like mama, like daughter

You know I had to keep that title Southern.  LOL! Nicole contacted me recently and shared the news that her Mom was going to be in town from Arizona for a visit, and that she'd love to have me photograph their relationship together, as mother and daughter.  And for me, it was an honor.  Let me just tell you... I had an absolute blast with these gals tromping all over Clearwater Beach.  Thankfully, they trusted in my vision for the session, and let me have at it.  Even when, during our wandering, I stopped quickly and instructed that they sit down here, yes right here, in the middle of the sidewalk!  :)  I love it when clients "get" my style and just go with the flow. We have such a good time, and hopefully, the results speak for themselves.  I'll let y'all be the judges...

I looooove this combo.  Love how relaxed and beautiful they both look here....

We had the most gorgeous light to work with!  I loooove the golden hour.  :)

We even stopped for ice cream at one of my favorite little hideaways.  :)

Now.  Don't these just make you want to call your Mama??  :)  Remember that this Sunday, May 10, is Mother's Day!  SWP is offering Gift Certificates to give the sweetest ladies in your life.  Show them how much you adore them by giving them the priceless gift of custom photography... either a session to celebrate themselves or one to capture memories with the kiddos.  Inquire for details!

Y'all STAY TUNED to the blog for the next few days.  I have TONS of sneak peeks and sessions to showcase here, plus lots of personal "stuff" to share too.  Bear with me as I catch up from this crazy week!  :)

*hiccup*

We're making some back-end changes today to my server/hosting info.  So if you see anything funky happening with the blog or site, don't worry!  It'll all be back to normal in just a bit.  Also, I've been warned that email might be a little spacey in the next couple of days or so... so if you don't hear back from me by Friday, PLEASE email me again, or just give me a call at 727.698.0344.  Thanks!!  :)

two of a kind. the best kind.

I have been itching to post a sneak peek of my first newborn TWIN session!  Here are a few (who am I kidding.... here are a LOT), then I have to keep the rest under wraps for Mama and Daddy's gallery....  soon, guys!  Almost there.  :)

Camille and Ashton.  Just 6 days old.  The sweetest, sleepiest, bendiest, most-perfect little darlings.  And Mama took them full-term.  :)  How awesome is SHE?!

This sweet little Ivory Soap box was just lying in their sunroom, begging me to put it to use.  Much obliged!  And I HAD to use this fresh-picked cotton, what a find!  I think *someone* (ahem) might have jumped a fence in Mississippi (hmm, maybe Alabama?) to sneak this home with them.  ;)  And I'm so glad y'all did, LOL!  I love it behind them here...

Guess who's not the baby anymore?  ;)  I love the above-right shot!  Sweet little doggie... he seemed to want so badly to be included in all the fun... and how could I resist?!

Sweet story:  no matter how we positioned them, they always wiggled in and found each other and snuggled right back up together.  It was absolutely heart-melting to watch!

Thanks Chris and Monique, for a beautiful morning with your gorgeous babies.  Your sweet family is so very blessed!!!  xoxo

I heart them.

For one thing, they travel all the way from Tallahassee for their photo shoots.  (Ya gotta love clients who value your work this much!!)  They are positively sweet and so much fun at every session (and Dad is ever-patient while Miss Stacey teaches his son a couple of... well, unwelcome habits).  ;)  Christian is either a barrel of laughs or completely serious... sometimes changing from one to the other within seconds, which I LOOOOOVE.  I love expressive kids!  

And Adeline, well, it's always a treat to see her and her delicious chunky rolls.  She's in my Baby Plan, so I am lucky enough (and consequently, so are you!) to get to see them multiple times per year!  I cannot even tell you how much I love what I do....

I'll have your entire gallery up shortly, Angela!  I'm having a tough time narrowing down your beautiful proofs (as usual).  ;)  Enjoy!!

Post-a-palooza continues....

I loved this session... big brother was so fun and full of energy (as per the age!), and their Mama was so patient and gentle with them the entire session.  That makes my job SO much easier!!  (Thanks Ashley!!  xoxo)

He was so playful, and so much fun.  What I'd give, sometimes, to just be able to play in the floor all morning without a care in the world.

He danced and danced.  I loved the light coming from behind him while he bopped around.  :)  And that blur of his arm just gets me.... makes me remember the way he spun around with pure joy.  Oh to be a child again -- just for a few moments!

His beautiful little sister was awake, and completely the opposite of her brother (well, this particular morning at least -- I don't know what their Mama might say about most other days!).  ;)  During the shoot, she was calm and gentle, and so serene.  She quietly soaked up the room with her big brown eyes.  I adored her.

See the difference between these two?  It's quite the same at our house too, I assure you.  LOL!  

And I wouldn't change that for the world.  :)  

post-a-palooza

This poor blog.  It's been so neglected lately.  I've had so many sessions recently and so little time to share them with you all!  So today, I am attempting to catch you up somewhat with some recent client sessions, plus a little of my everyday life-stuff.  In no particular order!!  

First up, meet Tyler.  His daddy called me wanting a session that captured WHO Tyler was, not just what he looked like in this sweet little toddler phase.  Ahh, music to my ears.....

We headed to one of my favorite parks to play.  (You'll see this park in a lot of my upcoming posts too... it has been a very popular location request lately!)

One of my favorites... Daddy is learning to play guitar, and he might just have a little protege on his hands!  ;)

baby LOVED disco!!

Okay, so I know y'all have had your eye out for these.  :)  Baby Loves Disco's Tampa Launch was a huge success!  Here are a few "detail shots" and then I'll showcase some of the kiddos.... Baby Loves Disco was graciously hosted by the Blue Martini, which is located within the Shops at Bay Street in the International Plaza.  

Baby News Bits was one of the fabulous sponsors!  Check them out here.  Every mom needs to go to their site right NOW because they've got amazing ideas and sooo very many resources for parents.  Seriously.... I was browsing their site and could have stayed there forever!

LOADS more sponsors.... Yogani (providing parent massages), the Parent Guide, Stroller Strides (who provided the fantastic Stroller Parking - thanks Natalie!), Cleanwell, Moms Like Me, Precious Cargo (who hosted a fantastic dress-up corner!) Aveda Level2 Salonspa (and their super-fun GlamLounge!), and so many more....  Check 'em out!

I was even able to sit down with a few of the kids and have some quickie-shoots.  My favorite part of the day!!  Take a peek....

And lastly, my own disco babies!  :)  My husband brought our kids so they could enjoy the festivities too!  Parker had a blast, as you can see below....  and Lila, well, Lila was a little sleepy (aka needing her Mama).  And since Mama had to work, we compromised.  I can't tell you how much I adore this baby carrier!!!  (Link posted for all you moms and dads who have asked me about it!)  And obviously, another little someone likes it too.  ;)

Parents, your slideshow gallery of the day will be posted to my site in just a couple of days.  Those of you who provided your email address will receive an alert from me when the gallery goes live.... the rest of the parents in attendance, just check the blog here in a couple of days for your link.  For now, enjoy the preview!

ETA:  Here is the link to the slideshow!  When prompted, enter the password "babylovesdisco" (all lowercase, without quotes).  You may email me or simply call me to order!  And remember, you'll get 15% off your order for mentioning you were at Baby Loves Disco!

sweet girl!

Okay, before I begin, I have to tell how much FUN Baby Loves Disco was last weekend!  It was an amazing success, and it sold out within its first HOUR!  Yes, by noon, the Blue Martini was at max capacity, and parents and kiddos were waiting in line halfway around the patio area.  So many wonderful families, so many fun things to do, and such a great place to hang out for the afternoon!  I even had my husband to bring my crew so they could party!  I can't wait to show you the images I've captured from the day.  (Well, ahem, on the NEXT POST!!  I promise.) I have been meaning to share this sweet family for about a week or so.  This is one of my Baby Plan Graduates, and it's always a pleasure to play with her and see her adorable grin!  We started out at their home, playing in Rainey's room.....  

Mr. Bear was a fantastic conversationalist, let me tell you.

I have always loved the soft light in her room.  It makes for such dramatic black and whites... right up my alley, you know!!!  ;)

Then we headed to Fort DeSoto....

 

And a few pinecones and leaves later, we wandered out to the beach....

Such a fun way to end the day.  Although their Baby Plan has ended, I hope I get to photograph this little gal and her adoring parents for years to come.

NEXT POST = BABY LOVES DISCO.  Pinky swear.  :)

dance, baby, dance!

Listen up, Tampa Bay mamas and daddies!  I've got the perfect place for you to take the kids tomorrow....  Baby Loves Disco!!  What is Baby Loves Disco, you ask??  Well, it's just the hippest place for Tampa Bay's parents AND kiddos to hang out, that's what.  Baby Loves Disco is a supercool event that transforms an already-hip grown-up spot into an even more fun -- and kid-friendly -- hangout!  Meet me at the Blue Martini at International Plaza in Tampa, from 11am until 2pm on Sunday, February 15th.   In true "disco style", the Blue Martini will be breaking out a disco ball over the dance floor, with classic 70s dance music so y'all can get your groove on with the little ones!  Yogani will be there with chair massages for the parents, as well as a "Chill Lounge" with a Dress-Up Corner!  There will be healthy snacks served, and even a Juice Box Bar (how cool is that?!) for the kids, and spirits for the non-driving parent!.  Aveda will be on hand with a Glam Make-up Lounge.  The Parent Guide and Baby News Bits are providing balloons and face-painting..... so many things to let YOU relax and your KIDS have a ball. There will be "stroller parking" provided by Stroller Strides as well, so be sure to bring baby's wheels!

Lastly, Stacey Woods Photography will be a sponsor as well, and I'll be there to capture the fun of the day!  I'll also be shooting a few "mini-session style" portraits (with exclusive discounts!) for the fun families who attend Baby Loves Disco.

Don't miss out!  My family and I will see you there....

Meet my new assistant!

Intern, really, since I'm not paying her.  She's a little bossy and demanding for her first few days on the job, but I think she'll work out just fine.  ;)  I've already got her answering emails for me, and I'll be teaching her all about Photoshop tomorrow.

She takes several lunch breaks, too many potty breaks (both of which require help from her, ahem, manager, of course), and even falls asleep on the job.  Good thing she's cute, otherwise I may have already had to fire her.  :)

Lila has actually been sick for the past few days.  (Which is why she's been at my desk with me!  Sick babies need their Mamas, don't they?)  I believe she's got a tooth (or three) getting ready to burst through.  Love her heart, she's miserable!  Fever, tears, swollen gums and no interest in food -- that last one was my first red flag, LOL!  (This girl loves to eat, as you can tell from these images.)  So, anyhow, Lila has been either on my hip, in the sling, or my lap for the past 36+ consecutive hours.  All the while crying and whimpering and burying her sweet little head into my shoulder.  All I know is, thank goodness for Tylenol and teething tablets.  And those frozen foods and numerous cold things to chew on!  

And, apparently, a Mighty Mouse makes a perfect teether.  Who knew?

Here are the culprits who are making my Lila's life so tough these past few days.  Can you see those itty bitty white spots on her bottom gums?  Amazing how something so tiny can cause such a ruckus.  

So my apologies if you've received a strange email from me (or, um, my rogue assistant) or received an email from me in lieu of a phone call.  Chances are, my child was screaming in the background and I was trying to spare you the trauma.  ;)  I've got a few galleries that are set to go up in the next couple of days, so I had better get back to finishing those up.  Before my assistant tries to pull the midnight shift with me again.  LOL!