Tag Team Senior Session

Day one with "E" was blahhh with not so lovely stl weather....I was thinking "go awaaaay rain!"  The inevitable reschedule date landed when my photog friend Joanne of Joanne Distaso Photography was to be in town for her visit...sooo guess who got double the artist on her senior session investment.  We had a blast with "E"...she's beautiful, smart and sassy under all that sweetness...don't let her fool ya!  It was a looong session only because the creative juices were comin' down like the rain...what fun!  Thanks "E" for being such a sport...and thanks Jo for stirr'n my "mojo"...it sure was memorable and it makes me want to do it again and again :)

So for this blog post...since it was kind of a special shoot I thought "hey, I bet people would like to see how the shots are taken"...soooo for your entertainment and my humiliation because apparently I've lost control over my facial expressions....I give you "behind the scenes footage"...enjoy!




Yep, it's not uncommon to hang out at the laundry wash'n hole...lot's of fun to be had there...

And this is how to get....

This....

I often look like this in photos...scary right?   Ha, well someone's gotta show the girl the "pose"....

Her pose is sooooo much better...way to go "E"!

And this is why I don't get all gussied up myself...I spend too much time roll'n on the ground!

But I got this...and I love me some sun flare!!!

Then Jo got in on some cute hat action...

Yum!

Jo again getting what may be my favorite image from the session....

Is this amazing or what?  Love!

Beautiful!

Thanks ladies...that's a wrap! :)

Best Buddies

I know I've discussed friends on the blog in the past, but it seems to be a major theme that God's addressing lately in my life.  I can say that the topic of friends will most definitely be revisited soon...only because I have so much more to say.  Anyway, on to the story at hand, the 'H' family is one that my family has grown quite close to over the last couple of years.  Our 4th grade boys are best friends.  They spend as much time together as possible having sleep overs, playing sports, camping, hiking and just experiencing life as 10 year olds together.  M & C are like two peas in a pod...a match made in heaven, if you will.  Ironically, it wasn't so long ago, before I got the news, that I had this conversation with my son...he said, "mommy what makes you happy?"...I said, "when you & C are out playing & laughing, sometimes I secretly watch from the window & sometimes I get all teary eyed because it is clear to me how happy you are when you're together...I love to see how C makes you laugh a most genuine "from the gut" laugh...I love to hear your whispers that turn into wrestling matches...those moments are what I pray you will have an abundance of for an entire lifetime...friendships like the one between you and C are a gift from above....enjoy every moment buddy."
My little man "get's me"...he knows I get mushy sometimes, but I never regret having those deep little moments with him.  Now here we are with the news that his best friend, his partner in crime has to move away back to his home state of Ohio at the end of the school year.  I'll be honest, it was devastating news...we cried....ALOT...the whole family, including daddy.  So with only days remaining until their final departure I thought what a blast to have all the boys come together for some candids.  It may be the end of a chapter, but there's so much more to come.  I honestly, from the core of my soul, believe that their friendship can not be separated by geography.  We love you boys and thank God for the joy that you bring to us and each other...we will do everything in our power to keep you connected!  Now for some sweet memories...a video for Chase.   {click below}

For Chase

a lil date

we got out! ALONE!
we walked slow (he's still sore from the surgeries)...ALONE!
we talked & laughed...ALONE!
we ate lunch...ALONE!
and we might have even exchanged a couple kisses...ooooooo!
it was a much needed saturday with my hubby...things are looking up!

Oakville Senior Photographer: An Amazing Day with "A"

Is there anything more fun than shooting a senior girl?   Seriously, "A" was such a blast!  She trampled through waist high grass, waved off a 85 year old granny security guard & was prepared to use her "Dog Whisperer" skills on more than one stray rottweiler (for real people...get a leash!)...now that's a real trooper.  What a fantastic day with many many beautiful images....enjoy "A" & thanks for the entertainment!

Is "A" your friend?  Leave the girl a comment below...she rocked it out & deserves some love ;-)

Mini Me...For Lack of a Better Title :)

Julia, Jules, Julesie...she'll answer to any of those and many more that make absolutely no sense.  For instance...

Me: "yo yo yo...swizzle stick...did ya pick up your room?"
Julia: "yeeees mommy...check check"

ha...she's a hoot...right?
or it may go down like this...

Me: "umm...hey you in the pink...where's your mom?"
Julia: (hands on hips) "MOMMYYYY!"
Me: "umm...little girl....how did you get in my house?"
Julia: (head cocked) "MOMMYYYYYY!"
Me: "oh...oh..hey...yeah...I think I recognize you"
Julia: "Mommy....you done lost yo mind"
Me: "hmm?...well.....you are kinda cute...I guess I'll keep ya"

Is this type of parent/child interaction damaging?  I hope not...it's how we role...lot's of sarcasm...I could be in for trouble!  But for now...it's bliss...she's a blast with a sense of humor out of the norm.  She loves that Mommy's a photographer & claims that some day she'll be the same...shrug...if that's what makes her happy it's all good.  Here's a glimpse of Jules...7 years 6 months & some odd days...going on 20!

Saint Louis Baby Photographer: Baby girls...

There must be nothing in the world like having a twin sister.  I can only imagine their bond as they grow older...how amazing & special.  It makes me think who I'm closest to...the kinds of secrets we share...the laughs that only we "get"...the memories & the moments yet to come...multiply that by 10 & you've got the love between twins...these little ones are in for a beautiful life full of little whispers, unspoken exchanges and giggles.  Congratulations mom & dad...they are priceless!

Girlfriends...

Friend; noun, a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

Girlfriends...don't they make all the difference in your world?  Well, the good ones do...no doubt about it.  They're someone to turn to, to lean on, to share with, to laugh with, to hold your hand or your hair (you know you're friends for life when there's hair holding involved...ha)...friends pick you up when you're down, they spin you around when you're up, they encourage you to do better & be better, they hug you goodbye, drink after you, pick the lint off your backside, and tell you when you've been ridiculous and the list goes on...I'm so thankful to all of you gals that I'm proud to call my girlfriends.  No matter if you're a friend of mine from this town or on my list of coastal friends...just know that I appreciate and respect all of you for the beautiful individuals that you are and I love that each of you contribute something special to my life somehow...making it richer and fuller than I ever could have imagined.  I can only

wish all of these things to be true for my daughter in her life starting now...

Here's to all of my girlfriend's!!!  I love ya girls...