I want to first and foremost thank all of you for your prayers for this family and for their sweet little “e”.

After our photo session, this happy go lucky little man spiked a high fever, seemingly out of nowhere, and ended up in intensive care! I’m sure it was such a scary time for the family, and I could only imagine what they were feeling… As I said though, you’re prayers were heard, even if you didn’t know the family, or what was going on. Little E is home and doing well, so I owe you all a great big

“Thank you!!!“

….before all that, we had a great day!

Along with little E, I also got to hang out with a budding little photographer, a future hero, and their awesome parents!

We laughed, played, did some duck watching, tree climbing, flower picking… You know, the usual!

It was so great to have been able to meet up and hang out with the Francis family, and capture their smiles and moments together… even greater hearing that the scare was over and little E was going home!

I’m sure Mom & Dad agree when I say there’ll be no more of that Mr!!

I just LOVE this kid!!

I know, i can sense your eye roll from here… What kid don’t I love, right?

But seriously…this kid’s kind of awesome. Duck faces & all.

Say it isn’t so! You know you can’t!

♥

Let’s get back on track here… after all, this handsome little man didn’t come alone, and this Blog post is, after all, titled ‘Ross Family’ – so let’s not forget about Mom & Dad!!

(Though, since our first ever meeting for a maternity session ended with “You’re cool and all, but it’s you’re baby I’m really after…”, and they still called me back – I think they get me! We’re good!)

The day was unbelievably beautiful and sunny, ALL day…. that is, right up until a half hour before our session! The temp dropped, the fog and clouds rolled in…I was waiting to hear the thunder claps and downpour of rain.  It rained for maybe all of 60 seconds, and there was no thunder to be heard, so we decided to go for it, and just have fun with it – after all, everyone was all ready!!

I’m so glad we did!

We got some great shots, and as you can see… my favorite little man wasn’t going to let a little bit of weather (or a photo session) phase his plans! ♥

It’s that time of year…
The air is fresh and crisp, the leaves are changing, and it is just B.U.tiful outside!!

Perfect for a stroll with a family and a camera… if I do say so myself!

(luckily, I don’t… and lots of you seem to agree; otherwise I’d be chasing down strangers on walks? Creeeepy! No thanks.)

So, while at first glance this image may not have pleaded my case well…

These were not random children I followed along with a camera!

Mom & Dad came along, and they even brought along Bear & Marlie, the family dogs!  After all, if you’re getting family pictures done, why leave half the family at home?

We had a fun little stroll, exploring the area for nooks and crannies & unique places to pose by, goofing around with the kids, and watching our step verrrrry carefully, as, not only was it a little muddy, but also a popular dog walking area, so… y’know.

We managed to find quite a few sweet spots, and I was IN LOVE with so many images before i even got home!

In fact, it’s taken quite a bit of willpower to share just those sneak peek’s with you!!

♥

Brian and Jodi celebrated their wedding day on October 12, 2002.

I didn’t know them then. We met shortly after the birth of their first born, and seemed to see a whole lot of each other since then!

Not only does Jodi like to get pictures of her children often, she also has all these great ideas, props, and sometimes even costumes to incorporate.  Brian is always such a good sport about it all, (just don’t make him get dirty!), and all three of the kids have been at it since birth. It’s like second nature to them!

When we met this day, Jodi had the car filled with props and wardrobe changes, and was showing me all these ideas she’d ‘Pinned’.  Brian had that ‘here we go’ grin, and the kids were ready to just hit the beach running!

The phrase of the day was “Only you Jodi!”

From there on, there was posing, swinging, running, monkey bar climbing, running in the water, jumping off picnic tables, a whole lot of laughter, and most importantly….

…a love that’s stemmed even further back than the 10 years they’ll soon be celebrating!

Happy Anniversary Brian & Jodi!!

I recently had the pleasure of getting to hang out at the beach with the Galligan family.

It’s been about 3 years since the last time we got together for some pictures, so I was more than happy to be able to get together again and see how much the kids have grown!
And boy had they grown!

 We moved along the beach pretty quickly, trying to keep each pose more like a ‘new adventure’ for little sister.

I couldn’t have done it without big brother and sister to help me out every step of the way!

One “adventure” was, well, maybe not completely thought out…. and may have fallen apart in slow motion….

You see it, i know you do…. step, step….SPLAT!

Oops!

What’s a little mud between family?! Right?

We rallied, cheered, and encouraged…. again, with the help of big brother & sister…

 …and when all was said and done, everyone was still smiling!

When I first met this family, Mom was pregnant with the twin girls, and little R was this little shy guy who’d only glance at me in short spurts, when he thought I wasn’t looking!  Dad might be the only one who hasn’t changed much since then! (On the outside anyway – anyone with a daughter knows how much they change a Dad – and he got two of them!)  We’ve gotten together for a few sessions since then, and of course, I’m always amazed at how much everyone has grown.  Well, this session wasn’t any different – at first.  Of course the kids had grown, and Mom and Dad looked great and well rested!

(They’ve got their hands full!)

It wasn’t until we were really moving from place to place taking pictures, that it really hit me that little R hadn’t just grown…. he’d turned 3.  This mini-maturity thing hits most 3 year olds, and I just love it! He could have just talked and talked and talked with me all day!  He was totally prepared to show me that he could do whatever was asked of him, and more than willing to hold my hand across the bridges, so we could be safe!  He was such a love with his sisters too; laughing with them, and making them laugh.  He’d put his arm around them anytime he was near them in a picture…..

His sisters did some “maturing” since I’d last seen them too.  They’re reaching milestones, developing their own unique little characteristic traits… it’s so fun to see.  One cries, the other’s laughing, one needs attention, the other wants to explore!  It’s funny to see how they interact with each other, as well as react to each other.  Plus, I could just squeeze them & tickle and play with them all day!!  I asked big brother if I could just borrow them for a little while, and he said no.  I guess that’s fair.

I shouldn’t forget to mention, that I brought my oldest son (by a minute, but when you’re a twin, every second counts!) with me, as my “assistant”.  Apparently I wasn’t clear on what exactly he’d be assisting me with…. as he was waiting for his turn with the camera…… lol.  Did I make lugging around my bag and props sound glamorous??  Oops!  Haha!!
I ended up giving him my IPhone to take some pictures with, asked him to watch my back so I didn’t back-step myself right into the water (because someday I’m sure I will!), and just mostly let him do his thing.  Next time I might even bring along my spare camera and let him “second shoot”.  That is, if there is a next time…. he is 10 after all, and he quickly caught on that he was really there to be my bag boy, and wasn’t all together thrilled about it!

In true sharing fashion, here’s one of his sneak peek’s! ;)

It was, after all, taken with an IPhone…. imagine what the boy could do with a camera that has focusing apparatus!

It’s always an exciting (and nerve wracking) time when a fellow photographer asks you to take their pictures!

I was in just that position recently, except, that fellow photographer, she’s also my cousin! Double bonus!

She’s StephanieChristinePhotography

She’s pregnant and due any moment, triple bonus, annnnnd she wanted to bring her two other children along for some shots as well, quadruple and quintuple bonus!!

I know, I know… enough with the bonuses.  Sometimes I just get carried away!

But seriously, look at them!

The kids had a fun time jumping around in the mud, and chasing away the seagulls & ducks in between hopping in shots.  Stephanie, who’d expressed how she’d absolutely rather be ‘hiding’ behind the camera, posed so easily and beautifully – all while keeping an eye and ear on the lively duo!

Little A really got a kick (Ha!) out of belly bumping Mom!  She even came over to belly bump me; which i’m afraid was a little disappointing for her!  Ha!

We may have also done some clothes swapping and bare bellies in the park… there was barely anyone there, and we tried to keep it as PG as we could!  I just had to get some bare shots of that bump!

I’m glad to have had this opportunity, and that we were able to laugh and goof and joke the whole way through!

Thanks Steph!

“Did I just shoot my last beach session of the year?”

Yep, those were my first thoughts while getting into my car after this session.  Fall is rushing towards us – and don’t get me wrong I love Fall – but before we know it, it’ll be Winter.  Love Winter?  Me, not so much.  I don’t even think I can say I like it!  So you can see why my possible last beach session of the year might be just a little saddening….

BUT who can stay sad looking at the adorable faces?!  Maybe I’ll hang them up in my house during the winter to keep me happy! ;) (totally kidding – that’d be a little strange and my own children might feel a bit replaced! A Studio might solve that problem though! Someday right? Someday.)

I was so happy to finally meet this family after exchanging emails back and forth for a while.  The kids were too cute & so much fun!  Big brother had lots to say, and little sister had lots to mimic!   I heard lots of 3 year old facts & stories, shared lots of giggles, and had fun just goofing around. (doesn’t make for such a bad day at “work”, eh?)  Mom & Dad were able to just go with the flow and it made for some fun shots & great smiles!

I think I may have made lifelong friends, as big brother wanted me to follow him home when we were done!

Love it!

I’ll leave you with just one more… the very last shot of the day – try not to smile, I dare you!