MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!

Our 2009 family card, front and back:





Here's to a very Merry Christmas blessed with health, happiness, the knowledge of why we celebrate this season! And speaking of blessings, I have been so very blessed this year from a business standpoint. It has been such a pleasure to work with all of my clients this year. Thank you for trusting me to capture your special moments and memories. I hope to see you again in the new year!

Emma Kate, 10 days

This week I had the pleasure of meeting one of my newest baby planners, Miss Emma Kate. What a sweet, pretty little newborn she was at just 10 days old. And, what a sweet, pretty older sis she has too! Anyway, her parents are good friends of ours, so this session was relaxed and easy (well, as easy as a newborn and 4 year old allow!)

A rather large sneak peek, but here are some of my favorites.



In her stocking...





Wide eyed & awake...


Big sister... Doesn't love the camera or anything...



And back to EK... I thought this shot was hilarious. Really makes me wonder what is going through their little heads sometimes... "Get this thing off my head, now, please." Maybe?



With her being born so close to Christmas, couldn't resist making her a present...





Sleepy little Emma Kate...

And those newborn toesies.




Oh, and on the baby plan - I am revamping it just a bit for 2010 and will be posting that on the website under Pricing - Photography in the near future. It is the perfect option for parents who know they want to document their baby's first-year milestones (possibly even while a bun in the oven!) It offers quite a bit of savings over doing the sessions a la carte, and even includes the custom design of birth announcements.

Next Baby Gap Model?

What a way to wrap up my outdoor shoots for 2009! Despite the cold and wind, I had a great time with this sweet mom and her little man. He is just so cute at 18 months!!! Look at those crystal clear blue eyes and cute little grin. I loved how his mom had him dressed all stylin'! This was supposed to be a shoot with him and his Mom and Dad, but Dad got sick at the last minute. We still got some sweet shots of him alone and him with Mommy.


















This coming week I am very excited to be doing a newborn session, so come back and visit soon to see my newest baby plan member.

REMINDER... December is the last month you can book a session under my 2009 rates. Please see the "2010 Pricing" link at the top of the blog for details for next year.

This calls for some chocolate!

Sometimes when I'm editing, images just lend themselves to different processing techniques. For this session, I just loved how all of their "chocolate" photos turned out. This is my twist on the typical black and white. I don't always use it - just when it fits. It's got a hint of mocha in it, and makes everything just creamy and smooth. See, it sounds like I'm talking about dessert, right? Anyway, I felt like so many from this shoot called for some chocolate. Maybe because of the dark, pretty eyes the kids had? Hmmm, well, here's an appetizer.

Does everyone look like they're FREEZING???? Because we all were! It was 38 degrees and windy when we started. Before the runny, red noses started...














Well, maybe all of our suffering was worth it!! I think so. ;) I think I might need to whip out some Swiss Miss now!

Break time...

Taking a quick break from editing & designing Christmas cards to post a few images from this family of 3 who came over last weekend for a some studio time. They had originally wanted an outdoor shoot, but with the weather we've been having, it just wasn't working out. That's when a studio comes in very handy! Their little one was only 3 months, but did very well and gave us lots of faces to work with. Here are just a few before I get back to work!

Caught up!

Yea! This post officially catches me up on my blogging. I think? Well, until tomorrow when another busy weekend of shooting begins! Thankfully I have decided to wrap up my on-location shooting schedule after this weekend so that I can begin to do some things to actually get ready for the holidays - like put up our tree and go Christmas shopping - neither of which I've done yet! I will still fit in a studio shoot here and there, and will book a newborn if needed over the next few weeks.

Now, on to this special family I met last weekend in downtown Longview while there for Thanksgiving. It's always nice to spend time with a family who are laid back, easy going, and not putting crazy pressure on their kids to act perfectly during a shoot. Sometimes parents warn me, "They're not easy to take pictures of. They run from me when I have the camera out!" So, I come prepared (Smarties work wonders!), but I had absolutely no problems with these girls. In fact, the 2 year old actually loved the camera. What a deal!

Fave family shot:



We were right by the train station and it was VERY busy that morning. Can you tell?









I love this one because even though big sis isn't smiling, lil sis just has this adoring expression while looking up at her sister. She'll be watching her every move for many years to come...







Thank you so much for such an enjoyable session. I look forward to sharing them all with you just as soon as I can get them done! You have lots of Christmas card choices, trust me! :)

Katie, Sr '10

I really enjoyed meeting this Quinlan High School senior this past week and getting to capture LOTS of memories for her senior portraits. Thank you for entrusting me with such a responsibility! And a special thanks to my assistant as well.

Without adieu, here's sweet-spirited, quiet, perfect-complexion Katie. :)



Name: Katie

Named after anyone: No



Favorite color? Blue



Special talent? French horn



Favorite dessert? Strawberry cheesecake





College? Yes, either Texas A&M or SFA.




Dream job? Animal behaviorist




Favorite time of day: evening







Greatest accomplishment to date? AB honor roll for 1st and 2nd six weeks



Why did you choose Photo Jewels for your senior portraits? Because the pictures are clear and beautiful.



Thank you again for the opportunity. I really enjoyed our session and look forward to sharing the MANY images that will be yours to choose from...

Gobble Gobble!

I met up with this fun trio on a very chilly Thanksgiving morning last week! We got to try out a couple new spots. I thought for sure there would be no else around, so I was shocked to see another family having their portraits made, too! Anyway, each of these ladies was so photogenic and sweet and I had a great time with them while working up quite the appetite for some turkey!

You'd never know all of us were just about FREEZING!