Whomever came up with the phrase “I just wanna squeeze you ’til you go ‘pop’” surely must have been talking about this little sweet pea. Here’s are three quick peeks from her session. Warning: there are many, many more with an even bigger squeeze factor. I LOVE the tippy toes! Stay tuned later this week for the rest!

… and you all know the rest of that saying. It has a double meaning with this post because she’s been super, super patient this week while I post-processed sessions conducted before hers and even peeled myself away from Photoshop to have dinner out with my dear husband. So it’s my hope that these images were well worth the wait. We got so lucky with this session in that beautiful light you get the hour before sunset. And the old vintage car was seriously a photographer’s dream … well, at least this photographer’s dream. You all know my love of things shabby, chippy and just plain run down, be it doors, buildings, chairs or cars.

But I digress …

Melissa and Mike will tell you good things definitely come to those who wait. Things like butterflies in your stomach, an embarrassed blush from a whisper and that special kind of smile only certain people ellicit from us. Oh yeah … and then there’s love. They’re tying the knot in October and I couldn’t be happier for them.

Enjoy some of my favorites images below and a special slideshow, too. And thanks, M&M, for waiting a little longer for these good, good things.

No, that’s not a misspelling, although it is after midnight, so anything’s possible. If you happened to be one of the many passersby during this session (there was a wedding going on the same evening in the same area), then you know what I mean when I write “Awe.” Yes, they’re crazy beautiful, but I - and many of our onlookers - found it even more compelling just watching them interact with their blue-eyed little wonder who clearly has them both wrapped around all 10 of her tiny fingers. And, without a doubt, she’s as in awe of them as they are of her.

I imagine that the first image below is exactly the look that’s going to get her ungrounded more than a few times. (Or at least a car). And, having a “binkie girl” myself, I couldn’t resist the shot of her “almost praying” with little hands folded, binkie securely positioned. I had a hard time choosing the blog images because there are seriously so many great “captures” out of this session. Some images begged for a rich black and white conversion, while others shouted color. See them all in the slideshow and keep watching the blog for more sessions this week!

Meet Skyler. Raspberry-blowing enthusiast. Future ballerina. Kansas Jayhawk, Class of 2030 (or somewhere thereabouts, the creative side of my brain won out tonight over the number-cruncher).

It was one of those mornings where the weather could have gone either way … the sky was overcast and there was a slight threat of sprinkles, but nothing for certain. So we kept our time because, to be honest, we all knew the overcast skies meant a reprieve from the heat. But, as luck would have it, the sprinkles stopped … and started … and stopped … and started as we sat in our cars waiting for a break. Finally, the sun peeked out and the dark clouds moved past, so we made a run for it. It was the first time I’ve ever shot holding an umbrella in one hand and my camera in the other (no pics of that I’m afraid!) in case of any last-minute downpours. But eventually, we had rich, deep colors from the recently soaked landscape and two little people ready to explore. I am in love with their gorgeous strawberry hair and green/blue eyes! And some of my favorite shots of siblings at this age are of the sheer delight that one-year-olds have taking steps with a big sister or brother. Just look at his face. It says it all.

Meet Jake, Morgan and their Mommy. Below are some of my favorites - be sure to check out the rest of the session in their slideshow.

And because she still doesn’t believe she’s that beautiful. To which I say a snappy “Girl, puh-leeze.”

(I think we can put that one to rest, don’t you?) And because patience isn’t her virtue. Come to think of it, it’s not mine either. Must run in the family.

But, my oh my … isn’t she glowing … You’ll have to wait until the weekend for the rest of this amazing engagement session and the full story. But for now, here’s one that caught my eye!

Just a quick post with a few additional images from this past week that caught my eye in post-processing. I love capturing the relationships between siblings and these two sets of brothers and sisters gave me plenty to work with! Also, watch the blog for sneak peeks next week of more beautiful little people from this past weekend’s sessions and an engagement session. In addition, I’ll be posting some samples of recent collages/storyboards, coffee table books and high school senior “friend” cards –  altogether some very creative, unique ways to display your images and share with others. I’ll be taking a break for the Fourth of July holiday beginning Friday through the weekend, but will return emails and voice mails Monday.

A few more of Luke and Emily … and their full slideshow here.

A really fun image of Calvin and Emma sharing one of life’s greatest simple pleasures … and their full slideshow here.

And, finally, another sweet, sweet image of little Anna fast asleep on mom … and her full slideshow here.

This sneak peek definitely falls into the category of “I wonder what she’s thinking …” When my daughter was born, some of my favorite moments were watching her while she slept and wondering what in the world she might be thinking as those little grins would curl her lips. Now that she’s a toddler, my husband and I have a pretty good idea she was plotting nearly a year of 30 minute naps (to the minute) and future escapades scaling the highest points of our home without a net. So I laughed out loud while I was post-processing these images of little Anna. Just three months old, but ever so expressive with every part of her little being.

I enjoyed this session so much, especially watching dad work his magic on her tummy troubles. If I had to caption the first image, it would have to be “he really can move mountains.” She was truly hanging on his every word.

During sessions with the littlest ones, I often stop and tell mom to “do what you do” … which basically means “feel free to pick her up, calm her, give her a pacifier, change her, nurse her” … whatever it takes to comfort and care for them as I’m shooting away. I’m so used to saying that, but this time, mom said to me, “He (dad) has his own little ways.” And it was truly special to watch. Congrats to mom and dad on this long-awaited, much-loved beautiful bundle. Enjoy some of the images that made me smile and watch for a slideshow this week and more sessions throughout the next year as Anna grows.

And it appears it is not illegal to be this cute. Not in any state.

Meet Emma and Calvin. Future supermodel (check out those eyes!) and first-birthday-boy-turned-rock-star. (Don’t you just love his little retro sneakers! I had no idea they made them that small, but they’re just the ticket for a little man on the move.) We got together at the park for some pre-birthday party images and, hands-down, the big hit of the morning was nothing more than a green lollipop and all its sticky splendor. Enjoy this sneak peek!