agr blog » My crew

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

admin — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 01:26:44 +0000

It is that time again… we are hustling around getting everything ready for the big man in red’s arrival. It is always a busy day but today I took the morning to sit in my PJ’s. Watch the kids play and watch a little tv while doing well… nothing. It was much needed in preparation for the rest of the day. As I type this there are three overly excited children getting their showers taken care of. All year they look forward to this day. The excitement builds for them daily. They can’t wait to go to sleep yet they are so excited they can’t go to sleep. As a child it is the end all, be all of amazing days. I remember it so well. I remember lying in bed hoping that the night would go super fast so I could see my loot. I remember my parents stumbling down the stairs after we drug them out of bed at an insanely early hour. I remember their faces as they watched us inspect each gift. I mean let’s face it Christmas morning ranks right up there with every child’s most anticipated day. And while all year Scott and I work at instilling in our children how blessed they are so that they appreciate everything they have. A nice house, food on the table, good educations, two parents that love them, siblings and most any toy they want to me this day is about them. It’s about the magic of not knowing what will be left under the tree for them. It’s about going to the end of town or to every store on the Internet to find their most obscure requests. As a parent it is almost as fun to watch them at that same insane hour on Christmas morning as they burst with joy over what Santa has brought them. I feel lucky to have three that still believe in the magic, still act giddy with anticipation over what is going to be left for them. Three kids ages 10, 8 and 5 that will try and go to sleep as fast as possible and will run down the stairs wide awake at 7 am to see what awaits them. Then once the toys have been gone through and carefully inspected we will gather everyone up and load the van up to go and visit our families. We are lucky that everyone lives very close so we split our afternoon and evening with both sides of the family. That is our Christmas in a nutshell. Whatever your traditions are I hope that your day is full of magic and love. Being thankful for all that you have and all you are blessed with. Merry Christmas to you all!

Below are some photos I took for our card this year. Every year we all dress up and do a big family session. This year I did them myself. Next year… I will hire someone. I am thrilled with how the individual ones turned out though. They are already gracing my walls as a large display in our house.

This one of the three of them is a new favorite. I love Garrett’s big open mouth laugh and the girls
giggling. Love love it!

Garrett (10)

Ella (8)

Lydia (5)

And the newest member of my family Grady… our Devon Rex kitten.
We just adore this little guy.

Our newest baby boy | Roswell Photographer

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:17:31 +0000

I have heard it said before that after you are done having children you get a puppy. Well… in our case that turned out to be a kitten. We have known for 4 years that our youngest was allergic to cats and dogs. Dogs are definitely more problematic for her then cats but she still would start sneezing around a cat. Scott and I both are such animal lovers and not having a dog or cat for 7+ years was starting to wear on us. We love our rats, frogs, and lizards but there is something missing when your can’t cuddle with your pet. Through a series of events that can only be explained by “it was meant to be” we found our newest member of the family… Grady. He is a Devon Rex and yes that means we actually paid for our cat. But we were ok with that given the fact that is particular breed was better for people with allergies. He sheds very very minimally, even though he does have hair and it is like petting velvet. And I have never seen hair coming off of him. The breed supposedly has a lower level of the allergen inducing protein in his saliva as well which cuts down on the dander. So we were excited to try him out around Lydia. We went to visit the breeder (who is also allergic to cats) who had 6+ cats in her house and she never sneezed or scratched herself one time. So we took him home with fingers and toes crossed that she would do ok. We have had him a month and so far, so good. We do have things in place that will hopefully reduce the allergens like we bath him, or more specifically rinse him on a weekly basis. I wash his blankets every week and we keep Lydia’s door shut at all times so he is not in her room. It seems to be working so far and words cannot express how much joy he has brought to our lives. He is the sweetest, cuddliest, most dog like cat I have ever met. He comes when you call him and greets you with a sweet meow. He doesn’t use his claws on you at all, lets me take him in the shower and lays on his back while I clip his nails. Scott and I literally fight over who he is going to sleep on. LOL! And the kids are OVER the MOON about him. They race in the door to go and find him when they get home and Lydia loves to help feed him everyday. We are just so pleased with him. So I thought he deserved a proper introduction to the family. Here he is… our adorable Grady!

I took this picture right after we got him and I can really tell he has filled out and grown more hair since then.

All the ones below are from this week. 5 months old.

And for any photographers out there that are reading this the ones from this week were taken with my new 85mm 1.2 lens. All shot at 1.2. That is a sweet lens.

Some rest and relaxing | Roswell Photographer

admin — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:16:14 +0000

This past week marked our first trip to the beach in over a year. We took last summer off because of the dreaded oil spill and spent Spring Break moving into our new house. (I’ll post more on that later) So needless to say we missed our precious Blue Mountain Beach condo. It has been our home away from home for eight years now and it was tough not going last year. The kids were so jazzed to get in the ocean and I have to say this year was one of the best I can remember. Since they are all older now and don’t require diaper changes, naps or even regular schedules we could just go with the flow. Sleeping in, eating at odd hours, playing at the beach till the sun went down and sitting on the couch till 10 watching movies. It was a wonderful week. Our only hitch is sunscreen… oh how they hate it and it makes my girls break out. So I really have to watch which ones I use. The ocean was glorious…. warm and active, which my kids love. They love to get creamed by the waves. They always come up laughing. It is so fun to watch them. And for Scott and I, we got to sit back and enjoy some good conversations, read books (I read Water for Elephants–awesome), and nap off and on while soaking in some Vitamin D. Even the car rides were smooth. So after a crazy 2011 it was lovely to just relax and enjoy each other. And it was equally amazing to come home to our new house that we fall in love with more every day. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and you get your own “beach time” in. Even if it is not the beach, just a break from your daily routine. It is so good for the mind and soul. And here are some shots of the kids… great memories for sure.

Snow Storm 2011 Hits Atlanta

admin — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:59:08 +0000

I had to make that the title as here in GA when a winter storm hits it is a BIG deal. And this one turned out to really be a big deal. We are in Day 4 of no school because of the ice and snow and it’s not looking good for tomorrow either. I did finally get out of my house today and even though I slipped around a bit we made it to the studio. I wanted to pop in and tell all my clients to be patient with me. The storm has forced me to take a week’s vacation. That can be good and bad… since all my work is at the studio I have not been able to get anything done. So orders that were placed after Christmas and my few clients still waiting on galleries I will get to them in the coming week. Sorry for the delay everyone! I hope you have enjoyed the snow with your family. It has definitely been pretty and a rare snow storm for us. At my house we measure about 8 inches and then it turned to freezing rain which made everything slick and shiny. Beautiful for sure. Here are a few shots I got of the kids…

In the shot above they are standing just past our driveway…only you can’t see it at all. LOL
And below Ella is standing on the patio, but all you can see are the lights around the edge.

The shots below are sledding at a neighbors house.

Happy New Year!

admin — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:50:29 +0000

Well it is the new year and my vacation is over… today the kid’s went back to school. Course I had other things to do like Dr. appointments but overall this was my first day back at the studio. I am so excited about 2011! Another wonderful year of beautiful newborns, smiling babies, and spunky toddlers. It is always a time I slow down and reflect… look at my business, plan and set goals. Beth and I will be sitting down together very soon to do just that together this year. I am excited to have her to brainstorm and motivate me. January and February are generally slower months for me so that allows me that time to focus on the business. I do have some clients on the books but until then I will blog some personal things and my own kids. Also make sure and keep your eye on our Facebook page. I will be doing some fun stuff over there in the next few months too. Until then… here are some shots of our winter break. As you know in ATL we rarely get snow and almost NEVER on Christmas but this year it all changed. For the first time in over 100 years we had a real white Christmas. It snowed ALL day here and while the roads were ok to drive it we got still got lots on the ground and trees. It was magical I tell you. Something special for sure. It stuck around for a few days too so I got my girls out in it for a few shots one day.

Our snow covered house…

All three on the playground.

She is definitely a silly one.

Happy Halloween from the AGR crew

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:55:50 +0000

What a wonderful day we had yesterday… beautiful weather, a great neighborhood party at our house and lots of candy from all the trick or treating. I just love Halloween… such a fun day to be a kid! (or a mom)

Here are my three from yesterday.

A shot of all of us… gasp. Yes I am in that image.

And with their newest little cousin.

Here is crazy Lydia… doing her thing.

My girls | Alpharetta Child Photographer

admin — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 16:43:19 +0000

I thought I would take a bit of break from clients and share my girls. This weekend had to be some of the most gorgeous weather EVER! It was sunny, mid 70′s and the sky was as clear blue as you have ever seen. Such a wonderful break from our LONG, hot, humid summer. I found a new location this week as well and wanted to try it out before I took a client there so my girls agreed to help me. We had the best time… no pressure just fun. Lydia the youngest is quickly becoming quite the model. I love her little funny self so much and my big girl Ella grows more beautiful by the day. They are both such blessings…

This one on the log… yeah that was her pose.

This one is my favorite I think… I love how they look at each other. Nothing better than sister love in the making.

She… turned 7 | Alpharetta Child Photographer

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:00:22 +0000

How is possible that my sweet first born daughter is already 7! Getting big girl teeth, having opinions about her hair, loving spending time with her friends (sometimes more than mom {{sniff}}) and getting taller by the second. She is probably the sweetest girl I have ever met… and yes I am biased but she has the biggest caring heart I have ever known. She is always my voice of reason, the one who recognizes when I am upset and tries to make my life easier however she can. I adore her love of animals, insects and anything alive. It is such a beautiful thing. She seems so in touch with her surroundings, the world, all of it. She told me on the way home from our photo session that she wanted to be a vet… it made my heart happy. It was what I wanted to be for the majority of my life. And for certain reasons it didn’t happen and I gave up that dream… I hope she never gives up on her dreams and always knows that she can be anything and anybody she wants. Love you Ella… to the moon and back.

And a few from her birthday party… a camping sleepover party. We had the best time.

The table was set with bugs and woodland creatures. My girl may be 7 but she still loves stuffed animals.
Could care less about princesses though.

Her dirt cake was a huge hit…

We had one candle that was one of those magic ones that won’t stay out… it was a huge hit.

The whole crew plus little sister… this was taken during their treasure hunt… for guess what? Woodland animals for all.

Happy Halloween!!!

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:43:09 +0000

I hope this finds you all you goblins, witches and ghosts excited about tonight! Around here we love Halloween! It is one of our most favorite Holidays. My kids talk for at least 2 months about what they are going to be and then the rest of the time they are asking when I am going to get their costumes. We are having some pretty rotten weather in GA today and I am hoping that it clears in time for Trick or Treating. Don’t worry… we will go either way but it will be much more fun without the rain. The good news is the girls school, High Meadows, had their annual Halloweenie Roast this week so we got all dressed up and I got to take some good shots of the kids there. We had a great time at the Roast and I was very impressed with the decorations and all the effort that went into planning it. The kids just loved it all of it… from the smoke machines, magic pumpkin patch, nail painting, pumpkin decorating and of course the marshmellow roasting. YUM! Who wouldn’t love that right?

So here are my three all dressed up and not excited about getting their picture taken. We have here Pumpkin Spice, Ben 10, and Clifford the Big Red Dog!!!

Ella and her buddy.

The Magical Pumpkin Patch.

And a shot of the TeePee. The Bonfire was beside it.

Blue Mountain Beach, Take 2 | Alpharetta Child Photographer

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:27:06 +0000

So I promised some fun shots of the family at the beach. I don’t take my camera out everyday since the worry of the sand and water and the hassle of carrying it around is a bit much but I do bring it some. I also like to not bring it so I can just be mom and watch my kids play in the water, swim with them and dig giant holes in the sand. When I do take it we have fun with it, taking funny shots, shots of creatures they find, and shots of them being thrown high in the air. So here are a few of those to share…

Garrett getting tossed.

Probably one of my faves is this shot of Ella flying through the air.

Lydia got into the act this year.
She is one of the most fearless three-year olds I have ever met.

This is Lydia playing horsey at the pool. The ladder was her barn.
She kind of looks like a sad horsey doesn’t she?

This is home base at the beach. We make quite a mess.

Scott did a lot of this.

The 4 people I love the most.

Miss Lydia and her sweet kisses.

Me and my Ella.

My boys.

And last but not least… a double split jump. Wow!