My neice Emma is here visiting – I haven’t seen her in a long time!  She is 15 months now and walking, walking, walking!  As a matter of fact, she is either walking or eating, so you have to be quick to take her picture!

Tomorrow is her big photoshoot – this is just one from today -

So here we are at the end of another year – and wow what a year it has been!  I could say that it was quite possibly the worst year of my life – but what fun would that be?  You take your lumps, learn from them and move on, right?  I would not be the person I am today without the wonderful support system of my friends and family.  And, I don’t know how so many wonderful customers found me in 2011 but I know I am *the* luckiest photographer in Midlothian (Roanoke and Penfield too) to have been able to work with you all.  You help make my dreams come true as I continue to grow and learn as a photographer.  I am so thankful you all are in my life!

So, are y’all ready for the roller coaster ride of 2012?  I am SO ready!  Next week 29 boys and girls will become part of my new “family” as I return to the world of teaching.  I cannot wait to start as well as continue on with my photography career.  No one knows what the future holds but I know it will be filled with laughter, love and light.  So buckle your seat belts and get ready because the ride is about to start!

Cheers!

And of course, a few pics . . . some of my favorite shots from recent photoshoots w/ the kids .

So . . . when another photographer asks you to shoot their family (or extended family, as in this case) – let’s just say the pressure is on a little bit.  And that it’s very flattering, knowing there are a lot of good photographers in the Midlo area.  Jenny Hughes used to live right down the street from me, but last year moved to Seattle.  She is the genius behind Jenny Hughes Photography and is the cutest thing.  Plus her daughters are just beautiful.  While I was a little nervous about it, I feel like our personalities are kind of similar so I knew it would be bunches of fun!

I met them at the Mines today and I have to say it was more than fun – it was a blast!  We did some serious family shots – but I’m sharing the fun ones we did after that – because those are my favorites. 

Look at those gorgeous eyes . . .

black and white or color?  I liked them both . .  .

Thanks again y’all – I really had fun and it was so good to see you Jenny!

Thanks to you too Linda!

So yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jeremy to take some head shots.  I don’t do a lot of head shot work, especially outside, so this was a fun challenge.  Jeremy is talented in many ways and it was so fun to take pictures of someone that I didn’t really even need to direct.  He just naturally knew where to put his head and what look to give- and *he* had *me* doing things like jumping over bridges and walking in prickly fields.  Good thing we didn’t see any snakes (haha – I don’t want to jinx myself but in all my times at the mines I’ve only seen one black snake).  Our goal was to get a variety of different looks.  Also he looked like one of my favorite tv characters, Kramer from Seinfield.   Do ya see it? 

PS- most of these are not cropped like a head shot.

And, many many thanks to Linda for holding my reflector.  Thanks girl!

haha – I can joke like that because “C” has come for pictures about four times in the past year and her mom is super sweet!  So – I hope this post puts a smile on your face – because these pictures made me smile.

“C” started out shy – maybe some seperation anxiety going on - common for an 18 month old . . .

But she thought the jingle ornament was pretty cool  . . . .

Yea – well, we had to scrap the Rudolph ears – quickly!

and she wasn’t digging the red and green santa hat either . . .

Just when I thought we were on to some smiles- I noticed her finger (haha) . . .

but after all that – she smiled the nicest smiles!  I love it when a session ends with the best smiles last   What a cutie!