A Sea of Blue :: Harker Heights, TX Children's Photographer

I do love Texas. Yes, I complain about the ever present wind. And I don't know a soul who can honestly say the summer heat is delightful. But the rest is so good I am willing to accept the bad. And I met some of the true goodness of Texas last night.

A friend of a friend, saying, "A friend of hers is a friend of mine" welcomed my family onto her land last night to survey her field of bluebonnets. She described it as a sea of blue and there really are no better words. She met us at the gate, escorted us up to the house, then just waved her arm at the field. Not a highway in sight. No awkward houses cluttering the background. Just untouched beauty as far as the eye could see.

A canvas for a child's imagination. And a truly wonderful hour spent with new friends.

Seven & Seven :: Harker Heights, TX Family Photographer

Her inquiry asked if I would be available to take pictures of her family.

"Sure, sounds great!" She reserves a date, I mark it on my calendar, the deal is set.

"It will be seven people and seven dogs." Maybe I should have asked for a few details first...

But really, given the ratio of people to dogs to photographer, I could not have wished for a better scenario. Everyone was relaxed, knowing full well the dogs would run the show. We did what we could. We stopped for territory markings, ground investigations and playful rivalries between the canines (and sisters). We got some great pictures and laughed along the way. I would say it was a good Sunday evening.

And really, how can you NOT have fun with a group that is willing to mock Olan Mills?

iheartfaces, Week of Mar 27 :: Life

Oh my! The gals at I Heart Faces changed the contest entry days from Monday and Tuesday to Sunday and Monday! (As a contributor, I had advanced warning of this. Still it caught me by surprise. Which is no surprise, really.) I guess it is appropriate that this week's theme is a slice of life. My life feels crazy right now, with a fast approaching move to Virginia, three children of very different ages, my business and then the stuff that just pops up along the way. Even with all that, I still find time to entertain myself by taking pictures of my sweet baby/toddler girl.

I could learn a lesson or two from her about stress management.

I caught this quiet moment on Friday, after she heard a motorcycle roar past our house. See, Daddy rides a motorcycle and she associates that noise with his return home from work. So she waited at the window, hoping to see him round the corner to our front door. And this is the beauty of a child's love for her parent.

You still have a few hours to sneak your entry in for this week! Click the button below and share a view from your life!

A Smile for Mama :: Central Texas Baby Photographer

I chirped. I clucked. I called his name. But nothing could get a smile faster from this sweet fellow than the sight of his mama. His eyes lit up, his fists pumped and he was beside himself with happiness. And he was offering his greatest gift to his mother: his entire tiny heart of love.

Engaging :: Killeen, TX Couple Photographer

I loved the way she laughed, her arms around his neck, and said, "I've never kissed you for so long!" He just smiled back and kissed her again.

They are young in their love, but so natural together. They laugh together, at themselves, at each other. One looks at the other and a smile just appears.

July, I'm sure, can't come fast enough. But until then, they will be a very engaging engaged couple.

Kissing Cousins :: Killeen, TX Children's Photographer

Sometimes words aren't necessary. A picture does say all that needs to be said.

Sweetness.

Naturally Beautiful :: Killeen, TX Senior Photographer

What a way for me to come out of photography hibernation, having a session with this stunning young woman.

Oh my.

Flawless, fair skin. Magnificent natural red hair. Crisp blue eyes.

More than all the physical beauty, though, she possesses a sense of self, a sense of direction in her life and a clear vision of her future. She set aside her 11 year gymnastics career to concentrate on academics, paving the way for scholarships to attain her degree in nursing. She is dedicated and driven, two traits that will serve her well in the years of study ahead.

But on this day, she was a gorgeous teen, willing to stand in the limelight for an hour and savor the excitement of her senior year. May these last few months be tremendous!

Inner Musings

I've thought much about the concept of success lately. I was encouraged to achieve from an early age: straight As, leadership roles in numerous clubs, captain of the tennis team, recipient of a college scholarship, decorated Naval Officer. I have achieved. But have I been successful? No, I haven't, because I have yet to define what success means to me.

Will my current success be wrapped up in the achievements of my children? Might success be the ability to smile, genuinely, each day? Could success be getting through a meal without becoming angry over the mere thought of food?

As I watch the world awaken, I feel stirrings within me. I feel the fog and coldness of an emotional winter receding, the veil of internal struggle lifted from my eyes. I know I don't have the answers to my own questions. But I do know that I am asking good questions and good answers will come in time.

iheartfaces, Week of Mar 07 :: Best of February

I love when I Heart Faces does a Best of... category. Yes, it is often hard to decide what the best is, for I love different shots for different reasons. However, for the Best of February, I was extremely surprised to see I only used my camera FOUR days in February! Say what??!! Four. It sure did make finding my favorite easy.

She is 16 months old now. Walking. Starting to say a few words that only her daddy and I can decipher. Smiling. Loving on the cat, her brother, her sister. Giving me the gift of FINALLY calling me Mama (I have been Dada forever now). And simply looking adorable at every turn.

Share your Best of February with us! Click the button and enter the fun: