{Urban Family Fun}

Oh how Daniel has grown!  I photographed this little cutie last year when he wasn't even walking and now he runs so fast I was huffing and puffing trying to keep up with him.  He and his parents were so fun to photograph.  They were up for anything so it was really fun.  Daniel at one point found a little old, warn broom (random, I know) and suddenly got serious about sweeping the alley way.  So funny... I eventually hid the broom since he was determined to have the pavement spotless. I should have him over to my house...I could really use his help ;-) 

Anyway, here's a little peek at our session.  I did some fun process play on a few of the images below.  Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek. :)

{the princess & the lizard, a heart-felt devotion}

I'm a little bummed tonight...several of my sessions have been post-poned due to this rainy weather.  I love the rain, but when it interferes with this crazy time of the year it makes things a bit of a challenge.  I want my sessions to turn out the best they can and rain is not going to make for a great session.  Anyway, I'm excited for my upcoming sessions and trying my hardest to find spots for make-ups.  For those of you who have been post-poned thanks for hanging in there and being patient. :)

So my little girl has a strong adoration for animals, insects, lizards, pretty much anything living.  I've never seen anything like it - well actually maybe once.  She and my client Elizabeth share the same deep affection for lizards- remember her?  She so reminded me of how Brielle will be a few years from now.  Anyway, Brielle talks about her lizards every day, she'll  dance around in her Cinderella dress and stop to gently catch a lizard and giggle with excitement prancing around holding and singing to it.  We have 2 or more that live on our screen porch and she talks incessantly about them (they are all named Briella too, a little confusing to me, but I just go with it).  Every day on the playground at school Brielle is on the look out for ladybugs, lizards and frogs.  And she pleads with tears running down her cheeks to keep them, 'but they like me, they want to be with me, I love them'.  It honestly tugs at my heart and I give in and let her take the lizards home to our screen porch.  Today we found a few on the playground and when I suggested she leave him there so she can see him tomorrow the tears began to flow and she ran away to the corner of the playground.  Her affection for these little green guys is so strong that I get sucked in.  I know, I'm weak....but you have to see her - it's painful and heartbreaking.  Since I didn't have a container today to transport the lizard in, she assured me she'd hold the lizard in her hand in the car all the way home - I knew she would - she's so careful with them. She even carried him on our walk (she sat in the stroller and sang 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and talked to the lizard) and of course she wanted to share her 'pet' with the next door neighbors - Ben, Pat and Kristin.  Needless to say, we have more lizards on our screen porch now. 

She also loves grasshoppers and hand feeds them flowers - which they eat, at least they do for her.  It's amazing to see their little mouths munch on the pedals as Brielle softly talks to them and encourages them.  There's no way I can tell her not to touch them when she has this strong connection with little creatures.  I just hope she never picks up a snake - I've warned her about them since there are cottonmouths and rattlers here.  Anyway, I couldn't resist posting these pictures I snapped of Briella holding and singing to one of the lizards she found moments earlier.  Notice the Cinderella dress, she strips her clothes off the moment she gets home and puts on one of her many dress-up dresses or tutu's.  This day was no different. ;-) 

{A beauty and her adorable younger brother}

Oh look at this little guy's curls!  I love them!  And his older sister Curry is such a wonderful 'big sister'.  She was so patient with Drew (2 years old) and tried to help him when he was nervous about the big tractor (not shown in these images) that he was certain was going to drive off ;-).  She was so willing to help him and encourage him - I was impressed and in awe over their relationship.    Curry was amazing to photograph - she's just the perfect model.  And Drew had me giggling at his serious looks (clever little poker face) and the way he would just lean on the steering wheel of his tractor looking so unimpressed at the girl with the lens in his face ;).  Truly all boy!  I had a great time photographing these two- it was dark by the time we left our location.

Here's a little preview of our session! 

{FaithWorks4You ~ Designer Spotlight}

I'm so excited about these new designs that Faith has been working on!!   When she asked me to photograph this new design I was ecstatic - I L*O*V*E vintage designs so I nearly jumped out of my seat when I saw these!!  The design pictured below was inspired from a 1960's pattern and I couldn't resist pairing it with a pair of white go-go boots.  Brielle felt pretty  sassy in them too - as you can see, she started dancing when I was asking her to be still.  Always the opposite with these little ones. . .

This dress is black twill with a white cotton collar and front trim, a back zipper and two big buttons (you can request other button colors).  Once Faith has your child's measurements (from shoulder to hem) it takes her about two days to make it.  Wow, that's fast!   I'm loving all of her vintage early 1960's styles.  I want one of each for Brielle... {shrug...wink}.  This style is exactly what I have been looking for so I'm crazy excited about her newest designs.  Faith is soon to be even busier - not that she isn't already a very busy lady.  I'm thrilled to feature FaithWorks4You again on my blog!

{Designer Spotlight - Kait Emerson Designs & NuxieMade Hats}

How fun to do a collaboration with 2 designers!  I was excited when Nux, the amazing designer of most all of the hats I use during my sessions,  contacted me about doing a collaboration with the fabulous Huntington Beach designer - Feanna Otta of Kait Emerson Designs.  How fun is that?!   They worked together to make sure their designs complimented one another and came up with the great 'Fall' fashions below.  I love the Autumn colors - did I tell you 'Fall' is my favorite season {wink}.    Anyway, they even included items for boys.  Nux is working on some more fun hat designs and I can't wait to see them - as you know, I'm a hat freak - love them, can't get enough of them!    Anyway, I was thrilled they asked me to photograph their designs!  Check them out at Nuximade & Kait Emerson Designs  ;-)  

{Lost in his eyes...}

Look at this handsome little guy!  I get so excited to meeting my clients and this was no exception, Mason, is one of the most laid back, relaxed little guys and was an absolute treat to photograph.  Again, I was taken-a-back by another client with stunning eyes.  As I was editing these, I found myself just stopping to look at his beautiful eyes and perfect little round cheeks, sigh... And of course it made me want to have a 3rd baby....but I don't think that will happen so I'll just have to get my fix in when I photograph these little cuties.  Anyway, I had so much fun meeting Mason and his parents and photographing this handsome little man.  Here's a little peak into our session.  I added some texture and some of my own 'Kara Actions' to a few of these images. 

{Not today....still got some...}

I photographed this little cutie, Mary Carter, a few days ago - aren't her eyes amazing?! I had to be careful not to even touch them during my editing - they are soooo blue and sparkly.   My jaw dropped when I met her, she's such a little doll.  She was wearing a onesie was draped in too many necklaces to count - all girl for sure.   This little cutie was a doll and really wasn't feeling her best so we cut the session short.  I managed to get a few pictures but I'm meeting with her again tomorrow to continue our session.  Here's a tiny preview of the first part of our session. ;-)

{Lonely & Abandoned}

A couple of weeks ago when I was driving home from a session that was out of town I found something.  Something that compelled me to put my foot on the break  and make a U-Turn in the middle of the road to curiously go back.  I was on the phone with my mom (I know, bad to talk on the cell and drive - horrible habit)  and I quickly hung up as I pulled into the long dirt driveway.  My heart was beating in my throat as I got closer.  I don't know what it is about an abandoned house that gets me so emotional.  I feel so many things some I can't even describe - a bit of sadness (why wasn't there a family living in that house anymore?), curiosity (what made them leave?) and apprehension (the unknown).  But I can't resist stopping and even exploring.  I wondered what the house looked like when it was lived in, when it had a fresh coat of paint and shiny door knobs.  I'm sure each empty house was beautiful (I like to think that anyway).    This particular house took my breath away  (strange I know...) but there was something about the setting that was so beautiful.  The house was sitting on a large piece of land, a for sale sign that looked like it had been there for decades, and surrounded by withering golden corn fields.  So stunning yet very eerie.  I grabbed my cell phone, camera and keys and stepped out of my car, locking the door behind me.  I was out in the middle of nowhere but I'm OCD about locking my car doors.  Anyway, I tip-toed up the decrepit porch that looked like it could cave in if much weight was on it (not smart - I've already been scolded for that) and walked through the bright green front door.  I stood for a moment in each room studying the old fireplaces, the wood ceilings and the dusty floors looking for any evidence of who may have once lived there.  In the kitchen I saw an open window-paned cabinet  that still had plates, glasses and bowls in them - I couldn't resist reaching for my camera but knew not to touch a thing in the house.  I didn't want to leave but the sun was setting and I knew Jeff was waiting at home for me probably wondering where I was.   I hope to go back to that house and explore others that I've found - so  mysterious yet I have a fond respect for these old dismissed places. 

 

 

 

 

{Holiday Cards 2008}

Can you believe it's almost 'fall'?!  This is my favorite time of the year.  I love the crisp sunny days, the smell of pumpkins, the colors of the landscape, the excitement and anticipation and I could go on and on.  I also get such an urge to bake, bake, bake. My husband laughs at me (in a fun way...I think...) because I get so giddy and goofy for anything 'autumn'.  I come up with these ideas of what each day feels like to me and he can't help but burst out in laughter.  I'll join in and giggle too after realizing what I just said...for example I'll say 'Oh doesn't today just make you want to bake pumpkin pies, sip hot cocoa, and lay by a fire - all at a quaint Bavarian village'.  He wonders how I get these funny ideas in my head....I don't have an answer for him ;-)  Anyway, my kids and I have already purchased pumpkins for our front porch, and we've even painted 2 pumpkins for the side porch.  We do crafts every day after school so of course we're doing autumn crafts and Halloween crafts.  Tyler and Brielle get so into it {Brielle could do crafts until dinner and then some}  and want to talk about Halloween, going to the pumpkin patch, and anything Halloween/Autumn related.  I love it!!  And this year I'm determined to bake more things from scratch.  If anyone has a great recipe that includes pumpkin or pumpkin spice, please share.  I love anything pumpkin and really want to try out some new recipes. 

Okay, now onto something winter & holiday related.  I was hoping to get these up sooner since clients have been asking about my holiday cards.  Here are some samples {other varieties are available, this is just a little sample}.  These cards are 5x7 single sided - but there's plenty of room to write a personal message on the back.   Thanks for looking!!

{Pastel pink scooters, fluffy tutu's & bright green lizards...}

All of these things make for a fun and entertaining photo session.  I arrived to my client's house this past weekend greeted by an adorable red haired little girl dressed so pretty in her 'Snow White' dress up clothes.  I knew it was going to be a fun session when I saw how into dress up she was.  And she told me all about princesses as she danced and pranced around in the tutus and petti coats I brought along.  Her her older sister, Elizabeth, was very sweet and all-girl too....but she had a fascination with bugs, spiders and lizards.  Yes, really!  She so reminded me of how Briella might be when she's several years older since she has the same adoration.  Elizabeth told me about the spider was came across - big {make that GINORMOUS} spider actually.  I got weak in the knees just looking at it.   It was a 'barn' spider that it made its home in their backyard and Elizabeth loved it.  She told me all about them and how they live in groups, so if you see one, then you're bound to see another one close by.  And she proved to be right, a few feet away we saw one of the spiders buddies spinning a huge web.  So I'm sure you're wondering where the green lizard in the title comes in.... well  at the end of our session we spotted 2 bright green lizards climbing the outside wall of their home.  Elizabeth's mom told me that Elizabeth loves to catch lizards and sure enough, she caught the lizard and started excitedly telling me all about these lizards (she even knew the name of this particular species of lizard).  She carefully showed me his tail and said that when they lose their tail it grows back and when they are sensing danger a big red bubble forms under their chin.  I stayed longer just to hear more about her fascination and to see her put it in her temporary lizard home, giving it water, food, etc.  How often are you going to have a session like this!  It was so fun and the girls were so engaging.  Erin (the youngest) even hopped up from playing play-doh and doing crafts to stop me as I was leaving giving me a big hug.  I of course loved it!! 

Here's a little peek at our session :)

I can't forget the bright green lizard Elizabeth caught :)