After a long week....

this little sugar made me smile. Y'all enjoy!

I'm not going to lie...

....last week was a long one. With the hubster out of town, baby boy cutting some awfully painful teeth, and neither of us getting *ANY* sleep, this little moment brought some much needed comic relief.

Yup, this kid is a climber. And we're talking of the Mt. Everest variety. Which is why no area of our three level, multi-staircase, 90 year old, incredibly difficult to baby proof house is not configured with some sort of gate or safety contraption...which ironically have (we think) caused the adults who live here more injury than they have actually probably prevented for the boy.

Our dining room chairs are *and I'm not joking folks* bungeed all together so he can't pull them out, stack them on top of each other, and swing himself from the lighting fixture. I know, sounds like I'm exaggerating doesn't it....I wish.

Again, last week was a long one. Glad to have the hub home.

And when big sister jumped in the pictures...

...with her unbelievable eyes...it was magic!

I promised a few more...

...from the other day to dear Trudi. Ladies, she is one of THOSE ..... you know the ones I mean. We're talking she's one of the fits back into her normal jeans 3 weeks after giving birth types. If I didn't adore her, I'd be jealous. She's a totally cool Aussie with the cutest little Olivia Newton John accent you have ever heard. I knew we'd be friends as soon as I learned we shared an affinity for Xanadu - one of the all time finest pieces of cinematography ever created, and to my sheer delight, now also appearing on Broadway. (Side Note: I will truly never understand the general lack of societal support for the roller-disco industry. Tragic.) Anwhooo, Trudi is perfect behind the camera, and since her husband is a photographer, she's behind it a lot. Of course, she's also been behind creating the little cutie newborn featured in my last few posts, and for that, I thank her....he was a delightful subject! Y'all enjoy!

Oh, and I *MUST* say thank you to everyone out there who is emailing the SWEETEST things about my recent blog pics. I can't figure out why you can't post your comments on blogger either....as you've probably read in the blogger drama I've been having lately, I'm desperately in need of a new blog, but just haven't had the time to put it together. Your emails make my day, and I'm trying to answer them all. If anyone out there wants to tackle the project of helping me get a new blog, and helping me set it up, lemme know. We'll work something out if you'll work for pictures.:) -Hugs, PB

And this is my favorite...

...thanks for the suggestion, Chad!

It's a huge compliment...

...when another photographer chooses me to capture images of their own family. That is why I was so happy to be able to work Chad Webster and his beautiful family in this weekend. I knew we would have fun, but after checking out his website, I admit I was a bit nervous. Y'all know, I am in no way one of the big dogs out there in the photography world, so showing up with my little camera at someones house who has been in the biz for a a lot longer than me was just a tad intimidating. Luckily, Chad & Trudi were the nicest people I could possibly hope to meet, and I'm so happy to now call them friends.

Here's just a few from yesterday to give you a taste...I'll process & post a few of mom and her precious baby asap. She was so easy - it was like working with a model!

I had the happiest time ....

...in Texas! I told y'all I'd have something special for you when I got back, so here it is. If this was an email, it would be titled "long but worth the read", but y'all this is good stuff. I promise it will make you smile!

Okay, so...the pictures are of my friends Liza & Joel. I've known Liza & Joel a long time. They are a sweet young couple, hardworking, lovely home, terrific family, etc. etc....the whole package. They are as in love today as they were when they were dating in college over 10 years ago. Sadly, when Liza & Joel decided to start a family a few years back, like many of us, it didn't come easily. After two disappointments, they learned they were going to have a beautiful baby girl last year. Unfortunately, it got complicated.

Against all odds their beautiful Bella was born in March of 2007. Sadly though, she never came home. Although she fought like a tiger, her little lungs just never developed properly, and sweet Bella left us last October, right before Liza's birthday. Shortly thereafter, they decided to pursue adoption, and expected a long wait before they would become parents again. Amazingly, just 9 months later (yup, you can do the math - Bella and her new baby brother absolutely crossed paths in Heaven) Wyatt came into their lives. And as you can see, they are very, very happy to have him. :)

When Bella was born, an amazing photographer named Jennifer Weintraub of Sugar Photography in Dallas (who y'all have heard me mention more than once on this blog) did a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep session for Liza & Joel. They were the most beautiful, emotional pictures I had ever seen, and served as inspiration for me to finally pursue this "photography thing" that I had been playing around with. Since then, along with other photographers all over the country, I've followed her work by visiting her beautiful blog almost daily. Well, y'all remember this post last fall regarding the Photographer who I was so excited about hearing from? It was her. She was kind enough to offer to let me tag along on a session, and as I was finalizing my travel plans to head down, we learned that little Wyatt would be arriving during my visit. So of course, she jumped all over the chance to do another heartfelt session for my dear friends, who are now - once again - a family.

Tagging along on their session (and another one earlier in the day) was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I know Jen gets emails and requests all the time from both newbie & experienced photographers, and I also know a lot of us out their would like to see her in the workshop circuit one day, so to be able to spend the day with her was incredible. I know she doesn't have the time to help everyone who seeks her out - don't know why she chose me - just lucky I guess. I learned more than imaginable, and I am COMPLETELY re-inspired. I'm also hoping she decides to start a mentoring program, as I feel her expertise is truly invaluable, and would be incredibly beneficial to other photogs as well. Plus, she is incredibly nice and funny - big bonuses. I'm so happy to call her a friend!

I also got to spend some good *quality* time with the fam (always bittersweet b/c it's never enough time, but great) see a few old friends, and (as promised) I ate more Mexican Food than I probably should have. As I told my husband last night - there is now a little bit more of me to love!

On that note, I'd better hit the gym. Stay tuned for more pics from my trip....and CONGRATULATIONS again to my sweet friends on the adoption of their dear Wyatt. Don't worry, you will sleep again one day. Hugs, PB

Just realized, I promised y'all some recent work...

...ummm, like a week ago. Let's see if blogger will let me do it today...two are from a recent maternity session, one from a recent newborn, and a couple from the SWEETEST family you can imagine who happily endured heat in the 100's on Saturday for their session! This is such happy work. Y'all enjoy!

Okay, N-O-W I'm off to Texas! This is setting itself up to be a very special trip...y'all stay tuned. I'll have some treats to share when I get back! Hugs, PB

I'm off...

...to Texas for a while! Sooo, I won't be returning calls/emails until late next week at the earliest. Still battling the blogger blues, so haven't been able to post as many pics as usual from recent shoots (working on it...promise!) I've been trying to update the website w/new stuff , so y'all can always check that too! We have been SUPER busy between neighborhood parties, the Babies & Bellies tour last weekend in Maryland, a fun trip to Annapolis where we visited the Naval Academy (Here's to YOU, Mr. Naval Academy Security Guard who almost shot me through my windshield as I *accidentally* drove into the wrong entrance! Yes, the hubster's face is still red over that one...) plus the worlds HOTTEST session last Saturday that I've EVER done! I'll try to put some pics up from that when I get back.

For now, I'm off to eat tamales until I pop, hang out with the fam, and endure super-fun experience of tackling 3 airports (Newport News, Atlanta, DFW) with one toddler and no help.....y'all say a little prayer please. Seriously.

In the meantime.....hugs, hugs, hugs!! PB

I told y'all I'd be posting a bunch of stuff....

...and a semi-big announcement is among today's post-a-thon! I'm officially BOOKED through the end of 2008!!! NEVER (never, ever, ever) did I think I'd be turning down November bookings in June, but it is officially happening. Can't believe it!!

To my DEAR current clients (you know who you are...) Not to worry - if we've talked about a fall session, I've saved time for you! But contact me soon if you have any questions about important bookings! For new/prospective clients - please note that I DO maintain a waiting list, and due to the nature of children, babies, pregnancies, and well....life in general...I truly anticipate that at least a few cancellations will occur between now and the end of the year. So, don't be afraid to call/email me if you want to be on the waiting list. There is absolutely no obligation, you'll just get a call if I have something open up, and if you want it, you got it! That's it! I can also refer you to some real talent in the area to help get any pics taken that my schedule simply can't accommodate.

THANKS again to this awesome community for making me busy! Never did I anticipate this type of interest of excitement in my work. I am humbled. :) HUGS, PB

The joys of childhood....

Sooo, if you live in my neighborhood...

...you know that I'll likely be stalking your children with my camera on any given day. This little honey is one of my favorite subjects ever, and when I saw her running around in the tutu on the way to a shoot (okay, this was a couple of weeks ago..I'm behind..) I could - not - resist!!!! LOVE the edgy contrast of sweet little girls in tulle & sequins on textures like concrete and brick. Of course, with this one, it's tough to get a bad shot, so stay tuned....you'll likely see much more of her in the future....

Okay, I know I've been a bad poster...

...but I have gobs and gobs of pics and clever lite antecdotes to share with y'all this week....promise. We just returned from a fun trip to Baltimore & Annapolis where I caught the Babies & Bellies tour which was loads of fun! I know y'all have been peeking - pics are on their way. I pinky swear. :) Hugs - PB