Winds of Change :: Fort Hood, TX Military Photographer

I am a proud Army wife. I am not proud of being an Army spouse. I am proud of my Army husband. He is the type of leader I aspired to be when I was in the Navy. He understands his soldiers, he knows who to push and who needs a softer hand. He loved being a Field Artillery Battery Commander. Loved it. In a way I cannot completely understand but I sense in the loss he has felt this week since his Change of Command. As with most facets of life, all good things come to an end and his Command of KING Battery ended last Friday, one week ago. A new officer stepped to the front and will lead the soldiers of KING on to new levels of greatness.

Even though I was supposed to be sitting demurely in a seat with my name on it, and I bought a dress to wear specifically for this occasion, I still roved around the ceremony taking pictures. You can dress me up, but you can't strip the camera from my hands...

KING Battery in formation prior to the ceremony's start:

Presenting Arms for the playing of the National Anthem:

Rendering respect for our flag, no matter the age:

Taking position to begin the passing of the guidon from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander:

The First Sergeant passing the guidon to my husband, the outgoing commander:

A soldier of KING Battery manning the 50 caliber machine gun atop the PALADIN:

My husband giving his speech to the soldiers who served faithfully under him for 22 months:

The incoming commander during the benediction:

The pride and joy of any Artillery Officer, the PALADIN:

He just wouldn't leave. He stood there starting at "his" PALADINs as they moved out of the maintenance bay:

Three Little Monkeys :: Harker Heights, TX Family Photographer

What a treat it was for me to share time with this fun, easy going family! The young man of the family took his time warming up to the process, but once he let loose, he showed me his muscles (several times), he tried to out jump his older sisters and he stars in one of my favorites from the entire session (number 3 below, if you are curious). But with a crew this good looking, how could I go wrong?

iheartfaces week 17, Smiles :: Harker Heights, TX Children's Photographer

My oldest daughter seems to take no greater joy than picking the amazingly colored wildflowers that are blooming around our house right now. After repeated admonitions that the flowers will die if picked, she now runs a few steps towards them, stops, looks back at me, bats her lashes, asks if she can pick "Just two, Mama. Just two." She sees me cave and smiles so broadly, I figure Mother Nature won't mind a small reduction in her offerings.

Smiles are the icing on our daily life. Head over to iheartfaces and share a smile today!

(And join me on Facebook)

Sweetness and Light :: Belton, TX Senior Portrait Photographer

She smiled so easily. So genuinely. And she has every reason to smile. Her whole future is ahead of her and she has the anticipation of a senior, ready to spill out into the world, embrace every opportunity, see all there is to see. I am sure these are the very same moments when her mother glances at her and sees a hint of the three year old who was right there, a blink of the eye ago. No longer a child, this beautiful young woman is ready for her next step on life's path. And I trust it will be a successful journey!

Photo Walk Across America :: Austin, Texas!

At long last, I can spill the beans about the iheartfaces Photo Walk Across America that is happening Saturday, June 5 from 9 am to 11 am!

This 20 city extravaganza is probably in a city near you. In my case, I am leading the Austin, TX walk and I would love for you to join me! CLICK HERE to purchase your $5.00 ticket. Spots are limited to the first 25 people, so act quickly.

What qualifies me to lead this photo walk? Let's see: I like to walk. I have strong legs. I love photography. I have been a professional photographer for over two years and a crazed fanatic for over 16. I am itching to photograph Austin. I will not intimidate you...trust me, I cannot walk on water, I take bad pictures all the time and I LOVE to share the joy of photography with anyone who asks. Basically, I want to have a great morning with a bunch of other people passionate about photography. I fully expect to learn a few things along the way, too!

Oh, and there are cool prizes. If the sheer joy of hanging out with me doesn't draw you in, I offer prizes! Go to iheartfaces and check out all the details, then sign up and mark your calendar. It will be awesome!

Quietly Colorful :: Killeen, TX Senior Portrait Photographer

She was reserved. Quiet. But she wore bright pink shoes. And a vibrant yellow top. So I have a feeling she was just quiet with me. I can picture her laughter when among friends and her quick smile at a shared joke. She is definitely full of life, full of beauty and eager to take the next steps in her life. It was a pleasure to share time together.

12 x 6 = Fun :: Harker Heights, TX Photographer

A photo session for a 12th birthday gift? An absolutely fabulous, fun idea! These six friends couldn't have had more energy, more smiles or more willingness to do (or at least attempt to do) everything I asked. As military kids in a military community, they may soon move away from one another, but I have a feeling these friendships will endure the distance and time apart. Thanks for reminding me of the joy of growing up while simultaneously embracing the joy of just being a kid. (And yes, I put way more pictures than normal, but I couldn't help myself!)

The Glorious 5D :: Harker Heights, TX Children's Photographer

As mentioned in my previous post, Jenn Bowen and I met in person for the first time on Wednesday. After a full hour in one another's company, swapping lenses and camera bodies, she said the unthinkable. "Why don't you take the 5D home and play with it for a few days?" Come again? All I could think was, "Would you like to take my baby for collateral?" Somehow my mouth formed words and I stammered a thank you.

I had plenty of editing to do from my many bluebonnet sessions, so I was trying to focus my time on working through these client images. In the back of my mind, though, all I could think about was the Canon 5D hanging out on my table, staring at me as I worked. Finally, I finished my work and could begin to play.

All I needed was four or five minutes before I was sold on this camera body. I raced to the phone, called Arlington Camera and with every dollar earned to date, I bought one. It doesn't arrive for two more days. The wait is killing me, but at least I have Jenn's to keep me company in the interim!

Toys :: Harker Heights, TX Photographer

I "met" Jenn Bowen over a year ago when she first suggested I enter an I Heart Faces contest, way back when that website was just starting up. I really met Jenn in the flesh two days ago when we finally got together for some photo shoot fun with our kids. (I have to say her daughter performed far better than mine, who both fell asleep in the car on the way to the field.) I think our husbands will have to keep us apart, though, because she let me test drive her Canon 5D and I let her give my Canon 24-70mm/2.8L lens a whirl. We both fell in love with the other's rather expensive items... But what a fun treat to spend time with someone who was interested in ISOs, f-stops, depths of field and bokeh. Here are a few favorites from the glorious evening: