Alison B

allison ron vanessa & rebecca

These twins are all over my website.  Allison was the start of my twin photography venture.  I actually always wanted to have twins.  Ever since my twin sisters were born when I was six.  Maybe that is why I fell into photographing twins... I digress! 

So Allison and Ron's girls are full of energy and giggles.  We had a little directions mishap to our meeting place so we had limited light but we still managed to find some fun spots and even eek out some cute family pictures.  We do have to go down there again, Allison.  (Have I ever mentioned how many Allison's I know?... tons!)

jennifer & jazmine

Jazmine was one cute little two year old.  This shoot was a lot of fun.  I could go on and on choosing favorites from this shoot.  Jazmine pretty much led what we did and she was quite expressive and definitely determined to do what she wanted to.   I could have photograhed her all day.  And she would probably be up for it.  She was a doll.  And I love her cute little cut off jeans in this first one. 

Here is a sneak peak Jennifer.  There are so many more.  I can't wait to show you your online gallery.  And of course next weekend:)

julia & olivia

These girls were all smiles as soon as I arrived.  They were giggly and cute as can be... but they wanted no business with a camera.  Even with that, there are quite a few that I love.  Which is what I love about 1 and 2 year olds.  The shoots can be challenging and seem like we'll be lucky to get a even a few out of it.  But then I download them and take a look and I am always surprised.  And that is one of the parts that is so fun.  And toddlers are so great because their looks at the camera are so not intentional.  Those are my favorite images.  And of course the last one below, I can't resist... it's my favorite twins shot.

Judy and Eric, here is a sneak peak at your sweet little girls.  Your gallery should be ready in the next day or two.

jennifer and fam

Jennifer is my oldest, dearest friend.  We have been friends since we were eight!  I remember when it was so cool to say we have been friends for 20 years.  Now it's 30 years and it is starting to not sound so cool if you know what I mean.  Anyway, I have never photographed Jennifer's whole family, ever!  And now she has a junior in high school.  There was a time when Jennifer and I would think about the future when Tucker was a baby and think when Tucker was five, Garret would be in the third grade and how old that was.  Sheesh! They are teenagers!  And you know I am going to read back on this blog post in years to come and think the same dang thing... oh silly me, those boys were so young back then.  Weird.

Ok, so here is your sneak peak Jen.  These are just a smattering of favorites.  I realize the sneak is a little Laine heavy... there are pictures of everyone else, I promise:P And this first one, I think you need giant somewhere.  Or maybe the train track one with Laine in front... it's a tough call.  I guess you are going to have to have giant pictures all over your house now:)

aubri adam paolo and lola

I have done a few shoots of these guys too.  And Lola was just a few months ago.  So fun to see her in her baby chub:)  The shoot was fun and the kids were great.  Again, so many great ones to choose from. 

kathy dustin taylor and robbie

I am so behind on my sneak peaks.  I have a few in a row coming up.  I have done a few photo shoots of this family.  It is so fun to see the baby, Robbie.  I haven't seen him since he was a newborn.  He is a blue eyed blondie.  Total surprise to me.  We did this shoot fast and I still have so many I like. There are quite a few that I really like.  So tons to choose from for the sneak peak. 

Aubri and Adam... yours are coming up tomorrow.

 

so you think you can dance

This show is my very favorite show ever made.... that might not actually be true but at the moment it is.  I have last season still taped on my dvr so I can rewatch whenever I want.  To clarify, I love dance; good dance.  I think a lot of people don't know about this show.  The dancers on it are amazing.  The fact that they can be of one style and learn a routine in a completely different genre than what they have trained for is incredible.  Anyway, if you haven't seen it before... you should.  The next season won't be on until late spring.  It is hard to pick a favorite dance but this one is really good.  Danny is contemporary and Lacey is Swing and Latin. 

So, last night we went to the tour of the top ten contestants of last season and saw them all in person.  They performed all of our favorites.  I really wanted to be a dancer when I was little.  Or a gymnast.  REALLY bad.  Watching them do the ballroom dances with current music made me want to start taking ballroom. 

People with real talent and competence at something artistic, take my breath away.  Dance, especially.  I love the reality shows that showcase just this.  Project Runway, American Idol, Top Chef... 

I owe quite a few sneak peaks and they will be coming this week.  I got a little behind the last two weeks and I am determined to catch up this week.  We'll see how it goes.  I only have half a week left:P

And just because I just figured out how to add youtube video to my blog, here is another fave... I think it is because of the song.  Anyway, I love this one and Neil's first flip is pretty awesome.   OK, I am a total sap but I still love this stuff:)

my grandma

Last, last Friday, my grandma Shirley passed away.  She hasn't been a big part of my life in my adult life.  I have visited with her several times and the last time, I took my boys and they were groaning and moaning thinking that she was going to be the grandma type portrayed in movies or something.  They were surprised and commented about how cool she was. 

She was very funny.  I didn't learn that about her until I was in my late teens or early twenties and I was at her home with my mom on her bed and she was hilarious.  I wish I would have known that about her when I was even younger.  She was really quite witty.

We had her memorial over this past weekend at my mom's house.  Both of my uncles and my aunt were there along with their kids... who I haven't seen in years and years.  It was really fun to see them.  I hadn't seen my uncle John's kids since they were toddlers and they were late teenagers.  And Tom I don't think I have seen since my early teens. 

All of my siblings came as well.  We all just hung out over the weekend and the memorial was very relaxed. We celebrated my grandfather and grandmother's death because we didn't have a family memorial for him when he died in 1999.  So everyone shared their memories.  Even my boys shared theirs and they were quite funny. 

Tucker shared about the visit we did and how he expected her to knit too small of sweaters for him and she turned out to be cool  Dallon shared as well and jokingly said he had to share because his brother did...I might have been the only one who knew that was a joke but it was even funnier because it was.  He told the story about both boys wanting a painting she did of a leopard and Dallon wanted it because that was in fact his favorite animal and Tucker was really a tiger... it was super cute.

A few people shared about my grandmother's passion for her hobbies and that she had many diverse interests in arts and crafts (reminded me of me).  She was a great painter.  We all got to choose some of her art.  She taught me to crochet and play cards when I was little.  She also played scrabble with my mom and I all the time (which I still love). 

My grandfather always took us on hikes through Julian where they lived.  I always looked forward to them.  Who knows how far we went but it always felt like an adventure and I enjoyed them through my teen years. 

Here are a few pictures from the event.  My aunt and uncles.  My cousins (we're missing one).  My siblings.  And of course Willa & Slater.

sherwood's

I love photographing my friends' families.  Ryder didn't want any pictures by himself.  But I couldn't resist the cartoon mural and the boyscout dogs etched in glass.  What perfect boy spots.  And it isn't every day I get to photograph older boys.  Although these two spots and even the ceramic pig is great for any age kids.  I love finding these new spots.  Little Italy is the best.  Hayley looks awesome in all of her photos.  I can't wait to do a shoot with just Hayley and a bunch of outfit changes. 

I couldn't pick just five or six... I didn't even want to stop at 10 but here are ten pictures from this Little Italy shoot.  There might be one or two of all four of you... I had to document the whole experience on my blog, Carol.  Couldn't leave you two out. 

   

zoe & aidan

I had a really fun shoot this past weekend with this family.  I did a photoshoot for them when Aidan was just over one... so four years ago back in my film days.  I'd have to dig out my negatives to show a comparison.  It was really fun to see them so grown up.  The girl's were great in front of the camera (older kids are such a contrast to one year olds).  I loved so many from this shoot.  I am having a hard time getting them down to a manageable amount. 

I thought the one of mom & dad alone in our setting was perfect for the tone and texture I added to it.  It's another engagement photo for you:)  Here's a few to tide you over until you return, Amber.