toes in the sand...

and camera in hand, of course! not to mention, the one and only carol coffren by my side, there to assist. if any of you have had pictures taken at our local Target, chances are carol did them...and she is simply wonderful!

what better way to start the day than at the beach?!? and credit goes to the mommas for having TEN, yes, ten kids dressed and ready by 9 a.m., and i thought it was hard enough just getting myself ready to go somewhere!

these kiddos were absolutely hilarious and had personalities all their own.  i felt like i was on the set of my own taping of "Little Rascals", these kiddos were a blast!

sweet, sweet baby

...maybe you should stay with me!

Oh my, lil' TaKoda is welcome to stay with me ANYTIME.

(although his momma and daddy let me cuddle him every time i see them)

He has amazing eyes and the cutest little whimper...he was an absolute gem! 

and why do i LOVE photography?!? this is why...thanks to Nikki, X, and Baby TaKoda

...we are family

[i got all my sisters with me] 

those lyrics kept playing in my head as we had a fun family session on the beach! the great part about my "job" if you could even call it that, i prefer to call photography my passion, outlet, or saving grace, is that i am able to capture family as it is.  no stereotypes, no forced smiles, no rigid poses. 

i loved this session because i feel as though i was able to capture the Castro/Hiben family as they are...and i think they are pretty darn adorable. 

lucky who?!?

me and you!

really when i get to watch zachary, its a win/win situation for us both.

i get time to relax and just marvel at the lil' miracle that is now crawling, talking (he says dada, momma and grrrr) and almost walking.

they get a much needed and well deserved break!

and SURPRISE! he was such a doll (not to my surprise!) so i captured a couple portraits of your pride and joy...thank you!

sweet summertime...

whew! 

(that's just me catching my breath!)

boy oh boy! i have been so thankful to spend time with the most amazing lil' gems EVER!

*gems, yes plural!

i am thankful enough to have such gracious friends (but i consider them family) that allow to capture life's moments. and while we are on the topic of gems, zachary will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart, as he was my first official lil' gem that i have been so thankfully welcomed into his life by his wonderful parents.  not only do i get to do zachary's portraits, but i also get to watch zachary so his devoted momma and daddy can have a date night...pretty amazing huh?!? i think so. i've said it once, and i will say it a million times, there is just something special that a baby brings into a house...and i love it!

 it had been a couple months since we were able to do portraits of zachary, so i was thrilled that the weather cooperated and we were able to do some outside portraits, although zachary much preferred the indoor studio, as he was not a big fan of the grass! regardless, we got some pretty sweet portraits!  and i think if i had two words to describe zachary at this session, hmmm?!?  mover and a shaker! he was on the go, which was great because then i didn't feel as guilty skipping the gym! thanks guys!

3 days...2posts?!?

...sugar we are on a ROLL! so i am thrilled to have been working with the aMaziNg heidi  heidimo.virb.com on designing my logo.  from day one she has been absolutely wOnderFuL! she has treated me as if i were her only client, and judging by her work, other clients are probably lined up at her door! heidi has an amazing talent, and i am blessed to have the opportunity to work with someone so dedicated! aside from countless hours she has spent emailing me, coming up with a million and one logo options, and working a "regular" 9-5 job, she has been remarkably prompt and attentive to my needs. she has an amazing ability to translate my thoughts into images and really understand what my goals are as a new business owner. i am absolutely amazed with the progress heidi has allowed me in my business venture! she is definitely 1 in a million! 

i'm pleased to show off my business cards and can't wait to receive them in the mail...and even more thrilling is the opportunity to hand them out to potential clients! it seems as though once i mention to people i am a photographer, they immediately ask for my card (which until now, i didn't have)...but i would instead direct them to my blog.  i am so happy to be able to give people something they can hold onto or pass along to a friend!
so until then, here is a lil' teaser that i have for you...and i LOVE it!

..."someday i may find prince charming...

but my dad will always be my KING!"

i am so very thrilled to have completed my 1st BIG on site event!

i was asked to be the portrait photographer for St. John's School's 1st annual 

Father Daughter Dance

not only was it a complete compliment to have been chosen, but i met some of the most amazing dad's and their daughters, who were just gushing with adorableness...

events like this one top the list!
here are just a few of my favorites that showcase the treasured relationship these fathers and daughters have...