52 on Friday: Week 26

Week 26: Shadow

26 weeks! This marks the half way point in my 52 week project.  I absolutely can not believe that we are halfway through 2012.  I want to apply the brakes to my life, can we just slow down a bit, please? 

This week's theme is Shadow, to contrast with last week's Light.  I knew right away I wanted to play with a silohuette.  Hannah was such a trooper to come and have fun with me.  Have I ever mentioned how blessed I am? I love this kid :) I love this life. 

I hope that you all have a great week, take a minute and see how this week's short circle of friends have interpreted shadow, here is Mark. 

9 months old

I mentioned last week that I would be catching up on some sessions I haven't had a chance to blog, and today I'm excited to finally share this little man's 9 month session.  You can see his 6 month session here and see how much he's grown!  I love this age (I know I say that with every age) he was crawling and pulling up, and I can't wait until his next session- he'll be WALKING!!! :)  We took a minute to grab a few family shots as well.  Here are my favorites!

He was still very stingy with his smiles, but those big blue eyes are just precious!

We ended our session with Oreos and milk :) He thought I was pretty great by the end of the session! Mom and Dad??? not so much :)
Thank you two for letting me make a mess of your little guy!!!

52 on Friday: Week 25

Week 25: Light

light- noun- an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
light- noun- the radiance or illumination from a particular source.
light- adjective- having light or illumination; bright; well-lighted.
light- verb- to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, especially with joy, animation, or the like.

Light, I discovered today, has many definitions.  I chose these four because they seem to describe my photo for today.  The first three are obvious, the sun flare, the radiant light around Conner, the illumination of the blowing grass... The last, though, is my favorite.  Because he brings joy to my heart. 

I hope he lights your face with a smile today :) Please take a minute and head to Anna's blog to see how she captured light.

52 on Friday: Week 21

Week 21: Memory

This theme was another one that I was really excited about when we chose the themes last fall.  Memories are really why I love photography.  I love freezing a moment in time that I can come back to whenever I want, and relive all the emotions I was feeling that day.  I went back and forth on what photos to choose for this week, and settled on these flashbacks of my kiddos.  Each of them is shown side by side- a picture of them around age 1 and a picture from last week.  The newer pictures are from our vacation in the Outer Banks- and I will cherish the memories from that vacation forever, and I hope my kids do too.  I'm sure they'll be more pics from our trip to share once I get everything else caught up :) 

Hannah- 18 months old, and 10 years old.

  Aiden- 10 months old, and 8 years old.

Conner- 1 year old, and 5 years old.  If I ever left the dryer door open, even for a minute, this is where I would find him :) And, you can see he hasn't lost that mischevious look in his eye- I think part of me hopes he never will :)

I hope you all have a fantastic Memorial Day- enjoy your 3 day weekend!  Don't forget to stop by Mark Gregory's blog to see his Memory.

52 on Friday: Week 18

Week 18: Night

I can't believe we are 18 weeks into this project!!!  If you want to get caught up on all my other photos you can click here :)

This week's theme is Night- very fitting since last week's theme was Morning.  I have been looking forward to this one :) And I let my kiddos stay up late so they could help me "play" with some sparklers.  I LOVE sparklers and I LOVE photographing them.  Tonight I had enough for everyone to get to light 2 (perfect! a test run for mom... and one to get the "just right" shot!) Well... while mom was getting the camera ready, Conner broke both of his sparklers... well, shoot... now there's only enough for one take! Oh well :) it is what it is, and they had fun (me too!)  And, then I stayed out and played with a flashlight... I'm such a geek, I could play with a flashlight and my camera ALL night!

I hope that you all have a blessed weekend, and that you'll take a minute to check out my friend Patti's blog to see her night image.  Happy Friday!!! :)

52 on Friday: Week 16

Week 16: Whimsical

whim·si·cal      /ˈ(h)wimzikəl/

Adjective:

Playfully quaint or fanciful, esp. in an appealing and amusing way. Acting or behaving in a capricious manner.

Be sure to stop by Mark's blog to see what he came up with for this week :)

52 on Friday: Week 10

Wow! Here we are 10 weeks into 2012 and 10 weeks into our Project 52.  If you want to know more about this project you can see my first post here. 

This week's theme is Stormy Weather.  Well... last week I was waiting for rain and I was afraid that this week would be more of the same.  But, today we sure had our storms... and our rain!  Conner kept looking out the window... "Is it still raining?"  "yes... it is"  So, here is what stormy days look like at our house. 

This was taken while the power was out this morning... my little guy longing for some sun. :)

Not the greatest photo, it was really, really dark.  But, it captures his feelings of being stuck inside all day with no power.  (the power came back on a few minutes later...)

I hope you all have a great weekend... if you're in our area- enjoy the stormy weather! :)
Don't forget to stop by and leave some blog love for everyone else!  Start here with Annessa!

52 on Friday: Week 9

March comes in like a Lion... that was the basis of this week's 52 on Friday theme: Lion.  I knew exactly what I was going to photograph all week, I was just waiting on the weatherman's prediction to come to fruition... well... it did... in the middle of the night... when there's no light... and I was sleeping!  So, on to plan B! 


Around our house- and most likely yours too- daffodils are blooming.  I really love daffodils, they are one of my favorite flowers.  But, every year... no kidding- EVERY year, my kids pick the first blooms and come running to me- "Mommy!!! I picked you some Dandy Lions!!!"  And every year, I tell them, "these are daffodils".  This year was no different :) So, here is Aiden bringing me my first hand fulls of "dandy lions".  I hope that you have a beautiful weekend!!!

Aiden is my hard-to-photograph kid, well, they all are pretty hard to photograph!  But, he tends to give me the weirdest smiles, Angry Smiles.  So, I was very pleased to have gotten a real happy smile from him :)

Don't forget to follow through our circle and see how everyone else interpreted Lion. :) You can start here with Laura!!!

52 on Friday: Week 8

Week 8: Alone

This week's theme of Alone had me a little stumped.  I had a couple of ideas that I just couldn't make work.  I have to admit that the concept of taking a word and making photograph has been much harder than I anticipated!  For this week I began to think of how I am NEVER alone, I'm always with at least one of the kids, or at the church, or on the rare occasion- out with my husband.  And, I really almost prefer it that way- I do enjoy a little bit of alone time, but for the most part... I really like being with other people. 

For the last 5 years I've had Conner by my side.  Except for about 6 months I worked a day time job last year, I've pretty much been home with him since the day he was born.  But... I know that come August all of that will change.  He will start Kindergarten... and I will cry.  Yes, I am that mom that cries on the first day of school.  But, I think this time it will be a little bit harder, because I will come home... alone.  I know, I know... August is months away, but my mind still wanders to what my "new life" without any kids at home during the day will be like.  It makes me a little apprehensive... and sad.  So, for now, I try and take time during the day and enjoy having my little man home with me. 

Don't forget to stop by Jon Yoder's blog to see how he interpreted this week's theme!

52 on Friday: Week 7

Together

I had it in my head exactly the picture I wanted for this week's theme of Together.  Unfortunately, it rained a LOT this week, leaving me Thursday to get my shot... then my husband had to work late and we ran out of light :( Now, I am a plan ahead kind of girl... so I had taken the kiddos out to grab some back up images...

I love my kids.  I love that they love each other.  I love that they play together.  I am the baby of four kids, the baby by ten years.  I didn't really have anyone to play with when I was growing up, so I really enjoy watching my three interact.  Now, I'm not saying they are perfect... not by any means as you'll see below- but, they do get along pretty well.  Here's a peek at my little ones- Together.

Notice that Hannah and Aiden are fighting... and yes... Conner's boots are on the wrong feet :) Perfectly imperfect.

Don't forget to check out everyone else's interpretation of Together!  Here is Annessa Baker!!! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!  This morning at our house, everyone got heart shaped breakfasts.  I didn't get pictures of those that ate early... but did snap a few of Conner's breakfast of heart shaped eggs and waffles :) All three kids were thought I was pretty cool... I guess all it takes is a cookie cutter to make the cool list these days.  I hope you all have a great day, take a minute to tell someone how much you care for them today!!!

52 on Friday: Week 5

Happy first Friday in February! 

Yesterday Puxatony Phil saw his shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of winter... well... we have yet to begin winter here in Arkansas, so I'm not sure what to expect in the coming weeks.  But, I am sure missing my crisp, cold air, and our snow that melts the next day.  I'm tired of the fog, rain, and mud that aren't supposed to be here until spring.  So, rather than drag my kiddos out into the mud (since that means I would have mud all over my house) we stayed inside for this week's 52 on Friday pictures.  When my friend, Kim, and I chose the themes for each week, I remember being so excited and full of ideas for what I was going to shoot each week.  But, now as each week comes I feel so stumped as to what I'm going to photograph!  I have to say I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband and kiddos who are patient with me while I work to make what I'm seeing through the lens match what I saw in my mind.  :) I am blessed. 

This week's theme is Red, here is my image. 




I hope you will all take a few minutes to click through the circle of talented photographers who are joining me on this creative journey.  You can start here with Anna Ingle of Betsy Anna Photography and see the Red she captured.  :)



52 on Friday: week 4

Well, here we are, 4 weeks into 2012!  And since it's Friday I'm here to share my Project 52 with you.  Last Thursday my husband and I took the kids and rented a cabin at Village Creek State Park to celebrate his birthday.  We had a fantastic time hiking, relaxing, and just being away from "it all".  I really thought that I would come home with my image for this week's theme of Black and White... but once I got the pictures onto my computer none of them were working... they just weren't what I had in mind.  So, I spent the first part of the week trying to come up with something. 

As a kid I remember my brother coming home from college (he's 12 years older than I am) with books about personalities, and he would "test" all of us.  And my parents always laughed at my results, I'm different from the rest of them... I guess... Anyway, for me things are black or white... no gray area, very analitical, I hate change... And, from what I've been told, I've always been this way, lol!  Well... now I have a child, who is pretty much just the same.  There's no changing his mind... there's only one way to do things... He even gets upset if I put his shoes on in a different order than I put his socks on!!! "No, Mommy... right foot, then left. Just like my socks!" So.... here is my black and white picture of my little man who sees the world black and white... no shades of gray for Conner and me!!!

Don't forget to follow through the circle to see everyone else's interpretation of Black and White.   Start here with the talented Jon Yoder of Jon Yoder Photography, be sure to leave some blog love as you make the rounds! :)

52 on Friday: Week 3

Happy Friday everyone!!!  And Friday means it's time again for my project 52.  This week's theme is Beginning.  I went back and forth on what to do this week- I even took and edited pictures for 2 different ideas that I had.  But, ultimately decided on using my beautiful Hannah.  Hannah is my first born, she is 10 years old, and she marks a beginning of true adulthood for me.  She was willing to let me photograph her for a few minutes this past weekend.  My thought for Beginning was- The First Step.  I really dislike change, so taking the first step into anything new just about makes me sick- those feelings of nervous excitement and trepidation... Hannah did a fantastic job conveying those feelings... I love the one where she's barely peeking backwards over her shoulder,  exactly how I feel when something new comes my way. :)  Anyway, on to the pictures!

And don't forget to follow through the rest of the circle of amazing photographers, starting here with the very talented Cheryl Weaver of Zoe Portrait Art! 

 

52 on Friday: Week 2

I have started a 52 week long project along with 14 other photographers.  One picture each week for a year- to read more about our 52 on Friday project you can click here for last week's post :)  Since it is now 2012 this week's theme was 12.  I struggled coming up with a creative idea for a number... but, eventually decided on having some fun with Conner and his favorite food- which is most commonly found in dozens.  Yes, my child would rather have a doughnut than anything else, so you can imagine the joy in his face when I asked for 12 of them at the bakery!!!  Here is Conner enjoying his dozen doughnuts. (No, I didn't let him eat them all!)

 I know I said ONE picture a week... but what mom can only post one picture of their kid?!?!

Be sure to follow through the circle of other photographers to see everyone elses creative ideas for 12!  Start here with the talented Patti Crump!

Sweet at Six Months

I was asked to photograph this sweet little six month old last month, and I was so excited!  Six months is a fun age to work with.  He was not quite sitting up by himself- but he sure tried for me :)  And he sure made us work for these smiles!  Here are some of my favorites :)

  

   

2011 Fall Mini-Sessions

To kick off Thanksgiving week, here are my fall mini-sessions.  I was thrilled when so many families that I have photographed in the past called to book a mini-session.  I love getting to see them again, see how the kids have grown :), and get to catch up a bit.  I told my husband that editing these pictures was emotional for me, because I care so much for so many of these people!  I am so blessed when I get to photograph friends.  I love to capture the little moments of my friends loving their families.  I hope you all take some time this week to love on your family and remember all that we have to be thankful for.  Have a blessed holiday!!!

The apples ended up not only being a great prop, but a great way to get smiles from the kids... if you let me take 4 more pictures I'll let you pick an apple... :)

Mason was SO fascinated by our bumble bee visitor!!!



Cinnamon, spice and everything nice...

Cinnamon, spice, and everything nice, that's what this little girl is made of!  She is the SWEETEST little thing ever!!!  And her little voice... oh my... she is precious. :)  I was so excited to take her 3 year old pictures, and she is such a natural in front of the camera. :) I love her and her sweet family, here are my favorites from our session.