2012 Holiday Mini Sessions {Allen, Plano, Frisco and McKinney Portrait and Family Photographer}

It's that time of year...time for football games, fall leaves, the state fair and crock pot meals...the return of sweaters (sort of), hot chocolate and all thinks pumpkin flavored!  I love fall, although it always seems so very short here in Texas...as if we go from [blazing hot] summer to two weeks of cooler, gorgeous gold and red foliage...and than one strong storm comes along and blows all the leaves from the trees--launching us straight into winter.

Along with this beautiful time of year comes our Annual Holiday Mini Sessions.  This is always my busiest time, but I find that the majority of my clients who participate in the Holiday Mini Sessions have made it a tradition for their families...and I have LOVED watching each of them grow and change--it's truly such a blessing.  I end up feeling it's a bit like a homecoming for me and I cannot wait to see everyone!

Our dates are later in the months of October and November this year to accommodate the fall sports schedules that should be wrapping up soon!

I know it's difficult to think about Holiday cards while out partaking in all the fun fall activities, but it will be here before you know it, so remember that not only is our Mini Session space limited, our availability for full sessions will be as well! We currently have space in our Weekend Mini Sessions, but there are no FULL weekend session appointments left until the third week in November!

Thank you to everyone who still reads this blog--I promise a facelift and more regular updates are in the plans...it's just less important than photographing all your smiling faces at the moment!  See you soon!

 

The O'Reilly Family [McKinney Baby and Child Photographer]

One of my favorite aspects of this job is being able to watch my clients' lives grow and change. Last weekend, I had the honor of photographing 3 clients who have shared very special moments with me in the past few years, and it was so touching! After each of these sessions I felt so very blessed to be a witness to their special times and honored to be able to capture the next stages of their lives!

One of these clients is the O'Reilly Family. I can remember packing up my gear to head over to the hospital to take some of his very first photos! He was so sweet and tiny...and his parents in such awe of the miracle of his birth...it was breathtaking. And now--Alex is a toddler on the move, exploring every rock and flower, dancing to the music and infusing his family with such joy and love! I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this special family!

The Eckerman Family [Allen Family and Child Photographer]

It's been FOREVER since I've blogged anything! With the holidays and the busy season upon us, I've been focused on completing the work rather than talking about it. But, I am resolving now to 'get back on the wagon' so to speak, even if the postings have to be shorter, I can post more often through the holidays...I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...
I cannot think of a better way to get caught up with sharing than by posting the sneak peeks for the Eckerman family! I loved how fun and laid back and relaxed this family was--I think you can really see it in their images! We had a great time playing with all kinds of toys and enjoying this beautiful weather! Enjoy the sneak peek--more to come soon!

The Hutson Family [Frisco Baby and Child Photographer]

Happy babies get to me--they just make me smile and laugh...so much that I wonder what I found humorous before I had children. Sweet Ethan was no exception--such bright eyes and innocent wonder...I can't help but smile when I look at the images of his adorable face! I wonder what it must be like to experience the world like a 1 year old...looks fun to me!

The Garcia Family [Plano Family and Children Photographer]

Meet the Garcia Family! With their oldest son headed to basic training only two days after our session, we were on a mission! This sweet family with four boys was so patient and loving--I had a great time watching them interact with each other both on and off camera. Keysha--I wish you and yours the best of luck and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers until you are all reunited again!

The Hawkins Family [Dallas Child and Family Photographer]

This posting is a long-time coming! I've been sending sneak peeks and posting on Facebook and neglecting my blog!
I photographed the Hawkins family recently and really had a blast! The kids were so much fun--cracking me up constantly and wowing me with their adorable charm. I couldn't resist including their comic images in their gallery--they were just so reflective of their sunny personalities...thank you for sharing them with me!

Jacqueline Ava Grace [Dallas Newborn Photographer]

Please join me in welcoming to this world, Jacqueline Ava Grace. This sweet baby girl was so sleepy and precious--she let me mold and twist her any way I wanted! We had a great time exploring all the fun places to shot in her historic home...Mom and Dad had such great style, we could have shot all day!

Baby Cunningham! [Allen Newborn Photographer]

Meet the newest addition to the Cunningham family! Caitlin Marie has joined one of the sweetest families out there...and I know that Chloe will be an incredible big sister! She was so sweet and loving during their session! Enjoy your sneak peeks!

The Martin Family [Allen Family and Children's Photographer]

I just adore this family--the Martin family recently came to me for newborn photographs of their sweet little girl...a princess among her 3 brothers, and I was super-excited to photograph their holiday portraits and meet the rest of the family! These boys are absolutely adorable--so lovable and sweet...every bit as precious as their sister and so well behaved! I couldn't believe how smoothly everything went with 4 kids under 3! Thanks for being so patient--and a big thank you to Michelle for helping us to manage all the little ones!

Wilson Family [Plano Child and Family Photographer]

The Wilson Family! I photographed this family when they were a foursome last year, and now there are five little Wilson children to love! I think that's fabulous because...just look at them--they're adorable! You should have more babies, Heather :)

Alcorn Family [Allen Child and Family Photographer]

Michelle contacted me and wanted some cute studio-style portraits of her two girls. I was so excited when these darling little princesses showed up at my door--what fun! We had a blast workin' it for the camera. I hope you guys love the results as much as I do!

Barnett Family [McKinney Child and Family Photographer}

I have been doing a ton of color lately, and so I thought I'd mix it up a bit! Black and white photography was my passion for so long...I still find myself gravitating toward the black and white conversions for photographs of my own children. There's just something about it that just draws your eyes right to the subject!

Meredith--thanks for sharing your sweet kiddos once again--we need to work on that playdate soon! Enjoy!

The Wilson Families [McKinney and Allen Family Photographer]

Here are two more sneak peeks from the mini sessions--the Wilson Families...but they're not related! Sorry to be so short on words today--I've got too many sessions to edit! Enjoy!

Mini Sessions! Sneak Peeks...[McKinney Family Photographer]

Here are some sneak peeks from the first of the mini-sessions. Such sweet families! I'm going in order, so look for more families over the next couple days!
The Woodley Family

The Valen Family

The Copeland Family [McKinney Family Photographer]

I recently had one of those--'oh my goodness, I just turned into my parents' moments. You see, I had the pleasure of photographing the Copeland Family for the second time this year, having photographed both children last fall. I have not seen them since last year, so in my mind the kids were much smaller...a whole year younger...a bit more baby-faced, a couple inches shorter...you get the picture. So anyway, I was completely blown away by how they have matured and changed since last year--no joke. I was seriously flustered! I used to cringe when my mom or dad would talk about how much my friends had grown and/or changed...and yet, that was all I could say to these sweet kiddos...I was a blubbering idiot. Sorry guys.

Seeing their transformation motivated me to go home and just stare at my son for about 15 minutes. Watching him play his little video game--while he battled it out with some strange aliens from another planet, I realized with amazement that time is truly flying before my eyes! My own baby is far from a baby any more--much closer to a grown boy than that sweet gushy toddler I like to think of in my head.

Amy and family, thank you so very much for allowing me to photograph your family--it is truly an honor! And thank you for reminding me how quickly our lives are flying by. Your children are absolutely adorable, and without a doubt, the hint of those same sweet faces I met last year is there...it's just wrapped up in a more sophisticated package. I can't wait to see how they change next year!

Burke Trio [Dallas Family and Child Photographer]

I love referrals--they are my primary source of clients, and there is nothing like it when a client I adore refers another client...whom I adore! Pam--thank you so much for introducing Angela to me! I knew the moment I saw these kiddos that I was going to be smitten--just look at them!
One of my all-time favorite sibling shots--I would totally hang this up HUGE in my living room if it were my kids! Oh well, maybe I will anyway :)





Angela--enjoy your sneak peek--it's all I could do this evening NOT to continue to edit your images--they are just to die for!
Unfortunately, I suffered 2nd degree burns (a.k.a. blistering and tissue damage) to my right palm, wrist and forearm today! It was a Father's Day Surprise gone wrong! I will likely be a bit delayed on my editing as I attempt to limit the amount of pressure I am putting on this intensely sensitive area over the next few days. I am using cold compresses 24-7, so I am hoping to minimize the swelling and inflammation as quickly as I can!

Portraits for the 'Non-Picture People' [Allen Family Photographer]

I think I may have converted them! LaShonna's family is one of our first families to experience our new Couture Sessions where we really focus on getting to know who you are and how we can create a truly custom session for your family. Mom and Dad were nervous about how the day would go [cough, cough...with two teenage boys who want nothing to do with family portraits]...but I think we may have just proven to them that it can be fun to have a photographer around! Take a look!







LOL...this was the pose of the day [thumbs-up]--I just love the motion in this set--it's really fun to click through the files on my computer--it's so cool to see them burst into laughter.

LaShonna--enjoy your sneak peek--I hope that these images capture that fun soul of a family you have! Thank you for entrusting me with the honor of capturing it!