As a photographer, sometimes I have ideas that I want to try out first, before I decide if I want to offer them to my clients. This usually means either putting out a model call, or using the four gorgeous models I have lounging around my house. ;)
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So when I thought about offering pajama and plushie sessions, of course I wanted to try it out first. And even though I decided not to offer them for this years holiday mini sessions, we did have such a blast shooting them! And that's the most important thing, isn't it? ♥

Goodbye Summer, and Hello Autumn! 
It is almost time for school to start again, and what better way to celebrate and to capture this fleeting moment of the year, than with Back To School photos?

Daniel is entering the 7th grade, and I can't believe how much he's changed and grown since this time last year! I love his new sense of style, and the early signs of interest he's showing in his appearance. We had so much fun shooting this little mini session. It didn't take much for his goofy, playful personality just shined in each shot!

Back to School might happen every year, but each year is so different from the last. These really are once in a lifetime moments. Don't miss out on them!

Oh my darling sweet little boy. The one who makes my heart beat, who makes my every day brighter. Today, he turned twelve years old. 
How can that be? When did this happen? And where is my sweet little baby?
Twelve whole years. 
Twelve years of watching him grow, and laugh, and learn. 
Twelve years of teaching him, and learning from him.
Twelve years of fart jokes, and bedtime hugs and kisses.
We are on the cusp on a whole new way of life. He is almost a teenager, getting ready to stretch his wings and test his independance. But that's ok. 
Because he has shown me in these first twelve years what kind of man he is going to become.
And he will be a great one.
But today.
Today, he is just twelve years old.
He still lets me hold his hand when we walk down the street.
He still wants to be tucked in every night (unless he has friends over, then he'll come get his hugs and kisses from me in private).
He's still small enough for me to pick up and squeeze (though just barely.)
He is only twelve. 
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Having 1 son and 3 daughters, all in their tween and teen years, means I am never short on beautiful models. And while most of the time, it's my gorgeous redheaded oldest daughter, or my handsome boy, this time it was my sweet little Alanna, our youngest, who said "I want to do a photo session!" And when they ask, it's so hard to say no! 
So we sat down and talked about what she wanted to wear and what kind of photos she wanted to do.
"I want to look like a fashion model! Like with wild, crazy hair! Ooo and I want to wear one of the prom dresses!" What 9 year old WOULDN'T want to play dress up with a big, gorgeous gown? And lucky her, I keep plenty on hand to choose from. 
So fashion model is the look we went with, and I think they turned out incredibly stunning. I still just can not get over how grown up she is getting to be. Just a few months away from being 10, I can easily see the sweet, funny, beautiful young woman she will be in just a few years. ♥

Moving means lots of things. 
It means boxes and sorting. 
It means new routines. 
It means a new school.
Daniel has gone to Charter schools since 4th grade. He's either been dropped off and picked up by me, or, like in Austin, we walked or rode bikes to school. 
Here in East Texas though, he is back in a mainstream public school, and back on the school bus.
This week has been particularly chilly in the mornings (to put it mildly), so we've been bundling up in throw blankets as we stand at the end of the driveway and wait for that 7am school bus.
It amazes me how such a simple, daily routine thing can still seem so beautiful. In a few short years, he'll be driving himself to school, and I won't be standing there in the cold, waiting with him anymore, which makes these memories all the more precious.