Olivia's First Fashion Shoot

Can you believe this girl is only 13?  What a dish.  And she's my step-sister! I really wanted to do some really pretty portraits for this little lady, notsomuch for her parents (love you guys!) but for her.  Everyone who has been there can attest that 13 is a tough age.  It's everyone's "awkward year"...and for some of us that year became more like an era!  Not so for Olivia--or as I called her, "America's Next Top Model".  I really enjoyed teaching her how to pose, how to relax her face, and especially HOW TO SMILE!  It seems to be a bit of a struggle for all the kids in this family...most kids for that matter.  You say "smile" and they give you a huge, cheesy, toothy (if not gummy!) grin.  Cute sometimes, but not for this shoot!  It was hilarious because the best, most genuine smiles I got from her happened when I talked about my husband farting in his sleep...ah, kids! 

For this shoot, I was really going for something out of an Anthropology catalogue.  Earthy, ethereal, magic...like the beautiful fairy princess I know that she is.  We found a pretty cotton sundress, a little makeup (she is a teenager, after all!) and a feather necklace from an Avatar costume that we decided to use as a hippie headband.  We had other outfits picked out as well but it was really hot and muggy and we tired out before we could get her into another outfit.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!  Love you, Livie!

Kara, the mighty Aphrodite

July has been fairly busy...for me anyway.  I photographed my friend Mark for his business website, I traveled to South Carolina with family, house-sat for other family, and took head shot photos for my gorgeous sis-in-law, Kara.  We had such a blast shooting in the backyard by the corn...yes, we live in the country and corn is my perpetual backdrop...and with the setting sun and her golden hair, her images turned out very dreamy and ethereal!  It was so much fun taking her pics, that she wanted a turn behind the camera!  So we had a joint photo session, complete with boxed wine!  If only all my pics could be wine induced...

My little Celia

This summer, I have been "unemployed" and have been spending my days honing my photo skills on the only model I have around the house, all day, everyday--Celia.  In the evenings, when the light is most brilliant, I get out my camera and start shooting her while she plays in the backyard, much to her dismay.  Usually our little photoshoots consist of me constantly barking at her to "turn around", "look at mommy", or "please put your underpants back on"...so recently I have taken up being sneaky.  I tried taking pics through the sliding glass door, but we live in the country and our glass is usually dirty with doggy paw prints and little girl handprints.  I also tried staying far away from her, but with a long lens, and I find that if I am out of her face, she will continue to act out her favorite Disney movies, complete with songs, and the pics become magical!  Learning is fun!