Come Together

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!

Thelma and Louise

So, I'm still a little freaked out that my best friend (since 7th grade) Lori and I are actually mothers and have two daughters each that are about the same ages. For the longest time, Lori and I were partners in crime. We were FAR from being domesticated mothers. We were Thelma and Louise (in a non-violent way. Oh, and we definitely did not run into anyone as hot as Brad Pitt is in that movie. Unfortunately.) Let's just say that Lori and I had too much fun together to settle down and be moms. No. Way.

So, Lori took the plunge first, having Ella in April 2003. She asked me to be present at the birth, if possible. What??? Ummm. . . okay. I made it. It wasn't so bad. In fact, it took a lot of mystery out of the concept of labor/delivery. In August 2004, I had Arden. Fast forward to 2009 and Ella is 6, Arden 5. This was our 2nd visit to the Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop, TX. The girls have so much fun together! Oh, and we have two more: Lori's Addie, who turned 2 in March, and my Tess who turns 2 this July. Whew! We're still trying to decide if we should brave it and bring all four girls to Lost Pines next summer. . .the grandmas may have to go on that trip for back-up!

This pic cracks me up because all I see is a little version of me on the left and Lori on the right:

Arden, trying to give the perfect expression:

Ella, close up:
Ella and Arden hanging out before going to "camp" so Lori and I could go to the spa!

This beautiful owl was perched on a post in the Hummingbird Garden located outside our room. He never moved! I was literally this close to him. No zoom lens needed!

Piff, Paff, PUFF

I couldn't sleep Saturday night, so I watched a Swedish IFC film on pay-per-view called Everlasting Moments http://www.ifcfilms.com/viewFilm.htm?filmId=1216. I chose it because the synopsis is "Sweden, early 1900s. In a time of social change and unrest, war and poverty, a young working class woman, Maria, wins a camera in a lottery. The decision to keep it alters her whole life. The camera grants Maria new eyes with which to see the world, and brings the charming photographer "Piff Paff Puff" into her life. Trouble ensues when Maria's alcoholic, womanizing husband, feels threatened by the young man and his wife's newfound outlook on life."

I was profoundly moved by this movie, not because it was about a woman's discovery of photography and how empowering it was for her, although that was intriguing. The characters are wonderful and the acting superb. There's one moment when Maria tells her photographer friend, Mr. Pedersen, that she doesn't want the camera anymore because it takes her away from her children and responsibilities. To watch her become so taken in by the Contessa camera she uses is extremely poignant for me because I feel the exact same way. I have a love/hate relationship with my art because I can't live without it (or writing), yet it takes so much out of me and leaves me with little to offer my family once I've set out to create something. And you do learn a lot about yourself in the process of exploring your creativity. On the one hand, I can't imagine not photographing or writing. But, as a mother, I do feel very guilty at times because I devote so much time to my art.

The cinematography in this movie is equally breathtaking. It has a vintage, warm look to it and the settings are beautiful. I would have to say Everlasting Moments ranks as one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Pause

My sweet neighbor asked me if I would photograph two 2 1/2 year old twins (J and J) who are about to go up for adoption. She and her husband are foster parents, and they wanted to help the mom find a good place for her two boys. Of course, I said yes. The mom wanted pics of her boys and of herself with them before they go away to live in another place. I have no idea what her circumstances are, so I am in no place to judge.

I walked over to my neighbor's house with my two daughters (ages 4 1/2 and 22 months), and my 2 cameras strapped across my shoulder. J and J were typical toddlers: rummaging through toys, drinking from sippy cups, running around. I took some photographs indoors of them with their mom, and then we went outside on the front porch and took some more. As young as they are, I could still sense their apprehension. Kids know more than we think. When I got home and really looked at the pics of the two boys, I paused. Their faces took my breath away. They know what's happening. Their lives will forever change. They love their mama. The eyes said it all. What innocence, yet what realization. Still, children are amazingly resilient. I hope J and J find a loving home and enjoy their childhood.

You never know how what you do may impact someone later on. I hope the pics I took will stay with the mom and these two boys forever. Isn't that really why I do what I do?

Back to My Roots

I started out photographing children. This family was one of my first clients. I photographed their beautiful little boys--Will and Sam--when Will was about 2 1/2 and Sam was 4 months old. Now, Will is 6 1/2 and Sam is almost 4! Unbelievable! So, needless to say, when mom Maureen called me to photograph baby Alice, I was very honored to do so. It is uncanny how much she looks like her brothers. I even included some pics of Sam when he was her age, just to show how similar they look!

Watching Alice was like traveling back 4 1/2 years ago when my older daughter was a baby. Alice loves the pacifier, and so did my daughter. I loved listening to her make cooing sounds as she sucked on the paci to calm down. Strange how little things like that bring back huge memories. Alice made me very nostalgic for the days when I was in awe of this little person I brought into the world. Maureen was right when she said she wanted to capture Alice at this age because it is so fleeting.




Here's Alice's brother Sam when he was almost exactly her age. See what I mean about the resemblance:

This was my favorite pic of Sam. He's still a cutie pie with curly blonde hair. I'm hoping Maureen will let me photograph him and big brother Will soon (hint, hint):

Beauty AND Brains

I loved it when Shannon emailed me and said, "I'm not so good with the serious faces" referring to some of my senior pics where the subjects have a serious expression. Ummm. . . Shannon, I hate to break it to ya, but you ARE good with the serious faces!! I have proof. Right. Here:

Now, back to my observations of today's session (Yes, today's!! I'm leaving town for Memorial weekend, and I can't bear to make Shannon wait to see some of these gorgeous pics until Monday!) So, Shannon is the kind of girl who makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. She met me wearing this fantastic green dress and a dazzling smile. I absolutely LOVE photographing seniors who are excited about their photo session! Shannon brought the perfect wardrobe--lots of color, jeans, dresses. Oh, and she brought her lovely personality. It doesn't get much better than that!

Shannon, a Katy High School senior, has been accepted into the veterinarian program at Texas A&M University, thus, my blog title: Beauty and Brains. This program is extremely prestigious! I've heard from many people that it is very, very difficult to get in, even with good grades. I know her mom and dad are so proud of her!

This is one of my favorites (among many):

My veterinarian saved my dog's life in January. He had to have major surgery. She spent 3 hours working on him, and I'm happy to say he's made a full recovery and is like a new dog! I am still in awe that she was able to save him. Shannon, you will touch many people's lives as a veterinarian. It was my pleasure to photograph you at such a special time in your life! Best of luck to you!

All-American Girl

Jennifer and her mom Yolanda met me at Starbucks before we set off downtown for her photo shoot. As soon as I saw her bright eyes and gorgeous smile, I knew she would be a fantastic model! Turns out, she's a cheerleader and has been cheerleading since she was 4 years old! So that's why she has such a natural smile. It's also why she has an amazing figure and was very comfortable in front of the camera. Again, my theory that athletes make wonderful models holds true! Her photos are breath-taking. Here are just a few (it was very hard to pick these sneak peeks!!):
Jennifer wants to be a professional cheerleader. I think she will be outstanding! I can just see her now in front of lots of aspiring cheerleaders, captivating them with her dazzling smile and gymnastics. Good luck, Jennifer!