{she told me she felt beautiful}

Oh wow, it's been a while since I've posted and I've honestly missed it. It's kind of like a journal for me.   This year I'm going to make efforts to post more.  I feel like this is my place for sharing not just my photography business images but also my life it general.  My photography is shaped by who I am and what I feel so I think it's only fitting to share me, my life, my trials, my journeys, my goals, my failures, my happiness and my sadness here.  My photography is created from emotions that are real, gritty and raw moments in every day life.  And that translates into art…into my art.  Anyway, I just thought I'd warn you, ha.

Last night was pretty chilly here in the desert but the sun was gorgeous so I took Brielle out for some sample shots of light and different properties of light for my 'Finding the Light' workshop in Atlanta next week.  While I was there I coupled the shoot with a commercial session for an amazing designer I've been working with for years - FaithWorks4U.  As I was getting Brielle ready in my bathroom she saw the dress hanging on my closet door and asked excitedly if she could wear her gold sparkly shoes, my gold headband and my gold earrings. How could I say no, she was styling herself and doing a great job at it.  Commercial shoots never get old for her, especially if I allow her to be a part of the styling. Then she spotted a new purchase I made at Sephora.  It was gold glitter.  She excitedly begged for me to put some on her eyes.  "It'll go perfectly with my sparkly shoes Momma'. Again, I was swayed and dabbed a little lightly near her eyes.  After she put on the dress, she looked in the mirror and told me with a smile on her face that she felt beautiful.  I always want her to feel beautiful.  Not necessarily physically but with the person she is.  With who she is on the inside and how she lives her life and projects her spirit onto others.  I truly hope my little girl always feels beautiful.

{'Dream' Issue of CHIC Magazine}

I'm excited about this month's Dream Issue of CHIC Magazine.  It's loaded with beautiful images and detailed articles.  I was flattered when I was asked to contribute with a tutorial on 'Beautiful Backlighting'.  I love writing (when I have time) especially when its technical writing about photography.  And I love to teach so this was so much fun for me to do. And finally....being in Arizona, I worship the light for photography here and utilize backlighting for most all of my sessions.   If you're interested in getting a hardcopy or a digital copy of CHIC magazine you can click here to order.  Hope you enjoy it!

{Vintage Crown}

I love crowns, especially vintage crowns.  When TJF Designs , creator of 'Confessions of a Prop Junkie' asked me to work with her on this stunning crown, I was ecstatic!  My mind started racing and I was getting so inspired from this one amazing little crown.  I thought about what I wanted to do.  And for some reason I do my best thinking last minute (literally) when it all comes together.  My mom made Brielle the gorgeous red cloak and Brielle really wanted to wear her new converse boots.  So I added them in to the pile of things to bring to the shoot and gathered a few more things...a tutu, cute lacy leggings, a brush and some hair spray.  Then we raced to the site with the last available amount of light and I feel in love with the scene that Brielle created with those new crazy boots and brilliant vintage crown.  You can find some amazing props and unique, beautiful crowns on Tabitha's website.  She also has a Facebook Fan Page where she posts recent items added to her store as well as sales and promotions and other business happenings.

{a taste of Fall & a hint of late summer - Boho Style}

Oh yes, I've teamed up again with 2 of my longtime favorite designers.  I've been working with these two for over 5 years now!  I can't believe it.  And they still amaze me with their creativity and talent.  Kait Emerson Designs newest collection are great for late summer and early fall - the Boho Collection!  I simply love this boho style and screamed with excitement when I got these in the mail!  I can't say enough about Melissa of Nuxiemade {designer of the beautiful crochet hat shown} and Feanna of Kait Emerson Designs.  I love you ladies!  Check out these fun styles below and be sure to check out their shops {links on their names} and Facebook pages - Kait Emerson Designs Facebook Page    Nuxiemade's Facebook Page

{Ingrid B. Design's Spring 2012 Clothing Line}

It's SPRING!  And pretty  much summer her in AZ.  And for Spring & Summer Ingrid B. Design's has made some very fun, color outfits for girls...she never disappoints!   Everytime I see something new of hers I'm amazed at her eye and her sense of detail.  She has a very creative and beautiful eye for fun coordinates for every season.  I love love love the yellow top with the black lace, and the stripped dress (the fabric is so soft}, and the ruffling on her floral skirt...um, perfect!!!  I was lucky to have these beautiful friends of ours help model.  Brielle has a hard time being serious around friends (as you can see in the image above) - most of the time it's faces that I can't post here lol.  She's just a goof which makes it a challenge sometimes lol.  But these three girls work so well together.  Aren't they adorable?!  I love their different looks.  The girls were so eager to searching for ladybugs so I ended the session early so they could be 'kids' and find ladybugs.  Brielle modeled the outfits again the next day so we could get more shots and she fell in love with the flowers that I had set up.  Again, she wanted to find ladybugs so she could put them on the flowers.  Here's a peek at Ingrid B. Design's Spring 2012 Collection.  :)

\

{Rocker Baby Nation: The Raven Collection}

Matilda and I have been working hard on preparing for the debut of her latest baby - the stunning 'Raven Collection'.  This new collection  is so well designed.  Not a single detail was left out in her creation - she truly is an amazingly talented woman!  I was in awe over the design, every detail, the black & white combination (it's still so girly), and the amazing construction.   I'm honestly speechless.  Matilda - YOU ARE AMAZING!  Thanks for trusting me to follow your vision.

Click here to go to her site.

{Re-emerging Retro Styles -FaithWorks4U & Florabella}

I feel like I've been absent for a while...and I don't like that feeling.  I've been wanting to blog these Retro Dresses by FaithWorks4U - I am in love with everything Faith makes (you've heard me say that before).  I've probably mentioned this before, but I think I was meant to live in the 70's - I'm so drawn to this look/era.  Whenever I get clothing to work on for Faith I literally gasp when I open her packages.  My mind goes into la-la land and I envision what I want to do with the dresses and the shoot.  This one was one of my favorites to photograph and Brielle loved her hair in a loose, ballerina bun. On a different note: I get asked a lot about the what I do to get certain looks in my images.  I edit my photos to my liking with my own actions and for these I applied about 10%- 15% opacity using several of Florabella's Lux II Actions. A little goes a long way.  I also love her newest set Retouch & Make-over.  She really put some critical thought about these actions when she made them.  Just thought I'd mention that. ;-)

This first dress is the '1970's Style Square Neckline dress'.

The Simply Sweet Summer Dress.  Love both of these dresses so much!

 

{girly girls, balloons & 'trendie treasures' newest dresses}

So girly!  That's what I love about these dresses!  They're one of Trendie Treasures latest creations.  Isn't she talented?  I've been working with the designer/owner of Trendie Tresures for a few years now and I always 'ooh and aah' over her newest creations.    I love the soft ruffles, the flowers and the pretty Spring colors too choose from (more colors on her site)!  Brielle and her friend got to play in them for pictures - they were so cute running around being silly together!  If you haven't checked out Trendie Treasures,  you're missing out. Her shop is full of colorful, fun and very girly designs.  Become a fan on Facebook for her newest creations, promotions and the newest happenings with her business.

{Nuximade!}

So one of my favorite designers is at it again!  I don't think she sleeps.  She's always stocking her shop with new knit creations and they are selling out so quickly!  She makes hats in a variety of styles, colors and sizes for both boys and girls.  And she has the MOST beautiful dresses!  They are some of my favorites to put Brielle in!  Not only hats, and dresses but hair accessories, scarves, cocoons, leg warmers and more.  Check out her shop for all the goodies.  :)  she's on Etsy too!

{FaithWorks4You Back School/Fall}

Oh Faith, she is amazing!  She's a treasure in the handmade community.  She blows me away with her creative styles and retro-modern looks for little girls.  I'm absolutely smitten with this dress!  Oh and my  previous session (a snippet shown below) for Faith's back-to-school 'Brielle Dress'  was featured on I Lived 2 Click.  Check it out :)

Faith is getting a lot of attention - businesses and clothing mags are intrigued with her amazing style.   More to come! Below is her 1969 Retro Style V Shaped collar dress.  I love it!!