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Here’s a fun family session with a twist! Mom decided to surprise Dad by doing a special session of portraits of herself as a gift to him. BRILLIANT! Now there’s the gift that keeps on giving! Ha!
And of course I’ve got to share a couple of her adorable girls too!!
I know, strange right? Me? Speechless?? It doesn’t happen often so I guess you’ll just have to enjoy it while it lasts. This family has been a part of the lifeXpressions family – MY FAMILY – since before Austin (their oldest) was born. Maternity and newborn sessions for each of their three children and holiday photos every year. I always knew they were wonderful parents and very special people. When Paxton came along my heart overflowed with joy for them and the new life coming in to the world. Unfortunately this was followed by grief and disbelief at the challenges they would soon have to overcome. Don’t feel badly for them though. Sure, Paxton and his family have had a long hard journey to get to where they are today but they are strong and such fighters. I am so very proud to be a part of their lives and hope to share many more memories with them for years to come!
I’ve told the story before so I’ll be brief in my explanation. For those who don’t know their story, you can read about Paxton’s birth here. Paxton was born with a very serious heart condition know as Hypoplastic left heart syndrome. But as you can see from the photos below, Paxton’s condition does not define the West family. Oh no, they are stronger, wackier, and have more love to share than ever before! Make no mistake, this family is blessed. Okay, time to share some of my favorite people with you all…Dave, you will not escape next time!! 
Ahh, the joys of little boys…
…Austin…
…Mason…
…Paxton…
A sneak peek of a recent beach session with my friends from Atlanta, Kevin and Riley (and some of mom too). I have been taking pictures of Kevin annually since he was only 13 months old and before every session there is some crisis that makes mom freak out and think we will never get to our session during her short stay in the area. We have (fingers crossed), yet to change the date or time of our photos in all the years…but we have had to work around a busted lip, a severe storm, sunburns, black eyes and more! But every time we have had a super fun time and captured some amazing memories.
This year although the forecast said rain, we had a beautiful day. It was super windy, but that couldn’t keep us from having our session. In 20 minutes flat we got photos of the kids in 2 outfits each, a few kisses for mom and lots and lots of smiles. Big brother, Kevin showed me a few teeth missing since the last time I photographed him and is becoming so tall it is hard to believe he will soon by 7 years old. But you have to love this boy, he could charm anyone with those huge blue eyes I love to photograph. Little sister, Riley who never wants to smile for me, had a whole new personality this year! She had so much fun letting me chase her and play hide and seek. And smiles, smiles and more smiles.
Thank you mom for sharing your beautiful family and friendship with me year after year, enjoy your sneak peek!
All done with this session….but one little grin left even with a thumb!
From the lifeXpressions facebook page this morning:
Murphy’s Law – You promise a newsletter and more frequent blog updates and then end up with two busted up fingers that make typing on the keyboard all but impossible. Yikes! Hang in there though, I will be good as new and back in action real soon!!
So now you know why I’ve been so quiet…trust me…it’s not a pretty site. Since I’ve managed to simultaneously damage one finger on EACH hand I’ve been reduced to hen pecking the keys with my index fingers. Owie!! Still, I have to share a few from a very fun session I recently photographed on Fort Myers Beach. They’ve been so patient, thank you guys! Here’s a little peek of the most adorable Johnny and his family. WHAT A HOOT they were to photograph, Johnny has energy to spare, bottle it up and sell it I say. Ha-ha
Thanks so much for having me capture your precious memories, I can’t wait to see you again and meet the rest of the family in the coming months! * Note to self – by new running shoes ’cause if the rest of the little ones are as fast as Johnny here I’m gonna need ‘em!
When I tell you that I am so lucky to have such wonderful clients to work with, I mean it with the utmost sincerity. I cherish the relationships we develop as the years pass, watching their children and families grow. Learning what’s special to them and being able to capture that vision and freeze precious moments in time. Each time they call to schedule that next session I admit it, I get excited to see them again. I wonder how much the children have grown, what they’re interested in now. As a parent AND a photographer I can see both sides of the coin if you will. Parents know how quickly their children grow and change but for me it’s like a giant fast-forward button has been pushed.
It seems like it was only yesterday when I first met Xander and his family on the beach in Naples. When I see the super cool dude he’s growing into I have to remind myself that it was actually way back in 2008 when I met them. You might remember Xander was the little guy taking flight over the Gulf of Mexico. The next year Mom called me to schedule a New Beginnings Session and of course I was thrilled to see them again. Mom is a knock-out, Dad is handsome as can be. What I love most of all, you can tell she is the queen of his universe. Every girl should be so lucky. And Xander, well, this little guy has personality to spare. Go ahead, take a peek at their maternity session and see for yourself. Then pop on over to this blog post to see their holiday session and see what a cutie Charlie has turned in to too. Clearly personality and good looks run in the family.
Fast forward to our most recent session when I met them at their Naples home to capture a few updated family portraits and celebrate the boys’ birthdays. Xander and I played with his Thomas the Train set while Charlie tried to charm me with his ‘shy face’. I’m told he does this when he likes someone. *smile* I won’t lie, chasing after these two energetic little guys wore me OUT. By the end of the session Xander was giving me high fives and little Charlie was snuggling in my arms melting my heart. So yeah, it was totally worth the effort. These are truly wonderful people. Great parents, loving, generous, beautiful people inside and out. When I photograph them I can see their love for each other in every.single.picture. After more than two years and five sessions together I’m proud just to be a small part of their lives and to call them my friends. Thank you Danielle and Gene, you are amazing and your children are amazing! ‘Till next time…xoxo
Ha-ha-ha We called this his “Baywatch Run”. Somebody was definitely hamming it up for the camera. *wink*
And in case you were wondering…these boys still love to fly!
Well hello out there!! I bet you were wondering if I’d ever get around to sharing some new session images! The holiday season has come and gone but the work cup is still overflowing around here and sadly, the blog is usually the victim left unattended to. We’ve been busy but it’s been fun! I have to say I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful job and so many wonderful families to work with every day. I’m looking forward to meeting even more fabulous people as we move through 2011!
Here are a few of my favorites from a recent family session at the Ritz Carlton in Naples. This family was AMAZING to work with. Four totally cute children, one very beauitful Mommy and one totally fun Daddy make for um 50 or so fantastic portraits to ensure their trip to Naples is never forgotten. Your package shipped out today guys, enjoy!! Hopefully we will have the opportunity to work together again real soon!
Introducing the “T” family; featuring Gavin, Ian, Luke and Avery. 
As you can see from the photos I’m sharing today this is a family that truly believes in letting kids be kids. Their love for each other and pure happiness radiates in every shot!
Oh and I think Dad works part time as a stunt man. <grin>
A child after my own heart! ha ha ha I thought I was the only one that jumped in the gulf fully dressed?
So cute!!
See the little legs poking out? Finding new ‘friends’ to play with is always fun!
Tis the season to be photographing families…fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la….or something like that anyway! I have been absolutely swamped with family sessions this year but you won’t hear me complaining! It’s been a real treat to meet some new faces and have the opportunity to photograph some of my very favorite clients again this holiday season. The family I’m sharing today happens to fall in the category of ‘very favorite clients I’m thrilled to be photographing again”.
This is just a quick post to share a few of baby Bryce whom I haven’t seen since his newborn session back in September of 2008, then it’s back to editing I go. I simply HAD to sneak peek a few of this little cutie for Mom and Dad though. You see, Bryce made me ALL OF US <grin> work a little to try and catch his sweet expressions. Suffice it to say the sand and surf held more fascination for him that me and my silly old camera. That’s okay, I understand little man, lots of cool stuff out there to see and explore! Still, before all was said and done, I do believe I was able to capture a few very sweet moments for Mom & Dad. Hopefully they’ll love them as much as I do. <3
