Mini Session : Paige's Flower Girl Dress

My daughter is a superstar! She's also going to be my flower girl in my wedding on October 26th! I'm so excited about getting to marry my best friend in 37 days!

I've been on Pintrest looking for ideas and stumbled across several tutu dresses I liked - each one had something I enjoyed but none I found had everything I wanted, so I decided to make my own. How hard could it be? I mean, it would be super affordable if I made it myself and I wouldn't have to worry about paying for shipping or waiting for someone to make it for me. There were YouTube videos and Pintrest Boards I sought inspiration from and all my materials in front of me (also my brilliantly creative mind, haha!).

After one evening and one afternoon of craftyness, Paige's dress was finished and it fit perfectly! As soon as I put it on her, she got such a glow about her - she KNEW this was a princess dress! She started to twirl about and fluff up the tulle. She smiled and giggled at me and was ready for her photo shoot! So, we loaded up in the wagon and walked to the cul-de-sac behind our home and here is the result!

100 yards of tulle (Save On Crafts) : $10

Ribbon (Dollar Store) : $5

Elastic Band (Once Upon A Child) : $3

Flowers (Dollar Store) : $2

Total Cost : $20

Newborn Session : Riley (1 Month)

I got my hands on this little man as he turned 1 month! Oh he was so good for his photo session too. At first he wanted to check everything out - he was like, "Who is this pretty lady with all these toys for me? I want to see what's going on!" A little bit of bouncing and rocking and he was ready for his closeup! 

His mamas, Amy and Kelly, were so excited about his portrait session too. And so helpful! They had all sorts of props for me to use and while they also had a handful of outfits, we just kept him naked the whole time. He preffered it that way! Haha!

Riley, I had such a wonderful time photographing you! I'll be seeing you again!

Family Session : The Gray Family

When Chris and I moved from Lubbock to Fort Worth we initially moved in with friends and then moved into apartments located in Roanoke. We LOVED those apartments but it was not a long-term plan to stay there. The Gray's lived right across the way from us. They were so sweet! Bob and Sheri were always so kind every time we passed each other. Their daughter Bobbie has had quite a journey already and their son James is the happiest boy around! All four of them are!

I was sad to move away from them but luckily I was able to give them their very first family portrait! 

I believe every family should take the opportunity to have their portraits taken. Do not wait! Before you know it, children have grown up, moved off and started families of their own.

The Gray Family was awesome to photograph!

Proposal Session : Michael & Rosy

Michael and Rosy, you two are picture perfect! 

On Friday afternoon, the day before Michael was going to ask his girlfriend of 2 years, Rosy, to marry him, he gave me a call to come out and photograph the moment. "She's always getting on me for not taking photos of us together!" he said to me over the phone. "Well," I replied, "you almost forgot!" Haha!

I arrived early at the Fort Worth Water Gardens to "blend into the crowd" and it was easy to spot these two as they walked in to the gardens. They glowed with such happiness!

Michael and I met in college and he is such a generous and genuine person. Rosy, who I first met that night, is a lucky lady to have found Michael (though I think Michael is the luckier one to have Rosy!). She has such a beautiful energy about her too - these two are destined for each other.

I wish the two of you the best of luck on your future together!  

Newborn Session : Lily (5 Days)

Sweet Lily was a perfect model for me! She truly was ideal! 

This precious little lady was born to a longtime friend of mine (I photographed her beautiful belly too!) so I get to spend a lot of time with both of these gorgeous darlings. How lucky am I!

Th last photo in this post is my absolute FAVORITE! I purchased the chair at a thrift store and just knew I had to put this little girl in it. She was so cozy chilling in it too! Meant to be.

Maternity Session : Cassandra

This beautiful mama-to-be is aglow with love and grace for the little lady growing inside of her belly. I am so excited for her, for the adventures ahead of her and the joy and heartache I know she will have, being a mama myself.

Cassandra and I go way, way, way back. 5th and 6th grade kinda back. As time went by, we went our separate ways until one day I was visiting my parent's house and there was an invitation sitting on the counter from Cassandra inviting my family to her baby shower! My sister, Lindsay, who was closer to Cassie and in the same grade as her exclaimed, "Cassie's pregnant! Out of the blue she texted me and she's gonna have a baby!" Immediately I jumped with joy! A friend who's going to be a mama just like me! I RSVP'ed immediately Yes!

It was as if the years that separated us never came to pass. We spoke casually and rejoiced together at the new kind of friendship blooming in front of us. I feel so blessed to have been able to photograph her beautiful belly and am looking forward to meeting her little Lily due any day now!

Good luck on your journey into motherhood and enjoy!

Family Session : Stephanie, Rob & Josiah

Such a sweet family! Stephanie is also a photographer and on this special day we did a session swap! She photographed my little girl and I and it was wonderful! She has such a beautiful personality and was a dream to work with and I'm sure she had fun working with me too!

Her son, Josiah, who is 19 months was such a ham in front of my camera! He would sit still for 2 seconds and then run off laughing. He was definitely having a good day.

Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to photograph your family!