The nice thing about this group is most of them are pretty used to having me “all up in their face” with a camera, even the kiddos.  So, they just giggle for me like they are supposed to (with the exception of Chloe  ) and we go about our photo-taking business.  It works out perfectly.

This time around we walked the alleys of OKC to get some nice urban shots.  The sun was starting to set, the kids were awesome, the men behaved, and it was just as good as hanging with friends on any other given day.  Who knew I was actually working.  Thanks for that, you guys.

After review, I think these shots are turning out to be my favorite photos for each of these two families.  There’s so much personality that comes through.  I’m smiling just looking them over again.

Of course, like with any photo session, we started growing tired near the end.  It was time to hit 7-Eleven for a Dr.Pepper Icy (or that’s what the kiddos kept telling us).  I’m thinking I may have to make a run today, too, if it’s really true.  Do they seriously sell Dr. Pepper flavored frozen treats?  I’ll never be the same.

I met up with this crew in Midtown on a Monday morning.

AND, it just happened to be a CHILLY Monday morning.  We considered rescheduling, but decided to tough it out in hopes of getting some sunshine.  I felt so bad after we got there.  The alleys were so breezy and cold, but the Conway boys were troopers.  I can’t tell in even one of these photos that they were absolutely FREEZING to death!  No, really.  I mean they were flat cold…

and yet, they smiled for me anyway.  God love ‘em.

Even Mom showed me a grin or two.

It must have been my CHARMING personality.  Yep, that’s it.

Since Dad couldn’t be there to freeze along with us in the cold, Midtown alleys, this photo is JUST FOR HIM!

Have a GREAT BIG RED LOLLIPOP kind of day!  Happy Monday!

They think I’m a little crazy.  They’re probably right.

Our session was the first time they’d ever met me.  So, they had no idea what to expect.  Who can blame them?  If you’d met me for the first time without a friend telling you what type of thing goes on during our session, how would you have reacted…

when I told you to follow me through dark and nasty alley after alley?  You can imagine, right?

Well, picture it then.  Because, that is exactly how it all went down.

heh heh…

I think they were hoping for a small park…

not traipsing all throughout midtown with five kiddos in tow.  Thinking back makes me smile.  It’s a good thing they were willing to take a chance and go for it.

Just look how great the pics turned out. 

I hope Mom forgives me for the blisters on her feet.  I know Dad thought I was insane, but he went along with it anyway.  Thanks, Dad.

There’s plenty more where these came from.  Keep an eye on your inbox – the gallery will be online soon.

Happy Wednesday!

BUT, I’m here now.

I plan to make it up to you with an awesome family session (Dad happens to be a really old friend of mine).  I met up with them in Midtown OKC on Sunday.  We were blessed with PERFECT weather (if you don’t count the wind) – I didn’t even have to wear a jacket!

I immediately took to the smallest member of the crew.  She was a spitfire with a million different expressions.    She was super silly, too, which you all know is magic when working with me.    I happen to think SUPER SILLY is AWESOME!

You know how dads/men are when it comes to family photographs…

We constantly had to pick on him to get him to loosen up.  It’s okay, I enjoyed it.  I think his pretty wife did, too, which made me like her a WHOLE LOT.

She’s perfect for him!

I think they were a little surprised when I headed down the back alleyways looking for really old building nooks and falling apart, exposed brick.  BUT, once they see these photos, I know they’ll understand.  I love the way their shots turned out, windy hair and all.

As you’ve already seen, this shot is probably my favorite from the whole session.  She was such a doll!

I had a great time you guys!

What a completely awesome SUNDAY we were blessed with this weekend.  Christmas is right around the corner, cards are going out, decorations are in every nook and cranny, and God is good.

I enjoyed a perfect weekend by celebrating Ty’s 5th birthday (bounce house style), touring an inspirational home (our floor plan), and shooting some great sessions.  I’m now OFFICIALLY on vacation.  Unofficially, I’ll be proofing another four sessions and designing yet a few more Christmas cards to rush out the door. 

If you are wanting to schedule a session, the first available opening is in January.  Until then, I’ll be eating, drinking, and being VERY MERRY with family and friends.  Don’t worry, I’ll still be blogging.  I couldn’t leave you guys alone for long.  I’d miss you too much.

Come back this afternoon to see a super cute sneak peek of the Craig Family!  Adios and happy Monday!

Bonnie is proof that beauty comes at EVERY age.  She is awesome and inspiring and her smile is magical.  She lit up the alleyways as we did her shoot in Midtown.  The best part, she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the surface.

Her relationship with her daughter and family reminded me of how LOVE can fill you up so full you think you’ll burst.  They adore her.  She adores them.

So gorgeous.  AND, those blue eyes seemed as though they could bore into your soul.  The way she’d look back at the camera sometimes….

so knowing.

She recognizes the beauty of her life and lives it to the fullest.  She’s not afraid to laugh at herself.  and her smiles…

Her smiles are contagious.

Bonnie – thanks for a perfect session full of laughter, lots of chills (it was COLD!), and tons of fun!  You totally deserve it!

Our session day was a tiny bit (to say the VERY least) chilly, but somehow, amidst all the teeth chattering, we were able to grab some GREAT shots!  Here are my favorites!

This one looks just like his daddy…

The older he gets, the more I see it.

I love the way his hat turned out in these shots.  It really lets his personality shine through…and personality he’s got!  The next one is my absolute favorite…

Speaking of personality…

This spunky spitfire is definitely NOT lacking…and yet she looks so innocent in these shots.  HA!

If you wanna know where all that attitude comes from, look no further.

I happen to know where the kiddos picked it up.

Whew!  Talk about a total hottie!  AND, the two of them together….

Well, it doesn’t get much better, does it.

And, because their momma is so nice, we ended it with a big lollipop!

Thanks for another great session you guys!

As for myself, I’ve been out of bed a total of about 5 times since Saturday night.  After sleeping the ENTIRE day today, things are just barely starting to look up.  So, those of you who are waiting on call backs from me or who are waiting on prints, please bare with me.  I’m planning to start returning calls Tuesday morning (if my voice holds out).  If you’d like to get a quicker response, feel free to shoot me an email.

Okay, enough about that.  Here’s a sneak peek of the Dewey Family from last week.  Tina, I should have them ready for you VERY soon! 

Have a happy Tuesday!

Sutton is not one to love having his photos taken.  He makes “that” face when you try to get a photo.  You know, that face most of our kids tend to show us when we have them look our way for a photo?  That’s why it’s best to catch him (and your kids) off guard.  OR do something really silly.  Now, which one do you think I did?  Believe me, you don’t even want to know the things I was sayin’…

BUT, check these out!

I can’t wait to hear what his momma thinks of these.   She was working as hard as I was to get an original smile out of him.  I’m pretty sure the word “poopie” was said a time or two OR TEN.  You think it’s funny, don’t you?

Well, it worked….and that’s all that matters.  I’m never too good to stoop low enough (elementary boy level) to get a grin or two.

Whatever we did, it was well worth it.  I’m pretty sure these are gonna get framed REALLY big.

You know I’d do anything for a Cowboy fan, right?  Just sayin…

Sutton nailed the jump shot.  All he needs in this photo is a skateboard below him!

I love this next set. He’s really into Star Wars, which is why he’ll be wearing a costume from the movie.  As soon as I told him to show me some moves, he broke right out of that shell he was hiding in during our photos.

Sutton, I hope you have a great time on Saturday!  Be sure to save me some candy!

That goes for the rest of you, too!  My kiddos don’t like to share…

The funny thing is when they booked with me I assumed it was a family session.  So, when these two showed up, I was super surprised.  Then, I was excited.  I think this may have been my easiest session to date.  Seriously, just look at them…

The neatest part:  they were getting the photos to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.  Everyone say, “awwww”.

I had so much fun tormenting them.  The truth is they were fairly conservative and didn’t know quite what to expect when they arrived.  Once they met me, I think they may have been a little shocked…and worried.  So, I thought I’d torture them a bit more and make them step outside their comfort zone.  After all, it was their 20th anniversary, right?

I think they nearly died when I told them they had to make faces at each other, with me watching.  HA!  Makes me smile just thinking back…

Yep, that’s as crazy as they got.  REALLY.  If you think that’s funny, here’s what the first shot looked like after I said, “On the count of three, make a really funny face.”

I’m not sure they even moved.  HEE HEE!

Okay, okay, I’ll quit picking on you guys for now.  You did provide me with some pretty cool shots, huh.  I had a really great time with you both – thanks for letting me torment you a bit.