This sweet 10-day-old newborn already has a passport! Her family is moving out of the country and I was honored to capture these sweet moments before they leave. Her parents were so calm and didn’t worry when she was crying as I was trying to get her to sleep or trying to get her posed. Her dad said the sweetest thing – “We know she’s in good hands.” I will miss this sweet baby girl. I may have to make an international visit to take pictures of her again in the future!

That was the question I had to ask myself for my session with the H family. Many people remember them from last year in their rich red outfits with the beautiful fall colors. M was in love with his trains and brought one of his beloved trains that happened to also coordinate in the great red color. Since then, I’ve also done their maternity session at this park and their wonderful newborn session when J was born. So when Mom and I talked about doing their family fall session, she said she was excited to see what I would do and how could I top last year. Tall order since it was just such a wonderfully memorable session.

We arrived at the park with the sun still up but at this time of the year, that sun disappears fast!! It was a little chilly, but the kids were well coordinated in handsome sweaters and vest. M, I just love him! He is so full of life and loves to smile. He cracks me up, saying “cheeeeeeeeese” a million times. He has the biggest smile and oh how he loves his little brother!

Here are a few shots from their session and don’t forget to check out their fusioned video at the end. I am really thrilled with it. As I said at the beginning of the season, I’m trying it out and practicing with it, trying to get better and better with each session. I’m trying a new software and I love how it turned out. And I know, it’s the same song again, but I love it! I will be searching for new songs to license for next year, but for now, it’s just so appropriate for these fun family sessions I’ve done this year!

I’ve known the S family for quite a few years but haven’t seen them in a bit. So imagine my surprise to see Miss I already 9 years old! It’s amazing how fast the kids grow up! When I shoot families, I tell them to pretend I’m not there and just interact and have fun. I thought it was funny that Dad says, “I don’t know how to act natural in an unnatural…” It makes me giggle every time I hear that in the fusion video! As with most sessions, it’s a lot easier to loosen up and act natural towards the end. Then, they sort of really forget that I’m there.

The S family is such a sweet and loving family! Miss E is full of life and has quite the funny personality. It was so funny when I was taking shots of just Mom and Dad (because we all know how rare it is to be alone together!) and here comes E running from behind and tunneling right between their legs! Right now, her little sister K is along for the ride, but I’m sure when she’s older and can walk and talk, she’ll be right there with big sis E having the times of their lives! Enjoy the sneak peek and don’t forget about the fusioned video slideshow at the end!

And you’re wondering why I titled this Silly, right? Here’s another shot from the session. No, it’s not an outtake. Mom specifically asked for a shot of silly faces! So funny! I guess Miss K didn’t get the memo! Love this family!!

The fusioned slideshow is under reconstruction.

My 2010 calendar is now officially closed. Thank you to all my wonderful clients for an amazing year. I’ve had a great time capturing moments for my awesome clients and I look forward to the sessions I have booked for the next few weeks.

The 2011 calendar is now open for bookings starting in March (I will not be taking any more bookings for January and February). On-location and studio sessions are available for maternity, newborn, and children. While I can book families at this time, I encourage clients to plan full family sessions for the outdoors starting in the late spring. Families are much more relaxed and comfortable when they can interact and play outdoors.

As the end of the year approaches, I have to take a moment to remember that I need to do for myself what all of you do – capture these moments with my loved ones. Tomorrow, my dear friend and fabulous photographer Melissa Zihlman will be visiting from Texas (if you are in the Dallas – Fort. Worth area, book her!!) and we are so fortunate that she will be able to do a session for us. We were blessed to have her capture Bella and me when I was pregnant with Marco. Now, about 18 months later, we get to have her capture all of our family together. See, even us professionals have to have other professionals do our family portraits!

Stay tuned for more session shares on the blog in the next few weeks!

And what’s a blog entry without an image? I searched the hoarder folder (you know, the one where you just dump the countless images you snap) and found this image of my daughter from April. We were outside and she was running around. I just snapped a few. Her hair is not “picture perfect” but I remember how much fun we had that evening just enjoying the moment. Her big beautiful eyes and her soft lips just melt my heart.