This session was definitely meant to be! On a cloudly day, with rain clouds looming over us, I met Ashley and Jeff and their two lovely children at a park near downtown Houston for their family photo shoot. As soon as we finished, the rain began to POUR! We couldn’t have timed it any better!

I do like to mention a little something about each session I have, particularly the people I photograph. The dynamics of a family are easily exposed during a photo session. As the photographer, it is my job to be aware of what’s going on in front of me and to try to work with the client(s), help them relax, etc. Being a photographer means being an observer, so I have learned and continue to practice this.

Remember, the weather was ominous, and did I mention the mosquitos? They were FIERCE! This session had all the makings of a disaster. But you know what? It was far from it. The Days are a happy family. I saw this through my lens. Not that I didn’t know it already. I’ve known them for almost 2 years. They moved from New Orleans to Houston soon after Katrina. They had to completely uproot themselves from what they called home for a long time, yet they are the most grounded family I know. They are laid back, funny, real, and loving to their children. It does show in their children, too. I think kids are shaped by lots of things. They are certainly born with a personality. But their parents have a considerable impact on how they develop. Both the Day children are happy, content, and loved. That is a tribute to their parents! So, here are a few pics of this “connected” family. Enjoy!

I’m off to Mexico tomorrow morning for a family vacation, but I didn’t want to leave without posting sneak peeks from two of my sessions last week. This one is the Richardson/Haack family. They came together to celebrate Katy HS senior Matte’s graduation. I had the pleasure of photographing Matte last summer! She’s an outstanding athlete (going to play softball for Kansas!) and a really beautiful young lady. Leslie, her mom, was definitely the coordinator of this event. When I arrived, she had it all planned with a written list of who was to be in which picture. It was a relief for me because there was absolutely no chaos at all. Everyone was calm and did exactly what she said. . . would this have anything to do with her being a principal??

I also must mention that Leslie and Matte have helped me tremendously with my high school senior photography business in Katy. Thank you very, very much! Here are just a few of my favorite photos:

All of the kids in this family are not only adorable but so well-behaved! I couldn’t believe how cute and sweet they were while waiting for their pics to be taken. I started out photographing babies and children, so I automatically try to get shots of them!

This is Leslie’s family:

I especially like this pic because it’s Leslie, her two sisters, Leann and Laura (I apologize in advance if I spelled names wrong), and mother. Very sweet:

And this one is so pretty of the three sisters:
I love this one of Leslie’s mother-in-law and John, her grandson (I hope I got that right!):

After the family session, Leslie asked me to take a few pics of Matte in a field near the Katy water tower. Matte had a couple of gorgeous dresses, her Kansas shirt, and graduation gown that she wanted to wear. This pic of Leslie and Matte makes me think of my own daughters and how fast they will grow up and become lovely young ladies. Sigh. I just love this pic:

Matte looking fantastic in blue:

Thanks, Haacks! I promise to have the gallery ready when I return from Mexico later next week!

Remember that song? “Oh, won’t you smile a while for me, Sarah?” Yeah, I’m giving away my age. I always think of that song whenever I’m around a Sarah. This little young lady was dressed and ready to go for her family photo shoot at their new house. I felt very comfortable photographing her because she’s the same age as my older daughter (in fact, they are only 2 days apart!), so I feel like a pro with 4 year olds. Sarah dictated what she would say before I clicked. It wasn’t “cheese” or anything boring like that. Sometimes it was her own invented word or a silly combo like “frog feet.” Actually, I don’t know if that was one of the word combos, but it sounds good. Dad even came up with one. What was it? Macaroni and cheese? Help me out here, Steve! Better yet, help me out, Sarah! I guarantee you she remembers.

Anyway, Sarah’s dresses were adorable and fit her to a T. She’s an incredibly bright, sophisticated four-year-old. She even helped me pose Mom and Dad for their pics! A real pro.

Sarah, smile!

One of my favorites:
Sarah was sometimes pensive. I love it when I catch kids deep in thought.
So pretty!
The family on the porch of their new gorgeous home:

My friend Lee asked me to come to The Woodlands to photograph her precious family. My husband and I met her and her husband John on a trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, during the summer of 2002. We all rode together in a taxi to the super awesome resort Maroma. Lee was about six months pregnant with her daughter at the time. We immediately hit it off! I couldn’t get over how unbelievably hip Lee was, being pregnant and all. During the whole vacation (and we hung out a lot! The resort was small and incredibly intimate.), I never once heard her complain. She was positive, upbeat, and no-nonsense about being pregnant. And you would think being a nurse would make her cynical! No. Confident and poised are the words that come to mind when I think of Lee on that trip.

I was very happy to photograph my Woodlands friends, A. because they are a lot of fun, B. because I LOVE The Woodlands, and C. because Lee (and her family) is the coolest person. Ever.

Lee’s kids are just like her and John–laid back, calm, witty, spirited. I photographed them in April and couldn’t believe how easy-going they were. Turns out, they are always that carefree! It was no different this time!

And Ava is such a doll. She actually liked being photographed. Shocking!