Loving Nana
Camden’s Nana came to his portrait session to be an extra pair of hands…which turned out to be a great thing! Camden’s Mommy was busy feeding new baby sister, Camden wanted Daddy right by his side and Nana…she was the cool Nana!
Nana was great at making Camden laugh and smile. All he had to do was look at her and a big smile burst across his face.
Thanks for all your help, Nana!
Two for One
When I signed up for a workshop in San Diego, Pete and I thought it would be a perfect chance for a short getaway along with some sun and ocean breezes.
We didn’t have a lot of time for sightseeing and exploring, but we were able to squeeze in one full day. We started our day in Carlsbad, driving around and visiting the beach. Then we drove onto Coronado, where we walked up and down the oceanfront, basking in the sun and feeling the ocean breeze. (Of course, the sun made sure it left me with some lasting memories, when I discovered I was a nice shade of pink!) After Coronado, we headed into the downtown area and walked around the Gaslamp District. To end our day, our goal was to find a western location where we could see a nice sunset. Unfortunately, the weather chose not to cooperate, and a big, hazy fog rolled in.
I didn’t take a ton of photos, but I still have plenty to share!
I Don’t Know
As kids, aren’t we all guilty of going through the phase where every question we’re asked by an adult gets the same response…”I don’t know”?
Well, Jackson is definitely in that stage. Every question, from what did you do at school today, to what’s your favorite animal, was answered with an “I don’t know”.
I was convinced that there had to be some things Jackson knew. We established that he knew how many teeth he had lost…five. He knew how many ears he had (even though I tried to convince him he had a third ear on the back of his head) he felt confident that he only had two. He knows he has ten toes, again not the eleven I tried to convince him of. Slowly, but surely, I received a few answers…and got a few less “I don’t knows!”
Long Locks!
Every year, I photograph Madison for her birthday and every year, Madison’s hair gets longer and longer! This year, I made a comment about her long locks and she told me that she wants to grow it out until it reaches her booty. Wowsers…it may be long now, but she still has a ways to go!
Of course, those long locks mean that I spend a lot of time making sure it’s laying right, and it’s not in her face or caught on her outfit. In the process, I discovered that her hair is soft and thick! It’s definitely hair that any girl would be jealous of!
At this point, I can’t imagine her any other way!
Brotherly Love
Connor adores his little brother, Landon! While getting dressed and hair combed, ready to start the session, Connor was right there helping Daddy change Connor’s diaper (or at least pointing out that his diaper needed changing). He was on hand and ready to help get Landon into his outfit. He was available for facial massages for Landon, making sure Landon had relaxed his smile muscles and was ready to put them to good use!
Of course, once we started the session, the love didn’t stop. Connor was much happier loving on and looking at Landon, then he was looking at me or the camera. Which gave me the opportunity to capture some sweet loving images, but also some cute images of them side by side…which is, of course, fun for comparing their faces and confirming that yes, they are definitely related!!
He’s A First Grader Now
One of the first things that Hayden announced to me was that he is no longer a Kindergartener, he is now a First Grader!
They grow up so quickly. I think watching and documenting kids makes time seem like it flies by even faster. The first time I photographed Hayden, he was a teeny, tiny newborn. Now, he’s a big first grader. He plays baseball. He knows every professional sports team out there. He knows who won the Super Bowl. He’s not a teeny, tiny baby any more!
Of course, this little first grader is not slowing down…he’s already looking forward to college and beyond. He said he either wants to go to Ohio State or KU, he hasn’t decided yet. As of right now, he wants to be a policeman when he grows up.
Dancing Queen
Hannah was super excited to put her dance recital costumes on for me to photograph! First, we started with Mommy’s preference, the more traditional, casual dress. Of course, Hannah didn’t mind, because it had her favorite colors, purple and pink, in it.
Then the excitement…Hannah put on her “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” outfit! She was totally working this one!
That was followed by her “Doggie In the Window” costume. We had lots of woofs and pants in this outfit. She told me she wasn’t a dog though, because dogs don’t wear skirts or bows!
Pup-A-Licious!!
Despite the weather forecast, and the overcast, gray skies, we could not have asked for a more perfect day! The temperatures were just right, the southern breeze was nice and, with the exception of about 30 seconds of sprinkles that fell from the sky, there was no rain at our fourth annual Helping Paws event!!
Thirty-four four-legged cuties graced our studio with their adorable faces, expressions, tongues and big personalities!! We had only two kitties this year, but they were beautiful kitties with plenty of spunk! We had a four pound Papillion and a ninety pound Golden Retriever. We had all black dogs and all white dogs. We had fun, crazy hair cuties, and sleek, smooth coat cuties. We had well trained show dogs and energy filled, never stopping dogs. All in all, it was an amazing day with amazing cuties!!
As always, the day was made even more perfect by the fabulous donations!! I love hearing the donation shopping stories. Our attendees always seem to have so much fun looking for, and shopping for, the perfect donations. AND, it shows!! Another year, another amazing pile of donations – from toys to blankets to treats to collars to grooming supplies. Thank you all, so very much!! I can not wait to make the big Santa Claus delivery to Wayside Waifs!
To my fantastic helpers…who keep coming back every year to support me…Helping Paws would not be a successful event with you. It means the world to me that you are always there to support me…I wouldn’t be who I am without you! (Thank you…Tracy, Lori, Chris, Bert & Pete!)
A big thank you also goes out to all of our partners who donated goodies to stuff our goodie bags full! Each furry kiddo, that attended Helping Paws, was sure to leave with a bag full of awesomeness!!
Waggiewear, we love your collars, and think it’s just awesome that you give a collar to all of our puppy participants!!
Becky and Sunflower Creations, your fun bandanas, that just slip right on the collar, are perfect for every stylish doggie!
Thank you Blackbob Pet Hospital, Personable Pets Training, Tails R’ Waggin, Natural Pet Food & Supply and Gentle Dog Training for your treats and fun goodies, they helped stuff our goodie bags full!!
Of course, no goodie bag would be complete without the Photography by Brandi blue and green! Each kiddo walked away with either a blue or green ball or a furry mouse! Not to mention, I must spoil them all with treats!! Happy eating kiddos!!
Huge Kudos to everyone who made this year’s Helping Paws a day to remember!!
Best Friends
To celebrate their graduation from eighth grade, and the fact that they will soon be moving on into high school, these four best friends, Faith, Becca, Sara & Ashley, came to see me for a session.
Though each unique, with their own quirks, hobbies, habits, personalities, and traits, these four came together in a very fun and solid way. As we were attempting to get photos of the four of them, I had a peek into the laughter and joy that comes out of this friendship. There was joking, pinching, laughing, mothering, disciplining, listening, laughing, poking, caring and most of all loving…and all of that was just between the four of them…I was just an observer!
Wherever this next stage of life takes these four girls, they will all be able to say their lives were shaped by knowing and loving each other!
Quick Minute
Pete and I have just returned from a quick trip to San Diego. We were able to squeeze in a little bit of work, as I attended a newborn photography workshop, and a little bit of fun and relaxation, as we spent a day soaking up San Diego’s sun, beaches and oceanfront! (Of course, I currently have a nice strawberry color to prove it!)
I have lots of images and stories to share, but with being out of town for a few days, and the fact that our Helping Paws event is in just a few days, my San Diego and workshop images are going to have to take a backburner.
Here’s one image to wet your palate!
