it's the little things...

... that I love so much about my family sessions.  Like a quick glance back.... and a sweet unexpected wave.  :)

Tiny feet...

And even silly faces!  (You just wait, these boys are going to be heart-breakers one day soon.  Just look at that wink!)

Honest portraiture.  That's what it's all about.  I aim to capture boys being boys (walking sticks and all)....

...babies being babies...

...Mamas and Daddies lovin' on each other.

Cause that's the heart of the family anyways, isn't it?  It's not some photographer making you sit still, turn your head this way or that.  Your family is about YOU.  Not me.  :)  I just want to photograph you the way you are.  Even if that means the baby has her fingers in her mouth!  (And seriously, how unbelievably precious is that anyhow?!)

Let me just say, this sweet family was awesome to work with.  The boys were so much fun, I think I laughed for the majority of the session.  And part of the time I held back a little ways, photographing them from afar, just watching them explore the water, the trees, the sticks, the horseshoe crabs who'd lost their way.  Mom and Dad were so laid back, which truly makes what my job so much easier.  Baby girl was snuggly and a little unsure at first, but by the end of the session, she was giggling in Daddy's arms.

And putty in Mama's.  ;)

Thank you, sweet family of six, for letting me capture who you are!  I hope you enjoy your images.  :)

the "newborn shoot" that didn't happen.

Baby Lena had a tough way to go during her first few days of life, and consequently had to spend quite a bit of time in the hospital during the "ideal" newborn shoot timeframe.  Tsk, tsk, priorities, priorities, lol!  ;)  But I'm so glad that Lena's mama contacted me a few weeks ago to inquire about a shoot for her.  After all, babies never stop growing, no matter how much you wish they would.  She'll never be this little ever again!

Mom really wanted a basket shot, and I desperately wanted to give it to her!  The basket shot typically looks best if the baby is asleep.  But guess what... Lena is actually 3 months old!  Not quite a sleepy newborn anymore!  But that's okay.  I have more patience and stamina than just about any baby around... so, we simply waited her out!  Sweet girl put up a real good fight, but in the end... guess who won.  :)

Let me tell you, once she was out... she was OUT.  We were even able to move her to the beanbag for some sleepy shots there!  After I gently eased her into the last position, she popped her pretty blue eyes open as if to say, "I don't think so, lady!"  ;)  

Love her heart!  :)  Brittany and Jack, I'm so honored to have been able to preserve this time for you.  You've been blessed with such a sweet little girl, and I'm so lucky to have met her.... and you!

xo, Stacey

Oh, and yes I'm completely aware that my logo stamp is very different in all the above images.  Call me indecisive, but I'm feeling the need for something new!  Bear with me while I experiment.  ;)

just one

I've got a little guy with a fever tonight, so I've a long night ahead.  Think I'll try and get some sleep while I can!  But I wanted to quickly share just one image from a recent baby session...  this little ladybug completely stole my heart.

I'll be back with more from their session tomorrow!  Sweet lil' girl.  :)

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!  :)

in the blink of an eye.

It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital, in that carseat that seemed to swallow him whole.  Tiny blue onesie.  Sleepy blue eyes.  Itty-bitty cry.

Today, he turned five.  And I am feeling a little bittersweet.  So sad to think he'll be starting Kindergarten this fall.  Yet so proud to see him accomplish such "big-boy" things.  My heart both breaks and swells with pride as I watch him grow up right in front of my eyes.

I crept into his bedroom last night, after he was good and asleep, and I thanked God for giving me the honor of being this child's mother.  Thank you, God, for letting me take care of him here on this Earth.  Thank you for giving him such a sweet heart, and please guide me in the duty of nurturing that heart and mind as he grows.

We had a rather large celebration for him this weekend.  We are blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love him!  But since today was his actual birthday, we celebrated quietly at home... with a trip to the ice cream shop, some fun at the playground, and dinner at his favorite restaurant (Skyline Chili, LOL!).  Then we baked a cake at home, and laughed and loved until bedtime.  I couldn't ask for a more perfect ending to today.

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.  "I wuv you pieces."

Love, Mama.  xoxo

*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!!  :)

from the mouths of babes.

So this sweet little interview has been floating around fellow photographers' blogs, and on Facebook.  I took a few minutes the other morning to interview my 4-year-old about me.  And I was delighted... horrified... and bursting with pride at his answers to my questions.  I challenge you to interview your children about yourselves, do this little exercise at home.  Keep it and put it in their baby book.  :)  You'll find out a whole lot about your kids' perspectives and how they think.  

Here's what my Parker had to say about me....

1. How would you describe Mama? huh??  um, i don't know about that. 

2. What makes me happy? i do things the way you like 'em.

3. What makes me sad? when i don't do the things that you want me to do.

4. What is something I always say to you? keep on tryin'!  (my heart started to melt right here.)

5. What makes me laugh? telling you funny jokes!

6. How old am I? uh, 50??  (aaand my heart got a little shock here.  come on... 50?!)

7. How tall am I? 5 miles.

8. What is my favorite thing to do? work on the computer or play with me.

9. What do you think I do when you're not around? work on the computer.

10. If I became famous one day, what do you think it would be for? for daddy.  me: for daddy??  why will i be famous for daddy?  because he's so handsome.

11. What am I really good at? playing my wii with me.  (i am getting pretty darn good at lego star wars, i must say.)

12. What am I not so good at? putting lila to sleep (yeah, nail on the head right there.)

13. What is my job? taking pictures of your customers.

14. What is my favorite food? salad?  (i only wish.  this baby weight would have come off a lot faster.)

15. What do I do that makes you proud? playing wii extra special with me.

16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be? Why? the Cartoon Fixer.  because you fix my cartoons on tv for me.

17. What do you love to do with me? go walkin' in the park.

18. How are you and I the same? we have the same noses!

19. How are you and I different? not the same hair.  (sadly, parker's hair is WAY better than mine.)

20. How do you know I love you? because you tell me that!

21. What do you think I like most about Daddy? because he's so handsome.  (hmm, i think parker must have had a quick chat with daddy before this little interview, don't you?)

22. Where is my favorite place to go? um, Hooters?  me:  uh, no honey... that's daddy's favorite place. *snort*  skyline chili??  no, darlin' that's YOURS.  ok.... to the park!

23. What's your favorite thing about me? because i love you.  *sweet smile*

24. If you could change one thing about me, what would you change? your lips to my lips... kissing me!  (and this is where i forgave him for the Hooters comment and saying i am 50 years old, and my heart just melted into an enormous puddle on the floor.)

25. Do you know how much I love you? thiiiiiiiiiiis much!!!!

interview ended.  hugs and kisses were passed out in abundance.  :)  

Don't forget to share your interviews with me!!!  I'd love to read 'em.

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.  :)