So the craziness of the “busy season” started.  Between trying to prepare for my 17th (yes, that is a 1 and a 7- still not sure how that happened) year of teaching, two little girls excited for the start of the school year along with being in soccer and gymnastics and attempting to enjoy the last drops of summer I spent a lot of time behind the camera.  It seems that I am only posting about weddings, but there is so much more that I love about being a photographer.  From the giggles of a baby to the craziness of trying to convince a pre-schooler that they can stop hiding behind their mom’s leg to the love between a family.  So I am going to try to add some of the things I have been doing … here it is.  This little beauty is the daughter of one of my former students.  She wasn’t so sure about me to begin with but she began to warm up as the session went one.  I just love the bright sun of summer along the creek.  She is a true blessing to anyone who meets her

I have had the distinct pleasure of having those sweet baby cheeks in front of my camera since she was newborn.  Daddy finally was able to come along to her 6 month session. Look at that smile, I think she might just be smitten with her daddy!

What an amazing family!  We got to go their Mama’s work where there was a beautiful lake along with some wonderful walking paths.  Now don’t get me wrong I love the smiling kid photos, but there is just something magical about this little girl giving me her serious face.  And look at that dress, makes me almost want to have another one to dress her up.  Almost… but never going to happen!

When I am asked again and again to do family photos, it warms my heart.  Pat and his family moved into their new home and asked for a few photos for housewarming and new address cards.  Seriously, how could I say no look at all those baby blues starring back at me.  I swear I may just have the most adorable clients!

When a high school friend who may have the most adorable little blonde hair girls asks me to do a full family photo session – 4 families.  I immediately respond with heck yeah!  Can I be any more lucky than these two sweet girls, who are so polite and eager.  Not only did I get to photograph them but the whole family, you were so much fun, they even brought a dog and a crazy cat along.  What a fun time!

And then my grandmother turned 90!  Yeah, you read that right.  We surprised her with a birthday party, family members traveled from Chicago, Kentucky, and Virginia to celebrate this woman.  Many of us haven’t seen each other in years.  It was pretty awesome, and of course I brought my camera along, when else do you get a chance to get everyone together?

And why stop with just my family, apparently it was the summer to get entire families together and celebrate the love that make them a family.  Wanda’s family was amazing, I had the pleasure of doing her daughter’s senior pictures the previous fall, when she asked for the entire family, even warning me about her father I was excited to see them all together.  Family is one of those things that someone should always know, love and cherish.  Creating memories that they will have for years makes me get all giddy with emotion.

All because two people feel in love!

Not only did I have the honor to photograph entire families, but brand new ones too.  There is just something so special about the squishy newness of a newborn.  This little girl gave me a run for my money, I actually had to go back the next day to try again.  On the second try, she rocked it.  The baby didn’t only do awesome, her big brothers were perfect too, they are even smiling.

And then I got to play with another little squishy happiness.  I photographed his big brother two years earlier, but this little man was just about perfect.  I could move him all around and never work up, he just liked his hands at his face a little too much.  And of course we had to add this adorable blanket that was specially made for him.  love it!

The flower field in Lancaster got a lot of new coverage, so when asked if I would be willing to do a session there of course I agreed.  I thought 9 am would be ok to start the session, but without a cloud in the sky it was very, very bright and hot.  Didn’t matter much though, these two little girls were adorable and it makes my heart happy to see other families enjoying all the fun, glitter and shenanigans of having two little girls. Three months might be my least favorite time to photograph a little one.  However, this little girl was perfect especially when she was on her changing table.  You usually can’t get smiles but she was so happy and her mama is so excited to do all the fun things that a girl brings including hair bows.  And of course her big brother was there for his three year old portraits, looking so dapper and adorable.

How cute is the little man, showing me how old he is.

When a friend from High School asks you to photograph her family for the third year in a row, you get all the happy feelings.  This little man has a smile that you know he is going to be so much trouble, but has a heart of gold.  And then the beauty and love this family is amazing.  They never cease to amaze me with the amount of laughter that comes from their simple interactions.  Mount Gretna is always a beautiful location and I love all the things it has to offer.

I am not sure why but this might be one of my favorite photos of the summer – her hair, her far off gaze.  It all together makes for an awesome shot

And to finish, look at that smile.  He wasn’t too excited for me to take pictures unless his toys were in the shot.  But I think it all worked out when you see his smile.

I want to thank all my clients, who many of them have become friends.  You bring so many smiles to my face and the fact that I get to be part of your lives and document all the little moments warms my heart.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  I hope I get to continue to do something I love.