2nd Annual Brazier family photo shoot

Before Christmas in 2007, I drove a couple of hours east to meet my lovely friend, Leslie, who was in town from Alabama spending the week at her in-law's house. We were going to take photos of her daughter, Olivia, but her mother-in-law suggested we take photos of the whole family. I was up for the challenge of posing all 8 of them, and they turned out well enough that I was asked to take them again this Christmas in addition to another family...Leslie's sister-in-law's in-laws...talk about confusing! But it went equally as smooth as last year while I worked quickly to avoid random sprinkles and wind gusts.

Meet the Torberts:




Meet the Braziers:

Chris & Stephanie

I usually give my clients the option of structure or nature as their backdrop. Chris, a great friend of mine since college, decided nature would be the best for him and his sister to take photos in. Unfortunately they didn't realize just how much I would immerse them in nature, and Stephanie showed up in some super cute and sparkly silver heels. Thankfully she's an outdoorsy girl at heart so she hung in there while I walked them across a shallow creek and past thorns to get some wonderful photos that will hopefully move their mother to tears on Christmas day.

Gone country

My sister, her husband, and her son are in the process of selling their home in the suburbs and moving to the country. We had a little get-together on her in-law's land where they will be building a house next year, and while I was there, I put my camera to use for fifteen minutes worth of family photos my nephew was finally able to cooperate for. My brother-in-law was actually the least cooperative of the trio. Nothing new. The first time I took photos of him for their engagement, I tried to make it as quick and painless as possible at his request. He certainly appreciated it, and since then I've always worked quickly with my clients doing my best not to make them work too hard just in case there are others out there like the brother-in-law.








It's pretty evident that country life will suit my nephew just fine.

Lora

My first photo session with Lora took place in her parents' living room on a huge ottoman about 2 weeks after she was born. She was tiny enough that we put her inside a stocking for her birth announcement/Christmas card photo. Ever since then, one of the reasons I look forward to this time of year is because I get to take new photos for her family's Christmas card. This year, was by far the most enjoyable because I finally got to take more photos of her with her parents. Amie and Toby were my second clients when I started taking photos in college. I really didn't know what I was doing then, but Amie was my sister's best friend from high school and her roommate in college so they saw the photos I took for my sister and her husband and the rest is history. Hopefully when Lora is 18, I'll still be her Christmas card photographer, or at least get the opportunity for senior photos.

J'Lee turned 1!

When I took J'Lee's photos for the first time when she was 8 months, I thought she couldn't be any more beautiful...until we took photos to celebrate her first birthday! Her personality has come out in full force in just a few short months, and I found myself being so caught up in enjoying her that I probably missed alot of great photo opportunities. There's something about this little girl that makes my heart swell and then melt every time I see her! This time she almost broke my heart when I (gently) removed a used cigarette butt from her hand and saw that bottom lip of hers start quivering as you will see below.

Be prepared for involuntary smiling and sighing as you scroll through...

The Swindles

Of all the photo shoots I've had, families are the fewest I've had the pleasure of working with, especially ones with toddlers and babies. I tend to take the laid back approach when working with little ones and just take what I can get, but when there are two more people added into the mix, I just never know how will turn out. Somehow it always goes well despite my worry as I'm driving to meet them. Stella turned one a few days after our photo shoot, so as planned, her parents put these photos on a slide show for the rest of their family to enjoy during her party. From what I was told the following week, they were a big hit, and I should hopefully have an annual session with the three of them - or possibly more as their family grows - and I can't wait!!

J'Lee

Over a month ago, I spent a little bit of time with J'Lee on the Hardin-Simmons campus so we could take some photos of her at 8 months after her mom and I finished a day of work. I don't know why I'm just now getting these on here, but that's how it goes with me sometimes. Without further delay, enjoy this beautiful little girl...













Don't worry, this won't be the last you'll see of her. We already have plans for her 1-year photos in a few months. I can't wait!!!!!!!