"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." -Stacia Tauscher

Little A & Big Brother L

A three week old baby girl and her bigger three year old brother = big smiles for me! Truthfully I have not done many baby pictures before I was asked to take pictures this day. After doing these I want to do more! You have to be patient with yourself while photographing little ones. At this age smiles are not a regular thing if at all. However, wide-eyed expressions full of wonder are. Which I adore. Not to mention little saliva bubbles peeking through her lips! So sweet!

Little A's big brother reminded me so much of my son when he was this age. Busy! On the move! Checking everything out! So his mom and I followed him all around, along with the horses. I can honestly say horses are extremely gentle yet so curious about little kids. There were many "Awwww"s said this day that is true!

First Glimpse.....

Fun lovin'. Happy times. A son and his dad, his hero. A hero for many reasons. A hero in so many eyes.

Wishing lot's of luck as this dad heads over to Kuwait soon to serve our country.

Best wishes always. God bless. Thank you for your courage.

First Glimpse.........

This is why I love what I do. This moment. What else can I say? Little boy being gently nuzzled by his mom's favorite horse? Adorable. Sweetness abound. Makes me smile.

Giving Back

Giving back. What does that mean to you? To me it means giving someone a chance. It means giving someone something they need and showing no hint of wanting or expecting anything in return. Giving fills my heart. It makes me smile and feel proud for helping, even if it is a little bit. Because we know a little goes a long way.
I recently visited my town's local humane society. I asked them if they would like a photographer to take pictures of their animals needing homes. They couldn't be more agreeable to that idea!
I can't even call this volunteering. To me stepping in that cat room and all of a sudden being surrounded by cats of all colors and sizes nearly brought me to tears. Taking pictures of these furry felines was therapy for me. Because I love my camera and I adore photographing all things great and small, being at this shelter made perfect sense. I took pictures of these cats hoping in the back of my mind that if my pictures would give one of these cats a home, I would be thrilled. No not thrilled. Elated. Happy. Relieved.
These cats all have a story. There are reasons they are in this shelter. I do not know their stories and their past. That makes no difference now. Their new life is here and their future is a bit on hold as they wait for new homes or perhaps this shelter will be their forever home. For me, I would love to gather each of them up into my arms and bring them all home. Sadly and with reality I cannot do this. But you can bet I will be back soon to visit and take more pictures of other kitty cats who are waiting for a lap to nap on.

For more information on these cats and others along with many other cats and dogs you can visit this humane society's website here.

Wade. Happy to nap.

Lionel. First to greet me.

Antonio. Handsome. Content to just be.

Larry. Friendly. Loves scratchings behind his ears.

Shawn. Regal. Sweet boy.

Ty. How can you not love that face?

Honey. Beautiful green eyes.

Balin. Big. Handsome. Lover.

Bethany. Sweet. Petite. Always nearby you.

I Heart Faces ~ The Color Orange

Wow, it has been far too long since I entered I Heart Faces weekly photo challenge. I love this website, I Heart Faces. And even more so after a wonderful few days meeting the the co-founders Amy and Angie and some of the contributors who help to make this website so awesome. I recently attended their photography workshop in Dallas, Texas and enjoyed every minute of it. What a wonderful and talented group of ladies who all share the same photography passion as me!

My picture above is of my super cool nephew who was so willing to have his aunt take his pictures this summer and have a "practice" photo session with him. While he played his guitar, he was completely at ease with me snapping pictures of him.

Be sure to stop on over to I Heart Faces and see more "orange" themed photos submitted from other photographers.

I Heart Faces Workshop...the photoshoot!

I am down in Dallas, Texas right now for a photography workshop put on by I Heart Faces and let's just say I am loving my time here. The workshop I attended yesterday began at 8:30 a.m. and went all day to 7 p.m. It was a fantastic day. I met so many talented photographers filled with the same passion as me. It was so fun, fun, fun and more fun. So many topics were covered. Everything from using natural light, off camera flash, editing pictures, camera products, yummy food along with a massage! Yes a massage! We were all pampered and spoiled yesterday.
Especially spoiled when we were all treated to adorable kids and a gorgeous couple for a photoshoot. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful this opportunity was to take pictures along side professional photographers and learning their secrets, watching them interact with the models and having them help me with my photoshoot experience. I gained so much experience yesterday. I left there last night truly inspired and filled with so many ideas for my own photography business.
I also left there with some beautiful pictures!
Here a few below. Enjoy!