The Leonard Girls

I've known Emily and her mom for about 7 or 8 years now. I met them when I was a second grade teacher. Emily came to my class for math one hour a day and I knew her mom because she was a substitute teacher in our building. I remember Emily as a  bright, bubbly, model student. I really enjoyed having her for that hour a day.

Fast forward five years or so. My sweet Maddy was of an age where I felt like I could leave her with a babysitter. We usually used the grandparents, but they were not available this time.  I panicked for a moment until I remembered Emily! Even though I only had Emily for about an hour a day for a year, I didn't forget that personality (plus I knew her mom already - BONUS!). So she became our go-to babysitter when the grandparents were unavailable. My girls love her!

This year Emily is a sophomore and I can't believe it. My daughter is now the age Emily was when I met her. What an awesome role model this gal is for my girls! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after I read her pre-session questionnaire. I was amazed that a 16 year old could be so wise.  I know I wasn't at 16! This wonderful girl is an honor student and involved in everything under the sun at school. She walks to the beat of her own drum (or as she put it, the opposite direction in a crowd), she is creative, loves to write, play piano, sing (she's in a rock band!) and have fun with her friends.  I thought I'd get in touch with her mom to get some tips on raising my girls. ;)

Meet Miss Emily and her lovely mom and sisters....

What a gorgeous bunch!

I may post a few more as I edit. Stay tuned!

Tween time, part 2

Going through the photos of my session with Marissa, I realized I wanted to post a few more!

Marissa spotted the Liberty Tax guy in costume across the street!

Tween time!

Yesterday's temperature was a very welcome break from the crisp, 30º temps of the prior week.  Just in time for my session with Marissa! As a tween, (not a little kid, not a teen) I knew we'd have lots of laughs.  Real ones, and the fake ones in our laughing contest.  I wanted to capture who Marissa is in this stage. Still a playful kid, but on the horizon of being a young adult!

We headed to a new location to discover some new spots and had a lot of fun in the process. Here are a few of my favorites!

To see more, go to part 2!

I pledge......

...to take more photos of my family this year and DO SOMETHING WITH THEM! The "doing something with them" part has been eating at me for the last year or so as I fall further behind in creating family photo albums. (Not to mention my second child is 2.5 and there is no baby book in sight) Enter the 52 week family photo project! This is NOT my idea, but I love it! I learned about it through a wonderful photographer I follow (Brooke Snow) and she learned about it from her friend Rhonda. I have heard about the 365, photo-a-day projects, but this one fit my lifestyle so much better. I can do 1 photo a week! So I have set out to follow along with these two gals and have myself a fun little album full of memories at the end of the year.  Rhonda explains the whole project HERE. I love that she sets some rules to overcome her perfectionist tendencies, as she puts it. (wow, I relate to that!) I am already behind a bit, but no worries. At 1 photo a week, I can catch up. ;) I'll be posting a few of my photos now and then and per Rhonda's rules, I won't be changing anyone beforehand, straightening up anything or always dragging out my 5d (my rule). My iPhone will do just fine. Heck, I probably won't edit most of them.  Get 'er done. Capture the moment. Won't you join me?

The first week was photos in the car. We spend a lot of time in the car. I think a lot of moms can relate! This was snapped on the fly with my phone. Oh, and I was stopped in a parking lot, not driving!

Valentine's Day Cards

Just a sample of a cute little 4x5.5 card you could send to family, friends or classmates for Valentine's day. No one else will have one like this! This one would look great printed on pearl paper. Other sizes available. Don't miss out on this fun opportunity! Sessions still available. Read the post below for details.