Precious...

I know you all must think I have nothing better to do...I have no excuse for posting so much from one session...except they're so darn cute and I just wanted you all to see what I've been up to!

Such Wonderful Kids...

I popped in to the office on my way to bed and thought I'd just "quickly" post a few images from yesterday's shoot! After all, I couldn't just not show up here today - right? An hour later and I'm still here playing, barely able to keep my eyes open and having told R. earlier to make sure he hops into bed at a regular hour tonight! Truth be told, I think I've been sneaking in just before him lately (sshhh! Don't tell!) Goodnight everyone, thanks for all your kind comments and encouragement. Enjoy!

Just two more wee pictures...Promise

I think I'm addicted! I promise - no more!

O.K. One More...

I love this shot so I just had to post it!

8 Days Old...

I spent the most glorious day today with the most glorious newborn baby girl! Introducing 8 day old baby H. Oh my goodness, she was a perfect little peanut! I'm so happy I was given the opportunity to do this shoot, it was long - very, very long but it wasn't really my fault...she was so well behaved and cooperative that it would've been irresponsible of me not to keep shooting! So many times we thought we'd try something at the risk of waking Little Miss. H. up but not a chance! Even when we wanted her awake, she would barely open her eyes! Her Mom thinks I'm some sort of freak baby whisperer now who somehow made her baby sleep naked for hours on end whilst bending her like a pretzel! 600 images later it was very hard to choose some to blog. I virtually had to close my eyes and point! Thanks Nikki for having me over, you're so great to work with! So are you a B/W girl or a color girl?

Something New and Something Old...

Boy I feel like I'm addicted to this blog these days! Tonight, well it's getting late again but I felt like taking a short break to get a cup of tea and to post. I love this old color, i think I need something similar in my own collection and for some reason i don't have any collages either...may have to make me one!

And can I just say to everyone who's written to me "Thank you" for your comments and your compliments! We all know how good it feels to get one but I think artists in particular need the validation a friendly pat of the back provides - especially when it's not your Mum or Dad telling you!! :-)

No Picture This Time...A Big Thank You Instead!

I know I could be off doing any number of jobs...we all could, but I choose this one. I choose five hours of sleep a night. I choose to sacrifice time with my family to indulge in what I love. I have such a great time when friends let me run off on a wonderful photographic adventure full of fun and fanciness with their kids. Most of all I love seeing and hearing about how much they cherish the gift of the past captured. My friends are some of my biggest cheerleaders. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I am humbled and I am happy.

Flying High...

Well it seems that this is a shot that every parent should have of their kids too. It's so much fun for the kids and it's so easy to get! Thanks to Miss K, Miss H and the other Miss K. you girls are very talented! Is it a coincidence you're all wearing green?

And the Show Must Go On!!

I was apparent to me today how much my daughter likes to please me. After falling and scraping her knee she popped on this very happy face just so I could check the light at a location that we'd already beet to twice that day. She's a true professional and I need to find some extra models so she doesn't bear the weight of my burdens!

My Little Bunny

Life's tough for a Kindergardener let me tell you! Imagine after spending the whole entire three hour morning at school only to be told you have to go to the park for MORE playing, lots a great food and some face painting. Oh, and you have to do an easter egg hunt too. Bummer. Katie made out! we had a great day, Mummy was beyond exhausted from standing in the sun since 7.30am but it was worth it! Here a a couple of my little bunny!

The Funniest Thing Happened...

NOT!!! Oh My Gosh! I was sooo embarrassed! As I was shooting the girls coming down the slide the other day there was a really nice gal standing beside me who had commented on how she's love to do that with her son but didn't know how to change the settings on her camera. "I'll do it" (when will I learn?) I said! So I changed her camera around to shoot this one picture...it's not how you'd shoot most other pictures and I was so excited to have her try it out until...the battery on her camera ...yes...died! Oh, My Gosh!! (I had to say it again!!) I'm standing there with the sweetest lady who has no idea what I've just done to her lifeline between the past and the present and I can't change it all back for her! Jennifer, if you still want me to touch it (hmmm!) please contact me and I'll meet up with you! In the mean tim here's you're little guy...adorable (by the way how exactly does one catapult down such a steep, slippery slide, fly off the end and land on one's heiny so gracefully? I know I for one wouldn't be smiling! I have these digital files here waiting for you if you'd like them...hey, I have to redeem my conscience and every Mom should have a picture of their baby on the slide!

Jennifer I also have this shot of Miss A. as she walked past my lens during the "slide" shot. Perhaps you could have her Mom contact me so I can send her a copy.

Just right!

I almost forgot about these two! I NEVER post this much from a session. But the relationship between these two was there. They know they're friends, everyone else knows they're friends but I've never seen them this vulnerable with each other. It was beautiful. It was pure friendship. You go girls!

Something A Little Different...

These shots were perfect for me to try something different on. Can I say it again, the girls are awesome and I love that they have these as keepsakes!

"Can We Just Take One Picture Today Mummy?"

I want to say to my wonderful Miss. K the biggest THANK YOU! She's ALWAYS willing to come and check out a location with me - sometimes several times a day. The first thing she usually asks is..."Are we only going to take one picture today Mummy?" and she knows the answer when I immediately start giggling or unfortunately on some occasions ooze ungratefulness. I love you with all my heart baby girl and cherish every photo I've ever taken of you (If I could delete a 1/4 my hard drive would be fine!) I had to post this...it was the first photo of this particular day and right after her now famous words...

P.S. I DO pay her well! She asked for $100 to do the SPARKLE! shoot and I thought her college account could use it! :-)

And Then There's Miss A. ...

By the time we got ready to go to our location (so many girls, so much hair!..hmm!) we only had a short amount of time to capture Miss A. Tell me, how does one get such eyes? Miss A. you take awesome pictures and we'll continue this another day!!

This One Stands Alone!

LOVE IT! This deserved it's own entry.

The Girls...

I ALWAYS love going on shoots and I love even more coming back and taking a better look at what I got. I see a lot of really cute kids, I think every child has beauty and I love trying to see what makes them sparkle. My most favorite thing is when a picture takes my breath away or brings a little tear to my eye and it's because I know I made that all important connection. It usually happens when the subject is someone I'm pretty close to...as with Miss. C. I see her almost every day and today us girls went out on a little adventure - and of course I took my camera along! She's definitely a blue eyed beauty and today it was her time to shine...

I Don't Think It Works If You're Tongue's Not Hanging Out!

I love seeing the kids have this much fun! I don't know if it was the beer I had at lunch time (for St. Patty's Day of course!) or that I'm feeling guilty about how little I post of Baby r, but I kind of went crazy on him here :-) He's so cute but he rarely lets me take his picture...he's always moving - FAST! So I decided to capture him in one of his FAST modes!! Happy St. Pat's Day! Enjoy!! As a side note, I'd like to point out to Sir Lancelot that Baby R. although wearing a size four is still only 2 1/2 and not only has 3 dozen binky's/pacifier's/dummy's, but also has two teddies and two blankies! He needs all three to function so I don't plan on getting rid of any one of them any time soon so..."rasberry" to you!! however, I have to say I love that he doesn't actually have any in these pictures!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

It was [quite] a few years ago now that I met my husband in Ireland, a most beautiful and spectacular wee country close to my heart. It was at a wonderful event that has changed my life quite profoundly. This past weekend I was honored to be a special guest at the 25th Anniversary of the Southern California Rose of Tralee Debutante Ball and St.Patricks Day Grand Ball. It was a most amazing and special night for me because my beautiful, shy and very tiny "six & a HALF" year old daughter was given some of the same opportunities so long ago. It was her first year as a "Rosebud" which is a program that allows little girls to be involved in celebrating their Irish heritage They are the hope for the future for one day they too might become a representative of Ireland. At the Grand Ball, the Rosebud class witness the wonder of being a "Rose". They have full access to the behind the scenes goings on's and the Roses generously, and carefully take them under their wing. Back to the gift...I watched in amazement as my daughter who sometimes has a great deal of trouble saying hello to her own friends, walk on stage time after time after time. She was interviewed, she provided interview questions for the Roses and she escorted the 2007 reigning Rose down a runway and off the stage all the while under 2 hugh spotlights. I watched her dance for hours...with strangers. I even watched her sing the YMCA into the microphone. So I am so very grateful that this program that helps women of all ages to celebrate life and be confident and poised and caring and happy, exists. I've included all the best [shots of Little Miss K.] parts of the night. I had to include a picture of my always stunning sister-in-law - you'll be able to tell which one, and one of our children...which includes Baby R. since his babysitter caught the stomach flu and cancelled last minute!

I Promise I'm Not Obsessed!! But Here's Another...

N.B. This is for you, thanks for the gift...isn't she "Lovely"! This edit was a very fast one! I'm happy!

O.K. Just a Couple More...

First off, I have to say yes, the girls wore a couple more changes of clothed during the shoot but I just love these pettiskirts, they move so beautifully and are a joy to photograph (but only when they contain a child :-)

More about Miss. T. You wouldn't know it from this FABULOUS sprint she performed (pictured below) but she had the hardest time walking on the gravel barefoot (pictured below). I don't know why, I mean, don't we all run barefoot on gravel without wincing? Just kidding T. you were a trooper! A box of Hello Kitty bandaids are on the way!!

One Of Those Weekends...

Do you ever have those weekends where you know you have a lot going on but as it's unfolding you realize you've grossly underestimated the time required for such tasks??? For instance popping out to a quick brunch and returning at 4pm. Or making the list of 100 or so errands that HAVE to be run same day and your babysitter doesn't show up so you manage um...2. Well it seems the whole of last week went this way for me. I had a really fun shoot on Thursday afternoon and honestly thought I'd be well on my way to a gallery by now but am so sorry to report Rebecca that I'm not. I had grand intentions to say the least! I have put this special, extra long post together though, in the hopes it will keep you going! Little Miss J. and her older sister Miss T. had quite to time at our shoot. We encountered ladybugs and a variety of other beetles, little green thingy's poked into a brick, lots of pretty flowers and, a stinging nettle which I had unknowingly volunteered to find out if they really do sting or not - they do (and none of us will forget what you look like you nasty little beast!). Enjoy Rebecca!

What color did you say that skirt was?...

This year I've made a serious attempt to improve my Photoshop knowledge and have to say I've learned some pretty fun techniques. Check out this image. I started with a bland black and white (the original color you can see is pretty pink). The goal was to restore all the color from a black & white image...and to change the color of the clothing and eyes from their original. It HAD to be convincing! Can you tell I'm quite proud of myself?! And of course this is something I'll be using SO frequently! Hmmm...I don't think so! It was fun though!

Those were the days!!

Shooting this maternity session this morning had me thinking of old times! How I'd love to have a baby in my belly again. K was so beautiful. She radiated throughout the entire session and she was so easy to work with that I didn't want to send her home! Big brother was the sweetest little guy. I know I witness my kids being very loving toward me at home but it's so sweet to witness this as it's happening to someone else...you get to see what it looks like!

My Baby Bugs...

I had so much fun wasting my time on this image! I have been polishing up on my photoshop skills and this collage was what came out of it this week! If you scroll down, you can see the original image of Miss K. that was the beginnings of all this...without the field flowers in the grass and in Katie's hand, and without the extra blades of grass, bushes, transparent wings and I can't forget the subtle shadows of the kids which weren't there on such an overcast shooting day! I hope you have a little laugh at my two little baby bugs!

However Did That Brick Wall Move?

Side note...do you see where Speedy K. had a run in with a brick wall? It's the little red spot above her left eye. She say's it "just jumped out" in front of her! We thankfully avoided two stitches in trade for some 'watch out for the wall - ouch' glue!

Location, Location, Location...

OH MY GOSH! I never thought I'd find such a beautiful spot! This is a location I've been dreaming about for what seems like forever! Can I just tell you how much I appreciate my family and my job for a minute...if it weren't for them I probably would've chosen to sleep in today because it was the perfect overcast, cold day - and I need the sleep! And if it weren't for this wonderful opportunity to have a family and the career I've thought about so often, I wouldn't have travelled so far for some outdoor family time! We really enjoyed ourselves and I can't wait to show you more client pictures here.