Five-Month-Old

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

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.

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

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...

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...

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

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

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?

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...

...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

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.