Yay! Just look at all the fun photos I captured of Erin, who is usually pretty good at avoiding cameras. We started with silly and ended with sublime...


...and in between we explored the full range of Erin-ness. Isn't she marvelous?!

In fact, I think we discovered that Erin is really a country girl who should be surrounded by animals. She can talk to all of them, you know, and I'm pretty sure she could figure out how to get this old tractor running again:

I remember the Christmas Eve soooooooooo many years ago when our loud and crazy family cheered to hear that you'd been born, Erin Leigh. I don't know how we managed to have any fun before you got the party started! I hope you look closely at these portraits and see that you are just as uniquely beautiful as you are distinctively hilarious. Thanks just for being you.

Exercise daily in God -- no spiritual flabbiness, please!

Workouts in the gymnasium (and on the soccer field!) are useful,

but a disciplined life in God is far more so,

making you fit both today and forever.

You can count on this.

Take it to heart.

1 Timothy 4:7-9 MESSAGE

I've been blessed with the opportunity to photograph lots of beautiful families, fun toddlers and cuddly babies lately. Take this family for instance:


This was the very first portrait session for sweet Lila, who has the most expressive eyes I think I've ever seen:

Big sister Mary B's boots are definitely made for walkin'! She gave us all a run for our money but rewarded our patience with some nice action shots:

Did God pour the cuteness on this foursome or what?

I love watching parents interact with their kids. Each relationship is unique and wonderful, a reflection of the distinct qualities of both people involved:

And then when you put all four back together again, there's no telling what marvelous silliness and obvious connectedness will spill over:

Christy and Webb, your love for one another and your children is a glorious sight to behold. You've got your hands full but you share the load beautifully. Thanks for letting me watch for real-life moments that will always remind you of this time in your life!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

1 John 3:1

So Aaron is a pretty tough football player. You can tell that from his game face, right?

Except that Aaron also has a killer smile and he's not afraid to use it!

Honestly, it was harder to get shots of Aaron NOT smiling than with the big grin that seems to be his constant companion. I just happened to like several of his serious shots best for some reason. This one in particular is a new favorite of mine -- I just love the way the background looks like a painting:

You were exceptionally easy to work with, Aaron, and it was really fun to get to know you and your mom. I know you'll take UTSA by storm and win over everyone you meet there. That smile of yours is bound to open many doors!

A happy heart makes the face cheerful...

a cheerful look brings joy to the heart...

Proverbs 15:13, 30

It's fun being a great-aunt. I can just swoop in for a few hours, pose little children and take pictures to my heart's content, then jump in my car and drive home. I made a special trip to Pflugerville recently to meet Baby Avery. Isn't she the sweetest?


And here's her cousin Natalie, who is expecting a new baby at her house in August:

And finally, little big man Nathaniel, Avery's youngest big brother (the other two were at school during my visit):

Nathaniel has been getting lots of practice being the big kid in the house. He showed Natalie his Wii games and how to properly operate all 1,896,435 toys in the playroom:

Then he made time to come and snuggle with Avery for just a bit:

Thanks for sharing your sweet kiddos with me, Terri and Renee. It truly seems like only a couple of years have passed since I was taking pictures of two little giggly girls and their silly brother! It did my heart good to spend time with you, and these photos of your babies were well worth the drive -- even though the weather was too nasty to go outside and break in my beautiful new baby basket as planned. Next time!

He tends His flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart;

He gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 40:11

Welcome to Caitlin's world.



It's a world filled with flowers ...


... and not just one or two flowers, or a bunch of flowers in the background...


... we're talking an overflowing abundance of flowers, as in I'm pretty sure that Caitlin would be happy to sleep outside in a field of wildflowers if given half a chance!

Even though there are actually flowers in this next shot too, I prefer it in black and white because my eyes can relax and focus solely on Caitlin:

I hope these portraits give you a glimpse of just how wonderfully made you are, Caitlin. May you and your beloved flowers fill up the whole world with beauty. Be sure to keep us posted on the progress of your dream of becoming a florist!

Walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers.

They never primp or shop,

but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers --

most of which are never even seen --

don't you think He'll attend to you,

take pride in you,

do His best for you?

Matthew 6:28-30 MESSAGE

Twenty years! That's how long this family has been growing up together, and that's how many years' worth of trials and triumphs they've helped one another endure and celebrate.

Sam and Becky are mighty proud of their three kids, Nick, Nate and Savannah, and rightly so. Three distinct personalities complement one another beautifully whether they're cooperating or cutting up (which in this case was actually cooperating, since I'm the one who said, "Now tickle each other!!"):

I think 20 years is just the beginning for this marriage and the generations to come from it.

Enjoy your big celebration in a couple of weeks, Becky and Sam, and even more importantly, keep on enjoying one another and your wonderfully made family! I had a blast doing this session with you and getting a second peek into how you all get along.

And THIS is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife.

No longer two, they become "one flesh."

This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all.

Ephesians 5:31-32 MESSAGE

P.S. AWESOME outifts, you guys!

When you look for it, you realize that beauty is all around you. That's what Amber and I discovered as we prowled around my favorite part of Angleton with our creative thinking caps firmly in place. We found purple-headed weeds and intricate tiled designs ...


... richly rusted bars that are effortlessly leaving their mark on the world ...

... a stately, chocolate brown frame just right for standing in ...

... and one of the coolest walls either one of us had ever seen! It's usually hidden by cars parked in front of it:

Amber is an exceptionally even-keeled, down-to-earth kind of gal. She was not the least bit rattled by the wind ripping through town at approximately 8000 miles an hour. Messy hair? Who cares? Freezing cold? Nah, it feels great! Just this calm, steady gaze no matter what:

Look! The wind is blowing Amber like a spinning top! Well, not really, but it certainly wasn't out of the question:

Amber is graduating a year early to get a head start on her wonderful future, which is sure to be just as wonderful as her first 17 years have been. I'm so glad to have gotten to know you through our session together, Amber, and I'll be watching for reports of your certain success!

You get us ready for life:

You probe for our soft spots,

You knock off our rough edges.

And I'm feeling so fit, so safe:

made right, kept right.

Psalm 7:9 MESSAGE

My lovely friends Cristina and Jamie are here to remind you of a couple of important upcoming dates:

If you're a graduating senior or just happen to know one, Senior Mini-Session Days are a great way to save money on custom portraits! I choose the location and you simply bring your wonderfully made self. Each mini-session is 20 minutes and includes an online gallery of 10-12 edited images plus a basic print package that can be applied toward prints, graduation announcements and/or digital negatives. Prices begin at $150.

There are only two Senior Mini-Session Days left, and the next one is set for Wednesday, March 18. Call or email now to claim your spot!

Speaking of the Glen Flora Emporium, this little treasure called my name when we walked into the shop. I don't use many props in my portrait sessions, but I do believe you'll be seeing this in my newborn/infant shots from now on:

Isn't it dreamy?! It's 70+ years old and needs a bit of cleaning and a protective coat of something to contain the crackled paint before any little ones get near it, but I think it will be worth every minute of work! Now if only I could find some babies to try it out on...