{Designer Spotlight & Giveaway!: Ingrid B. Designs}

This talented designer is one that I'm very excited to feature again!!   Ingrid B. Designs is based out of Arizona and all of her designs have been tested by her children before she sells them (to ensure they pass the kid- test) - smart lady :)  Her designs are fun, hip and durable {they wash well and all the seams are serged}.  She is having a Give-Away on her Facebook Business Page - Ingrid B.  Designs - check it out!

Below is a peak at Ingrid's Back to School Collection.  Brielle and I made it out of the desert just before the Monsoon's heavy rains began.  The sky was AMAZING!  And it changed within seconds.  The temperatures were high (110 degrees) but the clouds made it tolerable and Brielle was entertained the balloons - each of them getting away from her after the session.   So we ran after each one, laughing and amazed that they didn't pop.  Amazing, they hit the ground, the blazing rocks and still didn't pop.  I was relieved and Brielle thought it was a game, giggling & squealing as she chased each balloon and then raced to the car escaping the heat and the rain that was taunting us in the sky.

{My 'Low Down, Throw Down' Interview at 'The Maternal Lens'}

Not too long ago Shannon from 'The Maternal Lens' contacted me for an interview on their 'Low Down, Throw Down' segment.  I was flattered and happily agreed :)  What a fun interview - very creative questions that really made me think.  Thanks so much Shannon for allowing me to be a part of your 'Low Down ,Throw Down' (love that tag line by the way!).  If you haven't seen their blog, check it out it's packed full of awesomeness and creativity.

{Designer Spotlight: Janum}

As always, I'm giddy when designers contact me to photograph their clothing!  So when the designer of  New York based 'Janum' asked me to work with her I was thrilled.  Her designs are fun, fresh and hip.  I love that she's incorporated some 'boy' items (things my clients always ask for).  Tyler loved the guitar and baseball ties and I had to learn how to 'tie' a tie  - he laughed at me. lol.  She makes hair accessories too!   Janum's designs are very well made and wash nicely (something that I've already had one of her potential customers ask me about).  Important Note: Today and tomorrow are your last days to order before Janum takes a little time to catch-up on orders - she will reopen in August.  So hurry and check her stuff out!  :) Oh and for discounts and to get in on Janums promotions...join their facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/JanumDesigns

{My boy...}

He's growing up way too fast!  I still can't believe he's going to be in the second grade next year.  I vividly remember looking at him as a fresh little newborn thinking...this is going to pass and I'll have a toddler, a boy, a teenager, a young man.   This is my boy.  He had just lost his two front teeth when I took these about a month ago.  Such a huge thing for me... his baby teeth are falling out.  That's proof he's going to the next stage of life - I'm not ready for it but I'm cherishing each of them here and now and holding on to the memories of yesterday but looking forward to his future and what he'll be someday.  I love my boy.

{she's almost two!} Arizona Children's Photographer

It was  a hot evening (104 degrees) when I met beautiful Lyla but she greeted me with an enthusiastic  smile.   She was awesome in the heat and we made sure she was hydrated frequently ;-)  Faces were very flush showing how hot it was here in the desert.   Lyla was the easiest two year old I've ever photographed, it was like she knew what she was there for and she was going to do what we needed to do to get the shots.  Her mom made the adorable tutu you see below and the pink 'Yo Gabba Gabba' shirt and skirt.  She's very talented!  Here's a peak from our session.

{Designer Spotlight: Trendie Treasures}

A new clothing designer - well to me!! :)  When this designer, Trendie Treasures, contacting me it was several days before Brielle broke her arm.   So when these beautiful outfits arrived, little B was in a bright pink tattooed cast so we had to put things off.  But as I was getting more designers projects in the queue I was getting impatient and was lucky to work with this beautiful little girl.  She and my son, Tyler, are good friends and shared the same teacher this year in first grade. Her family is also new to Arizona (relatively) and moved here around the same time we did.   She was so at ease in front of the camera making this shoot easy, quick and fun - I love her elegance and poise.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of her again in the future spotlights ;-).  So here are just a few outfits from  Trendie Treasures Summer Clothing line.  Such fun summery colors :)  And the names she picked for them are very fitting: Bold, Bright & Beautiful and Perfect Pink Punch!  Check her out on Etsy :)

{I see red...}

Adorable red-haired little boys.  When I met these two at our session I was in awe at these handsome little boys with such adorable dimples.  The oldest boy was telling me about his upcoming Pirate Party for his birthday celebration - I could tell he was excited about it.  He gave me many expressions and I loved every one of them.   His little brother had his own agenda so I just followed his curious explorations.  He's a fast one so I got my work out.  Aren't these boys adorable?

{so new, so beautiful}

I was so excited to meet this little cutie!  She's was only 8 days old but seemed wiser and stronger than any 8 day old I've met.  This little dark haired beauty was lifting her head, trying to climb off my props and wanted to be stretched out.  There was no rolling up into a ball for this little one.  I think she knew better...she was in a big world where she could stretch and there was no need to be cramped, curled, or scrunched ;-)  Smart cookie.   I so enjoyed spending time and photographing her.

Above: A tutu that her mommy made for her before she was born.  Darling.

Below:  During one of our breaks.  I couldn't help but sneak a picture of her cupping her hands together happily eating.

{Handsome, Squishy Lil' Newborn}

***Squeal!***  I had so much fun photographing this little 10 day old baby boy. Isn't he adorable!!  The best part about photographing newborns is the fact that I get to hold such a new little life, hear their little squeals & grunts and I get to take my time with them (there's no rushing, we're on their schedules).   Of course it made me want to have a third baby sigh...but I'm just going to have to live vicariously through my clients instead ;-)  Here's a little peak at our session.

{No More Monkey's Jumping on the Bed}

That's right. We've experienced first hand that playful jumps on the couch can be painful to our 4 year old.  We were hosting a neighborhood gathering at our house when this happened to little B.  She's been such a trooper through all of this.  She split and bent her bone in her forearm/elbow.  A few days after she got her splint we had an appointment to get her arm casted but after doing more x-rays the Doctor told us that B had to go in for an surgery that night so they could straighten (break) bend in the bone that was putting pressure on her other bone.  Gosh was that a shock - it was heart breaking to see Brielle unaware of what was going to happen as we got her in her gown and in the hospital bed.  Her spirits were calm and peaceful, she colored and we played rhyming games for the 2 hours it took them to prep her.  She's amazing!  These pictures were taken the day after her procedure - her cast is wrapped with bandages because they split the cast down the middle to allow room for swelling after her surgery.   Again, she's coloring and blowing bubbles with her bubble gum :)   Note to Parents:  Don't let your Monkey's jump on the bed or couch in our case!  :(  Although I'm pretty sure this won't stop her.