I've actually known this family for about 8 years - when these kids were still little!  This girl babysat my son (and probably never recovered from it) and now she's in college!  I just can't get over it.  I loved getting the chance to take their Christmas pictures.  So much fun to see them again!





I'm back in Birmigham after my crazy week in Texas.  So much fun but a lot of really WILD things happened.  The best part of being home?  Sleeping in my very own bed.  The worst part?  Going back to work tomorrow.  Can't we have another day or two off?  :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!  Hope everyone ate themselves into a food coma like I nearly did.  :)  It's what you're SUPPOSED to do today, right?!

Today I managed to finish editing both sessions from yesterday, all while baking a pie and sweet potato casserole.  There also was some wii bowling - but that was just an attempt to work off some of the pie I ate.  Lame, I know.  ANYWAY - I've been crazy busy the last few days, but have managed to keep up with things really well. 

The two families from yesterday are actually neighbors.  Well, in reality almost ALL my sessions from the last few days are friends.  Which is fun - although I have to make sure and not do the same things with everyone.  That red barn from a few days ago keeps calling my name - I'm resisting quite well though!

Meet the Yarbroughs:





I LOVE making people sit on the ground, which I know is complete torture for some people.  But it just always works.  This is the family that's almost single-handedly responsible for my busy week this week.  Which has been so much fun!  I hope you guys love these pictures because they are definitely some of my favorites.  We didn't need to break-in to the neighbor's pasture afterall.  :)

And now, The Stanleys:





How great would this look blown up on a 24x36 canvas (or even bigger)?  These guys were FUN, and total troopers too.  They moved furniture AND drove to a completely different location for me.  Totally worth it though.

This week has been so much fun.  I've got to hang out with tons of really fun families and take a TON of pictures that I know they'll really like.  What's better than that??????

I think the Mitchells thought I was a bit crazy, but once they see there proofs I think they'll agree that the crazy might have paid off a little.  :)  We met at Camp Hoblitzelle, which is an amazing camp owned by the Salvation Army.  Apparently, after Hurricane Katrina, some of the refugees were allowed to stay here, and it wouldn't surprise me if they had wanted to stay! 







Thanks guys for spending the afternoon with me (and helping me move benches!)

This was shoot 2 of the day and I can't vouch for the fact that these guys were totally sober because they came straight from watching the Cowboys game.  It was fun though and I think the guys would agree with me that it wasn't as bad as they'd anticipated. 





Thanks for driving all the way out to the middle of nowhere to hang out with me.  And also?  Sorry about the dog poop!!!

This was the first of my crazy 9-shoot week and I LOVED having this group first.  So much fun and the location was perfect.  Who doesn't love old, rusty barns?!  Plus, these kids were up for ANYTHING.  They were totally into it which makes my job easy.  All I have to do is stand there and take pictures - the kids did the rest!







Thanks guys for having so much fun with me!  And also?  If y'all had not taken that chair with you I'd have TOTALLY stolen it. 

My son's first EVER swim meet was this weekend and yesterday I not only managed to forget my "big" camera, the batteries were dead in my point and shoot.  To ba fair, I don't use my point and shoot all that much - mainly just to take videos (it's a Canon Powershot A630 - GREAT camera BTW) or to keep in my purse for "emergencies". 

Lucky for me, I got a do-over today in Day 2 of the meet.  Warning:  I'm NOT a sports photographer!  lol



That's my guy in the left lane.  He was getting ready for his backstroke portion of the relay.  He LOVES backstroke.



Watching the rest of his relay team with Coach Suzanne.....



I love this picture!  Such concentration.  Oh, in case you're wondering why there's still someone in the pool when his race is getting ready to start........it's because the meet goes so fast they don't have TIME to get out until the next race starts. 

Can anyone believe it's almost THANKSGIVING???!!!!!!!!

Hard to believe, but I'm still adding holiday card designs for my clients to choose from.  I can't help it!  There are just too many cute ones.  Some of these designs come from other graphic artists, and some I design myself.  Like this latest one:



Love this one!  I think it would be perfect printed on watercolor or linen paper (which is one of your options!) And don't forget, the backs of all the cards can be customized with a personal message, either by me, or handwritten by you AND (!!!) although white envelopes already come with your cards, you can have them printed with your return address (a total time-saver in the busy holiday season). 

If you'd like more information about your ordering options, send me an email and I'll get all the information to you!

I'm fairly certain the leaves changed color overnight.  Having lived in Texas for most of my life, it still surprises me every year when the trees start to turn.  Not that there isn't fall color in Texas, but it's not like this.  Not this bright and colorful.  On my way to work in the mornings I pass the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and I swear there is a tree in their parking lot that is so yellow right now it will burn your eyes if you look at it too long.  And by "too long" I mean more than about 2 seconds or so. 

It's beautiful outside right now.  I hope everyone is getting the chance to get out there an enjoy it!



I love color, so I don't normally do B&W conversions.  This photo just begged to be B&W though.  It's amazing what you can find in an alley!