Final Family...

...of 2008 - that is "officially" - I'm sure y'all will see some unofficial business posted between now and the new year. This is a *very* special family for me - first met this little guy when he was just a few days old....



...and look at him now...



And, his big sister has always been a riot...





...and I am her "personal" photographer (at least that's what Mom tells me she tells the other kids at the park)...



...and, well, this group has just been a blast all around this year. Thanks so much to Mom especially for letting me share in her baby's first year!




Y'all have a nice night! :) PB

After a *fun* family session...

...a few weeks ago, Mom decided she wanted to do another session with just the kids!

Just the kids sessions are my *favorite* by the way...because they are so - much - fun!!





..but when it got cold, well - that's when the REAL fun started...









...and even the doll got to go for a swing....



....more pics coming soon! - PB :)

Brag.

If you follow this blog, you know I'm married to a marathoner, and I was so touched recently when he told me about Medals4Mettle a unique and inspiring non-profit organiation which helps folks in need by providing them with marathon medals donated by runners. Apparently kiddos who are really sick *LOVE* to go around with medals dangling from their necks - whether it be roaming the halls of a hospital, or while taking chemo treatments, or during their final hours on this earth. Who knew?

And, apparently Disney Marathon medals are in high demand b/c of their kid friendly design. How cool!

Soo...I was really moved when the hubster announced he was donating his. Why is this *Such* a big deal? Well, because marathon medals - to those who earn them - are pretty flippin' important. They serve as proof of the grueling accomplishment which results after months of training & sacrifice. His Disney Marathon medal is especially meaningful to him b/c for various reasons, it was his toughest race ever. So, I was a little suprised when he announced that he was sending it off in order to lift the spirits of a stranger, whom he will likely never meet. And, it's something he can never get back - even though he worked so hard to earn it.

The least I could do was take a picture of it so he'd have a reminder of what he earned and what he gave away. And, hopefully our little boy will see these one day, and understand how great of a guy his Dad is.





DISCLAIMER: My husband has **NO** idea I'm posting this, and would probably be annoyed b/c he is the humblest person on the face of the earth. I'm not. I'm a bragger. Especially when it's about people I love....and besides, it's my blog! I can do whatever I want to. :) Enjoy, PB

Additional Disclaimer: For people who I am related to who are reading this blog and wondering what on earth happened to baby boy's hair....don't ask. All I can say, is hopefully it will grow quickly. :) PB

Recipe for a *DREAM* session...

...start with a *great* big sister....



...add a little yawn...



...add super-sweet parents (both doctors, btw....did this little guy hit the gene pool jackpot or what?)...



...do adorable things with the baby....



...and don't forget to capture mom's GORGEOUS eyes...(I'm predicting more babies, y'all....)



...put'em all together for an ADORABLE family!




THIS one was FUN! Y'all have a great weekend! PB

So, I've been batting around the idea...

...of offering Senior Portraits. It's something I don't currently do, but wanted to photograph our *sweet* babysitter (who is a ridiculously refreshing teenager, btw) just to see how I'd like it. I forget how lovely young ladies are at this age...

...she's edgy...





...and beautiful...





...and smart....



...all at once! We had too much fun....even though we were nearly rained out! :)PB

Artsy.

You other photographers out there will know what I'm talking about. Don't you just *love* it when the pressure is off....



...and you get to be as creative as you want to be...



...after the positive feedback from this little one's Mom, y'all may be seeing a lot more of *me* in my pictures....

I swear I have a gazillion pictures to edit and share with y'all. Stay tuned...

I guess it runs in the family.

After a crazy hectic week, I finally took a moment to open up a package that arrived from my dear Aunt C. I have to say, I wasn't really expecting this flood of emotion which has lead me to bloggin' today, but here it is.

My Aunt and my Father are both very, very talented photographers. Neither of them ever went pro, but I know they could have. And they did it in the day of film, non-auto focusing lenses, and without the help of photoshop. I know I don't have as much talent as either of them did, but I think I can make up for it with the help of modern technology....at least I'm trying to these days. Check out the *amazingly* sweet pics my Aunt took of me with my mother....over 30 years ago...and you can see why I started to cry when I was going through them.

This is my fave...I love everything about it. Especially how sweet my mom is in it.



...no PP on this one...just scanned from a slide. I think she shot it with Kodachrome film. And the next one....aside from a very basic black/white conversion, I didn't do a thing.



...thanks Aunt C. for reminding me how powerful & sentimental a photograph can be! And a reminder to those of you out there who are thinking of getting some pics taken of your little ones...DO IT!! If you don't use me, just please use someone. They'll thank you someday. I promise.