~ The Mattesons ~

It was a busy weekend for me at the Dallas Arboretum... 3 sessions...9am to 3pm...and we kicked off the fun with the Mattesons from McKinney! Beautiful family, and little K at 4mos is already a heart throb...and Miss H; what a beauty! The umbrella picture I know is going to be one of my very favs for a long time to come :)

~ Caitie & Jordan ~

I've been waiting to shoot this couple for weeks...and I am SO happy with the images! Caitie and Jordan are so kind to each other...they just oooze love...:) The first image is my favorite...it's like their own private little fairy tale!

~ The Matney Girls ~

My last session the the Arboretum was with the adorable Matney girls! Such photogenic little beauties and the cutest outfits! We had a great time...and thankfully didn't suffer from the heat too much! :)

{ New York, NY }

I know, I know...it's been a blog while, but we're back! It was my first trip to NY; J's second and an official R&R trip for both of us, although there was definitely little to no R&R! There are simply no words to describe every experience and sensory stimulus that is NY-people, smells, conversations, emotions, scenes...my photos don't do any of it justice. But here are a few things I learned while I was there:
~ Walk / Don't Walk lights...these are only 'suggestions'
~ Taxi drivers will run you down; stopping is optional
~ I felt much safer than I thought I would
~ The NY homeless are actually funny and honest people; just ask me about their signs!
~ Street vendors don't help people who fall in front of their stands...therefore this is not a good place for my mom or mother in law to visit :)
~ Obviously the Surgeon General's Warnings have not made it as far as NY...EVERYONE smokes!
~ No matter how hard you try, you WILL spend more than $40 per meal...Rachel Ray's $40 a Day is strictly rumor!
~ Subway maps are a MUST if you don't want to end up where my type isn't welcome
~ The restaurant and food choices are FABULOUS!
~ The parks are beautiful...it truely is people-watching paradise!
~ I think we heard languages from every country and continent; a melting pot is right!
~ You just think you have seen strange people until you visit NY - totally surreal!
~ Churches do anything they can to survive, including housing TV/movie actors during filming AND hiring professional singers and musicians to increase attendance. Very different from the south
~ And finally, when/if you Visit NY and you go to Ground Zero, please be respectful! I guess some people WERE raised in a barn!



My blog template is being a bit funky on the spacing and alignment, so I am listing what the pictures are here...until I can figure it out! Grrr! Times Square; Church circa 1880 now converted into a John's Pizzaria...SUPERB pizza BTW; Central Park x3; Madison Square Park x2; Can't remember the name Park; One view from the top of the Empire State Building; Teddy Roosevelt, American Museum of Natural History...in desperate need of a pidgeon poop power wash :); Rockafeller Center; Radio City Music Hall; Waiting for the Staten Island Ferry; Drug Dog 'at work'; The Lady in Green...in the flesh; Financial District; Episcopal Church in the Financial District - It's amazing how these beautiful and ancient churches are just sandwiched in between the huge skyscrapers!; And finally...beautiful Japanese Peace Chains at St. John's Church across from Ground Zero...and the center for prayers and memorials after 9/11

{ And...We're out! }

We are officially on vacation...New York or bust! I'm also sure the following picture is wrong on so many technical levels...but it holds a special place in my heart; after all, it's what Em does best...the look of wonder and anticipation! She makes me laugh :)

~ The Averetts ~

Considering the rain this weekend...2 out of 4 sessions ain't bad, right!? But I had such a great time with the 2 that I didn't mind at all! The first was Sunday morning with the Averett Family, and I was so happy to be working with ALL of them this time! These two kiddos are some of the most photogenic around...big, expressive eyes and great little personalities... I can't wait to watch these little ones grow! And the last one just makes me chuckle a little...I don't think she wanted to give up the attention that soon! :)

~ The Stenbergs ~

After the May Monsoon a couple of weeks ago...I finally got to work with the Stenberg Family this weekend, and no rain any where in sight...WHEW! Beautiful and sweet people and an adorable little one ~ I had a wonderful time meeting and getting to know you, and I hope we get to meet again soon! I'd love to see Miss Jenna grow into a beautiful young lady...:)

~ Ebby ~

There's no better way to start off Mother's Day weekend than with a newborn ~ What a great reminder of how wonderful and precious life is and to praise the One who blessed us with life! Here's to all the moms...past, present and future... And here's to Miss Ebby; beautiful, sweet and finally pooped out! :) And to my little girl; I couldn't have asked for a better Mother's Day gift than you 3 years ago tomorrow...you will always know how very much I love you...Happy Birthday!

~ Luke ~

I can't tell everyone how excited I was when I got the email to do little Luke's Newborn Session! Sarah and I have worked together for almost a year, and I have enjoyed getting to know this great lady...but it's even better that I got to help preserve this special moment for this new family! Luke is such a precious gift...and I pray many blessings for this family and little Luke ~ D :) PS - Now that my 'comments' link is up and working again (TY Janice and E!), please...post away!