Monday, December 31, 2007

My last session for 2007


I was so happy to meet this lovely family last week and photograph them and their 6 month old son "J." He has truly the biggest eyes I've seen in awhile! And he was already crawling - bet he's an early walker! Their home was just beautiful and I loved the colors in their home. We did a "lifestyle" session - mostly natural light and no backdrops, just photographed them in their home and yard. It wasn't very sunny that day but it worked out just using the light...love that they had large windowns in their rooms. So here is my absolutely favorite from their session!

What I got for Christmas...


I have a very good friend, Amy...she actually started off as a customer in 2005 and we became friends after that. She and I have lots of common interests and she is always so thoughtful in sending me cards for thanks, birthdays or just because! She made me the best Christmas gift this year...she taught herself to solder and made these ornaments for her friends. I love it! It has my son, daughter-in-law and our grandbaby on it so its something I will treasure forever! I had to take a photo of how nice it looked on our tree...I'm hoping I can "twist" her arm next year into making these for my customers....are you listening Amy? hint hint hint ;)

Monday, December 17, 2007

Christmas Funnies



"Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas....

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my
children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor,
sold sixty-two cases of chocolate bars to raise money to plant a shade
tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list
out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter
with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room
between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any colour, except
purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze;
but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy
aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh
month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint
resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a
television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking
animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the
crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes,
Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't
fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without
the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting 'Don't eat in
the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my
voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can
only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough
time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the
luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being
served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to
brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare
tomato sauce a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It
would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the
house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an
organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my
feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a
safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and
come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave
crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, Mom...!

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep
my children happy, healthy and always believing.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Gigi and the Grinch


I can so clearly remember sitting down with my Dad to watch the cartoon How the Grinch Stole Christmas the year it came out. Every year when it comes out I watch it and it brings back such a happy memory of that time with my Dad. I'm a much bigger kid now (ahem) and I still love watching it!

Happy memories of watching it with my son, and seeing his delight in it also. My son will probably deny this but he's really a big fan of tradition and Christmas (like the year we didn't have brown and serve rolls...he said "what? But we ALWAYS have brown and serve rolls!" I hope my son has his wonderful memories from his childhood like I do with my family.

I had our 13 month old Gigi over yesterday and we watched it. Even though she's still a baby, she was old enough to enjoy it! She loved the beginning when the Whos stand around the tree singing. My puppy even enjoyed Max, the cartoon dog...he kept barking at him! I have to admit, I had to rewatch it today by myself because I was so enjoying watching Gigi watch it last night, that I really didn't see the cartoon at all. So we are now making a memory together.

Hope you and your family make some wonderful memories this Holiday Season. Thanks to all my customers for letting me be a small part of their lives, and capturing their memories, in 2007!

The image attached to this blog is my husband playing Santa and Gigi is the little elf...this is the card I sent out this year to my customers. Even though she watched him put on the suit she still wasn't too sure about him all dressed up!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Reflective Moment


I love this shot...mom ordered a large wall portrait of it - yea! It deserves to be big and impressive and shown as a piece of art. I love the look in her eyes (her hair is red in real life, beautiful), she seems very soulful here. A nice change from the smiles and looking into the camera...makes you wonder what she's thinking about. Miss K here worked it during her session...she was a doll to work with as always!

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Please, just go away!


I photographed little I here yesterday...we were hurrying to beat the cold weather that has now arrived, brrr! Grandma had hired me 5-6 years ago to photograph her other granddaughter. This is the same dress and bear, suitcase etc. we used then. But "I" here, she wasn't liking the bear so much being in her shots. I think she knew she was supposed to be the "star" of this shoot! She was very gentle but kept nudging him over and away from her! I had a really hard time editing her session because she gave great expressions in about 99% of them...very hard to throw any out! It's so easy to overshoot when you get a cutie like her who was enjoying it all. Well, except when we put her on textures she hadn't had before, like trees etc. New stuff to a 9 monther!

My Umbrella!


I was cracking up Friday on this session. I have been photographing R since she was a newborn and she is so cute, love her curls! She is now 2.5 and I think her motto might be "I am woman, hear me roar!" She loved playing with the rain boots and umbrella and of course, the petti! Which I think may be magical...no little girl yet has been able to resist it, even when they don't feel like having their picture made. Anyway, R loved the rain gear so much that we couldn't get her out of them. I finally had to hang the umbrella handle from the back of my pants at the waist, to hide it from her (kind of like a dog with a tail back there...). The rain boots we just left on! And she didn't forget about that umbrella...the title says it all. I was seriously cracking up, she is a typical 2 year old...knows what she wants and wasn't going to forget about it! Mom, Dad...I love this image and it was hard for me to edit ANY of them out...your gallery is coming, look for your email!

A Nice Note from Mom:

Hey Cathy!
Cracked up at the blog! "R's" motto could also be: "What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine!!"

You've proven from this last shoot that you can also work miracles. The pictures of "R" were just beautiful and made the choices very difficult!

Friday, November 23, 2007

A Couple of Characters!

This brother and sister were so much fun to work with and a perfect example of how I like to work a session. The trick to photographing kids in the style I work in, is to let the kids be themselves. I try not to pose too much but instead give the kids an activity to do...like run a race or hold hands and spin, things they will have fun doing and get natural smiles and expressions. The sister here, who I think may end up in Hollywood someday, she was so lively and spirited and that makes a session so great, because you're really getting to see the true personality. Her brother, a very sweet little guy, very gentle, has a different personality, he's quieter and not as much an extrovert and he has very soulful eyes, and I was lucky enough to capture that in his images. I personally feel if you overly pose kids, you just lose all that personality and what makes them the special kids they are. You just let go of expectations and follow where the kids take you! Okay, off my soapbox for now!

It was a cold one for sure!


Well, I'd just like to request our Indian Summer back...this poor family flew in from the northeast part of the country and their session was the morning the cold front was blowing in! Poor little girls were chilly but luckily (and kudos to the whole family for being sports), we got some great images in spite of not so great conditions.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Little Miss Fashionista


Well, I couldn't believe this outfit was jammies! Santa's probably going to bring her something extra just for dressing so nice when she leaves his milk and cookies! Mom had several cute outfits to dress her in. Little miss here was all about the shoes...and they were darn cute! A sweet family and they did a great job coordinating their outfits for their shoot. A good time was had by all.....

My Brother and I

These two brothers were very sweet. The older brother, I couldn't get over how mature he was, it was like talking to someone much older! I think he's got a high i.q. for sure! And very sweet natured to boot. His younger brother, who is 4, has the sweetest little face. His eyes were so soft and doelike (he'll probably hate that description when he's a teenager). Very cute little guys and they seemed to enjoy their session and all the exploring we did!

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth...


I love when I get to photograph kids when they've lost their baby teeth, I think its adorable, like Leave it to Beaver. I hear all the time from parents wanting to get they're kids in before they lose the tooth, this family wanted to capture the moment after their son lost his top two teeth. So cute!

His little sister was so adorable, I really could have played with her all day...she was telling me stories and being so animated which always makes for great expressions. And these two kids were so easy to work with, always a good thing!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

When Halloween Goes Bad...


Since we were sick on Halloween night my husband and I didn't get to see Gigi in her outfit. So Mom and Dad came with her yesterday to do a session and I grabbed these of her. She was most unhappy having to put the "dreaded costume" back on! She gave me a few dirty looks and then had her meltdown. The last image is her crawling away from me and my camera...I think she forgot she was mobile but when she remembered, she was so outta there!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Twirling Sisters


They had a great time in their pettis. My most favorite thing in the world since I found them! I haven't met a girl yet who doesn't love wearing them and twirling. Because, you know, twirling is just good clean fun and makes your head feel all silly!

A Little Bit 'o Tickle Time



I think these two brothers really enjoyed this! Mom and Dad let 'em have it with the tickles. That brings out true smiles every time, always a goal of mine. The 2nd shot really captures their beautiful blue eyes...sigh, I just LOVE blue eyes! I think because mine are brown! They did a great job of jumping up on 3!

Mom, Dad...your gallery went up today...enjoy!

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Busy 2 Year Old

This was a busy little man! He loved the ducks at the park and that kept his attention quite a bit. This family was nice enough to reschedule their shoot to Halloween evening due to my illness that week...they were great sports about having to put off trick or treating a bit! Hopefully they will feel it was worth the wait!

Brother and Big Sister


This shot I'm going to post here is a shot that photographers dream of getting! Mom even said pretty much word for word that same thing to me after she saw it! These two were very loving with each other, you could tell they really love each other. Always sweet to see that in siblings. Anyway, this family was just charming...first time I had met them, a great customer I've had for years referred them and I sure appreciate it! So I do apologize for the delay in getting this up here...thanks for your patience!

I'm late, I'm late...in posting!

Our beautiful grand baby blessed us with a dose of the stomach bug that's going around, we lovingly call her "Typhoid Mary"...the joys of kids in daycare! She got it for about one day, my husband and I are still trying to bounce back a week later. Anyway, all that's to say...I'm very late in posting some images from all the sessions I've done this last week or so. So here comes a whole lotta posting...!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Pet Portraits for the hoidays


I did some wonderful sessions last year during the holidays with some rescue dog/pets. These portraits make wonderful Christmas cards! So, don't forget your pets this holiday season!

Only a few left!

If you are wanting to do a session in time to get Christmas cards, you need to hurry and book now! I have a few spots left (and that's only by extending the deadline by two days) on the weekends. Weekdays there are a few more openings. If you are needing to do a session for the holidays, for cards, for gifts...please don't wait to call and book. I am filling up very quickly, and get inquiries every day.

I can be reached at 817.975.5387 to schedule a session or answer any questions you may have!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Sisters


These two little girls were too cute yesterday. The older sister, "M", loves the camera and is not shy at all! She told me I was silly, which is a great compliment from a 5 year old! The younger sister, "C", is a bit more reserved, I think she has a very old soul in a 3 year old's body. They did tell me the shoot was fun - yea! and they loved the petti's. This shot I'm showing here is a "to die" for shot...the one you always hope you get in a session. I love everything about it...their body language, their expressions, the lighting was awesome in that spot. It's just a sweet moment in the lives of two sisters.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Happy Birthday Girl



Had a session on Friday with "A" and today is her 4th birthday, so have a great Doodlebop party! I asked if I could come but I'm thinking I may be too old to be a Doodlebop...oh well!

A's mom outfitted her in a beautiful fall colored dress that I wish I could wear, it was gorgeous! "A" kept working a pose for me...she did admit she wanted to be an actress when she grew up!

We put her in the petti towards the end and that's when the really big smiles came out...she loved twirling in it, this petti has been the best investment I've ever made! The girls love it...makes them feel princess-like I think!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

"What is Love?" - 4 to 8 year olds' answers

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love. -Rebecca, age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth. - Billy, age 4

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. -Bobby, age 7

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.
-Tommy, age 6

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Monday, October 15, 2007

Snips and Snails...oh you know the rest!


Love, love, love how this family dressed! They really "got" it...the clothing they wore is timeless and classic yet hip and trendy at the same time. It all coordinates well and definitely matched the fall colors we had at the park. So kuddos to them on doing a great job on picking what to wear for their photo session!

Now these two little guys are just adorable. And I don't think I've ever seen eyes as big as the little one has here...they are so, so big! And of course he's got the long eyelashes to go with them...why is it the little boys always get the long eyelashes? B and R were so much fun...we did some photos by the pond and did some of the more posed shots then went and played in the playground! I know I had fun and I'm pretty sure they did!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Little Pebbles


I photographed this little girl and her mom and dad on Saturday and as I was editing the images I realized who she reminds me of...Pebbles from the Flintstones...that'd be a great costume for this Halloween! Same red hair and the little piggy on top...cute! I'm a sucker for little girls with pigtails every time!

She wasn't walking yet, and wanted nothing to do with standing up for the most part...but man, she was a speedy crawler! And being a girl, she knew what she wanted and we got along just fine as long as I let her lead the way...which I call "Toddler Papparazzi"...that's what I love best anyway, just letting the kids be themselves and follow their lead, capturing the moments that turn into the memories.

Mom, dad and grandma...here's a quick peek while I finish getting the gallery put up!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Card Samples - 2






Thursday, October 11, 2007

Card Samples - 1






Christmas Cards and Deadline



Hey guys, I have some great cards this year...I will be adding them to my website over the weekend but for now am putting a few of them here.

A couple of important dates to remember: November 15th is my cutoff date to do a session and get cards done, if you're not needing cards you have a little more time.

The deadline to order cards is November 25th...that means your cards will be back about 10 to 14 days after that date...and that is cutting it close! It's best to order before the cutoff dates...I get busy and the labs get super busy during the holidays. I don't want anyone to miss out on getting portraits or cards for the holidays!

Also, in order to purchase cards you must have a minimum $200 order; I don't do "card only" sessions. Next year I will be offering holiday mini sessions in early October to accomodate those requests.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

A little bit of Shabby Chic

Bought this oh so cool chair last week...love it! I used Gigi as a model when we babysat last weekend. Picture of her is not the greatest but the point was to see how the chair photographed so all's good. I can see using this chair for lots of different things...out in a field, in the studio, formal portraits...and I have a little surprise coming up after the holidays...if you love the shabby chic look, you'll want to check the blog after the holidays. I can't wait...it's going to be fun! That's all the hints you get for now...

Friday, October 5, 2007

Little Redheaded Twins


Love that I got to do the twins today...their actual birthday! How cool is that? I first met them last year and am so glad...twins are 2x the fun, and sometimes 2x the challenge! This little guy made my day by giving me hugs throughout the session. We'd be taking a shot and he'd just run over to me and give me a big hug...ahhh, that's so sweet! I miss having a little boy around (my son's 30 so its been awhile!) Little Miss here has the prettiest red hair, I love redheads, love to photograph them too. Their hair just pops in the portraits and is so rich looking. I'm pretty sure mom and dad think we didn't get much today, it was really hot and the twins were really fast - but mom and dad, wait till you see how many awesome shots there are! Here's a quick peek....

Cutest Little 5 Year Old with Gorgeous Eyes


I met J and her mom yesterday at the park to do her 5 year old pictures....we had a blast! She is such a sweet little girl and I really enjoy photographing her. I can act pretty goofy with her and when I get it right I get rewarded by her giggles...that makes me smile! Her eyes are the most gorgeous color...I can't decide if they're green or topaz...I couldn't stop admiring them when I was editing the session. Here's one from the petti part of our session. Mom sent me this email after viewing her gallery...she made my day!

"J asked me on the way home if next year before her birthday we could do the same thing with Miss Cathy. You'd never know she is terribly shy the way she responds to you. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your ability to capture the little girl I love so well! She also said her favorite part was the red skirt. Who knew?"

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

A little bit of Whimsy for a Wednesday


Okay, had to share this one...I think this would make a great greeting card or notecard. I just had to play with this image when Mom wanted it....hope you love it!

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Adorable Family Session


This was a really cute family I got to photograph yesterday. They were up for anything so I had them swinging their little girl, playing airplanes, having tickle fights...this is the kind of session I adore where we do little posing and just go for fun and playfulness. Their little one, Miss P, could laugh on command which cracked me up! She also had the habit of squinching up her nose when she was genuinely laughing which I just adored...its those little things that I strive to capture during a session...you won't remember the posed stuff in 20 years, but the silly moments and little things the kids did (like the nose)...that's what you remember when they're all grown up and not your little babies anymore. Guess I'm feeling sentimental today! Anyway, this is one of my favorite shots from the session where they were all laughing and being silly and now that's a moment preserved for always!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Little Miss Abercrombie & Fitch


Several people have told me this shot looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch ad...wow, thanks! I'll take that as a compliment. Again, our granddaughter while we were in San Diego on vacation at the beach. This is one of my all time favorites portraits of her. And everyone else in the family, I had to print a lot of this one for the extended family. This is also the image I have on my laptop bag.

Just for Fun



I am waiting on my new monitor to come in - RIP old faithful Dell 17" :(


So, I'm temporarily on my laptop and I found some older work on her I'd forgotten about, that's kind of fun! Here's one of our 3 granddaughters that lives in San Diego. I call this one "Fast Ball" - you can see she's giving it her all....look at the tongue action she's got going!


The other one is from a Ladies Nite Out I did a couple of years ago...these were "romantic portraits" for Valentine's. I also did some for brides as gifts to their husband. I call it Glamour Shots without the sleeze or cheese! Hmm, maybe I need to revive these for Valentine's '08?

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Beautiful Fur Babies

What a pair of lookers these two gorgeous Shelties are! I had never seen Shelties with these colors before and knew this was the perfect backdrop for them. I love getting to photograph animals so when I got this booking I was thrilled! Miss Prima (Prima Donna) is on the suitcase and Evita on the floor. Prima earned her name...she loves to pose, loves the spotlight as all Prima Donnas should! Evita was a bit more reserved till she got comfortable with the new environment, lights and all that. Very well behaved dogs...my Scotties could take lesson from them for sure!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Little Elf



Mom let me play with E today....she's such a doll, I could take her picture all day long. She finally had enough though...we did teaparty, Christmas hat, birthday and petti....alot for a little one in just one session. I had to add snow to the snowball shot just for fun...

Enjoy your peek Mom while I finish editing your session!

Sample Slideshow

I offer cd slideshows set to music using all the images that are in your galleries. I have added a link (off to the right) to a sample slideshow. These can have text added (as shown) or just images. Please ignore the home page on the slideshow gallery....the site is having major problems right now so I can't load it with images but I'm working on fixing that. But, having said all that...the slideshow works, just the homepage isn't so pretty!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Beautiful High School Senior



This was a fun shoot and nice change of pace for me as I mostly do little children. M was a great sport as I had her trampling out in the wooded fields and whatnot...its all about getting the shot! She has played soccer pretty much her whole life so of course we had to get some with her soccer ball. Thanks for making it fun, and here's your sneak peek while I finish editing the session!