When They Won't Look at You

People often ask to see the amazing photos they think I have of my children lovingly gazing at my camera. The truth is, gasp,  99% of the time I can't get them to look at my camera. They know all of my tricks! Instead of giving up, I sought to find creative ways of capturing who they are without trying to focus on their facial expressions. I thought I would share I few to encourage those who face the same dilemma!

Get them moving!

Ask them to jump, dance, twirl!

Ask them to do a favorite activity or a special one they don't get to do very often like jumping on the bed or holding the iPad.

I try to find some way to tell their story especially when they aren't looking!

This is what happens when I try to get all 8 of them to look at me at the same time. 

Once Upon A Time In The World

At the beginning of the year I started a little project with some very talented photographers from around the world. Every month at a designated time we would shoot to capture what was going on in our daily lives. 

For the month of May, the time to shoot was 16:15. Here is what it looks like around the world.

This time of day is free time in our house. It is the convergence of all of our children's schedule and is usually when i pick up my camera to capture true candid moments.  Here are a few extra glimpses of my days. 

She didn't want to be outdone by her brother getting new glasses.

Studying.

He got glasses!

Happy 4th birthday! May is a big birthday month for my family. We celebrate 7 birthdays in a 10 day span.

Be sure to check out the very talented maibritt olsen  and see what her 16:15 looks like and leave her some love!

A Walk in the Woods

Alayna's mom approached me about taking her daughter's senior photos about a month ago. Her only question was if I would be willing to travel out her way. As a family, they like to go trail hiking and wanted to use a local spot to do the shoot. 

Our crazy Texas rainy season left me without the ability to see the hiking spot prior to the shoot. We saw a couple of hours of break from rain in the forecast and we decided together to go for it!

Little did I know that this park site had some really cool structural features as well. This little white porch with its quaint blue trim just might have been my favorite spot!

She looks ready to conquer the world!

I am in love with this location and can't wait to shoot here again! 

I let her pick out her own locations and her own poses. This shoot was very tailored to what Alayna desired.

SFA is lucky to have Alayna attend their program.

Her father makes scary movies and his tagline for our entire shoot was "BonyFinger!" Something about hearing those words made us all laugh. 

Wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors, Alayna! Your parents should be proud of the amazing young woman that you are and the goals that you have set for yourself!

Pinterest, a graduating senior, and Scrabble

This amazing young woman asked me over six months ago if I would take her senior photos and I quickly said yes. I have known her mom for many years and was even lucky enough to have her as my labor and delivery nurse with my #5! It was my pleasure to share this special moment with her "baby".

As time grew closer to pick a shoot date, I asked her to look through photos of what she liked and to select a few outfit choices. 

Normally, I would go over ideas and clothing prior to a shoot for a client but Miss M knew what she wanted. 

She drove around with her mom looking for an area that had just the right feel she was hoping for and stumbled across this vintage car front.

I love a young woman with a sense of who she is and a vision to follow through. Boots are a must here in Texas!

Check out her Scrabble tile idea. Oh, and those shoes are going to prom!

She is amazingly smart (scholarship smart!) and her smile is infectious.

Let's all wish her an amazing future because the whole world is within her reach!

A Photographer's WOD

AMWRAP

Body weight + gear squats

Time: 11 hours

She called on Wednesday afternoon saying their scheduled photographer for an upcoming event couldn't make it.

Oh, and the event was taking place in three days and do I know someone who could fill in or was I available? 

My daughter and son in law own CrossFit Katy and are phenomenal coaches as well as outstanding athletes. Over the years, I have cheered them on at numerous events but I had never professionally photographed one. 

On Saturday morning at 6:30am, I arrived ready to shoot the CrossFit Katy Team Classic! Did you know athletes could avoid the camera in ways that would put my toddlers to shame? All of this while lifting heavy weights too! 

Not to worry. I have 8 kids worth of dodging the camera experience. I stood, I squatted, I got in the bleachers, I laid on the ground on repeat for 11 hours and over 2,000 shots. 

I loved every minute of capturing this competition and hope I can fill in again sometime. Even if it means I have to hold on to the wall to sit for two days!