How sweet is your angel?

Sweet curls, creamy cheeks, soft flaxen hair and deep blue eyes that could melt the hardest of hearts, this little angel is a treasure. However, all these attributes often take a back seat when it comes to the levels of stress this little princess causes her parents. Deciding the best day and time to take your photographs and what clothing would look best to wear on that special day, are, in themselves, stressful decisions. Then comes picture day and all your best ideas and hopes for great photographs are struck down by a mere two year old with ideas of her own. You leave feeling dejected but somewhat hopefull for at least ONE good photograph to commemorate the milestone of another year. But here is where your choice in photographer pays off in a big way. The gift of seeing the split second where a true smile shines through, or that click just before a soft expression becomes the look of defiance, is why you can trust James to get more than just "one good picture". Being able to capture the light that makes the eyes sparkle with mischief is one of his many natural abilities that even years of training can never teach. Thus your hopes for great photographs are exceded when you view the images captured in the photo session you thought had gone as rotten as finding last weeks sippy cup filled with milk under the seat of your car. (Although, I admit that hasn't happened to me in a while, but the memory still lingers.)

Moving from behind the computer to in front of the camera.

Here is my first attempt at using my vision for baby photography. James has told me many times he would rather just stand behind the camera and let me do the baby posing but I've always let something hold me back. Capturing the tenderness and emotion of the bond between mom and baby has prompted me to study and find out as much as I can about baby posing, lighting and photographs from the best baby photographers around. Seeing their vision and realizing "yes, this is what I want to do!" has encouraged me to step into James' world. I was quick to find out that what I see in my head is not always easily transferred to what comes out through the camera. With practice and much patience from moms, I hope my posing ideas will become second nature and what I want to capture is transferred into great images. I know this will take time to learn and of course lots of babies to practice on.

Challenging Others by Stepping Up.

Whoever said youth lack motivation and ambition need to take a look at Kory Fayle and Tanner Bryant, two seniors from Arnett. Their story is told in the Thursday edition of the Woodward News. When a teammates sister is fighting for survival and faced with chemotherapy and the loss of her hair, these "youth" have taken the path of the wise and shown their support by shaving their heads. In an attempt to boost community support and prayer they have vowed to continue to shave their heads until she is finished with her treatments. When I read this story I was touched by their ambition and encouragement. It is so nice to hear of Teens actually breaking through the bonds of low expectations and doing great things for others.

This little guy just warmed my heart. Came with his mom and dad to order and just kept smiling and talking to me. It was so cute how he would peek around his dads arm to look at me. His little gurgles just warmed by heart and made me long for the days of first laughs and slobbery kisses. Thanks for sharing him with us Cayla and Bryan.