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 .

I got to meet sweet Baby “L” this morning – who was wide awake the entire time she was in the studio just checking it all out!  She is gorgeous with her bright blue eyes and brown hair.  She will be coming back next week for some sleepy pictures (hopefully!) but for now here is her sneak peek  .. .

Baby “A” came yesterday for his newborn photoshoot and what a champion sleeper he was!  He slept through the entire photoshoot – not even once opening his eyes! 

His gorgeous mama . . .

At the end of the shoot he was having so much fun he smiled . . .  haha!

Laura, thanks so much for bringing Baby A over!  What a beautiful, special little boy he is!

Just one for this sneak peek of sweet baby J – who was two weeks old when we shot this picture.

When Heather first emailed me that she was having her third child and could I come to Roanoke to take pictures, I wasn’t sure it would fit into my schedule.  Things are crazy here in the summer! This family is so wonderful to work with – I have taken their pictures mabye four times now – that I hoped it would work out.  When I emailed Heather to let her know I could come, she said she felt like she had won the lottery.  Wow – what a compliment!  Sometimes I wonder if I am making the right choices in life, and having a compliment like that makes me think maybe I am headed in the right direction.

Anyways, I got to meet sweet baby R, who is just beautiful, last weekend.  I hope you can tell from these pictures how loved he is – by mom, dad and his big brother and sister. 

Dad – aka. “the baby whisperer” – has a special talent for putting baby “R” to sleep -

Thanks so much for having me out to Roanoke!

Baby H came yesterday when he was just three weeks old and less than five pounds.  He had been born around week 33 so had to spend a little extra time in the hospital.  I loved the newborn breathing noises he made and don’t think I have ever seen a baby so tiny!  He slept the entire time, only opening his eyes for one brief moment.  I did manage to capture a little smile . . .

His gorgeous mama -

Today I had the pleasure of meeting newborn baby “M”, who is just a mere 8 days old!  He was just adorable!  He had this high pitched squeeky cry that made me smile and I have to say was the best poser I’ve ever seen!  He would literally pose himself!  But he did *not* want his fingers uncurled and would get mad at me everytime I would try.  So we left them as a fist – he’s still adorable!

A few taken with my new macro lens – love these smooshy lips!

Perfect little tootsies!

Welcome to the world, baby M!

You might remember this beautiful mama from her “yoga” maternity shoot here.  Well, baby G has arrived and he is just gorgeous!  Not only that, he’s a good sleeper too!  I think he woke up only once or twice during his whole shoot, which is pretty amazing considering it was three hours long.  Baby G also has gorgeous skin – just like his mama!

Now I have to tell you that he posed himself in this one – and it was so funny how he had his one leg hanging out of the bucket -

Welcome to the world Baby G!!

Wowee is three months a difficult age to shoot!  I think most photographers would agree with me on that.  Baby Emma was even a little more challenging than the typical three month old because she hated to lay on her stomach.  That really limited my posing options – but we played around and had a lot of fun anyways.  She didn’t smile much but sure knows how to make some funny faces!

So I took a little trip to see my sisters in Cincinnati.  They are so lucky to be living near each other!  Each has a new baby – my younger sister has three month old Emma and my older sister has eight month old Brady.   I had a blast shooting them – prepare soon for picture overload!  But for now – just one of each . . . .