Bates Extended Family Fall Portrait Season

Here in Texas we have FINALLY dropped out of the 100’s into the 80’s; so basically scarves, boots, and pumpkin everything we are waiting for you with open arms! With this “fall” weather in the air, it’s the perfect time to share this extended family session!

Does it surprise anyone to know this is one of the photos they chose to print on a gorgeous canvas?? I don’t know if their smiles can get any bigger here, and I absolutely love it!

Of course my goal with extended family portraits is to capture that one photo with everyone smiling and looking at the camera for the fireplace mantle, hallway, or gallery wall in your home.  We all want to remember the day we got dressed up and looked camera ready. But I also love the moments in between. The kisses, snuggles, smiles, and giggles.  After all isn’t that what family is:  our Sunday best version, and then our inside jokes and funny expressions that make up all of who we are.

In all of my family sessions I always try to make sure I get a photo of the parents solo. After all, this whole thing started because two people fell in love right? We can’t forget where it all began!

The loveliest patch of sun lit up this background halfway through our shot and made the best spot for the individual photos of each family unit. 

This young lady wanted her own close up and I was all for it!

Bates family, thank you so much for having me photograph your family!

An Artist's Surprise 75th Birthday Party

From the moment I talked w/Danielle on the phone I could tell she was warm, kind, & very excited about planning her mom's 75th surprise birthday party. Danielle’s Mom, Betty Jean, is an artist, & I loved how Danielle incorporated her Artwork into the decor. 

Sixty vines had the perfect garden room with glass windows that let in gorgeous natural light but fortunately kept out the heat. Their menu was a delightful array of appetizers & pizzas that included yummy toppings like squash blossom, goat cheese, pesto, prosciutto, fig, & honey (anyone else's mouth watering yet?). Hello party in my mouth!

The party ended on a sweet note with a beautiful watercolor & foil cake from Panini Bakery.  Enjoy the photos from the celebration!

My Dad

When I first started exploring photography as a career, I brought my camera out all the time. And my family was kind enough to be my willing models. Then as time went on, this exciting new world of photography became my full time job and I started to get a little bit cranky about shooting “off the clock”.

 And then.

As it does.

Life happened. 

Good changes and bittersweet ones.

Then the dread turned to remorse. I wish I’d had my “good camera” out for X Y, & Z.  My job entails documenting the lives of others and in my own life there were these gaps. So I decided to stop grieving the past and make a change. I couldn’t change the past but I could plan differently for the future.  For my Dad’s recent birthday, I went over with my “good camera” and was purposeful to get images of him.  Not of him serving or in the background as he usually is, but him in the spotlight. 

I don’t want to take my today for granted and I don’t want to miss out on capturing those closest to me.   I’ve recently been reminded of what a vapor this life is. So whatever my today looks like, I want to express gratitude for it. Because when this time passes, there will be something about this season I will miss.

Thanks Dad for being a great model back when I first started photography and up until now.  I’m glad for these photos, but I’m also glad for what they represent:  quality Daddy daughter time that I chose to be present for and capture with my “good camera”  And that is priceless.