Tomatoes, mozzarella, lamb… perhaps unusual subjects for me but there is beauty in their colors, simplicity and textures and they are way easier to shoot than running kiddos!

Such an easy summer dinner – kids loved it!   Recipes here & here .  Maybe I should implement a foodie fridays blog entry?

Wheeeew long blog hiatus….. guilty!   I have sessions to share that I have been dragging my feet on putting up on the blog.  I am not sharing photo sessions today …  today I am something more valuable for all of us with small kids….  and it is easy and cute in case you are feeling crafty or in case you are as desperate as I was for something to help the kids get along!

Back in the days when I had only one child at home it was so easy to feel like a great parent – our house was picked up and peaceful!  Add a little fiery girl into the mix and I became a little more humble.  Turns out it wasn’t that we were great parents – we just happened to have a very happy and easy first child – Jack.   When Grace started to get a personality and some mobility the Williams sibling wars started.

I know how much my kids love each other but how could I help them to show that love to one another?  The idea came from the pros – the teachers at Jack’s school!   In his class they all can earn marbles for good behavior and once the jar is filled they have a marble party – this seems so simple but I know how it motivates all those first graders so well.   In our house we call it the love jar and now my kids earn marbles when they are showing love towards one another.  We have also started offering extra marbles for getting ready quickly in the AM (jack!), potty training sucess (grace!) and for doing extra special things around the house or going above and beyond.  When the jar gets a set amount of marbles – they get a reward that they can do together – an outing, a game etc… It is working so well that I thought I would share it.  Not rocket science at all but we always forgot to print charts, keep track of stars, etc… this is working!

We already had the marbles which sit in a tin can so we just added the jar from walmart, some ribbon and cute paper from Hobby Lobby and we were in business.  The best part is that the picture reminds them of what it is all about and the cuteness factor seems to be a further motivator.  With a photographer mommy I think my kids are highly visual but in general I think ALL kids love and respond better to beautiful things!  Don’t we all?

I hope everybody had a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Children are truly a GIFT from the LORD.  Each and everyday I am so thankful for being a mommy and for the heritage of the wonderful women that GOD put in my life.  I am blessed!

I know these images are going to bring JOY to Emma and Ethan’s mom.  Here is a sneak peek from our family session from mother’s day weekend – can’t wait to show you the rest!

I know that color photography is in – I know that funky, desaturated colors that give the image a vintage feel are in.  Or color that pops and makes you think of rainbows and butterflies and happy sunny summer days.  I get it,  and YES, I do offer color to my clients.  I am ok with color, I have enjoyed color more lately and I think it has its time and place – but the truth is – my heart will always be with black and white.  Why?  Well look at this image and you will know why.

This is a timeless image.  Beautiful, straight black and white that reminds me of my days in film *gasp – sometimes I wish we could just go back so I could say – no these can ONLY be black and white.  When the color fads are long gone, I will be glad to have my beautiful black and white prints that capture time without dating it.

Again, I am not saying that there is not a place for color (and yes I know grandma does NOT want a black and white photo cause that is all they had when they grew up!) – but do NOT kid yourselves.  Color .WILL. date. itself.  Crazy funky clothes WILL.MOST. DEFINITELY.date themselves.  Pull out your baby pictures and take a look at them.  Notice the lovely brown tones?  Notice how hideous the clothes are?  What were our parents thinking? ..  Our kids will be saying this someday!

Black and White neutralizes, brings focus into the subject and truly captures emotion.   Black and White is enduring art that you WILL cherish for years to come.  My dad was an amateur photographer and I have loads of black and white photography (that we developed ourselves in our tiny bathroom) I am SO glad those pictures are relevant and beautiful and timeless today.   I do not miss the color.  I need to scan some of them and prove it to you!

When you are choosing a photographer do think about what you want out of your images.  It is fine to have color in your life, and funky outfits that make you laugh.   Custom photography IS an investment and I know that there are plenty of choices out there, especially now that there is a huge boom in photography.  Everybody has access to a digital camera but not everybody can achieve the same results with it,  or create images that will stand the test of time.  If you want to invest in art  that captures your children’s childhoods,  I urge you to consider black and white once again,  and if you are thinking art worthy black and white then you should be giving ME a call.  I know that years down the road you will be so glad you did.

I found this awesome Free printable Chore chart at ModEcoKids and thought I would pass it along to my readers.   It is so fun and beautiful that I won’t mind having it hanging on my fridge and I know that nothing motivates my son like a chart  & it’s rewards.  I hope you enjoy it.  Be sure to visit ModEcoKids for more wonderful ideas.

* picture and chart by ModEcoKids

I am off to spend the day with my Valentine but wanted to wish you  LOVE !

I have so much to be thankful for…

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

What should we wear?  I hear this question every time that I book a session.  Clothes DO play a very important role in a successful photo shoot don’t they?  They add color, texture, fun & style to your images.

My absolute favorite Children’s store is Peek Aren’t You Curious – http://www.peekarentyoucurious.com – and we are lucky enough to have a location right here in Dallas at Northpark mall (my favorite mall hands down btw).  If you are unsure of what your kids should wear for a shoot, do yourself a favor and head to see my friends over there.  Not only are the clothes a dream to photograph but the ladies that work there (Shauna, Michelle & Claudia) are sweet friends of mine and super talented when it comes to helping you pick up styles that work great together.  Trust me!

To prove how awesome their stuff is here are a few pictures of what I bought for my own children there at Peek.  Since they opened we have been shopping there exclusively.  The quality is great, their designs are awesome and they carry great clothes for both boys and girls.   Moms of boys – you know how hard it is to find great boy clothes!  Anyway – when you go tell them I sent you!

Almost forgot this one!

We are back in town.  Not really enjoying this awful “Seattle-ish” weather that is doing a number on my schedule and trying to heal my back that I managed somehow to mess up while I was in FL.  Talking about FL – We had such a good time visiting with with our close friends Marla and Shane & finally meeting Darby and her sister Erika . One afternoon we ended hanging out in Erika’s beautiful backyard oasis and got some incredible images.  This is what happens when you mix a bunch of gorgeous kids, a little boat and some beautiful afternoon light.  Hmmm I really want a boat in my backyard now

My sweet Jack and Penelope – he wanted to take her home with him.  I love the images of Jack that I got.  They are so whimsical and I truly will treasure these as they capture something special about this stage in his childhood.

Jack with Marla’s Daughter.  They are great buddies!

Marla’s Kids – Love these kids!  Love this image!

Abby comes all the way from China – it is always a very special occasion when I get to take her picture when her family is in town…  can't wait to see this gorgeous piece of art hanging in Kunming!  Roger, she gets more and more gorgeous as she grows up! 

Please click on the image to see it bigger – this tiny view does not give it justice!

We love you guys!