It's gray and raining here in Houston so I thought I share some "sunshine" in the form of little 3 year old Lily.  I hadn't seen her in about a year so it was a treat to see her again.  One of the joys of my work is seeing the kids and families grow up together over the years.  It's  a beautiful thing to witness.  Lily is about to get a little sister too!

I think this dress was my favorite and I love all of her expressions.  I can't remember what I said but check out how she's looking at me!  So funny...

This was when I asked her if she could see my eye through the camera lens.  By the way, she kept saying "Yes I can!"

So pretty...

She had a great time dressing up too.  I have a handful of these big fluffy tutus at my studio and the little girls love them!  They instantly starting dancing around. 

 
Happy Tuesday everyone!  Thanks Elizabeth and Lily!

Melissa brought little Alexander in to the studio a few days ago.  He slept through the first half of the session and was the perfect little model.  Isn't he beautiful?

Melissa brought in this little shirt.  It was her husband's shirt when he was a baby.  It had this little embroidery on the top and the words are so small I can't imagine how someone even embroidered it.

Thanks Melissa and Alexander, it was a pleasure!

Little Madeline and her Mom, Nesi, visited me at the studio today.  It was her 4 month session.  Madeline is one of my First Year Collection babies so I got to see her as a newborn, then today at 4 months, and later at 8 and 12 months.  I love working with First Year babies!  I really get to know the family and see the child go from a tiny newborn to a young toddler.  It's impressive what all we do as people from infancy through our first year!  Often, if it is a family's first baby, I also get the chance to help start their family gallery.  It's a real privilege.

Anyway, ready for some serious blue eyes and big smiles?  I thought so.

Nesi really knew how to get her to laugh.  Moms usually do!

Peeking over Mom's shoulder.

Big bright smile...

A pensive moment...

then not so pensive...I think this is my favorite!

Thanks Nesi, Hope you love them!

On the day that hurricane Ike came to Houston, I had one session scheduled in the morning.  I had packed away all the computers, prepped the studio and was planning to leave at noon.  Jo had a session scheduled at 10 so we went ahead and kept the appointment.  It was a fun way to spend a kind of tense morning.

Lots of sisterly love!

The littlest Veeningen

I love this one, so hilarious.  Little girls can be pretty rowdy too!

I love how kids change their expressions so fast.  So much personality!

Look at that pretty smile.

Big sister

Thanks Jo, your girls are wonderful and so much fun!  Full of JOY, love and life!

A few weeks before the storm, I had a great maternity session with Carly.  She and her husband were so sweet and we made some great images together.  She came to the session with this idea of getting a photograph of her "hugging" her soon-to-be little girl.  She told me that she had done some practicing in the mirror, so cute!  I thought this came out so sweet.

She ended up getting this one as a gallery wrapped canvas.  It's going to look great!

And I loved the simplicity of this shot.

Thanks for coming to see me Carly!  I can't wait to meet your little girl.