Elizabeth Fike Bridal Portraits

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph Elizabeth's bridals. We are cousins... sort of... I can never quite get the whole family relationship straight. Her grandmother, and my mother are sisters. That makes us cousins, right?

Well - regardless - she's beautiful...and we had SUCH an amazing time doing her bridals. I had the pleasure of photographing her wedding tonight... so I can release the bridal photos for all of you to see.

I'm going to post the slide show that I played at their wedding for their enjoyment... it has engagement photos, and the bridal portraits.

We have a couple of thousand images to sort through but will start posting wedding images in the next few days. They are such an amazing couple, with a wonderful family that supports them. Both dad's gave their kids toasts at the reception...and both dad's were so loving, and amazing in how proud they were of their children. It was so wonderful to be just a small part of their day.

I hope you enjoy!

Christmas Open House - Military

I had an 'open house' for the military families that have done an Oplove Session with me, or qualified, but haven't done one yet. This was just a short session... to get some 'holiday' images to send to their soldiers.

I made a big pot of Chicken & Sausage Gumbo... and we just had fun and got some AMAZING photos!!

Ms. M is now eight and a half months old and is ADORABLE!!




She wasn't QUITE sure what to think about this guy...



This little guy is adorable! He was quite excited to come take photos!!





His mom wasn't prepared to take photos....but I didn't let that stop me! ;-)



These guys are twins, and are deployment experienced! They were under 3 the last time... so this time has proven to be MUCH different for mom.



I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of women to spend time with, who are dealing with the same issues that deployed families deal with. And we had a wonderful time eating wonderful Gumbo... and just spending time together!

It's not to late to get your Christmas Photos taken! Contact me today!

Pathfinders Christmas Party 2009

These gorgeous people are my Sunday school class.

I know... I know....it's called Adult Bible Fellowship... or some other 'grownup' term.

It's Sunday School folks.

It's been Sunday School for decades....it's STILL Sunday School... ;-)

For those who don't have a church home - check out the photos - our church (Second Baptist) is an awesome church, with amazing opportunities for Fellowship.

The kids events - WOW!! My daughters are excited to get up on Sunday and go to church...and that just makes me smile!

The Melton Family: Christmas Session

Ms. Melton was Tori's 5th grade teacher a couple of years ago - and one of my first portfolio building clients. She has two amazingly adorable daughters - and we did a 'not so christmas' Christmas session over the weekend.

I hope you enjoy!

They loved the Santa Chair!

There was also a white carriage that we 'borrowed' for a few moments:

Loved how their outfits matched!

You want to know how you get a young 'un to smile? Tell them not to smile....then grin at them like an idiot... ;-)

My favorite... they are such a beautiful family!

This was after the session... mom and I were visiting while the girls were playing on the rocks... I got two amazing photos that I loved!

Mom saw this one... she was sitting so perfectly....and I called her name... and she looked at me.

Thank you so much for letting me spend time with you - I always love hanging out with the girls - they are hilarious!!

Thanksgiving Vacation

We spent four precious days with Brad before we came home. This will be the last time we see him for several months. We rented a home through VRBO.com - and had a wonderful experience.

The owners were amazing - they called to check on us as we had several hours of driving to arrive - and the property manager called to see if we needed anything while we were there.

There were quite a few memorable moments...

Getting up the hill into the garage the first night on an icy driveway....we slide back, into the snow...and had the good luck to have someone drive by that helped us push it out. We ended up using the water hose as a 'rappelling' rope to get the girls and I into the house before Brad attempted the driveway by himself.

Listening to Tori tell Sarah: Look Sarah - those are mountains!! And that's SNOW!!!
And then pointing out every bit of 'snow' for the next hour...

Listening to Brad tickle the heck out of Sarah...and then Tori ...and listening to Tori try NOT to laugh in the usual 'teen angst' manner...

Walking in the snow in Taos...

Enjoying warm soup with Brad and Sarah (Tori was still snowboarding)..

Stretching a 7.5 hour drive into a 12 hour drive because of frequent stops on the way back... finding a park and playing for half an hour...

Watching Brad say goodbye to a sleeping Sarah....telling her he loved her...hugging Tori, and telling her to not grow too much....the drive back to the military facility, holding hands...and hugging him tight before driving off in tears.

I'm just one of several thousands of families who told their soldiers goodbye the last few days.

I was recently asked, by Kat Cooper who writes a blog at the Chron.com, to give her one word that I thought of when I thought of "Deployment"... my response: Sucks.

It does.

It sucks to have to remember to take out the trash, cause he always does it. It sucks to have NO one to hand off the boisterous 2 year old to at the end of the day. It sucks to have to go to bed at night and miss him.

It sucks.

But I support his involvement in the United States Military. We re-enlisted just a short time ago - and it was done after very long, careful consideration to what it would mean. He might have been the person putting the signature on the paperwork, but being part of the military is a 'family' issue. We knew a deployment was a very likely possibility - but there are some men & women who were created to defend our country. I think my husband is one of them. He is an amazing man, a wonderful father, and an incredible husband....and he is an American soldier.

I'm going to be working with our military unit's Family Readiness Group in collecting care package items and sending them to the soldiers in the early part of next year. If you would like to participate - please contact me directly - my information is at the bottom of the blog.

Here are SEVERAL photos from our vacation, in no particular order:

The C. Family Session

Mom saw photos from one of my recent sessions - and touched base to talk about what she wanted. We found out we are both military wives, and we are both always trying to catch up with all of the stuff that comes with kids, and husbands, and...yes, deployments. Her husband has done a couple, and she survived, and gave me some WONDERFUL ideas to help the girls make it through the next few months.

The kids are Kelsey, Colton, Amanda. They were alot of fun...and made us work for the smiles a bit.

I have to confess...there was a 'little' bit of torture going on...


I got a couple of smiles when I least expected it....she was actually getting a rock out of her shoe...


And she had that 'senior' look down to a 'T' already... *grin*...



Colton didn't do so bad himself either....can you believe he's only 7??



This ended up being my favorite image - because in 15 years, when all of them are off at college...or where ever life may find them....this image is going to be priceless. I loved how they were hugging daddy...



Thank you SO much Amy for inviting me to photograph your family. I truly enjoyed meeting all of you...and must say...you've got your hands full!

Senior 2010 - Ali

I had a blast this afternoon spending time with Ali & her mom. Ali is one of my wonderful senior reps - and does she make me look good.

She is absolute gorgeous! These are just a few of my favorites!

I think this one might be my favorite... loved the look!

Sorry guys... I 'think' she's taken.

This one... is not going to be a 'dad' favorite... but mom knew it was going to look good.

If you are a senior, looking for your senior portraits - give me a call. I like to fit sessions to your personality. That means if your more laid back, easy going...we'll take a trip out to a park... or if your a downtown kind of gal... we'll take a ride into Houston.

The goal - as always - is to get images that suit YOUR personality...

Thank you so much for spending your Sunday afternoon with me!

Connections: Why they matter ...

I know I should cease to be amazed by this... and yet somehow each time I find this situation recurring... I am in awe at what can only be an overall plan for having the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

Most of you are not aware that in October of 2004, at the age of seven, Tori was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. She was complaining of chest pains, so we took her to her pediatrician, who sent us to Texas Children's Hospital. They did an EKG, and they diagnosed her with Right Ventricle Hypertrophy. That just meant that her right ventricle was enlarged - cause was unknown.

She saw a cardiologist the first part of December - and was diagnosed with Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), which is a hole between the right and left atrium of her heart. Sinus Venosus tells you where the whole is. Here's a great diagram to show you what it looks like:


Tori attended Trinity Lutheran School at that time, and her very best friends name was Rebecca. Rebecca was also born with a congenital heart defect - one much more serious than Tori's, and over the kindergarten/first grade summer - she had her 2nd open heart surgery for her heart condition. Tori didn't understand all the words associated with what was going on, but as far as she was concerned, it wasn't a big deal. Rebecca had it, and she was just fine.

Rebecca's parents were amazingly supportive - and their calm approach helped me stay focused, and deal with problems as they occurred. There is a certain level of comfort when you know another family has gone through the situation you've gone through... and came out the other side just fine.

Tori had the surgery - came home 4 days later, and promptly got into trouble for climbing up on the top bunk bed. She's had follow ups since then, and has to get checked out every few years, but is a very healthy, very tall, beautiful young lady.

Fast forward 4 years, and one of those really awesome people you meet by chance... a random item that you buy from them off of Craigslist... who ends up becoming a friend. You have kids just a few months apart - and she's really nice! She lets you know she is taking HER daughter to Texas Children's for an EKG. Her daughter has a heart murmur... and she's worried, just like I was. I let her know about Tori's heart issue... something we hadn't talked about... that she was completely suprised about. She writes an awesome blog - http://ourcozynest.wordpress.com/ - and she's becoming a really wonderful photographer!

The people that are in your life - right now - are there for a reason. Maybe you don't always know WHY... maybe you won't ever know why. But they are there for a reason. Appreciate them for what they bring to your life. It might be that thier relationship with you, somewhere down the line, helps someone else. Or maybe your relationship with them will help you a few years from now in a way that you can't see right now.

It is the books you read, and the people you meet that make the most difference in your life.

I put this together - out of a few years of pictures of Tori. She is growing so fast, and I know that in the blink of an eye, she will be headed for college, and start a life on her own. We are so amazed at how wonderful she is, and hope that she knows it!

The Stewart Family

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the Stewart Family this afternoon. Shannon was doing a search for photographers in the Katy area, stumbled upon my 4th of July fireworks, checked out my website, and contacted me about doing her family session.

We had quite a few laughs over the phone talking about kids and husbands and work... just life in general.

So - we headed out to one of my favorite locations - and spent some time together. She has two absolutely gorgeous daughters... Ms. A and Ms. T... they were hilarious and did I mention gorgeous???

I think Dad will probably be meeting any future boyfriends at the door... and having long discussions with them before they are allowed to leave the house... ;-)

I love this photo! Love it!

There's a park close by... and the girls had to have this upside down photo... we had to work on it a bit... but it ended up being one of my favorites!

Okay... it's the age old dispute... color... or B&W. I love this photo... it has to be one of my favorite family shots... I told them to get close... and this was what they did... and I just pushed the button. Love the leaning... and the expressions.

Thank you SO much for spending your time with me, and for giving me the honor of photographing your family. I really enjoyed it!

Saying Goodbye.

The soldiers of 72nd reported for duty, hugged their families, and loaded onto buses that took them to catch a flight. An event that has been coming for over a year, is now a reality. There are thousands of families across the state of Texas who will be missing someone very important.

There are times I am conflicted as a photographer... sometimes I feel like I'm 'intruding'...and sometimes, when I get home, and load the images into my computer... I know... that if I hadn't 'intruded'... that moment might only be a faint memory.

Here are a few of the soldiers... these guys were the first of many to roll out...
They are loved... they are missed...and we pray for their safe return.

OpLove Session: The B Family... or is it the S Family?

The information about Oplove Sessions has slowly made it's way to the families... and the mother of a soldier emailed inquiring on whether I could fit them in before her daughter deployed.

I took off 2 days this week to spend time with my family... but I know how precious these sessions are, so I made arrangements with mom to get together with her family this afternoon. Fortunately, we all happen to be located in Katy, so it was a quick trip to the location, and we were done in about an hour.

I knew mom and I were going to get along quite nicely - we hugged when we met... lol. It's a southern thing...

Anyway... Ms B is deploying very shortly... and we managed to get some amazing photos of her and her family. I hope you enjoy!

She does serious... quite well!

This little guy was adorable... took him a bit to warm up... but he is well loved and KNOWS it!

Michael is Mr. Cool... caught him off guard with this one... his sisters were joking with him... and uh-oh... I caught a real smile!

I'm keeping the gagging photos to myself... they were quite hilarious!

It's all about the attitude! (and the boots got REALLY muddy after this shot!!) OOPS!

Boys will be boys... this was after we were done... walking back to the cars... he liked this part best!

Maybe we should have let him run like this to BEGIN with!

This is my FAVORITE shot of the day! LOVED this one! Loved it!

Okay... this one was really good too darn it!!

The whole family!

Let's just say that I'm very glad she's on OUR side! ;-)

All joking aside - this was an incredibly sweet family that I was quite happy to spend time with prior to their soldiers deployment. Thank you so much for honoring me by spending YOUR time with me.

72nd Deployment Ceremony

I, along with several thousand others in Houston, was proud to attend the 72nd Deployment Ceremony yesterday at Minute Maid Park.

The weather was rather foul - it rained... and rained... and rained...

But there were American Flags all over the place. These are just a few of the hundreds of images I took... but I thought I'd share:

Marching onto the field:

Lots of soldiers

Lots of cheering friends and family:

My soldier! ;-)

During the ceremony:

Mayor Bill White:

They let the kids run the bases... not sure if you can see the big cheesy grin on Sarah's face... she LOVES to run! Tori does such a great job with her!

Our little one found daddy....and was holding on tight!

One of my favorites:

This one - is a panorama image - this is the VERY small version:

If you'd like a link to the full sized image - let me know - it's HUGE! 27 MB - so be prepared if you do not have a fast connection. It's a pencil portrait version of a larger photo. I liked it...