Jonathan Fox **Newborns**

I am PARTICULARLY excited to share with you these new photographs. Why, you ask? For those who do not know me this is my brand new nephew, Jonathan Fox. (Not so brand new anymore...he's grown so much since this shoot!).

Not only is he family...he also shares my husband's name. I'll probably be calling him "Fox" to avoid confusion. We were all speechless when his name was revealed (in the hospital-yes, we waited 9 months for a name!).

I love being an aunt to this little guy...and I've loved staring at him even more while editing these photographs.

He is literally brand new in this first photograph.



And a little bit "older"...(11 days maybe?)




The best time to take them is within the first 10 or 14 days of life. It's sad but exciting to see him grow! He doesn't look like this anymore. He's already changing so much. These first pictures are so priceless to have so we won't forget these first days of life.


Notice the "storyboard" (aka "collage")?? More on that later...and more storyboards too!

**Sneak Peek** Shawn's Maternity Pictures

I'm in love with this precious family. I'm in love with these pictures. The colors, the faces, the light. It was an inspiring afternoon!

We had a last minute change of location and decided to just do all of the pictures at their house. I'm so glad we did! It made for a relaxed, personal photo shoot. Shawn looked gorgeous!

Curious George

Jenni and I had a "mini-session" this morning to get some ideas and play around a bit. The real shoot is this weekend. I was a little worried baby brother would come before then and we wouldn't have any maternity pictures!! That would have been a disgrace since I'm her sister-in-law! So I went over there this morning just in case :)
We had a short amount of time and I spent half of it getting the light right...but I got a few great shots. I thought I would share this one picture that I just fell in love with. I love the sweetness of mom and daughter. The anticipation of change. I even love how grainy the photograph is!
I can just imagine Abigail or "Curious George" looking at it years down the road...

**Sneak Peek** Jason's Senior Portraits

I want to thank Jason for being a wonderful sport for this photo shoot. I took a LOT of pictures. Sometimes I just get carried away...but it can be so much fun!

It was obvious, pretty fast, that Jason is a great guy. He has a good attitude about life and doesn't waste time complaining. I wish the best for him as he graduates and figures out what he's passionate about!







I can't decide if I like this one in color or black and white? Leave me a comment and tell me which one you like better...and why!

**Sneak Peek** Ambri's Baby Portraits {Odessa, Texas} {baby portraits}

I found myself "talking" to this sweet baby girl even while editing the pictures. I love how thoughtful she looked in some of these. I've decided I really like taking baby portraits.

Baby fever you say? I don't know what you're talking about...

Meet sweet little Ambri:

a Grandma's love

My Grandma died at the beginning of December. It still seems like she's at her little house in east Tennessee gardening, cooking and sewing. But she's not, she's in a better place-an eternally joyful place. My mom sent me this picture last week. She wrote a card with it that said:

"I love the way your Grandma is holding on to you in this picture. You can see she is proud of you, adores you, enjoys you. My mom was not a 'poser'-she was totally natural."

Five years ago this picture wouldn't have meant that much to me. I would have criticized the gray day and barren trees. I would have scoffed at my double chin and the fact that I look like my brother. But now, it stirs up so many emotions. It's a photograph that captures precious memories of my Grandma's love for me. It reminds me of the way she stood-her arms, her hands. I can almost hear her voice through the picture. I love that her sweet house is in the background.

I wonder what the day was like? I wonder what we talked about? I wonder if I ate one of her biscuits that cloudy day?

My favorite time of the year!

Maybe I'm jumping ahead here but I'm ready to declare that Spring has arrived. I know, I know, I'm probably going to get snapped back to reality when it freezes again (because I'm sure it will). But I'm loving this comfortable weather...and I'm even seeing some green sprouting up. Actually, our yard is covered in green weeds that are growing by the minute. My husband is about to mow our yard for the very first time (we just moved in).
In my opinion, Spring is the best time to take pictures. The air is cool, the scenery brightens up and people tend to just be in a great mood when the days are beautiful!

Can you believe that Easter is less than a month away? It's April 4th this year...for those of you who don't know. I love taking Easter and Senior portraits this time of the year. The colors are just beautiful...

Here are a few happy, "spring", shots for your viewing pleasure: