My Maddox at 4 Months!

Can't believe I have a little girl turning 6 in 2 months, a little boy turning 3 in just a couple of days, and this last precious addition who just turned 4 months.  Seems like both an eternity ago, and just yesterday he was born.  He couldn't be more perfect, with his big, gummy smile and twinkly eyes!  I couldn't narrow these down much more... he is just so cute (but then again I am a little biased!)

An honest question about originality....

Since having my 3rd beautiful baby, I have gone back and forth about my desire to continue scheduling sessions.  With exhaustion comes lack of creativity, as well as dread for everything scheduled.  However, over the past month Maddox has consistently slept 12 hours at night, bringing me to a more "normal" place physically and emotionally.  I find myself getting excited at the thought of learning more, coming up with new ideas, and bringing something very special into a family's living room.... not just walls of pictures,  but walls of art.
BUT.....
I think the thing that holds me back is frustration for a lack of originality.  It feels like with the internet (so awesome and so bad at the same time), so many of us are becoming so dependent on the ideas of everyone else, and not just photographers, but women in general.  I waste so much time looking at everyone else's blog to get photography ideas, parenting ideas, party ideas, cooking ideas, etc....  that if I would just spend half that time being a little more hands on, using my own brain and common sense, I could achieve so much more, and could learn so much more at the same time.  I let the comments and likes or dislikes of others sway me one direction or the other, instead of just doing what feels right to me and owning it.
Not to mention the fact that I don't feel like at this point I am all that different than all the other part time photographers all over the country (and there are lots!).  I know that I am good; I know I offer outstanding service to my clients;  I know I deserve what I charge.  But I don't want to be "good".  I want to be the best.  I want to bring something fabulous to the table that can't be found from anyone else.  I don't want someone to see my website and feel that there is any way they could call another photographer.
So....
I have decided to start scheduling some mini-sessions through August 1, 2011:  half price, half the typical session time, and half the # of images.  I am going to use these sessions as an opportunity to connect with my new clientele, get more familiar with the Fort Worth area, get my "creative juices flowing", and really focus on quality over quantity.  Simultaneously I am going to complete a new lighting workshop so that I can begin bringing even more to the table.  I hope that I can work on my "internet addiction" and can begin participating in my own life just a little more, instead of reading about everyone else's!

Little Miss Quinn

I am posting a ridiculous number of pics from this session, but geez, this is a pretty family!  I couldn't pick my favorites!

Born to be Wild!!!

I got the chance to take my little friend's pics for her 3rd B-day!!!  She is ADORABLE and this was the first time she ever smiled and posed for me.  Love you Sadie!!

Grayson Turns 1!!!

I offered to do these several weeks ago, and between kids' schedules, my schedule, and Paxton's schedule, I never could get away long enough to do them, or to even find a good spot for them.  We were out eating one night and I saw this wall and bench at the restaurant, and thought, this is the perfect spot for a bright, happy 1 year portrait, and for a few family shots!  So we met up for 30 minutes on a Sunday morning and got these knocked out.  I was WORRIED because Grayson is ON THE GO and sitting still was not an option.  I really wasn't sure what we ended up with.  But to my relief there were many more than I expected.  Good thing he is cute :) !  Thank you Laura for waiting FOREVER for me to deliver them to you!   Here are a few of my favorites.

Baby Ella!

Suppose since I have an 8 week old, I am naturally smitten with all tiny, cuddly, adorable babies.  No exception here.... this little girl was the most amazing baby to work with, sleeping so soundly, and who wouldn't love this pretty little face and head full of jet black hair!??  Sister is totally cute herself, and a definite ball of fire!  Mom and Dad have their hands full for the next few years.... believe me.... I am right in the middle of it myself!

My Maddox

Here are a few I snapped at around 1 month, and at around 7 weeks.  He's changing so much everyday!