There is nothing sweeter than catching a glipse of young girls, pony tails, leather gloves, and a softball.

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I love birthday parties!  Julianne is about to turn 15 and she is having one of the biggest birthday parties I have ever seen!  I am excited for her.    Happy Birthday sweet girl!

I remember my 15th birthday, not that it was significant, simply that it was awkward.  It was the year that I entered high school, wore big glasses, big hair, and probably had some parachute pants hanging somewhere in my closet, or was that the year of legwarmers, no maybe “roper boots”….hummm…. who knows.  I can’t help but to look back and reminisce of yester-year and giggle.  In fact, now I am in the mood to listen to a little bit o f Whitney Houston’s “How will I know”…. or maybe even “West End Girls” by the Pet Shop Boys.  Geez…and the clock continues to tick….

That word “Mommy” means so much.  Unless you are a mommy you simply don’t quite understand the magnitude of such a little word.

The following was a passage shared with me recently:

The child asked God, “They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?”

“Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.”

The child further inquired, “But tell me, here in heaven I don’t have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.”

God said, “Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel’s love and be very happy.”

Again the child asked, “And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don’t know the language?”

God said, “Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.”

“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?”

God said, “Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.”

“Who will protect me?”

God said, “Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it’s life.”

“But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.”

God said, “Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you.”

At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, “God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel’s name.”

You will simply call her “Mom.”

And… because every post is better with a picture…. here is one of my favorites, beautiful Diana and her girls.

I make every attempt to capture as many milestones as possible.  Unfortunately, I know I must miss some because she is getting so big… so fast.  Every minute of the day I long for that sweet smell of lotion, little smiles, and visible twinkles in her eyes.  Time does not stop and that is why I am a photographer… to catch a glimpse of a memory that will last forever.

We are lucky to be humans who have been created to live life to the fullest and sometimes make difficult decisions.  This is where I have been.  I loved the frequent emails from clients, online friends, and blog stalkers who have missed my presence on this World Wide Web, however I had to make a decision to embrace myself in a little bit of a miracle.  I have still been ever so busy with weddings and photoshoots, and have so much to post, but wanted to start with a picture of me (some weeks ago) to document our blessed life and where I have been.  Our sweet Olivia is now here and life is in full swing (along with lots of diapers, cuddles, and hugs). I have so much to post and beautiful brides to share…. stay tuned!

Hugs~

Gina

I have a special little client that rarely finds an opening on my calendar for her very own photoshoot.  She is sweet and loves flowers, painted toes, curls, lip gloss, chocolate ice cream, and lemonade.  She is my best little person, and anytime I try something new she is always the guinea pig on my new photography adventures and regardless of the outcome, tells me, “Mommy, I love you more than that”.  I am not sure what the more than that is, but I know I love her more than that.  Chad and I could have never asked for anything better than our sweet Alyssa.  This spring I reserved a Saturday for a photoshoot for our best girl.  One simple request she had, “Mommy, we have not had blue bonnets in Texas since I was 5 and I want my portrait taken in the blue bonnets”.  I am a photographer who aims to please, so we hit the road, ice cream custard in hand, searching for the perfect spot for her perfect photoshoot.  It is spring in the Lone Star state and flowers adorne every knook and cranny along our state highways and open fields.  We found our perfect spot to run in our cowboy boots and dresses, roll in the flowers, and pretend that tomorrow or yesterday did not exist.  We live life in the present, each minute better than the last.   We feel blessed every single day, and we celebrate having our good Lord watch over us.

We celebrate this Easter Sunday giving thanks to God.  Thanks for….. well everything.

Today I was eating a ham and cheese sandwich, wanted to blog stalk a little, and came across a posting that asked how confident are you as a photographer.  Hummm…. I don’t think I have ever thought about that.  I think that right before I go to a photoshoot I have a few butterflies dancing around in my belly, but I think they are doing the happy dance.  I hope the day never comes that I am not giddy with excitement about capturing people’s stories.     I love and admire so many other photographers work and hope to one day produce such brilliant images as them (so in no way do I think I am even close to being the overall expert at shutter clicking).  But what I do know what brings me some confidence, it is I knowing my clients aka…my soon to be friends…aka…my supporters.

I always make efforts to have a conversation with those wonderful people I put in front of my lens.  Yes, I like to talk a lot, but I also like to get to know people a lot.   I want to hear their story.  Not long after I get to talking/emailing/texting with someone, I begin to visualize their idea of the perfect picture for them (mind you each couple, each bride, each mommy’s perfect idea is so very different).  But, because I take the time to know my clients, I know that when the day comes, I will have the confidence to make them a beautiful time keeper we call a photograph.

Here are some of my new found hippy-chick  friends.  Their mommy was a model and I think in this case, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

On Saturday, one of my favorite little friends is celebrating her 2nd Birthday.  I met her way back on the day when her mommy had first taken her preggo test…. literally a tiny little miracle bean growing inside one of my favorite people, her mommy.  It is so hard to believe that was nearly 3 years ago.  Little Miss D is such a princess inside and out.  I know she is only 2 but she is already super smart, loves my little Lissy, can flaunt some fashion, and can have a full conversation if you let her.  Ummmm…. her cute little smile makes me melt.  Happy Birthday, Davis and may you always cast a cute little smile for my camera.

Hugs and I luv  yous~

Miss Gina

My camera makes me happy.  I love that split second moment that I capture the unexpected look, the glimpse of a non posed grin, or the ache that coincides with a belly laugh.  I love to laugh and my camera makes me happy, people make me happy.  There were times this weekend that I knew I had a shot I wanted and a shot that I knew my clients would love.  Those captures from this weekend will make them happy, and make me happy.

I have been reflecting alot lately and I can’t really decide what I love t shoot more, soft newborns, giddy toddlers, blushing brides, or in love couples.  I often wonder if it is okay that they all make me and my camera happy.  I came across a few of my favorite photographers who often talk about the fact that they don’t do anything else but “________”, whether that be weddings, children, or newborns.  I hope it is okay that I find joy in all of my clients and truly love the work I do. And I wonder if it is not okay, to whom should I ask permission to?    I can’t seem to find it in me to limit my happiness and the happy faces of my clients when they see their portraits for the first time.  I want to be greedy and love it all.

This little girl makes me happy.  She is a sweetie pie from Phoenix who’s mom let me catch a few special moments of her sassy self.  Ahhh…she made me and my camera happy.

It started with a simple phone call from Liza.  She mentioned that the super sweet people in “Google-land” invited her to call me.  I am so appreciative of my cyberspace colleagues.  I am appreciative because I was able to meet sweet Liza, her witty hubby, and their precious daughter.  The sweet little miss is only a few weeks old but is as alert as can be.  Her parents are awesome and decorated her room so girlie, chic, and of course pink.    After having a great breakfast, the sweet little miss was fast asleep for about 15 minutes and then, “Surprise, Mommy, I wanna see that lady with the big clicker thing (my camera).  She played my little games of peek-a-boo, baby talk, and a few little snuggles here and there, a few “fig leaf” pics that are way to cute, and then was ready for cuddling with momma…again.

Liza is a first time mommy and one of the best I have ever seen. Even when the sweet little miss had a bout of unhappiness, she still managed to giggle at the uncertainty and coo along with baby until the little miss was satisified that mommy was by her side.  I could only wish that I had been that calm with my little newborn some 7 years ago.  All mommies could learn a thing or two from Mrs. Liza.

I had so much fun visiting with you… Little Miss, Your Mommy, and Your Daddy.  You are one luck little thing who has some pretty awesome parents.

Congratulations on your little bundle of preciousness mommy and daddy….she is super sweet.