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!

This set of pictures has got to be one my all time favorites with baby/mom interaction.  I can just feel the love Sarah has for baby G - she is radiating happiness!  I love it!

Sometimes we are afraid of change as it disrupts our routine in life.  Sometimes change is welcome.  Big changes are happening in my personal life that are having an effect on my photography career.  As a result of something that has happened, I am going back to teaching.  This does not mean I am going to give up on my love for photography -but just merely take a side step for a short time.  I will only be able to do sessions on the weekend from now on (except in the summer when I can work full time).  If you would like to book a session in the coming months, just keep in mind that sessions are limited (so book early). 

In my case change is good and I am thrilled with my new teaching job!  Thank you all for the support you have shown me over the past few years as I grew into the photographer that I am today.  I wouldn’t be where I am without all of your feedback and love.  I am so blessed to have been able to spend time with my children while doing something that I absolutely adore.  I don’t know where this journey in life will take me, but you can be sure that photography will always be a part of it!

Cheers!

Jacquelyn, the mom of the “P” family, was one of the winners this month of a free sitting – and booked right away.  I got to meet her four beautiful daughters at the Mines last weekend for this shoot – and what personalities they had!  Full of spunk and each one so different!  Here is just a sample from that day . . .

I love this one – oh the personality!

Work it, work it . . .

Thanks for the fun shoot – so glad you guys won!

Four kids, lots of smiles, a few frowns (maybe a little crying, but don’t tell anyone) and that pretty much sums up the “M” family shoot from today  -

Now this is some sheer talent – how many guys can hold a squirmy toddler and still throw a spiral football?

A few outtakes and then – perfection!

Thanks for the fun “M” fam – I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

Just in case you don’t know what I look like – here I am today with my three babes.   I wanted to have some fun with this photoshoot.  I wanted to laugh and play – I get to do that all the time with my customers but not so often with my own children.  Since my dad is up from NY (I get my photographic talents from him) I grabbed him for a bit to shoot some. 

The gorgeous “M” family stuck it out yesterday even though it was super windy and cold.  And how cute is Miss Molly, their lab?

Sometimes you find a good location to shoot at that you just fall in love with – this family property in Powhatan was simply gorgeous!  There were little pockets of amazing light that I LOVED! 

Normally on a shoot I will take 150 +/- pictures.  For this cousin shoot  I took over 300 – that tells you how much fun it was.  I had a hard time picking out what I thought was the best for this blog post – do I pick the best with my mommy eyes or my photographer eyes?  I couldn’t decide so I picked a few of both.  Hope you like them too!

and a group hug at the end – thanks y’all – I love when I catch myself smiling while editing and that happened quite a bit today!

Other than the fact that I drove my car into a ditch at the end of this shoot (haha – don’t ask!) I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in a long time!  My cheeks hurt when I left this shoot today from smiling so much – that is how much fun these guys were!  Wouldn’t you love to be a cousin in this family?  I bet they will grow up together and be close friends. 

So . . . only five pictures for tonight because I promised I would have a gallery done ( and I’m still working on it) – but I will put up a few more tomorrow.  This picture makes me wonder what was going on behind me – haha!

and doesn’t the littlest one remind you of Shirley Temple in this picture?  I wonder what she was saying?

I said “show me some sass” . . . .and this is what they did -

If you don’t smile when you see this one you might be a grinch (just kidding!)

What an awesome time!  Thanks so much for having me out guys (and getting my car out of the ditch!)