Picture this . . .

Sweet, happy children, rested and energetic. Three grown-ups yelling directing. Tons of brilliant, beautiful sunshine. Did I mention one of the grown-ups is none other than the talented Allison of Blue Mutt Photography {lovely sister to the lovely Michele}. This was, without a doubt, my lucky day.

These pictures stir my soul. I grin happily at the faces in them.

Allison, thank you . . . these pictures are a cherished gift.

All Aglow!!

Did ya'll know we finally have a family picture again? As in, my darling daughter is nearing seventeen months and there isn't a single picture with the five of us {we count Ellie} in existence? I've turned into "that girl". You know, the one who's late, sporting dirty hair clothes, running late, craving coffee ten minutes before dinner . . . I digress . . .

I give you, with much excitement, new family pictures! My darling, darling friend Amy blessed us with this gift. The gift of captured memories, of talent, the gift of simple grace. I will treasure these photos forever . . .

I highly recommend that you scoot on over to check out her new site, Aglow, and promptly book your own shoot with this clever gal. She'll capture your heart with the images caught on her camera.

A model's debut . . .

Poor darling, her photographer is still learning. These are the precious few (decent) shots I got yesterday at the CRASH Course. I still need to work on exposure, focus and depth of field.

CRASHing with Cameron

CRASHing defined? Spend a little Christmas dough, charge my camera, jump in my car and head to Bryan, Texas for a full day camera course courtesy of the very fine Shauna Maness . . . with Cameron-girl in tow. It was tricky, juggling my nine-month old firecracker along with my cherished Canon, but it sure was fun.

Gracious and kind, as always, dear Shauna offered for me to bring Cameron Elizabeth. Even more fun, she suggested that we let the little doll be our morning model. Other than an hour-and-a-half crying jag on the way to Bryan, she was a happy camper. Cameron scooted around all morning, napped, then smiled her way into many a camera lens.

I have a lot to learn. Mainly, to override my camera. It's as tricky as it sounds for this novice. But I'm learning. Apertures, depth of field and shutter speed, oh my! All of my pictures came out blurred (I still don't know what I did wrong), but I'll keep on practicing. Practice makes perfect! And I think Shauna has captured perfection.

Thank you, dear teacher, for sharing your enthusiasm and your mind-blowing talent with a novice and her baby. Thank you, also, fellow wanna-be-photographers, for letting me be 'that girl' yesterday. As in, the one who showed up late to class WITH A BABY. You guys were all so kind, so helpful. I'm so grateful. Shutterbugs, rock it!

Photo Shoot

Benjamin and I did our first little photo shoot together, just before Christmas, as a surprise for Greg. The pictures speak for themselves, but I must say that Shauna Maness is INCREDIBLE. Her gift of capturing personality, the moment, beauty is really remarkable. I had the hardest time chosing my favorites, but here are a few!