Hope Under the Stars....

Last spring I had the opportunity to photograph three of the cutest boys you ever did see. I posted a few favorites from their session in April.

Their gorgeous mama pulled up in a Hummer ... I add this part because, it is just so cool to see a mom-of-three driving a Hummer... and out stepped three boys clad in button-downs ready for a romp in the Bluebonnets. Unfortunately, it was raining, and we were seconds away from calling the whole thing off... everyone else at the park had run to their cars ... and just when we had the whole place to ourselves, the skies opened up and gave us a blue sky! Perhaps this session was just meant to be.

Sadly, just a few months after this photo shoot, this family received some devastating news. Their oldest son was diagnosed with a fatal, rare, genetic neurological-degenerative disorder called Juvenile Batten Disease.

You can read more about this little boy's story at http://www.willherndon.org/ But even better, for those of you local to The Woodlands, there is a fundraiser benefitting The Will Herndon Fund for Juvenile Batten Research. Hope Under the Stars... Please come along for an evening of dinner, dancing and HOPE at the Creekside Pavilion.

All proceeds from this event will help fund the most promising research to find a cure for Juvenile Batten Disease... right now there isn't one.

One look in this little boy's eyes, and you'll be buying tickets. Hope and prayers go a long way.... so say a few for this family tonight, won't you :)

Sibling adventures....

I just love it when I get an image that is the perfect depiction of a relationship... and this first picture of three siblings has made me giggle out loud!

It was hot out... I was sweating, they're cute mama was sweating, and these kids were just having a ball while we did all the work running around them!

The baby crawls away, the little boy wonders just how silly we really are, and the sweet big sister just offers up another hug... oh, can't you just read the story line? Ha!

However, it should be said that these adorable kids took some beautiful pictures on that 100 degree afternoon! Is it winter in Texas yet?

The cutest pout you ever saw...

You know, so often people think that the perfect smile is what makes a photograph... I beg to differ! Kids are even more wonderful when they are unposed and showing even the less smiley aspects of their personalities! As a mom myself, I love the pouts, the tears and even the scowls between siblings... those moments (yes, along with smiles and giggles too) are part of what childhood is all about! So let's hear it for a pretty pout!

I'll take a family, with a splash of adventure, please!

I just know it's going to be a great photo session when the family I'm about to photograph says, "Sure, we'll follow you into those tall weeds over there on the side of the road out here in the middle of no where!" And sure enough, it was a great shoot, full of family lovin' and laughing. In fact, perhaps you recognize one of these sisters from an earlier post... the ice skating high school senior. She leaves for college tomorrow and I have a feeling that her mama's heart is right out there on her sleeve! I'm glad I have some more time before I'm in her shoes... Sending my oldest to Kindergarten last year was hard enough!

A little fairy dust goes a long way...

Oh, I love a good costume... mix it with a little bit of magic, a sunny day and a few good hugs for your big brother.... Well, that's just a perfect afternoon! This little angel and her big brother were an absolute joy.... smiling, giggling and dancing up and down the sidewalks.... that's enough to make me believe in fairies. How about you? Perhaps if you could try on the wings? :)

Beauty and the tattoo....

We've heard it before... the little flaws and imperfections are what make us beautiful... but it's true! And it is especially true with kids! I absolutely love the little reminders that kids are kids, and most delightful when we let them show it!

I met these adorable boys last fall, and they were just as fun to work with this summer! Not to mention, their mama has become a favorite client... just look how much fun this lady is! The cutest part was that one of them had a left-over rub-on tattoo on his hand, and when we went to print I had to ask... and as if she knew it was coming, the mom said, "Don't Photoshop the tattoo out! I love it!" And I just had to agree! Now I need to remember this when my own daughter wants a giant Little Mermaid tattoo on her arm for her own school pictures!

Do good. Get it done.

It is absolutely an honor to know Paige Davis, founder and Chief Inspiration Officer for Blue Avocado. And to do a few head shots for her, was far beyond a pleasure for me... that isn't just because we sampled a round or two of martinis afterwards! More so because she's been a dear friend for more than 14 years. "It takes a long time to grow an old friend." :)

Perhaps you've already heard of Blue Avocado... their bags are hanging in Whole Foods stores nationally, and just recently at my very own HEB grocery store in The Woodlands! Or maybe you saw them in Real Simple magazine or In Style ... even on the Home Shopping Network just a couple of weeks ago! Yep, they're popping up everywhere and Mother Earth is glad of it! They're blazing a trail, and it's a green one... not a carbon footprint on their path!

Paige, my friend you are an inspiration! Doing good AND getting it done!

Learn more about Paige and Blue Avocado:

www.blueavocado.com

www.singlestartups.com

(she's in the June archives!)

***Shop Blue Avocado before August 31st and enter goodkarma40 at check out for 40% off!***