I did a very special birthday session this week for my boyfriend* Curtis. Of course, that wasn't really his intention when he agreed to walk around exploring the old buildings of downtown Wharton with me, but having spent nearly 30 years together he seemed to take it in stride pretty well. And just look how cute he is!

* For those of you who've asked or perhaps silently wondered, my boyfriend has been my boyfriend since 1980 and my husband since 1982! ;-)



Ever since discovering that Wharton boasts one of the nation's few surviving TeePee Motels, Curtis had been wanting to stay there. What the birthday boy wants, the birthday boy gets:



Can you tell what he's doing in front of this incredibly realistic teepee?


Maybe it's a little bit easier to see in daylight. Curtis learned all of these moves when we visited the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation long ago and has been waiting for just the right opportunity to use them:

We also took some time to prowl around nearby Glen Flora, where the 1912 Emporium is still in operation as an antique store filled with treasures. Just inside these huge green doors is the open air elevator for lifting all manner of big things sold in the store way back when.

Just next door to the Emporium are the remains of two more old buildings. If only Glen Flora and Angleton were just a little closer together, I'd be doing all of my portrait sessions right here. Hmmmmm.... I think I'll suggest this spot for a certain bridal session coming up in the next few months:


We got creative and captured these shots to show that we were both there together:

I'd say that Curtis makes 50 look pretty doggone good, wouldn't you?

But what happens when we live God's way?

He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard --

things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.

We develop a willingness to stick with things,

a sense of compassion in the heart,

and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.

We find ourselves in loyal commitments,

not needing to force our way in life,

able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Galatians 5:22 MESSAGE

I'd like to introduce you to my almost-two-year-old friend Luke. Take a good long look at him while he's standing still...


...because now he's off and running!

And now he's throwing rocks and cackling like a mad man!

Luke suddenly stops in his tracks and says, "Wait a minute! What's that I see up there? It's a motorcycle! Motorcycles go vroom vroooooooooom. I'll be right back!"



If you haven't had a little boy around your house in a while, you've just been missing out on all sorts of fun. I know I had forgotten what it was like!

Luke's mom Katie is definitely up for the challenge and is the best playmate her boy could ever ask for:

You are just too much fun, Luke! I'm so glad you didn't let me get in your way or slow you down during this session, and I look forward to watching you zoom back and forth past me for many many years to come!

Pursue a righteous life --

a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy.

Run hard and fast in the faith.

Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 MESSAGE

What a privilege it is to be asked to photograph children as they grow up. This was my third session with Piper, and she's getting to be such a big girl! Soon she won't need Mama's fingers at all:


I think Piper may have a hunch that she is C.U.T.E.

The nice thing about photographing almost-one-year-olds is that they move around for a while and then they sit awhile. Then they move around a bit more before sitting a bit more.

As you can see, Piper inherited her fashion sense as well as her beauty from her mom, Tricia. I'm amazed that my camera could even handle these double-doses of gorgeousness:

Last but not least, the Starlet shot. If you look closely at the reflections in Piper's glasses, you'll see me crouched down behind the camera and Tricia waving her arms behind me. Not long afterwards we were both singing "Shake, shake, shake" while shaking our booties. Whatever it takes to get a great shot -- we paparazzi truly have very little shame:

Thanks for letting us use your beautiful grounds for this session, Sunny Hearts. And thanks again for giving me another excuse to crawl around on the ground, Piper and Tricia! I'm honored to capture just a fraction of your loveliness as well as your love for one another. May you enjoy this time of first steps and new horizons!

Put out Your hand and steady me.

Invigorate my soul so I can praise You well.

And should I wander off like a lost sheep -- seek me!

I'll recognize the sound of Your voice.

Psalm 119:173-176 MESSAGE

I'm not sure I've ever met anyone more proud to be a graduating senior than my friend Jamie. She loves her letter jacket, loves her Brazoswood Buccaneer T-shirt, and really loves her class ring. What a character!

I love photographing Jamie. She has no idea how truly beautiful she is, both inside and out.

One moment she's a child of wonder:

And the next moment she seems wise beyond her years:

I had so much fun doing this second session with you, Jamie! Thanks for being such a trooper and bravely going along with all of my crazy posing ideas. Let's do more!

I'm happy from the inside out,

and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.

Now You've got my feet on the life path,

all radiant from the shining of Your face.

Ever since You took my hand,

I'm on the right way.

Psalm 16:10-13 MESSAGE

Cristina and I went on an adventure for her senior session! We wandered around old downtown Freeport and found some quirky nooks that produced a great variety of shots. Of course we had to go down to the docks for a bit:

And also venture out on these train tracks that head out to a swing bridge (fortunately not in use while we were there!):

I love the old buildings that remain from Freeport's days as a bustling business area. There's such a wide range of bricks and stone and colors and glass:

We really liked the way this vacant storefront's black and white color scheme complemented Cristina's dress and killer shoes!

Even a weedy vacant lot looks great when a radiant girl stands in it!

Thanks for being willing to explore a new location with me, Cristina. Your fearless curiosity is sure to serve you and your future patients well!

Eat honey, dear child -- it's good for you --

and delicacies that melt in your mouth.

Likewise knowledge, and wisdom for your soul --

get that and your future's secured,

your hope is on solid rock.

Proverbs 24:13-14 MESSAGE

Get a look at this little man! Isn't he the most handsome redhead you've ever seen?!

As you might imagine, his mamma and daddy can't get enough of his scrumptious, snuggly goodness:

I think Cole much prefers to be the recipient of any kissing that goes on. Look at this face -- "Sheesh, I can't take you people ANYwhere!"

Thanks for letting me peek into your happy universe, Chris and Lenny. It's obvious how much you treasure your boy and rightly so. Kiss him and kiss him and kiss him, and then kiss him again for me!

Let Your love, God, shape my life

with salvation, exactly as You promised...

I'll stride freely through wide open spaces

as I look for Your truth and Your wisdom.

Psalm 119: 41, 45 MESSAGE

Not to steal Baby Micah's thunder (as if anyone could), but here are a few more shots I took during our session -- this time of Big Sister Mia. I mean, we had to do something while Micah took a little break for a snack and wardrobe change, right?

Yes, it's true. I could indeed spend every minute of the day taking pictures of this little girl. Next time I hope to catch her dancing and possibly even playing her Fisher-Price xylophone at the same time, a sight too sweet to try to put into words.

Your procession has come into view, O God,

the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.

In front are the singers, after them the musicians;

with them are the maidens playing tambourines...

Psalm 68:24-25