Last weekend Charlotte & her daddy had a very special date :)  He asked her to be his princess for the evening at the Princess Ball at our church.  We’ve been talking about it a lot with her the last few weeks, so the anticipation had been building for quite awhile :)  She was so excited for this evening, and I loved helping her get ready for her prince :)  I’m so glad they had this special time together creating memories that will be dear to both their hearts. 

A few weeks before, I told Charlotte she would need to earn the chance to get her hair professionally done the day of the ball.  She was such a good girl, and definitely worked hard to earn that privilege!  My long-time stylist (& friend) Jenn Mauer of TM Hair Design did an updo for Charlotte, which she absolutely LOVED!  She was so cute and giggly - yet sat so still for Jenn. 

Then it was time for Charlotte to meet her prince :)  We painted nails, put on some makeup (such a treat - she was so excited!), and walked down the stairs to see her date waiting for her with a corsage that perfectly matched her dress :)  I snapped some pics before they left in his truck (she made it known ahead of time that she wanted him to drive them to the ball in his big white truck - maybe it’s the modern day version of big white horse?).  I sent the camera with Matt & gave specific instructions to take lots and lots of pictures :)  It was hard not going with them (I SO wanted to be a fly on the wall) - yet I loved knowing they were making memories between the two of them that only they would remember. 

Once she got home she was a chatterbox sharing all the evening held. A scavenger hunt through an Enchanted Forest, a princess cake in the middle of each table, goodie bags, a castle to get pictures in front of, etc etc…she could’t stop jabbering away :)  They had a wonderful time and I’m so thankful for a husband that makes ocassions like this important for our little girl.

…and I’m not talking about the temps ;)  This little sweet pea needed some time to warm up to me at first at her Sweet & Simple session.  You know, the typical 9 month old-I’m not smiling for a complete stranger-I don’t care if we only have 30 minutes and mom has gone through ridiculous amounts of stress just to make this session happen-I will smile when I’m good & ready- got it? :)  Oh, but watch out - when she finally did start warming up - this little girl has THE sweetest smile & a giggle that you feel all the way down in your toes.

Thanks S family for loving on your baby girl tonight for my camera - I loved capturing the connection between the three of you.  I know it seemed as if her session would never happen, but like I told you before - it is always worth the wait & tonight was absolutely perfect.  Here’s a teeny tiny sneak peek from your session (because there are a bajillion more just like this).

(these images have been fully retouched)

To book your Sweet & Simple mini session, send me an email & we’ll make it happen

Finishing up this gallery & found these two images of big brother that just made me smile :)  He’s 3, and was not really feeling me on the whole camera thing that night…so we played tag with mom & managed to get some great shots - whether he realized it or not :) 

Keisha - almost done!

This one is pretty self-explanatory :)  Finishing up this family’s gallery & this one was too cute to  not post.

I started photographing this family when the oldest (now three) was just 9 months old.  Now he has a baby brother who just celebrated his first birthday…where does the time go?   I just adore this family - photographing them is so easy & fun…it really doesn’t feel like work at all :) 

Don & Keisha - Thanks for a beautiful evening, and for sticking around to chat afterwards.  I hope you got your ice cream on the way home

My dear friend Ashley asked me to photograph her beautiful family as they celebrated the addition of a precious little boy.  It was such an honor because she & her husband are photographers as well.  I loved spending the afternoon with them and capturing some real moments in their home.  Thanks Andy & Ashley for entrusting me with your family’s memories - I love you guys!

Andy & Ashley are celebrating their wedding anniversary next week, and wanted a few images of just the two of them.  So many couples neglect to have photos taken of just them once they have children - such a shame!  Someday our children will treasure the photographs of their parents.  I’m so glad A & A thought to have these captured.

I just adore sweet little mouth-dropped-open-sleeping-newborns!

One of my faves…mom & dad doing what they do best

Til next time… xox,

S

I feel really, really honored to be posting this family on my blog.  They seriously are just about the sweetest, kindest, most genuine family.  Ok, just to explain a bit - this family of 5 (soon to be 6!) is part of the team with Life Action.  Two weeks ago, the Life Action team came to our church as part of a revival summit.  After two AMAZING, life-changing weeks, they are heading to their next location to bless even more Christ followers…but not before having some family photos taken :)  I am sad to see them go - you know how you meet someone & you just know you would be instant friends?  Yeah…this momma is like that :)  Not to mention that I think Charlotte would have moved into their RV and stayed forever if I would have let her ;)  I’ve gotta give these parents some major props - not only do they travel the country in an RV with 3 young children (and 1 in the oven), but they are also raising up some pretty amazing little people in the process.  I feel blessed to have spent some time with them & capture this phase of their lives.

xox,

S

That’s how many seconds my sweet little Clive was at 3:40 today.  Unfortunately, he has been fighting a fever today, so we celebrated with cupcakes with some tylenol on the side :)  Even though he wasn’t quite himself, we managed to get a few smiles out of him…and surprisingly he dove right into the cupcake (proof below) :)  He’s pretty smart - you’re never too sick for some dessert

Now if someone will just explain to me how my BABY went from this:

to THIS:

(help from big sis)

Off to go wonder where the last year went…

xox,

S

…and I’m not describing the adorable baby boy - I’m referring to how I felt after this session!  Spoiled by such an awesome fam, a cutie pie of a baby boy, and gorgeous evening light with springy temps!  I couldn’t have asked for a better session, truly!  Thanks Brandon & Amy for sharing your precious baby boy with me - I still can’t get his giggles out of my head 

Brandon & Amy are new to SKP & were excited to take advantage of my new Sweet & Simple mini sessions.  We had a blast in just 30 min and got TONS of images…they will be getting a CD with all of their images in just 2 weeks!  Pretty sweet, huh? 

(these images have been fully retouched)

 See what I mean?  I’m totally spoiled.