What an amazing session Caroline & I had the other day!

Back before Christmas when we first started talking about what she wanted she wanted for her senior pictures, her mom came up with a great idea–Caroline LOVES pearls and wanted to incorporate them. I knew it was going to look awesome and immediately wanted to shoot it on fashion grey for an editorial look. Caroline’s family is also in the jewelery business, so it was doubly fitting. (http://www.gaylesjewelers.com) I am just beyond in love with her pearl pictures!

We headed off to Covington/Mandeville for the rest of her shoot. It was really great to spend the afternoon with her–I used to babysit her when she was little. (wow, I guess I’m getting old) We even got to incorporate a super funky 50’s chair that was her great-grandparents’ and is making it’s second appearance for Moments Photography. (We used it for her aunt’s family session before Christmas as well).

The day couldn’t have been prettier for such a great girl. It was wonderful to get to catch up with her and see what an impressive young woman she has become. I’m so glad I was able to capture her at this important age!

I was so incredibly touched by this song & video. I think I ask myself all these questions daily, sometimes more than once a day. Does what I do really matter? Am I making a difference? Is it okay for me to do this because it makes me happy even if I fail to touch anyone?

Being an artist is hard. I constantly have to justify what I do to people–family even. This is a “real” job. I work harder than most people I know. Just because I make money from the outpouring of my soul, just because I make my own hours and terms, just because I love what I do, does not make it any less respectable than the person who spends their 40 hours a week in a cubicle. It is a gift from God that I am able to do what I love 60 hours a week and call it a “job.”

Most days I really feel like doing something so meaningful. At least it is to me. I really mean it when I say that if I ever won the lottery, I would do this for free.

I spent a lazy & rainy Saturday morning with the B family in Franklinton. The light was a little tricky because it was so nasty, but go 50 mm 1.4 + Nikon D700–that’s what I payed all that money for! Baby B is now six months and I persuaded his mom to come let me hang with them at their house. They are going to come to the studio and do more traditional portraits to mark his milestone as well…but what a special time to do a lifestyle session. Baby B’s mom and dad are so i love with him–and it’s easy to see why! He’s such a sweet, even-tempered, and precious little boy. It’s such a joy to watch him grow!

I have had alot of people ask me why I don’t use live animals such as baby chicks, bunnies, or lambs in my Easter special. There a multitude of reasons why–I thought maybe I’d outline them here for you guys.

1. My insurance company will not cover me if I choose to use live animals. Each year, hundreds of photographers are sued over issues arising from the use of live animals, such as:

2. Live animals bite and scratch children.

3. Live animals carry diseases & parasites such as, but not limited to: salmonella, & anitbiotic resistant bacterias.

4.They poo & pee all over my studio and your sweet baby girl’s white Easter dress.

5. It is very scary for the poor animals–can you imagine that many toddlers handling you that have no idea how to be gentle? Many animals used as props each year end up dead from rough handling.

While I realize that live animals can make a sweet picture, it actually results more often than not in a resistant and scared child. I take your child’s health and well-being seriously.

I hope this has helped explain my and many other photog’s strong position against using live animals as props.

Is that some crazy eye contact for a newborn or what!?

I spent a wonderful morning with baby Lexi and her mom, J. Lexi’s older brother goes to “school” with my boys and I have been photographing him for about a year now.b Little Lexie was a total angel, and we rocked her session in less than an hour. UNHEARD OF! She was really precious and tolerated almost everything I asked her to do. I see great things in her photographic future! LOL (knock on wood!) J, decided to do a wide format folded 5 x 7 with the pearl finish for her announcement.

What a beautiful little girl–such a precious addition to their little family!