...the camera and my beloved Hydro. ;)

*Some restrictions apply, please call or email for details.

As 2008 comes to a close...

2008-12-31T11:05:00.002-05:00

I just want to thank all of you for your business, your friendship, and for reading my blog. I feel so loved when you mention something you've read here, or show your concern when sad things happen. It seems like these aren't just business relationships we're building, and I'm so thankful for that. I hope all of you had a beautiful Christmas and have an exciting New Year.

Speaking of an exciting new year, please stay tuned as I've got some good stuff brewing!!

I wish you all someone to kiss at midnight...

Sad news

2008-12-17T01:59:00.005-05:00

I will be out of town for the next few days. My Uncle Randy, who got married in August, lost his battle with cancer this week. He was one of four children, and my mom's "baby brother". He will be greatly missed. I want to remind all of you, especially at this time of year, to hold your loved ones close, enjoy the little things, and as I said before, say what you need to say.

Randy on the right, with his mom and siblings (my mom upper left):

My mom and Randy:

Randy and his new bride, Mary Jo, on their wedding day:

Just a few.

2008-11-20T01:39:00.003-05:00

As you all know, I've been swamped lately, so I'm just posting a few from my latest session. Enjoy!

To the Love of my Life

2008-11-14T16:50:00.005-05:00

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." - Charlie Chaplin

Well, if this is true, I can honestly say I haven't wasted a day since we found our way back to each other. You make me laugh everyday, even if it's just a "you're sooo ridiculous" chuckle, with your wit, charm and antics. You're quite funny (that's your thing, ya know) with your crazy, but dead-on, accents, synonym singing, and endless sarcasm. Oh, and then there's the boyish grin, the way you talk to the dogs when bathing them, and the goofy ways you declare your love for me. These make me giggle, but in a way that leaves me feeling so blessed.

We always had a deep connection. It was apparent in high school, and even though we were apart for 10 years, that connection was still there. The day we got married I felt like I was going home, to a place so familiar, somewhere I was meant to be. I love that I spend my life with someone who knows me to the core, who sees who I truly am, and loves me more because of it, or in spite of it. So on our fifth anniversary, what I thought to be true in high school, I now know with complete certainty...

Nothing compares to you, Darin. Nothing ever will.

Our beautiful wedding day, November 15, 2003, at the Belleview Biltmore.

Our amazing honeymoon on the island of Nevis, British West Indies.

Sentimental Value

2008-11-13T02:34:00.010-05:00

The littlest guy in these photos holds a special place in my heart. He was the first "days old" newborn I ever photographed.

This is my favorite photo from that session. When I laid him in this basket and looked through the veiwfinder, it was a pivotal moment for me...I fell in love with newborn photography.

And here he is at a year and 8 months old.
It was so fun to photograph this family again and see how they've grown. Thank you J and C for being my guinea pigs in 2007, and for appreciating the results enough to hire me again. It does my heart good. :)

Fun mini-session

2008-11-13T00:48:00.006-05:00

Aren't these outfits so cute together? Notice both the little girl and the dog (their first daughter) have black bows to accent mom and dad's clothes. Love it!!

And we've decided dad's Chucks should be a theme, which actually started with our first session last year.

I'm a day late...

2008-11-13T00:46:00.003-05:00

...ok, technically two days since it's after midnight, to announce the winner of the drawing for a free photo session. Sorry about that, things are a little tiny bit crazy right now (as you can see by the frequency of posts). Anyway, here it is - the winner of a photo session is...

Tina Smith!!

I will be contacting you shortly to discuss details!!

Florida Style Christmas

2008-11-09T00:53:00.003-05:00

Living in a southern state definitely has it's advantages. Of course it would be nice to have some kind of seasonal change, but I love that it's November and we're still heading out to the beach for sessions!

Adorable Little Blondies

2008-11-05T02:03:00.006-05:00

Why are little girls in dresses on the beach so darn cute??? Mmmm, one of my favorite subjects. These parents thought to bring the favorite stuffed bunnies...what a great idea. I love to incorporate sentimental items and capture moments that will tug at the family's heartstrings for years to come.

I LOVE the holidays!!

2008-11-03T15:08:00.005-05:00

Everything about them - the food, decorations, music, the good cheer. I love the gift-giving, and I even love the gift shopping and buying. However, what I hate is feeling like all of my gift options are foreign-made. Times are tough, everyone is struggling, trying to budget, cut expenses, etc. And even though you may not be spending a lot on Christmas, you'll still be spending something. There are many reasons the economy is in crisis right now, and one of those reasons is the loss of domestic jobs to foreign competition. Well, here's my "good-will" thought for the season -- if you spend your dollars on goods made here, you're helping out your fellow Americans by helping them keep their job and put food on their table...and maybe even a few presents under the tree. On another note, the safety issues with products from China have not been resolved, there are just bigger stories in the news right now. With that in mind, we really need to make the extra effort to buy domestic when possible. I know it seems like a daunting task, so I'm making it easier. There are many resources out there that I've listed below. There is also this wonderful man, Roger Simmermaker, who wrote a wonderful book, "How Americans can Buy American", and takes the time to write email newsletters on the subject. You can view his website for a long list of domestic links, and while you're there, go ahead and purchase a copy of his book for yourself. You'll be amazed at how educational it is.

Here are some links:

One stop shopping:

http://www.madeinusaforever.com/
http://www.buyamerican.com/

http://www.zebulonusa.com/index.asp

http://www.shopforamerica.com/home.php

Toys/items for kids:

http://www.lainaline.com/ - adorable kids clothing

http://www.greatstuffforkids.com/

http://www.toysamerican.com/

http://www.fractiles.com/

http://www.cubbyholetoys.com/

http://www.lindenwoodinc.com/

http://www.howtobuyamerican.com/content/ba-toys.shtml - toy list from Roger

Clothes:

http://www.bamboosa.com/ - Natural bamboo clothing for children and adults

http://www.alore.net/ - sportswear
http://www.islandslipper.com/ - sandals made in Hawaii

http://www.venus.com/ - bathing suits are made in Jacksonville, FL, but the clothing is made in various places around the world.

http://www.whitedressshirts.com/

http://www.wickers.com/ - great products

Gifts/Misc:

http://www.femailcreations.com/ - interesting gifts made by women
http://www.tinwoodsman.com/

http://www.prairierose.com/ - wooden laser-cut frames, can be personalized

http://www.obrienschridde.com/ - gorgeous frames, perfect for those PHOTO gifts. ;)

http://www.radacutlery.com/

http://www.rowepottery.com/ishop/
http://www.recycline.com/
http://www.vitamix.com/

http://www.cooltote.com/

http://www.drifterbag.com/

http://www.spireusa.com/ - Love their laptop bags
http://www.sfbags.com/

http://www.toughtraveler.com/
http://www.faribaultmills.com/ - woven blankets

http://www.counciltool.com/

http://www.metrovacworld.com/
http://www.longaberger.com/
http://www.peterborobasket.com/

Arthur Murray's Newest Dancer

2008-11-02T23:48:00.004-05:00

Well, she can't dance yet, but she already loves the music! She's such a cute baby, and you should see how these two bounce and dance around the studio with her in tow. Her first steps will probably be the tango. ;)

I love candid beach images...

2008-10-25T10:22:00.005-04:00

...and it's a good thing, because sometimes the weather makes it nearly impossible to get posed family portraits. The wind was a big problem on this shoot. It's a dual-edged sword - for candid photographs it can be powerful, making the viewers almost able to feel the breeze themselves, but the annoying side is when you've posed a family and finally gotten everyone to look at the camera and smile, and at the very moment the shutter clicks, a gust of wind blows hair in someone's face. Quite frustrating, and it seems to be a theme lately. The "bright" side (my mom always finds this side of life) is that the images below are why I love photography...

Before and After

2008-10-19T00:09:00.009-04:00

Two sessions in one post! We barely got the pregnancy session in before baby "C" made her debut, but I'm so glad we did. Enjoy your sneak peek!

Look at those precious lips!

Beach Beauties

2008-10-14T01:02:00.005-04:00

This family spends a ton of time on the beach, so for the photo shoot, they took Darin and I on their boat out to an island. The light was gorgeous, and the subjects...even better. It was a great idea because the spot is perfect for photography, especially since it is free of those hideous high-rise condos. And it was so peaceful and pretty. We'd love to go back sans the cameras and just relax! So B and C, you've got our number, and we've got the beach towels ready!

The wait is over!

2008-10-07T01:21:00.011-04:00

I'm so excited to post these photos! These two fantastic people are the owners of the new Arthur Murray Studio in Clearwater. They're young, they're hip, and they're amazing dancers! I've wanted to take ballroom/Latin dance lessons for many years, and when their studio opened so close to me, I couldn't resist...and I'm loving it!! If any of you have considered taking lessons, do it NOW! It's a great workout, it's great for your posture and self-esteem, and it's wonderful for couples who want to spend time together and strengthen their relationship. They are also starting a kids program, and I can say from experience (my mom put me in ballet and jazz classes when I was young) that dancing is wonderful for children. Not only for their self-esteem, but also for coordination and social skills. I can't tell you how thankful I am that my parents stayed committed to sending me to dance class...even when I *claimed* to hate it. ;) Ok, I'm finished with my speech now. If you'd like more information, or want to sign up for your complimentary fist lesson, their phone number is 727-489-9919.

P.S. You'll be seeing the newborn session soon!

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS

2008-09-29T23:03:00.005-04:00

These guys are growing so fast, each one developing his own personality...it's so fun to watch! And with three older brothers, the baby is going to be the most laid back kid ever...and probably the toughest. ;)

Out of town

2008-09-25T14:55:00.006-04:00

I will be out of town Thursday through Sunday, and unable to check my email. I'm going on my annual girls trip with two of my favorite friends, Sarah (middle)...who, by the way, is my fabulous card designer, and Stefanie...and she's fabulous too! ;) I will return all emails and phone calls on Monday. Have a great weekend!!

New Holiday Designs!

2008-09-22T00:23:00.015-04:00

Here they are!! We are so excited about this holiday season and have had a ton of fun creating new designs! In addition to our standard sizes (5x7 Flat and 4x5 Folded), we are offering 3 new sizes this year - 5x7 Folded, 5x5 Two-sided Flat or Folded and 5x5 Trifold (makes an impression!). Most of the size options come with your choice of designer paper textures, such as linen or pearl, at no additional charge. The minimum quantity is 50, and pricing starts at just $85.00 (price is for 50 5x7 two-sided cards). Most of these creations can be applied to other layouts, so, for instance, we can take a design from a flat card and make a folded, and vice versa. However, you are not limited to these designs. We can custom create cards just for you. If you'd like to see some samples of past designs (also available this year), please go to Simply Bella Designs and look around, but remember, all communication and orders should be handled through me. So, without further ado...

1 Folded
2 Folded

3 Folded

1 Trifold
2 Trifold
1 Two-sided
1 Flat
2 Flat
3 Flat
4 Flat
1 5x5 Folded

1 5x5 Flat

Adorable Boys

2008-09-15T00:27:00.004-04:00

My friend J has her hands full with these two little ones! They've lived in Georgia for a while, so it was nice to catch up with her and see how her boys have grown. It was amazing to me how the older brother looked just like his mom, and the younger so much like his dad. J and V - enjoy your sneak peek and I'll be sending your proofs soon. Miss ya!

I love the interaction between J and her boys:

Mary Jo Got Married!

2008-09-06T19:59:00.010-04:00

So, here's the story. My uncle Randy has been with Mary Jo for over 20 years. She's wanted to get married for many of those years. Well, as my mom would say, life plays funny tricks on you. Uncle Randy was diagnosed with cancer and they decided this was the perfect time to finally tie the knot. I think many of us go through life expecting to have a lot more time to do the things we want or should do, and occasionally we all need a slap in the face to wake us up. Sometimes that slap stings a little, and sometimes it feels like a train slammed into you. Well, this was the train for our family. Here's what I've taken from that - live every minute, give your time to those you love, truly connect with people...and, in the words of John Mayer:
Even if you're hands are shakin'
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closin'
Do it with a heart wide open...
Say what you need to say

And now the photographs...

This is the resort at which the wedding took place (in Two Harbors, MN):

Our condo is the one on the second floor:

The wedding took place in this beautiful area on Lake Superior:

(He's a little on the goofy side)

Mary Jo's kids:

My mom and her older brother on the right and younger brother on the left:

The three sisters-in-law:

Darin and I managed to get in a picture with the bride and groom:

Darin and cousin Jess preparing the delicious meal:

And my dad caught some girl talk between the cousins (but Mollie's missing):

JUST ONE...

2008-09-03T00:19:00.004-04:00

...for now, but I can't wait to process this shoot and tell you about this fantastic couple.

End of Summer

2008-08-12T11:28:00.008-04:00

You can always tell it's the end of summer by the color of kids' skin. And these boys were so handsome with their sun-kissed look. This was such a wonderful family to work with. The boys did everything I asked, and they did it with happy hearts! Don't they all look like they're ready for Ralph Lauren ads?

K's Second Shoot

2008-08-05T09:34:00.004-04:00

She's back with a new haircut, new color and a little more sass...

SAVANNAH!

2008-07-23T21:25:00.004-04:00

After a rough few months, Darin and I were able to take a MUCH needed vacation. So where did we go? One of our favorites places on earth - Savannah. We never get tired of this city. We had a great time...we were able to relax, make new friends, enjoy some fine Southern cuisine, and just let life go for a little while. The funny part is the photographer in me wanted to spend every minute shooting around this compelling town, but we stayed busy with other things and I only managed to photograph around ONE whole block...that's it! So here's what I got.

These are the new friends we made. We had a fabulous time with them, and we were already talking about taking a rafting vacation together in the near future. Maybe I should've gotten a photo where she was looking at the camera, but I love this one because she was always laughing, and that's what I'll remember. At least I'm consistent about the love of "real life" photography. ;)

You'd think being a photographer I would make sure I got some good photos of us on our trip, after all, these are the things I want to remember in years to come. But no, this one is pretty much it. What I need is a full-time photographer to follow us around everywhere and document the sweet things I would want to capture about us. Sounds expensive...ahhh...but one can dream...

Great Kids

2008-06-23T22:59:00.004-04:00

My latest beach session was a family with four children. They are some of the nicest, most polite, cooperative kids I've ever had the pleasure of photographing. They didn't even mind eating ice cream! ;) So, to M and C (their parents) - thank you for raising such a lovely bunch. I can see a lot of it is done by example, as you two are just as lovely.

K's First Shoot

2008-05-23T12:25:00.003-04:00

"K" - here's a sneak peek at your first shoot! You did great with posing and using the right amount of sass! We got some great images for your portfolio. I'm excited to do the second shoot. Enjoy...

T's Party!!

2008-05-16T19:51:00.003-04:00

She's ONE! And sooo cute! I first met this family back in November for Christmas photos, and it was one of my favorite shoots. I'm so honored when clients hire me again and again...I love to watch their children grow. So here's a tiny peek at T's party, and I'm hoping her adorable face will make many more appearances on my blog...

Blonde Beauty

2008-04-25T20:26:00.008-04:00

I loved this senior's hair and gorgeous eyes. And she had fabulous vintage prom dresses! Her mom and little brother came along and all three of them were super nice. I had a great time! J - I hope you love them...

Miss L's FIRST birthday!

2008-04-21T23:03:00.008-04:00

Happy birthday Little Miss Sassy! This family is one of my favorites, and this is their third child. We had a blast during this shoot...L had me laughing so hard I could hardly hold the camera still. I have a lot more to edit, but these were my instant favorites.

Love the curls...

Sun flare is hard to capture, but it has such nostalgia...

And I'm struggling to pick a favorite edit on this shot, so I'm posting all four...
(Vote in the comments if you like!)

PROM

2008-04-20T13:58:00.004-04:00

You've seen these faces before. This is my senior "C". We've worked together a lot and I LOVE her! And you've seen him, "A", in a previous post as well. I was excited to photograph them as a couple, and all dolled up! ;)

Hats!!

2008-04-19T19:21:00.006-04:00

I love it when someone is willing to wear hats...and look fabulous in them! Hats have a way of drawing attention to the face, and with a face this gorgeous, it's the best accessory!

I loved working with "L". I really admire her...not only is she managing to get through high school (which we all know can be brutal sometimes), but she's also planning a career in law AND raising a son. "L" - I hope you love the photos, and I wish you all the best. Dream BIG...

Senior Guy

2008-03-27T01:10:00.006-04:00

It's always a treat to photograph guys because I have to think differently with posing and angles. This one was on the shy side, but his mom and I got him to warm up a bit to the camera, and we got some great shots out of him!

Relaxed Portraits

2008-03-15T00:58:00.006-04:00

I have met some of the nicest people through photography, and this family was no exception. They were so easy to work with, and I was delighted to see they wanted nice casual portraits instead of stiff studio shots. His lovely yard served us well as a backdrop.

And the winner is...

2008-03-04T20:17:00.004-05:00

Sue Hamilton!!!
You won the free photo session!

AND the other winners are...

Jackson Treuting and Toni Molinaro!!
Each of you won a $50 gift certificate good toward any session fee!

I will be contacting all of you to give you details on claiming your prizes. Thanks to everyone for participating in the drawing. I met so many nice people over the weekend, I wish I could give something to all of you!

Sweet Family

2008-02-29T11:36:00.006-05:00

These were some of the sweetest people I've ever met. I only have a few photos to show right now, but I know the mom is anxiously waiting to take a peek! Check out the hair on this baby boy - I love it. I'll have a "rock star" image up soon.

And we had to do something funky with that great hairstyle, so here it is...

Day on the Farm

2008-02-27T00:08:00.011-05:00

I love "Day in the Life" shoots. They give me an opportunity to really get to know the family. This family hired my husband and I for a two day shoot, invited us to stay overnight, fed us, and, most importantly, welcomed us into their world. We had a wonderful time photographing them - capturing the landscape, the details, and the bonds between everyone. But the best part for us was witnessing the love and commitment these parents have for each other and for their girls. It was inspiring to see such a solid foundation for life being carefully laid for each one of them. They had a great balance of guidance, discipline and encouragement. I could go on and on about them, but there's only so much space. Sooo, here is a small slice of what was captured, and a few more can be seen on my flickr (when you get to the link, you can view as a slideshow). We will be creating a custom coffee table book with all the images (close to 300 photos).

And I included this to show just how comfortable the family got with us - that's my husband on the far left, and she just reached right up and grabbed his hand...it made me smile.

Dark Eyes

2008-02-21T01:20:00.007-05:00

I've always been partial to blue, but lately I've been drawn to dark brown eyes. I love this senior's eyes. The deep color seems to create some mystery, which goes very well with the classic teenage attitude. And "J", you combined the perfect expressions with the eye contact to set that mood and pull me in. We captured some nice smiles too, but these were my favorites. I'm excited for our second session!

Wide Awake

2008-02-17T19:54:00.006-05:00

This little man didn't want to miss anything! He had a full head of hair, a cute button nose, and he was totally alert. We moved him back and forth between rooms and set-ups, and we eventually wore him out for the last few shots of the day. My favorite part of newborn sessions is always just observing the parents with this new life...it makes me feel good every time.

Brave Parents

2008-02-08T10:05:00.003-05:00

I loved this family. They were so nice and easy-going, and brave enough to have a puppy and a newborn at the same time! Little "R" had decided she didn't want to sleep for this session, but luckily grandma had the magic touch. We'd take a few photos, which would wake her up, pass her back to grandma, she'd leave the room with her for a few minutes, bring her back sleeping and then we'd do it again. But the good news...she slept better that night than ever before! So here she is...

And probably my favorite...