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Gavin’s Mommy decided to book a Slices of Life Mini Session so she could get a few updated photos of her little man and I’m <SO> glad she did. He’s just 15 months old but overflowing with personality already. Take a peek and see for yourself…
I think one of the nice things about the Slices of Life mini sessions is that they give someone who hasn’t had a full session with me the opportunity to sample what a lifeXpressions session is all about. This was the case for the first family I’m sharing today, allow me to introduce Lexi & her beautiful family. Lexi is only 8 years old but already has more personality than most of the adults I’ve met in my 30some years. What a hoot she was, she had ME laughing almost the entire time! Lexi’s Mom has seen the work I’ve done for her sister’s family over the years but for whatever reason hadn’t had her own lifeXpressions session yet. I’d like to think that she’s starting to wonder why on earth she waited so long. <grin> 
I don’t know about you, but as the mother of an 8 year old myself, when I first saw this next photo I got a big smile on my face and sighed. Nothin’ beats a little unprovoked snuggle, especially once they reach the age where they think they’re “too big” for snuggles. <sigh> They grow up way too fast. Thanks for coming out to the mini sessions guys, I hope we meet again soon!
I’ve got one more lovely family portrait session to share before I close this post. Anybody recognize this handsome little man? Hmm, maybe not, Liam has grown quite a bit since his debut in the Big Book of Babies. Gosh, come to think of it I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he’s grown more than 4 inches just since our session this past February. Almost 4 years old already and such a clever little guy.
Liam’s Mommy understands how fast time passes and how important it is to document your life with photos. She booked a spot in the mini sessions not only for updated holiday photos to send to friends and family, but also as a gift for Liam’s nanny who has been taking care of him for years. What a sweet gift! I’m only sharing one of Liam, his Mommy and his Nanny all together – I certainly don’t want to be responsible for spoiling any holiday surprises!
Hello, hello! Back again to share a few more sneak peeks from the recent Slices of Life mini sessions at the Secret Garden in Naples. I guess you could say I’ve got quite a history with the first lovely family I’m sharing. Mom found me when she was looking for a Naples photographer for her maternity and newborn portraits more than four years ago. I think it’s safe to assume she liked the first two sessions since it wasn’t long after those she signed the girls up for the JOY program and with that, three more sessions for the girls that next year. 
The girls are getting bigger now which means they don’t need me around quite as often, fortunately Mom does still call each year for updated family portraits. It’s always such a treat to see how much they’ve grown and changed in just one year. They’re certainly becoming beautiful little ladies, of course that’s really no surprise, just take a look at their gorgeous parents…
Just BEAUTIFUL girls!
Next I’ll share with you another totally adorable sibling pair that I’ve been photographing for quite a while now. Eli & Avery first stole my heart on a beach session in Naples more than 2 years ago. Avery was so sweet, she kept bringing little flowers to her big brother. The next year Mom invited me to their home for a totally fun “pajama party” style holiday session. They had a blast jumping on the bed and looked completely adorable in matching plaid pajamas. You might even say we had too much fun, I remember Eli was sad when the session ended. The little sweetheart didn’t want me to leave, so cute! When Mom called to sign them up for the garden mini sessions this year I was so excited to see them again and of course they are just as cute as ever!
Although this year I think a little stranger anxiety was setting in, inititally they were a little shy. Even my super-dooper-cool cow glasses did nothing for them. So what’s a girl to do when the cow glasses fail? Why stand on her head to get the shot of course!
I have to fess up, I didn’t really stand on my head and take their picture, I’m good but I’m not that good! Although I did literally take this photo upside down and backwards while shooting between my legs. That might have made a great outtake shot for Kelly to capture for the blog but honestly, I think at that point she was too busy pointing and laughing at me. Imagine my own surprise when I saw that the picture actually came out nicely composed and in focus! Perhaps I should shoot like that more often? Give ME fake smiles will ya?? I think not! <grin>
First of all I want to thank all of the wonderful families who joined me at the beautiful secret garden in Naples last week. It was pretty hot and sticky out but I have to say, the Slices of Life mini sessions were a fantastic success! Proofs will be online by October 10th unless we’ve made other arrangements. We had so much fun and captured so many fantastic images, I’ll be popping in to share sneak peeks throughout the next week, keep checking the blog for yours!
I have to share a little secret with you all, when I schedule a day of mini sessions like this I get so incredibly nervous before the big day. I worry that I’ll have a major camera malfunction right before the first client shows up or maybe all of the sudden neither of my cameras will turn on! Oh gosh, maybe I’ll run out of funny things to say or worse yet my brain will suddenly stop functioning altogether and I’ll have a creative meltdown with no ideas flowing between my head and my camera. I know, I know, it sounds silly but having so many different little personalities to work with during such a short time, one right after the other… *whew* it’s scary! Of course the moment I pick up my camera and start playing around with the children all of that fades away. I think that’s how I know I’m doing what I was meant to do, being a photographer I mean. I absolutely love being in the moment, making little faces light up and capturing those perfect moments in time.
I’d also like to take a moment to publicly thank Kelly, my wonderful assistant. GIRL, YOU ROCK! Thank you SO much for all your help! She was right beside me the entire time – melting in the heat, grabbing gear as needed, holding massive scrims over her head to keep the sunlight hitting where I wanted it to be and not where I didn’t. Not to mention having to be my comedic side kick for a few of the tougher nuts to crack. <grin>
When I wasn’t barking orders and making her hold large awkward things over her head for extended periods of time I let her play with my back up camera a little bit to capture some of the behind the scenes fun. I thought you might get a kick out of some of the strange spots I end up in trying to get ‘the shot’.
…like in the middle of a stream on a 12 inch rock…
… or peeking out from behind the bushes to surprise you (yeah, I’m tricky like that sometimes) …
… I think the end result is worth it though …
… some little ones just show up to the party full of smiles and ready to go …
Don’t I have the most beautiful clients? <sigh> Stay tuned to the blog, more sneak peeks are coming soon!
First, a quick status update for my Slices of Life mini session clients who are patiently awaiting their proofs. All Slices of Life proofs will be online Friday November 14th. Clients will be notified through email just as soon as the galleries are active with complete instructions on viewing and ordering.
Now for the fun stuff…I just have to sneak peek a few of Jaiden & Eliana. It seems like only yesterday little Eli was a sweet newborn all snuggled up in Daddy’s arms. Look at her now, growing up so quickly! At 2 years old she looks exactly like her big sister looked when we first met more than 3 years ago. Clearly good looks run in the family!
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The Slices of Life Mini Sessions will go on – and by golly we’ll have fun doing it! Ya gotta love a well prepared Dad! Kudos to Lilly’s Daddy for having the foresight to bring along some fun rain gear and the laid back attitude to make it all just ‘work’ regardless! Lilly’s Mommy is out of town at the moment and I know just how hard it is to be away from your little one so I’m hoping this sneak peek will bring a smile to her face.
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I have many more families and photos to share and I promise, more sneak peeks from the Slices of Life sessions very soon! This unusually icky weather backed up my sessions just a tad and I’ve got an early start on the beach tomorrow so this photographer must take time to recharge her batteries before a crazy busy week. However, I do want to take a moment to say thank you to all the wonderful families who made their way out in the rain and humidity to keep me company today, you are all AMAZING, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Stay tuned for your sneak peeks…..
Nite all!
