This was one of my first shots (minus the post-processing effect, of course) of her session downtown and all I could think was “wow.” They say she’s the more serious one in her family, but – with the help of Mom – we figured out just the right things to get her laughing. I won’t tell a soul, but I can say it involved a belly button and was just what the doctor ordered when we’d exhausted so many of these amazing “serious” looks. By the end of our little adventure, she was flexing muscles and telling me where she wanted to shoot next.

Now that’s my kid of girl.

I think this age for custom child photography is one of the best … girls, especially, because they’re fairly tuned in to fashion, are developing lots of their own thoughts and ideas,  but still have that little girl “free spirit.” Below are a few of my favorites from a very big gallery of gorgeous Miss Natalie.

On another note: if you’re thinking Fall session, don’t hesitate a second longer to call and schedule. September is nearly full and October isn’t far behind. If you have availability for a weekday session, more options exist.

… to be a boy and have lashes this gorgeous.

I’ve been promising Carter’s mom that he’s next up on the blog for a few weeks now. Fortunately, I wasn’t lying – he really was next up. I just needed a few more hours in each day the past two weeks to focus on blogging. And that just hasn’t happened. So Grandma Gail is visiting (much to Bella’s delight) and I’m taking the next few days off to have fun and perhaps catch up on a few posts here.

So without further ado, meet Carter. Pensive little thinker with an inner adventurer. The one with the to-die-for-lashes. All boy.

The first image pretty much sums up the spirit of this session. In the midst of a few outfit changes and a pretty humid morning, we managed to play, jump, laugh, blow bubbles, chill … and capture these two beautiful summer boys. I instantly fell in love with this family.

I kept asking mom and dad where the baby got those stunning blue eyes and the quick answer was “Grandpa.” I had no idea just how much he resembled said Grandpa until I met him just a few weeks later for a 50th anniversary session. Turns out, they were spot on.  I plan on blogging them next, so stay tuned.

Remember those “unscripted moments” I talked about in the last blog post? Yep. The next image was another one of those. I was busy shooting big brother above and just happened to turn around and look behind me. There, on the grass was Dad and little guy just hanging out. I couldn’t have planned this one any better.

Let’s just say she wasn’t hot on the idea of wearing a skirt.

And striped leggings.

Oh. And did I mention a skirt with ….. (cough, cough) …. ruffles. In hot pink.

Anyone who knows my soccer shorts and t-shirt-wearing little tomboy, knows I had to pull out the big bribes for a whopping 20 minutes of camera time to capture her official four-year pictures.

But despite a 100 percent humidity day, buckets of sweat and the three ticks I came home with, I’d say these were worth it.

(And, yes, I’m trying out yet another blog frame for my images. One of these days, I might actually decide on one and stick to it. Until then …….)

The next two are “so Bella”: