Carley needed some photos for a sorority application, and we had a deadline. With a storm rolling in the rush hour traffic to fight, we managed to pull these photos out right in time before the sky let loose. She needed a full body shot and a headshot for the application, so I gave her a variety to choose from :) Good luck Carley!

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to getting out of the city to photograph Kira & Jonathan's wedding at a quaint country setting in a few months! When Kira emailed me for wedding information, she made sure to include a photo from an Astros game that I had actually been to with them years ago and taken a photo of them at. Long long before I knew what I was doing. But really cool none the less! They made the drive from Lewisville to the Houston area for their engagement session and picked a location based on my suggestions. I was happy to see them pick my own engagement photo spot, and even more thrilled to make myself view the space in a different way than I had used it previously. I grew more excited with every snap, and couldn't wait to get home and edit. Kira brought the cutest signs to use and we plain had a good time.

I can't believe I didn't blog any sessions last week. I have so many to actually show you. What I DID post was important tho. A quick recap before I continue: For every session who's retainer fee is paid by May 15th, $25 will be donated to the Houston Walk of Hope! Already have more donations in the works...keep 'em coming!

So why havent I blogged sessions? It's as simple as I'm super busy. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. We are now 6 days into May and I'm fairly certain it is already the busiest month of the year so far. So many families and newborns to photograph this month, along with our 4 year wedding anniversary, a race weekend, and Justin won't let me forget...the new Star Trek Into Darkness release. We already saw Iron Man 3 too. Good as usual of course.

Why is it that I get the best ideas as I'm laying down for bed? I want to get right back up half the time and just go do them, but I know I already work too much and have to resist. So I resort to grabbing my phone and typing incomplete sentences into the notepad app. Notepad is currently storing my brainstorms for multiple additional blog post ideas, revisions to contracts, location ideas, and ways to help improve productivity. Perhaps my next bright idea should be to put those ideas in order & give them actual date deadlines, or I'm afraid they'll sit in digital la la land forever.

And with all of that - I leave you with a glimpse of a great engagement session waiting backstage to make a full appearance on the blog ;)



Have a great week y'all!
                                                                                                       

The 2013 Houston Walk of Hope will take place on May 18th. From their website:

The mission is simple—to build a community of support for people living with infertility and to raise awareness of a disease that impacts 7.3 million Americans.

The Walk of Hope is a day to for the infertility community and those that care about them to come together and raise awareness. People of all ages can participate as a walker or donor and raise awareness of how the disease of infertility impacts families nationwide. Funds raised from the Walk support local programming which includes support groups and educational events, public awareness initiatives, and advocacy efforts to ensure all family building options are available to all.

With your help, we will continue to offer hope to the 7.3 million Americans suffering with infertility, provide RESOLVE events and support programs to the 1 in 8 couples diagnosed with infertility, ensure that all family building options are available to all, and break the silence of infertility.

The Simpsons are just one of clients who went through the journey of infertility. I know of at least four more and am willing to bet more just havent shared it with me. At the very least, I hope maybe some of you find some inspiration through this, or through each other, or maybe just learn something or find some help on your journey.

Help me help all of you on a similar journey by donating more to the Walk of Hope.

Book a session with me and pay the retainer fee by May 15th, 2013.
For every session booked, I will donate an additional $25!

The Simpson's are halfway to their goal - let's get them all the way there!

Dont need a photo session but need bows for your little girl?

Check out Luneberry on facebook or etsy. Luneberry will also be donating part of her proceeds from headband sales now until the walk as well. See her work on all of Alysse's photos and order some cuteness for your own cutie :)

                                                                                                     

   It's definitely Monday. But this week is going to be great. Because I can SEE! Let me rephrase that...I can SEE without the help of glasses or contacts for the first time in almost 15 years. I had LASIK surgery last Thursday afternoon at the Mann Eye Institute in Sugar Land, TX. It was absolutely nuts. In a good way! Let me tell you about it...

If you've been contemplating getting it...do it. Make the consultation, it's free. It took me 4 years to make that phone call and I'm kicking myself for taking so long. I'm pretty sure the worst part of the entire thing was ripping off whatever it was that was holding my eyelids open...because I'm fairly certain it ripped out half of my eyelashes... But none the less, the rest of the actual procedure was virtually pain free. They walked me through the entire thing as it was happening, and told me every time I would feel pressure. And it was just that, a little bit of pressure...uncomfortable for just a second, and perfectly bearable. It took less than 10 minutes, and when I stook up to talk into the other room, I could already see...slightly hazy...but it was in focus! It was amazing. I slept all day afterwards as they instructed, drove myself to post-op the next morning, and was already seeing 20/25 in less than 24 hours. Another appointment this Friday and I'm looking forward to it. All of the personnel in the office are extremely friendly and accomodating, and were just as excited for me as I was. It's so wonderful to not have to reach for glasses in the mornings and not have to worry about taking my contacts out before bed or worry about falling asleep in them. Money well spent!!

Now rewind a few days from there...I got rear ended in my baby...my 2013 Black Mustang GT. I got rear ended...by a Harley motorcycle. Car is in the shop, motorcyclist had a couple surgeries on his ankle...all will be well eventually. But note to everyone reading... please do not assume that the person in front of you is going to run the light when it turns yellow/red. Do not follow too closely at any time. And just plain pay attention. Mmmkay? 'Cause it could have been worse. And is worse for a lot of people...daily.

If you've been on our facebook page or this blog for even a month, you have seen these friendly faces more than once. The Simpson Family is participating in the Houston Walk of Hope, supporting those people & families who face infertility. If you've followed their story from the beginning, or have just recently caught up, please consider joining me in donating to their team!



Have a great week y'all!

                                                                                                          

       I'm losing track of how many times Mallory & Chad have been in front of my camera... and it's more than you think! I photographed their pregnancy announcement too and for some strange reason I dont think I've blogged it! I'll be sure to include it with Caleb's newborn photos soon. But I definitely think Mallory & Chad are in the running for the top spot of most sessions with me, and I know they've personally had a hand in referring many of you my direction. I love these two to pieces and I could not be more excited about Caleb's arrival any day now - 38 weeks yesterday!