Weddings

I never imagined in a million years I would photograph a wedding... the PRESSURE! However it was so much fun. I love weddings and often thought how fun it would be to work at a professional wedding planner... never going to happen. I would be a great wedding crasher. I just love weddings. I love the invitations, the flowers, the cake and all the little details. It's in the details! A sweet friend asked me to shoot her son's wedding a few months back. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. It was a very casual wedding held at a nearby marina/event center.... the wedding was mid day in FULL sun... not the ideal lighting situation. I had a few (a lot) photos that were really blown out, but I did get some great shots. Lambert was my un-paid trusty assistant (he bossed me around the whole evening.) We really make a great team. He has a very good eye for composition and helped me achieve some great shots. So we shot the wedding, all was good and here are a few teasers! Lets start with the cake... This is just the topper. She wasn't finished dressing it but I snatched this shot. She finished it with beautiful butterflies. I wanted to re-do my wedding so I could have this cake. The mother of the groom actually did this herself... she is a cake artist. The cake was a creamy pearl white fondant with no frills... just classic. then they had a huge cupcake stand with plain white cupcakes dressed with pearl swirled icing. BEAUTIFUL!!! Then there was this little guy... so cute I could have taken him home with me. He would fit right in with my littles. It was a military wedding. Don't they look like babies? When did I get old? I haven't edited this photo yet, but I love it. She is the grandmother of the the groom and she flew in from Las Vegas. I really wanted to sit down and visit wit her. I bet she has some stories to tell!

This post is going to be all over the place... kinda like my life right now:) i was supposed to have a morning photo session with my next door neighbor but it had to be re-scheduled so I decided to take advantage of the time and shoot my kiddos (which they love) brag session: Hoot is not the most atheletic kiddo, just like his momma... He had field day at school earlier this week and he dreaded it. He asked me the night before what I would think if he came in "dead last" in every event. I told him it didn't matter and that it was just a fun day. So the morning of field day Lambert dropped him off and Hoot said he had a tummy ache and needed to go back home... later that morning he had a melt down after he placed last in the 50 meter relay... I told him that Lamberts didn't quit... we particpate and finish no matter what.. I want my kids to be finishers not quitters. I must confess I too often am a quitter. I want them to be better than me. So.. he finished and placed thrid in one event. He was thrilled until an older school mate informed him that third was really last :( kids are harsh sometimes. Field Day was a tough day for little Hoot. We had great conversations that evening about not being the best at everything and how God made everyone of us unique. Some of us are great at math and some are athletes. We stressed that God made him special... so the next day.... Was The School Spelling Bee. Hoot is a great speller. God made him that way. It comes easy to him. I told Hoot that morning to put on his game face and go in there and be the speller that he is! Parents were not invited to the competition this year. I guess were a distraction. I was anxious all day. Nanna picked him up that afternoon. I called as soon as I knew he would be in the car to find out how he did. She said she would let him tell me and she put him on the phone. "Mom, I won the spelling bee!" he said happily. I was so proud of him. I knew we would have another disussion later that evening about God's perfect design. It was such a teachable lesson. This was the last week of school for Hoot so the awards ceremony came on Friday. I knew Hoot would be announced as the First Grade Spelling Bee winner and A Honor roll student for the year. We were there aremed with cameras and video. I wasn't prepared for the award he received. Each class elected a "most Christ like student" and in First grade Hoot was chosen for this award. My heart swelled. I should have been armed with tissue! Of all the awards he could have he received this is the most important to me and Lambert. We don't care if he is an athelet or a great speller. Those things are all great but in the grand scheme of things, we want our children to be Christ like. For his classmates to see Christ in him is just such a sweet sweet treasue that brings us so much joy! We are so proud of him. He is a great son, brother and friend. We love you Hootster! On another note. I have been shooting families and seniors and babies and weddings and you name it lately. I'm posting a few favorites. I dropped my 50mm 1.4 lens this week and it's not taking crisp photos... might be an excuse to UPGRADE... hello 50mm 1.2 :) This was the most beautiful family ever... look at those eyes!

Facebook

I've been posting a lot lately on facebook and realized I've neglected the blog. It's been senior photos and editing for me. i have a bit of writers block and I know I have customers waiting on edited photos so blogging has been pushed to the back burner. I took the kiddos with me on a photo session last week. They were so good and I knew the clients well so they didn't mind the littles tagging along. I captured these shots of them before the session. it was such a sweet sweet day. Today Libbie and I will head into Shriners to pick up new AFO's. I am praying the new AFO's will fit in her shoes better and we won't have to go back to ugly orthotic shoes. The most important thing is that she can walk steady no matter what shoes she's wearing. If we have to go back to orthotics... then so be it. BUT we both love cute shoes so it will stink if she can't wear them. Libbie is getting better with the camera... she'll smile for me now! FINALlY They had no idea I was taking their photos so it was just awesome to capture these moments as they happened.

Easter Sunday

I know Easter was last week, but what an amazing day! I had the privledge of capturing all three sessions of our church services on my camera. I had so much fun. I was busy all over the church talking to people and asking permission to photograph them. I had to post this photo. The lighting was perfect, her expression was perfect and I just love it! I didn't edit either of these photos... I love this one of Hoot too. He is a mess!

He is not there!

The angel said to the women "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. The go quickly and tell the disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Gaillee. There you will see him, Now I have told you." Matthew 28:5-7 He is risen!!

Keeping my head above water!

I feel like every post is an excuse as to why I haven't posted... its more of the same... i've been so busy with life I can't seem to keep my head above water. I've been a terrible friend folks. I'm trying to manage my household, work my part time job, edit photos (at night) and oh yeah... be a good wife. I'm failing in all areas. I need an asst. that's what I need. I need someone to do the laundry, iron and maybe some light housekeeping Oh yeah and return a few e-mails. Who knew being a stay at home mom was so exhausting. I'm tired! I haven't blogged or even kept up with my blog friends lately. I love what I'm doing, it's just hard trying to manage it all. I think it will be easier when the Doll starts school and I have a few free hours during the day... maybe.. maybe not.. I just know I've missed yall! I hope you have a wonderful Easter. We've got busy plans all weekend. I'm shooting an Easter party tomorrow and then Sunday I've been asked to stay for all three services at church to capture the day through my lens. I'm excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! This is what I've been up to.. loving every minute!

Rodeo

The Houston Livestock and Rodeo was here the past couple of weeks. Last year was Libbies first rodeo. We had just returned from China and we weren't sure she would enjoy but did she ever. We introduced her to Goliath, the super slide and Icees... She took her first sip and the straw was affixed to her mouth until the entire icee was gone! We had a great time again this year. However next year were going to experience the livestock show and carnival as soon as they open in the morning. It was sooooo crowded I couldn't really enjoy it. Hoot and Lambert went earlier in the week with Hoot's school and at 9:00am they were able to see and do everything minus the crowds. So note to self... early is better. "Mama, I don't like long lines!!" "But i do like pony rides!!" He makes a handsome cowboy! it was too windy for his hat He won an angry bird stuffed animal at the water gun game and he gave it to his sister. I I'm so proud of my sweet Hoot! Mad skills And when it was all said and done.... I got to see my guy, Alan Jackson!! "It's alright to be little bitty"