Category Archives: My Life

Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.


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

October 2, 2009 – 5:37 pm

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!


By Terrilyn | Also posted in All Session Highlights, Behind The Scenes, Families, Slices of Life Minis | Comments (14)

lifeXpressions photography voted The Best of Fort Myers 2009

September 30, 2009 – 5:41 am

*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.

By Terrilyn | Also posted in Behind The Scenes, News & Events, News & Updates, Press | Comments (15)

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

September 4, 2009 – 9:03 pm

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

By Terrilyn | Also posted in All Session Highlights, Babies & Toddlers, Behind The Scenes, Families, Maternity | Comments (8)

Back To School | Estero Mom w/a Camera

August 24, 2009 – 10:10 am

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!

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

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.

By Terrilyn | Also posted in Family & Friends | Comments (15)

Our “Stay-cation” on Sanibel Island

August 11, 2009 – 2:29 pm

….was INCREDIBLE! Two days alone with my husband was beyond amazing. Topping the trip off by being able to share the beauty of Sanibel with my children for two more days made the trip feel complete. They really enjoyed collecting an amazing amount of sea shells and finding the elusive sand dollars. No one wanted to come home but I promised them we’d come back and play again real soon. :)

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

Trevor, in typical teenager fashion managed to avoid the camera completely. Nick is obviously quite proud of his shell collection as marked by his willingness to ‘pose’ with his prize collection. His only disappointment came from having to return to sea the ones with little buddies living inside them.

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

Olivia was in love with the little clam shells and convinced she could hear the ocean listening to them too. ha ha So cute! She’s my little love monkey and has a tendency to not want to let go of my side but by the second day she was running wild along the gulf coast. :)
lifexpressions photography family portrait session, fort myers florida, on location photographer, naples beach photographer, naples newborn photography, sibling portraits, sanibel beach portraits

Peek a boo – come out little crabby and say hi!

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

By Terrilyn | Also posted in Family & Friends, Travel With Me | Comments (9)

Move ‘em On, Head ‘em Out | Out of the Office ’till Aug 11

August 6, 2009 – 10:30 pm

Portrait sessions on the beaches of Sanibel IslandAs summer comes to a close we’ve managed to pack in one last little get-away but this get-away is for Mommy and Daddy only.

Yep, that’s right, my gang (shown above)  is going to go spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa and my sweet husband is whisking me away for an extended weekend on beautiful Sanibel Island. Aw, don’t be sad for them, they’ll have a fantastic time being spoiled rotten by my parents and then join us for a couple days of beach fun on Sunday. As for me, I’ll be back in the office totally refreshed and ready to go on Tuesday. Have a fantastic weekend everyone! :)

By Terrilyn | Also posted in Family & Friends, News & Events, News & Updates, Travel With Me | Comments (6)

Back To Work

July 14, 2009 – 1:08 pm

I am back and working hard at the office today playing catch up on phone calls and emails but I thought I’d take just a moment to share with you some of the beautiful sites I saw on my trip to Annapolis and D.C.

img_6271

Thomas Point Lighthouse

img_6330

The Capitol Building

img_6349

The Museum of Natural History (what an awesome place to use the fish eye lens eh?)

img_6378

The White House

I have to tell you, it was so nice having my own personal tour guide and a completely awesome photographer on hand at all times for the trip. I’m thinking the ‘personal vacation photographer’ is a service worth looking into for future trips, seriously! I don’t often get such amazing vacation photos with me in them, thank you to my dear friend Connie for putting up with me for the last four days. *smooch* You are the best girl!

img_6331That’s the Capitol Building behind me on the left and the State House in Annapolis on the right. Followed by a shot of me riding the Metro to D.C. for the very first time below.
img_6318

By Terrilyn | Also posted in Family & Friends, Travel With Me | Comments (15)