Going on a Bug Hunt...

...aka making "location scouting" for mama, fun for everyone. 

right. 

At least she found a big hairy caterpillar towards the end.

And mama found some amazing light.

It was a win-win. 

:)

And of course, a bathie is a must after trekking through the bug-ridden outdoors.

I super nature-y, can't you tell?

In the Distance

Taking some time off from my editing marathon to have a bit of "me time".

In photographer language, 

"me time" = me sitting at my computer with a glass of wine, scoping out and submitting images to my favorite blogs and websites! ;)

Anyways, I Heart Faces is having their monthly photo contest and the theme is... I bet you can figure out that part out.

So here is my submission.

This photo of Q and my brother was taken during our family vacation to St. Thomas last month. For those of you who don't know my full family background (...why not?!) ;) My brother lives in England and wasn't going to be able to make the trip. It would've been our first family trip without him...it would have meant a 7-month span between visits with his niece. Well, my clever mama, she smuggled him right onto a flight and surprised all of us. I'm pretty sure I screamed out loud when I arrived on the beach and Dan walked up from the bar, Corona in hand. Shortly after our hugs (and tears) he took his "favorite gal" out onto the pier for some QT. They kind of love each other. 

How could I resist..?

*The clouds are the real deal, peeps. Pretty incredible, St. Thomas is.

Be sure to stop by their page and check out the other unbelievable entries.

Image submitted to "In The Distance" photo challenge at i heart faces.

Happy Memorial Day

"...the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

Happy Memorial Day, friends. I hope you all have a wonderful day surrounded by your family and friends- remembering those who gave theirs lives to keep ours safe. xo-J

The D Family

 One of the best parts about the photography business is when your repeat clients become like friends. I just love watching the kids grow and change over time, and of course it doesn't hurt to have an excuse to see each other every few months!

I met this sweet family for the first time about 8 months ago, when the sweet Mr. B became a big brother! I can't believe how quickly time flew by and how much these two boys have changed! 

Mr. B and his ridiculously cute baby brother were two of the happiest and most well-behaved boys I've had the pleasure of working with. 

Sweet Baby F just smiled and drooled at me the entire time and Mr. B and I excitedly discussed the plans for his upcoming "Red" themed birthday party. 

(He's the cutest!)

Needless to say, we had a blast.

It was so great catching up with you, D Family.

Your family is precious to the max.

xo -j

Ava's Lemonade Stand

When this little lady's Mama approached me about doing a Lemonade Stand Shoot for her daughter's 2nd birthday pictures I was super excited!  

 (You all know how I love me a good stylized shoot)

So, I crafted away, raided the prop garage and crossed my fingers that this little girly liked lemons!!

We were in luck!

Not only was this curly redhead A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E....

but she couldn't get enough of her special sugary drink.

 I believe I literally turned to mom at one point as we were "packing up" 

(aka: mom packing, me continuing to shoot) 

and said,

 "I'm going to need you to take your child and put her in the car now

...or I'm just going to keep shooting". 

 I literally couldn't stop!

Happy Birthday you adorable little mop-top, you! 

I hope your lemonade was as sweet as you!

 

Feel free to like, share, pin or leave a comment.

...it's nice to know you were here!

:)

Bebe W

I met the sweet B family waaay back in November (doesn't that feel like forever ago?) when an adorable French lady approached me about doing some family shots as well a baby announcement. 

This family of 3 (soon-to-be-four) was as adorable as they come. We had a fantastic shoot at which mom informed me that she'd like me to do her newborn pictures once the precious little bundle arrived. Well, over the course of the next 7 months, mom and I kept in touch. She even sent me their gender-reveal home video, which announced that they would be welcoming another little boy in May!

I was so excited to meet this precious {bebe}!

Well, as nature would have it, mom went into early labor and had the little man the night before I was leaving for my 7 day vacation!

We scheduled the shoot for the day I returned and I crossed my fingers that it would all work out.

I couldn't be happier that I met this sweet family many months ago and that I was fortunate enough to be a part of such an important event in their lives. 

Welcome to the world, sweet little Warren!

P.S. How adorable is this French Birth Announcement idea mom found! Baby's name, height, birth date & time. Weight is displayed in a clay leaf that big brother made in art class. Rosemary bundle represents mom's love of gardening and natural eating for her family. Rose represents the color of baby's nursery, and the outfit it a gift from baby's grandmother in France. So, so special! :)