You are what you wear…Part 2! {Sierra Vista, AZ Portrait Photographer}

eed inspiration for your next photo shoot?

Remember that color and texture make for a fun and eye catching shoot! If you need some ideas, check out ZozoBugBaby! She has some fantastic outfits for your little girl that she will love to wear for your next shoot!

You are what you wear…good read! {Sierra Vista, AZ Portrait Photographer}

You are what you wear.

A little cliché? Perhaps. But when it comes to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the finished product.

First of all, let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:

Brand New
I’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse – as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.

Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive
Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means, bring on the bling). If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.

Matching
No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks. In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t. If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.

Stressful
No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory. This is supposed to be fun. If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous. I promise.

I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good.
During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your fiancé, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good.
This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense.
Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph. I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems. Think twice about having Emma in a lace prom dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. [unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

~~~

If you’re still not certain, and you can’t decide between the yellow wrap dress with your red heels or your dark skinny jeans and purple belted shirt – I’ve got good news. You don’t have to decide. Bring lots of options. Heck – throw your whole wardrobe into the back of the car. When we get to the session we’ll wing it all with fabulous results. Trust me.

Now take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Imagine how blow-everyone-away-fabulous-ready-for-America’s-Next-Top-Model you’re all going to look in those pictures….

Can you see it yet? I totally can. WOW! You look INCREDIBLE!

I can’t wait for your session.

Small Connections-{photos of the heart}

Sometimes the smallest details are the ones that mean the most. There is something heartwarming about such a small gesture. The hand of a child tucked safely in their father's hand.

You don't need to see their faces to know that there is an expression of contentment on the child's face. Suddenly his world feels a lot safer and he can relax after a year's separation.

So no matter how often I see a soldier holding his child's hand, I will always be struck by the moments in my memory....the ones where I see the contentment of a reunion!


I know that my time at Fort Hood has come to an end...and while I won't miss the deployments, I will miss the reunions. Fort Huachuca Arizona isn't known for separations. I'm glad for that! Yet, I will always love the joy and excitement of a reunion that makes me feel that the world is a wonderful place to be.

{Photos of the Heart}-Brand New Baby Photographer

I have been going through my newest baby shoot and I couldn't wait to showcase a few pictures. I'm not going to post all of them yet, but here is a sneak peak for Christine and her newest baby boy!

I'm in love {photos of the heart-child photographer}

I love shooting this family....I think Bode is adorable. Mom is going to be in trouble when he gets a bit older! The girls are going to love his cute little smile and bad boy attitude!


But as cute as he is...he faces some tough competition from his sister! She is super sweet and mom has a great fashion sense, so she was decked out with flowers and jewels!





They obviously love each other and Bode can't wait for his baby sister to get big enough to play with even more!

{Photos of the Heart}-Cutie Pie Photographer!

I just love it when I meet a family like this. It is so much fun to see them grow up! I took a picture of Sarah and her adorable baby boy almost 2 years ago. They were full of so much joy that I had to put them on my website splash page because just seeing them made me happy.



As it turns out, Bode is still extremely energetic and fun. He is also the big brother now!

More pictures will be here soon, but here is a sneak peek of someone very special! Just look at those eyelashes!

A wet, rainy Cav reunion!

Normally, I am very protective of my camera. It's a Nikon D300 and I love it. But there are some times when I can't reschedule an event.

Reunions are just such a time. So when I find out that a family will be welcoming a soldier home at 5:15 am on a freezing, rainy morning, I do what has to be done. I bundle up and get a very large plastic bag to cover my camera! It was very difficult and frustrating to work that way and I hope the weather gets better soon! I know that I could have done a much better job if I wasn't frozen to the bone!

I have to say, the weather was crazy. It was so cold and the wind was so strong that the rain felt like it was coming down sideways. The 1st Cav Division always welcomes soldiers home on the field in front of Division Headquarters. They figure that the soldiers and families have put up with so much already that a little bad weather won't stop them! The music still blares and the families still cheer, but there is a lot more huddling together and the ceremony is very short!

But the families were just as enthusiastic about the reunion...the kisses as passionate and the love as strong.



This reunion was important to me. I wasn't paid for this but I really wanted to make sure I could be there to support Robyn. For non-military people, the idea of soldiers deploying for a year is a difficult thing to imagine. It's stressful and intimidating for military families as well. They are far from home and support systems and it can be pretty tough. That is where the FRG or Family Readiness Group comes in.

The FRG is an all volunteer organization, set up at the individual unit level to provide a support system and contact for families and the unit. When it works, it is a blessing to everyone! Since it is an all volunteer organization, the level of commitment and success varies from unit to unit, so there are plenty of complainers out there! But in this case, Robyn was the FRG leader of our unit.

We were transfered to a new unit only weeks before the soldiers left for Iraq. Her husband was leaving as well, but she made it a priority to make sure I was welcomed and included in the FRG. Due to my schedule, I was unable to attend many of the meetings, but she still emailed and called with lots of information and updates so that I was not forgotten. I am a key caller and responsible for helping her contact and communicate with the many people in our unit. Most of them are home now, but we still have another flight due in. I'm sure she will be standing there, welcoming those families and soldiers as well. She attends as many reunions as possible and even made a point of taking pictures at my reunion as well!

I am thankful for the things that she has done to support the soldiers and the families, so it was important that I be there for her reunion! Thank you Robyn, for the work you have done. I hope you understand that even though you may not hear from many of the families that you support, your efforts are appreciated and make a difference.

Thank you!

I did not know it at the time I decided to support Robyn but there were several others who have been active members of the FRG who were welcoming home families as well. Robyn emphasised that I not focus on her, but make sure I took pictures of other people as well, since most people didn't bring cameras out! Thank you to Astrid and the others!

Itty Bitty Teeny Tiny Details {Photos of the Heart-Georgetown Newborn Photography}

Babies are small and sweet. (but some have attitude)



With lots of kissable baby parts. (still cute, even with attitude)




Full of tiny details



that don't last for very long. (I remember when my kids were this small....)



And they smell of that unique newborn baby smell....mmmmmm.



Yes, there are very few things as wonderful as a new baby.



Congratulations, Angie.

Special Bond {Photos of the Heart-Harker Heights Child Photographer}

Some kids just make you happy to see them.  These two are so sweet together.  I see how close the bond is between the two of them and it makes me smile because that's what I love to see in my own children.  I love how E. looks after her brother and loves him so much.   You can see it in how she plays with him and how she helps pick him up after he falls down.

Families are special and this is a very special family!