Category Archives: My Life

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Out Of Office Until Monday April 19

I’m excited to be heading to North Carolina with my dear friend and colleague Connie Groah of Barefoot Photography We’ll be working together on a commercial assignment capturing training images for the Marine Corps Civilian Police Academy at Camp Lejeune. This should prove to be a fun and challenging experience for us both. Check out the scene from Camp Lejeune below, doesn’t that look like an incredible location!?!urban-mout-training

All calls will be returned after I return to the office on Monday, April 19th. I’ll be working hard to get the proofing galleries online for those who are still waiting just as quickly as possible upon my return. In the mean time Kelly promises to keep the blog hopping with Sneak Peeks from our recent sessions, make sure you give her some comment love because we’ve got some truly wonderful stuff to share with you all!

Sneak Peek { Alex & Ben } | Naples Family Portraits at Delnor Wiggins Pass

So, we had another amazing session with two cutie pa-tooties.  Can you believe it?!  I can!  Oh, and Terrilyn was at it again.  Playing in the water with her camera {smile}:

I think Grandma & Grandpa were having a great time watching the session unfold:

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Wow, Terrilyn, where’s your surfboard?!?!?

0323Wilson-OuttakeWatch out for flying coconuts!!!

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We had so much fun with this family – Alex & Ben, I *know * your mommy & daddy are going to love the pictures!

Sneak Peek { Hunter, Owen & Oliver } | Naples Family Portraits at Delnor Wiggins Pass

Terrilyn and I have been having a BLAST lately with beach sessions…now that the weather has warmed up a bit!  This totally fun and adorable family was on vacation from Connecticut with their three (yes, THREE) boys who loved being chased through the surf by Terrilyn.  I was able to capture a few outtakes with my camera, and a couple of sneak peeks too that I thought I would share.  Mom and Dad, sit tight because your gallery will be online soon so you can see what Terrilyn captured for you!  In the meantime, take a peek:

Hunter, Owen and Oliver….not sure what to think:  jump the wave or run away from the lady with the camera?!

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Hmmm…..yeah, I think I’m gonna make a run for it.

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Terrilyn, didn’t your mom tell you not to go swimming with your camera?  Hee hee.  Nah, this is just Terrilyn doing what she does best:  getting everyone to have fun while she gets awesome pics!Ramee0319Outtake

This is my favorite….Hunter, Owen and Oliver all bracing themselves to jump that wave!

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Thanks for a great session boys!  We had a blast and left soaked, sandy, and smiling….what more can you ask for?!

Sneak Peek { Slices of Life } | Natural Portraits In Lush Naples Gardens

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

… or peeking out from behind the bushes to surprise you (yeah, I’m tricky like that sometimes) …

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

… I think the end result is worth it though …

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

… some little ones just show up to the party full of smiles and ready to go …

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

Don’t I have the most beautiful clients? <sigh> Stay tuned to the blog, more sneak peeks are coming soon!


lifeXpressions photography voted The Best of Fort Myers 2009

*toot* *toot*

We’d like to interrupt your regularly scheduled blog surfing for a little tooting of our own horn…

lifeXpressions photography best of ft myers award

Lifexpressions Photography has been selected for the 2009 Best of Fort Myers Award in the Photography category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.


THANK YOU! I am honored.

Sneak Peek { Prayers for a Very Special Family } | Lifestyle Portraits in Naples

Lifestyle portraits, yes, I think that would be an appropriate term for this session. I have been photographing this wonderful family since before baby number one {Austin, 3 yrs old} was born. Almost exactly one year later I was called to help them celebrate the arrival of number two {Mason, 2 years old}. Then, our session last fall, marked my fifth time working with this family and I have to admit, they just get cuter every year! Needless to say, when Mom called me announcing the impending arrival of baby #3 I was beyond thrilled!

I knew the session would be a challenge given the ages of the boys and the lack of duct tape in my camera bag. Luckily this Mom & Dad are two of the most wonderfully patient, calm, take-it-as-it-comes type of parents I have ever met. They don’t need, or necessarily want, some unattainable “perfect” family portrait. You know the kind where everyone sits like little angels and smiles for the camera on cue. That’s fiction! Life with two toddlers (soon to be three) is messy! They’re loud, they don’t stay in one place for more than a millisecond, and <gasp> dare I say it, they’re sometimes whiny. But oh gosh are they ever cute and if you take a deep breath, let them be who they are and let me capture that for you – you might just find yourself with a true portrait of a family in love. I’d like to dedicate the first two shots I’m sharing to wonderfully patient Mommy and those of you who email me thinking I just walk in the room and everything magically comes to order and the scene practically sets itself. Trust me, it ain’t always easy – but it sure is funny! ;)

ifexpressions 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

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

Mom and Dad seem to understand that with love, laughter and occasionally suffering through The Doodlebops together, they can survive all things.

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

It was just one week after our session together this family was dealt one of life’s most difficult hands. Their unborn child has been diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a very rare type of congenital heart disease which will require several surgeries throughout his young life, the first of which he will undergo at just one week old. Now that you’ve learned a little about this very special family, please take a moment to stop by their blog to offer your prayers and support as they make their way through this very difficult time.

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

Back To School | Estero Mom w/a Camera

Yup, that was me this morning, you might have noticed me if you were dropping your kids off today too. I was that frazzled looking Mom balancing huge bags of school supplies and a ridiculously large camera. In my defense, today is my baby’s first day of kindergarten. There are no more coming after her, we’re done. So each and every first with Olivia is also a last which makes it so bittersweet. On the one hand; she’s growing up, going to have all kinds of new experiences and learn about the world around her. Then on the other hand; she’s growing up, going to have all kinds of new experiences and learn about the world around her. hahaha Sad but true!

Enough of my moping about. This is a good thing right? Only 13 more years and I can have my husband all to myself again!! Bwahahaha Okay, who am I kidding?! They won’t leave, Trevor (my oldest) graduates from high school in two years and I think we’re going to have to physically escort him out of the house and plop him into a college dorm. He’s in absolutely no hurry to get out on his own. He went to school today cautiously optimistic, he’s a teenager so any optimism at all is always a good thing. He’s taking some college courses this year along with several honors classes so he definitely has his work cut out for him. I’m sure he can do it though!

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Nick, charming as ever, enters the 3rd grade this year. When we went to meet his teacher at open house the other night she already knew who he was…why am I not surprised to find that his reputation precedes him, and is this really a good thing? Being a big tough third grader means the only photos I can take of him are at the house before school. I’m no longer allowed to escort him into his classroom on the first day, I barely got a kiss at the door when he went in. It’s okay, I understand. I’m MOM and it’s totally uncool for your Mom to give you a kiss goodbye when you’re 8 and 3/4 years old.lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

Olivia on the other hand, she’s still young enough to enjoy kisses from her Mommy and pose for pictures. Good thing too because I had a case of Elmer’s glue in my bag and I wasn’t afraid to use it! Just look at her posing up there! Too funny. I tried to get a more natural shot of her but she wasn’t having it. “I wanna stand like a dancer Mommy, like this, see, take my picture now Mommy!” *giggle* Ya gotta love her!lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

I started to feel those tears coming when Nick took her hand and started to help her to class, that was a very proud Mommy moment for me.  Surprisingly, I didn’t cry when I dropped her off and thankfully neither did she. I really thought I would break out in tears at any second and I think her teacher thought so too because as I was leaving she called out to me, “You can call any time during the day and check on her if you’d like Mom!” Ha, she probably shouldn’t have told me that!!

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

Olivia made it easy for me though, she sat down in her chair, gave me a little smooch, said “Bye-bye Mommy” and started doing her morning work like she knew the drill and this was no big deal at all. *sigh* Okay, now I think I’m going to cry, only 4 hours, 6 minutes and 37 seconds until I can pick her up.