These are exceptional, beautiful girls, and to top it off; I love sister sessions, I love to see their interactions, how they lean on each other when they are nervous and a bit unsure, they find solace in the other, then after a few minutes they relax and have some fun, have trust in one another and me and then work it to get amazing shots.  There is such a special, eternal bond that sisters have that no one can take away, an understanding and love that will never be broken no matter what may come their way.  (ok I’m getting teary thinking about my sister) Sister shots get me every time.  Thank you for allowing me to capture your relationship.

This weather has definitely been a hindrance on shoots lately,  but my fabulous mini clients persevered and braved the sprinkling rain to come to the downtown Gainan’s and play with me for a few, we were outside on the flower filled patio when the weather would permit and in the greenhouse when it got too wet.   It was so fabulous to shoot in a colorful location, the flowers and smiles were in full bloom, (wow, that was cheesy), I couldn’t wait to share a few images from that fun day!  Minis are always a blast!  It was so good to see everyone!!!

that moms to be have takes my breath away.  This was supposed to be a mini session included in my belly to baby package but I couldn’t stop shooting, she was gorgeous!   I wish I could share all of the shots with you.   I can’t wait to meet and photograph this little babe that is already so well loved!

I was so excited to take her one year old pics.  After I spent some time photographing her I learned;  she is beautiful, a wise soul, an observer, shy at first, a lover of pacifiers and books, and is lucky enough to  have an uber loving, appreciative mama who is soaking in every moment she has with her, enjoying all of the little every day things that are going by way too fast.

Funny how things really work out, when mom mentioned they would also like to include some shots with the new addition to their family I was pumped.  In my mind I had all of these amazing shots of her with her brand new puppy they had only brought home a couple of days earlier, really a one year old and a puppy can it get any cuter?  I forgot that new puppies have razor sharp teeth and even though the puppy was playful and adorable and was only trying to be friends, they hadn’t really figured each other out.  next time…..

Thought I would post a few pics from the session I did in central California of my dear friend Kim and her family.  Her hubby’s job (doesn’t he look like harry connick jr here?) requires them to move about the country, they have had the fortune of living on the central coast for the last couple of years and are loving every minute of it. She is a complete foodie and wine connoisseur so it is a match made in heaven considering the farmer’s markets are outrageous and vineyards are plentiful.  She wanted to capture this time and place in their lives so that whenever they are asked to leave this little piece of paradise they can have fabulous images to remind them of their blissful time.  I think we nailed it!  We have such a blast visiting them, the kids get along splendidly and have so much fun racing around and laughing.  Taylor and Liam are bosom buddies and now pen pals, the letters they have sent in the last few days would melt your heart.  I’ll show you other personal pics later but I couldn’t resist sharing this lovely, sunlit, goodness.  I love you Kim!

I have so many fabulous shots to show you from this past weekend of a beautiful bride in an amazing setting, and a wedding that had so much love flowing it was palpable,  but I couldn’t resist showing at least one right now.   Really can you get much better than a vineyard with olive trees intermixed?   Stay tuned.

It’s senior time again, one of my favorite times of the year.  I love photographing emerging seniors that show me all different aspects of what makes them tick, it is such a blast to get to know them and then create amazing, unique images!  Jacquelin contacted me a few months ago about being a senior rep for the class of 2012 so we were eagerly anticipating this session.   She was great to work with, so spunky and bubbly we had so much fun!  If you know Jacquelin be sure to grab a card from her so that you can get a credit towards your shoot!

We had a great time in California, we visited our amazing friends then headed up north to celebrate and photograph my sister’s wedding in breathtaking wine country,  (I can’t wait to share pictures) all of it was fabulous until it was time to go home… and I have never been so happy to walk through my front door.  Chris was supposed to travel with us but then had to opt out due to his knee and blood clot so I was solo with the kids.  They have always been exceptional travelers but this last 24 hours really tested them.   We drove a few hours south so that we could fly out of San Francisco only to be told that our flight was extremely late and we would miss our connecting flight in Salt Lake city.  We ended up getting into salt lake at 1am then being shuttled to a hotel for a few hours sleep then up in the early am to try and get on the next flight out.  We landed in Billings at 12:30pm, thrilled to be home so we could crash on the couch.  My saving grace was the friends we made at the airport.  There was another solo mom with kids the same age so we turned the gate into kid central while we waited and waited.  My girlfriend called this morning and asked Ty about his trip, he excitedly told her about his toy from the aquarium and his new friends at the airport, obviously a highlight for him.  The kids were adorable, they bounced off of each other for hours, I’m not sure what we would have done if we didn’t have friends to occupy our time with freeze tag and gymnastic tricks.  The mom was Summer Sanders, does the name sound familiar?  She is an Olympic gold medalist swimmer  and now a TV correspondent.   She told me about her husband’s (he’s an olympic skier) new company Soul Poles, which are 100% sustainable ski poles, sounded like a great thing for us up here in Montana check out the link here.  She was so nice and really made that forever long airport time doable.

I have so much to catch up on, I had great sessions the week before I left that I will be posting as well as vacation/wedding pics so stay tuned…..

is being a mom to these three little people.  I know it’s totally cliche but so true.  When things get crazy, I sometimes find myself taking a deep breath, a step back and  refocusing on what really matters. Ultimately them, their happiness, well being, them knowing without a doubt that they are loved and important.  It is so easy to brush them away without thinking about how that makes them feel when I’m taking a call or in the middle of a task, so I’ve tried, really tried to be present.  To be with them and only them, not answer the phone when we are together so that they feel and know that they are the priority.  Of course everything isn’t perfect sometimes life happens, I don’t want them to think the world revolves around them either, it is a tough balancing act, but I do notice a difference in our relationship when I focus on making sure we have undistracted quality play time without texts or any other interruptions.  I will never forget the sheepish smile on Taylor’s face when we were having a discussion and she heard my cell (work) phone ring, she paused for a moment and then asked if I was going to answer it. “No, I want to talk to you, you are the only person that matters right now.”  She glowed, and continued, right then and there I saw the importance of being present.  This is turning into a soap box sob story but I am so passionate because things have felt so rushed lately, I’m trying with all of my might to enjoy those everyday moments that are racing by. So this is a glimpse of us, roller skating, playing with friends, karate, and dance class.  I wish for everyone a fabulous mother’s day surrounded by the ones you love.

I spent the morning with the spunky, energetic gals at Apricot Lane.  We shot their billboard pic, which is fantastic! (I can’t wait for you to see it, large and in charge) as well as some other fun images for their website and other media.  I LOVE this store, I went to the opening on Friday, it was crazy busy, apparently the place to be, and I’ve been in numerous other days this past week to personally shop.  I had company from Dallas, she needed something great for a work meeting in Miami, where did I take her?  You guessed it.  I think I’m officially hooked.  They have new things every time I go in,  I feel like a kid in a candy store.  On top of their great merchandise their staff is fantastic, so nice and willing to help.  Love them!  Congrats Michelle on a job well done. I have no doubt your store will be a phenomenal success!