A couple of weeks ago, I got the chance to shoot some photos at Josie’s first birthday party. There were so many cute babies there, I was in heaven. :-) Josie actually shares her birthday, and shared the party, with her friend Parker. Parker’s dad and Josie’s dad have been friends for years and years. Both couples found out that they were expecting babies on the same day AND they happened to be born on the same day, at the same hospital. So it’s only fitting that this occasion was celebrated together too.

I love this first photo of them with their cake. Both of them look so uncertain. More of that at the end…

Some fun party details.

There was a mini moon bounce for the kids.

The beautiful birthday girl.

Okay, can you believe that this guy…was this guy??? Blows my mind how fast babies grow up.

…and the handsome birthday boy.

Colin is close to the same age as Little Gary and he wasn’t giving me any smiles. So I had to steal this one.

haha. A little lady.

Josie was not so sure she was so into the whole singing/cake thing.

Parker on the other hand seemed very excited for things to get going. :-) I just love this one.

Colin and RJ liked when Josie’s mom got the cake eating started.

The kids figured it out after not too long though. Their techniques were different. Josie sort of went for a facial and Parker was decorating the floor.

And these next two would be the end result. I love it!

Happy 1st Birthday Josie and Parker!!! :-)

I was just uploading a senior session I shot today with the lovely Ansley and this one caught my eye. Ansley and her mom braved the early morning hours with me and I think it was totally worth it. How perfect is this light? …and how gorgeous are her eyes…and skin? Ah…to be a high schooler who requires no retouching. ;-) It was an awesome morning and I can’t wait to blog lots more of these images. :-)

So a couple of weekends ago, after trying to plan time for a family portrait all Summer, Ashley and the Garys and I finally got a chance to do it. We spent the morning down at the Green Belt near Ashley’s parents house, and then we headed over to the lake. Let me tell you, as photogenic as Little Gary is, he was having none of my camera. :-) I think his internal dialogue for the entire shoot was, “don’t look at the camera, don’t look at the camera, don’t look at the camera…” He was pretty successful with this too, but luckily I managed to grab a few when he forgot his mission momentarily. So here’s just a few from the day.

I love this one above. I think they all look so, so happy…and they are…because Aunt Amy is dancing like a monkey behind me. hehe.

This is Gary’s “I am NOT smiling for you” face.

…but he did.

For some reason, this one takes me back to the days when he was “baby gary” instead of little gary. He just looks so innocent.

Love Ashley’s eyes in this one.

Love the way Ashley is looking up at him in this one.

Like father…like son.

Little Gary is at the age where he loves trucks…so I thought we’d do one on the hood. I think he’s thinking…”Yeah, you let me go and I am SO running across the hood of this truck.”

Gary and Aunt Amy

Easily my favorite. I love, love, love this one! Ashley’s mom and little Gary with Aunt Amy in the background. There is no shortage of love for this little guy.

Little Gary was rocking out on the piano here. I could have done a series, but I thought this one alone was perfect. :-)

Bubbles…

…and last but not least, a few of the family at the lake.

I’m so glad we finally got to do this session. :-) Hope it was worth the wait!