Gift Idea!

Out of ideas for your loved ones for the Holidays?

Did you know that we sell gift certificates in any amount? The perfect gift for Grandparents, sisters, brothers, friends, teachers, husbands, wives, or even yourself :)

Even better, avoid the crowded malls and stores. Heck, don't even leave your chair! Just give us a call or send us an email, and we will mail your gift certificate right to you.

Clothes go out of style, gadgets become obsolete---portraits are the gift that lasts forever!

Thanksgiving according to my kids

Featuring Mikey-age 9, Gabby-age 4, and Maddy, age 13 months.

Q: What is Thanksgiving about?

Mikey: It’s about how the pilgrims met the Indians and they had a big feast. Americans celebrate it every November. And Canadians celebrate it in October. Canadians should probably celebrate it on the regular day.

Gabby: Being happy and having lots of food, playing games.

Maddy: Ah dah.

Q: What did the Pilgrims and Indians eat?

Mikey: Berries and turkey and pumpkin pie and corn and sweet potatoes and ham and cobbler and that’s about it.

Gabby: I dunno.

Maddy. AH Ca da.

Q: What's your favorite food at Thanksgiving?

Mikey: No question. Turkey!

Gabby: corn and cheese.

Maddy: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Q: Why do we eat turkey at Thanksgiving?

Mikey: Because the pilgrims had turkeys and we think it’s very very delicious. I’m not kidding.

Gabby: Because it's special

Maddy: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Q: Who’s going to win, the Cowboys or the Jets??

Mikey: I hope it’s the Cowboys because TONY ROMO ROCKS!

Gabby: The COWBOYS! Because they're COOL!

Maddy: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


Five things we're thankful for:

Mikey
1- Gabby
2- Turkey and pumpkin pie
3- Video games
4- My "Blame My Sister" shirt and all my t shirts
5- My mom

Gabby
1- My family
2- Noggin
3- My room
4- pigs or piglets
5- Dora Castle

Maddy (if she could talk)
1- my big brother and sister
2- milk in a sippy cup
3- Lovey our dog when she licks my face
4- dog food
5- my teeth

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

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!

My Mommy wanted to show you my first steps...

...but I had other plans. She's always following me around with that camera and I just can't take it anymore.

First she took me to the back patio but I was just too interested in the patterned brick to stand up...

Then she decided to take me out front. I love to make her crazy so I immediately started to walk when I saw that her camera settings weren't ready yet...She picked me back up, stood me up and told me to try again, because now her camera settings were right, but I just looked at her like she was nuts. You snooze, you lose, you know??My poor Mommy looked a little frazzled at this point so I decided to flash her this quick smile before I had a complete meltdown.

She says we'll try again tomorrow. We'll just see about that!

She's 10 months old now

Photography by the soon to be famous Michael Silvestre, age 8 (and you all can say you knew him when)

I haven't been posting much because I've been about 10 sessions behind in proofing thanks to my vacation, but starting to come up for air. Sneak peeks coming soon for all of you.

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)

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

Thank you!

Thanks so much everyone who came out to the Shops at Starwood today. Congratulations to my new friends who won the $150 gift certificate and also to my client Robin, who after lamenting all morning about not winning anything, got the call later that she had won the biggest prize of all- diamond earrings!! Happy Mother's Day to her! :) I managed to win some Rough Riders tickets and got an autograped t-shirt from the Rough Riders for my son, and then of course shopped Little Heiress for these outfits I just couldn't resist.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day ladies, I hope you get to kick back and relax!

Before I know it, she'll be asking to borrow my car

It is SO UNFAIR how fast the first 6 months of their lives go by. I mean, wasn't I just pregnant? I don't even remember, 6 months later, what she looked like as a newborn. Although I have to say, I am relieved to be sleeping at night again, and we just passed a major milestone- her first two teeth! She cries only when she is tired, hungry, or needs a diaper, other than that she is content to sit back and play with toys all day. She is about to crawl away and if any of us put her down long enough, she just might. I love her with every ounce of my being, every piece of my soul...my beautiful baby daughter.

And can I brag on my son...

He was the lead in his school play about Mozart last evening. He brought the house down...I am so proud. I only wish someone would have taken a picture of my proud, tear-stained face :)

Going to be a total blabbermouth tonight.

I've got a lot to say, so pull up a chair, sit back, and stay awhile!

First of all, I've had an amazing response to my mention of a parent workshop. It's definetly on. I'm working on finding a suitable location and nailing down some dates. I know they will be on Saturday mornings, probably in June and July. If anyone has ideas for locations I'm interested in suggestions. The workshop would focus on parents who just want to learn some basics of photography so they can take better photos when I'm not there :) We'll have a model and some fun giveaways, so stay tuned for more info.

Second, in honor of Earth Day, I wanted to mention a few things I'm doing to help my business "Go Green":

1. I'm going to try and use less paper by emailing info packets and pricelists whenever I can.

2. I'm going to be purchasing "Smart Strips" for all of my equipment and appliances to conserve energy.

3. I'll be replacing my current lightbulbs with the energy efficient type.

4. I will be re-using the packaging my lab sends me for other needs in my business (boxes, packaging, etc)

5. I will be turning off my computer when I am not using it. I am the worst about leaving it on 24 hours a day so I don't have to wait for it to boot.

I have to say that after watching the Discovery show Planet Earth, and seeing the polar bear swim 60 miles to find ice and then die from exhaustion...it made me think. It takes so little on my part to make a difference. If you have further suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.

Ok, and I know there was a third thing. I know it. But it's been the longest weekend EVER and I have mommy brain. Well, I guess I could show you the reason for my mommy brain, since she is 6 months old now (can you BELIEVE it??? Seems like just yesterday I was ridiculously trying to take your pictures with a giant belly)

For all you eye-color watchers out there...they're hazel, like mine!!! Never thought in a million years...

The sisters have bonded the past month... At Gab's soccer game Saturday. I look at her, I live with her, and I still can't believe how fast she's growing up.
Maybe tomorrow, if the Princess sleeps tonight (hahahahahaha), I will remember what else I was going to say. **sigh**

If you are a DFW mom, and you have a stroller,

Come stroller skate with me!!


Thursday mornings have become my favorite morning of the week. We discovered it on Spring Break, and now I am a regular...

Thunderbird Skating Center in Plano has a Stroller Skating session every Thursday morning. You rollerskate with your baby in a stroller. It's as fun as it sounds! And talk about a great workout! I take my girls every Thursday and some friends join us, we'd love to see you guys out there. I keep forgetting to take pictures with my "real" camera but here is an image with my camera phone: She sleeps through all the action...
She's only 4-they lock her skates for her and since it's not very crowded, I don't have to worry about her getting run over :)
And if you're wondering- yes, they play 80's pop songs like Thriller and there is a disco ball, nothing has changed since I was 8!

D