Waiting :: Killeen, TX Maternity Photographer

Nothing is quite still. The baby kicks, rolls and tumbles. Then, briefly, quiet resumes. And the wait returns. And she mentally recalculates the length of her pregnancy, wondering if maybe there was an error and today is the day. And she waits. But not with a stillness, for there is too much to think about and muse over and wonder about. But the wait will end and the tired patience will be rewarded with a beautiful baby girl. Until then, at least you can know you wait in beauty and joy and happiness. For you both are so blessed with this coming miracle!

Sunshine :: Harker Heights, TX Baby Photographer

The baby is now mobile with a combination of Combat Baby Drag Technique and actual crawling. She will follow the cat wherever he goes and if he is not within sight, she will track people. This morning, I set a photo trap for her by leading her into the front hallway, where sunlight streams in through the glass portion of our front door. She fell for it hook, line and sinker and laughed the whole way. She is sunshine. Bright, beefy sunshine.

iheartfaces week 25, Teens :: Harker Heights, TX Portrait Photographer

The teen years were a bit of a mess for me. I lacked confidence. I had bad hair. There was an eating disorder and low self esteem. In fact, I didn't even have my high school senior portraits taken. I look back now and realize all the time I wasted worrying about things that really weren't there or weren't that large of an issue. And though I know I cannot change the world with my camera, I have the hope that I can change one person's world by helping them realize they are far more beautiful than they allow themselves to imagine.

If you have a teen in your life, come over to I Heart Faces and celebrate them this week!

Ten Years Ago...

(Images in this post taken with my all manual Pentax K1000 35mm film camera ten years ago. Pulled out of photo albums and scanned for this special milestone.)

The Scene: USNS SATURN (TAFS 10), operating out of Norfolk, Virginia, destined for the Mediterranean Sea for six months to service United States vessels operating in those waters.

The Leading Man: A misplaced Army Veterinarian Specialist amongst a ship full of sailors. Assigned to SATURN for the purpose of inspecting all foods brought onboard while overseas.

The Leading Lady: A young Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) in charge of all materiel on board SATURN. Preparing for her second six month deployment to the Mediterranean. As fate would have it, the Leading Man worked for the Leading Lady.

The Action: SATURN pulled out of port on June 20, 2000 bound for Malaga, Spain and various ports around the Mediterranean Sea. I was the Materiel Officer, responsible for the quality and accuracy of orders supplied to other US warships operating in that area. I was young. I had thick eyebrows. I had seven sailors and one Army Vet Services Sergeant working for me. I had an admirer and I was completely unaware. (Maybe I couldn't see past the eyebrows...)

My first remembered interaction with my future husband was to stop him from leaving the ship to go out on the town in Spain. He was dressed in a sleeveless shirt, which was not permitted by the ship's regulations and it defied every decent rule of fashion. (He thought he had lovely muscles that needed to be seen by all the Spaniards. They, apparently, do not have muscles.) So he dutifully said, "Yes, Ma'am." and changed clothes before leaving the ship.

We were two people among a total of 200 on board SATURN...our paths crossed. Everyone knew everyone else. And their business. And soon, it was obvious he liked me. Or it might have been his subtle come on line. Puerto Rican men are smooth. There is no denying that. He said, "Does a guy like me have a chance with a girl like you?" As my knees buckled and I dabbed the sweat that beaded up on my brow, I said yes, then walked away. (I have a way with the men. No one ever said my husband has had an easy road. But he knew this going in.)

Fortunately, he didn't let me walk too far. Ten years ago today, I met the man I would marry. The man who would be the father of my two girls. The person I call when there is anything important to share. My best friend. Life is funny when you look back at all the twists and turns that lead you to a point, but in the end, everything makes perfect sense.

I love you, mi amor!

Dirty Drawers :: Austin, TX Children's Photographer

Boys love dirt. Big boys or little boys or boys that are barely over age one. They love dirt. And I love a mama that just goes with it and lets her little boy be all boy and get all dirty and trusts that we will still get really great images. And we did...mostly because this fellow was happy to be exploring the streets of Austin, complete with rain puddles. He even turned on the charm for me, blowing kisses and giving me the "I am so adorable, I have to squint at you!" face. Who could resist? Who, I ask?

After the rain :: Austin, TX Children's Photographer

Austin is an hour south of me. I guess weather systems can change in that distance. In fact, I know they can. I left home under bright blue skies. I arrived in Austin, late, amidst rain and thunder and really bad drivers. How on earth is a natural light photographer supposed to make this work on rainy city streets with three children? First, you pray the rain quits. Then you buy some time at Starbucks. Then, you remember you live in Texas and rain lasts about as long as Spring and you know everything will be okay.

These three sweet, beautiful children obliged my requests and seemed quite at ease in front of the camera. (It helps that their mom is a shutterbug herself!) And once we found some puddles for the youngest to splash in, the smiles were fast to light up his face. Thanks for enduring a damp situation...I'd say it was worth an extra load of laundry!

She is... :: Harker Heights, TX Children's Photographer

She is spunk. She is a fan of pink, purple and red. She is "a talking girl." All the time. She is quick to anger when she is tired. She is a HUGE fan of Mike Rowe. (She makes up knock knock jokes about him.) She is an eater of salami, pickles and cheese sticks for lunch. She is boundless energy. She is not a fan of barrettes. She is a great big sister. She is her daddy's Bellita. She is definitely a handful. And now she is four.

iheartfaces week 24, Babies :: Bartlett, TX Baby Photographer

I have been remiss in entering the latest I Heart Faces challenges. I have been busy. I have children. I have stuff going on. I have no really good excuse. So I am back and what better week than one all about babies?! I debated using one of my roly-poly girl but couldn't pass up the sweet newness of this handsome little 10 day old man I had the pleasure of meeting last week (full blog post HERE). He was having so much fun with his session, he smiled for me!

Come on over and join the fun!

Baby Blues and a Touch of Green :: Salado, TX Family Photographer

Sweetness. Smiles. Sunshine. Salado. Success! I first met this beauty and her mama for a newborn session back in November, right before they moved up to Massachusetts. As a baby, she was so serious. She studied everything I did and seemed wary of closing her eyes for fear she'd miss something. Now, seven months later, she is a smiley, happy, laughing gal and she obviously has stolen a large piece of her parents' hearts. But how could they even resist?

Sinking Sun :: Harker Heights, TX Photographer

Often times, after an evening session, I am driving home in the most beautiful orange sunlight. I admire its beauty across fields, the way it picks up the tender shoots at the top of each moving stalk, the way the light plays in and out of the trees growing along the road. But I seldom stop, as I am racing home to resume my other job as Mom. I finally stopped. I took a turn, a drove a lonely road, I pulled over and I got out. And I savored the quiet, the light, the breeze. And for a few more minutes, I just was.

(These images were edited with the most lovely and wonderful presets from One Willow Studios. They make editing images a breeze!)

Four Girls and a Mom and a Dad :: Killeen, TX Family Photographer

My dad enjoyed the better part of his life fathering three girls. He is now bald. This dad is still in the midst of fathering FOUR girls and he is already bald. Are girls really that stressful?! Despite that stress, this family of six was able to laugh together, joke around, say no to my suggestions then be shamed into trying by a family member and basically have a fun time with the session. Say what they will, I know they love each other. The teasing said it all.

Farm Fresh :: Bartlett, TX Newborn Photographer

There is nothing to compare with the newness of a baby. The purity. The absolute dependency. The mystery of trying to figure them out. The swelling, aching fullness of love when you see them sleeping. This newly welcomed bundle of love was perfection. Not in a "this is how every newborn photo shoot should go" kind of way but in the very fact that he is here and he is loved. And I was delighted to share a few hours in his life so his family can remember his newness forever.

I Heart Faces Austin Photo Walk! :: Central Texas Photographer

The First I Heart Faces Nationwide Photo Walk is now a thing of history, and I was a part of it! Leading a fabulous, fun group of photographers through the downtown streets of Austin was a great way to start my Saturday. I think it might have been hot, but I was too excited...distracted...nervous to even notice the conditions. The two hours passed so quickly, with shutter clicks, questions asked, alleys to peruse. I really was surprised by what I had on my camera when I got home, as I don't clearly remember taking some of my images!

I need to thank Jenn Bowen for helping me co-lead the walk, coordinate the details and do the driving down to Austin. I thank the great models we had posing for us and for the few folks we found along the way that didn't mind being assault by twenty something cameras at the same time. All in all, a fantastic walk. I know we had attendees from cities outside Austin and I appreciate the time you all took to be part of the event!