my large second family

What a fun afternoon this was! Photographing five kiddos of varying ages is tough when you're on your own, so I was super lucky to have Ryan and his entire family behind me (literally!) the whole time. They were so patient and helpful, and Ryan's niece and nephews couldn't be cuter.

Christmas update!

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!! I can't believe it's almost another new year already..

It has been a very interesting month. I have completed my final college exams, and I am now an official graduate! It's difficult to describe my post-school feelings, but relief and confusion are the two most prominent. Seventeen years of hard work (and sometimes not so hard work) have brought me to this great new chapter of my life, and as excited as I am, it's somewhat scary to face the world without the structure that school always provided. So... what now? I suppose only time will tell. As long as I can continue to do what I love, the rest will fall into place... I hope! :]

Speaking of doing what I love, my mom asked me to take some Christmas photos of my niece. We had a great time running around the back yard!

...and then we had some more fun running around the front yard. Look how proud her grandma is!

..and finally, after an hour of cardio, we went back inside where Nina showed off her drumming abilities. What a star!

dirty feet! :]

There is something so special about family sessions. And let me tell you, the little ones make certain you are never standing still! With only a second and a half allowed per pose, I feel the smallest people give me the greatest challenge and yet the most wonderful reward.

Alina and company

This was my first time photographing high school girls. To be honest, I was a bit nervous going into it, but I cannot begin to describe how much FUN it was! Alina, Josie, and Missy are absolutely adorable. Their nervousness in front of the camera turned out to be just the perfect combination of laughter and silliness. Thank you ladies for making this session so great! Here is a sneak peak:

..aww daddy!

Joadie & Ted

This wedding was very special, because my sister and I got to shoot it together. The plantation where Joadie and Ted got married was absolutely gorgeous (except for all the ant hills... and wasps), and the fact that they were so open minded and laid back made the whole experience a truly memorable occasion. Really, they reminded us of our family. It was great.

home is wherever we are if there's love there, too

Ah, finally! We are home, and we are so happy. I am now a proud room mate of three of the greatest troublemakers I've ever known. Our neighborhood is gorgeous, the location is perfect-although we are dangerously close to Starbucks and some great eateries. Come on, self discipline! We can do it!

I've also been staying busy outside of moving. It's safe to say I am over a week behind with photos and I don't even want to think about how behind I am with school. One more month, and I'll be graduated!!

For now, I'll do some quick updates of what else I've been up to. First, Angel & Jason:

a quick update..

Sooo this is the weekend! Ryan and I are packing up all our belongings and moving into a charming, shaded apartment in the heart of Palma Ceia with two of the best kitty cats on earth. The building was constructed in the 1920's, so the apartment has so much life and character- plus it has a real wood-burning fireplace, which will be perfect for that one week of the year when Florida temperatures drop below 60 :]

I am so excited, I can hardly stand it! But it is soo hard to peel myself away from the computer! The second I feel motivated enough to attack my bedroom, I walk in and look around at the mess and start whining and pouting like a kindgergartener arriving at school on the first day, clinging onto mom and crying,"Please don't make me!" But it really is an overwhelming task. I wish I could just sit on my patio and edit photos all day long. Just me, some espresso, and the lyrics of Ray Lamontagne.... ugh what a dreamer I am!

I was going to post a photo of my bedroom to show the craziness of it all, but I walked up to the open doorway, took one look inside, did a 180 degree turn on my heels, and walked right back to the computer. Some things are better left unseen. Trust me.

Wish me luck! Here we go..