My life summed up by Excel.

I just had an interesting evening of creating a personal weekly schedule for my kids and I to abide by now that we have three children attending three different schools. I had to laugh when Excel prompted me that my schedule took up 3 pages. Fitting it onto one page meant tiny little letters, that's how jam-packed we are this fall. I'm sure that many of you out there can relate. I feel much more in-control of this chaos when I have things written out and posted somewhere, just the act itself is more important to me than the final product; a confirmation that it "can be done". (I'll let you know!!)

It has been a busy couple of weeks to say the least so I have lots and lots of pictures to share, and I will spread it over a few days so that everyone gets their moment in the spotlight!

First of all, today was my middle daughter's first day of dance class at a real dance studio, and I have to show her off: (By the way, if you have a special event coming up in your child's life, such as the first day of school, a birthday party, or even a dance class/recital, be sure and check out the Personal Paparrazzi package that we now offer.)

Now that I have that proud mommy moment out of the way, check out this incredibly gorgeous couple expecting their first baby, a new addition to my baby planner family!

(one of the images below may be a little risque for some viewers)

2 more sneak peeks tomorrow--Christi, I know you're reading; you're next!

Another year rushes by.

I'm sure that's how it feels to Mom and Dad (I can totally sympathize!) The baby who had Dad choked up (and all of us, in turn) a year ago is now celebrating his first birthday, and in style I might add! Check out the faux-hawk on this little charmer:

And we were able to complete our "couch" series, check out what a difference a year makes:

1 week old

6 months old

1 year old And here are "the guys" together, it is so neat to see how much their love has grown and developed over the past year. Their shot together last year is my most asked about image!

And all you Plano moms and dads must stop by Dad's gym (www.nextlevelfitnessclub.com) and tell him what a mini-celebrity he is (and while you're at it, check out the gym...it's awesome!)

Tons of sneak peeks coming in the next couple of days, stay tuned!

My 100th Post!

Well I've been blogging now for almost a year, and according to Blogger, this makes my 100th time to post in my blog. Woooo hooo!!

To celebrate I thought we'd have a fun little contest. Leave a comment with your guess on how many sessions I have done since last August, and the closest without going over will win a $10 gift certificate to Itunes, or choose a $10 gift card to Starbucks! Keep in mind I was on maternity leave for 6 weeks last year, and sessions with my own kids don't count. Be sure and leave me a way to contact you if you win!

Also don't forget the Reprint Sale is still going on through Saturday, so today and tomorrow are your last chance to save big time on prints from your past sessions!

And finally I have a huge sneak peek for a few patient clients.

First up are the most recent recipients of the Emily Project session! Kenzi was born with cerebral palsy, and her smile literally brought the sunshine from behind the clouds the evening of our session. We drove up to pouring rain and started the session with the most beautiful sunshine we could have asked for. It was a miracle! Thor is Kenzi's protective twin brother: watch out ladies, ok??



Next up are my old friends, who, sadly for me, are ending their baby plan with this session. We first met when Mom, who could have been a professional maternity model and is all over my website, was 7 months pregnant. Now here he is, just over a year old. Every session with him has been so fun and easy and I'm going to miss his sweet little smile every few months!

And last but CERTAINLY not least, the gorgeous one year old who happens to belong to one of my dearest and oldest friends. Joining her already wonderful big sister, I have already warned Dad that he is going to be in BIG TROUBLE someday!!

Just a reminder--don't forget to nominate your friends and family who are in need for The Emily Project. We need nominations for August and September.

Those of you who haven't seen me in awhile may not know that since late April I have been in a splint for my ankle. Not exactly the most mobile device for someone who needs to get around quickly to chase her subjects. So I was very relieved to walk(limp) into this little guys' house and see that unlike my own baby, he sits exactly where you put him! Woo hoo! Not only was he easy, but his gorgeous family made the session easy as well.

Doesn't he have a great smile?

He and Daddy are big buddies:
The adoring parents:
Aren't they a beautiful family???!!

I'm still taking bookings for Fountain Sessions, call today if you are interested!

Deanna

Photographer Dreams

If you've ever waited tables in your lifetime, then you know what I'm talking about when I mention "Waiter Dreams". I haven't waited tables in over 10 years, and yet, still to this day I will wake up in a cold sweat thinking that I never brought tea and water to my sections and I'm "in the weeds". I have never had a "Photographer Dream" until last night, when I dreamt that the calls and emails were coming in faster than I could handle with clients wanting to know why their pictures had not been previewed on the blog yet :) I'm still behind, what can I say, it's summer, I'm on crutches with three kids--thank God my clients are in actuality the BEST and extremely understanding. That's a great part of my job, all my clients are moms and dads too and can relate!!


And here's another sneak peek for the patient mom of one of the most beautiful babies I have ever photographed...another boy with the gorgeous eyelashes (c'mon you boys, share the wealth!). I'm in love with him and hoping he'll be my son in law someday!! :)

And as promised, Maddy's new bathing suit from Little Heiress (and a self indulgent shot of all three of my kids)

Another baby plan completed!

I'm so sad that this one is coming to an end...you may recognize this beauty from my splash page of my website with her gorgeous Mommy. We started our Baby Plan when Bella was only 4 months old, and now she is a year and a half and such a cutie! She is actually quite an amazing child and I told Mom over and over that I think she is a genius...she speaks with the clarity of a 3 year old (actually, I could understand her a little better than my own 4 year old!) and loves to sing.

This family gets an extra big sneak peek for being so patient with me!
Here she is as a baby:

And now, more than a year later:

Thank you guys for letting me be a part of your lives for the past year, I will miss seeing Bella every few months!!

Happy 3 years to me!

**note** Pam and I always answer emails within 24-48 hours of receiving them. If you email me and do not hear back within that time period, I did not receive your message. You can call me at 972-596-5500. Also, because of my last name, my emails sometimes go into spam filters, so be sure and check your spam folder if you have not heard from me.**

I'm sitting here at my desk this evening filling out birthday cards for past clients who are having birthdays in the upcoming months, and I began feeling so melancholy when I saw how big some of them are getting. One 5 month old baby I shot for the cover of Baby Dallas is soon turning 3, two siblings that I have known since before the youngest was born are turning 8 and 6...where does the time go? Sometimes I have a bad day and feel very frustrated; that my work is trivial and meaningless...then I think back to the moments of capturing a 2 week old baby and then seeing him again for his 3rd birthday, and it hits me again why I love this job and why it is, indeed, important. One client once told me, "When I look back at his newborn pictures, it's like I can feel again what it was like to hold him at only 7 pounds, I can feel him melting into my chest again...what a treasure considering that now he runs from me at every opportunity."

This month marks 3 years since I quit my dayjob as a preschool director to follow this crazy dream full-time. If you ever get me alone for about half an hour, ask me to tell you the story (or read the condensed version here). In celebration of those of you who have stuck by me through thick and thin, especially those of you who have been there since $5 5x7's and $25 sitting fees :), I honor you with this look back :

2005

2007 20042007
2004 2006 20052006
2005
2007
2005 2007 2005

2007
Newborn-1yrNewborn-1yr And just for my own fun, my kids...2004-G's first birthday and my first digital images M, age 5- 20042003-still using film here!
2007, just M&G (baby was asleep), 8 and 4