Shades of You Blog

Adorable Ahni

2008-07-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

I can't believe she's already 2 years old. This is my 4th time photographing this darling girl (if you count Mommy's maternity session--which I do!). To say that she is adorable is an understatement.

I have so many great shots of her.

We had our portraits taken last night!

2008-07-23T05:57:00.003-07:00

As I wrote in my previous entry, we were thrilled that John Michael Cooper (http://www.altf.com/) included us in his Pay It Forward project...which meant we had our family portrait done by him. This is momentous because...yes, its true....we have never had a family portrait taken. I think photographers must be the worst (I know that I am) about having their own photo taken.

Anyway, John really really wanted us to just dress like our "normal" selves. His theme is "roadside portraits" and we met at a corner in McKinney. So instead of getting dressed up and all "matchy", we just wore our regular clothes. Since it was about 100 degrees, this meant shorts. I have no idea of what the pics are going to look like, b/c I felt kind of dumpy in my regular clothes but I know that John will make something truly unique with them. And we were really so happy to have it be our whole family--which those who know us know that means our dogs.

Part of the project is that I am now going to do a complimentary session and print for another professional photographer. I have a couple of possibilities and am working out details. Will share more as things come together.

Here's a pic of me, Pat, Wilbur, Shanti, John, and his wonderful wife Dalisa--can't wait to see the portraits and will post as soon as I have something to share..

professsional photographers in the Dallas area...

2008-07-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

Pat and I are so excited that next week one of our favorite artists is going to be doing a family portrait for us. We love John Michael Cooper! And you can check out his work at http://www.altf.com/ . I can't even begin to have words for how moved we are that he chose us to participate. He is an amazing and truly gifted artist, with such talent and vision.

Anyway, we are having our portraits done as part of his project to Pay It Forward. The gist is that we get our portrait done by JMC and then we, in turn, do a family portrait for another professional photographer. Pretty cool, right?

Sooo...if you are a professional photographer (or know one) who would like a complimentary family portrait session (and free large print) we would love for you to email us (amy@shadesofyouphoto.com). Please briefly tell us about you and your family, why you would like to be photographed, and also, how long its been since you've had professional portraits. We will read all inquiries and then decide on the recipient.

We're really looking forward to this and will post pics on our blog as soon as we can!

I have a soft spot for this family..

2008-07-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

This sweet family came before baby Ethan arrived, and then came back yesterday with this wonderful 2 week old little peanut. Mom is stunning, and as nice as she is beautiful. And this Dad is so in love with his wife (and now his baby too). And the nicest man. Just such a pleasure to know them both.

I love the way the baby is touching Mom's face in this one--

And believe it or not, this moment was not posed. I was moving some stuff around and looked over and there they were having this moment. So lovely and moving.

Cutest little munchkin

2008-07-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

This little one was sooooooo cute. She actually had a pretty serious way about her but she gave me some grins along the way....but scroll down to the last pic. It's really funny.

This last pic just cracks me up. It looks like she's thinking "ho hum. I'm bored of this. Somebody order the pizza and put on So You Think You Can Dance already".

little girls are so much fun!

2008-06-19T15:34:00.001-07:00

I have to say that Alexis is one of my very favorite little girls. We've been friends for a long time and I always have such a great time with her. How pretty is this girl? Take a look for yourself (and let me tell you, she is even sweeter than she is pretty)...

Her mom is one of the best moms that I know. She has such an amazing relationship with both of her kids. Its inspiring to see them together.

Oh, yeah...and you gotta love the shoes. A girl after my own heart!

What a cutie!

2008-06-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

I have been looking forward to this little cutie for the longest time! I have so many good pics but am super short on time. Just wanted to put a few up here for Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma to see. She's definitely going on the studio wall!

Sweet little peanut

2008-06-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

I thought that I had a great maternity session with this family, but then we had the newborn session. Oh my gosh! This little peanut pretty much slept the entire time. It was heavenly. Sweet, fun parents + amazing baby = fun for me!

Wonderful workshop

2008-06-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Pat and I were so lucky to have attended an amazing workshop this week. Rob Heyman is a triple master photographer with the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. He is one of the top photographers in Australia. We got to spend 2 days with Rob, his wife Shirl, and some really nice local photographers. So inspiring. If you'd like to see some amazing photography, Rob's website is http://www.heymanphoto.com/

Pat took this pic of me with Rob. Although, I really don't like to have my pic taken at all...but when you are sitting there with one of your idols, who's work inspires you like crazy...well you just have to suck it up and get your picture taken, right?

We followed Rob around Deep Ellum as he photographed a truly beautiful family. Pat got this fabulous shot of Dad with the girls.

I got this gorgeous shot of the beautiful mom with her amazing son.

A couple of my faves of the 2 girls..

A sweet kiss for Mom and Dad..

Thank you so much Rob, Shirl, and Cheryl, for everything. I learned so much that I can barely contain myself!

I love this family...

2008-06-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have to say, this family is so special to me. I've done their portraits for several years now and each time I am reminded of how sweet they are and how much I love being a part of their family's memories. Each session is so much fun, and there is just so much love there.

Christy and Andrew

2008-05-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Can you get much more in love than this couple? Um...I think not. I don't have words for how much I enjoyed my time with them. I have a ton of great pics...I feel terrible that its taken me so long to post just this few here...but I have been just swamped. I couldn't wait one more day to share a few with everyone.

This is love...

Our little "audience"

2008-05-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

Aren't they cute?? This is our little "audience" when we are getting ready for work in the mornings. They are so cute that its actually distracting b/c I have to stop and give kisses!

And...since I'm gushing anyway---who's the cutest puppy in the world?? Shanti is. Its a good thing she's so cute, too, because she is a little pistol!

Pretty high "cuteness factor"

2008-04-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

What a fun baby. I love this age--sitting up but not really on the move yet. They are just a fun time waiting to happen. And this little pumpkin---well, she scores pretty high on the cuteness factor!

fun in Phoenix

2008-04-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

Guess who's the princess of the family here? I think this is the sweetest little girl in the world and she has totally amazing big brothers (and Mommy and Daddy) who adore her. "Fun" would be an understatement--I had a blast. I love her face in the last pic...she was giving a big "mush" of a hug.

Absolutely stunning...

2008-04-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing time with this stunning mom-to-be last week. She was so beautiful, inside and out. It makes such a huge difference in the session when things are comfortable and relaxed. When someone is brave enough to really open up it just shows in the images. I can't wait for the proofing---I just know she's going to love these! And look how cute when the clothing is from their own closet...

Fun boys...

2008-04-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

Pat and I had a great time with these two brothers recently. It was a lot of fun to leave the studio and get to spend time at their home instead. And it was a lot of fun to get to work with some kiddos that were a little bit "older". They were both really great kids and it was such a pleasure to spend some time getting to know them...and that is what I really hope comes through whenever I have a session...an essence of the person that they are inside. Without a lot of distraction or clutter...just them.

They were adorable together. So close. And they had a fabulous tree in the back yard to play with. What fun! I know I sort of went crazy putting so many pics on the blog, but I just can't help myself. There were so many great ones to choose from!

Look at these gorgous eyes

This was fun!

2008-03-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

Its really fun (and often challanging) when I get to go to a client's home and make use of their space and their "stuff". I've taken portraits of this little guy since he was a newborn and it is always such a treat to spend time with him and his beautiful mommy. Today we even got to include the other "child" in the family--an adorable bulldog. Fun morning!

Pregnancy sure is pretty...

2008-03-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful mom-to-be. Another fun session~

Roxana...a very lovely VERY soon-to-be mommy

2008-03-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Roxanna is having her baby in 5 days. I am so happy that I was able to share this special time with her. It was a lovely session filled with wonderful anticipation. I always feel so honored that I get to share these moments with my clients.

Roxanna...you said that you like the tint..so this one is especially for you--

Sometimes you just need a good nap..

2008-02-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

Pat took these great pics of Wilbur and Shanti taking a nap in my lap. Yep. A nice sun spot on Mommy's lap--how pampered are these pooches? It was a sweet snuggle time.

Michelle and Michael

2008-02-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

Today I had one of those sessions that reminds me why I love what I get to do for a living. Michelle was an absolute delight to work with and her husband, Michael, was so adorable and so in love with his beautiful wife. It truly made my heart happy to spend time with them and I couldn't wait to work on a few pics to share with them.

So, these are for you Michelle and Michael. I hope you like them..

Guess who was the first "baby"?

2008-02-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

As someone who loves their dogs like they are my children, I can totally appreciate wanting your first "baby" to be part of celebrating your new arrival. I had such fun with Lanett. I knew I'd like her right from our first phone call. And Bella was a delight. I fell in love with her.

And, oh yeah...isn't Greg cute too?

Beautiful mom to be...

Yep...the newborn session is going to be great!

Catie

2008-01-28T08:32:00.000-08:00

I had such an enjoyable time with Catie on Saturday. It was just a really fun "girl time". I don't think I could have taken a bad pic of this lovely girl even if I'd tried.

And I always love someone who digs my dogs!

Just had to do one with a little bit of drama to it.

Pretty Michelle

2008-01-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Okay...I think I'm just having way too much fun. I had a great session with Michelle yesterday. She was just such a breath of fresh air. It was fun to dress up and take pretty portraits.

Michelle...you are a doll. Thanks you for being so much fun!

Baby Cash

2008-01-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

Fabulous family. I love them. We've done portraits together several times...starting with their first pregnancy with precious daughter Annabelle--who has been featured in my blog previously. She's adorable.

Well...guess who else is adorable? Yep...baby Cash.

A big, wet kiss for Mommy

Daddy's little man