The rules of the game

It's that crazy time of year for most photographers, lots and lots of sessions. This past weekend I had 10. This was my last session of the weekend and it couldn't have been more fun. During our session we played lots of games. The best part of these games....the made up rules designed so his dad and I would lose and he would win (no matter what)! These two have a great relationship and it was a lot of fun trying to capture some of it!!

Thanks for a perfect ending to the weekend (and the sugar high I had all the way home)!!

The perfect fall photo shoot!

I don't blog about all my sessions, sometimes it's just a picture up on facebook but I COULD NOT resist blogging this family! Everything about this shoot was perfect. The location, the color, the weather (ok it was a bit rainy) and best of all my little model. His red hair, little outfit...all of these combined made it nearly impossible to find a COUPLE teasers. This blog defines why everyone should have fall pictures done!!

I love his little rockstar pose in this one!

Ok, I did put ONE in black and white :)

Thank you so much for finding the perfect location and being the perfect models!!

It's cakesmash time!!

This was the photo shoot that almost didn't happen. One picture of this cutie and my camera died. Luckily they were able to reschedule for the next day!! Thank god for that, HOW CUTE IS HE!!!! Yup, rhetorical. He is one ridiculously handsome 1 year old!! Here are the teasers from our 1 year shoot and the messy messy cakesmash!!

Here we go!!

Tis the season!!

What better time to get your family together than for the holiday card!! Today I got to shoot my first one of the season and I couldn't have picked a better family. What a fun (albeit slightly chaotic) time! AMAZING way to end the afternoon!!!

And why wouldn't you jump at the opportunity to get your photos with the grandchildren <3

And just a shot of the chaos I described above, couldn't resist how cute it was!!

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to meet your incredible family!!

We must save the baby monkeys!!

If you read my blog then surly you will recognize my two favorite big blue eyed beauties! We had a really really fun morning! Below is only a taste of all the fun things we did together but my most favorite game was gathering Diego (I KNOW all you moms know who that is) and heading out to the jungle to find and save the monkeys. I do love when the animal activists start young :) This time we got to head out into the country (what a fun break from the city for me) and even though is was cold and rainy it was still beautiful!

Did I mention the BFF came along to save some monkeys too??

Thanks for giving me a morning in the country that included some animal rescuing!!

Today is opposite day

Remember playing that game in school. Opposite day, whatever you tell me to do I am going to do the opposite. This is a very very common game in the toddler photography world. Parent says to child "lets sit here and smile for a picture" Toddler does not say a word but runs away laughing. Clearly it's opposite day!! Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting a very vivacious two year old. Normally it's the boys that have me running from place to place to keep up and snap pictures but today she was a very independent gorgeous two year old girl. This little one, not matter how hard we tried, did not want to sit and smile for a picture. IN FACT all she wanted to do was play on the playground, ride the pig (see below) and chugga chugga on the train. After trying to avoid those things and get some nice photos in the garden, we gave in :) Turns out maybe toddler knew best. I suppose to some "Happy wife, happy life" holds true but I imagine many moms and dads will agree better to have a happy toddler!!

BIG smiles when we finally gave in and headed to the playground

Seeing the carousal (and pig) go round and round

Riding the pig :)

Chugga chugga on the train

And this one.... this was when we said "ok we're done, no more" I hear her say "now take my picture"..I forgot, opposite day!

Good thing she is so incredibly adorable! 

Thanks for a fun morning of gardens, playgrounds, carousels and trains! I'm not sure who had more fun!!

Real Beauty Is....

It is amazing how life works out as you move forward. Once you make the decision to take a risk and believe in yourself paths cross and doors open. This is what I truly believe happened when I made the decision to take my photography to the next level. If I had never taken that risk, I probably would have never met Lori.

Within five minutes of getting to know her, I was hooked to her energy. Lori is a women out to inspire ALL women to find their real beauty. She wants to "empower women to let go of limiting beliefs about yourself and define beauty on your own terms" I can tell you from personal experience that she is the right person for the job. Her website, Realbeautyis, is a tool to try and reach as many women as possible and help give them the power to define their own real beauty!

Living in a crazy world (or busy city) she gives you the tools to find your inner voice. To find peace and embrace yourself.

Below is a note from Lori to all women and also a few more shots from our time together! Please check her out, her positive energy is addicting and if you ever need a pick me up on your "ugly" day, Lori is the perfect inspiration!!

You can find Lori and her daily inspirational tips on Facebook also. 

Dear Real Woman,

I dedicate this work to you; that you may know and believe in your true self. I dedicated this space for you to break down, break open and claim your power.

Real Beauty Is….a place for you to stand in your moment and be who you are without apology, explanation or fear.

Real Beauty Is…a place for you to embrace your imperfections and use them as a force to lift yourself higher.

Real Beauty Is…messy, irreverent, bold, stubborn, courageous, complicated and deep. (just like you)

Open your heart to all that surfaces. Imprint it in your mind as you wake up to your beauty and your power. Release your energy to the Universe as you give everything you have to give.

Thank you for your faith in me that such a glorious and meaningful mission has been placed in my hands.

See you on the other side of beauty.

xo Lori

Lori, THANK YOU for inspiring me to continue believing in myself daily!