Category Archives: Children

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Sneak Peek {Connell, Joseph, Eloise, Oliver, Wilson, Eliot & Family}|Captiva Family Beach Portraits

As Terrilyn and I were driving to Captiva for this session, there were dark, ominous clouds all around  us – along with a few lightening bolts and claps of thunder too.  We were *so* worried  the skies were going to open up and pour on us.  Nope.  No way.  We weren’t have any of that!   There were eleven (yes, 11)  members of this gorgeous family that we had to get photographed before it rained and we were on a mission!  Well, as it all turned out, the weather cooperated and before we knew it the session was under way and we were chasing some seriously cute kids up and down the beach.  Apparently, people in Texas  (that’s where they’re from) certainly know how to have a good time – everyone was giggling, and playing, and having a ball, as you can see.   Oh, and it didn’t take long for the kids to find some pretty cool sand castles on the beach to explore.  Check out that last picture!  Those  stormy clouds made for a pretty awesome backdrop, eh? Yep.  We know some people who can pull some strings from time to time <grin>.

Thank you all for letting us spend an evening with you – it was a great time, and we know you’ll have wonderful memories – and images – to cherish from your trip!

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Sneak Peek {Seth & Family} | Naples Family Portraits at The Secret Garden

A couple weeks ago, we had the pleasure of meeting Seth (who brought along his mom and dad), for a very fun session at the Secret Garden.  Terrilyn has photographed this beautiful family several times before – but this was my first time actually meeting them.  Well, let me just tell ya, Seth was just so stinkin‘ cute I could hardly stand it!   After some small talk with the star of the show, we decided to start out in the back of the property near the stream.  Seth was talking up a storm about how he wanted to get his feet wet (awwww!) .  So….we let him.  Yeah, we’re big pushovers here at lifeXpressions…it doesn’t take long at all for the little ones to wrap us around their fingers <…sigh…>.    Ok, back to the story.  Seth and Daddy cuddled up on the rock and dangled their feet in the stream – picture perfect!   Then Seth *tried* to sneak a smooch onto mama’s cheek….tried.  But, yeah, we’re always watching from behind that big lens and we  caught him in the act -  see below, Mom, for evidence <wink>.   See, I told you he was cute!

Seth, we’re smitten with you – so please don’t wait too long before coming back for another session!   In the meantime, make sure you keep giving Mommy lots of kisses, and Daddy too.  Thanks you guys – we had fun!

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Featured Session { Gwen, Grace & Grier } | Sanibel / Captiva Family Beach Portraits

On a glorious morning in the not-so-recent-past, Terrilyn and I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet, beautiful family while they were vacationing on Captiva Island.   They were staying at the *gorgeous* South Seas Island Resort, and we were both a little giddy with excitement that morning to check out this breathtaking destination once again.   In fact, it’s one of Parents Magazine’s Top 10 Beach Resorts for families.

This day was simply meant-to-be (some days are *just* like that, ya know?).   As we made our way down the dirt path lined with palm trees and mud puddles toward the beach,  the clouds began to separate from one another and the skies began to clear.  Then, sunshine poured on us like hot rain.  All I could think of was “wow, what a magnificent place to be!”     Gwen, Grace, and Grier (lovely little ladies!) were feeling it too!  Before we knew it  they had a little skip in their step, and were throwing handfuls of seashells back into the same waves that washed them ashore a long, long time ago.  They were splashing, and laughing, and running, and smiling from ear-to ear…all while mom and dad watched with hearts full of love.  Heck, even mom kicked off her shoes, grabbed her gorgeous girls, and hit the surf to jump waves  – yes, in their beautiful white dresses!

In fact, you would *never* know by looking at these images that we were all melting like popsicles into the sand.  It was hot, hot, hot!  Didn’t matter, because this family totally kept their cool  – everyone was smiling and having fun.  And THAT is what it’s all about.  Letting your hair down, feeling completely unbridled, laughing and being who you are – but yet knowing that your memories will be captured with skill, for you to cherish for lifetimes to come.

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Then, when the session was almost over, we went up to their balcony and captured this sweet image of the girls gazing at the ocean….and all I could think was: “penny for your thoughts?”

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Thank you Mom, Dad, Gwen, Grace, Grier for a spectacular morning.  We are so grateful you allowed us to capture these moments for you!

Sneak Peek { Hunter } | Naples Family Portraits at La Playa Beach Resort

Well hellooo there! Yes, I know it seems like it’s been an eternity since I’ve updated the blog. Between sessions and editing and my kids starting summer break and then our family vacation to the BEAUTIFUL Silver Springs State Park & Wild Waters, well, the blog has been on the bottom of the priority list and for that I apologize. However I have a treat for you today, this beautiful family was visiting the Naples beach area from Texas and what an amazing time we all had together. Mom was positively GLOWING and picked the most beautiful flowing white maternity dress I’ve ever seen. Dad was simply beaming with pride watching his family play in the surf and well, Hunter was just a charmer. That little guy had me wrapped around his finger in five minutes flat!

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

See – I told you they were gorgeous! Kelly and I had the extra special treat of getting to spend some time and capture a few fun moments of Hunter with his Grandparents too. It’s always a joy to get to meet extended family and not hard at all to see where those big blue eyes and charming personalities come from!

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

Ahh yes, it’s not really a lifeXpressions beach session until somebody gets wet! Usually that someone is me but I never turn down a good splash partner! I hope you all enjoyed your Fourth of July holiday weekend. Mom and Dad, hang tight I’ll have the rest of your proofs ready REAL soon! xoxo

Featured Session {Will, Natalie, Andrew, Corey & Cecilia} | Sanibel Island Family Beach Portraits

It’s time for another Featured Session!  These two families were vacationing on Sanibel a few weeks ago when we got the phone call to join them for a morning session … and boy did we have fun!  Once we found the secret path to the beach (which really wasn’t secret, it was just well hidden), we got down to business.  By the way, lifeXpressions’  translation of  ‘business’ is FUN!   Turns out that both families have been friends for some time and come to Sanibel often for vacation.  This trip, they were celebrating a milestone birthday making it all the more fun.

We’ll start with Will, Natalie and Andrew’s family – they’re from the East Coast of Florida.  They are also lovers of photography and, as you’ll see in a few frames, we *may* have ourselves another photographer in the making here!!!  How cute is that picture?!?  She and Terrilyn took pictures of each other and it was hilarious.  Natalie thought so too!  Her brothers, Will and Andrew, were a hoot too.  They had a lot of fun splashing us once they got a little warmed up.

Next is Corey & Celia’s family – they were visiting from New York.  *Someone* in this group was enjoying a lovely birthday weekend!  What a fantastic way to spend a weekend – on an island with your family and great friends. I think their happiness shows in their pictures – don’t you?  Mom and Dad look happy and relaxed.  The picture of Corey & Celia, holding her baby sister’s hand so tenderly, just melts my heart.  I absolutely LOVE that picture.  So sweet and endearing.

A BIG thank you to both families for allowing lifeXpressions to be your photographers for this wonderful occasion.  We really enjoyed ourselves and hope you did too!  Now, go enjoy being our Featured Session!

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Sneak Peek { Kiley & Olivia } | Naples Children’s Photographer

Just recently I had the opportunity to photograph these totally adorable cousins at the Naples Secret Garden. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing Kiley and Olivia a few times over the last three years and boy have they changed since our first session together in the summer of 2008. No longer little babies, but sweet, charming little girls just busting with energy and personality! Here’s a little sneak peek for both Moms who have been waiting patiently for their proofs, promise, they’ll be ready REAL soon!

Kiley and her sweet Mona Lisa smile…lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

*tickle*tickle* You girls were so cute together!

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

*MUAH* Blowing kisses right back at ya sweet Olivia!

Last but not least, here are a two adorable captures from my new staff photographer and assistant extraordinaire; Kelly Turner.

Yes, you heard that right, Kelly is training to do her own lifeXpressions custom portrait sessions. Stay tuned to the blog, more details will be coming soon!

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

Sneak Peek {Avian and Family, waiting for Aria…} | Naples Maternity and Family Portraits

This Sneak Peek is for a super sweet family down in Naples.  Mom contacted us just a few weeks ago for maternity and family pictures before the baby arrived and, well, it’s a GOOD thing we got these beautiful pictures when we did because I do believe mom had baby Aria less than a week after our session!   Talk about cutting it close {wink}!   But seriously – mom, dad, and big brother-to-be (Avian) were a joy to photograph.  We were even able to work our magic on Avian … I think the images show that his shyness didn’t last long!  He was very sweet, friendly, polite, goofy, flirty, and just a great four year old all around.

This is the first time mom is seeing her maternity pictures – and girl, you looked amazing!  When you look at these images, smile and cherish the miracle you have and the beauty of your pregnancy.  We’ll have a sneak peek up soon of Aria!

Congratulations on your new beautiful baby girl!

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